Soyo-chan, Version 2.0—Courtesy of Me! [30]

"Nagasaki-san, are you saying… you can help me form a band?"

After some small talk, Anon and the "Soyo" before her had exchanged names. Compared to the fierce and unfriendly Shiina Taki just now, Nagasaki Soyo seemed much more approachable.

"Your tea!"

Just as Anon was about to say something, a cup of tea was abruptly set down in front of her, the liquid inside nearly splashing over the rim.

Yet when it was Chihiro's turn to receive her coffee, Taki suddenly remembered how to act like a proper café server. That contrast only made Anon grit her teeth in frustration.

"I actually tried looking for members at school, but I couldn't find anyone suitable. Same with the bulletin board. That's why I ended up asking that person just now…"

"That kind of talk puts me in a tough spot, you know? After all, she is my friend."

Truthfully, this was Tsuzuki Chihiro's first time meeting the "hot-tempered Taki" that Soyo had described. But now that she was seeing her in action, it seemed Soyo hadn't been exaggerating.

Still, blending into this new identity meant behaving the way Soyo had in school these past few days—matching the personality and speech patterns that had already been established.

After all, before achieving her objective, she first had to earn her target's trust.

And this time, the mission was particularly troublesome. Strictly speaking, she had to gain the trust of six different people—CRYCHIC's four members (excluding Soyo), as well as Anon and Rena.

"Ah, sorry…"

"So, Anon, have you tried asking around on SNS? Sometimes people post recruitment notices there too~"

"Whoa, you really know your stuff."

"Well, I have been in a band before…"

Chihiro lowered her head slightly, giving a wry smile—words that made Taki, watching from a short distance away, raise an eyebrow.

Though Taki didn't realize, the band Chihiro was referring to wasn't CRYCHIC, but rather a rock band she had formed while drifting through the UK.

Come to think of it, her role in that band had been somewhat similar to Sakiko's… though despite both leaving voluntarily, the reasons behind their departures had been completely different.

"A student from Tsukinomori, forming a band? That's kind of surprising."

"It's not that unusual. I was invited in." Chihiro replied casually before steering the conversation toward the real topic. "Actually, I wanted to ask—why do you want to form a band, Anon?"

"Eh? Well…"

Seeing the girl in front of her suddenly falter, struggling to find the right words, Chihiro felt an unexpected pang of sympathy.

"Is it because you love music? Because you want to chase your dreams with friends?"

"Ah…"

Anon was just about to go along with Chihiro's words when, out of nowhere, Shiina Taki's voice cut in.

"I think she just wants to be in the spotlight."

Taki shot a glance at "Soyo," unimpressed with her lack of efficiency, before continuing bluntly, "I've heard some people only start bands to follow a trend. They just want to stand center stage as the guitarist and vocalist—treating the rest of the members as nothing more than their backup, feeding their own vanity."

"I…"

Anon froze, her face draining of color.

Taki's eyes sharpened. Soyo wasn't wrong. This pink-haired girl really does seem like that type.

If someone like that pulled Tomori—who always took things so seriously—into a band, who knew what kind of disaster might unfold?

"Did I hit the mark?"

"N-No, that's not what I—"

"Then what do you think? Can you handle the endless repetition of practice day after day? Are you willing to make sacrifices for the team? Or will you run away the moment you hit a challenge you can't overcome, breaking your promises and turning your back like a coward?"

"S-Stop! That's enough!"

At the word coward, Anon couldn't take it anymore. She ducked her head—tears threatening to spill—and bolted out of the café.

Leaving behind Taki, stunned by what she had just done, a flicker of guilt creeping in.

"Taki, that was too much."

Chihiro's tone remained in line with Soyo's usual voice, but the dissatisfaction in it was unmistakable.

She was genuinely upset.

"What? That's exactly what you told me," Taki shot back, her initial guilt quickly turning into irritation.

"…"

Chihiro blinked. Then she recalled—oh, right. Her employer had said all of that. And even had the nerve to feel proud and clever about it.

But looking at it from Soyo's perspective, it made sense. She had no reason to care about Anon's feelings—probably hadn't even considered the possibility of something like this happening.

Not to mention, from the start, Soyo had held a strangely unfounded bias against Anon.

"Anon… Maybe she is like I said. Maybe she really isn't suited to being in a band with Tomori. But that doesn't mean you had to be so harsh about it." Chihiro sighed. "She's not some criminal. She didn't deserve to be treated like that. Do you really think attacking her like that was the right thing to do?"

"I… Fine. I'll apologize the next time she comes by. Happy?"

Taki had been prepared to argue further, but when Chihiro suddenly turned serious—her presence subtly shifting into something a little intimidating—she found herself at a loss for words.

Besides… she had been impulsive. And Chihiro wasn't wrong.

"It's just… I thought you were trying to…"

"Trying to what? Don't tell me you seriously thought I wanted her and Tomori to form a band?" Chihiro's usual smile returned. "As far as Anon's concerned, once she finds a different lead vocalist and a proper group, she won't have any reason to keep chasing after Tomori."

"You'll have a chance to talk things over next time. Right now, she's probably already second-guessing this whole band thing altogether—might not even want to discuss it anymore after this."

Chihiro shook her head. She was beginning to understand just how tricky this job was going to be.

Six targets, six completely different personalities.

Anon and Raana were relatively manageable. Worst case scenario, she could just reveal her identity. But the others? Tch… This is gonna be a headache.

Just then, Chihiro's phone vibrated.

That was unexpected. But when she saw the caller ID, a knowing smile spread across her face.

"I'm stepping out to take a call."

"…"

Chihiro followed the signs to the restroom before finally answering the call that had been ringing non-stop—like the person on the other end wouldn't rest until she picked up.

"What's up, Anon?"

"Chihiro-nee! Why'd you take so long to answer?!"

Anon's voice came through, still thick with emotion, her sniffles making it obvious she had been crying. But just hearing Chihiro's voice seemed to ease some of the strain in her tone.

"Sorry, I was caught up with something. But as soon as I saw your name, I dropped everything to make time for you." Chihiro's voice softened. "So, tell me—who bullied you this time?"

"I…"

Anon stopped sniffling, but her voice still trembled.

"Chihiro-nee… I lied to you. The reason I came back to Japan… It wasn't because of my family."