"It's like when parents nag kids to study. Even if it's for their own good, it triggers rebellion. I think Ryo is the same. It started as rebellion, but now she truly loves music."
"Chasing a dream through rock isn't the problem. The problem is the debt that exceeds what the band actually needs."
"To be loved is to be fearless... while it's normal for parents to love their child, if I may be blunt, your love for Ryo has become indulgence."
"Subconsciously, Ryo knows that no matter what, you'll bail her out. That's why she borrows without considering the consequences."
"You might have the money, but in the long run..."
Rin laid out his thoughts. In his past life, he'd seen too many people ruin themselves through debt—exchanging their dignity or their future for a loan they could never pay back. And in the Hidden World, the consequences were even darker.
"We know we've spoiled her. Even if we don't like her music, we just stopped giving her extra money; we never truly stopped her," Ryo's dad sighed. "We talked about kicking her out if she failed college, but we could never bring ourselves to do it. We didn't think..."
Ryo's grades were currently on par with the Nakano quintuplets—non-existent. College was an impossible dream. Her parents had wanted to take a firm stand, but they lacked the heart. Now, she was borrowing from loan sharks.
The parents looked at each other. They had to take a stand. But they knew they'd buckle if she begged.
"Rin, Nijika-chan..." Ryo's mom looked at Rin. "We were worried about her joining a band because we feared she'd meet bad people. Now, it seems she's found wonderful friends."
She spoke for a while before getting to the point.
"She borrows because she has us as a safety net. She needs to realize that we won't always be there. I want to see if she'll keep borrowing if she doesn't have us."
"Rin, Nijika... you are her best friends. Can we ask you to watch over her and supervise her for a while? Don't worry about the money; we'll cover her expenses. The music doesn't matter, as long as she learns that she has to be responsible for herself."
Essentially, they wanted Rin to play the "Bad Cop."
Rin was older, and Ryo technically "owed" him money. He was the perfect person to be firm with her. Plus, he'd gone out of his way to help her, proving his character. Sometimes a rebellious teen listens to an outsider more than their parents.
"Don't worry, Auntie!" Nijika agreed immediately. "I'll do it."
"Fine," Rin nodded after a moment. He didn't want the hassle, but he couldn't let Ryo fall into the abyss of debt. She wasn't a lost cause yet; she just needed some discipline.
After lunch, Rin and Nijika headed home.
...
That afternoon, Ryo's parents returned home early and prepared a feast, waiting for their daughter.
"Honey, do you think he likes Ryo? He's a bit older, but he's a good guy. If they like each other, he'd make a great son-in-law."
Despite their worry, they were still parents who liked to gossip. As long as she wasn't into drugs or bad investments, they could handle her spending. They just wanted her to be with the right person.
"I think he likes Nijika more. They're both orphans; they probably have more in common."
"Nijika is very cute... I wish she were our daughter too."
"Whether he likes Ryo or just treats her as a friend, the fact that he came to us for her sake proves he cares. We can't force these things; we'll see what fate brings."
"I'm back..." Ryo's voice came from the foyer. The parents shared a look and sat at the table with her.
After the meal, Ryo's mom stopped her. "Tomorrow is the last term. Your grades are poor. If you want to go to university, you need to work hard. Stop the band until you're in college."
"I've decided not to go to university. I'm going to be in a band for the rest of my life," Ryo said seriously. "That is my dream."
"A lifelong band?" Ryo's dad feigned anger. "What can you achieve with that? You can't even support yourself!"
Ryo looked at her father defiantly, but she had no retort. Currently, their performances lost money; they had to pay out of pocket to play.
"Dad..."
"Don't try to charm your way out of this. If you want to spend your life in a band, then go out and make something of yourself. Show us. I won't give you another cent. If you can support yourself with your 'dream,' only then will I acknowledge you!"
Ryo had never seen her father so stern. She knew he meant it.
"I... I will support myself with music!"
Music was the one thing Ryo would never compromise on. Without her individuality, she was as good as dead.
Biting her lip, Ryo went to her room to pack. She took her gear and a bag of clothes, then went to the dining room to say goodbye.
"I'm leaving." "Go then."
Ryo took a step toward the door, then turned back. "I'm really leaving." "Go."
Ryo took another step, then turned back again. "I'm really—EEP!"
Before she could finish, her father pushed her shoulders and her mother handed her the luggage.
BAM!
The door slammed shut. The night breeze brushed against her face as Ryo stood on the porch in a daze. Her parents had mentioned kicking her out if she failed college, but... they actually did it!