リリカ

INCLUDING OUR WHAT

that thought delights her the most. momobami kirari and momobami ririka — perfectly identical not only in face, but at one point in time apparently, in identity, role, and presence. yumeko enjoys mulling over it: had it always been kirari that she so fervently sought to gamble ? or ... does some of that fascination belong to her sister ?

she revels in the mystery, but she's of half the mind to ask.

“ 'talent' is a good word for it ! when i first transferred to hyakkaou, suzui-san described as having her role after defeating the previous president. ” yumeko pauses thoughtfully, her gaze leveling with ririka's.

' Ah , well ... The war game was merely Rin's lies catching up with him . With Kirari , it was ... '

She never realized how often she recalled those days . She had spent so much of her life ... well , it wasn't really hers , was it ? Life only began during the election , and now , freshly graduated ... Ririka cannot help but feel a little lost again . From one extreme to the other , a fish out of the waters she'd grown accustomed to ...

' It was like ... playing as kids . Not as exciting as some of your gambles , I'm sure . '

It seems Yumeko has made her rather nostalgic . She hadn't realized the vacancy in her expression , nor the dreadful silence she's left Yumeko in as she recalls prior gambles . The concluding statement serves to snap her from inner thoughts , cheeks flushing pink & hands rising to swat away the very idea that she may claim responsibility for Kirari's rise .

' Me , the entire time ... ? I don't think so ... '

A habit , to deny herself . But ... did she even really remember ? So many games played in Kirari's name , and so few in her own — still , surely she'd remember something so monumental for her sister's rise to power . Her protests quickly cease , for she's resigned herself to the truth , regardless of how the Momobami clan may despise the unraveling of their secrets .

first line prompts

“ it would appear so. ”   she remains polite as ever, tone still warm, but yumeko's usual buoyancy softens slightly. hardly a matter of wariness as it is recalibration; more curiosity than caution. her focus is often drawn inexorably towards the the head of the family like it were by design — kirari had always commanded the room, exerting an authority beyond her years even as a child and showing a predilection for gambling that yumeko sought to resonate with.

she's been to the momobami estate only a few times, but none of those visits has placed in her mind any outstanding memory of ririka. yet she has no memory of her express absence, either. she's present in the same way a shadow is: a fixture at kirari's side and well-practiced in disappearing into her twin's silhouette.

yumeko can't help but feel that, due to this would-be vanishing act, something fascinating has slipped past her notice. fortunately, it seems she now has a chance to correct this oversight.

Though they've spent next to no time together , Ririka has heard enough about Yumeko's recent escapades to know this lull in enthusiasm is unlike her . No hostility in her tone , not even a hint of disinterest , yet Ririka cannot help the swelling of apprehension within ; how her diffidence will surely be apparent & exploited by one so self - assured . Jabami's gaze is akin to snake sizing up its prey , weighing where she may sink her teeth should Ririka dare squirm free . Perhaps this is rooted within her own growing self -worth ; it is easy to view herself as vulnerable prey when so accustomed to hiding within Kirari's shadow .

But ... there's a thrill that comes with it , too . Without spending so much time with Mary , it is unlikely she would be granted the opportunity to form bonds of her own , be they friendly or antagonistic . Yumeko's certainly still attempting to discern which fate will have in store for them , and the same is true for Ririka .

If she's honest ... a tiny voice inside hopes they may work well together .