Early the next morning, Akikawa Yayoi personally drove Kagura back to Tracen Academy. With nearly all the students gone for vacation and even the cafeteria closed, the campus felt deserted and eerily quiet.
"Good morning, Kagura-san. I didn't see you return last night, so I thought you'd already gone back to the Symboli house."
Upon returning to the dormitory, Kagura was surprised to find Mejiro Ardan still there. Considering how the Mejiro family worried about her health, she'd assumed they wouldn't have left Ardan alone at school during vacation.
"Good morning, Ardan-san. You haven't gone home yet? Didn't the Head of your family call to hurry you?"
"She did. Actually, I planned on returning home today… By the way, Kagura-san, this outfit you're wearing is…?"
Ardan, still in her pajamas, noticed Kagura's unfamiliar clothes—clearly European in style—and asked curiously. Kagura's usual wardrobe had always been distinctly Asian, and Ardan had never seen this dress in her closet.
"Ah, last night's work ran late, so I stayed at Director Akikawa's home. I didn't have spare clothes, so she lent me some of hers."
"Eh!? Kagura-san, you stayed overnight at the Director's house? How did that happen?"
Hearing Kagura spent the night at Akikawa Yayoi's place, Ardan's eyes widened in surprise, immediately prompting Kagura to recount last night's events.
Ardan didn't quite understand why, but after hearing the full explanation, she felt strangely relieved.
"Um… Kagura-san, you're free today, right?"
Considering she'd planned to return home today anyway and Kagura seemed to have no plans, Ardan remembered Old Mejiro's earlier instructions and decided to ask.
Kagura nodded. With the cafeteria closed and Rudolf Ojou-sama having returned home yesterday, she was indeed completely free.
"Then… Kagura-san, would you like to come with me to the Mejiro estate? Grandmother has been wanting to invite you back for another visit."
"I suppose I could…but does your family head intend for me to stay for a few days? Wouldn't that be a bit improper?"
Kagura, currently having nothing to do, didn't really mind where she stayed, but constantly imposing on others made her uncomfortable.
"Don't worry about that. Grandmother has been looking forward to your visit for ages, and even little McQueen always says she misses you. There really won't be any issues. If anything, if Kagura-san stays for a few days, Grandmother would be very happy."
These were exactly Old Mejiro's words to Ardan, and Ardan deeply understood the old lady's intentions. It wasn't only directed at herself; Ardan had even witnessed Old Mejiro urging McQueen to maintain a good relationship with Kagura, clearly showing how much she valued her.
"Is that so…"
Though her first meeting with the Mejiro family hadn't exactly left Kagura feeling comfortable, she understood that Old Mejiro was trying hard to extend goodwill, perhaps as compensation for their initial awkwardness. Kagura had long since let go of that little incident.
Thinking carefully, aside from Nice Nature, she didn't really have other friends close to her age yet. Making more friends surely wasn't a bad thing, and seeing McQueen again could be fun.
"Well, if it really won't be an inconvenience, I can return with you today and stay at your home for a few days, Ardan-san."
Ardan's eyes lit up.
...
Since she was going out again, Kagura naturally wanted to change into a more suitable outfit. The European-style dress Akikawa Yayoi had lent her was completely at odds with her own style, and she definitely wouldn't wear something so mismatched when visiting the esteemed Mejiro household.
——You silly child, remember you're supposed to be making friends. You always end up treating everyone like you're the adult here.
While changing clothes inside the bathroom, Kagura noticed Eclipse-san's remark appearing in the mirror, prompting a helpless smile.
I know, I know… It's an old habit, always subconsciously wanting to take care of these kids…
At heart, Kagura still saw herself mostly as an adult, instinctively viewing the children around her as those needing care and attention.
By the way, Eclipse-san, when will I achieve full maturation?
Realizing she was still physically immature, Kagura thought of Nice Nature's extraordinary recent growth and couldn't help but wonder if a similar stage awaited her.
——I don't really know. I've never paid much attention to the specifics of maturation. Maybe once you find something you truly need to run for with all your heart, something worth giving everything for, that's when you'll fully mature.
Eclipse-san provided a vague yet distinctly anime-esque answer.
What? Do I really have to shout something about bonds and futures while charging forward to achieve full maturation?
——Not necessarily. You'll understand eventually; just let things happen naturally.
Failing to get any useful details from Eclipse-san, Kagura gave up pursuing the issue further.
After changing into casual clothes, wrapping a scarf around her neck, and checking herself thoroughly in the mirror, Kagura finally stepped out. Ardan was already dressed and waiting for her outside.
"Oh! Is this a new outfit, Kagura-san? It's my first time seeing you dressed like this!"
Ardan eagerly moved closer, curiously examining Kagura's clothes with delight, looking as excited as a child about to go on a field trip.
"Yes~ I bought it not long ago. What do you think, Ardan-san?"
Kagura gracefully spun around on tiptoe, arms gently spread, showing off her chosen outfit to Ardan.
"It suits you perfectly! You look adorable!"
Ardan struggled to suppress the sudden urge to hug Kagura tightly, enthusiastically nodding her approval, her face brimming with excitement.
"That's good. I really don't know much about fashion, but since I'll be meeting your grandmother, I shouldn't dress too casually. If Ardan-san thinks it's fine, it must be suitable."
Kagura trusted Ardan's aesthetic judgment and understanding of Old Mejiro completely. If Ardan approved, it surely meant there would be no issue.
"Kagura-san, you're so cute, you'd look good in anything! Besides, Grandmother definitely wouldn't mind how you dress!"
"Hehe, even if others don't mind, we still need to dress properly out of respect for them."
As she spoke, Kagura neatly packed her folded clothes into her suitcase, zipped it shut, raised the handle, and looked at Ardan, who was already waiting patiently beside her.
"After you, Ardan-san. You said earlier you'd lead the way, right?"
"Yes! Kagura-san, follow me! The butler-san already drove the car to the school gates, so you won't have to walk very far."