—"You and I are simply not from the same world!"
Sparkle's words carried so much resentment that Stelle immediately backed down, her voice weak. "…I know that, obviously. You're a Masked Fool, I'm a Nameless. We're not from the same world to begin with."
Stelle could hear the grievance in Sparkle's tone, and a guess formed in her mind—this world's Sparkle didn't seem to be doing too well… That made sense. She was probably reversed into a rookie, thrown into a newbie match in Penacony. This world was indeed unkind to her.
But…
"What does that have to do with me?!"
Stelle raised her voice. "Wasn't it your own choice to become a Masked Fool? If it was your choice, don't regret it!"
"It's not like Aha forced you to be a Fool, right? Or forced you to come to Penacony? Even if They're a bit unhinged, They wouldn't be that bored!"
"Himeko once said that no matter how tough the journey, as long as she has her fists, she can punch her way to the end!"
Sparkle stood on her tiptoes (because she was too short) and reached to pinch Stelle's face. "Little gray-hair, what do you know? Do you even understand what Lady Sparkle means?"
"I'm not from this universe! Who else but Aha would do something this pointless?"
"This universe isn't fun at all! I'm even starting to suspect this universe's Aha died ages ago!"
"And Himeko said? Himeko also told you to drink her coffee—why didn't you?"
Stelle froze, her face, still being toyed with by Sparkle, making her words come out garbled. "W-Wait a second…"
"Hm?" Sparkle stopped. "For shielding Lady Sparkle earlier, I've already been polite enough. If you've got something to say, spit it out!"
Stelle raised her hand. "You're a Sparkle from another world?! Hold on, then let me ask you—do you know Cool Sis?"
Sparkle: ?
Stelle: "Hm? Doesn't seem like you're from some fan-made AU…"
"AU?" Sparkle was furious. "I'm the original, authentic version! Masked Fool, master of drama!"
"Doesn't seem like it. But if you put it that way, I actually know a Sparkle too. She's way more shameless and unhinged than you." Stelle rubbed her chin, sizing Sparkle up before shaking her head in disappointment.
"What are you disappointed about?" Sparkle's eyes widened, suddenly realizing something. "Wait, little gray-hair, don't tell me you're also…?"
Stelle narrowed her eyes and suddenly recited a line. "…Let me tell you, what is foolishness?"
Sparkle's lips curled, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "pretending to be smart, like you do."
—"Then, what is a Fool?"
Sparkle grinned widely. "Knowing when to play dumb—like I do."
Stelle's expression grew more shocked. "Then, what is Elation?"
Sparkle: "I am Elation!"
Stelle: "Hahahahaha—"
Sparkle: "Hahahahaha—"
The two burst into laughter, their excited hearts and trembling hands pulling them into a tight hug as they spun around. "Finally found a fellow townsfolk!"
"Sparkle!"
"Little gray-hair!"
"Sparkle!"
"Little gray-hair!"
"Spar—"
Bang!
Stelle, spinning carelessly, didn't notice her surroundings and crashed her head into the wall, bringing Sparkle down with her.
But she didn't mind—her mood was practically euphoric. It was like being inexplicably locked in a mental asylum and finding the only other sane person there. Sure, that sane person was Sparkle, but Stelle was more than satisfied.
At least someone understood her struggles!
"I was wondering why you were muttering all that weird stuff earlier. So, what's the deal? Are you also totally lost in this universe? It's too crazy—I've already been assimilated!"
Sparkle paused. "Huh? I feel like you're the same as always."
Stelle: "…"
"…Ahem, let's get to business. You probably know what the events behind Penacony signify, right?" Stelle cleared her throat, turning serious. "By normal logic, Sunday's trying to revive [Order] to create a paradise in the Dreamscape."
Sparkle picked up where she left off. "But based on this universe's progression, what that wingboy's planning is probably way more terrifying—like creating a world with only workdays."
In unison, they said, "That's too horrifying."
"How about it? Let's form an alliance." Stelle extended her hand. "You can't go back to your original world anytime soon, and while you're in Penacony, there's no way to stay uninvolved."
"And, stepping back, we're townsfolk! In this universe, I'm the only one who still sees you as the confident Masked Fool, not some rookie by the roadside."
Sparkle scoffed. "Let's be clear—Lady Sparkle's just not used to this place yet. Outplaying these brainless idiots is only a matter of time."
"But… for the sake of old friends, hehe, this alliance? I'm in."
After reaching an agreement, they decided to leave the room. But as they saw the sign on the door, their expressions froze—
It read, "Cannot leave without XX."
This time, it wasn't an unknown word but a simple censored term.
In other words, the two of them (Sparkle and Stelle) had to XX to leave.
Stelle/Sparkle: …
"Stay away from me!" / "Little gray-hair, don't come any closer!"
The camaraderie they'd just formed began to crack.
Stelle eyed Sparkle warily. "Sparkle, we're both on the same side, we know each other's roots. Why are you so defensive?"
Sparkle gripped a table lamp. "Exactly, little gray-hair, we're on the same side, so why are you dodging?"
Stelle: "Hmph, I'm dodging because I know you too well. You're a shameless, unscrupulous Masked Fool who'll do anything to achieve your goals. How do I know you won't sacrifice me to get out?"
Sparkle sneered. "Little gray-hair, you think I don't know you? When it comes to absurdity, you're the one who takes the cake."
"Clearly, you're the one more likely to ambush me! Don't think I don't know—you used to whisper behind my back that I'm number one on some 'needs-a-beating' list."
Stelle: "Utter nonsense! That's complete nonsense, okay? If you don't trust me, we'll just wait for March and Firefly to come rescue us!"
Sparkle: "You're not pretending to be clueless, are you? When we got thrown in here, the room shifted. Those two girls are who-knows-how-far from us now. No one's coming to save us."
Stelle: "Then what do we do? We can't be stuck here forever, can we?"
Sparkle took a step back. "…What's that supposed to mean?"
Stelle raised her hands. "To get out of here, we only have one option."
"You don't want to stay here forever, do you?"
"As long as you cooperate with me, we'll definitely get out."