"Huh? What right do you have to talk to Tomori like that?"
Even though she was just heartbroken from becoming a third wheel, the moment she thought Tomori was being bullied, Taki-chan immediately went on the offensive.
"If it weren't for you back then, Tomori wouldn't have..."
Among the former members of CRYCHIC, Taki was probably the one who resented Great God Saki the most.
"Alright, Rikki."
Seeing that Miss Taki was about to dredge up the past, Soyo immediately stepped in to smooth things over.
"What's in the past should be left in the past."
The future of a revived CRYCHIC was right before her eyes. She couldn't let Taki obstruct her grand plan.
"Besides, what happened back then wasn't entirely Saki's fault."
As she said this, Soyo seemed to be struck by a thought, and her voice became a bit somber.
"Everyone was at fault..."
"But back then, it was clearly her..."
"Rikki!"
To handle Miss Taki, it seemed a word from Tomori was still required.
Just a single glance was enough to shut up the still-fuming Taki, who sullenly sat back down.
"..."
Faced with the hostility from her former bandmates and friends, Great God Saki maintained her business-like smile, as if she didn't care at all.
Only Mutsumi Wakaba, standing beside her, looked at her childhood friend with worry in her eyes.
Saki-chan... you're just putting on a brave face...
"If everyone is ready, then let's begin."
Soyo, who had been the most resistant to playing "Haruhikage," was now eagerly ushering the other girls.
"Just like... we used to!"
Then, with a melodious intro, the performance officially began.
It was worth noting that Sakiko, who was usually the most serious and skilled, was half a beat slow when the performance started.
It wasn't until the sound of Mutsumi Wakaba's guitar came in that she seemed to snap back to reality, belatedly starting to play the keyboard before her.
「Kajikanda kokoro furueru manazashi.」 (A numb heart, a trembling gaze.)
「Sekai de boku wa hitoribocchi datta.」 (In this world, I was all alone.)
「Chiru koto shika shiranai haru wa.」 (The spring that only knows how to scatter.)
Listening to the familiar yet distant lyrics from Tomori's lips, the girls' feelings were all incredibly complex.
Since CRYCHIC disbanded, they had never imagined that they would gather together like this again to play their very first song.
Even Taki, amidst the music, gradually let go of the hostility in her heart.
Soyo was probably the most excited one. She played with 130-140% of her usual skill, her pick nearly smoking as it flew across the strings.
It was just a pity she was the bassist, so no one noticed her extraordinary performance.
As for Tomori, her performance could only be described as giving it her all.
Although she wasn't obsessed with reviving the old band like Soyo, "White Sakiko" was still an unforgettable dream for her.
Even now that she had a new band, like Soyo, she had so much she wanted to say to her.
But she was clumsy with words and couldn't express her thoughts.
However, Sakiko had once told her that her singing was the cry of her heart.
So, she wanted to use her song to convey her feelings to Sakiko's heart.
Of course...
The figure of a certain young man also fell into the girl's eyes.
...it wasn't just for Sakiko.
...
「Kumoma o nutte kirari kirari.」 (Weaving through the clouds, sparkling, sparkling.)
「Kokoro mitashite wa afure.」 (Filling my heart to overflowing.)
「Itsushika hoo o kirari kirari.」 (Before I knew it, my cheeks were sparkling, sparkling.)
...
The girl sang out with a voice that was like a shout from her soul.
Sakiko was her past; the boy before her was her present.
It was because of him that she found the courage to sing.
Just as she once sang for Sakiko, she now sang for Kamijo Mutsumi!
So this time, she absolutely would not let him down again!
I was here first!
Listening to Tomori's singing, Anon, who was standing to the side, felt her head grow a little heavy for some reason.
Of course, compared to Anon, our Great God Saki's feelings were probably even more complex.
"..."
Playing the keyboard before her, feeling the song in her ears, she felt as if she had returned to the time when CRYCHIC had just formed.
Back then, she was so carefree, so relaxed and happy...
The happiness of the past gradually welled up in her heart, but when the girl came back to her senses, all that remained was endless pain and emptiness.
When the fantastical bubble is popped, the pain of reality becomes even more distinct and cruel.
She... could never go back!
Happiness and joy belonged to them. What belonged to her...
...was only endless overtime, endless beer cans to collect, a damp and dark room, and a father's drunken scolding and complaints.
Sakiko felt moisture gathering in her eyes, but she bit her lip, suppressing the urge to cry.
The weak her from the past is already dead!
The girl stubbornly raised her head, instinctively looking towards the gray-haired girl who was singing.
But on the side of the girl's face, she saw that Tomori's gaze was fixed on Kamijo Mutsumi, her eyes seemingly having no room for anyone else.
"..."
For some reason, Sakiko felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Why do I feel this way?
After thinking for a while, she finally remembered.
It seemed that the Tomori of the past used to look at her just like this, her eyes filled with only her.
And now, the figure in her eyes had become another man.
The girl whose heart was once filled with her was now completely captivated by another.
「Kimi no te wa doushite konna ni mo atatakai no? (Why are your hands so warm?)」
「Nee onegai, (Hey, I beg you,)」
「Douka kono mama hanasanaide ite, (Please don't ever let go,)」
Listening to Tomori's song, Sakiko subconsciously reached out her hand towards her, only to see Tomori extend her own hand towards the boy in front of her.
「Zutto zutto hanasanaide ite. (Forever, forever, don't ever let go.)」
"Haruhikage" was the song you wrote for me, but the hand you want to hold so tightly is no longer mine!
Only at this moment did it dawn on Sakiko.
She had inadvertently lost the girl whose eyes were once filled with only her!
In that instant, sorrow and pain surged forth like a tidal wave, instantly crushing the emotional defenses she thought were so strong.
One drop, two drops, three drops...
Tears fell onto the keyboard before her, but the girl seemed completely unaware.
She watched as Kamijo Mutsumi took the hand Tomori extended. She watched as Tomori fell into his arms. Her tears instantly broke through the dam, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Sakiko..."
Mutsumi Wakaba, who had been worried about her the whole time, instantly noticed her state. Just as "Haruhikage" came to an end, without even taking the time to put down her guitar, she rushed forward to comfort her childhood friend.
"I'm fine!"
Seeing her approach, Sakiko forcefully wiped away her tears and spoke stubbornly, her voice choked with sobs.
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