"..."
No matter what, Soyo had never expected that this would be Anon's condition.
She immediately fell silent, her emotions extremely complicated.
"Oh right, and Raana too—you need to get her forgiveness as well."
After settling things on her side, Anon didn't forget about Raana.
Soyo obediently went over to apologize, while Raana—still a bit confused about everything—simply replied: "Can I have another parfait?"
Raana's request was, of course, mercilessly rejected by Taki.
After all, she had already finished a huge one—any more and she might upset her stomach.
With everything finally coming to an end, Anon walked over to Kamijou Mutsuki.
"Nothing to say now, huh?"
Seeing the girl almost pressing up against him, Mutsuki instinctively leaned back—but she kept closing the distance.
"We still need to settle the score for you exposing me earlier!"
Anon hadn't forgotten the embarrassment of having her thoughts called out—nor…the sense of fulfillment she felt when Tomori and the others acknowledged her.
"So, what do you want to do?"
What did she want to do?
Hearing that, Anon's expression turned slightly dazed, her gaze growing a bit unfocused. Mutsuki could even feel her warm breath.
But at that moment, she noticed the subtle looks from the others nearby and instantly snapped back to her senses, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Anyway, I'll remember this—you just wait for my revenge!"
"That's it for today… I'll head out first. See you tomorrow!"
After saying that, the girl hurriedly fled the scene.
The remaining girls exchanged glances before leaving one after another.
Soyo's issue had been more or less resolved, but after everything that had just happened, they all needed some time alone to sort out their feelings.
However, after hesitating for a moment, Soyo walked over to Kamijou Mutsuki.
"About earlier…"
Her expression was slightly awkward, but she still spoke.
"…Thank you."
After all, if it weren't for his reminder just now, she probably wouldn't have known how to resolve the rift in Anon's heart.
And this guy… was really something.
While she had been completely at a loss, Mutsuki had seen through Anon's true feelings at a glance.
If she had his help… wouldn't she be able to easily persuade Sakiko as well?
But thinking of Sakiko, Soyo couldn't help recalling Anon's earlier condition…
Her feelings couldn't help but become complicated when comparing the attitudes of the two.
"And then?"
After hearing Soyo's thanks, Kamijou Mutsuki asked with a smile.
"Hm?"
Soyo, who had been lost in thought, tilted her head in confusion.
"Just a verbal thank you? Nothing else?"
"What do you want?"
Sensing that familiar mischievous intent, Soyo's previously low mood instantly turned a bit complicated.
"Also—anything involving my mom is off limits!"
Seemingly remembering what kind of person he was, Soyo quickly cut off certain possibilities in advance.
"Oh? Didn't you say before—"
"That was then, this is now."
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Back when she got carried away, she had used her mom as bait.
But that had just been an empty promise.
If something really were to happen between Kamijou Mutsuki and her mother, there was no way she'd accept it.
She absolutely did not want him becoming her stepfather!
"Alright then,"
Mutsuki didn't press the matter and simply chuckled before changing the topic.
"But just now I realized—while not quite on your mom's level, Soyo-chan is also… quite appetizing~"
"Y-you… what are you trying to do?!"
As expected, Soyo's face instantly turned red.
"I'll say this first—if it's too much, I…I won't agree!"
She knew it—there was no way he didn't have designs on her.
She was this cute—how could he not?
Maybe all that talk about her mom before had just been a disguise to lower her guard, and now he was finally revealing his true intentions.
So… was he going to use this chance to make some inappropriate demand?
After all, she still needed his help to bring Sakiko back.
That's right—it was all for Sakiko!
As long as it wasn't too excessive, she could agree for Sakiko's sake.
But if it crossed the line—that kind of thing was absolutely out of the question!
"Soyo,"
Looking at the blushing girl, Mutsuki stroked his chin and said with a grin,
"Don't you think the way you beg people is actually pretty entertaining?"
"You don't even change the lines—it's hilarious~"
"…What are you trying to say?"
The girl's previously shy and nervous expression instantly darkened.
Was she really that amusing to him?
Expecting anything normal from this guy—she had been way too naive.
"From now on, you're only allowed to act like that in front of me. I want to enjoy that entertainment exclusively."
…What kind of weird request was that?
The girl didn't quite understand, but still puffed up her cheeks instinctively.
"And also, learn to control your emotions and appearance. Letting your hair down like that looks awful!"
As Kamijou Mutsuki said this, he let out a light sigh.
"If the fans saw that, how am I supposed to make money off them?"
"How am I supposed to squeeze the remaining value out of the band?"
"…Did you just say something really messed up?"
Streetlamp decoration, huh.
"And I'm not ugly at all!"
A beautiful girl like her would look cute no matter what!
"That doesn't count if you say it yourself."
"…Then what do you think counts as cute?"
Soyo twitched her lips and asked.
"Hm…"
Mutsuki actually started thinking seriously.
"…A maid outfit?"
"No way!"
The girl's face flushed red.
Was he implying that the maid outfit she wore before was specifically for him?
As if she would ever wear something like that just for this guy!
"Tch, so stingy~"
Soyo's blood pressure was rising.
"Well then, I'll be off."
Sensing danger, Kamijou Mutsuki made a quick escape.
Soyo watched his back, clenching her fist and giving it a small shake.
Only after he disappeared from her sight did she let out a sigh, almost as if she couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.
"…A tsundere guy is not cute at all."
"What an infuriating person…"
"Saki-chan…"
Soyo lifted her head, gazing at the dim, yellow-tinged sunlight in the sky, her eyes growing distant.
She recalled everything from today—Anon and Kamijou Mutsuki's concern for her, and Sakiko's coldness toward her.
Everything she had done up until now…
Was it really worth it?
For the first time, that question surfaced in her heart.
But she couldn't find an answer.
......................