"Okay."
The moment she said it, Sakiko froze. Why... why had she agreed to such a thing? Was it truly just guilt toward Mutsumi?
Even if she wanted Mutsumi to vent her frustrations, there were other ways... it didn't have to involve this... this perversion.
Sakiko couldn't understand her own mind, and Rin Ito was equally surprised by how quickly she'd surrendered. He had originally planned to let Karen "contaminate" her first.
If Karen were here, she could have answered Sakiko's doubts—she was far too familiar with this psychological state. Sakiko, like Karen, was simply running away.
Karen used her time with Rin to escape the suffocating pressure of her studies and family expectations, letting her mind go blank. Sakiko's escapism had always been her bands.
Forming a band with Tomori was an escape from the loss of her mother. Wanting a new band now was an escape from a crushing reality. And right now, she was escaping her guilt over hurting Mutsumi by choosing a form of "atonement" that Mutsumi supposedly desired.
"Since there's no problem, we'll perform exactly as Mortis expects. We let her vent first, and then we talk about the band... but don't give her any more pressure, or her condition might worsen."
"Mmm..."
Sakiko nodded.
The "split personality" excuse felt ridiculous, and Sakiko had considered the possibility that Mutsumi and Rin were playing her... but if even Mutsumi was in on a scam against her, then she would just let herself be scammed.
"Do you have a shift today? If not, let's call Mutsumi out."
Seeing Sakiko nod in agreement, Rin pulled out his phone and messaged Mortis.
Rin Ito: [Should I call Sakiko out now?]
Mortis: [Mmh.]
Rin Ito: [How do you want me to handle her?]
Mortis: [Treat Saki exactly like you treated Mortis. Breed Saki... like cattle.]
Mortis's explanation to Mutsumi was that this would help Sakiko find her drive again.
Since Mutsumi had actually felt much better after being eaten by Rin—no longer spiraling or losing her mind—she believed Rin could "root cure" Sakiko too. As for Mortis... she just wanted pure, cold revenge.
Rin Ito: [Deal.]
Rin showed the screen to Sakiko. Although the messages were from Mortis, the account was Mutsumi's. Seeing Mutsumi begging Rin to breed her, Sakiko's expression became a storm of conflict.
Should I really let him...?
Sakiko shook her head violently to maintain her cold facade. Even for Mutsumi's sake, she couldn't just let him devour her.
A band was a shared destiny. She had failed to notice Mutsumi's illness and had hurt her... not just her, but Soyo and the others too.
She would try the "performance" first. If Mortis wasn't satisfied, then... then she'd let him breed her.
After leaving the cafe, Sakiko went straight to Mutsumi's house. Her parents were away, leaving only the maid and Mutsumi. The maid was surprised to see her, as Sakiko hadn't visited in a long time.
After brief pleasantries, Sakiko went to the basement and found Mutsumi with her guitar. Upon seeing Sakiko, Mutsumi stopped and handed the body to Mortis.
"Mutsumi... he, he... he told us to go to the hotel tonight, or he'll leak your photos..." Sakiko tried to act terrified while maintaining a calm exterior, but her acting was amateurish compared to a veteran like Mortis.
Mortis: [What a terrible actress. He definitely told her the truth already.]
Mutsumi: [Is this okay?]
Mortis: [It's fine. Once she feels the pleasure, she'll be back to her old self~]
"No... the photos... can't..."
Mortis staggered back, her lips turning pale with "fear."
Looking at her, a thought occurred to Sakiko... As expected of Minami Mori's daughter! Such a natural talent for drama.
If she hadn't seen the text where Mutsumi asked Rin to breed her, Sakiko would never have believed this was an act.
Mutsumi told the maid she was staying over at Sakiko's, and the two headed to the Okiura hotel. The closer they got, the faster Sakiko's heart hammered against her ribs.
Rin had promised not to actually take her, but she was still terrified. She had attended Tsukinomori—an all-girls school—her entire life. Even after transferring, she had zero experience with men.
Let alone a situation where she'd be doing lewd things to satisfy Mutsumi's vengeance.
Reaching the door, Mutsumi went to knock, but Sakiko stopped her. She pulled Mutsumi behind her back and knocked herself.
Knock, knock, knock...
Sakiko heard hurried footsteps from within.
He's certainly in a hurry!
He must be dying to eat Mutsumi again.
With a short creak, the door opened, and then...
"Mmm?" Sakiko's eyes widened. Standing before them wasn't Rin Ito, but a girl with long hair and a striking figure who looked remarkably familiar.
Sakiko searched her memory.
"Miss... Karen Okiura?"
"Miss Toyokawa, Miss Wakaba, Gokigenyo." Karen, still in her school uniform, gave an elegant bow.
While Sakiko was getting Mutsumi, Rin had contacted Karen. Karen knew Rin would eventually trap Sakiko, but she hadn't expected it to happen this quickly.
"Sorry, we must have the wrong room." Sakiko stepped back. She had met Karen at several banquets and events; they were acquaintances, but nothing more.
This was an Okiura hotel, so Karen being here was normal, but surely it was a mistake.
"No, you have the right room." Karen stepped aside with an elegant gesture. "He said he wanted to introduce two new friends. I didn't expect it to be the two of you."
They entered, and Karen clicked the door shut. The sound of the lock made Sakiko's heart skip a beat.
They reached the living room, and the two guests accepted glasses of water from Karen.
"Why are you here, Miss Okiura?" Sakiko asked, bewildered. "Do you know Rin Ito?"
"Of course I do~" Karen smiled at them. "I'm here because my Master wanted to introduce me to some new playmates~"
"Mas...ter?" Sakiko froze at the title. Even Mortis was caught off guard.
Just then, Rin Ito walked out of the bedroom.
"I see you've met. No need for introductions then." Rin approached Karen, holding a leather collar attached to a heavy metal chain.
Rin slid the collar around Karen's neck and buckled it.
"How does a little dog greet new friends?"
Rin gave Karen's rear a light pat. Under Sakiko's horrified gaze, Karen slowly knelt down. She pressed her face against the rears of the frozen Sakiko and Mutsumi, taking two deep, rhythmic sniffs.
"Woof~ A little dog greets her new friends by sniffing their butts~"