Momoka was staring at Kouhei with eyes sharp enough to cut glass, suspicion practically dripping from her gaze.
Kouhei honestly wouldn't have guessed she'd come at him like this—but thinking about it, it really did make sense. With everything that had happened, it was natural for her to be on guard.
"Considering you've become the leader of a faction—and not just any faction, but a big one at that—it'd be strange if I wasn't wary," Momoka said, her voice calm yet edged like ice. "Especially since you've got a former member of our clan among your ranks. It'd only be natural for me to worry you'd try to swallow us up into your faction by doing something stupid… like challenging me and sticking my older sister in charge instead. That's why I'm here—to look you straight in the eye and ask if you really plan to pull something that reckless."
Her words fell heavy in the air, hanging between them like frost. Kouhei met her gaze, seeing nothing but caution and resolve staring back at him.
