Chelsea sat in a sun-drenched greenhouse, where her afternoon tea had been laid out. Gentle sunlight streamed through the transparent glass roof, coating the quiet afternoon in a soft golden glow. She stroked the lace tablecloth, her fingertips brushing its delicate patterns.
The fine porcelain teacup, adorned with a subtle rose pattern, exuded elegance. Chelsea gracefully lifted it by the handle, and a fragrance of vanilla and jasmine drifted through the air.
Her gaze seemed to follow the butterflies fluttering in the breeze outside the window as she quietly enjoyed her afternoon tea, immersed in the beauty and peace of the moment.
But the moment she opened her mouth, she shattered that leisurely atmosphere.
"It's about time, isn't it? Whatever Jonas and Ryoko are doing, surely they can't ignore my Communicator calls for a whole hour? I've had to come to the Alt Conglomerate's lounge for afternoon tea. Let me see... about fifteen minutes left?"
She took a sip of tea, a hint of complaint in her voice.
Still, if Shigure Ryoko answered the Communicator midway through, Chelsea would be even more helpless. Most likely, Jonas would be behind her, encouraging her to answer, followed by Shigure Ryoko's trembling voice. If Chelsea asked what was wrong, Ryoko would start stammering. Then there would suddenly be a noise loud enough for Chelsea to hear, and Shigure Ryoko would make an excuse about breaking a cup and getting startled, saying everything was fine, that they would be finished soon, and so on...
Actually, thinking about it made Chelsea feel a faint thrill of excitement.
She wasn't opposed to that sort of thing, since the people involved were Jonas and Shigure Ryoko. In fact, she was looking forward to it a little.
Should I try calling again on the Communicator?
She acted on