Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: An Apocalypse Where Humanity Clung to Life Through Steam Trains and Fortresses

"Yahallo, Yukino."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Doma Umaru. Just call me Umaru."

A bright, approachable smile bloomed across Umaru's face as she energetically waved at Yukino Yukinoshita in greeting.

Her attitude was natural and intimate, as though she had met a longtime friend. She directly used the familiar name "Yukino," without the slightest sense of distance.

"..."

When Yukino Yukinoshita heard Umaru's natural and affectionate greeting, her eyes flickered slightly.

Although she did not like being addressed that way by unfamiliar people, Umaru's attitude was too natural and sunny for her to feel much displeasure.

Besides, she saw a little of Yui in Umaru. Both girls were equally lively.

She nodded lightly before speaking.

"Doma Umaru, correct? Nice to meet you. I'm Yukino Yukinoshita."

"Mhm, mhm."

Umaru nodded vigorously, her smile undiminished. She did not mind Yukino Yukinoshita's somewhat stiff attitude at all. Instead, she found Yukino like this rather cute.

She then turned to Hachiman Hikigaya and blinked.

"Hikigaya, where's Yui? Didn't she come?"

"..."

"There's no need to ask that twice, is there?"

Hachiman Hikigaya complained, but he still answered Umaru.

"Yui went to her mother's place."

"So that's how it is."

Umaru clapped her hands as though she had suddenly understood, though for some reason, Hachiman Hikigaya felt as if she were provoking him with that gesture.

However, Umaru was now looking around at their surroundings.

She surveyed the frozen torrent and collapsed building wreckage around them, then asked curiously.

"Was there a battle here just now?"

"How strong were they?"

There was little tension in her tone. Instead, she sounded somewhat expectant.

Based on what she knew of Hachiman Hikigaya, Yukino Yukinoshita, Kazuma Sato, and the others, none of them would provoke anyone first. If a battle had broken out, then the other side must