"Oh-ho~"
Himeragi Yukina and Yōse Natsune gathered around her. Even Asztarte took off the oversized pumpkin she had been wearing on her head so she could get a closer look at Kurumi.
"Wow~" Kanon touched the Divine Dress, envy shining in her deep blue eyes. "So Kurumi-chan likes Lolita-style clothes. They're really pretty~"
"Lolita?" Having trained within the Lion King Organization all her life, Himeragi Yukina had no idea what the term meant. Only after Yōse Natsune explained it did she finally understand.
"Still..." Kanon furrowed her delicate brows slightly. "Kurumi-chan's Lolita outfit has been modified quite a bit. It leans a little toward maid outfit design. Hmm..." Kanon pondered for a while, seeming to search through the memories in her little head.
"Gothic lolita? Even the headband is."
"Mm-hm, Kanon-chan got it right~"
Himeragi Yukina was completely bewildered now. She had not even figured out what Lolita truly meant, so why had Gothic suddenly entered the picture?
"Kurumi-chan's fashion style is very similar to Teacher Natsuki's. They both wear Gothic styles."
"Is that so?" Himeragi Yukina quietly took note. Their little dresses really did look somewhat alike.
"Could this be why Teacher Natsuki likes Kurumi?!" Himeragi Yukina stared at Kurumi, becoming increasingly convinced of her guess.
"Question." Asztarte, who had been watching from the sidelines the entire time, raised her little hand.
"What is it?" Kurumi looked toward the blue-haired girl.
"Is Kurumi's Golden Clock eye real?"
Before Kurumi could answer, Himeragi Yukina jumped in first. "How could it be real? They're probably colored contacts, right?"
"Mm-hm, they're colored contacts."
"What beautiful contacts, Kurumi-chan. Where did you buy them?"
...The three chatted and laughed together. Only Asztarte remained slightly concerned. She had clearly seen it... the Minute Hand inside that clock eye... tremble faintly.
"Tap, tap, tap~"
A knock