Chapter 19

Chapter 19: One Glance Tells Me It’s Fake

After Ayase Aoi finished speaking, the atmosphere seemed to ease slightly.  

In her heart, the innate pride she carried still stood like an unshakable iceberg, blocking all who approached.  

But at this moment, everyone present—including Kazuichi Akiyama—seemed to understand what kind of heart lay beneath Ayase Aoi’s heavily fortified walls.  

Amami Saori, pleased that her cooking had been acknowledged, pressed excitedly:  

“So that means it was really good, right?”  

“Hn… It means it was neither good nor bad.”  

Ayase Aoi couldn’t bring herself to meet Saori’s hopeful gaze.  

To divert the awkwardness, she pulled out a tissue and dabbed her lips, maintaining her perfect, elegant image.  

“So not honest, Aoi.”  

Fujiwara Yuki picked up another octopus sausage and dropped it into Ayase Aoi’s bowl, translating for Saori.

“What she means is that it was delicious.”  

“Liars swallow a thousand needles, Yuki.”  

Ayase Aoi shot her a sidelong glare as a warning.  

Saori, suddenly intrigued, set down her chopsticks and leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees as she focused entirely on Ayase Aoi.  

“Ayase, beyond whether it’s good or not, there’s something else I’m really curious about. Would you mind answering?”  

“Ask right away.”  

Ayase Aoi nodded.  

“I heard… that you transferred to our school after dominating Majisuka Gakuen in just a month because you got bored. Is that true or false?”  

“Ohhh, yes yes~ Aoi took down fifteen delinquent girls all by herself~ So amazing. I saw it all happen from around the corner!”  

Yuki, who had somehow procured a handful of sunflower seeds, began spinning nonsense.  

“…?”  

Ayase Aoi frowned, utterly lost, before immediately denying it.  

“It’s false.”  

“And the ‘Biker Gang Terror’ who ruled the delinquent district?”  

“Ohhh, this one I know all about! She was on her Harley, overtaking fourteen cars on the curves, then beat up every gang leader in the district single-handedly. That’s why they called her the ‘Biker Gang Terror’~”  

…So it was Yuki spreading these rumors.  

Ayase Aoi shot a glare at the black-haired crow, who was clearly enjoying herself.  

“Don’t listen to her.”  

Ayase Aoi’s brows knitted tightly as she turned to Kazuichi Akiyama, who stood guard nearby.  

“Kazuichi. Do you know what this ‘Biker Gang Terror’ nonsense is? Or that ‘delinquent district’ you’re supposedly in charge of?”  

“Reporting to the young miss,” Kazuichi Akiyama bowed deeply, “the delinquent district is not under my jurisdiction. However, I believe the term ‘Biker Gang Terror’ originates from shounen manga.”  

Ayase Aoi turned back to Saori, whose expression had relaxed inexplicably.  

“You heard him. Never heard of it.”  

“That’s a relief.” Saori patted her chest.  

“Relief about what?”  

“Saori’s worried you’ll bully her friend, Shimizu. Aoi, you’re so—”  

Before Yuki could finish, Sakuya cut in firmly.

“She hasn’t.”  

Her gaze swept over everyone present before she repeated, with emphasis.

“Ayase has never bullied me.”  

This was the truth.  

She wasn’t defending Ayase Aoi—she just couldn’t afford to let the conversation stay stuck on trivialities.  

Lunch was nearing its end, and the real issue at hand was—  

How to advance the formation of the Light Music Club.  

So far, Yuki had done nothing but provoke Ayase Aoi and echo Saori’s words. There was no sign she had any intention of starting a club.  

Now that these incompatible personalities had finally gathered in one place, Sakuya had to seize this chance to probe.  

This pointless chatter needed to end.  

She couldn’t let the plot drag her along—she had to take fate into her own hands.  

So, even if it felt abrupt, Sakuya steered the topic toward club formation.  

“If anything, I’ve been the one trying to get closer to Ayase.”  

Straightening slightly, Sakuya adopted a serious tone.  

“I want to start a Light Music Club at school—to form a one-of-a-kind band.”  

Her eyes met Ayase Aoi’s crimson ones, which now gleamed with an unreadable light.  

“From what I’ve heard, Ayase is very skilled in music. That’s why I wanted to approach her.”  

She turned slightly, nodding to both Yuki and Saori.  

“The same goes for everyone else. While we were eating, I kept thinking—we’re all so different in personality and temperament. If we formed a band together, it’d be incredibly interesting.”  

“So I’d like to invite Fujiwara and Saori as well—to create a unique band unlike anything this school has seen.”  

Saori, arms crossed, nodded first.  

“If it’s Sakuya inviting me, how could I refuse? Though… It’s been a while since I last practiced guitar.”  

Good. Saori, you’re truly my savior.  

With Saori firmly on board, Sakuya turned her hopeful gaze to the other two.  

…The outlook wasn’t as optimistic.  

Ayase Aoi and Yuki exchanged glances before Ayase Aoi finally sighed and spoke.  

“I won’t be joining.”  

As she spoke, her eyes lingered on the plate of crispy octopus sausages, her brows slightly furrowed in thought.  

“Why not?”  

“Because I’m not good at music. And I hate it.”  

“Aren’t you an active idol? How could you not be good at—or like—music?”  

Ayase Aoi tilted her head, baffled.  

“What are you talking about? Why would I be an idol?”  

Saori clapped her hands together, brushing off stray seed shells.  

“I think what Shimizu means is that you’re as pretty as an idol.”  

“……”  

Ayase Aoi’s fingers tightened slightly on her skirt, but she said nothing.  

Oh no.  

Sakuya’s pupils dilated as if struck by lightning.  

She had been too reliant on her memories of past routes, leading to a huge misjudgment!  

Ayase Aoi wasn’t an idol in this worldline!  

In this reality, everything about her—including her behavior—had changed, including her idol status.  

On the first day of this world becoming real, Sakuya hadn’t realized this. She hadn’t bothered to check online, acting solely on her past experiences.  

But her memories were incomplete. The worldline had shifted.  

From now on, she’d have to treat her ingrained assumptions with extreme skepticism.  

If Ayase Aoi’s a no, what about Yuki? Maybe she can drag Ayase Aoi in later.  

Sakuya’s gaze darkened as it landed on Yuki.  

Immediately, Yuki straightened from her slouched posture and pointed at Saori.  

“Well, if Saori’s going…”  

She trailed off.  

Sakuya wasn’t worried. From Yuki’s actions so far, she had been following Saori’s lead at every turn.  

Now that Saori had agreed to join the Light Music Club, Yuki had no reason to refuse.  

Maybe she could even convince Ayase Aoi to join later.  

But then—  

Yuki’s lips curled into a mischievous smile as she slowly declared.

“As much as I’d love to join… I think I’ll pass.”  

Her golden eyes held nothing but the pleasure of controlling others.