Kamijou Mutsuki took the bundle of grass. The girl was certain that she had only blinked — and the grass had vanished.
"Where's my grass?"
"That's what magic is — making something out of nothing, or making something that exists disappear!"
Kamijou Mutsuki began explaining.
"So where's my grass?"
"In my stomach!"
Kamijou Mutsuki revealed the exact same triumphant smile the girl had worn earlier.
Ryō: ?
The hell — you ate my grass?
The girl lifted her head and locked eyes with Kamijou Mutsuki.
He's the same type of Stand user as me!
Their thoughts were astonishingly in sync.
"You ate all my grass — pay up!"
This time, the girl really seemed afraid he would run off, grabbing his arm tightly.
She had already plucked all the edible grass in this patch. If Kamijou Mutsuki didn't drop some coins, she was genuinely going to go hungry.
"No money. Or how about you eat me instead?"
The girl seemed to seriously consider where she should start biting.
"Paying money isn't very likely. But if you agree to one request, I can treat you to… breakfast?"
At this point, Kamijou Mutsuki finally revealed his true intention.
"A request?"
Hearing that, Miss Ryō released his arm, crossed her arms over her chest, and frowned.
"I know I'm cute, but don't get any ideas. Impossible."
If it were an ordinary person, things would probably end here. But this was Scumbag Ryō.
"However—"
The girl suddenly changed her tone.
"I have a super cute junior. If you treat me to breakfast, I can introduce her to you."
And who exactly was this junior Ryō was talking about?
Hard to guess, right, Kita?
"Then what about Nijika?"
Kamijou Mutsuki asked curiously.
Ryō clearly hadn't expected to hear that name from his mouth. Her eyes widened slightly.
"…That would be a different price."
It could only be said — as expected of you, Scumbag Ryō.
"No need for you to introduce me. I can get to know her myself. Just take me to STARRY, Miss Ryō."
When her name came out of Kamijou Mutsuki's mouth, the expression on the girl's face finally changed.
"So you're a fanatical secret admirer?"
Miss Ryō reached her conclusion.
"But that's not acceptable. It'll only make girls hate you. Unless…"
"Unless?"
"Money."
The girl extended her hand.
"So are you taking me or not?"
"I'll take you."
This was compensation she was owed. If she didn't get fed, she'd go hungry.
And besides, even without her, it wouldn't be hard for Kamijou Mutsuki to find STARRY.
In the end, Ryō, eating a crepe bought by Kamijou Mutsuki, brought him to STARRY.
Normal food like this really did taste much better than grass.
Perhaps because it was still early, there weren't any customers inside.
"Ryō!"
A certain yellow-haired girl with a triangular, magnetically-levitating ahoge immediately noticed Scumbag Ryō standing beside Kamijou Mutsuki, eating a crepe.
"What took you so long?"
"Eh, and this is…?"
After complaining, the girl finally noticed Kamijou Mutsuki standing next to her friend and showed a puzzled expression.
This was the first time Ryō had come together with someone else — and it was a boy she didn't recognize.
"Hello, I'm Kamijou Mutsuki, Nijika-mama."
Unlike Soyo's slightly affected air, Nijika clearly looked like a youthful girl full of energy, yet every gesture carried a trace of gentle warmth, almost like a mother.
It could only be said — as expected of Nijika-mama. Not something Soyo's fake "mom-role" aura could compare to.
For Mutsumi, Soyo probably gave off more of a dad vibe.
"Hello… wait, what kind of title is 'Nijika-mama'?"
The girl had originally smiled while greeting him, but quickly reacted, her cheeks turning red.
Being called "mama" by someone her age — even for Nijika-mama — was a first.
"Because Nijika-mama is Nijika-mama!"
There's no way I can explain this to you — because Nijika Ijichi is a woman who could become my mother.
"Now that you mention it… that's actually true."
Ryō, having already finished her crepe, even stroked her chin thoughtfully while sizing up her friend.
"Nijika really is as gentle as a mom."
"Why are you saying it too, Ryō?"
Betrayed by her own friend, Nijika could only complain with flushed cheeks.
"Nijika-mama, could you grant me one request?"
Kamijou Mutsuki asked.
"A request? What kind?"
Miss Nijika clearly hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation yet.
"I have drifted for half my life, longing only to meet a wise mother."
Inside STARRY, it was as if a melodramatic BGM had begun to play.
Miss PA, who had been dozing off, immediately stood up. Who turned on the speakers?
"If you do not abandon me, Nijika, Mutsuki is willing to take you as my godmother!"
Kamijou Mutsuki said as he took Nijika's hand, dropped to one knee, and produced a diamond ring.
No, who proposes becoming someone's godchild with a diamond ring? Anyone who did not know better would think this was a marriage proposal!
No, this completely looks like a proposal, does it not?
"I…"
An innocent girl like her had never seen such a scene before. Her cheeks were instantly dyed bright red.
At a loss, she looked toward her friend with pleading eyes.
You brought this person here, you deal with it!
Ryō did indeed help her out, but not in the way she had hoped.
"Young man,"
Ryō directly grabbed the hand in which Kamijou Mutsuki was holding the diamond ring, her eyes practically turning into the shape of money.
"Are you still in need of a godmother?"
"What do you think of me?"
Naturally, she knew that diamonds were mostly a marketing product. But the ring in Kamijou Mutsuki's hand was different—pure silver inlaid with a heap of gemstones. One look and you could tell it was worth quite a bit.
"Do not form strange relationships with people just for money!"
Nijika immediately saw through her friend's thoughts and could not help but retort.
"If it is not Mama Nijika, then it will not do!"
Kamijou Mutsuki's reply was equally firm.
"I am not going to be happy just because you say that!"
"It has to be Nijika?"
Hearing this, a conflicted expression appeared on Ryō's face.
After thinking for quite a while, she finally made a decision.
"Nijika is my bandmate, my closest friend!"
"And?"
"Then you will have to pay more!"
Scummy Ryō looked at Kamijou Mutsuki and said this with a completely serious expression.
"I am still right here!"
Miss Ryō's behavior naturally drew dissatisfaction from her friend.
"Do not conduct this kind of strange transaction in front of the person involved!"
In the end, Kamijou Mutsuki and Ryō were, quite naturally, jointly sanctioned by Mama Nijika.
"So,"
Looking at Ryō and Kamijou Mutsuki sitting obediently side by side on their chairs, Nijika could not help but let out a soft sigh.
"This Mr. Kamijou… could he possibly be your younger brother, Ryō?"
That scummy aura was practically carved from the same mold as her friend.
"Why a younger brother? Could he not be the older one?"
Kamijou Mutsuki tried to raise an objection, but one look from Mama Nijika immediately made him behave.
......................