Senko: "Classic flavors? What does that mean?" He tilted his head curiously.
Jiho: "Ah, well, food isn't scarce anymore—there's plenty for everyone. And we've invented tons of new snacks. The ones that came first are called 'originals' or 'classics.'"
The prince's eyes widened.
Senko: "Wait—everyone* has enough to eat now?"*
Jiho: "Yep. You'll get to taste the future for yourself soon."
Later, at Uncle Hiroto's house
Just as Ariha reached to take the snack bag back and thank Jiho for escorting them, her brother spoke first:
Jiho: "I'll come in and explain everything to Uncle. That way, I can report back to Mom and Dad too."
Ariha: "Okay, Oppa!" She beamed as Jiho ruffled her hair affectionately.
Jiho: "No more questions? Then let's go!"
They knocked, and the door was opened by a gray-eyed brunette—Nana, their younger cousin.
Nana: "Ariha? Jiho? What brings you—?"
Jiho: "We need to talk to Uncle about a... situation."
Before he could finish, a blue-eyed blond man in his forties peeked into the hallway.
Uncle Hiroto: "Nana, why didn't you say we had a guest?" He frowned at the armored figure behind his nieces.
Nana: "But... Dad, there's no one else here?"
Hiroto: "What do you mean no one—?" Jiho swiftly clamped a hand over his uncle's mouth.
Jiho: "Sorry, Uncle. Let's... explain inside."
Two hours later, in the living room
After recounting Senko's story—and the fact that most people couldn't see him—Hiroto leaned forward, steepling his fingers.
Hiroto: "So that's what's going on. What's your next move?"
Ariha: "First, we need to figure out why we can see him. Uncle, any theories?"
Hiroto's gaze flicked between his nieces and the prince.
Hiroto: "Your mother told you our family carries royal blood, yes?"
Jiho: "Right. And that Grandpa and Grandma were from different royal branches."
Hiroto: "Then let's think anomalies. Any odd occurrences lately? That might explain this."
Jiho: "Anomalies... Well, there was the orbital shift 300 years ago—when Earth's rotation speed changed. Nothing else comes to mind."
Ariha: "And that happened the exact moment the Crown Prince vanished during his homecoming!"
Hiroto's eyes lit up.
Hiroto: "Ah—that's* the connection! Then we're asking the wrong question. This isn't about why we see him... It's about what that anomaly was."