Dangerous Souvenirs and the Prelude to a Storm of Opposite Talk
Military boots struck the ground with crisp, forceful echoes.
She had left the words "empty-nest mom" behind in last night's consultation room forever.
She was now a debt collector, an independent woman who had taken charge of her own happiness again.
Sigelica: (ง•̀_•́)ง
She pushed open the dorm door, and the aroma of instant noodles filled the room.
Linnai, Aimis, and Chisaki had their heads together. At the sound, all three turned around in unison.
Linnai: (¬‿¬)
"Well, well, our resentful empty-nester finally decided to come back?"
Aimis wore a look of pity.
"Look on the bright side. The cabbage you raised can not only root around in the dirt, it can fly up into the sky to look at the stars now."
Chisaki pushed up her glasses.
[¬º-°]¬
"Based on the relaxation of your facial muscles and the brightness of your pupils, your separation anxiety symptoms have eased. Have you found a new emotional attachment?"
Sigelica didn't bristle. Instead, she broke into a radiant smile that looked especially uncanny.
She set her shoulder bag on the table and solemnly brought out the glass jar full of colorful candy.
"Huh? What's that good stuff?"
Linnai leaned closer, curious.
"A souvenir."
Sigelica unscrewed the lid, and a sweet, fruity scent immediately wafted out.
"I consulted a very professional doctor today. This is a little commemorative gift he gave me for the consultation."
She picked up a rainbow-colored piece and waved it around.
"The doctor said sweets help put people in a good mood, so I've decided to share this happiness with my best sisters."
Sigelica: (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
Aimis looked at the jar of candy, then at her, disbelief written all over her face.
Aimis: (;¬＿¬)
"Is there something wrong with you? You're actually offering us food of your own accord?"
"Eat my candy and forget your troubles."
Ignoring her, Sigelica placed a piece of candy in front of each of them.
"Made by a miracle doctor, so it's bound to be top quality. Have a taste."
Linnai was the most curious. She picked hers up and held it against the light.
"Stop examining it. Eat."
Sigelica urged them on, eager to find someone to share her newfound happiness with.
Seeing no sign of a trick, Linnai tossed the candy into her mouth.
Aimis and Chisaki exchanged a glance and followed suit.
Sigelica tossed the piece in her own hand into her mouth too, narrowing her eyes in bliss.
The next second, everyone's expression changed.
A strong fizz burst on their tongues, the crackling sensation spreading through their mouths.
"Mm."
Linnai's eyes lit up.
"Popping candy!"
"Pretty tasty, too."
Aimis gave it a rare positive appraisal.
Streams of data reflected in Chisaki's lenses.
"Carbonates and organic acids produce carbon dioxide under the action of salivary enzymes, creating a physical impact. Omoshiroi (authentic Ashihara speech: meaning interesting)."
Sigelica gave a smug hum.
"Burp!"
A loud, crisp belch burst uncontrollably from her throat.
The dorm fell silent at once.
Sigelica covered her mouth, her cheeks flushing rapidly.
"I..."
"Burp!"
Another one.
An idea flashed through her mind. She decided happiness was better shared than enjoyed alone.
Especially that pig who had rooted around her cabbage—he had to experience this joy too!
She grabbed the candy jar and raced out of the dorm like the wind.
"Hey, where are you going?!"
Linnai called after her.
"I'm going to bring some warmth to that adulterous pair!"
In the Logistics Department warehouse, Zhou Yu had just handed Dania an apple carved into the shape of a rabbit.
Dania: (๑´ڡ`๑)
She had just opened her mouth when the warehouse door was flung open with a bang.
Sigelica rushed in like a whirlwind, a suspicious flush still on her face.
"Zhou Yu, Dania."
She stood ramrod straight and held the glass jar up in front of them.
Zhou Yu glanced at the jar of candy, then at her.
Zhou Yu: (¬ω¬)
"Did you find some money?"
"Something like that."
Sigelica was in an excellent mood. She grabbed a handful of candy in each hand and stuffed them into the pair's hands without another word.
"A friend gave them to me. They're especially tasty, so have some."
Dania's eyes lit up the moment she saw the candy.
"Thank you, Sigelica."
She peeled off the wrapper and tossed it into her mouth.
Zhou Yu looked at the candy in his palm, then at the fierce fighting spirit blazing behind Sigelica. He raised an eyebrow and unwrapped a piece and put it in his mouth too.
The familiar crackling sensation played out again.
Dania covered her mouth in delight, her eyes curving into smiling crescents.
Sigelica smiled with the satisfaction of a proud auntie.
"Burp."
Dania jolted and let out a dainty belch, her face turning red as well.
She looked at Zhou Yu in embarrassment.
"Burp."
Over on Sigelica's side, another belch burst from her mouth.
It was like a signal.
"Burp."
Dania.
"Burp."
Sigelica.
"Burp."
"Burp."
The two looked at each other and began belching uncontrollably, one after the other, like two frogs singing to each other beside a pond on a summer night.
Zhou Yu leaned against a storage rack, twirled the paring knife in his hand, and watched the belching duet with interest.
Meanwhile, back in the girls' dorm.
Linnai and Aimis had finished chewing their candy, and the crackling sensation had faded.
The two exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of something strange in the other's eyes.
"Linnai."
Aimis touched her throat. "Does it feel like there's a pocket of air stuck in your throat, unable to go up or down?"
"Yes."
Linnai's expression was just as grave. "It feels like something's blocking it."
She swallowed, and the sensation of air in her throat grew more pronounced.
Aimis opened her mouth, intending to say, "I feel terrible."
"I feel wonderful!"
The words burst from her lips in a sweet, energetic voice.
Linnai stared at her, dumbfounded.