『 "Stelle, can you come a little closer?" Hotaru whispered to Stelle.
Stelle nodded and slowly approached Hotaru, stopping just as she was about to touch her.
"A little closer. I want to ask you a question," Hotaru continued in a hushed tone.
Stelle moved closer again, only stopping when they were close enough to feel each other's breath. 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: Take one more step~ You're about to kiss~
....
『 Hotaru blushed as she looked at Stelle, who was now only a paper-thin distance away, but she quickly adjusted her composure. She looked at Stelle and asked softly.
"May I ask, did you come to Penacony alone?"
Stelle used Hotaru's previous answer, "I am. At least for now."
"Is that so? I understand…" Hotaru responded softly.
"You may have realized it, or maybe not, but I've been taking you on a detour this whole time, going to all sorts of places. That's because…"
"Because someone is following you," Hotaru said solemnly. 』
『 ....』
〘Belle〙: Wow, as expected of Trigger, you got it right.
〘Trigger〙: Thanks for the compliment, Manager.
〘March 7th〙: Your trip to Penacony really is full of twists and turns.
〘Stelle〙: This must be the burden of being a protagonist.
....
『 Hearing this, Stelle was just about to turn her head when she was stopped by Hotaru's words.
"Don't turn around! I'm certain his target is you. He hasn't lost our trail since we said goodbye to Mr. Gallagher."
Hotaru stared intently at a spot behind Stelle. "I wondered if this person was your friend, but my intuition tells me he isn't."
"He's about 1.8 meters tall, give or take two centimeters. He has a strong build, clearly someone who exercises. His stride is long, but very light. That kind of footwork doesn't leave footprints…"
"It seems he's very skilled in combat—the covert kind. His palms are broad, but his fingers are long, slender, and nimble. I'd guess he's accustomed to using knives. Short swords, daggers…"
"Do you know anyone like that? Maroon coat, green eyes, dark blue hair…" 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Isn't that Sampo?
〘Sampo〙: Eh? Me?
....
『 Hotaru turned her head toward the direction of the approaching person and said, "Ah… He's coming!"
Stelle turned around and saw Sampo, who was supposed to be in Belobog, bowing to her.
"Yo, if it isn't my loyal, big customer—Miss Stelle! It's been a long time, my dear!"
After speaking, Sampo gave Stelle a wink. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: My… my dear?
〘·HSR· Seele〙: I don't know him.
....
『 "I didn't expect to run into you here—oh my, I really lucked out!" Sampo exclaimed, looking at Stelle.
"Sampo?! Why are you here?!" Stelle asked in shock.
"Are you surprised to see me? It's all thanks to you—Jarilo-VI is wide open for business now!" Sampo explained to Stelle.
"Uh… and who is this?" Hotaru asked, looking at Stelle.
"Oh my, Miss March, you don't remember me? After all the help I gave you in Belobog…"
Sampo made a gesture as if his heart had been broken. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Huh?
〘Sampo〙: I think I know why I'm in Penacony now. Can I sue you for violating my portrait rights? @Hanabi. And you should at least do some research beforehand; you got the wrong person!
〘Hanabi〙: We've been old friends for so many years; talking about money hurts feelings. Besides, I did my research. The girl following the little Gray Hair is March.
〘Silver Wolf〙: I think you're totally mocking her. Too bad, you're wrong. Hotaru is the 'destined childhood friend' type!
〘March 7th〙: Hah? What is this nonsense?
....
『 Stelle crossed her arms and said speechlessly, "What kind of eyes do you have? Does March 7th look like this?"
"My name is Hotaru. I'm an artist from the Iris Family," Hotaru said to Sampo.
Sampo looked as if he had a sudden realization. "Oh! So that's how it is. I was just saying—it hasn't been that long, Miss March surely changed a lot."
He then bowed to Hotaru. "A pleasure, a pleasure! My name is Sampo, an old friend of hers. Please look after me!"
Stelle grabbed Hotaru's hand and said without looking back, "Hotaru, let's go."
"Hey, hey, hey, don't be like that! It wasn't easy for us to meet again. How can you just leave?" Sampo hurriedly tried to stop the two who were about to leave.
"What is… Mr. Sampo doing in Penacony?" Hotaru asked curiously.
"Doing what? Haha, that's an interesting question, miss. What else can one do in Penacony? Just wandering around, daydreaming… vacationing, of course," Sampo replied with a smile.
"Hey, speaking of which, perfect timing—pal, since it's rare for us to meet here in Penacony, why don't you let me show you around the neighborhood?"
"I've been observing you two for a while. Miss Hotaru certainly knows Penacony well, but when it comes to 'Adult Entertainment'… I'm afraid I, Sampo, have the upper hand."
Hotaru made a hesitant sound. "Adult entertainment?"
"Looks like I hit the mark? Come on, you two—let old Sampo show you the world of adults!" Sampo smiled wickedly. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Adult…
〘March 7th〙: World?
〘Sunday〙: The Family solemnly promises here that there is absolutely nothing improper or unhealthy in Penacony. Absolutely!
〘Sampo〙: My image…
〘Hanabi〙: You have one of those?
....
『 Sampo brought the two of them to a Spheroid machine and turned to address them. "To get to the other side, we'd have to run a long way—folks, let's take the Spheroid and bounce over to the opposite bank!"
"A Spheroid? She hasn't adapted to the Dreamscape yet; this might be dangerous…" Hotaru worried.
"Dangerous? Miss Hotaru, this is the Family's sweet dream. How could there be danger? How can you not seek a little thrill in a dream!" Sampo retorted.
"Come on, sister, prove to her you can do it!" Sampo used a provocation tactic on Stelle. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: What a sloppy provocation, who would fall for that!
〘Dan Heng〙: I think otherwise…
....
『 Stelle nodded upon hearing this. To prove to Hotaru that she could do it, she sat on the Spheroid. She really did it, I'm crying. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: You, oh you. (March 7th pointing fingers.jpg)
....
『 After Hotaru came down from the Spheroid, she looked at Stelle with concern. "Are you okay? That machine is very dizzying."
Stelle scratched her head and laughed. "I'm fine, I'm good."
Hotaru let out a long sigh of relief. "Mn, that's good."
Sampo clapped his hands to interrupt. "Alright, you two, let's go. The world of adults is still waiting for us."
After speaking, he turned and walked downwards, with Hotaru and Stelle immediately following.
Sampo stopped in front of a Pepeshi and greeted him.
"Yo, Big Brother Bouncer! We meet again."
The Pepeshi looked Sampo up and down, and after realizing it was Sampo, said, "Hmm? Oh! It's you. Here to support the business again?"
Sampo nodded. "Right, I want to bring two friends to play in your esteemed establishment today. I wonder if there are any seats left in the salon?"
"How many people?" the Pepeshi asked.
"Three," Sampo replied.
"Let me see your VIP card."
"Alrighty, feast your eyes on this!" Sampo handed a card to the Pepeshi.
The Pepeshi handed the card back to Sampo and said grumpily, "I meant for your two friends—I've seen yours ages ago."
"Ah, this… my friends are new here, how could they have VIP cards, haha," Sampo scratched his head awkwardly.
Sampo rubbed his hands together like a fly and looked at the Pepeshi. "Could you make an exception and just use my card? These two have absolutely safe and reliable identities; I'll use my own card as a guarantee!"
The Pepeshi shook his head. "That won't do. Can't break the rules. If there's no verification, please go back."
Hotaru looked at Sampo. "Looks like we can't get in."
Stelle also looked at Sampo. "What do we do?"
"Oh my, don't panic, don't panic! Let old Sampo think of a way… Oh, I've got it!"
He then looked at the Pepeshi and stated the solution he had come up with.
"How about this, Big Brother Bouncer, we won't go in. Just help me retrieve something I deposited here earlier—"
"'A Moment of Betrayal,' 'Clouds of Doubt,' 'Undying Hatred'— just mention the 'Clown's items' to Miss Thunderbolt — she'll understand what I mean." 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: What is all that stuff?
〘Robin〙: Some intense emotions within Penacony, manifested through special technology.
〘Elysia〙: Undying Hatred? That really is a terrible emotion♪ (Elysia disappointed.jpg).
....