When we had met Cento earlier, she made a request as we parted: if we happened to run into Tre again, she asked that we try to keep her there and contact them if possible.
Thus, after our chance encounter with Tre, Sieg used a Hummingbird to get a hold of Cento while I kept the woman occupied with conversation.
Tre finished her second attempt at the game, ending with a meager two points. Just as she returned to us with a look of modest satisfaction, a pair of voices rang out.
"Sister Tre!"
Cento and Sien came rushing over in response to our message, and we turned our attention toward them. I was glad the contact had gone through, but to be honest, I still didn't fully understand what was going on.
Based on the circumstances alone, it seemed as though Tre had given her companions the slip, much like Fate often did. Yet, Tre didn't seem the least bit bothered about being caught. Even now, as the two appeared, she didn't show a hint of guilt.
"Oh, Cento! Sien! You two want to give this a try? It's surprisingly difficult."
She flashed them a bright, relaxed smile, showing no signs of panic whatsoever.
"Sister Tre! You wandered off on your own again! Do you have any idea how worried we've been?!"
"Huh? But I left a note."
"That is hardly the point! Sister Tre, do you even realize that Cento and I are your guards?!"
"Of course I do. I'm always relying on you two, aren't I?"
Cento and Sien continued to press her, but Tre remained maddeningly easygoing, moving entirely at her own pace. I felt a surge of sympathy for the two guards; they clearly had their work cut out for them.
"Then why on earth did you leave without us?!"
"I only meant to play around nearby for a few minutes."
"See? You don't understand at all! We told you repeatedly last time that you must take us with you..."
While Sien continued her lecture, Cento turned to us, stepped closer, and gave a respectful bow.
"Thank you very much for getting in touch with us."
"Don't mention it. I'm just glad you were able to find her."
As I spoke, Cento produced a small pouch and withdrew several gold coins.
"It isn't much, but please, accept this as a token of our gratitude..."
"No, really, that's not necessary. We just happened to run into her by chance. Your thanks are plenty."
"You are most kind. I offer you my gratitude once again."
Cento bowed again, then produced a small card from her pocket—it looked like a business card—and handed one to both Sieg and me. It bore an address, the specific branch of the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company, and Cento's own name.
"If you ever find yourself in need of magic crystals, please contact me. I have some influence within the Magic Crystal Department, so I can ensure only the highest quality specimens are prepared for you."
"Thank you. We'll certainly keep that in mind."
After we exchanged pleasantries and accepted the cards, Cento bowed one last time and returned to Tre, who was still bearing the brunt of Sien’s scolding.
"Come now, Sister. We are returning."
"Huh? Is it that late already?"
"No. However, lecturing you here would only disturb the other patrons."
"Ugh... There's going to be a lecture?"
"Naturally. Sien and I have a great deal left to discuss with you."
"Bleh."
With that, Cento seized Tre by the scruff of her neck and began dragging her away. Cento and Sien gave us one final, apologetic bow, while Tre waved to us with a bizarrely cheerful expression even as she was being hauled off like a naughty kitten.
With Tre in tow, Cento and Sien continued their relentless lecture as they made their way toward their original destination: Kuromueina's Castle.
Tre nodded along dutifully to Cento's words, but this was a song and dance they had performed countless times before. Given her track record, any real hope for improvement seemed slim. Tre was an eternal optimist, the type to put off anything troublesome until she simply forgot it existed. It was all too easy to imagine her thinking, "I'll just tell them later," and repeating the same mistake tomorrow.
"Honestly, Sien and I are well aware that you don't truly listen to a word we say, Sister Tre."
"Indeed. Which is why we've called in some reinforcements this time."
"Reinforcements?"
Tre tilted her head in confusion, but as the castle entrance came into view and she saw the figures waiting there, all the color drained from her face.
"Ai-nee and Zuva-nee? Calling those two is cheating! That's not fair, you can't just cheat like that..."
Waiting at the gates were Ein and Zwei. The nonchalant air Tre had maintained until a moment ago vanished instantly. She was now sweating profusely, her voice laced with pure panic.
"A-Ai-nee... Z-Zuva-nee! H-Heh, it's been a while, hasn't it? So Zuva-nee was home after all... What wonderful timing! I'm so happy to see you both!"
"..."
"M-Making such scary faces... it'll ruin your looks. I really prefer it when you're both being kind... Is that, uh, not on the table?"
"..."
"Not on the table, then. It's over. I'm doomed."
Confronted by their silent, simmering rage, Tre looked up at the heavens in total resignation. A moment later, her scream echoed through the crisp blue sky.
Serious-senpai: "I see. So that's the end of that little incident?"
???: "Actually, here's another hint for you: Kaito never introduced himself."
Serious-senpai: "...It sounds like the chaos isn't quite over yet."