"This was clearly what I wanted… so why does it still hurt?"
Sakiko knew she had made many mistakes in the past.
That was why she had always wanted to make up for them.
As for herself, she had never once considered it.
After all, back then she had cut everything off so cleanly—so why would she feel pain over it now?
What Sakiko didn't understand… was that people change.
Back then, she had been driven into a corner, struggling just to survive.
Even if she felt bitterness, the weight of life suppressed all her inner thoughts.
And yet, even so, a single performance of Haruhikage had completely broken her.
Now, her life had changed. She finally had the capacity to want more—and naturally, she began to long for the warmth and happiness of the past.
But her past mistakes, along with her stubborn pride, forced her to suppress those feelings.
Tomori misunderstood her because of that… which led to everything happening now.
"Nothing was wrong… so why did it end up like this?"
Maybe… this was simply what she deserved.
The sadness in her heart only deepened her sense of guilt.
Only now, when she herself was the one being cut off by someone she cared about, did she truly understand how painful that feeling was.
"Because you're the kind of person who only ever thinks about yourself."
Kamijou Mutsuki threw out those words—once used for Soyo—directly at Sakiko.
The Sakiko who had been lost in her emotions widened her eyes slightly upon hearing this.
She never expected that this "boomerang" would come back and hit her.
So… Soyo was actually me all along?
"Does the 'compensation' you're talking about… is it really something Tomori and the others even need?"
This line of thinking was practically identical to Soyo's back then.
In the end, Sakiko had become just like Soyo.
"Are you really unable to let go of your past mistakes… or is it just your stubborn pride?"
These were probably words that only "Sakiko-sensei" could accept at a moment like this.
"When it comes down to it, Sakiko… you've just been running away this whole time."
Those words, striking straight at her core, made the girl's face turn pale.
"Tomori never wanted to cut ties with you. She just didn't want to hurt you."
At most, Anon could be added to that reason as well.
"Even now, as long as you're willing to face the past, there's still a chance to fix everything."
"And that… is the best way you can make it up to them."
Even someone like Taki held incredibly complicated feelings toward Sakiko.
The relationship between Anon and Sakiko was never a simple either-or choice.
In the end, Sakiko had always been struggling against herself.
"Tomori…"
After sorting things out and realizing that Tomori hadn't truly cut ties with her, Sakiko's mood undeniably lightened.
And at this moment, the girl finally understood what she truly wanted.
But understanding and acting on it were two completely different things.
If she could so easily let go of that twisted pride inside her, then she wouldn't be "Sakiko-sensei."
"Maybe you're right, but I don't know what I should…"
The sudden shift in her thoughts left her mind in complete chaos.
"At least for tonight…"
In the end, Sakiko gave up trying to think and hugged Kamijou Mutsuki again.
"…let me forget everything."
The exhausted girl only wanted to return to a harbor and enjoy a moment of peace that belonged to her.
"That depends on Miss Donut."
Kamijou Mutsuki's words made Sakiko silently put a question mark in her head.
What did this have to do with Mana?
"She probably wouldn't be too happy about you getting close to Uika."
"Don't mix anime with reality all the time!"
Even in her current state, Sakiko couldn't help but complain.
"I don't want Uika…"
"That's just stuff from the anime."
The girl slightly raised her head—her eyes moist with tears, tinged red—yet somehow carrying an unexpectedly alluring charm.
"I… only want you…"
(Uika: Damn, I've become a substitute?!)
"N-No, I didn't say anything!"
Realizing what she had just said, the girl's face instantly turned bright red as she buried her head back into Kamijou Mutsuki's chest.
This warm feeling… could it be that she really…
Mutsumi… I'm sorry!
"Saki-chan… and Soyo…"
Meanwhile, back at the music festival venue, Mutsumi looked at the messages on her phone and murmured unconsciously.
For some reason, she had a bad feeling.
Especially after seeing the message sent by "that" Soyo.
The girl brushed her hair by her temple, feeling as though her hair was shining a little too green today.
This feeling…
No, she had to go back and check!
And so, Mutsumi said goodbye to Tomori and the others.
Not long after Kamijou Mutsuki and Soyo had left, she also followed after them.
As for Kamijou Mutsuki, he was currently yawning, idly playing with the soft strands of hair of the girl in his arms.
Perhaps because the unexpected events had drained too much of Sakiko's energy, she had actually fallen asleep right there in his embrace.
But given her current state, getting some sleep was probably a good thing.
Just like that, Kamijou Mutsuki held "Sakiko-sensei" and arrived downstairs at his current big house.
However, looking at the sleeping girl in his arms, he felt a bit troubled.
With his current physical condition, carrying Sakiko upstairs was honestly a bit too much for him.
Just as he was wondering whether to ask the driver to help carry this "sleeping beauty" upstairs, another car pulled up beside them.
Then, Soyo stepped out.
Didn't she say in LINE that she was going home?
"Later, I realized I was still a bit worried about Saki-chan,"
Soyo immediately saw through Kamijou Mutsuki's thoughts and explained with a gentle smile.
"So I came over…"
"Saki-chan, she…"
As she spoke, Soyo looked at the girl in his arms with a curious gaze.
"She's probably tired today?"
"Fell asleep?"
Her eyebrow lifted slightly.
No way… could it really be this perfect?
A trace of joy flashed through Soyo's eyes, but she quickly hid it.
"A lot did happen today."
Soyo said softly, reaching out as if to take Sakiko from his arms.
"I'll help you take Saki-chan to rest…"
Kamijou Mutsuki naturally had no reason to refuse.
With Soyo's help, he carried "Sakiko-sensei" into his room and placed her on the bed.
Young people really do sleep well!
Looking at Sakiko sleeping soundly on the bed, Kamijou Mutsuki couldn't help but sigh.
Meanwhile, watching this scene, Soyo could barely suppress the corners of her lips from rising.
This was the first time her plan had gone this smoothly!
Then, while Kamijou Mutsuki wasn't paying attention, she quietly closed the bedroom door.
Click!
The sound of it locking from the inside.
At this very moment, Mutsumi was still on her way over by car.
.........................