Sakiko couldn't accept "charity" because of her pride.
If she were willing to take a handout, she never would have left Crychic. Any of those girls could have supported her, but she'd rather be "Call Center Saki."
Having grown up with her, Mortis knew she would refuse... it was all part of the game!
Now, it was time to give Sakiko a reason to join that her pride couldn't block!
Mortis fixed her gaze on Rin. Mutsumi just wanted Sakiko to join so she wouldn't break, but Mortis... she wanted to punish anyone who put pressure on Mutsumi.
With that thought, Mortis discreetly messaged Rin.
Mortis: [Go play with Soyo and the others for a bit~]
Rin: [????]
Mortis: [Hehe~]
Rin shot a glance at Mortis... She must have something specific to say to Sakiko. He decided to give them some space.
Rin finished his tea, made an excuse to pay the bill at the front desk, and then headed toward the rehearsal room to find Soyo, leaving Mortis and Sakiko alone.
Once Rin was gone, Sakiko let out a visible sigh of relief. She didn't have to maintain her "Ojou-sama" mask as strictly in front of Mutsumi. Mortis continued her act as the robotic Mutsumi, sitting expressionlessly.
She didn't speak, just took occasional sips of juice and checked her phone. Eventually, Sakiko couldn't help but ask.
"Mutsumi... how did you meet him?" Sakiko asked tentatively. She knew her childhood friend was naive. Rin looked like the typical "playboy" type, and she was worried Mutsumi was being scammed.
"I know exactly what I am doing." Mortis maintained her cold tone but added a hint of desperate pleading. "Saki... join the band. I feel like you are truly about to break."
"Break? I'm not going to break." Sakiko frowned. Where did I look like I was breaking? She caught her reflection in a glass pane. Impossible. Completely impossible.
"I've already adapted to life outside the Toyokawa house. But you... you..." Sakiko trailed off.
She felt something was "wrong" between Mutsumi and Rin, but she couldn't put her finger on it... it was just a general sense of depravity.
"..."
"Never mind me. Mutsumi... be careful. Don't let him do... 'bad things' to you."
"..." Mortis didn't reply, resuming her robotic facade.
Mortis: [As expected, she already suspects something.]
Mutsumi: [Is this really going to be okay?]
Mortis: [Relax. Sakiko wants to join. we just have to give her a reason she can't refuse!]
While Mortis was reassuring Mutsumi, Rin pushed open the rehearsal room door.
He didn't interrupt. He waited until the final notes of "Haruhikage" faded before offering his applause.
The moment the song ended, Tomori rushed to Rin like a puppy desperate for a head-pat, her eyes full of hope.
Rin reached out and gently stroked her soft, silver-gray hair.
"Excellent work. I can really hear the feelings you want to send to Sakiko," Rin smiled. "Your voice will definitely let her feel your happiness. Soyo and Anon's guitars were great too; I can tell you've been practicing... Mmm? What are you doing?"
Rana, who had put down her guitar, was now leaning in close to Rin and Tomori, sniffing the air around them alternately.
"What is this stray cat doing? Why are you sniffing a man? Are you a pervert?"
Taki, terrified that Rana would smell the "filling," quickly dragged her away. Beside them, Soyo watched Taki and Tomori's guilty expressions, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
It seems Taki and Tomori were indeed 'handled' by Daddy while I wasn't looking~ Soyo's gaze drifted to Rana and Anon. Are they next...?
But Soyo had a more important mission today.
During a break in practice, Soyo pulled out her phone and opened her notes. It was a list of phrases Rin had told her to memorize.
As she pretended to scroll through her phone, she surreptitiously watched Anon and Rana.
A giggle escaped her lips.
Since Tomori and Taki were eaten by Daddy... Rana and Anon should be too. Tomori wants a lifetime band; if we're all eaten by him, maybe we really can be a band forever~
"Three more bands and then it's your turn. You can head backstage to prepare now."
Like the feeling of time vanishing right before an exam, the girls felt like they'd barely warmed up before it was time to go.
Taki and the others followed the staff member backstage. Even though they'd performed as Crychic before, today felt different. The tension was palpable.
Except for Rana, everyone's palms were slick with sweat.
While they prepped backstage, Rin was in the crowd with Mutsumi and Sakiko. Besides Sakiko, Tomori had invited Bocchi and her group, though they weren't standing with Rin.
Nijika and the others were near the front, while Rin, Sakiko, and Mutsumi stayed at the very back. At five feet tall, the two girls had to stand on their tiptoes just to see the stage through the gaps in the crowd.
Sakiko stared blankly at the vibrant performers, her heart full of memories of Crychic.
Suddenly, Rin felt a small hand grip his wrist.
"Mmm...?"
Rin glanced at Mutsumi. Her eyes were fixed on the stage, but her restless hand had guided Rin's onto her pert, petite rear.
They were at the absolute back of the venue. No one was behind them, and they were out of range of the cameras.
Rin took a half-step back to shield her, then began to knead her buttocks through her uniform skirt and panties. He kept his movements subtle, but his eyes remained on the stage.
Watching Rin act like nothing was happening, he didn't notice Mutsumi "accidentally" brush the back of her hand against Sakiko on her other side.
Feeling the touch, Sakiko thought Mutsumi was calling her and turned her head. Rin, always keeping an eye on Sakiko, snatched his hand back instantly.
Sakiko narrowed her eyes, scanning Rin... Was his hand just on Mutsumi's ass!?