Soyo-chan, Version 2.0—Courtesy of Me! [90]

"Raana, did you see Chihiro today?"

"No."

"Hmm?" Tsuzuki Shifune frowned in slight confusion. "You didn't go to the band today?"

"The band disbanded."

"..."

Seeing her granddaughter's expression—one that seemed caught between relief and disappointment—Tsuzuki Shifune found herself puzzled.

By all logic, Chihiro had joined the band under the identity of Soyo, clearly because the girl was too shy to face her sister directly and had deliberately chosen this roundabout way to get close to Raana.

And yet, after having her disguise ripped off the night before last, there should have been no reason for Chihiro to keep hiding the truth from the sister she cherished most. But looking at Raana's reaction now, it was as if she still didn't know that Soyo was actually Chihiro.

That brat—what is she up to now?

Tsuzuki Shifune had half a mind to drag Chihiro in front of her right this moment and give her a good spanking like when she was little. But at the same time, she knew there was no need to be so hasty. She understood Chihiro's nature—once that child made a promise, she would follow through on it.

Maybe something just came up today, and she didn't get a chance to see little Raana?

"Are you heading out, Raana?"

Seeing her granddaughter put down her school bag, go into her room, and then come back out ready to leave, Tsuzuki Shifune asked curiously.

"Mm. The cat's waiting for me."

"..."

Tsuzuki Shifune chuckled helplessly. But she was long used to this habit of her granddaughter.

Perhaps because their temperaments were similar, Raana had spent a lot of time with stray cats over the past few years while Chihiro was away.

"Be careful on the way."

"Okay."

After watching Raana leave, Tsuzuki Shifune returned to the living room and sat down. Thinking it over, she decided to call Chihiro to find out what she had been up to lately.

Leaving aside Raana's situation, as Chihiro's grandmother, she naturally wished for this granddaughter—who had suffered so much outside—to come home as soon as possible.

On another note, since she had agreed to that old fox Togawa's request, she ought to find an opportunity to let Chihiro meet Sakiko.

Chihiro had been away from Japan's environment for quite some time. Though Shifune didn't know exactly what her life abroad had been like, now that she was back, having a peer to connect with—even if not for Togawa's scheming—would still help Chihiro settle into the mindset of a high school student again. And that was important.

But before Tsuzuki Shifune could call Chihiro, her phone rang first.

"Well, if it isn't Awa Tendou?"

She frowned. Ever since Chihiro had disappeared, she hadn't bothered with this "old friend" who always seemed to enjoy provoking her.

After all, while she was blessed with two adorable granddaughters, losing one so suddenly had left a wound in her heart. It was impossible not to feel pain.

And yet Awa had kept coming around, always talking about how much her own granddaughter's acting had improved—picking at trivial details like posture, of all things, just to critique Chihiro. It was clearly backhanded praise.

A classic Kyoto-style move. What someone said and what they actually meant were always different.

Still, Shifune was puzzled as to why Awa was calling now. Ever since she had started ignoring her a couple of years ago, the woman had stopped reaching out.

Come to think of it, what a pity.

They had spent decades in this adversarial relationship. But looking at it another way—if you could keep up contact with someone you didn't get along with for decades, didn't that count as some kind of "friendship"?

"Tendou, what's the occasion?"

"It's been two years since we last spoke. Just wanted to check how you've been."

Ha. As if you're not calling just to brag about your granddaughter Awa Subaru. Like hell I'd believe that.

But at her age, Shifune was no longer as sharp-tongued as in her youth. She simply chuckled and deflected, "How considerate of you. I'm in fine health, thank you."

"That's good. Health is the most important thing, after all."

After a few empty pleasantries, Awa Tendou got straight to the point. "Shifune, I ran into your granddaughter today. It's been years since I last saw her—what a beauty she's grown into."

"My granddaughter? You mean Raana?"

"I'm talking about Chihiro."

"...What?"

Tsuzuki Shifune's brow furrowed. A strange feeling crept up her spine.

"You always used to say I didn't study properly—that I only went into acting to avoid competing with you for scholarships. But now look at your granddaughter, performing so brilliantly herself."

"You…"

Tsuzuki Shifune's eyes widened in shock.

This old hag—does she know about Chihiro's years of deception? Is she calling now to threaten me?!

And to think I almost considered her a friend! Turns out she really is my lifelong rival!

"You know everything?" Shifune kept her voice calm, but the warmth had drained from her tone.

"She put on quite the show right in front of me. Hmm… she's got talent."

"You sure have a way with words."

"...Hmm?"

Awa Tendou sounded briefly confused but quickly caught on. "Oh? She already told you she didn't live up to your expectations, huh? She mentioned that to me."

"Come on, with our history, you think I'd use that against you? You underestimate me."

"So, what exactly are you getting at?"

"I think you should respect her wishes. If Chihiro doesn't want to go back to playing guitar, then why not let her come with me? She can train alongside Subaru."

This old fox! She's trying to steal my granddaughter!

No wonder Chihiro hadn't gone to see Raana today—this scheming hag must have snatched her away first.

And her words—Shifune found them particularly grating.

What do you mean, "Chihiro doesn't want to go back to playing guitar"? You might as well just say she doesn't want to come home!

If you're going to stab me where it hurts, just do it outright. No need for the performance. We're both veterans at this game—we know exactly what the other is thinking.

"I think you're mistaken."

Tsuzuki Shifune took a deep breath, reminding herself that it wasn't good for her health to get worked up at her age.

"Chihiro has already told me herself—she won't be 'acting' for others anymore. Once she's wrapped up the last of her unfinished business, she'll come home and focus on her studies."

"She'll have the chance to make her own choices in the future. You don't need to meddle."

One thing Shifune had to give Awa credit for—at least the woman had given her some face by not publicly exposing Chihiro's past.

"Acting, huh?"

How fitting for someone like Awa Tendou to put it that way.

With that thought, Shifune smirked and flipped the conversation back on her.

"Speaking of which, you're always nitpicking your granddaughter's acting—why not send her over to me instead? I could teach her a thing or two about music."

"...Spare me. I'm hanging up."

---

...

Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.

Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.

WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it... or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.

If you had fun, you know what to do:

👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]

And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.

👉 [discord.gg/wisetl]

Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.

—Leaf