Having reluctantly agreed to Kanzaki Saku's request, Shiina had no choice but to pull Takamatsu Tomori aside to exchange contact information so they could get in touch later.
Sagiri, completely out of the loop, was like the socially awkward Anon from the original timeline who had studied abroad in the UK—she wanted to say something but had no idea what.
But Kanzaki Saku wasn't a cold Englishman. As a good older brother, he naturally wouldn't leave his little sister hanging.
Seeing the bewildered Sagiri, Saku took the initiative to gently ruffle her hair.
"What's wrong, Sagiri? You look like you can't figure it out." Compared to how he had just threatened Shiina, his gentleness was almost out of character.
"Brother..." Sagiri grabbed his sleeve, tilting her little face up. "What were you, Shiina, and that strange classmate talking about?"
In truth, Sagiri had vaguely overheard that it was about a band, something she didn't particularly care about.
But since her brother had brought it up himself, this was a rare chance to act spoiled, and she wasn't about to let it go to waste.
"Oh, that. Actually, your brother has gotten a little interested in rock music lately. I think being in a band is just too cool." As Saku said this, the person on his mind was Hitori Gotoh.
"So, I took the initiative to meet some friends who are in bands to learn a bit more. After you fell asleep last night, I chatted with Shiina for a while and found out she's in a band too, so we got to know each other."
Saku's words were half-truth, half-lie. He was indeed learning about bands, but he was mainly learning about the girls in the bands.
The band girls play instruments, and Saku was responsible for playing with the band girls. Everyone had their role to play.
"That girl just now, Takamatsu Tomori," Saku gestured in her direction.
"Shiina told me that although her behavior is a bit peculiar, her voice is incredibly unique. When she sings, it has a power that strikes right at your soul. It's simply heavenly."
"So Shiina thought, isn't their band looking for a vocalist with a distinctive style? It would be such a shame to miss out on a heavenly voice like that."
As Saku spoke, a smile played in his eyes, and he waved at Shiina, who had just finished exchanging contact info with Tomori.
"Isn't that right, Shiina?" Though his voice was still very gentle, the drawn-out tone was clearly a hint for Shiina.
Play along with what I'm saying. Don't say anything you shouldn't.
"You think Miss Takamatsu's singing has a lot of potential, and you wanted me to help pull some strings and invite her to join your band, correct?"
Shiina felt like she was about to grind her molars to dust. How could those few "goo-goo-ga-ga" noises be considered heavenly?
It did strike the soul, that much was true, but it belonged in the category of psychological torment! A double torture for both the ears and the soul!
How could this bitch reverse black and white to this degree without batting an eye?! And he wanted her to admit it herself?!
Although her rational mind desperately wanted to disagree with Saku's narrative, her lower half had already nodded.
It couldn't be helped. Life was tough, and Shiina had to become an adult who sold her soul for a bit of lewd fun.
"Yes, I listened carefully just now, and Miss Takamatsu wasn't just singing randomly. The 'goo-goo-ga-ga' vocal runs were incredibly nuanced."
"The 'inspiration mushroom' part was as ethereal as a mountain stream. This girl is unbelievably talented. She should be able to create some great chemistry if she joins our band."
"I can't wait for her to bring her talents to our band."
Shiina rattled off a ten-thousand-word analysis of sarcastic praise in one breath. But Sagiri, who wasn't in a band, couldn't tell if Tomori's singing had been good or bad, so she took the professional's critique at face value.
Sagiri nodded, only half-understanding. "Oh, so that's how it is... That's amazing."
She turned to look at Tomori, her eyes filled with admiration. "Miss Takamatsu may be unconventional, but she's an incredible singer."
Hearing this, Tomori's expression didn't change, but she lifted her chin slightly.
That look of accepting the praise as a matter of course showed that she also hadn't caught the sarcasm in Shiina's words, which made Shiina's stomach twist another knot tighter.
Only Saku gently turned his face away, raising a hand to rub the bridge of his nose as if it were a natural gesture.
But Shiina clearly saw the corners of Saku's mouth turn up.
'That bastard... he's definitely laughing!'
"Since Shiina has said as much," Saku's expression had already returned to its impeccable calm when he turned back, "then Sagiri should understand now, right? Your brother is just helping a friend out with a small favor."
"Mhm!" Sagiri seemed to have completely accepted this explanation. "So, is Brother going to their band practice later?"
"If I get the chance, of course. After all, I'm also very curious to see what kind of chemical reaction a combination like this will spark."
Saku was being completely sincere with this statement. He truly wanted to see what kind of sparks would fly between the members of this reversed Crychic.
Shiina was already starting to feel regret. Not regret for agreeing to Saku's conditions—her lower half's choices were never wrong.
She was regretting not running away the moment she heard "goo-goo-ga-ga."
Oh, right. At that moment, she had been staring at Saku's ass.
And now look. Not only did she have to personally help this god-tier weirdo join Sakiko's band, but she also had to praise her against her conscience.
If Takamatsu Tomori really did join the band, Shiina could already imagine the shattered expression that would appear on Sakiko Togawa's usually cool and refined face the moment Tomori suddenly started "goo-goo-ga-ga-ing" during vocal practice.
'...Whatever.'
She thought, deciding to just let it all go to hell.
When the time came, she definitely wouldn't be the only one going crazy. If they were going to die, they'd die together. If they were going to be tortured, they'd be tortured together.
Shiina quietly raised her eyes, glancing at the elegant lines of Saku's profile. At least she would still get her "reward."
"So, Shiina," Sagiri's soft voice pulled her back to reality, "when does your band practice? Can I go watch with my brother?"
Shiina's vision went black.
"It's not set yet!" she said hurriedly. "Besides, I'm not the one in charge of the band, and it's not certain if Miss Takamatsu can even join."
"Oh, I see." Sagiri was a little disappointed, but she quickly smiled again. "Well, you have to tell me when you're all set up, okay?"
Just then, Tomori suddenly spoke up. "No need to wait, I can sing right now!"
"If you want to listen, I can sing the full version of "Goo-Goo-Ga-Ga" right now, and my other original singles..."
"NO, DON'T!!!" Shiina cut her off, practically shouting. "Save your songs for the band audition!"
She grabbed Tomori's arm and started dragging her toward the school. "Let's go! I have things I need to tell you! About the band's basic requirements!"
"But my singing is the cry of my heart—"
"No buts! Let's go!"
Shiina dragged Tomori away, disappearing around the corner at nearly a full sprint.
____
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