After dealing with her classmates, Sakiko fell into hesitation.
Although she had spoken so confidently just now, in reality, her new band was still nothing more than an idea!
As for that purple-haired "big cat," there was no need to say much—someone like her would naturally be eager for anything that could boost her popularity.
On Mutsumi's side, Kamijou Mutsuki had already asked for her opinion.
Although she had never been particularly passionate about forming a band, the time she spent together with everyone in CRYCHIC wasn't something she disliked.
Even though the relationships between the girls were now completely different from how they started, if it was just about accompanying Sakiko in forming a band, she didn't really mind.
Most importantly—this was Mutsuki's idea!
Therefore, the only people Sakiko still needed to deal with were Umiri and Uika.
And the one giving Sakiko the biggest headache was her childhood friend.
Of course, not Uika herself—but rather her partner, the donut lady.
Just thinking about how she had made that promise earlier, only for it to come back and hit her in the face so quickly, made Sakiko feel inexplicably guilty.
However, she quickly suppressed her hesitation.
After all, this was one of the rare times Kamijou Mutsuki had hoped for her to do something—she naturally wanted to do it well!
Besides, it was just Uika joining another band, not leaving Sumimi altogether. There shouldn't be any problem, right?
After thinking it through, to be on the safe side, Sakiko decided not to invite Uika immediately after school.
Come to think of it, tomorrow seemed to be a holiday.
She could use that time to properly talk things through with her childhood friend.
Once she made up her mind, Sakiko didn't hesitate any longer.
The day passed quickly, and after tidying herself up a bit, she followed her plan and contacted her childhood friend.
"…Sakiko?"
At the company, Uika—who had just finished work—looked at the name on her screen, unable to hide her surprise.
On this rare holiday, Uika had chosen to work overtime at the company.
Of course, it wasn't because Kamijou Mutsuki, the "capitalist with a conscience," was exploiting her—the schedule for Sumimi was simply arranged this way.
And it had only been less than half a day; she was already about to finish work.
So receiving a message from her childhood friend at this moment naturally made her happy.
After all, before this, Sakiko had never taken the initiative to contact her!
Could it be that all her efforts until now had finally paid off?
"Saki-chan?"
Uika held her phone to her ear, an unconscious smile forming on her lips.
"Uika, I have something I want to talk to you about."
"It's about the new band."
Sakiko didn't bother with any buildup—she went straight to the point.
"Eh?"
Hearing this, the smile on Uika's face stiffened slightly.
"Saki-chan, what do you mean by a new band?"
"Just like in the anime—I want to form a new band. A flawless band!"
A band that could also help Mutsuki!
The girl silently added in her heart.
"Uika, I need your help!"
"Mm…"
Hearing this, Uika fell into hesitation.
If it were before, she would have agreed to Sakiko's request without even thinking.
But now, she had to consider her partner's feelings.
Uika had to admit that Sakiko was indeed a uniquely special existence in her heart—but that didn't mean the donut lady wasn't important.
Not to mention, she had already promised her that she would never abandon her or leave Sumimi.
"I really do want to help you, Saki-chan, but Mana…"
Uika naturally wanted to agree—after all, this was a chance to be in the same band as Sakiko.
But she couldn't just abandon the donut lady either.
As a result, she fell completely into indecision, unsure how to respond.
"Miss Mana… I understand how you feel, Uika."
"But don't worry—you won't need to leave Sumimi."
"In any case, I hope we can meet and talk this through properly."
"Uika, do you have time?"
"…"
The girl's answer was self-evident.
After agreeing on a meeting place with Sakiko, Uika hung up the phone.
Mana…
Thinking of her partner, she felt a vague sense of guilt.
No, wait—she was just meeting her childhood friend. That was perfectly normal, there was no need to feel guilty, right?
She had already decided—no matter what, she wouldn't leave Sumimi, and she wouldn't break her promise to Mana.
If that was the case, then everything should be fine, right?
Thinking this, her mood gradually settled.
"Uika?"
However, when her partner's voice suddenly came from behind, she still jumped in fright.
"M-Mana?"
She hurriedly turned around—only to see the donut lady holding a kitchen knife in her left hand, staring at her with a hollow gaze.
"Mana, calm down!"
Even Uika was so startled that she pressed herself against the wall.
"Don't do something you'll regret!"
"Something I'll regret?"
Hearing this, the donut lady showed a puzzled expression, then handed over what she was holding in her right hand.
"I just cut an apple. Want some, Uika?"
…An apple?
Hearing that, Uika finally calmed down—but her eyes still drifted toward the knife in the donut lady's left hand.
"This?"
Noticing her gaze, the donut lady looked like she suddenly understood.
"I couldn't find a fruit knife just now, so I used this instead."
As she said that, she showed a teasing smile.
"You weren't scared just now, were you?"
"Don't walk around holding something that dangerous!"
Uika finally let out a sigh of relief, her expression somewhat exasperated.
"So, do you want some? The company's fruit is unlimited, you know~"
"…No, thanks."
"Oh."
The donut lady didn't suspect anything and simply took a bite of the apple herself.
"By the way, we're about to get off work. Since it's a holiday today, want to go out together?"
"Sorry, I already have plans today."
"Eh? I see."
To Uika's surprise, the donut lady didn't seem to mind at all. She didn't even ask who Uika was meeting.
"So someone beat me to it… Then let's go out together next time. Be careful, okay, Uika~"
"…"
"What? Is something wrong?"
"…No."
Faced with her partner's puzzled expression, Uika replied with a complicated mood.
After watching Uika leave, the donut lady's expression instantly darkened.
"You damn blue-haired…"
She bit into her apple, looking both aggrieved and indignant.
She knew it—that blue-haired girl definitely had designs on her Uika!
Just as she was gnashing her teeth and eating the apple, her phone suddenly rang.
"The Demon King?"
Looking at the name on the screen, the donut lady couldn't help but look surprised.
..........................