It seemed as though a giant hand was manipulating them from behind the scenes... If the time and place hadn't been wrong, and if it weren't for trust, trust, and trust, Kotori and Umi would have questioned Rin Hoshizora and Hanayo Koizumi. Had they joined Muse so proactively because there was something behind it...? It couldn't be helped—Sogo Doma's analysis was simply too terrifying.
Muse was a reference to nine goddesses. Without Rin and Hanayo joining, there was no way they could have formed a group of nine!
Nishikino? Don't be ridiculous. Nishikino was talent they—or rather, Honoka—had gone to great lengths to recruit. Although she had composed music for them at the start, she genuinely had no interest in being an idol—besides, even the young master of the Doma Family called Nishikino an ATM Princess. Even if that was just a joke, her financial resources... those who knew, knew.
In short, Maki Nishikino was highly unlikely to be involved! Don't think they were being overly sensitive. Think about it: they had just learned that Muse referred to nine goddesses, then, under Sogo Doma's guidance, they found senior Yazawa. After that came senior Tojo and the student council president—making exactly nine people. Who wouldn't get suspicious?
However, Touma could be ruled out as well. After all, no one had ever suggested having Touma join them—or rather, when they decided on the name Muse, Touma hadn't even transferred here yet!
Then who was it? Who exactly was the person who had named them Muse?
"Didn't I already say?" Their doubts were quickly answered. Sogo Doma sounded as though he were replying to Honoka Kosaka, yet also as though he were clearing things up for everyone. "Judging from the palm lines on Katsura's face, Miss Nico appears to be entering a Mercury