Sakuragaoka Shuka Academy, lunch break, stairwell
Hotaru gazed at Hitori's pink bangs, her eyes hidden, nervous.
Did I overdo it after the live? Are they mad? Reprimanding me? Or because I overheard him and Nijika?
"Hitori," Hotaru said.
"Here!" Hitori stood rigid, voice loud.
"Very energetic," Hotaru noted.
"Eh hehe… is that so?"
"I need help," Hotaru said.
"I'm so so so sorry!" Hitori blurted.
"You did nothing wrong!" Hotaru patted her shoulder. "I need your help."
"Okay," Hitori relaxed, eyes bright. "What is it?"
"Teach someone guitar," Hotaru said.
"Teach! Guitar!" Hitori panicked.
"If you don't want to, it's fine," Hotaru said. "You're teaching Kita already."
If not, Mutsumi? Or I learn and teach Anon?
"No!" Hitori shouted. He's helped me so much, I can't fail him.
"Please let me help!" she nodded frantically.
"Sure?" Hotaru hesitated, feeling cunning for asking, knowing she wouldn't refuse.
Hitori grabbed his sleeve, trembling, "I want to help, learn to make friends."
Hotaru nodded, relieved. "Then I'll ask you, Bocchi-chan. Need my help with anything?"
"No…" Hitori paused, recalling her family's doubt about her band, despite photos. If someone visited, they'd believe me.
Too shy to ask, "Not now…"
"Find me when you need me," Hotaru said.
Hitori nodded joyfully.
"Come in, Anon," Hotaru called.
"N-now?!" Hitori's voice shook. Someone's here?
Anon entered, curious. "Space under the stairs? Heard noises here."
"I'm so sorry, my fault!" Hitori bowed.
"No, no!" Anon waved. "Just surprised the school has this spot."
Her friendly smile eased Hitori.
Three in the cramped stairwell, Hitori glanced at Anon, nervous despite Hotaru's assurance. Pink hair, guitarist, opposite style. Replacing me?
Anon thought, Hotaru likes pink-haired, downer girls? I fit too. He helped a lot…
"Cough!" Anon choked, blushing. "Dust!"
Hotaru, puzzled, Stuttering like Hitori? "It is dusty. Hitori, stop eating here. Join Light Music or Astronomy Club."
Hitori, lost in fear, nodded dazedly.
Anon winked, "Hello, Gotō-san, I'm Chihaya Anon, call me Anon. Can I call you Hitori?"
Hitori swallowed, Normie! "Okay… Anon."
"I'm learning guitar, heard you're amazing, like Guitar Hero," Anon pleaded. "Help me?"
Hitori softened, smug, "I'll help."
"Thank you!" Anon clasped Hitori's hand, then offered money. "Tuition."
"No, no!" Hitori refused.
Anon looked to Hotaru.
He sighed, Ryo wouldn't refuse.
"Is that Bai Qiu-kun and Gotō-san?" Kita's voice came.
Kita, passing by, smiled, "It's you two."
"Yo, Kita," Hotaru greeted, surprised but pleased. Anon and Kita learning together? They'll get along.
He introduced, "Kita Ikuyo, our vocalist."
Anon, stunned, The famous extrovert, vocalist? Enviable! "Hello, Kita-san, I'm Chihaya Anon, here for Hitori to teach guitar."
Kita lit up, Not alone! "Great! Anon, let's work hard!"
"Call you Ikuyo?" Anon smiled.
"Wah!" Kita spiraled, "Kita Kita, Kita Kita…"
"Eh? Unwell?" Anon asked, concerned.
Hotaru laughed, Ryo and I broke her.
"What's going on?" Anon blinked.
"Don't call her Ikuyo, she prefers Kita," Hotaru explained.
"Okay… Kita-san, let's do our best," Anon nodded.
Kita, disoriented, snapped awake when Hotaru whispered, "Ryo's here."
"Ryo-senpai?!" Kita scanned, then glared at Hotaru's tease, snorting.
"Anon, let's do our best!" Kita said, embarrassed.
Outside
Hotaru heard familiar piano from the club room, skilled.
Curious, he followed it to the Second Music Room, funded by pianist Touma Youko.
The sound was clear.
Sakiko's face flashed in his mind.
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