"Good evening, Tomori."
"G-Good evening... Sakiko, Mutsumi."
Takamatsu Tomori, who had been invited to the VIP suite, looked at Toyokawa Sakiko, dressed in a maid outfit, with an expression of disbelief.
Although a thousand words surged in her mind, the first thought that escaped her lips was:
"This maid outfit really suits you, Sakiko..."
"Ghk—"
Hearing this candid remark, a complex expression appeared on Sakiko's face.
Although she knew there was no ill intent in Tomori's comment, the implications of "suiting a maid outfit" made it impossible for her to be straightforwardly happy about it.
Meanwhile, Wakaba Mutsumi simply took out her phone and showed Tomori a picture of Sakiko looking shy in front of Chihaya Tetsuya.
After seeing the photo, Tomori added with even more conviction:
"Ah, looking at it like this, it suits you even more..."
"Ahem, this outfit is just a trial for now. I'll be wearing my regular clothes normally."
Sakiko cleared her throat, a faint blush on her face.
"Also, this is Tetsuya-kun's and my sponsor, and she will also be enrolling with me next year, Sakurakouji Luna."
"...You really don't need to introduce me, Toyokawa."
Sakurakouji Luna, who was watching the stage from the side, shook her head.
However, since she had been mentioned, she naturally had to go through the minimum social ritual.
"Hello, I'm Sakurakouji Luna."
"Ah, hello... My name is Takamatsu Tomori... I'm, uh, a friend of Sakiko and Mutsumi..."
"Mhm."
With that, Luna turned back to the stage. Meanwhile, Tomori, worried that she might be unwelcome, couldn't help but show a concerned expression.
"It's alright, Tomori. She just doesn't really like interacting with people."
Fortunately, Sakiko stepped in to clear up her confusion.
"More importantly, don't just stand there. Come and sit down."
She gestured for Tomori to sit next to her and Mutsumi.
Tomori hesitated for a moment, glancing at Luna. Only after confirming that Luna wasn't giving her a look of disgust did she finally take a seat.
After a brief pause, Tomori spoke to Sakiko again.
"Um... Sakiko."
"What is it?"
"Have you officially withdrawn from Haneoka now?"
"Mhm, yes."
Sakiko nodded.
"I'm currently receiving tutoring related to fashion at the Sakurakouji residence, preparing to enroll in Filia Girls' Academy next year."
"I see..."
Tomori nodded, a sense of loss in her eyes.
"Although it's something to be happy about, I feel... it's a little bit of a shame."
"Why?"
"Because, even though we finally made up, we didn't get to talk much at school..."
Tomori said with her head lowered.
"If only I had been a little more proactive at school."
"There's no need to feel regret over something so small, is there?"
Sakiko said, a little puzzled.
"It's not like we'll never see each other again."
"That's true, but... the time we have as high school classmates is only three years at most in our entire lives, right?"
Tomori said in a low voice.
"Actually, back in middle school, I used to dream about what it would be like to go to the same school as you, Soyo, and Mutsumi. And now... even though we've finally cleared up the misunderstanding and become friends again, the feeling of having missed out on that dream makes me feel very sad."
"Tomori..."
For Sakiko, Tomori's extraordinary sensitivity was a precious and special thing.
It was Tomori's diary that had first captivated her, making her decide to turn those recorded feelings into lyrics. And now, the idols on stage were singing a love song personally crafted by Tomori, one that had even been acknowledged by the subject himself.
Although in many people's eyes, Tomori's excessive sensitivity made her seem timid and fragile compared to others, for a creator and a singer, this sensitivity was arguably the most blessed of gifts.
And it was for this very reason that Sakiko's decision to "let go" of Tomori was further solidified.
"It's a shame to say this, but Tomori, please forgive me for not being able to empathize with you."
Sakiko said.
"The gap in our experiences and personalities is just too big. Although we can understand and sympathize with each other, we are ultimately destined to walk different paths. The pressure I'm under doesn't allow me to pour as much emotion into everyday trifles as you do. And the world you see in your eyes shouldn't have to be shared with someone like me, who is trapped by reality. And that is why I invited you here today."
"From now on... please continue to sing with your unique sensitivity as the soul of [MyGO!!!!!]. Your voice, your feelings, everything in your mind, will surely reach more people, just as it did when I first saw your diary. When that time comes, even you, who has always had trouble directly feeling others' emotions, will surely understand the preciousness and meaning of your talent when you face a stage like this one."
"..."
Tomori was silent for a long while before she finally spoke.
"I heard that you're forming a new band too, Sakiko..."
"Mhm."
"So, you don't need my lyrics anymore?"
Tomori had always admired this person who had personally guided her onto the path of being in a band. That was why she had been so serious and dedicated when she heard that Sakiko wanted her to write lyrics for a new song a while back.
It wasn't just to repay Chihaya-san, who had given her courage, but also to collaborate with Sakiko like they had during their [CRYCHIC] days after so long.
Although she already knew that she and Sakiko were destined to no longer be in the same band, she had always held onto the hope that she might have the chance to write lyrics for her again in the future.
And now, with Sakiko officially leaving Haneoka and preparing for a new band, Tomori understood that perhaps their paths had truly and completely diverged—
"About that... I might still need them."
Just as Tomori was bracing herself for a heartbreaking answer, Sakiko gave a rather ambiguous reply.
"My new band is planning to go for a narrative and metal route, but it's possible we might have some ballads. When that time comes, I might have to ask you to write the lyrics for me."
"...Huh?"
Tomori was taken aback.
"So that means, what you said just now didn't mean you were planning to cut ties with me..."
"? Why would I cut ties? I was just saying that you're a better fit for [MyGO!!!!!] than for my [Ave Mujica], and I was cheering you on."
Faced with Tomori's question, Sakiko looked puzzled.
"Eh? Did what I just said sound like a farewell to you? But I even said 'it's not like we'll never see each other again'..."
"N-No, it's nothing. I was just overthinking things on my own."
Tomori quickly shook her head, her face flushing.
"Because of what happened last year, I just feel like whenever you speak to me seriously, you're about to say goodbye... I'm sorry."
"Now that you put it that way, I'm the one who should be apologizing..."
Sakiko shook her head helplessly.
"Forget it, forget it. Let's just watch the show for now... We can talk about whatever it is later."
"...Mhm."
Tomori nodded first, then, after maintaining a serious expression for a very brief moment, she couldn't help but break into a small smile.
"...We'll talk later."
"..."
Mutsumi, who had been silently observing this scene from the beginning, nodded and then also turned her gaze to the stage with a sense of relief—
[Hey, I want to talk about things we haven't said in a while]
[I'm not too sure, but there should be more time, right?]
[After this time, there will be many more days to come, right?]
"...Your lyrics really are amazing, Tomori."
"Mutsumi, Mutsumi's guitar is amazing too!"
"You don't have to force yourself to praise something you don't understand."
"R-Right... I'm very sorry..."
"There's no need to apologize, though."
Alright, at least compared to me, Anon-san is indeed a more suitable guitarist for her.
After this live show, the popularity of [MyGO!!!!!] would surely reach a new level.
Now, of all the parts of the project Sakiko had mentioned, only [Ave Mujica] remained to be formed.
(...Next, it's my turn to try a little harder.)
Looking at everyone on the stage, Mutsumi thought to herself.