"The people here are so easily fooled. Just dangle a little bait, and they'll bite. But when danger strikes, they scatter like rats..."
"Hmm... To put it simply, they're rich, dumb, and terrified of dying!"
Sparkle first greeted Sunday and Robin with the lively enthusiasm of a neighbor's little sister. Then, covering her mouth and tilting her head slightly, she responded to Robin's question, "Are you enjoying yourself?" by bluntly revealing the "true nature" of Penacony's citizens.
"Is that so?" Robin murmured softly, her expression remaining composed and her tone firm and serious, yet without a hint of anger.
"Since you've had your fun, leave this place soon. The symphony of Harmony cannot tolerate discordance."
It seemed Robin didn't mind Sparkle impersonating her and wandering around Penacony for a while.
Though Robin outwardly urged Sparkle to leave, as a devout follower of Harmony—which embraces all things—how could she possibly drive away the embodiment of Elation?
Robin's actions stemmed solely from her desire to protect Sparkle.
Ever since leaving Dreamscape Reef, a persistent sense of unease had lingered in Robin's heart.
It felt as if something... something capable of altering the course of her entire life... was about to happen.
Brother... have you truly turned against Harmony?
A faint ache tugged at Robin's heart. Even though Sunday wasn't the only suspect, the ominous premonition pierced her heart incessantly.
"Robin, just keep moving forward, even if it's raining ahead." No one noticed Robin's inner turmoil except Lumina.
Centuries of experience reading people's hearts made it impossible for Robin's inner turmoil to escape Lumina's discerning gaze.
Instead of directly addressing Robin's actions, Lumina offered an enigmatic riddle that left its meaning unclear.
"Mmm... thank you." Lumina's words brought warmth to Robin's heart, though the stinging pain didn't vanish entirely, it eased considerably.
Sunday: ...
Sunday watched Robin silently, a flicker of concern in his eyes. Yet deep within his gaze, hidden from casual observation, lay a hint of anguish.
"What? Now that the True Robin has returned, am I just a useless imitation?"
"And after all the help I've given your Family... sigh... how heartbreaking."
As the mesugaki Sparkle, Miss Sparkle remained oblivious to the profound shift in the others' moods. With hands on her hips, a pitiful expression, and tear-filled eyes, she wailed dramatically, as if Robin's words had pierced her fragile heart.
The great Miss Sparkle now seemed vulnerable, weak, and helpless, as if she might shatter at the slightest touch. Her tear-filled eyes tugged at the heartstrings of onlookers, stirring a primal urge to pull her into a comforting embrace and soothe her shattered spirit.
"Enough, Fool," Sunday snapped. "I warned you—don't defile my dear sister with your filthy tongue." However, everyone present was far from ordinary. Seeing Sparkle's behavior, Sunday's expression darkened once more.
He let out a stern rebuke, a palpable aura of danger radiating from his body, seeping into Sparkle's very being.
Robin was the "person" Sunday had sworn to protect above all else. Thus, Sparkle's act of defiling her with her filthy tongue deeply enraged the protective brother.
"Sigh... You're all so heartless. Not only do you fail to thank me properly, but you even scold me in such a harsh tone..."
"If I hadn't personally stepped in to clean up this mess... who knows what chaotic state Penacony would be in now?"
As a heartless [Masked Fool], Sparkle instantly dropped her pitiful, weak, and helpless facade under Sunday's threat. In its place bloomed a look of weary resignation, heavy with exasperated sighs.
"That was a request from the Head of the Iris Family, and it has nothing to do with us."
"Now, please leave Penacony immediately and stop causing trouble for the Charmony Festival."
At these words, Sparkle's expression vanished in an instant, performing a textbook-perfect transformation in mere seconds.
Crossing her arms, Sparkle tilted her head back to gaze at Sunday and Robin, a mischievous smile curving her lips. "Charmony Festival?"
"No way~ No way~ You don't actually think I'm completely clueless and that you can scare me with a festival that can't even happen, do you?"
Sparkle chuckled incessantly, plunging Sunday and Robin into silence.
"Let's ignore you for now, Chicken-Wing Boy." Undeterred by their silence, Miss Sparkle continued her tirade. "As far as I know, our lovely and beautiful Chicken-Wing Girl has already decided not to take the stage, right?"
"After all, you've seen for yourselves how grotesque this Sweet Dream has become under Harmony's manipulation..."
"Penacony, the Land of Dreams... Is this the paradise you siblings envisioned? Hehe."
"Shut up!" Sunday's eyes narrowed, as if trying to pierce Sparkle's soul.
"Ooh, getting riled up, are we? You're getting riled up!" Hearing this, Sparkle didn't shut up at all, but instead grew even more gleeful.
"No way, no way! The dignified and elegant Head of the Oak Family, actually losing his composure over a few casual remarks from me?"
"No way~ no way~ Chicken-Wing Boy~ You... you're not getting flustered, are you?"
"No way~ no way~ It must be my imagination. The dignified and elegant Head of the Oak Family, Sunday, Mr. Chicken-Wing Boy, certainly wouldn't lose his composure over my casual remarks, right?"
Sparkle said with a sly smile, her tone filled with feigned doubt and uncertainty. Yet the expression on her face left no doubt: these doubts and uncertainties were nothing but mockery aimed squarely at Sunday.
Sunday: ...