As Duramente's words fell, the steaming pool fell silent once more, and then...
"Pfft—"
Frostfall couldn't hold back her laughter. Her face brimmed with delight as she slapped the water, sending a spray of droplets flying.
"See? I told you it'd be like this."
Right in the path of the splashing water, Adayar instinctively dodged aside before offering a helpless reminder.
"...Careful."
Then, she brushed the damp strands of hair clinging to her cheek aside and lightly traced the water's surface with that same finger.
After pondering for a moment, her gaze swept past Frostfall and California Spangle before finally settling on Kitasan Black. She spoke with a faintly teasing tone.
"The Academy's culture... really does vary by region.
"While romance isn't exactly encouraged in Europe, it isn't expressly forbidden either. It's more like... a private matter where one must know one's own limits."
"Yes, yes, exactly!"
Duramente's baffled remarks had left California Spangle somewhat deflated and amused, but seeing Adayar agree with her immediately perked her up.
She abruptly sat a little straighter, splashing water everywhere, her eyes sparkling.
"We're way more open where I'm from!
"Training and racing are probably more or less the same. From what I heard you say, Little Kita, it sounds pretty similar to our side.
"But..."
She spread her hands.
"Parties, dates... what about those? Aren't those standard parts of youth? Shouldn't youth be this colorful and exciting?"
As she spoke, she leaned closer to the flushed Kitasan Black with a sly glint in her eyes.
"So, Little Kita?"
"...Huh?"
Still seeming unaccustomed to the new topic, Kitasan Black stared blankly. "What... is it?"
"What do you mean, what is it? Honestly..."
California Spangle puffed out her cheeks, putting on an angry face. Then, still wearing that sly look, she edged closer to