Thank You and Rivera retreated to the back room, leaving me alone with Rice-chan.
The walls weren't thick. If someone had built them with eavesdropping in mind, they would probably hear everything. But listening in felt… ungainly.
"Come to think of it, Rivera-san is the child of Symboli Rudolf and Mejiro Ramonu."
"It seems so."
Rice-chan answered calmly.
There's a non-zero chance Rudolf was lying, but why would she? There's no benefit to fabricating something like that. So I decided to believe it.
"Rivera's admission this year… it's before Ramonu's debut."
"?"
"I thought maybe it would be nice if Viola-chan and Rice had a child."
"Wait, wait, Rice-chan, let's calm down for a second."
"Viola-chan isn't exactly calm either."
What are you saying, Rice-chan?!
She looked adorable—and then casually dropped a bombshell.
"In the first place, Rice-chan is debuting this year. Having children would be difficult!"
"? And I was wondering if Viola-chan would give birth for me."
"Me??I give birth??"
I was stunned. That idea had never even crossed my mind.
I could feel my face burning red, while Rice-chan spoke with the same tone she'd use to comment on the weather.
"Our relationship isn't problematic. My parents officially recognize it. But we're still in second year of junior high—I don't think we need to rush into anything like that."
"Aha, Viola-chan speaks so fast."
"Who do you think is to blame?!"
Rice-chan laughed, sweet and mischievous. Her words were devilish, but her smile was pure.
Probably 90% of this was teasing. I decided to change the subject before she escalated further.
"How could Rudolf and Ramonu not end up together?"
"They're from famous families, top management. I've heard there are… complications."
"That's hard."
"But they chose it."
I guess that's how it works. I don't understand upper-class society in this world, so I just accept it as one of those things.
"Rice thought Rivera was being a little too proud about it. Thank You seemed to have more empathy."
"I hope it goes well."
"Can't it work out somehow? I don't know, but…"
Rice-chan began picking at the cake on the stand.
I stared at her, wondering if that was meant for guests.
Just as she finished the last bite, Thank You and Rivera returned—already finished talking.
Apparently, their talk hadn't taken long.