Seeing the change in Mutsumi's eyes, Shouko's smile only brightened.
"Truth is…"
"I was just bored. Joining CRYCHIC Band sounded fun."
"That day I did my usual little fortune-telling walk—and lo and behold, CRYCHIC Band was about to break up."
"If my dull life lost CRYCHIC Band too, how dreary would that be?"
"So I chatted her up a bit and gave her back a shred of confidence."
"Something you could never manage, right?"
"But I do love watching you struggle and still lose."
"What happened next, Sakiko didn't tell you? I'll give you the short version."
"She wants a new band—not the kiddie sandbox CRYCHIC Band was."
"After what she went through, she's building her own galactic warship to sail the real world!"
"And the first name on her list was you…"
"Of course, I won't let you board. I prefer you fretting on the outside."
"When Sakiko finally soars, I'll yank her right back down."
"Think she'll shatter then? I can't wait."
"Oh, you're not planning to run to Sakiko with that recording and beg to join, are you?"
"Hahaha…"
Shouko leaned to Mutsumi's ear, nipped it gently.
"Fight me with everything you've got. I'm looking forward to it, little Mutsumi."
[anger value +299]
With that she strode off toward Circle-LiveHouse without a backward glance.
Leak a bit of intel, harvest some anger—such hard work.
The path of a good Samaritan is rough, she sighed.
Rubbing her stiff cheeks, Shouko mused.
Sakiko's lesson had taught her that provocation works wonders.
Soyo's lesson taught her body blows aren't enough; the mind matters more.
So for Mutsumi she dialed the mental cruelty up a notch.
After all, Mutsumi had been traumatized young and walled herself off.
To steer her, Shouko needed a far harsher psychic medicine.
Mutsumi was CRYCHIC Band's hardest member to control—and the easiest.
The childhood star-scandal had locked her inside her own world, beyond ordinary reach.
But because Sakiko, her childhood friend, existed, Mutsumi could be indirectly controlled with ease.
For Shouko, who pursued perfection, she naturally wanted complete control.
She wanted to pull the other out of her past shadow and, at the same time, turn her into a powerful ally.
After all, she had grand ambitions for the future.
In this world of Mygo… taking charge of the character she once loved while rising to the pinnacle of life—what could be better?
At first, without a system, she acted gently and cautiously.
With the anger system in place, her methods became a bit more outrageous.
"Dangerous woman…"
Watching Shouko's retreating back, Mutsumi clenched her teeth and whispered.
Then she glanced at the phone still recording in her hand.
She'd really thought Shouko would delete the recording; it was damaging material against her.
Never had she imagined Shouko would toy with her like a plaything for a while before casually returning the phone.
Which meant that even if she played the recording for Sakiko, it probably wouldn't make a difference.
It might even leave a crack in their childhood friendship.
And that was exactly what Shouko enjoyed seeing.
But… she wouldn't let Shouko have that satisfaction—absolutely not.
From now on, she would have to be even more careful.
Still, the outing hadn't been pointless; she'd seen more clearly how terrifying Shouko could be.
With a soft sigh, Mutsumi rubbed her reddened ear.
She set off toward Circle-LiveHouse.
Having faced plenty of big stages, she wasn't about to be rattled by a small scene like this.
Letting her emotions swing wildly and make a wrong move was out of the question.
So, first some music to clear her mood… Back inside Circle-LiveHouse, she saw Soyo stop practicing as she entered.
"Why quit when I walk in? Should I leave again?" Shouko asked with a smile.
"It's not that…"
Soyo shook her head, hugging her bass tighter.
Shouko's forcefulness made her avert her gaze to the floor.
"Shouko, if that day I'd pulled you all outside without asking, would it have been better?"
"Did memories of the old band come back while you were practicing?"
Seeing Soyo's hopeful look, Shouko gave a small smile and shook her head.
"You're avoiding it again, Soyo…"
"I told you the other day."
"Sakiko has a solid reason to leave; her mind is made up."
"True…"
"If only you had tried, with no one else interfering."
"With your sweet talk you might have made Sakiko feel guilty and hesitate instead of deciding on the spot."
"Maybe that day you could have changed her mind."
"But reality doesn't bend to our wishes."
"Next time she'll only leave in an even more resolute way."
"After the first attempt, how do you think the band will take a second?"
"So whether you pressure her or guilt-trip her, the outcome won't change."
"Besides, I was there that day; you couldn't have succeeded anyway."
"Better a quick, clean break than deeper hurt for everyone."
Hearing this, Soyo let out a long sigh.
She… was running away again, wasn't she? Yes, once more.
"I'll meet your standard and make you tell me what happened to Sakiko!"
"Good luck. Or you could try Mutsumi—I just saw her outside looking upset; maybe something…"
Before Shouko could finish, Soyo dropped her bass and ran out.