After Nona, Camilla, and the others leave the Blood of Eden facility, the guards drive them back in silence and test them again. Crown’s presence makes the trip easier for Nona, who is allowed to sit beside Crown instead of being forced onto the floor, though Nona and Camilla are still bound with plastic ties.

Near Nona’s school, Crown orders the car to stop and decides to walk Nona the rest of the way while the others continue to the safe zone. Camilla objects, but Nona has already jumped out, eager for air and for her friends to see Crown. Nona then realizes that Crown has separated Nona from Camilla and Pyrrha, but because Camilla has not used any emergency code, Nona decides the choice is selfish rather than dangerous.

As Crown and Nona walk through the crowded streets, Crown suggests that Camilla is overprotective and asks whether Nona loves Camilla romantically. Nona is unsettled by being treated like an adult, then answers Crown’s teasing by describing the way Crown looks at other people. Nona accurately reads Crown’s performance toward We Suffer, dislike of Pash, fear and attraction toward Pyrrha, longing for Camilla’s affection, and begins to say who Crown is in love with before Crown covers Nona’s mouth.

Crown is frightened by Nona’s perception but quickly apologizes, explaining that Nona reminds Crown of someone. Crown says her sister also always told painful truths, while Crown often asked questions without wanting honest answers. Nona remains hurt but is somewhat mollified as they reach the school.

At the entrance, Nona meets the Angel, who looks exhausted but tells Nona the class is only finishing break. The Angel refuses to let Crown come upstairs, citing the no-guns rule and the certainty that Crown’s striking presence would distract the children from a lesson on sound. Crown introduces herself as Camilla’s partner, which shocks the Angel and annoys Nona, who warns that Camilla would be furious.

After the Angel asks Nona to watch Noodle, Crown admits the lie was partly meant to provoke Camilla and jokes that it might raise Camilla’s status. Nona says Crown could have claimed Nona instead because both of them are attractive. Crown grows serious, touches Nona gently, and says she knows what Nona is even if others refuse to see it, adding that she envies Nona more than anyone in the universe.