Something's… off about Kyo today.
At this moment, Kikukawa Kyo and Takamatsu Tomori were in an oddly intimate position—almost as if they were embracing. But if it were a real hug, Tomori might have felt a little more at ease. Instead, Kyo kept just enough distance between them so that they remained within each other's line of sight.
As a result, Tomori found herself desperately avoiding Kyo's gaze. Not only did she turn her head away, but she even shut her eyes tightly, pulling her hands close to her chest—like a little penguin burying itself in the snow to hide from a predator.
"Seeing you up close like this, you're really adorable, Tomori."
Kyo's voice was warm as she observed the girl in front of her, who had turned her head to the side, revealing her delicate, slender neck. Her soft cheeks and the gentle curve of her jawline were on full display. The way she curled up in a defensive posture only made her look even more like a trembling little creature—utterly endearing.
And when Kyo was in this kind of exhilarated mood, she never held back on compliments.
She had been coming at Tomori with straightforward remarks since a while ago, and Tomori clearly couldn't handle it. But more than flustered, she was confused.
"Kyo… you're not mad?"
After all, it was her fault—because of her, Sakiko left, CRYCHIC disbanded… So how could Kyo still smile at her so radiantly?
Tomori squeezed her eyes shut even tighter. Even though she was the one who asked the question, she regretted it instantly, terrified of hearing the words I am mad from Kyo's lips.
"Mad? Why would I be mad? Because you grabbed me? If anything, I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, I'd already be soaking wet by now, and my sister would've chewed me out the moment I got home."
Kyo tilted her head slightly and glanced past Tomori's shoulder at the massive pool behind the railing. Earlier, being suddenly surrounded by so much water had left her a little dazed, but now that she was in a clear-headed, exhilarated state, she wasn't about to make a reckless dive.
…Not that the temptation wasn't still there.
"That's not what I meant…" Tomori murmured, her voice growing smaller.
"Hmm? Then you mean… because of the band?"
Ah—she just came right out and said it. Even though she had been telling herself not to bring up the band so directly, didn't that mean she took that slap earlier for nothing?
From the moment Tomori had asked if she was mad, her avoidance had already been severe, but now that Kyo had mentioned the band, she was outright trembling. Kyo had the sinking feeling that if she let go now, Tomori might just be the one to jump into the water this time—to escape.
"…You don't look like you're in a state to listen to me properly right now. And honestly, I'm not sure I can put my thoughts into words very well either. So, how about we set this topic aside for now?"
To avoid saying something too thoughtless in her excitement, it was best to redirect the conversation. As for how to distract a trembling Tomori from thinking about the band…
"Tomori, let's go on a date!"
Kyo pulled her arms back from where they had been resting on the railing behind Tomori, drawing her into a loose embrace. Inevitably, the distance between them shrank just a little more.
A date…?
More than shock, Tomori felt hesitation. Did Kyo mean that kind of date? The kind where couples go out together? Did this mean… Kyo liked her?
"Look, we're at an aquarium, aren't we? This is a classic date spot."
"..."
No reaction?
Kyo hadn't gotten the response she expected. She thought that, given how Tomori's face had been flushed this whole time, she'd surely panic and flail at the word "date." But instead, she had fallen silent, lost in thought.
"Hey—are you even listening?"
She was being ignored? Had Tomori retreated into her own little world?
Kikukawa Kyo could understand that—after all, she often got caught up in her own rhythm and tuned out the people around her.
Kyo blinked a few times before finally loosening her hold on Tomori.
Feeling the sudden release of pressure, Takamatsu Tomori froze for a moment. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her vision expanding from darkness to light—only to be met with the sight of Kyo dashing to the railing, gripping it tightly with both hands, and preparing to jump.
In that instant, all embarrassment and hesitation vanished from Tomori's mind. Without thinking, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Kyo's waist and pulling her back with all her strength.
Panicked, Tomori shouted, "Kyo, don't jump! I—I like you too…!"
The commotion had already drawn the attention of several passersby, but the moment Tomori's words rang out, their curiosity turned into full-blown intrigue. Onlookers immediately started spinning romantic dramas in their minds, painting the scene as some kind of passionate confession.
Kyo hadn't actually put much force into her movements, so she let herself be dragged away from the railing with ease, a smug grin spreading across her face.
"Finally paying attention to me?" Kyo turned to face Tomori once more. Tomori, still shaken, had no energy left to avert her gaze and simply stared at Kyo in lingering shock.
"But, Tomori… why did you suddenly say you also like me?"
"Eh…?"
Tomori had no idea how to answer. Did she like Kyo? She probably did. Back in CRYCHIC, Kyo had always been there for her, offering warmth and support.
But today, Kyo was acting a little strange—more lively, more direct, exuding a confidence that felt almost self-assured.
It reminded Tomori of someone else in the band—Sakiko.
The one who understood her, the one who encouraged her to turn the cries of her heart into lyrics and sing them out loud.
When Kyo had said the word date, something inside Tomori had wavered. If dating was something that only couples did, and couples were something more than just friends… then did that mean Kyo truly liked her?
The thought had been a great comfort to Tomori, who had been blaming herself for Sakiko's departure from CRYCHIC.
But the moment Kyo questioned her, that comfort vanished.
Maybe I messed up again. Maybe I misunderstood Kyo's meaning.
Before Tomori could spiral further into self-doubt, a hand gently took hers, pulling her forward.
"Tomori."
—!
The mirage she had seen in Kyo earlier seemed to overlap with reality.
The once-playful smile softened into something more composed—precise, yet still brimming with emotion.
The overwhelming closeness from before had shifted to just the right distance—warm, but not overbearing.
Even the way Kyo called her name… that familiar tone…
"Sakiko…?"