Shu wasn't good at things like negotiations. Otto had never given him any special training for it, either. What he had taught Shu was more about how to gain the upper hand in a conversation. As for the specifics of negotiating terms... Shu was still completely clueless.
But Mei was very good at this sort of thing. It was one of the most important parts of the training she'd received since childhood. Otto knew this, so he'd simply repurposed the free time Shu would have spent learning negotiation on studying English instead.
Though Shu still hadn't mastered it... He was currently relying on the simultaneous translation in his glasses.
Kiana also stood behind Shu, her face set in a serious expression. Cocolia gave her a long look and, for reasons unknown, broke character with a surprisingly gentle smile directed at Kiana.
Schrodinger, Sirin, and the others were already waiting at the door. Bronya quickly got up from on top of Sin Mal, hastily straightened her clothes, and grabbed her shoes to put them on.
But just then, Cocolia looked over.
"You don't need to come," she said coldly. Bronya's movements froze. She looked up at Cocolia in stunned disbelief.
In a room full of people standing up, only Bronya and Sin Mal weren't on their feet. Sin Mal was lying on the floor, and Bronya was crouching, putting on her shoes.
Cocolia snorted. "You just got back. Go spend some time with Seele. You don't need to be involved in adult matters."
Bronya instinctively opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught in her throat. She couldn't say a thing.
Before turning to leave, Cocolia added coldly, "Don't leave this room without my permission."
Then, with a swing of her military greatcoat, she swept out of the room.
Bronya watched Cocolia's departing figure, remaining in that same position for a long time before finally lowering her head and whispering in a voice only she could hear.
"Yes, Mama Cocolia..."
Shu didn't follow Cocolia out. Instead, he turned and knelt in front of Bronya. "Do you want to come with us?"
Bronya looked up, a flicker of light in her listless eyes that was quickly extinguished.
"No... The Bronya will stay here... The Bronya... wants to keep playing this game for a little longer..."
She averted her gaze, and the sight of her made Shu's heart clench.
{"Shu! Let's go out and play! It's sea turtle hatching season, we might get to see them leave the nest and rush to the sea!"
"...Mom said we can't go out... I want to go to piano lessons later, so I'm not going."
"You... when did you start liking piano...?"
"That's none of your business—!"}
Snapping back to the present, Shu fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright..."
With that, he stood up and left the room.
Mei cast a worried glance at Bronya before following Shu out.
"Well... have fun?" Kiana, the last to leave, said hesitantly to Bronya. It felt wrong, but Cocolia and her group were already walking away. Kiana could only offer a hasty goodbye before closing the door.
In an instant, only Bronya and the other two were left in the game room.
Bronya put down her shoe, returned to her seat, and picked up the controller.
Sin Mal sat up from the floor, frowning at the closed door.
"Tch... Still the same as ever..." she spat resentfully, then looked at Bronya. "What about you? Are you going to go after her? There's still time."
"There's no need. Mama Cocolia told me not to leave without her orders," Bronya said, her head down. She picked up Sin Mal's controller and handed it to her. "Let's keep playing..."
"Heh..." Sin Mal glanced at the controller but didn't take it. Instead, she got up, quickly put on her shoes, and walked to the door.
"Bronya, you haven't changed a bit in that regard," she said coolly, then walked out. "I'm not going to listen to her."
"Sin—!" Bronya cried out in alarm, reaching out a hand, but Sin Mal had already pulled the door open and strode out.
The rest of Bronya's words died in her throat.
What had she been about to say? She didn't even know herself...
"Bronya-oneechan, Seele will stay with you," Seele said softly, picking up Sin Mal's controller.
Bronya forced a smile for Seele, like a puppet painted with a crude expression.
A brilliant flash of light streaked across the sky.
Walking outside, Shu looked up, frowning at a thread that was rapidly disappearing from view.
It was a thread he had just severed.
So the Herrscher has been watching this place... But... who is it?
Shu silently scanned the group of people around him, quickly checking every one of them, but he found nothing.
Cocolia led them to a conference room. The group urged Shu into the seat of honor at the head of the table, while Cocolia sat in the main seat on the side.
The two groups sat opposite each other at the long table. Shu faced Cocolia directly. Mei was beside him, and further down were Schrodinger, Kiana, and the others.
Even Sirin and Freli had seats.
But...
Shu looked at the empty seat next to Kiana, a wave of uncertainty washing over him.
Did he... just make the wrong choice?
"Mr. Shu." Cocolia tapped the table lightly. Shu snapped to attention, straightening his back to look at her.
The negotiations had begun.
"We already know why you're here. We are extremely grateful that the Fire Moth is willing to come all this way to aid us, and we thank you for accepting this mission and taking the time to appear before us."
"We understand the method for our evacuation. That train is large enough to take all of us, and the fact that it could reach here means we don't need to worry about safety."
Cocolia paused. "So, what we need to discuss isn't how we leave. We have no intention of refusing entry into the Fire Moth's territory..."
She leaned forward, her posture aggressively strategic. "We just want to know what we will receive after joining the Fire Moth. And what will be required of us in return?"
"Ms. Cocolia, the Fire Moth isn't a bus that requires a ticket. We don't accept 'protection fees'." Before Shu could respond, Mei spoke up, deflecting Cocolia's question without any sharp edges.
"We will provide a place to live and a sanctuary for everyone. If you wish to obtain a better life and better treatment, you will have to work for it. We don't make empty promises."
"The Fire Moth is also currently in need of talented individuals. Therefore, we will weed out any freeloaders to ensure that everyone who wants to contribute can use their talents. That is the only guarantee we can offer."