Rita did know Midsummer Kessa.
She might not fully understand Tiger Ear Kessa, but she knew Midsummer Kessa.
When she continued the World Sigh of "Midsummer," she had reread the earlier chapters more than once. Anyone who had seen that Sigh would never forget Midsummer Kessa.
This time she thought for a long while before answering.
"Lost."
Whether it was Kessa or Midsummer, both had drifted away from the right path. Not because they were wrong, but because they had been placed in the wrong circumstances.
After a long silence, Kessa shook her head, just like Maple Syrup had.
She rejected the word.
But every player saw the rune light up briefly at her brow before fading.
Rita tried to say something, but Kessa was already lost in memory. She returned to her seat, chin propped on her hand, staring out the window.
Dawn Cicada's vine wrapped around Rita's wrist at once. Her eyes sparkled.
"What about me?"
Rita expressionlessly peeled the vine off. "We're enemies. Remember?"
