Like Oil and Water

Come in… Oh, Yuki-nii. What’s up?

I bought some chocolate mousse from the lobby. Do you want to eat it together?

Mmm, it’s so nice to have a sweet treat after being out all day! Thanks, Yuki-nii.

No problem. You were out walking with Renga for a while, right? You deserve it.

Yeah, I’m glad we were able to talk things out. Did Liguang-san ever end up coming back to you guys?

Yeah, it didn’t take him long. He calmed down fast.

Oh, okay…

(That makes sense… Renga-kun was kind of in a bad mood the entire time.)

…What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?

Ahaha… You can tell?

Of course I can. I know everything about you.

I just wonder if Liguang-san and Renga-kun will ever get along… They’re always so hostile towards each other.

…Yeah.

Renga-kun’s personality is just kinda like that, but it’s like Liguang-san goes out of his way to bump heads with him.

I don’t know the details, but I have a feeling it’s been like that for a while. They were the same when we were in high school.

They enrolled when you were in your third year, right, Yuki-nii? They didn’t get along even back then?

The Nishizono and Lu families seem to have a good relationship, since they both have a hand in supporting HAMA. Renga and Liguang are the only exceptions.

…Something big must’ve happened if they hate each other that much.

I tried asking Liguang about it after we moved into the dorms. I don’t think Renga’s all that bad of a person.

He told me that he thinks Renga isn’t fit to be the heir of the Nishizono family. Apparently that’s why he gets so angry around him…

(I see… Well, I guess I kind of get it. Renga isn’t exactly the most empathetic guy around…)

(But is that the only reason? If that was really it, I’d expect Liguang-san to just ignore him rather than pick fights.)

This is just a rumor, but… You know how Liguang was in the student council in high school, right?

Renga wanted to join too, but he was rejected because his grades weren’t good enough.

Previous heads of the Nishizono and Lu families have always been in the student council. But since Renga couldn’t get in, he was made fun of…

That’s awful…

On the other hand, Liguang excelled at everything, so they were compared to each other a lot. Renga hates to lose, so that must’ve added to their tension.

(Is that why Renga-kun wanted to be the leader?)

That must’ve been hard on him… I didn’t expect them to become best friends, but I at least wanted to bridge the gap between them during this trip…

That would be nice. I’m here to help if you need me.

Thanks! I’ll definitely let you know!

(If that’s the reason Liguang-san doesn’t like Renga-kun, then…I wonder if things will change between them if Renga-kun improves himself. I wanna help him out.)

Wow, KOBE’s Chinatown is filled to the brim with people!

Yeah, it’s packed!

Something smells good. Man, now I’m hungry.

Hmph… This place looks cheap. HAMA’s Chinatown is way more impressive.

(He’s putting KOBE down again… I guess that’s a bad habit of his…)

Well, that’s what our leader thinks, but how about you, Liguang? Your family oversees our Chinatown.

Everything here is cohesive, and all of the restaurants are welcoming and friendly. They also have measures in place to make sure young women feel safe walking around. It makes for good reference material.

What, you got no pride for your own ward or something? Can’t believe a dump like this is impressing you.

Are you a monkey? If you have nothing better to do than complain, you might as well go back to the mountains where you belong.

Wha…!

Kinda wanna get a dongpo pork burger. Renga-san, you wanna get one together? Since we’re friends.

……

Ahem, I guess I don’t mind. Since we’re friends.

Let’s all get one! This can help with our research too!

…Oh, it’s good.

I-It tastes like heaven… I think I just died and saw the pearly gates for a second… Huhu, here I am, God…

Mmm, the pork is really tender. It’s so good. ♪

Hm, this easily takes home the Yukikaze Medal. It might even be in the running for gold this year.

It could work as gyoza too. Chief, if I made some dongpo pork gyoza, would you eat them?

Okay, cut that out. Nobody mentioned gyoza.

Hey, is that Kamina Yukikaze? Like, the figure skater?

It is! Wow, his skin is so glassy… And is that Nishizono Renga next to him?!

Excuse me! Can I get a picture with you?

(Oh no, here we go again! We need to clear this up…!)

Thank you for the support.

I’m so excited to see your quads next competition!

I’m so glad I came to KOBE today. This city’s the best!

Dammit, why do we have to do all of this to help out KOBE? I’m HAMA’s mayor…

(Renga’s mood is taking a nosedive again… I guess we stand out a little too much.)

(Is there any way we can walk around without getting noticed?)

……

Alright, I have an idea. Leave this to me.

…?