As the ED song ended, it marked the conclusion of today's group gathering.
Naturally, none of the girls planned to stay over at Kamijou Mutsuki's place tonight.
Soyo, of course, felt a bit disappointed about that.
However, the one with the most complicated feelings was actually Sakiko Togawa, who had barely appeared in these two episodes and only existed in memories.
After hearing the anime version of Hekitenbansou, she felt that Tomori might truly no longer need her.
The girl's growth made her feel both relieved and a little pained.
Recalling what Kamijou Mutsuki had said before, she now felt nothing but confusion.
Of course, aside from that…
"I'm sorry, Soyo."
Sakiko walked up to Nagasaki Soyo and softly apologized.
"Before… I was too cold."
The Sakiko of the past had only felt that Soyo's persistence was inexplicable—too clingy, too obsessive.
But after learning about her past, Sakiko finally understood what her previous actions had meant to this girl.
She was the one who gave her light, yet also personally destroyed her "home."
So, even though some of Soyo's earlier actions had been rather extreme, Sakiko still chose to apologize.
"…"
Hearing Sakiko's words, Soyo couldn't help but widen her eyes.
It could be said that she had never imagined Sakiko would actually apologize to her.
If it were before, Soyo would have been delighted—she might even have defended Sakiko.
But now, having turned from a fan into a hater, all she felt was irony.
Back then, she cared so much about Sakiko, yet Sakiko had dismissed her.
Now that she had finally let go, Sakiko showed this kind of attitude.
"Cold? How lofty of you, Saki-chan."
Things she once didn't mind had now settled into resentment, and Soyo couldn't help but jab at Sakiko.
Thinking back on what she had done in the past, she now only found it laughable.
Back then, she had truly been naive—she had even knelt before Sakiko, willing to do anything as long as she would come back.
She thought that as long as Sakiko felt her sincerity, she would change her mind.
In the end, she finally realized—sincerity meant nothing in front of Sakiko Togawa.
What had her sincerity brought her?
Rejection and indifference.
Ever since the last time she was turned away by Sakiko, Nagasaki Soyo understood—
the Nagasaki Soyo who was obsessed with Sakiko had already died.
To the current Soyo, Kamijou Mutsuki was the one truly worth caring about.
"…"
Sakiko didn't get angry at this, her expression only turning somewhat dazed.
She remembered… she seemed to have said something similar about Wakaba Mutsumi before. She hadn't expected to be described that way herself one day.
"Forget it, it's all in the past anyway."
Just as Sakiko thought Soyo would continue venting her resentment, Soyo instead softened her tone, not letting her emotions take over.
"If I keep throwing a tantrum, Mutsuki-kun might end up disliking me."
"And before… I was also in the wrong."
Thinking back to the ridiculous things she had done before, Soyo couldn't help but blush a little.
It could only be said that she had also made mistakes.
Although… some of it had been Kamijou Mutsuki's suggestion.
But how could Mutsuki-kun be wrong?
It must have been her misunderstanding!
"Soyo… you've really changed a lot."
Sakiko looked at the girl in front of her and said this with a sigh.
Not just in words—she was truly different from before.
At the same time, she could tell that, just like Takamatsu Tomori, Soyo had genuinely moved on from the past and completely let her go.
It should have been something she had hoped for, yet for some reason, Sakiko's feelings were strangely complicated.
"Maybe it's because… I've figured out what I truly want?"
Soyo replied casually.
"Then what about you, Saki-chan…?"
She suddenly asked in return.
"After that day… Tomori and the others were really worried about you."
Sakiko clearly hadn't expected Soyo to ask her that. Her expression froze slightly.
"…Maybe it's because I feel like I did something foolish."
After a moment of silence, the girl revealed a somewhat self-mocking smile.
Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Sakiko Togawa spoke:
"You don't need to worry about me. The way things are for you all now… is already good enough."
"…"
Perhaps because she had let go of her former obsession with Sakiko, Nagasaki Soyo realized that she could now clearly see through her thoughts.
"Saki-chan,"
The girl slightly raised her head, revealing a faintly mocking smile.
"You really are someone who only thinks about yourself."
"That's why things turned out like this…"
"Soyo…"
Sakiko had never expected to receive such an evaluation from Soyo. Her brows instantly furrowed.
"You were so decisive when you left back then, and now you're showing this kind of expression?"
However, seeing Sakiko's reaction, the smile on Soyo's face only deepened.
"But Saki-chan, your way of thinking is still as arrogant as ever."
"But don't worry—Tomori has never blamed you."
"And Taki… doesn't truly hate you either."
"Even if Crychic isn't rebuilt, we can still be friends."
Looking at the girl in front of her, Soyo suddenly seemed to think of something, her "unparalleled wisdom" kicking in again.
"Actually, I could even help you, Saki-chan—if you help me with one thing."
"…What kind of help?"
Sakiko felt both surprised and confused, but also curious.
"Saki-chan, let's form an alliance!"
Soyo said with a smile.
"An alliance?"
Sakiko couldn't quite understand what she meant.
"That's right. You like Mutsuki-kun too, don't you? We could totally join forces—"
Soyo's expression grew excited, but before she could finish, Sakiko—blushing furiously—cut her off.
"Who likes him?! Mutsuki and I are just… in a pure master-and-maid relationship. Please don't say such things!"
This was slander—Soyo was slandering her!
How could someone as upright and pure as Sakiko Togawa possibly harbor such shameless thoughts toward her friend's fiancé?
"'Pure master and maid relationship'…"
Soyo half-lidded her eyes. Do you even hear yourself, Sakiko?
"It's just an employment relationship, don't misunderstand, Soyo!"
Faced with Soyo's gaze, the blush on Sakiko's face deepened even more, and she raised her voice involuntarily.
"No need to explain—I get it!"
She understood far too well. Who hadn't gone through this stage before?
"But Saki-chan, tsundere isn't popular anymore. If you keep this up, you'll end up as the losing heroine…"
After calming down, Soyo no longer had any intention of using Kamijou Mutsuki to get back at Sakiko.
She didn't want her feelings to be mixed with impurities.
As for Sakiko herself, Soyo's resentment had faded significantly—what remained was more a sense of release.
Compared to the grudges of the past, Mutsuki-kun was what mattered most now.
..........................