After sending Karen to investigate, Rin pushed the Sakiko issue to the back of his mind.
In his view, if any of the Crychic members had just talked to each other honestly during the breakup, the whole drama would have ended in one episode.
But their lives in this world didn't necessarily mirror his memories. He needed to check Mutsumi's mental state first; if she had already broken, a psychiatrist was a more practical solution than a harem.
Dealing with parents who force you to play a "persona" was essentially what Kaguya went through. If it was just that, Rin was an expert.
Based on Karen's current intel, it seemed like the early stages of pressure—not a total mental collapse.
As for the others... they might not need a psychiatric ward yet, but a therapist wouldn't hurt.
They were the type to have "Mental Walls" so thick they could deploy an A.T. Field. There were a few too many "sub-humans" in that group.
As for his "entry point"... Rin felt Tomori Takamatsu was the best bet.
Even though she was eccentric and on her own wavelength, she was easier to communicate with than Bocchi. She would be the perfect bridge to Sakiko.
Plus, she liked the planetarium, which made "accidental" meetings easy to stage. And besides... Tomori was just too damn cute!
After reading the files for a bit, Rin glanced at the bar... Taki Shiina wasn't there.
The file said she worked part-time here, but she was likely off today or watching the festival.
Rin sipped his coffee and chatted with Karen and Shion about the Toyokawa family for another two hours until the festival finally finished its preparations.
It was almost lunchtime. Starry's manager, Seika, had prepared pork cutlet (katsu) bento boxes for the girls—the name for which sounded like "victory" in Japanese.
"Welcome to the 'Unconfirmed Riot' music festival! We've received over 3,000 applications this year from young diamonds in the rough!"
The crowd erupted in applause as the host finished the intro.
"Today, we witness the top 30 bands battle it out! Only two will move on to the final stage. You are all witnesses to the birth of the next generation of stars! Please welcome our special guests, sumimi, to open the show!"
As the host exited, the idol duo sumimi appeared from both sides of the stage.
Uika Misumi, with her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, carried a guitar. She greeted the crowd with a gentle, radiant smile. Her partner, the energetic Mana Sumida, had shoulder-length brown hair.
The audience roared and waved their light sticks. Rin watched Uika with intense curiosity... He had planned to have Karen investigate Sakiko's "aunt," and here she was as a guest.
"Sumimi is an idol duo under a Toyokawa-owned agency. Rumor says they were scouted the moment they arrived in Tokyo and exploded in popularity within a year."
Shion whispered the details to Rin and Karen.
"Hmph..." Karen let out a cynical laugh. "Their 'fairytale' debut is perfect marketing for a festival like this. But it only fools naive girls. She's likely the mistress or the illegitimate daughter of some Toyokawa executive."
Karen was right. Uika Misumi was the illegitimate daughter of the current patriarch, Teiji Toyokawa. To an adopted son-in-law like Teiji, she was a secret that could never be exposed. Sakiko's father was actually kicked out because of her.
Sakiko's father was a failure as a corporate heir for one reason: He was a good person.
Because he was a good person, he was scammed out of 16.8 billion. Because he was a good person, he couldn't stand seeing Uika left out and tried to bring her into the family.
That was the direct cause of his expulsion. Uika was the illegitimate child of the patriarch. Being an illegitimate child was fine, but the father was a muko-yoshi—he shared no blood with Uika.
An in-law trying to bring the patriarch's blood-unrelated daughter into the fold...? He did it out of kindness, but to the outside world, it looked like a plot.
It looked like the patriarch and the son-in-law were teaming up to sideline Sakiko and seize control of the Toyokawa legacy. To save his own power and avoid suspicion, Teiji was forced to throw Sakiko's father under the bus.
Rin realized he could exploit this.
"Mmm..." Rin thought for a moment before turning to Karen. "Can you arrange for me to meet Uika Misumi privately afterward?"
"Do you like that type? She does have a very pretty face... sure." Karen gave Shion a look. "Just a chat, or a 'deep' investigation?"
Rin flicked Karen's head.
"I want to see if I can poach her for your agency. Just find a quiet place for us to talk alone."
Though confused, Karen sent people to arrange it. She wasn't her talent, but getting a private meeting with an idol in this venue was trivial for her.
After a performance of 'Here, the World!', the audition officially began.
Kessoku Band had drawn the fifth slot. It wasn't long before they took the stage.
"GO FOR IT! ヾ(°∇°*)ノ"
Rin saw Bocchi's parents and sister waving a massive banner. It was heartwarming, but it only made Bocchi more flustered.
Luckily, Rin had "fueled her up" earlier. Although she only played at 80% of her "Guitar Hero" level, she did a great job for her standards... at least she didn't pee herself.
After their set, Rin went backstage with the others to comfort them.
While they played better than their rehearsals, they knew they weren't in the top two of the first five bands, let alone the remaining twenty-five.
They had a long way to go before becoming a commercial success without the "Dark Hand" of the Okiura family.
After a short rest, the girls went to watch the other bands. Shion led Rin to the sumimi dressing room.
He knocked and, upon hearing a "come in," entered. Uika Misumi, still in her stage outfit, stood up with a gentle smile.
"Hello, Miss Uika. My name is Rin Ito. I'm a fan. I've only seen you on TV before; it's an honor to meet you in person."
Rin put on an act of an excited fan. Uika responded with a practiced, idol smile.
"Thank you so much for your support."
She was used to fans using connections to get a private word with her. Usually, it meant a slightly longer chat and some extra signed merch.
"Miss Uika, could you give me your autograph?"
"Of course."
Rin's request surprised her. Usually, someone with the pull to get into her dressing room already had plenty of merch. It was usually given as a parting gift.
But she didn't refuse. She took a CD and a pen from a box and signed her name in elegant cursive.
"Here you go~"
She held it out, but Rin didn't take it. The excited smile on his face vanished, replaced by a look of predatory amusement.
"Uika Misumi is just your stage name. I'd like you to sign your real name."
Clatter.
The CD and pen hit the floor. The smile on Uika's face died. Her cherry-blossom lips turned pale beneath her lipstick. She even forgot to breathe.
How... how does he know!?
How does he know my secret!?
She stood frozen like a doll for a long time before her trembling lips forced a facade of calm. She reached down to pick up the items.
"Uika Misumi is both my stage name and my real name."
"Is that so? I seem to remember your real name being 'Hatsune'." Rin scanned Uika... or rather, Hatsune.
"Miss Hatsune... you wouldn't want Sakiko Toyokawa to find out about your true identity, would you?"