Over the past few days, Yayoi Natural and Mejiro Ramonu had done little besides wander around Okinawa's main island—and Irabu Island.
Just scouting. Getting a feel for the place.
Nothing more.
And honestly, for Yayoi Natural, that wasn't a bad thing.
Treating it like a trip suited her just fine.
But today, Mejiro Ramonu finally decided to act.
"Natural?"
"Yeah?"
"Let's go see Rudolf."
It was the first thing Yayoi Natural heard over breakfast.
With a piece of fish still in her mouth, she chewed, swallowed, then said, "Sure."
Mejiro Ramonu drew a deep breath, then started, "Then let's go—straight to—"
"You're not bringing anything?"
Yayoi Natural cut her off with the blunt question.
That made Mejiro Ramonu remember what Yayoi Natural had told her before.
"Ah. Right. We should bring some dessert…"
Mejiro Ramonu looked tense—a side she'd never shown before.
Of course, the main reason was that Yayoi Natural hadn't been there back then.
Anyone bringing their romantic rival—ex or not—to meet the person they're after would probably look like this.
Seeing it, Yayoi Natural sighed.
To be honest, unlike Mejiro Ramonu…
Yayoi Natural didn't have many feelings about facing Symboli Rudolf anymore.
It was just...
There were things she still wanted to understand.
That was why she'd agreed to come with Mejiro Ramonu in the first place.
And this time…
Yayoi Natural shifted her gaze slightly and said, "Honestly, going without anything wouldn't be a big deal. For someone like Rudolf, she probably won't care."
Yayoi Natural's comment made Mejiro Ramonu freeze for a second—then shake her head. "No. We should still prepare something."
Even as she rejected the idea, her expression didn't change.
Watching her, Yayoi Natural ate her fried egg and said, "Okay. Then let's find a dessert shop first. If we're bringing something, you'll need my help picking it out, right?"
She didn't press Mejiro Ramonu further—just kept eating at her own pace.
Yayoi Natural wasn't that fussed about meeting Rudolf.
So she only asked, "When are we going to see her?"
"This afternoon. If it runs late, staying one night at a hotel over there shouldn't be a problem."
Mejiro Ramonu's tone held a trace of uncertainty as she looked at Yayoi Natural.
Yayoi Natural didn't comment. She just nodded. "Alright. Then we'll go then."
She finished her drink and looked at Mejiro Ramonu. "Aren't you going to eat? It's getting cold."
Only then did Mejiro Ramonu remember she hadn't taken a single bite of her breakfast.
She picked up her chopsticks. "Anyway… help me later, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll help."
Yayoi Natural glanced aside, then added, "But seeing her this afternoon…"
"Mm. This afternoon."
Mejiro Ramonu looked off in one direction as she said, "I wonder what kind of expression Luna will have when she sees you."
Mejiro Ramonu's words made Yayoi Natural turn to look at her.
Rudolf's expression when she saw her…
Yayoi Natural hadn't really imagined it. She couldn't.
But...
"Maybe she'll be surprised," Yayoi Natural said, meeting Mejiro Ramonu's eyes. "What do you think?"
The question made Mejiro Ramonu pause.
Unlike Yayoi Natural, Mejiro Ramonu could probably guess what Rudolf's expression would be.
And yet…
She lifted her head and looked at Yayoi Natural.
Now she couldn't be sure anymore.
Because she didn't truly understand the relationship between Yayoi Natural and Rudolf. All she had were surface-level details from what she'd investigated.
Anything beyond that…
She knew nothing at all.
So it was a question Mejiro Ramonu couldn't answer.
After all…
"I can't imagine it," she said, then looked at Yayoi Natural. "But I think… she'll take you very seriously."
"She'll take me seriously…"
That should've clarified something for Yayoi Natural, but instead she found herself unable to picture it.
In her memories…
The times Symboli Rudolf paid her any special attention were basically limited to—
Thinking back to their meeting in France, Yayoi Natural finally let out a quiet sigh. "Maybe you're right."
...
Symboli Rudolf's life was ordinary.
If you had to compare it to something, it was like an office worker on a long break.
But unlike most office workers—Symboli Rudolf didn't go to izakaya or anywhere similar. Every day looked much the same.
Or rather, as long as nothing changed, her life was simply like this.
Because here, she had no familiar faces. No friends.
As for family…
Thinking of her relationship with Yayoi Natural, Rudolf didn't even need to think before crossing "family" off the list.
So Rudolf's days were nothing but quiet planning—for the future, or the past.
"Tonight…"
Turning over a few possibilities, Rudolf let her gaze drift. "What should I eat?"
Work here wasn't light, but at least no one came looking for her—so the pay and time off were still within acceptable bounds.
And with that, Rudolf's life stayed as simple as ever.
Her needs weren't that high.
So…
"I'll check the convenience store nearby first."
With the thought of seeing what looked good before deciding, Symboli Rudolf got out of bed and stepped out the door—a door she hadn't stepped through in nearly three days.
---
T/N: ramonu changed her way of calling natural! why? girls trippppppp so they should be comfy with eachother
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