Soyo-chan, Version 2.0—Courtesy of Me! [192]

Tsuzuki Chihiro felt like transferring to Haneoka had been the right choice.

Sure, Sakiko had run off during lunch break, but that was fine—because she still had her dear Anon-chan~

That soft, fluffy pink head was endlessly rua-able.

Of course, she couldn’t just start messing with her hair in the middle of the cafeteria. And besides…

"Chihiro, what’s with you today?"

"What about me?"

"You seem… soft. Like, really soft. Almost like you’re about to melt. Are you really the same cruel, heartless Chihiro-nee I know?"

"You just don’t get it!" Chihiro scolded Anon in a hushed voice. "See, even Tomori understands—this is my new persona for observing the world."

"Eh? Tomori, do you actually get it?"

"Mm."

Takamatsu Tomori nodded, though she mumbled something under her breath—phrases like "the true self," "an observer," and "facing the world with kindness"—none of which made any sense.

Anon had a feeling that if she handed Tomori a piece of paper and a pen, she’d start drawing a full-on conspiracy board.

But for now, Anon had something far more important to talk about.

"Chihiro… um, could you not play guitar? Or at least… take turns with me?"

"Hmm?"

Chihiro grinned at the pink-haired girl, who was fidgeting and scratching at her cheek, clearly embarrassed.

"Are you scared that Raana and I are going to optimize you out of the band?"

"I…"

"Relax, Anon, there’s no way I’d ever push you out. You’re way too important to me. Without you—"

"Without me what?"

"Uh."

"…You’re awful, Chihiro!"

"Without Ano-chan, the band wouldn’t be complete," Tomori added matter-of-factly, thinking Anon was genuinely upset.

Her words earned her a grateful look from Anon—followed immediately by a glare directed at Chihiro.

"Alright, I’ll be direct with you. I’m planning to pick up the piano for a bit."

"Our band is missing a keyboard, which puts us at a serious disadvantage in composition and arrangement."

Chihiro wasn’t exaggerating.

A keyboard wasn’t necessary for a band, but having one massively increased the range of possible arrangements.

It opened up entirely new avenues for musical exploration.

"But… Chihiro, do you even know how to play piano?"

"Hey, you’re really in no position to question me." Chihiro rolled her eyes. "You seriously think bragging about your C chord in front of me was something to be proud of?"

"Ugh, stop! We agreed never to bring that up again!"

Anon’s face flushed with embarrassment.

She still vividly remembered the time she had shown off to Chihiro, only to be utterly humiliated afterward.

"Besides, I’m not completely starting from zero."

Her understanding of music theory was based on piano fundamentals.

She had never really played much, but she knew the basics.

"Alright, I’m done eating. Time to officially begin my afternoon school life."

"…Weird."

Anon eyed Chihiro suspiciously.

"Didn’t you hate school before? Why do you seem so excited now?"

"You wouldn’t understand~"

Because it wasn’t school she was interested in.

It was the fact that, now that she was at Haneoka, she had two forms of entertainment.

One was teasing the pink-haired puppy.

The other?

Forcing a certain someone into interrogation—right in the middle of a classroom where she couldn’t escape.

---

"One song… won’t be enough."

Back at her desk, Togawa Sakiko flipped through her notebook.

Inside was the completed score for ave mujica—a song that shared the same name as the band.

It was their debut piece, the opening act to the stage-play narrative she had crafted.

She had composed the music, while Hiyori had written the lyrics.

But one song alone was far from enough.

It might get them through their first live performance, but what about the second? The third?

More importantly, if she wanted to prove herself to the team, she had to demonstrate her abilities.

She had to show them her worth as a composer and arranger.

"Sakiko~"

"!!!"

The devil’s voice made her snap her notebook shut instantly.

She didn’t see it, right?

She refused to let this woman get her hands on her secrets.

Because if Chihiro knew, that meant the entire world would know.

Sakiko knew exactly how fast information traveled when it came to her.

Anon and Soyo were both close to Chihiro.

Even Taki seemed to get along with her.

And even… Mutsumi had subtly expressed admiration toward Chihiro.

This woman… seriously goes around deceiving everyone she meets.

Sakiko was certain that everything she had told Chihiro about her family had already reached Soyo’s ears.

And that thought infuriated her.

She despised herself for ever being so weak.

"Sakiko, please don’t be mad… It was my fault. I shouldn’t have—"

"Can you not?"

"Mm."

With the students around them losing interest, Sakiko finally felt like she could breathe again.

She shut her eyes and began repeating a mantra in her head.

"I have no emotions. I will never be weak again."

As if telling herself this enough times would somehow make it true.

"Quiet down, the teacher’s here. Why are you all still talking?"

The first class after lunch was history.

And as the male teacher entered the room, Sakiko finally relaxed.

At least now, Chihiro wouldn’t be able to mess with her—

…Or so she thought.

But she had underestimated just how shameless this woman could be.

Because, despite trying to sit up straight, to keep as much distance as possible, to not invite any interaction—

She felt it.

A slight touch against her calf.

Her eyes widened.

And then it happened again.

Her blood ran cold as she realized what was happening.

"Ah!"

Did she seriously just—

In the middle of class—

Stretch her leg forward, take off her indoor shoe, and lightly tap my calf with her stocking-covered toes?!

Unbelievable. Completely, utterly lawless behavior.

"Togawa-san, is something wrong with the lesson?"

"I—! N-no, my apologies, Sensei… I got distracted."

"Make sure to pay attention in class. You wouldn’t want to disturb your fellow students, would you?"

Because of her usual academic excellence, the teacher let it slide.

But—this grudge—

She would remember this.

Just as she sat down, a piece of paper landed on her desk.

A note.

From her.

Sakiko, I need a favor. Can you teach me piano? I’ll pay you.

…Absolutely shameless.

Delusional.

She scribbled back a response.

Find someone else.

Then, without looking, she tossed the paper backward.

She would never—absolutely never—seek anything from Tsuzuki Chihiro again.

She wouldn’t engage.

If Chihiro wanted to mess with her, she would endure it.

She just had to slowly, gradually, distance herself.

Eventually, Chihiro would get bored and let her go.

Besides—other than being good at guitar and ridiculously good at lying, what else did Chihiro even have?

Mutsumi played guitar just as well.

And while Sakiko didn’t know much about acting, Mutsumi came from a family of performers.

So, in the end—

Chihiro, you are no longer necessary to me.

Mutsumi is your superior replacement.

---

T/N: This is a fan translation of 素世同学，恭喜你被我优化了 by 杰克喵. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!