RiNG, practice room
Talk of Tomori's lyrics ended; practice resumed.
After an hour, the studio's reservation expired.
Hotaru noted he'd stayed in practice since joining, never swapped out. No issue.
Rikki nodded, pleased with results.
Everyone packed, heading to the entrance.
Anon seemed guilty, eyes darting, fearing old classmates spotting her—a "deserter" from London. I'd be a laughingstock, life over! she thought.
Tomori, concerned, "Anon, what's wrong? Forgot something?"
"I'm fine," Anon said, calming. Last time was a fluke, no classmate inquiries. Safe.
She schemed, Suggest Starry next time.
Tomori nodded, "Rikki and I are leaving."
Rikki, arms crossed, waited, glancing at Anon.
Anon nodded, waving, "Bye-bye~"
Realizing too late she wanted to leave with Tomori, Rikki beat me!
Kairin said goodbye and left.
Nika vanished, cat-like.
Hotaru and Soyo, heading the same way, walked together.
Anon, alone, sighed. Why's he with Soyo again? Her figure? I'm his classmate!
Too shy to pull him back again, Talk tomorrow.
She left quickly, still uneasy.
Hotaru asked Soyo, "New band thoughts?"
Soyo paused, feeling good resuming band life, but Must tell Xiao Mu tomorrow, add her and Xiangzi later.
"It's good, everyone's nice," she said.
Hotaru nodded. Bands form and break, normal.
"Just… my keyboard's weak," Soyo admitted, nervous. "Can you teach me?"
Hotaru, unsurprised, was pleased by her initiative. "No need to pay, I'll teach you."
Soyo's eyes lit up. Good friend? "How about I handle your dinner?"
"Dinner?" Hotaru paused.
"You eat out or bentos, unhealthy," Soyo scolded. "Home-cooked rice and veggies are better."
"I'm healthy," Hotaru said, Push-ups, no problem.
Soyo insisted, "Dinner for keyboard lessons, okay?"
"Too much trouble?" Hotaru asked.
"Cooking for two's no different," Soyo smiled. "More elaborate."
Hotaru agreed, "During lessons, sure."
Even after's fine.
Soyo smiled, "Dietary restrictions?"
"I don't like organs," she blushed, sharing.
"Same, not picky otherwise," Hotaru said.
They chatted, reaching a donut shop where they should've gone straight.
Soyo veered. Hotaru slowed, "Wrong way?"
"To the supermarket," Soyo chuckled. "Grocery shopping, you're coming."
"Say so sooner…"
Soyo's house
Soyo cooked; Hotaru scrolled his phone.
Anon messaged, seeking guitar help, aware of her weaknesses.
Hotaru smiled, Band's heading right.
Soyo, noticing, "Something happen? You're happy."
"Nothing, Anon," Hotaru said.
"Anon?" Soyo smiled, "What's up?"
"She feels her guitar's holding back, wants a teacher," Hotaru said.
"I see…" Soyo nodded, worried he'd pick Mutsumi. She's busy.
"Found one?" Soyo asked.
"Not yet," Hotaru said, thinking Guitar Hero, Hitori.
Soyo relaxed, "Eat, food's getting cold."
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