Sakuragaoka Shuka Academy, Second Music Room
Hotaru gently opened the unlocked door. No rebellious, model-like girl with long black hair. Just Toyokawa Sakiko, playing the piano gracefully, posture professional: straight back, level shoulders, arms at 90°, wrists raised, fingers curved. Teal Haneoka socks hugged her sculpted calves, black shoes near the pedals.
Hotaru stopped staring, feeling rude, and listened. No sheet music; she played from memory, fingers gliding, melody beautiful.
Sakiko noticed him but wasn't disturbed, continuing skillfully, though her tempo quickened, aiming to finish.
Hotaru listened quietly.
She pressed the final key, exhaled, and looked up.
"Fengchuan Classmate," Hotaru approached, "You play really well."
"Bai Qiu-san…" Sakiko looked surprised, awkward, recalling Soyo's encounter he witnessed. Does he think I'm cold, heartless?
Noticing her odd expression, "What's wrong?"
"Thought it was the Wind Instrument Club," Sakiko explained. She used lunch breaks or post-school gaps to maintain her touch, no piano at home.
Hotaru nodded. Big room, big club.
He hesitated. Soyo, Rikki, and Tomori reunited in a band he helped form. He'd told Mutsumi but not Sakiko. Unfair to hide, but telling her feels cruel.
"I have something to tell you," Hotaru said.
"Eh?" Sakiko guessed faintly.
"Tomori's band. Want to know?" Hotaru offered.
Sakiko paused, conflicted, then, "Tell me."
Looking into her amber eyes, "Tomori's new band, Soyo and Shiina joined."
Sakiko's mind buzzed, frozen. First Tomori's band, now Soyo and Rikki? Next, Xiao Mu?
No band would take her now. Was Soyo still entangling her? Revenge?
She hid her pain, "I understand."
Her face betrayed bitterness.
Hotaru felt awkward, like he'd stolen her bandmates. "Not angry?"
Sakiko shook her head, sighing.
Hotaru sighed, "I was surprised too."
Sakiko asked, "What happened?"
Hotaru explained their chance meeting and joining.
Sakiko nodded, relieved. Coincidence, not revenge. Soyo wouldn't bother her now.
"Then what's 'Xiao Mutou'?" Sakiko asked, noting the intimate nickname.
"Cute, right? She's like a block of wood sometimes," Hotaru smiled.
Sakiko inhaled, "Call me Xiangzi."
She turned away, embarrassed.
"Okay," Hotaru said, She sees me as a friend.
"What do you think of Tomori's band?" he asked.
Sakiko's expression grew bitter, "I hope they succeed."
"If you told Tomori that, she'd be happy," Hotaru said.
The door creaked.
Sakiko's pupils shrank. Not the Wind Instrument Club.
Tomori stood in the doorway, startled, like a penguin.
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