"Kagura-oneesan? What are you doing here?"
While Kagura was in the middle of eating her cake, she suddenly heard a familiar voice drifting in from her right side, accompanied by two gentle taps on her shoulder.
Turning her head slightly, Kagura noticed Mejiro McQueen, who had at some point sat down beside her, holding a towering plate of sweets. It seemed she had come here for a cheat meal.
Glancing further back, Kagura also spotted the elderly Mejiro butler standing not far away. When he saw Kagura looking over, he smiled and nodded gently in greeting.
"Ah... McQueen, you're here too? Isn't it obvious? I came to eat cake."
As she spoke, Kagura lightly tapped the half-finished slice on her plate with her fork.
"Really? Then why did I just see Kagura-oneesan... crying?"
"Ah, that's..."
Kagura momentarily froze. She had indeed lost control just now, but she hadn't expected Mejiro McQueen to catch her in such a vulnerable moment. And given McQueen's straightforward, childlike innocence, she had bluntly asked the question without a second thought.
"Did someone bully Kagura-oneesan? Or did something happen?"
"No, no, nobody bullied me, and nothing happened, really. It's just that...for some reason, I suddenly felt emotional and didn't control myself properly."
"Hmm…"
To avoid any misunderstanding, Kagura straightened her expression and explained clearly to McQueen. Since she had no intention of revealing Eclipse-san's matter, she couldn't directly state the reason behind her tears.
Seeing Kagura's earnest look, Mejiro McQueen tilted her head curiously. As a child, she couldn't fully grasp the complexity behind these feelings, but she did understand one thing clearly: when you're sad, sweets always help.
"Kagura-oneesan, do you want some? I ordered a lot..."
"No, that's your afternoon tea, McQueen. I'll finish my own piece—it's more than enough. You don't have to share. But you should also remember to watch yourself a bit. If you get chubby, Ardan-sama and Ramonu-sama will be troubled."
Kagura laughed softly, gently ruffling McQueen's little head. She had no intention of snatching food from a child. Besides, it had probably been a long while since McQueen was allowed to indulge freely like this. It would be unfair to spoil her fun.
Having finished eating anyway, Kagura decided she wouldn't linger. She planned to head out to gather inspiration for some new content later. Saying goodbye to the two Mejiro members, she left the café without hesitation.
"Butler-jiisan, is Kagura-oneesan really okay?"
Watching Inari Kagura leave, Mejiro McQueen couldn't suppress her concern.
"It didn't look like she was lying, Ojou-sama. Perhaps Kagura-san truly doesn't understand why she was crying herself."
"Hmm...do tears really come without reason?"
"Not normally, but the head of the family mentioned Kagura-san suffered a severe tragedy before. She herself was gravely injured and lost many memories. Perhaps the reason behind her tears lies in those lost memories."
"Oh, right… Kagura-oneesan is an orphan with amnesia…"
McQueen clapped her hands, finally realizing. When put this way, the butler's words made sense. If Kagura herself didn't know why she was crying, the reason must lie in something she could no longer recall.
"McQueen-ojousama, please be careful. You absolutely mustn't say this in front of Kagura-san."
"I know! Butler-jiisan, trust me. How could I be so discourteous!"
[What's for Lunch Today? (5)]
[11.30]
[Symboli Rudolf]:Has anyone recently paid close attention to Kagura's condition? Has someone been bullying her?
[Vroom Vroom Go Fast!]:Nope~ I've been wandering around outside, haven't been to the cafeteria lately. What's up with Kagura-chan?
[Symboli Rudolf]:My grandmother just told me that Kagura was eating cake by herself and started crying for no reason. She said she didn't know why when asked. Grandmother wondered if she might have been mistreated at school. Any ideas?
[Nice Nature]:Kagura's been pretty happy lately, actually. Everyone likes her, so who would bully her?
[Non-Work Acct. (School Issues → Tazuna-san)]:Indeed! At the recent commendation ceremony, Kagura-chan ranked first as the most beloved Support Uma!
[Symboli Rudolf]:Then it seems just as grandmother said—it's likely some spontaneous impulse. Grandmother mentioned it might relate to Kagura's lost memories. What do you think?
[Nice Nature]:But...for that sort of subconscious impulse to surface, usually something triggers it, right? Kagura just went out for cake. Why would she suddenly feel sad?
[Gold Star Ambassador]:I've got a theory—could today actually be Kagura's birthday? Maybe she doesn't remember it, but her body reacted when she ate cake?
[Gold Star Ambassador]:Kagura's still young, right? Maybe she always had family around on birthdays. Even if her memories are gone, her body might still remember. If she subconsciously realizes she's alone now, wouldn't she naturally feel sad?
[Nice Nature]:That sounds kind of wild, but…it actually makes some sense…
[Symboli Rudolf]:That could indeed be it. I never considered Kagura's emotional state carefully. Nice-san, you're close to Kagura. Have you noticed anything?
[Nice Nature]:Well, I can't always be by her side...but at least this morning, she seemed fine to me. She's been in great spirits since Kaichou won, after all.
[Non-Work Acct. (School Issues → Tazuna-san)]:No worries! Gold Ship-san's idea makes sense! I'll prepare a cake right away! Kagura-chan always takes care of me, it's time I returned the favor!
[Vroom Vroom Go Fast!]:Agreed, heading back to Tracen now.
[Nice Nature]: If we're doing something for Kagura, count me in too!
Setting down her phone, Symboli Rudolf let out a troubled sigh.
Receiving the message from Symboli Speed today had made Rudolf suddenly realize that Kagura usually appeared so reliable that she'd unconsciously overlooked how Kagura was still a child who needed care. Rudolf had been neglecting Kagura's emotional well-being too much.
She didn't know how Speed-sama had found out about Kagura's solitary breakdown today, but it was clearly something important. Yet, picking up her phone to message Kagura, Rudolf found herself unsure how to begin.
Perhaps Kagura didn't intend for us to know at all? If I bring it up directly, would that be inappropriate...?