"Misako-chan, Rie-chan, can you tell us again what happened last night to this big sister here?"
Ms. Sugita bent down to their level.
"But we've already said it once."
Even though they were in a police station, surrounded by unfamiliar adults, Shinagawa Misako didn't look the least bit timid.
"Can you tell it one more time? This sister, Onizuka, came all the way from Tokyo. She can deal with the bad things you encountered."
"But I don't think we encountered any bad things," Shinagawa Misako shook her head.
"Sister…"
The younger Shinagawa sister timidly tugged on her older sister's sleeve, speaking in a low, nervous tone.
"Well…" Shinagawa Misako sized up Onizuka, then suddenly became bright and cheerful, "Onizuka-sister, you're so pretty! Hmm… I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell the story again just for you."
"Then, thank you, Shinagawa-chan."
