"Mhm... very good."
Togawa Sakiko moved her hands away from the keyboard and spoke to the others around her.
"The current level of completion is enough to go for a recording. That's all for today. Thank you for your hard work, everyone."
"Phew~ That's great!"
Hearing this, Yuutenji Nyamu immediately dropped her drumsticks as if she'd been granted amnesty, then stretched out with a big yawn.
"Not only do we get to finish early, but I didn't get a single lecture from Sakiko-san all day!"
"You should thank Yahata-san for that."
Sakiko said with a blank expression.
"Ever since we added her bass, the frequency of your mistakes has dropped significantly... And as expected of you, Yahata-san. You've only just joined the band, but you've already completely adapted to our style."
"It's because your arrangements are clever and easy to understand, Sakiko. You just need to practice them a few times to get the hang of it."
Yahata Umiri said as she placed her bass back into its case.
"More importantly... you seem a little different today, too, Sakiko-san. I feel like there's an indescribable sense of pressure mixed into the music..."
"Ah... I felt that too!"
Nyamu nodded in deep agreement.
It was just a normal practice session, yet even she, who didn't have a particularly strong sense of music, could feel a chill in Sakiko's playing that made her scalp tingle...
"Sakiko's piano sounded so much colder than usual today! I even got goosebumps a few times in the middle!"
"...Was it that serious?"
She subconsciously looked at Misumi Uika, who just gave a slight shrug, neither confirming nor denying it.
"...It's probably because I'm not in a very good mood today."
Sakiko took out her phone. Looking at the message window that still had no reply, her already calm expression became several shades colder.
"It's just a private matter, you don't need to worry about it. I'll let you know the specific recording time later. Until then, please maintain today's form... Yuutenji-san."
"Yes?"
"Besides your drumming, please don't forget your basic training as a model."
"Ah, I know..."
Nyamu could only nod with a resigned look.
"I've been doing yoga and posture training with Uika every day before bed recently."
"Don't worry, Nyamu has a good foundation. She just needs a little training,"
Uika chimed in to put in a good word for Nyamu.
"More importantly, are you and Mutsumi really going... back to that place today?"
"Mhm. After something like this happened, no matter how much I don't want to admit it, I have to go back at least once."
Sakiko said, walking over to Wakaba Mutsumi's side.
"It's about time. Let's go, Mutsumi."
"...Mhm."
Mutsumi, who had just finished packing up her guitar, stood up and walked out of the studio with Sakiko...
"Compared to Chihaya-san, who's the BOSS, Sakiko-san definitely has a more intimidating aura."
Staring at the closed studio door, Nyamu couldn't help but sigh.
"Is she really the same age as you guys?"
"She is. It's just that her experiences and what she's been through are far more complex than ours."
Uika let out a small sigh.
"By the way, has Tetsuya-kun mentioned anything more to you about the modeling job since then?"
"He hasn't."
"...I see. Well, whenever he gives you more details, feel free to contact me."
"Ah... mhm."
It's less 'feel free to contact me' and more 'you must contact me,' isn't it?
And then there's that Hoshino Ai, who seems even more possessive than Uika... Ugh, the more I think about it, the more troublesome these relationships get.
"Oh, right, you said you wanted to take a picture with me in the studio? Why don't we do it now? I have to go to class soon."
"Eh? Really! Thank you so much!"
Ahh~ Uika really is such a kind, considerate, and understanding girl!
Just discussing work matters with her a bit more? No problem at all!
Nyamu, who had no qualms about completely ditching the thoughts she had a second ago, was overjoyed.
...
"..."
Staring at the all-too-familiar mansion before her, Sakiko's expression was a mixture of nostalgia and resistance.
Just seeing the lights on inside gave her an indescribable... impulse to turn around and walk away immediately.
"Is this place... still being managed by the same butler?"
"Probably."
Mutsumi answered with an uncertain tone.
"At least, I haven't heard of anyone else from the Togawa family moving in."
"Phew... That's good."
Because she hadn't yet achieved enough to give her the confidence she needed, Sakiko really didn't want to have to deal with people she didn't know...
Next, she patted her collar, straightened her bangs with her fingers, and after exchanging a brief look with Mutsumi, she finally, slowly, pressed the doorbell.
The voice that came from the intercom a moment later made her expression freeze.
"The door's unlocked. Just come in."
The greeting, devoid of any pleasantries, brought back long-forgotten memories of her time here before she left.
Although she had informed them beforehand that she needed to come back for something, she never expected that she would be speaking directly with her...
Sakiko immediately took a deep breath, calming the wavering expression on her face. Even though the doorbell had no video function, she still maintained an impeccable posture and spoke to the intercom.
"Yes, Mother."
Then, just as she and Mutsumi had done in the past, she pushed open the large door before her and slowly walked into the building that held all her past and her memories... her former home.
...
"It's been a long time, Mother."
"It is good to see you, Aunt."
In the reception hall, Sakiko and Mutsumi bowed in unison to the woman before them.
In terms of appearance, she and Sakiko shared many obvious similarities.
From her handsome and beautiful face to her figure and poise, which were on par with a fashion model, one could easily glimpse the woman Sakiko would one day become.
However, aside from these similarities written in their blood, there was a fundamental difference between them.
"Sit."
It was an aura of superiority, much like Mori Minami's, but even more enigmatic.
Even though they were blood relatives, Sakiko and Mutsumi both subconsciously felt a nervousness that made their breath quicken.
After they sat down stiffly, Sakiko's mother continued.
"I know you originally intended to just ask the butler for information, but since this is a family matter, I felt it was best for me to speak with you directly."
With that, she looked up and carefully examined Sakiko for a moment before speaking again.
"There's no need to be so formal. You've heard from Minami, haven't you? You are now a free person who can return at any time."
"You should understand as well, Mother."
Sakiko gently shook her head at her mother's words.
"The fact that I am asking you about Father means that I have no intention of accepting the agreement you reached."
"Mhm... I suppose you're right."
Sakiko's mother was not at all surprised by this answer.
"If you were someone who could be made to accept things so easily, you never would have left in the first place."
At this, a hint of helplessness appeared on her otherwise indifferent face.
"It's such a simple concept, yet that person couldn't figure it out... As impulsive as ever."
"While it was indeed a bit thoughtless, Father did it for my sake."
Faced with her mother's jab, Sakiko instinctively defended him.
"So, even if I don't intend to accept it, I can still understand his intentions..."
"Unfortunately, the problems of this world cannot be solved simply by so-called intentions and resolve. Just like now... not only did he fail to make you accept this false freedom as he wished, but he has instead forced you to return here and face the person you least wanted to see."
As she spoke, Sakiko's mother pushed a file from her side towards them.
"You've come back a little early. I haven't had time to find his exact whereabouts yet. I only managed to trace the source of the funds to a company that should have no connection to him."
"..."
Sakiko took the folder, opened it, and looked it over with Mutsumi.
The name they both knew so well made them cry out in unison.
"[NozAK!]?!"
"...Mhm. It seems to be a fashion brand that has risen to prominence in the last two years. However, even after I had someone check the employee lists of all of [NozAK!]'s and its subsidiary studios, I couldn't find his name."
Sakiko's mother said.
"In other words, while the money came from [NozAK!], he is not working for the brand... I don't know what kind of deal was made between them."
"How could this be..."
Sakiko could never have imagined that her own father would be involved with [NozAK!], Chihaya Tetsuya's greatest rival. What confused her most was, if her father hadn't joined the brand, why would [NozAK!] pay him so much?
"Sakiko... could it be related to the joint exhibition?"
Mutsumi voiced her suspicion with a worried expression.
"After all, the most important news in the fashion industry recently... is probably the joint exhibition, which serves as a preview for the [TGC]..."
"..."
Sakiko didn't reply, but her expression grew darker.
"...The joint exhibition?"
Hearing their conversation, Sakiko's mother raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So, besides you, this matter could also involve that Chihaya Tetsuya?"
"Yes... eh?"
Hearing a name that shouldn't have come up, Sakiko looked up blankly.
"Why... how do you know that name, Mother?"
"Don't be so alarmed. Just because I know his name doesn't mean the main family does."
Seeing the lingering nervousness in Sakiko's eyes, her mother said.
"Or did you really think I would let you run wild out there without knowing anything? Not to mention, Minami recently sent Mutsumi over there as well. Under these circumstances, I didn't even have to try very hard to find out about him."
"...Eh?"
At this, Sakiko's expression went completely blank.
She had thought that everything she had done after leaving the Togawa family had been successfully hidden from everyone. It turned out that not only had her mother been keeping an eye on her, but she had even been intentionally helping to hide it from the main family...
"When you were first at [KaZoKu], I just thought you had gotten a normal corporate job. I never expected that in less than two months, he would suddenly strike out on his own and even take you with him."
Sakiko's mother tapped her fingertips on the armrest of her chair.
"I originally thought that if anything went wrong on Chihaya Tetsuya's end, I would immediately drag you back by force... but from the looks of it now, his momentum and prospects have already surpassed his original studio. If that's the case, then there seems to be no need for me to worry needlessly."
"..."
After hearing this, Mutsumi hesitated for a moment before asking.
"Can I take this to mean... you approve of Sakiko leaving the Togawa family and joining Mr. Chihaya's [Starry Sky]?"
"No. I was simply waiting for the day she could no longer hold on."
Sakiko's mother shook her head in denial.
"My view is the same as Minami's. We both prefer to wait until you have paid a certain price for your wrong choices before we take you back, once you've learned your lesson. But as it stands, that Chihaya Tetsuya is far more reliable than we anticipated..."
With that, she paused for a moment, her gaze darting between Sakiko and Mutsumi several times, before she continued.
"Let's get back to your father. If he were simply running away from reality, I wouldn't need to worry. But since the impact of this matter will spread further, then Sakiko."
"Yes."
"If you can investigate and resolve this matter with your own strength, then... I will acknowledge your independence, and I will help persuade the main family to let you truly break free from the Togawa's control. But... if you fail to resolve your father's situation, and end up dragging down the people around you, then you will come back to the main family obediently. In a sense, that is a responsibility you must bear."
"So, do you accept this condition?"