"What did Erina want with you?"
Umaru had probably grown up—entered her rebellious phase—and now had little secrets of her own. She had actually spoken to Erina behind the back of her Onii-chan, Sogo Doma, leaving him no choice but to ask only after they had finished their call. Damn it, he always put his calls on speaker!
"Onii-chan was right..." Fortunately, Umaru's rebellion... growth was still within manageable limits. At the very least, she did not hide it from him. "She really did invite us to the Moon Festival."
The moment she finished speaking, Sogo Doma smugly declared as if it were only natural, "Hmph, hmph, I told you, as one of the Elite Ten..."
"You used to be one of the Elite Ten!"
"How many times do I have to tell you before you remember? A former Elite Ten is still an Elite Ten..." Sigh, a little sister in her rebellious phase—cough, after growing up—just loved contradicting her Onii-chan. It was only because Sogo Doma had such a good temper? And so much patience? That he could explain it over and over without getting tired of it.
Unfortunately, before he could finish, Umaru glanced at him and said, "Onii-chan, did you forget that Erina was looking for me, Umaru...?"
"Umm..." That was awkward. Even Sogo Doma felt his eye twitch. If it had been anyone else, they might already have been wondering whether they ought to dig a hole and bury themselves in it. "Umaru, have you ever heard the phrase, 'Openly repair the plank road while secretly advancing through Chencang'? Erina may look like she's inviting you, but she's actually inviting me too..."
Once again, before he could finish, Umaru nodded. "That's not wrong, actually..."
"I wasn't making it up..." Unfortunately, Sogo Doma had not caught on