After finishing today's work as a pianist, Asai Yu went to see Miss Matsugi again to settle the payment.
It totaled four days' worth.
[Payment settled: 192,000 yen. Deposited into the system, available for withdrawal at any time]
[Part-time bonus lv3 (929/2000)]
After collecting the money, Asai Yu left RiNG.
Seeing this, Nagasaki Soyo hesitated for a long time, but in the end, she still didn't follow him.
Over the past few days, she had tried to look for Saki many times, yet every single time she was harshly scolded and sent away. But just a month ago, hadn't Saki said they were friends?
So why did it feel more like they were enemies now?
Did Crychic still have a chance to come back…?
Nagasaki Soyo couldn't figure it out. She could only lower her head and drink her black tea in silence, feeling dejected.
On the other side, Wakaba Mutsumi trotted along cheerfully and caught up to the blue-haired girl's side.
"Saki, can I go to your place for a bit? I haven't been there in a long time…"
"That's fine. Come along," Asai Yu nodded.
At those words, a flash of joy passed through Wakaba Mutsumi's eyes.
Togawa Sakiko stared intensely at the doll-like girl.
At that moment, she noticed Wakaba Mutsumi's lips curve into a faint smile—only for it to vanish just as quickly, her face returning to its usual blank expression.
She smiled!
She definitely smiled just now!
"Yu, when we get back you still need to compose. Is it really okay to bring Mutsumi home?" Togawa Sakiko immediately reminded him.
Asai Yu replied calmly, "Wakaba Mutsumi is supposed to be the guitarist in your future band, right? Bringing her home helps deepen your relationship. Think a little further ahead."
Togawa Sakiko was left completely speechless.
After returning to the apartment, she had originally worried that Wakaba Mutsumi might say or do something extra toward Yu.
But to her surprise, Mutsumi just came over to chat—and they chatted for a full two hours!
Since when did Mutsumi have that many topics to talk about?
Wasn't she usually quiet and taciturn?
At that moment, Togawa Sakiko realized that her understanding of Mutsumi was far too shallow. Right now, Mutsumi felt like a stranger to her.
That realization frustrated her.
Just then, Asai Yu suddenly said, "Two more minutes, and I'm going to sleep."
Togawa Sakiko's heart skipped a beat, her mouth moving faster than her brain. "That fast? Can't you stay a little longer?"
It was the first time Asai Yu had ever seen her try to keep him. "What, can't bear to part with me?"
"Of course n-not! Don't flatter yourself. It's just… composing alone is exhausting. If you're here, you can help share the burden a bit," Togawa Sakiko retorted stubbornly.
"When are you planning to start forming Ave Mujica?" Asai Yu abruptly changed the subject.
Togawa Sakiko answered, "Not now. At the very least, it'll have to wait until after I advance to the next stage of schooling."
"Alright. Then that's it," Asai Yu's voice echoed in her mind.
At that moment, Togawa Sakiko regained control of her body.
She immediately looked up at the clock on the wall to check the time, then raised her head and looked at Wakaba Mutsumi sitting across from her, her gaze gradually sharpening.
"Mutsumi…"
Togawa Sakiko stood up, her expression stern, about to lay certain things bare.
However, Wakaba Mutsumi didn't give her the chance. When she noticed Saki spacing out earlier, she had already quietly packed her things.
"Saki, I just remembered I have something to take care of, so I'll be heading out first."
Seeing the blue-haired girl's expression—like she was about to interrogate and accuse her—Wakaba Mutsumi pressed her lips together and, without hesitation, turned around and left the apartment.
The old Saki had come back.
This should have been something to be happy about—so why did she feel regretful and irritated instead?
Seeing how quickly Mutsumi ran off, Togawa Sakiko abandoned the idea of questioning her.
Listening to the tick-tock of the clock above her head, anxiety, unease, and a deep sense of emptiness welled up inside her.
Yu… will you really never leave me?
With her eyes lowered, Togawa Sakiko looked at the time displayed on her phone.
Gradually, her expression turned serious. She went into the bedroom, took out a sheet of paper, placed it on the desk, and did a very simple addition and subtraction.
Exactly twelve hours. Less than two seconds of error—probably due to inaccuracies in her own recording.
That's right. She had started suspecting this long ago and had carefully observed and recorded the times Yu appeared and disappeared multiple times.
Every single time, it was exactly twelve hours. Extremely precise.
On top of that, there had been a period of nearly two weeks when he would wake up at exactly 9 p.m. and fall asleep precisely at midnight.
The time of appearance wasn't always consistent—but the time of falling asleep was!
It was almost like… some kind of game setting.
Would multiple personalities really have such a rigid system?
Togawa Sakiko didn't believe it.
Now, compared to the idea that Yu was her second personality, she was more inclined to believe that he was some kind of mysterious existence capable of possessing other people.
This thought wasn't baseless. She wasn't indulging in wild speculation or subjective judgment.
She had already found objective evidence—evidence that proved Yu was absolutely not her second personality.
Thinking that, Togawa Sakiko closed her notebook. She let out a soft sigh of disappointment, then immediately broke into an expression of excitement and anticipation.
Yu, if you truly live in this world, then I will definitely find you!
Togawa Sakiko clenched her fists, determination burning in her pale golden eyes.
Meanwhile, Asai Yu had no idea that he had already been targeted by "Ms. Ob-a-string-of-letters."
Looking at the sighing sticker Sumita Mana had sent him on his phone, he felt a bit puzzled.
Judging by the timestamp, the message had been sent in the afternoon.
After thinking for a moment, Asai Yu replied: What's wrong? Is there a problem with the piano?
The reply came instantly.
Sumita Mana: No, it's about sumimi. The person who was writing songs for sumimi suddenly got into an accident.
Sumita Mana: Everyone's really anxious right now. We're worried whether we can have a new song ready for the next performance. We already announced a new song last time—if we disappoint the fans, that wouldn't be good.
Asai Yu: Yeah. That really is an accident.
After replying, he put his phone away and headed out to look for a new apartment.
On the other side, Donut Girl watched as the conversation ended right there. Her expression gradually shifted from anticipation to disbelief.
That's it?
Not even a single word of comfort?!
In the end, she could only console herself: That's just Yu-kun's style.
Sitting across from her, Misumi Hatsune noticed the change in the brown-haired girl's mood and immediately guessed what was going on. Curious, she asked, "Mana-chan, were you chatting with Asai-kun?"
Sumita Mana didn't feel the need to hide it. She slumped over the table, nodded slightly, and then showed her the chat history.
"Yeah, that really does feel like Asai-kun," Misumi Hatsune couldn't help but laugh.
Sumita Mana sighed. "Right?"