Running away from England had always been a piece of dark history Anon didn't want to face. At most it was just embarrassing—maybe not even true social death.
But if she gave in to Kamijou Mutsuki here, it might affect her for the rest of her life.
Which was more important, she could tell very clearly.
Even so, when actually facing a threat, the girl couldn't help feeling a bit of regret about her past choice.
If I'd known this would happen, I wouldn't have tried to show off by going to England. I should've just gone to Hanasakigawa Girls' School!
All she could say was that past Anon had been far too naïve—actually believing that going abroad to pad her résumé would be as easy as sightseeing.
"Miss Ann, don't make that face. I was just joking."
Seeing that if he kept poking her any further the girl in front of him was about to explode, Kamijou Mutsuki decided to stop while he was ahead.
"I don't think that was a joke at all…"
Given that Kamijou Mutsuki had already maxed out his terrible first impression score, it was naturally impossible for him to gain her trust so easily.
"And also, my name isn't Ann. My name is Chihaya Anon!"
After saying that, Anon felt refreshed, like a cat that had just finished an entire matcha parfait.
If I can't deal with foreigners (my classmates in England), can't I at least deal with you?
He doesn't look like a good person anyway—just hit him hard and be done with it.
"Got it, Chu Yuxun."
"?"
Who's that supposed to be now?
"Anyway, let's put these trivial matters aside for the moment…"
Kamijou Mutsuki began "subtly" changing the subject.
"That's not trivial at all!"
Anon thought: Do you take me for an idiot? My personal information is leaking in front of you like a sieve—just thinking about it is terrifying, okay?
"That's just how it is in the internet age."
"That actually makes sense… wait, who wanted to discuss internet information security with you?!"
"Anon-chan, you just tried to form a band with Tomori Zero-chan and got rejected, right?"
"...How do you know that?"
The topic Kamijou Mutsuki threw out successfully made Anon fall silent, but the wariness in her eyes only deepened.
Fine, you knowing about my studying in England is one thing—but how do you even know what just happened?
Don't tell me you really put a surveillance camera on me?
"More importantly… don't you want to know what happened to Tomori Zero-chan before she met you?"
"Tomori Zero's past…"
Reluctantly, Anon had to admit that Kamijou Mutsuki's words caught her attention.
What kind of story had that penguin-like, spaced-out girl gone through?
And today, when she invited her to form a band—why did she make that expression?
"Tomori Zero-chan used to be a band's vocalist, you know～"
Then, as Kamijou Mutsuki narrated calmly, Anon learned about the band called CRYCHIC, from its formation to the day no one came to their shows.
"So Tomori-chan… went through something like that?"
So when she rejected me earlier…
Was it because she'd failed once before, and now she had psychological scars?
Wait—no, something's off!
Anon suddenly noticed a blind spot.
"You… how do you know so clearly about what happened to Tomori?"
Anon stared at Kamijou Mutsuki, her face full of suspicion.
This guy—don't tell me he's planning to make a move on Tomori too?
"Relax, I don't have any ill intentions toward Tomori Zero-chan."
Kamijou Mutsuki didn't mind her guard at all.
"I just want to marry her, that's all!"
"Oh, so that's how it is—WAIT, NO IT'S NOT!"
"That's straight-up criminal talk, isn't it?!"
Anon realized her vigilance had been absolutely justified—this guy really was plotting something against Tomori.
"How can you say that, Anon-chan?"
Hearing this, Kamijou Mutsuki showed a rare serious expression.
"Look, Tomori Zero-chan is a woman, and I just happen to be a man. How could there be such a perfect coincidence in this world?"
"We're basically a match made in heaven!"
"?"
Is there something seriously wrong with this guy's brain?
Anon was so exhausted she couldn't even be bothered to complain anymore.
"Give it up. No matter what, I won't let you hurt Tomori-chan!"
Protecting the best Tomori Zero in the world—Anon would not shirk that responsibility.
"And also… what exactly do you want?"
Anon had completely lost track of Kamijou Mutsuki's true objective.
Especially because this guy was acting like a full-on comedian, Anon clearly felt that Kamijou Mutsuki was dangerous—yet somehow she couldn't bring herself to stay on guard at all.
"Anon-chan wants to form a band with Tomori Zero, right? I'll help you. In exchange…"
After laying the groundwork for so long, Kamijou Mutsuki finally revealed his true goal.
"…Help you chase Tomori Zero?"
"…No. Help with voice acting for my animation."
"?"
Anon suspected she'd just been hit by King Crimson.
Wait—did we ever talk about anything related to animation before?
How did the topic suddenly jump from Tomori Zero to helping with anime voice acting?!
"Wait, after all that talking… you just want me to voice-act for your animation?!"
Anon looked at Kamijou Mutsuki with an expression that was hard to describe.
"…Or you could help me chase Tomori Zero?"
"Not in your dreams!"
"…Anyway,"
Anon crossed her arms and looked at Kamijou Mutsuki, finally wearing an expression of righteous triumph.
"I refuse!"
"Whether it's helping you chase Tomori Zero or helping with your animation voice acting, I won't agree to either!"
After being toyed with by this guy for so long, it was finally her turn to strike back.
"Don't force me…"
Even though Kamijou Mutsuki was still smiling, Anon subconsciously swallowed.
After all, throughout their exchange she'd been completely played by him one-sidedly—so even though she felt like the advantage was hers, she still felt inexplicably uneasy.
"…Don't force me to kneel down and beg you."
"..."
Anon almost lost it.
What do you call using the fiercest tone to say the most pathetic line possible?
And as if afraid she wouldn't believe him, Kamijou Mutsuki stood up directly. Before Anon could react, he very skillfully grabbed her arm.
"What will it take for you to agree? As long as I can do it, I'll do anything!"
Wait—no, you're actually begging?!
Soyo: I use my ultimate and you treat it like a normal attack?
"Let go of me!"
Faced with Kamijou Mutsuki pulling the same trick again, Anon clearly didn't have Sakiko's level of resistance.
She noticed the curious gazes of the surrounding customers and instantly blushed.
"…I'll agree, okay?! Let go of me!"
Wouldn't it have been better to do that from the start?
Watching Kamijou Mutsuki instantly change his expression, Anon felt her teeth itch with frustration.
"…So then, how do I get Tomori Zero to agree?"
After a moment of silence, Anon subconsciously touched her smooth, beautiful pink hair and asked Kamijou Mutsuki.
In truth, she'd never planned to refuse from the very beginning.
After all, she hadn't forgotten that this guy still held her weakness in his hands!
Even so, she wouldn't submit because of that—but Kamijou Mutsuki's request wasn't excessive.
On top of that, he hadn't actually used it to threaten her later, and had even told her about Tomori Zero's past. So Anon decided to give him some face.
Just now, she'd only wanted to get the upper hand on Kamijou Mutsuki—
And, as expected, she got counter-killed instead.
...................