RiNG's multi-person seating.
The band meeting could finally proceed smoothly because Mutsumi's voluntary withdrawal allowed Anon to honorably take on the position of lead guitar (since the cat hadn't arrived yet).
Although this would be the beginning of her nightmare...
"But with only one guitarist in the band, and Saki-chan unable to come, won't Anon-chan be very tired?"
Soyo asked, no longer intending to bring Sakiko back, but simply worried about Anon.
"Hmph hmph! It's fine, it's just a guitar! I, Anon-sama, played on stage at the cultural festival in junior high!"
"Is that so, Anon-chan? Then I'm relieved."
Seeing Anon with her head held high, her tail almost touching the sky (though Anon didn't have a tail, she'd probably be stressed by Taki soon enough to make her tail stand up), Soyo was still a little worried, but seeing how confident Anon was, she didn't refute her.
"Now that the band matters are settled, I'll go back to help. Hey, pink-haired one, remember to bring your guitar for a soundcheck tomorrow."
"What do you mean 'pink-haired one'! That's rude! My name is Chihaya Anon! Please call me Anon!"
Anon launched an exclamation mark bomb, but it had little effect. Taki just said "Oh" and went back to help. It seems Anon's path to gaining Taki's approval is still very long.
"Hmph, what kind of attitude is that? I'm quite amazing, you know!"
Rikuo watched Anon still able to speak loudly and chuckled. It was a good thing his matcha parfait had disappeared at some point, otherwise, he would have sprayed the light opposite him.
"What's wrong, Riku? Are you also doubting Anon-sama?"
"I said, Anon, well said."
"Of course!"
"Let's not talk about that for now, Soyo, do you have time later?"
Rikuo thought, since he wasn't sent away, finding the 8 of Spades should be put on the agenda.
After all, calculating the time since his father's departure, he only had at most eight and a half years to collect the cards and become a complete Blade King.
Although transforming into a Kamen Rider seemed to be the process of becoming a Joker, it instead confirmed one point: if he couldn't become a complete Blade King, then he wouldn't be a Joker who could face destiny directly.
'I wonder if it's enough to collect the Spades suit as in the show, or if I need to collect all 52 cards... In any case, I only have five cards right now, a long and arduous journey awaits.'
"Yes, Rikuo-kun. Is there something you need?"
"I need Soyo's help with something, but it might need to be discussed privately..."
"Hmph, Riku, are you trying to avoid me too? Uh-huh-huh-huh."
Hearing Anon's exaggerated crying, Rikuo felt like he needed to buy some insulin.
'In this environment with Anomalies, is it really a good thing to keep them completely unaware? Sakiko has to balance work, studies, recruiting Band members, designing the worldview... I'm afraid it might put too much mental pressure on her.
But Anon and them? It seems better to keep them away and prepare them psychologically.
As for Sakiko... she lives next door to me. If anything happens, my son, Togawa Kiyotsugu, will tell me.'
Rikuo decided to tell the truth.
"Don't be afraid of what I'm about to say!"
"How could Anon-sama be afraid? Go ahead, Riku."
"Is it something very important, Rikuo-kun? Please tell me, I'll prepare myself mentally."
Because Tomori roughly knew what Rikuo was going to say, she went and pulled Taki back.
And the lovely Mutsumi was already Mutsumi, so she certainly wouldn't speak casually. For now, it was enough for Soyo to speak for her.
Rikuo saw Taki was present.
"I am a Kamen Rider."
"Pfft!"
"What are you laughing at?"
"I remembered something happy."
"I'm not joking!"
Only Anon responded to Rikuo. Rikuo looked at Taki's disgusted gaze, Anon's exaggerated laugh, and Soyo's worried expression. His expression was full of seriousness!
"Rikuo-kun is telling the truth!"
Tomori also began to explain for him.
"Tomori, don't listen to his nonsense. He's already in high school, hasn't he gotten over his chuunibyou yet? If there's nothing else, I'm going to work."
Taki didn't side with Tomori this time either, glaring at Rikuo before leaving.
"Forget it, words alone are not enough. You all come with me to Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park. I'll show you there."
"Are we going to the park to play? Can the band have a team-building event on the first day? Yay!"
Anon didn't care about Rikuo's words; she only cared about going to the park with her friends.
"Since Rikuo-kun said it's important, then Mutsumi-chan and I will go together. After all, Rikuo-kun helped us a lot."
"I agree."
Soyo finished speaking for Mutsumi and looked at Mutsumi's response.
Mutsumi felt so relaxed, a sense of being valued that she rarely experienced.
...
Near Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park.
Sakiko, who had just gotten off work, dragged her tired body towards the train station.
"Soyo hasn't messaged me since this afternoon. And Mutsumi too. And Rikuo-kun, even though we're neighbors, we've only seen each other once in two days? Am I not needed by anyone?"
Sakiko's mindset had undergone some changes. In the original timeline, she should have been accompanied by Mutsumi.
Although Sakiko-sensei was truly stubborn, without Mutsumi's help and later Uika's (I know what you're going to say, it's not Uika) wholehearted dedication, she wouldn't have been able to achieve her aspirations.
"What is Rikuo-kun doing now? He said he wanted me to 'please guide him'."
Sakiko-sensei was like this: she herself said not to talk to her at school; Rikuo couldn't move yesterday because of the Jack of Spades; he promised to make her a bento every day; but didn't come the next day.
Perhaps this was karma.
"Arrived! Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park! I'm first!"
"Oh, Anon-chan, why are you running so fast? We didn't say we were having a race."
Anon's laughter came from a distance, but what was important wasn't Anon's laughter, but Soyo's voice that followed!
"Why is Soyo here? Is she still following me?"
Sakiko found a bush and hid, not caring that there was still dew on it.
"Finally, I'm here. I can't hide my identity as a Kamen Rider from you any longer today! You wouldn't really think I'm a fool, would you?"
"Hehe, Riku is joking again! But a 16-year-old chuunibyou is also very cute!"
"Don't use 'cute' to describe a Kamen Rider, damn it!"
As the voices gradually faded away, Sakiko emerged from the bush, looking at her favorite little Western dress, brought from her family, now covered in stains.
She sighed deeply. Then she looked in the direction Rikuo had left.
"How pathetic, Togawa Sakiko."
"This time it's Soyo and Mutsumi too? And an unfamiliar pink-haired girl. Rikuo-kun is really popular."
Sakiko silently walked away, her figure in the twilight thin and helpless.
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