April 23 (Friday); 8 Days Until Expulsion
Chapter 86: Morning
Kawakami lectures about rakugo and asks about the traditional object the performer uses. Ann incorrectly guesses a microphone and Nanako correctly guesses a fan, feeling her Knowledge increase.
Chapter 87: After School
Nanako admits to Haru that she knows about her being rich, based on the cake, the brand of her clothes...and the fact that they're being driven to their destination by a chauffeur. Haru praises her deductive skills and apologizes for the deceit, and Nanako reassures her that it doesn't change their friendship at all. Nanako fights to keep her composure as they enter a grand mansion, someone playing on a grand piano while an odd man dances to the tune by a wall of windows. Haru calls the man Uncle Aki, but Nanako recognizes him as Zazabatta, arguably the most famous comedian in Japan credited with modernizing the art of rakugo. The man insists Nanako call him Aki-san, saying the character Zazabatta doesn't exist while he's home, and Nanako relaxes as she tells him a bit about herself, learning that Mei has a doll that Kanji made and still loves it. Aki-san warns Nanako that Mei is difficult and he can only hire Nanako if Mei approves of her.
He calls over Mei, the young girl in black who had been playing the piano. She instantly disapproves of Nanako, seeing nothing inspiring or intellectually stimulating about her. Refusing to lose the opportunity, Nanako goes to the piano and, hearkening to the lessons she'd taken most of her life in memory of her late mother and thinking of Ren and the night of their heist in Inaba, she plays Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Mei approves her.
Aki-san says she'll be taking care of Mei whenever he's too busy to pick her up from school and help with homework. An assistant emails her a schedule along with the pay, which Haru clarifies is hourly. Nanako finds she'll have no trouble paying for the holster and feels that her Charm increased from the piano recital.
SOCIAL LINK ESTABLISHED
- II–The Priestess: Mei
Level 1
Chapter 88: Evening
Arriving back at her apartment complex, Nanako finds that Aki-san has paid her 30,000 yen just for her time, and though bewildered, she thanks him. She invites Ann over for dinner in an hour to celebrate her getting a job, and texts Sano that she has his money but can't pick up the holster. He agrees to meet her on the roof the next day to hand it off, and she says she'll have another project for him.
Arriving at her apartment, she's shocked and horrified to find Rise lounging in the living room wearing a Yasogami High uniform with a leopard print bra showing, leopard print cat ears, and a bell collar. She runs to her room, and Rise quickly changes clothes and apologizes profusely. Rise apologizes for mixing up the date when she was moving in, but their mutual embarrassment soon turns to frustration when it comes to light that Yu didn't tell Nanako that he and Rise were living together, nor that they were dating, nor that the apartment belonged to Rise. Both girls meet Yu at the door with crossed arms as he arrives home. He takes in their expressions and quietly accepts his fate.
Chapter 89: Evening
Yu and Rise reconnected two years ago, when Yu started researching idols for his articles and asked her for help, and they decided to give their relationship another try. It was under wraps from the general public, though, as idols needed to be perpetually single for the fans. Yu claims he was so used to keeping the secret that he forgot to tell Nanako over the past week, despite agreeing that they'd need to tell her when she moved in.
Rise orders food for everyone to celebrate her return and Nanako's new job, and has Yu dress and act as a butler for penance. Yu answers the door as Ann arrives, and Nanako, though red with embarrassment, brings her in. Ann freaks out briefly at meeting Risette, but Rise recognizes her from a picture in March's Vague magazine, and they become fast friends. They talk about acting careers over dinner, and as Yu and Rise go to their bedroom, Nanako sees Ann out, feeling that their bond will deepen soon.
