RiNG, outside
Hotaru ignored the shattered parfait, rubbing his chest—Anon's collision stung, Tomori's didn't. Not biased.
Tomori, anxious, stammered, "Qiu Anon Rikki Soyo @ &#&…"
Hotaru ruffled her hair. "Slow down. Saw Anon."
Tomori calmed, flushed. "Anon and Rikki fought, Anon ran, I chased."
Find Anon, she's unsteady, Hotaru thought.
"Parfait…" Nika mourned.
Lennon's here, Hotaru noted.
"Lennon…" Tomori exclaimed.
"Not hurt?" Rinko approached with cleaning tools.
They shook heads.
"Good," Rinko smiled. "Go, I'll clean."
"Thanks, Narita Road," Hotaru said. "Tomori, Anon's outside."
They hurried off.
Rinko paused, then stopped Nika from eating the parfait, pressing her face. "Rana, no!"
Nika struggled, glancing after Hotaru. "Band over?"
Outside, streets
Anon stopped, panting, sweating. "Didn't run…" But I did.
No pursuers. Relief, yet disappointment. Bitter smile, eyes clouded. No bag, guitar. Phone's here.
Hotaru's message asked her location. Apologize later.
Quit? Nika's enough. I can shine in class. But that'd confirm she's a runner.
Lost, she looked around, realizing she ran blindly.
"Chihaya President?" Classmates approached.
Anon trembled. Over.
"Long time no see! London holiday?" they beamed.
"I… that…" Anon stammered.
They noticed her Haneoka uniform. "Haneoka's?"
Done. Anon felt suffocated, legs failing.
"Careful!" they cried.
She braced, but fell into Hotaru's warm embrace, secure.
"Good thing I made it," he sighed.
"You okay?" classmates worried.
"I'm fine…" Anon mumbled.
Hotaru helped her stand, guessing her past. To classmates, "We meet again."
They lit up, here for him. "What's your relationship with our President?"
"I'm Bai Qiu, Anon's friend, classmate," Hotaru said. "We were racing, I barely kept up."
He winked at Anon, Don't blow it.
Anon mumbled, "Uh."
Hotaru continued, "I'm not slow, Anon's fast."
"Race?" they nodded.
"No wonder she's red-faced."
"As expected, her athletic ability's great!"
"Hehe…" Anon nodded, eyeing Hotaru, What's he planning?
Short-haired girl: "Her clothes?"
Long-haired girl: "When'd she return from London?"
Can't dodge this, Anon paled, ready to give up.
"Well…" Hotaru said, "Long story, want to hear?"
"Yes, at a cafe?" short-haired girl suggested.
Hotaru coughed, "I'll keep it short."
They listened intently, Anon tense.
"Anon studied in London, did well, became an exchange student in China. She's back for their holidays. I'm a Chinese exchange student, so we met."
"Eh? You too?" long-haired girl smiled. "Your Japanese is great!"
They turned fangirl. Anon blinked, He's bluffing! Like when he roped me into the band.
Hotaru stayed calm. "Haneoka's prepping the cultural festival. I'm clueless, so Anon's helping. She needed a uniform to enter."
"Fits well, right?" he smirked.
Anon nearly laughed. So much bluffing.
They believed it. "Very suitable!"
"Her figure's great!"
"Hehe," Anon smiled.
Short-haired girl: "Last time…"
Hotaru showed End Band's photo. "This!"
They saw Hitori's pink-haired back, mistaking it for Anon.
Doubts gone.
"We're leaving," Hotaru said, grabbing Anon's hand, guilty but ready to bolt.
Anon followed, dazed.
"Wait!" they called, chasing.
Hotaru stopped. "What?"
They sheepishly held phones. "We said we'd add on Line!"
"Oh…" Hotaru, relieved, added them under Anon's gaze.
-------------------------------
I've already posted the newest chapters on Patreon!
If you enjoy this story, come check them out and support me there too.
Here's the link: [pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your continued support!