Perhaps I misspoke (or miswrote?)
To anyone whom sent me word that they'd like me to participate in a JP showcasing sidestories with other NPCs I'm used to handling (Mara, Hinoto, Nimura, Sanri, Sigurd being amongst them) I'm free. A sidestory which may need Kotori? Can probably do as well, depending on the premise.
I'm not in disapproval of sidestories or tangents, as long as they did not slow down the ongoing plot significantly.
However, I'll not start on Mission 5 until we have all the 'marbles' needed to go forward and make it a good climatic story, if you see what I mean.