Next Target, 400PS!
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Meanwhile, Sakiko Togawa had already arrived at school.
Now, she didn't have to worry about living expenses anymore. She didn't need to work several part-time jobs to get by. For once, she had free time to focus on herself. Sakiko stared out the window, lost in thought.
"He didn't come back?"
Kai had sent her a text, but knowing he stayed out all night... It was impossible for her not to feel a certain way about it. Furthermore, Sakiko had already asked her grandfather where Kai had gone the night before.
"Sayuri Sawamura!"
Sakiko knew the Sawamura name well, since both families were among Japan's elite. They didn't do business together, but they were in the same social circle. Finding out about Sayuri Sawamura was easy for Sakiko.
Eriri Sawamura was definitely beautiful, just like Sakiko herself. But for some reason, when Sakiko looked at photos of Eriri and her mother, she felt Eriri wasn't the real threat.
Sayuri Sawamura was the real rival. Her mature charm was something Sakiko felt she couldn't match.
Or perhaps... it was both of them together?
It seemed unlikely, but what if? In Sakiko's eyes, Kai was an exceptional man. Wasn't it only natural for women to throw themselves at him?
Right now, Sakiko's only wish was for Kai to always remember her. He could mess around outside as much as he wanted, as long as he remembered to come home to her. That was enough.
Simply put, Sakiko was starting to lose confidence in herself.
What if the day came when Kai lost interest? What if he got bored with her? What then? It was a nightmare she didn't even dare imagine.
Just then—
Ding!
Her phone buzzed. Without even looking, Sakiko knew who it was. Besides Soyo Nagasaki, no one else would text her at this time.
"Sigh!"
Soyo's constant clinginess was starting to wear Sakiko out. She was beginning to regret everything. Why did she ever get close to Soyo? If she hadn't brought her into the band, none of this would have happened.
Still, Sakiko wasn't a cold-hearted person. Resigned, she pulled out her phone to check.
Sure enough, it was Soyo. But the message surprised Sakiko.
[Sakiko, I'm serious. No matter what it is, I can face it with you. Two people are better than one, right? If we do it together, I know we can handle it!]
Soyo truly believed Sakiko was in grave danger and needed Kai—a powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer—for protection. She thought Sakiko kept her in the dark just to keep her safe. But now, she knew about Cursed Spirits. She wasn't ignorant anymore.
So, no matter the danger, Soyo was willing to stand by Sakiko's side.
Obviously... Sakiko interpreted that text entirely differently.
Soyo had sent messages like this before. Back then, Sakiko didn't know how to answer, so she ignored them. She never thought Soyo would keep trying. Just as she was about to put her phone away, an idea hit her. Sakiko stopped in her tracks.
"Two people are better than one?" she muttered under her breath.
She remembered the report about Eriri and Sayuri Sawamura. Maybe that was why Kai hadn't come home last night.
"What a cheap trick!"
Now it all made sense. Those two women must have teamed up to seduce Kai. Hmph! They actually used a trick like that to get his attention. In Sakiko's mind, Kai wasn't at fault at all. She blamed only those scheming women.
"Phew!"
But... if they could do something like that, why couldn't she? Plus, she now had a willing 'teammate'. Since Soyo said she knew everything and still wanted to help, she must be ready. Sakiko just needed to go along with it.
With a plan in mind, Sakiko made her decision. Still, she sent a quick text to make sure.
[Are you absolutely sure you're ready for this??]
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"Sakiko!"
When Soyo got the reply, she gasped with happiness. This was it—Sakiko was finally touched by her sincerity and wanted to face things together. Without waiting, Soyo quickly typed back:
[Of course! Don't worry, Sakiko. Kai already told me everything. Don't hold back on my account. As long as you let me join you, I don't care about anything else.]
It was just Cursed Spirits. She had already faced one before. If it meant staying with Sakiko, risking her life again didn't matter.
"..."
Just as she thought, Soyo really did know everything. Sakiko read the text and shook her head. She didn't ask for details and replied:
[Alright. Come over to my place after school tonight!]
Yes! This was perfect.
When Soyo saw the confirmation, her heart soared. This had to mean she finally won Sakiko back. Soon, things would go back to how they used to be. The band would be together again!
[I'll be there right on time!]
[No rush. Just make sure you take a shower before you come over.]
[Okay!]
Soyo didn't know why Sakiko wanted her to shower first, but she agreed right away. She was too busy dreaming about getting their old friend group back together to worry about the details.
Meanwhile, on Sakiko's side.
At first, Sakiko wanted to tell Soyo to dress up after showering. But then she remembered she had plenty of outfits at home, and Soyo might not bring the right kind. She could dress Soyo up herself when she arrived. Happy with her plan, Sakiko put her phone away.
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Soyo spent the rest of her classes feeling completely happy.
She couldn't stop smiling, which was a big change from her usual gloomy self. Even classmates who sometimes talked to her stared in surprise.
But seeing her lost in her own world, no one wanted to interrupt. They kept their questions to themselves and left her alone.
During lunch break.
Still feeling great, Soyo went to find Mutsu Wakaba, who was busy with her cucumbers. Soyo knew all about Mutsu's odd hobby. At school, Mutsu was always planting or watching cucumbers grow, like she had no other interests.
"Soyo?"
When Mutsu saw her coming, she looked a little surprised. She thought Soyo was going to ask about Sakiko again. But—
"Good afternoon, Mutsu!" Soyo waved cheerfully. That was all she said.
"G-Good afternoon?"
The sudden change caught Mutsu off guard. She slowly raised a hand in return. Seeing Soyo just standing there, happily looking at the cucumbers, Mutsu had to ask.
"You seem to be in a really good mood today."
Soyo kept smiling and even hummed a cheerful tune now and then. She was clearly happy, and Mutsu noticed right away.
"Is it that obvious?" Soyo paused, then grinned and admitted, "Yep! Sakiko finally accepted me again."
"Sakiko? Accepted you?" Mutsu tilted her head, thoroughly confused. What did that mean?
"Well, it's complicated, so it's hard to explain. But right now, I'm the only one who knows what's really going on with Sakiko!"
Soyo wasn't trying to hide things maliciously. She just believed that Cursed Spirits were way too dangerous to drag Mutsu into.
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