How does this stray cat smell everything!?
It was true that Taki and Tomori hadn't showered after being filled, but it wasn't like the scent was just drifting off them, was it!?
"Wh-What are you talking about!? You're already late! We need to practice more before the live!"
After a brief moment of shock, Taki forced a stern face, fighting back her intense shame to change the subject.
"You both have the same smell."
Rana's eyes drifted down from Taki's face. A guilty Taki quickly turned around.
She felt as if Rana's gaze was burning through her skirt and underwear, landing right on the red handprint Rin had left on her ass, perhaps even seeing through her skin to the cream puffs sealed behind the penguin band-aid.
Beside them, Soyo watched Taki and Tomori with a thoughtful expression.
While she couldn't smell "queens in heat," she knew Rana's intuition was uncannily sharp... Could they have already been claimed by him?
A blushing Taki and Tomori hurried toward the rehearsal room, while Anon—bless her—didn't suspect Rin at all.
"Eh? Wait... are Taki and Tomori that kind of couple!? WHAAAAT!?"
On the other side of the building.
Rin Ito, Mutsumi, and Sakiko arrived at Ring.
"They should be in the rehearsal room now. Want to go see them? I'm sure they'd love to see you."
Rin looked at Sakiko, who was walking beside Mutsumi.
Though her face remained a mask of cold indifference, her amber eyes couldn't hide the storm within. She wanted things to be like they were before, but there was no longer a place for her in that band. Her presence would only cause them trouble.
Sakiko suppressed her emotions with everything she had.
"There is no need."
"They would be happy if you went," Rin said with a smile.
On the surface, he was encouraging a reunion, but in reality...
The happier they were, the bigger the stimulus for Sakiko. She was an outsider now. Since she chose to keep her suffering a secret from the start, her pride wouldn't allow her to crawl back.
"You go with Mutsumi. I haven't had the black tea here in a long time."
Sakiko walked up the stairs to the second-floor cafe. Standing before the entrance, she felt a wave of deja vu. Memories of the old days flashed before her eyes.
As she reminisced, the tea in her mouth tasted exceptionally bitter.
She just wanted to get this over with. Watch their first live, fulfill their wish, and then sever all ties forever.
Mutsumi sat next to Sakiko, stealing a glance at her distracted friend. Then... she discreetly lifted her leg.
Under the table, the tip of her loafer began to tease Rin's shin.
"..."
Rin's words died in his throat. Is Mutsumi actually being this bold?
She was sitting right next to Sakiko and yet she was flirting with him... wasn't she worried about being caught?
If Sakiko found out now, it would ruin the timing. According to Rin's plan, the revelation had to happen later.
In truth, Sakiko noticed nothing. Lost in her bitter nostalgia, she had no idea her "robotic" childhood friend was currently seducing a man right beside her.
She never could have imagined that the cold, distant Mutsumi would use her feet to tempt a man.
Mortis: [You've started flirting, why hasn't he made a move yet!]
Mortis: [He should be toy with our feet properly while Sakiko is spaced out!]
Mutsumi: [Should I be more obvious?]
Mortis: [No... it has to be just enough for Sakiko to notice something is off, but not enough to confirm it.]
Unlike Rin's plan, Mortis wanted Sakiko to sense the "abnormality," but only in a subtle way.
Mortis: [Stop for now.]
Mortis: [Wait for the live show to start. Then you can make your move. For now... just do as I say later.]
Mutsumi and Mortis retreated for the moment. They sipped their mango juice in silence. Sakiko sipped her tea, her mind far away. The atmosphere turned frigid.
Just as Rin was considering going to tease Taki, Mutsumi pulled out her phone and sent him a discreet text.
Mutsumi: [Invite Sakiko to the band one more time.]
Rin gave a subtle nod and spoke.
"Miss Toyokawa, are you truly not going to reconsider joining Mutsumi's band?"
"Joining a band would make things less exhausting for you."
Mutsumi spoke with a flat expression, but the words made Sakiko "hiss" like a cornered cat.
"Mutsumi! I believe I told you never to speak of my circumstances to others!"
The outside world didn't know Sakiko and her father had been cast out. Even within the family, only a few knew the depth of their fall.
Seeing Sakiko's reaction, Rin spoke up with feigned concern.
"Miss Toyokawa, Mutsumi is only thinking of your well-being."
He had worked hard to stabilize Mutsumi's mental state; he didn't want Sakiko's pressure to trigger another "episode." Mutsumi's psychological health was more important than the immediate plan.
Mortis: [See? Since Sakiko is angry, he's taking your side immediately.]
"Mmm." Mutsumi nodded. "He is not part of the Toyokawa Group, so... it is okay."
Looking at Mutsumi's concerned eyes, Sakiko couldn't bring herself to scold her further... After all, she's doing this for me.
Sakiko felt she finally understood why Mutsumi had agreed to join a band. Knowing her friend, Mutsumi would never join a band proactively, no matter how much she loved the guitar.
Mutsumi must have made Sakiko's inclusion a condition for her own signature.
It wasn't a symbolic contract like Tomori's; it was a professional one with money and resources. This way, Sakiko wouldn't have to sacrifice music for her part-time jobs.
Mutsumi had even chosen an agency outside the Toyokawa umbrella just for her... Mutsumi was silently sacrificing so much.
Looking at the complex emotions on Sakiko's face, Mortis was triumphant.
Mortis: [She definitely thinks you signed just for her sake now.]
Mortis: [But she'll still refuse.]
Mortis: [Next, you just need to lead her mind into the 'wrong' direction.]
Mutsumi: [Okay.]
"Mutsumi, I know you mean well, but... I don't want to play in a band anymore."
Just as Mortis predicted, Sakiko refused the invitation again.
She knew Mutsumi was trying to save her. She knew that if she said yes, she'd never have to earn "misery pay" again. No more newspapers in the rain, no more cheap apartment, and she could touch a piano whenever she wanted.
But... she couldn't do it.
Her pride made it impossible to accept "charity," even from Mutsumi.
"I know you're trying to help, but... I'm sorry. I cannot accept."