Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 218, Section 20: "Telephone, Dreams, and Karaoke"

"Good evening, Masumi. Is it because you're lonely that you're calling me so late?"

I heard my senior's teasing tone over the phone.

Masumi completely ignored her senior's teasing; if she took the bait, the conversation would never end.

After returning from Miyako Island, Masumi had already accepted the reality that she could never win an argument with her senior, but perhaps she could get her revenge in other ways.

For example, this body that has been honed and refined for half a year since returning from Tokyo... Oh no! I've definitely been led astray by my senior, Rugu.

"Masumi? Are you listening to me?"

The senior's repeated calls pulled Masumi's thoughts back to reality.

"Ah, yes."

"Really."

Judging from the voice, it's easy to imagine the senior's helpless yet indulgent expression with his eyes narrowed.

"Masumi was the one who called me first, so why are you suddenly acting all cold and aloof?"

"Feel sorry."

"Hey--"

There was another drawn-out sigh on the other end of the phone.

"It seems Masumi is troubled by women's affairs again."

"That statement sounds strange."

"But isn't that the truth?" I asked with a smile, as was my senior.

Masumi sighed helplessly, "It's true."

My phone suddenly vibrated.

I moved my phone slightly away from my ear, and a notification popped up above the notification bar that my senior, Ru Gu, had sent me a photo via Line.

Masumi switched the call to speakerphone mode, opened the photo, and saw a rendered sky.

Before me stretched the vast expanse of the Miyako Island sea, seemingly blending seamlessly with the tan-colored sky, the water reflecting a reddish-brown glow under the setting sun.

The weather was relatively calm, perfect for spending time watching the sea.

"How is it? Pretty, isn't it? Does it make you feel better?"

"Oh, it's beautiful. When did you take this photo, senior?"

"Just now."

"Hey, it must be dark on Miyako Island by now."

"Masumi has absolutely no geographical knowledge. The sunset on Miyako Island is two hours later than in Kobe."

"This must be fake."

"It's fake. I just wanted to show Masumi the sunset today."

Masumi sighed, "You really went to great lengths to ease my feelings."

"Huh? So you realized that? Then wasn't my behavior just now as ridiculous as a virgin pretending to be calm in front of someone she likes during her first sexual experience, only to ejaculate in no time?"

"senior……"

Masumi protested, raising her voice slightly.

"Alright, the foreplay is enough, it's time for the main event."

Like the ancient masters, I coughed twice meaninglessly, and then said:
"Tell me about what's been happening lately... and about that jellyfish lady I can't figure out."

Just moments ago he had been speaking in a frivolous and mischievous tone, but in an instant, it all vanished without a trace.

The remaining sound was like a white sand beach baked by the sun all day, enveloping Masumi in warm particles.

That kind of tone that makes people lower their guard is really cunning.

Masumi stared intently at the photo her senior had sent her.

The scene captured by a mobile phone camera is just a picture pieced together from a few pixels.

It's beautiful and romantic, and it makes you want to speak your mind.

Jellyfish that drift with the current will one day be harmed by this very characteristic of theirs.

A cold mother-daughter relationship and an inability to properly manage social distance with friends.

—This vicious cycle has led to Haiyue becoming like a jellyfish washed ashore by the winds, stranded and disconnected from its environment.

But they cannot survive like that, so jellyfish will fight against the current.

However, since jellyfish cannot swim and lack the strength to return to the sea, they will only slowly weaken and eventually die.

"Waaah, what a poor child."

Like Kochisuke, I pretended to wipe away my tears with the back of my hand, saying, "If Masumi can't make this child happy, then it's really too much to ask."

A helpless voice came from the other end of the phone:

“Senior, I didn’t treat Haiyue like this out of pity.”

“Yes, yes, I know.” Chitose submerged her shoulders underwater. “Masumi did it because of ‘gentleness.’”

"Now that we're in the Reiwa era, it feels a bit strange to use such words to praise people."

"Really? I don't think so."

Chisui didn't take it to heart, saying, "The fact that it's become so common just shows that it's a valuable quality that everyone wants to have."

Masumi sighed, "As expected, it's impossible to immerse yourself in sadness or loss when chatting with your senior."

"Oh my, such a subtle way of confessing, not frank at all, Masumi," her senior said with a teasing smile.

"But considering you're from Kansai, well, I'll forgive you."

Please don't speak to yourself, senior.

Also, are people from Kansai some kind of get-out-of-jail-free card?

"Wow~"

With a smile on her lips, Chisui scooped up a handful of hot water from the bathtub.

The swaying water reflects the lights hazily, like a jellyfish held in the palm of a hand.

She separated her clasped hands, freeing the jellyfish.

The splashing water created a loud, echoing sound in the bathroom.

"I can hear water. Are you still at the beach, senior?"

"Yes, in my own ocean."

"tub?"

"Answer correctly and you'll receive a beautiful bath photo of the older sister as a reward. You can choose your own pose!"

"Please pause, senior. I have no intention of claiming the prize."

In Masumi's view—at least for herself—her senior lacked a sense of boundaries from the very beginning:
She casually intrudes into his social space, and this intrusion is based on her own perception of her own charm, while assuming that Masumi will not be repulsed.

Although I'm not really against it.

My tone, as if speaking to an elder, suddenly softened:
"I'm sorry, I can't give Masumi any useful advice, but I have no doubt that Masumi will be able to resolve this incident smoothly."

"Senior, you really believe in me."

"Of course."

I, like my predecessors, immediately replied in a firm tone:
“I know that Masumi is someone who can understand others and has empathy for them.”

"That's why I call Masumi a 'gentle savior,' and she can definitely be a pillar of support for others."

Her voice was low and gentle, slowly seeping into Masumi's chest like a sponge absorbing water.

If I had to use one word to describe her, it would be "gentle".

The junior he likes is troubled by another girl, but even so, he still tolerates him with a gentle and non-negative attitude, affirms him, and keeps his promise that "I will always stand by your side".

If it's not gentleness, then what is it?
"Thank you, Senior."

Masumi said it from the bottom of her heart.

For him, he never expected to receive any guidance or wisdom from his senior. As for me, I, Miyazawa Masumi, have no obligation to be her mentor.

From the very beginning, all Masumi wanted was to gain a little "trust" and "gentleness" from her senior.

Although it was just a small, insignificant feeling of being moved, it is strange how people can find the courage to fight against life when such a small emotion stirs in their hearts.

So-called "hope" is just a little bit better than giving up completely, even if you put in some effort.

Just as Masumi was lost in thought, her phone suddenly vibrated again.

Upon seeing the photo sent by her senior, Masumi pressed her temples, quietly exhaled, and felt a surge of emotions shifting in her mind.

Senior... she must have deliberately chosen an angle where the photo was floating, right?

In the middle of the night, Masumi continued to suffer from insomnia, trying her best to soothe her sensitive nerves.

◇

In July, small-scale fireworks displays are held every weekend evening at Meriken Park in Kobe.

The sky was blue, not yet completely dark, there was no music in the venue, and the fireworks were not particularly flashy.

Golden, orange, and red lights crackled and sparkled, tracing winding curves that spread across the tranquil blue-purple night sky before vanishing in an instant. Fleeting, colorful scales were reflected on the sea's surface, like jellyfish drifting with the current.

—No, it's not just similar.

The embers of the fireworks drifted down, transforming into colorful jellyfish in the water, before being washed ashore by the waves onto the rocks outside the railing.

The bizarre and fantastical scene made Masumi realize, even though she was in a daze, that she was dreaming.

He first stretched out his palm to confirm that he was not a lobster this time—his fingers were long and slender, and it was his own hand.

Thankfully, it's a human body.

If a Baltan alien stood upright on the ground, it would probably attract Ultraman first.

"fireworks."

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the side, and a girl in a white dress and bare feet appeared in front of them.

"Oh, it's Mr. Lobster."

Her petite figure only reached Masumi's waist, so she had to work hard to lift her head.

"Is this not a lobster?"

Although it was a completely illogical dream, Masumi couldn't suppress her curiosity. "They were real, living people."

"It is both human and lobster."

The little moon's words sounded like something a child would say.

She's actually still a child, so it's inevitable.

"You can see things this time?"

Little Haiyue kept silent, her delicate hand grasping Masumi's drooping right little finger.

"I can see it."

"If we hold hands like this... then we can see..."

"Oh, that's it."

"But... that's all..."

Masumi's way of understanding was subtly out of sync.

"What's this?"

Little Haiyue didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the sea.

"..."

In those eyes that held the azure sea, it seemed they saw something far more distant than fireworks.

Her eyes were so beautiful that Masumi also looked towards the distant horizon, where there was no color, only darkness.

◇

Karaoke near Sannomiya Station, Saturday night at 7:50 PM.

"Wow, this is really something."

After letting out a sigh of surprise that Masumi didn't know why, Mami paced back and forth in the private room.

The monitor screen was playing Karaoke's own program: a female host with a pleasant voice was introducing some up-and-coming idols.

Masumi glanced subconsciously at one of the twin-tailed girls; her burgundy highlights were somewhat similar to Yuyuko's, which was why she looked at her a little longer—

Suddenly, Mio Kurokawa picked up the remote, turned off the program, and switched the screen to the song selection interface.

Masumi sighed quietly, her gaze shifting to the swaying Mami.

"The space is so spacious." She poked the surface of the sofa with her fingertip. "The sofa is so big that you can lie down on it completely."

Then she put her words into action, throwing herself onto it, her body trembling on both sides.

"Asami."

Masumi spoke helplessly, frowning at Mami who was crossing her legs.

"Oh, I know."

My feet rubbed together, and my shoes fell to the ground with a "thud".

"I didn't tell you to take off your shoes."

Masumi relaxed her furrowed brows, sighed, and squatted down to help her arrange the shoes that were scattered around.

"Oh! There's a menu here."

Since she had taken off her shoes, Mami simply sat cross-legged on the sofa and picked up the menu that was placed on the table.

"Sister Mami, it's like you're a first-timer at a karaoke bar," Chiai complained.

Mami nodded: "Yes, this is my first time here."

"Huh? No way."

Chiai was surprised, and looking at Mami's calm reply, she tilted her head in disbelief: "You would go to maid cafes and doujinshi conventions."

"Completely wrong! These two places are completely different. Otaku who frequent doujinshi conventions and otaku who frequent karaoke bars are two completely different kinds of people."

Sociologist and anthropologist Asami Seno stated this.

"Wow, there are so many options on the menu... Grilled chicken, this is totally like an izakaya."

"Does karaoke have generals and chefs too? I've never read a comic with this theme."

Masumi calmly said, "I think it's probably just pre-made food prepared in a microwave oven."

"I see~ But the photos look quite appetizing, this is definitely an izakaya."

I don't understand why she had to repeat that sentence again.

Asami continued turning the pages, placing her slender fingertips on the smooth inner pages: "Ah, I want to eat this, a fried chicken platter, and a hamburger, a Big Mac."

"You have a good appetite."

"I'm ordering food for Masumi-kun too."

Neatly trimmed nails floated across the menu, their colors muted.

"The cheese pizza looks good... By the way, where do I order after choosing?"

"You can use the phone over there to order from the counter."

"I see." Mami nodded slightly with satisfaction and blurted out, "How convenient, just like the Love Hotel."

She casually uttered a light, airy remark that made Masumi's throat tighten.

It's really convenient. The vending machine in the hotel room is like Doraemon's four-dimensional magic pocket, where you can buy all sorts of amazing gadgets.

"...Unforgivable."

Hearing the faintest whisper, Masumi suddenly felt a chilling aura sweep past her back and turned around nervously.

"What's wrong? Masumi."

A faint smile appeared on Kurokawa Mio's lips, a smile that looked as gentle and charming as could be, as she secretly sent him a flirtatious glance.

"No, it's nothing."

"I'll go get the drinks. What would you all like to drink?"

Karaoke bars have self-service drink machines, how convenient! Human civilization is so powerful.

Qian'ai: "I want jasmine tea, hot."

Mio Kurokawa: "I just want to be like Masumi."

Asami put down the menu and raised her hand: "I want lemon sparkling wine."

“No alcohol today,” Masumi refused without hesitation.

"Hey, Masumi-kun is so controlling."

Asami puffed out her cheeks as if she were being difficult, her snow-white skin inflating like a pufferfish, making one want to poke it with their finger.

After a moment she gave in and said, “Lemonade, with ice, as cold as sparkling wine.”

"Okay, I understand."

After giving Mami a perfunctory reply, Masumi looked at Rinne and Kaizuki: "What about you guys?"

"Lemonade is fine," Rinne said casually. "You're probably too busy to handle all the drinks for everyone by yourself. I'll go with you."

“Huh? No need, I’m a barista,” Masumi said instinctively.

As a barista at a popular coffee shop, a good memory is essential to get through peak hours, and the heiress who has worked with him for half a year should understand this as well.

Then he belatedly realized the girl's intentions, but he was too slow to react, and the other girls followed suit.

Kurokawa Mio immediately followed suit: "I'll go too."

"If Rinne and Mio-nee are going, I'll go too."

"Okay! I'll join too." Mami still couldn't stop thinking about the lemon sparkling wine.

"Wait a minute," Masumi quickly called out, saying helplessly, "What's the difference between this and everyone taking their own share? Besides, it's too much trouble."

He glanced at the jellyfish-like girl who had been silent since earlier, and the contents of last night's dream resurfaced in his mind. After thinking for a moment, Masumi said:
"Let Haiyue come with me."

(End of this chapter)