Responsible... responsible for what? Oh, of course I would take responsibility—responsibility for raising them into the people I expected them to become!
"Of course. Please rest assured."
Momoka had not expected Ash to actually shamelessly accept that remark. Furious, she picked up the Colorful Parfait Ice Cream and left without looking back.
Wearing a victor's smile, Ash pushed open the shop door, carelessly knocking Eddie, who was passing by, to the ground. He deliberately waved goodbye to Momoka, whose back was the only thing visible.
"Please come again."
"If it weren't for Erika and Yuri, there wouldn't be a next time!"
This guy was so annoying. Was he an elementary schooler or something?!
"Erika—Erika, are you still conscious?"
Itsuki gently patted Erika's face, finally snapping her out of her dazed state. The girl hurriedly shoved the chaotic thoughts in her head aside and coughed twice, pretending nothing had happened.
"What is it, Itsuki? I'm fine. Do you need something?"
"I'm fine, but I think Rei might have something on her mind."
"What's wrong, Rei... whoa!"
Prompted by Itsuki, Erika moved around in front of Rei, who had her back to her. The moment she did, Rei's teary eyes and expression full of "resentment" startled her.
"The manager really does prefer lively girls like Erika... A coward like me, who can't even bring herself to start a conversation, really isn't good enough..."
"No, no, no, that's not true!" Seeing Rei's large watery eyes grow even sadder, Erika hurriedly threw her arms around her close friend and began comforting her.
"You know what the manager's like. He just wanted to see me embarrass myself again. He's such a tokusatsu nerd who watches those shows every day—there's no way a guy who can't even notice Rei's feelings could be interested in me! Hahaha~"