"Sorry, sorry for calling you out so early..."
Seeing Kozue approach, Momoko greeted her with a smile. But when she got a clear look at Kozue's face, Momoko froze for a moment.
"Are you okay?"
No wonder Momoko asked. Kozue had dark circles under her eyes and looked utterly exhausted, as if she had stayed up all night without sleeping.
"Ah, I'm fine, I'm fine!"
Hearing Momoko's question, Kozue hurriedly waved her hands.
"I'm just a little worried about Yuu. So, Momoko, why did you ask me to come out today...?"
"Ah, it's about Kaede and Rena."
"Did something happen?"
Kozue looked up, only then noticing Rena standing a short distance behind Momoko, looking restless and distracted. When Kozue had received the call earlier, she had not heard much... Well, mainly because she had been so flustered herself that she had not really caught what Momoko was saying. She had only heard that Momoko needed her and rushed out after hanging up.
After what had happened, she had absolutely no idea how to face Red Ponytail!
"Yes, that's right."
Momoko was quite understanding. She could tell from Kozue's expression that something had happened, but she did not ask. She merely nodded.
"Actually, the Chain Witch appeared last night and took Kaede away."
"Huh? What happened?"
Faced with Kozue's question, Momoko seemed somewhat reluctant to speak, but she eventually lowered her voice.
"Actually... Rena went to that rumored Estrangement Ladder yesterday and wrote down her name and Kaede's..."
"Whaaat?!"
Kozue immediately screamed at Momoko's words, while Momoko helplessly continued.
"Then, that night, Kaede went to apologize to Rena. But just then, the Chain Witch suddenly appeared and took Kaede away."
"So the rumors about the Estrangement Ladder are true... Hm?"
At that point, Kozue suddenly froze.
"Kaede was just taken away