"They're innocent, Ramonu…"
"Sigh… Thank you for the help, Durren."
The Mejiro girl in front of Ramonu is Mejiro Durren. She has long, chestnut-brown hair tied into twin ponytails. Her blue eyes usually give her an energetic yet slightly serious vibe, but this time, they're just tired.
"Why did you say yes when I asked before?"
"Because we thought you meant Trainer Igo!"
"Then did he send you here?"
"No. We just thought that dragging him would get us in less trouble."
"...You are his trainees."
Ramonu massaged the bridge between her eyes. Her facial muscles had been contracted throughout the interrogation, and it felt like she'd become a statue.
"Come on… I'll guide you out."
"Hey!! Since you seem to be in trouble, why don't we help you??
We can be an extra hand to help you with whatever it is that you are dealing with! A robber?! They're nothing compared to me!!"
"You really remind me of Symboli Rudolf when she was young, Tokai Teio.
We appreciate your offer, but the Mejiro Family and the local police have got it under control. We don't want any unneeded factor marking the water when the countdown is in sight."
"But… What if we asked Trainer Igo to help us?"
"..."
Ramonu froze the moment that name was brought up. Their last conversation during that dinner came to mind. After reviewing everything over and over again, Ramonu had come to the conclusion that she was being quite a fucking bitch during their fight.
Igo Heita was at the lowest point of his career. Thinking straight is asking too much of him. And yet, Ramonu acts as if he was meant to act like a robot-emotionless.
"Follow me."
"Ramonu."
"Calm down, Durren. Igo Heita is a major help if we can get him on our side. We'll just take their offer."
"If you say so…"
Durren has only a limited knowledge of who Igo Heita is and what he is capable of, but seeing Mejiro Ramonu so insistent on having him by their side can only mean good things from him.
"All four of you, follow me. Do not get left behind."
The quartet quickly stood and followed Mejiro Ramonu closely.
They walked back into the amphitheater and went backstage. There was a sturdy vault made out of pure steel. The door of the vault was notably much smaller compared to the size of the vault itself.
"Durren, open the door."
*Click* *Cccrrreeeaaaakkk*
With a heavy click, the door of the vault is unlocked, and a powerful motor turns it open.
The quartet was expecting a room full of gold, but what they found was a small gemstone encased in protective glass. The gemstone is displayed perfectly in the middle of the room, with powerful lights shining from the ceiling, which give the impression that they are standing outside under the clear sky. That's just how lit the room is.
"That's the treasure of the Mejiro Family."
"No. We're just hosting an auction to sell that. The amphitheater's hidden location makes it a perfect place to auction said gemstone, especially when Kaito Kid is aiming for it."
"Ah!! I understand now!! Don't worry!! We'll help you guard it!!"
"I'm asking for your trainer, Tokai Teio."
"Rude!!! I can help too!!"
"Your trainer can help even more. Now go back to him and fulfill your end of the promise.
Invite him to my cause."
"Nnnnnnhhhhh!!! Fine!! Guide us to the way out."
"We could've done this sooner…" Durren complained as she helped the lost chicks find their way out.
The truth is, Durren wants to spend her time with her beloved trainer, but family matters come first. This is why she acts lazy and unwilling.
"Be kind to them even if they are annoying, Durren. They're still VIP guests after all."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"This place is too big, McQueen. How the fuck are we going to find your fellow teammates?"
"They are your trainees too, you know?"
The newly betrothed couple walk down a massive hallway in search of the missing members of Team Minaz. McQueen worries, considering what kind of teammates she had that they might have gotten themselves into so much trouble.
I don't think I need to worry about Suzuka or Urara, but Teio and Goldship are an entirely different story. They are the incarnation of chaos themselves.
The couple walk side by side while keeping their eyes open to any sign of destruction or tampering.
"Huh?"
Instead of that, the young man saw a boarded-up door. The door seemed to resemble bedroom doors like the other bedrooms in this Mansion.
"Could that be their stupid attempt at a prank?"
"Ah… That is… definitely not their antics."
"So this boarded-up door is the Mejiro Family doing?" The young umamusume of the Mejiro Family quietly nodded. "Is it… not something I should pry into?"
"Uuhh… Mmmhh… It's a kinda sensitive issue in the family."
"Well, since I'm not a member of the Mejiro Family, then I guess I shouldn't know about it."
"Are you saying that if you know why it is boarded up, you will join the Mejiro Family?"
"I never said–"
"Alright!! I'll tell you since you insist so much on joining the Mejiro Family."
"Is this how it feels to be ignored?"
"Ahem! This bedroom was the bedroom of Grandmother's little sister, the late Mejiro Bosatsu."
"The late, huh… Not to sound rude as I usually do, but is that the only reason for the boarded-up door? Seems excessive to me."
"It is excessive if that is the only reason. The main reason is that the room stands as a reminder for Grandmother of what's not to be.
You see, trainer…
Mejiro Bosatsu took her own life from living in the shadow of Grandmother and her peers."
"Ah…"
"The Matriarch of that time wasn't… mentally sensitive, so Mejiro Bosatsu's issues remained undetected until it was too late.
That's why the room remained unchanged from the day she took her own life. Grandmother wants it preserved as a reminder."
"That's rough…"