"Ugh… Felt like my life shortened."
"Got an excuse? I'm listening."
Post-stream, Su-chan—Speed Symboli—left reluctantly with Asama. Rampage, left behind, faces the squad's grilling.
"Look, I couldn't dodge Granny's summons. Su-chan's nickname and stream? Her direct request."
"She'd want to join… Yeah, that tracks…"
"…True."
In hindsight, Speed's eager personality should've been obvious, but the shock left them all brain-dead.
"So now, if Granny's in the mood, I gotta join your stream!? Gimme a break, that's brutal!"
"If you'd spent time with Su-chan, this wouldn't have happened."
"Don't dodge!!"
"Who's dodging? You are!"
Sirius, a senior, grabs at Rampage's collar, but she fires back unfazed.
"Su-chan said you guys hold back, don't visit. That's her real talk. I get it's tough, but she's your granny—see her. This stream mess? That's on you."
"Guh…"
Speed's lonely eyes spoke volumes. She loves her grandkids but craves real family time.
"Chairwoman, you too. Busy's no excuse—shoot an email. Su-chan'd flip."
"…Point taken. I'll do it. Sirius, you should too, or Asama'll drag us onto her stream as escorts."
"No way… Fine."
Not ideal, but it'll do. Ryan looks serious—Rampage's fire for Sirius came from family loyalty. She can't stay quiet on that.
"You two not heading back? Ditched council work, right?"
"Shit, forgot in the chaos… Ramone, let's go."
"Right. Ardan, with us?"
"Yes, big sis. Rampage-san, I'll treasure this photo."
"Glad you like it."
Ardan clutches the stream's group shot in a sleek frame, beaming at being with Mejiro, Rudolf, and crew. Rampage feels warm.
"I'm out too. No reason to stay… Oi, Rampage, say anything weird to Granny, and you're done."
"I won't unless asked. Wanna avoid it? Visit her yourself."
"…Guess I gotta… Not my thing, though…"
Not bad blood—just bad chemistry. Sirius and Speed don't click, but it's shyness, not dislike. Rudolf, Ramone, Sirius, and Ardan head back to Tresen, but McQueen's crew lingers, ready to keep grilling.
"You could've warned us, Rampage-san… Trainer showed me, and I nearly fainted."
"Same. Choked on my water."
"Helios said it was wild, and… yeah, I was floored."
"What can I say…"
Asama going all-in on the stream was way out of left field.
"Still, you're kinda happy, right? New bond with Granny."
"…Won't deny it."
"Didn't peg them as Pokémon pros."
"Honestly thought Helios could meet them and be fine."
"Probably would. Granny and Su-chan used to sneak out in gal gear back in the day."
"No way, for real!?"
Days later, Palmer introduces Helios to Asama. They hit it off, posting heart-pose pics on Uma-tter.
"Why'd Granny introduce you to Rudolf's granny?"
"Just wanted us to meet. They're like besties."
"Sounds about right…"
Sure, but it's also prep for Rampage's overseas challenge. Symboli's got Speed and Sirius, Arc veterans, to back her up. Mejiro and Symboli support? She's set.
"(Sirius as my supporter… or maybe Su-chan herself. Higher chance there…)"
"Ran, will Granny join more streams?"
"Could happen. If she's free, probably."
"Figures… Kinda scary."
"Really?"
"How're you so chill, Rampage-san…?"
"Life experience, maybe."
"We're the same age, though…"
Rampage's touchy about family. Sirius bonded with Su-chan. Stamina -15, Motivation Up, Guts +10, Wisdom +5. Also, Su-chan's likely the supporter.
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