After sending a quick note to his security team reminding them to actually notify him when things like this happen, Kamijou Mutsuki turned his attention back to LINE.
As expected, Soyo had already initiated a full-scale message bombardment.
[Soyo: What were you doing there?]
[Soyo: What was Sakiko doing there?]
[Soyo: What is that man's relationship to Sakiko?]
[Soyo: Did something happen to Sakiko's family?]
[Soyo: Does it have to do with Sakiko leaving CRYCHIC?]
[Soyo: Where did you take her afterward? What are you trying to do to Sakiko?]
At this moment, in a certain sense, Mutsuki could finally understand why Sakiko-sensei was so repelled by Soyo. This barrage of messages was terrifying to look at; even through the screen, he could feel a strange, crushing weight of "gravity."
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Whoa, stop right there!]
With Mutsuki's intervention, Soyo finally ceased her typing frenzy. On the other side, Soyo—who had been lying in bed—bolted upright the moment she saw him reply, her eyes burning with intensity.
In truth, regarding what she had witnessed today, she had initially entertained several bold and wild conjectures, but she eventually dismissed them herself. She knew Sakiko, and she knew Kamijou Mutsuki.
Ultimately, by piecing together previous clues, Soyo had finally connected the dots to Sakiko's family affairs.
'Did something happen to Sakiko's home?' Soyo guessed.
However, much like Uika, Soyo only had a suspicion; she couldn't be certain. Furthermore, as to what exactly happened to Sakiko and whether it was the true reason for her leaving CRYCHIC, Soyo was still completely in the dark.
This was why she was interrogating Mutsuki, who clearly knew the inside story. She had a premonition: this would be the key to bringing Sakiko back and resurrecting CRYCHIC!
[Capitalist With a Conscience: What exactly do you want to know?]
[Soyo: Everything... about Sakiko!]
That's getting a bit heavy, sister.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: What exactly are you asking about? For example, the fact that Sakiko has become my maid?]
Maid?
This unexpected piece of information made Soyo's eyes widen in shock.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: But I assume you probably don't care about such trivial matters.]
No, I care a whole lot, okay?!
[Soyo: What do you mean by "maid"? What on earth have you done to Saki-chan?]
Because she had been so focused on what had happened to Sakiko-sensei personally, she hadn't initially given much thought to the fact that Sakiko had gotten into Mutsuki's car.
After all, they were practically used to riding in this "trash" person's car by now, and it wasn't like Sakiko-sensei hadn't stayed at Mutsuki's house before.
But now, it seemed things were completely different from what she had imagined. Soyo couldn't help but panic.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: I know you're anxious, but stay calm for a second. Let's set aside these minor details.]
[Soyo: That is NOT a minor detail!]
Her Sakiko's virtue was under threat!
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Rather than that, shouldn't you be more interested in the real reason why Sakiko-sensei left CRYCHIC?]
Mutsuki hit her weak spot directly; Soyo went silent instantly. Seeing this, Mutsuki repeated the explanation he had previously given to Uika.
Just like last time, things had reached a point where hiding it from Soyo was pointless. Furthermore, Soyo was different from Uika; if she didn't get an answer, she was the type who would run straight to Sakiko-sensei and demand the truth.
Given the amount of information Soyo currently held, wouldn't Sakiko-sensei explode on the spot? It was better for Mutsuki to just tell her himself.
[Soyo: So... Saki-chan was going through something like that?]
After hearing Mutsuki's account, Soyo wore an expression every bit as complex as Uika's had been. Her life experience was the exact opposite of Sakiko-sensei's, so she couldn't fully empathize with the feeling. However, she knew that for a young lady like Sakiko to fall so far as to become "Customer Service Saki," she must have suffered immensely.
'Why didn't I notice sooner?' Even though she didn't have as much money back then, she could have at least helped support Sakiko so she wouldn't have to live in such a state of ruin.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: So, even if you know the truth, what can you actually do?]
Just as Soyo was drowning in grief for Sakiko, another message arrived from Mutsuki.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: You're just an ordinary student. Can you really carry the burden of someone else's life?]
[Soyo: Why couldn't I?]
Soyo's competitive spirit was instantly ignited.
[Soyo: I can face it together with Sakiko! My allowance, plus the money I've made recently—I can give it all to Sakiko to pay off her debts!]
If it were the original Soyo, she might have truly been intimidated.
After all, how could a student living in an ivory tower face the crushing weight of reality?
Her mother was wealthy, yes, but that wasn't her money. She couldn't exactly ask Mrs. Nagasaki to pay off Sakiko's debts.
As a high-level corporate employee, Mrs. Nagasaki already had her hands full maintaining their current lavish lifestyle; she likely couldn't afford it anyway.
What could an ordinary student do against a mountain of debt?
But things were different now. Thanks to Kamijou Mutsuki, she was already half a member of society.
She knew how much hype MyGO!!!!! was generating—she just hadn't cared before. Her future career prospects were incredibly bright. Therefore, working alongside Sakiko to pay off the debt was entirely feasible.
She believed Sakiko would be moved by her actions and change her mind!
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Your heart's in the right place, but don't start the engine just yet.]
Mutsuki wasn't surprised by her answer; he knew she'd say that. Honestly, they were both "heavy" girls, so why was Sakiko-sensei's attitude toward the two of them so different? You really need to self-reflect, Soyo.
[Soyo: What do you mean?]
Soyo was naturally angry that the decision she had finally reached was being so easily dismissed.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: You've known Sakiko longer than I have. You should know her personality, right?]
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Giving her money so simply and directly will only wound her pride and make her angry.]
'Eh? Is that so?'
Hearing Mutsuki's words, a calmed-down Soyo thought about it seriously and realized he was probably right. She hadn't thought that far ahead.
It just goes to show—a Soyo whose head is filled only with her own desires is just a "fake mother" archetype.
But if that wouldn't work, what should she do? Soyo wasn't content to do nothing. She truly wanted to help Sakiko—and perhaps satisfy a few tiny selfish motives of her own along the way.
How could she help Sakiko without hurting her pride?
Wait, didn't Kamijou Mutsuki say Sakiko was a maid at his house? Soyo's eyes lit up. She had another plan.
.....................