When Simoya did it for the third time, Theresa rose with a smile and pulled her outside. In the corridor, Theresa opened two bottles of mineral water, and the two of them crouched by the steps to look for the stain on Simoya's coat.
Simoya suggested several times that they forget it and stop worrying about the coat, but Theresa stopped her every time. They remained deadlocked for over three minutes. Simoya was already getting irritated and rose to head briskly back inside when Theresa suddenly spoke.
"Why do you keep interrupting Hesta's sleep?"
"Ah?"
"Why," Theresa said, getting to her feet, "were you trying to probe her Constraint Time?"
"...I honestly have no idea what you're talking about."
"Then stay here." Theresa glanced at her watch. "We'll sit here for an hour before going back inside."
Simoya's body went rigid for a moment. She felt a powerful urge to defend herself, but the calm expression on Theresa's face told her that Theresa would not believe any explanation she offered.
Rather than keep insisting and denying it, she might as well let the subject pass as quickly as possible.
Simoya looked away, toward the distant skyline, when she spotted several vague figures, like reeds bent by the wind before springing upright again.
"...There are people over there." Simoya's voice carried a note of uncertainty. "Are those people?"
Theresa raised her head as well, slipping back into a combat stance the instant she saw the newcomers. Four figures were approaching from the horizon. Two Quicksilver Needles sped forward with one person on each of their backs, and Victoria was on the back of one of them.
Simoya immediately turned around. "I'll go inside and tell them..."
Theresa seized Simoya's wrist.
"You stay here."
"Let go! That hurts!"
Theresa held Simoya in