He was almost sure that Kisaragi would say the same thing. Did that make it a good idea or a bad one? ... He could go on the internet, browse some goth girl blogs, but he wouldn't know if any of those were fake, or even deliberately fake. Would Kazashiro also make this same suggestion, make her laugh? Would Usaka Ritsuko, for that matter?

He was acutely aware of his own need to hurry. JK hadn't answered his question; how long did Tomoko hold grudges? He needed to know whether or not the week had made her germane to whatever act that JK was thinking of. If Ryusei was going to go along with that idea, anyway.

JK also hadn't commented further on his payment either way. Ryusei didn't want to bring it up again in as many minutes—it'd make it seem like he had something to hide—but he needed to resolve that, too.

One thing at a time. "What are you thinking of?"