"So first question," Rinto began carefully, "when did you get the Metaverse Navigation app?"
"Oh, I've had it for a while now."
Kasumi answered honestly, "I think it appeared the night Sumire disappeared. After I called you to let you know she was missing, I noticed this strange app suddenly installed on my phone."
"I suspected immediately it had something to do with the Metaverse, so I didn't activate it right away. After hearing what happened from you and Sumire the next day, I understood clearly how it worked."
That early…? Rinto felt his admiration for her deepen.
He had no idea what this girl was thinking—she'd hidden this information from everyone, even her own sister, for so long. Sumire had always believed she alone had the app, repeatedly asking Kasumi about it, only to be gently deflected each time.
Still confused, Rinto asked, "But why did you hide it from everyone? And how did you find out about Sumire's Palace?"
Kasumi smiled knowingly. "That part's easy. I wanted to surprise you both—and I also didn't want Sumire to feel even more inferior. Imagine how she'd feel if she discovered not only do I have the app, but I've even awakened my Persona? She'd probably think she was being left even further behind."
Of course.
Rinto had already vaguely guessed as much.
Considering Kasumi's immense talent, it wasn't at all surprising that she'd awakened a Persona. Kasumi was also painfully aware of her sister's inferiority complex—a chronic issue that existed long before they met Rinto.
Both sisters practiced gymnastics together, but Sumire consistently lagged behind Kasumi. Especially since they were twins, people inevitably compared them, further exacerbating Sumire's anxiety. Such psychological pressure wasn't uncommon; plenty of promising athletes had quit due to similar circumstances.
But even if such struggles weren't unusual, it didn't mean Kasumi herself could easily accept it.
"Actually, once I understood the principle behind Palaces, I was sure Sumire would develop one eventually."
Kasumi's usual bright smile softened into seriousness, revealing a glimpse of the queen-like presence she commanded in gymnastics competitions. Standing tall, she explained confidently:
"I kept testing Sumire's name using the app, and it finally registered today. Once I got a reaction, I quickly figured out the location and treasure. Then I made up an excuse to slip out and come here."
"So Sumire's Palace only just manifested, likely within the last few hours. Maybe your goodbye earlier—when you waved and left—triggered her loneliness and became the final finger pushing the girl over the edge."
Rinto gently corrected, "It's usually called the 'final straw that breaks the camel's back.' …Though considering the current situation, your version's not far off either."
Rinto realized he'd seriously underestimated Kasumi all this time. She was terrifyingly capable, her thoughts far more meticulous than he'd imagined. Whether intentional or not, she'd kept all these details hidden within her, never revealing them to anyone.
She could have confided in him—but she never did.
And honestly, that realization stirred an unexpected loneliness in him.
Kasumi stepped closer, hands clasped playfully behind her back, gazing straight into his eyes through the bird-like mask he wore. She tilted her head mischievously:
"Oh~? Is Rinto-senpai feeling sad? Sad that I didn't tell you any of this earlier?"
"I'm sorry~! I just didn't want you to worry about more things. From now on, I promise no more secrets between us, okay?"
"…If only that were true," Rinto sighed helplessly.
What more could he say now? Lecturing her was pointless at this stage. Kasumi certainly wasn't the obedient type who'd follow directions just because someone told her to—unlike her sweet little sister.
Switching the subject, Rinto asked, "So when exactly did you awaken your Persona? Have you already fought Shadows?"
"Nope." Kasumi shook her head lightly.
"To be honest, even though I've had the app for a long time, I never entered the Metaverse until today. I just used it to monitor if Sumire had a Palace. This is actually the first time I activated it."
"But as soon as I entered, I awakened my Persona immediately. I simply understood—'Ah, she is me, and I am her.' It was really easy."
…Seriously, just how gifted is this girl?
If a Persona represented someone's subconscious mind, Kasumi had to be incredibly honest with herself to synchronize so effortlessly, without friction or resistance.
Of course, if he openly praised her now, she'd become impossibly smug.
So instead, Rinto hid his admiration deep down and said, feigning indifference, "Hmm, that's pretty good. Almost as good as mine, probably."
"Oh, Rinto-senpai~ you're so adorable!"
Kasumi giggled joyfully, leaping up to wrap her arms around his neck and planting a loud kiss on his cheek.
Doing this right at the entrance to her sister's Palace—won't that intensify Sumire's inner turmoil…? Rinto worried inwardly.
After clarifying the basics, Rinto and Kasumi finally stepped into the Palace.
Sumire's Palace was located in the National Gymnastics Stadium, which wasn't particularly surprising. The twins had competed here last year, achieving first and third place nationally, making it naturally significant for her.
However, what Rinto saw now bore almost no resemblance to the original athletic stadium.
His expression twisted awkwardly as he gazed up at the extravagantly colorful, gaudy structure towering before them—a building so flashy it bordered on obscene:
"Hey, Kasumi… You figured out what this Palace represents, right? What exactly does Sumire perceive this stadium as… a love hotel?"
Kasumi shook her head cheerfully. "Close, but not quite! It took me several guesses, but the answer was 'love nest'!"
"Haha…" Rinto felt drained again.
It's always the same: teenage girls, just like teenage boys, were nothing but monkeys with minds full of dirty fantasies.
Rinto could easily guess why Sumire's Palace manifested like this—likely because of her experience being rescued by him from Kamoshida's Palace.
Its lavish exterior probably also stemmed from when Rinto explained the Metaverse and took her to that love hotel afterward, leaving a rather lasting impression.
All these new experiences piled up continuously, stimulating her mind and intensifying her desires.
Romance, love, yearning…
Those emotions had flooded her heart, spilling over until they drowned out even this gymnasium—a building so crucial to her athletic career.