It was precisely because of Mrs. Sawamura's influence, combined with the fact that Sogo Doma had often teased her before, that Eriri had acted exceptionally terrified when she saw Sogo Doma at Toyogasaki...
But even though she was so afraid of him, if she truly had to compare Sogo Doma with her "childhood friend," she would absolutely vote for Sogo Doma.
While Sogo Doma certainly had a wicked sense of humor, Eriri genuinely felt relaxed whenever she played with him. Leaving everything else aside, Sogo Doma was every inch the refined gentleman in front of strangers. Put it this way: if someone met Sogo Doma for the first time, they would never imagine...
That a whole string of derogatory labels from outsiders—such as "Night Emperor" and "the Doma Family's wastrel"—could possibly apply to Sogo Doma.
Of course, the moment Sogo Doma did something stupid, anyone who had doubted it would immediately believe it!
After all, Sogo Doma himself was practically synonymous with unreliability.
Unfortunately, at the time, Sogo Doma had been trying to build a good relationship with Umaru and become her one and only Onii-chan. That was why everything he said and did had felt as refreshing as a spring breeze. As for Eriri...
She had been the first person Sogo Doma met after waking up, hadn't she? Since his true nature had already been exposed, why would he bother hiding it?
And once he realized—remembered—that Eriri was Kashiwagi Eri, he became even more brazen. Eriri might not have understood how important becoming Umaru's only Onii-chan was to Sogo Doma, but if her identity as Kashiwagi Eri were exposed, she would die of embarrassment. Under those circumstances, would Eriri dare say anything?
Not at all!
However, once Umaru Doma acknowledged Sogo Doma's perfect Onii-chan persona, he started letting things