Sunday evening, near RiNG
Mutsumi stood roadside, eyes subtly surprised as Hotaru approached.
"Didn't get scolded after that night?" Hotaru asked.
Mutsumi shook her head, recalling her mother's invite for Hotaru to visit.
"Good. What're you doing here?" Hotaru asked, noting proximity to RiNG.
"Piano lessons," Mutsumi replied.
"Your mom's idea?"
"Yes."
"Anything else?"
"Ballet, etiquette, tea ceremony…" Mutsumi listed.
Hotaru shook his head. Poor Xiao Mutou, no fun weekend like Soyo or Anon.
Wakaba family life's rough.
Mutsumi, seeing his gesture, thought she'd upset him, lowering her head dejectedly.
Hotaru sighed, "Not at you. Your mom's… detestable."
Mutsumi blinked, "Hmm…"
"You've worked hard, Xiao Mutou," Hotaru comforted.
"Why're you here, Qiu Zi?" Mutsumi asked, noting the pink-haired girl and two others earlier.
Hotaru explained the new band with Soyo, Rikki, and Tomori.
Mutsumi's expression stayed calm, then she looked seriously at him, "Be careful of Soyo."
Hotaru, surprised, understood her Crychic obsession. "She might do something bad for the band?"
Mutsumi nodded, "Soyo… wants everyone back."
Hotaru agreed, planning to guide Soyo toward accepting the new band as home.
"Aren't you afraid Soyo'll be mad if she knows you said this?" he asked.
Mutsumi lowered her head, worried.
"Thanks, Xiao Mu, I'll keep it secret," Hotaru smiled. "What about you? Want to join them?"
Mutsumi paused, "I've never… felt happy in a band."
Hotaru cut in, "That's a lie, right?"
Mutsumi looked away, surprised.
"I heard you said that to help Xiangzi leave Crychic," Hotaru said.
Mutsumi nodded, "Crychic was relaxing, though not my music."
"What music do you like?" Hotaru asked, curious.
Before she answered, a voice called, "Qiu Zi!"
Myamu, in sunglasses, rushed over, spotting Mutsumi. "Sen Mina's daughter, Wakaba Mutsumi?!"
"Yes," Mutsumi replied, surprised.
"Like a doll, like on TV!" Myamu waved at Hotaru, excited.
Hotaru stepped between them, "Miss Myamu, some distance. You're an influencer too."
"Too excited," Myamu laughed, eyeing Hotaru oddly, suspecting a Wakaba family tie due to his author status. Cling to this big shot.
"Why're you here?" Hotaru asked.
"Shooting a video nearby," Myamu smiled. "Let's eat, my treat. Hard-to-book restaurant."
"Treating us?" Hotaru raised an eyebrow. "No ulterior motive?"
He was tempted, planning to eat anyway.
"You should treat us, and Hailing too," Hotaru teased, citing her viral video profits.
"Haha, true!" Myamu grinned.
Hotaru turned to Mutsumi, "Want to go?"
Mutsumi hesitated.
"Parents home?"
"No."
"Then we're going. Or don't you want to eat with me?" Hotaru feigned sadness.
"I want to," Mutsumi said.
"If anyone asks, I pestered you," Hotaru smiled.
Myamu, surprised by their rapport, "Shall we?"
"Mutsumi, eat a lot," Hotaru took her wrist, following Myamu.
At the trendy restaurant, no queues due to reservations.
Myamu handed over the menu, "Don't be shy!"
Mutsumi eyed the novel dishes, unlike her family's refined banquets.
"Thanks, I won't," Hotaru said, raising Myamu's score mentally.
Myamu chatted with Mutsumi, probing their relationship, nicknaming her "Mutsuko."
Mid-meal, Myamu paused, rubbing her hands, eyeing Hotaru.
"What, Miss Myamu?" Hotaru teased.
"Tastes good, right?" she dodged.
"Very," Hotaru and Mutsumi agreed.
"Just say it, or I can't eat in peace," Hotaru pressed.
Myamu whispered, "Can I get some signed books?"
Hotaru sighed, "Your real motive."
"The encounter and treat were genuine!" Myamu insisted. "Books are a bonus, right, Mutsuko?"
Mutsumi, confused, didn't know about his novels.
"For an event?" Hotaru asked.
"Bingo!" Myamu snapped her fingers.
"Alright," Hotaru agreed, planning signed copies for Ryo and Hitori too.
His novel for Ryo was nearly ready, needing minor edits for submission, aiming for this month's publication.
Dinner was pleasant; they parted ways after.
08:32 PM, October 18, 2025
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