After informing their homeroom teachers, Tomori, along with Anon and Kyo, were allowed to leave school early. They headed straight to the karaoke lounge.
"Three people."
Anon took the initiative to book a room at the front desk. Her sweet appearance, paired with a naturally radiant smile, made the receptionist noticeably more enthusiastic. "Ah, can we use a discount voucher?"
Meanwhile, Tomori stood to the side, absentmindedly glancing around at the somewhat familiar decor.
The black-and-white tiled floor, the wood-textured wallpaper covering the walls, and the self-serve drink station stocked with various beverage machines, cups, and napkins...
This was the place where CRYCHIC had their first gathering outside the practice room.
Tomori still remembered—back then, she had been struggling to sing properly during serious practice sessions. In the end, they decided to switch to a more relaxed setting, hoping it would help her find her voice.
But all of that was now an unreachable past...
"I still can't accept this, even seeing it for the second time!"
As if her memories had come to life, Tomori saw Kyo standing in front of the drink station, arms crossed, puffing her cheeks in frustration. More precisely, she was glaring at the sign on the wall above the beverage machines.
It read: "DRINK BAR."
"A 'bar' should never be something this shabby... No, I refuse to acknowledge this... It's just a bunch of these damn watered-down drink machines..."
Kyo stared at the sign, muttering complaints under her breath, her frustration practically radiating off her. But instead of making a scene, she could only grumble in a hushed voice, her neatly tied bun at the back of her head even trembling slightly with indignation.
"This thing isn't even as good as the little table in my room..."
Come to think of it, the last time Kyo had been here, she had made a similar complaint about that sign…
Tomori still remembered how surprised everyone had been back then—not just her, but also Sakiko and the other band members.
At the time, their band had only recently formed, and Kyo had been the last to join. Although she participated earnestly in practice and conversations, there was always a sense of formality and distance about her.
Taki had even commented once that Kyo seemed even more like a refined young lady than Sakiko.
So when Kyo suddenly let down her guard and reacted so dramatically at the karaoke lounge, everyone had been stunned. It was the first time they had seen such an expressive side of her.
Maybe that was also the moment when Tomori had begun to find her voice. And when Kyo had started to grow closer to the group, revealing a more relaxed and natural side of herself.
Even though she despised the "DRINK BAR" sign, Kyo still had no choice but to use the beverage station. The lotus seed soup she had brought with her was already finished.
"...I can't accept this…"
Looking as if the world had lost all color, Kyo ultimately stomped on her own pride and grudgingly took a cup, placing it under the drink machine.
"...I'd rather just buy a can of Sprite... but I really need some water..."
Ah... she looked exactly the same as last time—like a beached fish resigned to its fate, helplessly submitting to the reality of the drink bar.
"Hehe..."
Watching Kyo sigh so dramatically, Tomori couldn't help but laugh.
A moment ago, she had been lost in memories, reminiscing over things long past. But now, the past was right here in front of her.
Even though Kyo looked so pitiful, it was impossible not to find it amusing.
"Wait! Did Tomori just laugh?!"
Tomori had been standing just behind Anon, so the soft chuckle didn't escape Anon's ears. She spun around instantly, seizing the moment and tilting her head to catch a glimpse of Tomori's rare smile.
Naturally, Anon's sudden exclamation also caught Kyo's attention. When Kyo turned around, she saw Tomori looking straight at her, and for just a fleeting second—she caught sight of a warm, delicate smile on Tomori's lips.
Busted.
Tomori had been caught "laughing at" Kyo.
Panic immediately set in. The faint pink of her cheeks from laughing turned into a full flush of embarrassment. She covered her mouth, then—unable to handle the scrutiny—hid her entire face with both hands, refusing to let the other two see her.
"I-I didn't..."
Her voice, muffled through her hands, was barely more than a whisper.
Kikukawa Kyo and Anon teased Tomori for a bit, enjoying her flustered reaction, but they didn't push too far. Soon after, the three of them stepped into their reserved karaoke room.
By the way, Kyo had dramatically poured herself five or six cups of different drinks, carrying them all into the room. A staff member even reminded her that any unfinished drinks would incur extra charges.
Tch. As if there's ever been a drink I couldn't finish? Watch me purge this blasphemous place from existence—wipe it clean, down to its very foundations—
This is a holy war!
So, the moment she stepped into the room, Kyo settled herself down and started drinking, sip by sip, adopting an air of noble sacrifice—You two do whatever, I'll take the lead—as if she were making the ultimate toast.
"Won't drinking that much make you sick…?" Anon mumbled under her breath. But today's main goal was to help Tomori relax, so she quickly turned her attention to her instead.
"Tomori, want to try singing a sumimi song? I can take Uika's part, and you can sing Mana's. How about it?"
But then, Anon remembered—Tomori had no idea who sumimi was. She had no clue what kind of music Tomori liked either. Feeling a bit unsure, she passed her the song selection tablet.
"Or would you rather pick something you like yourself?"
"I…"
Tomori looked at the screen, tempted. But after a moment, she shook her head.
"I'm not very good at singing. Even today, Sakiko told me I still need a lot more practice…"
But afraid of dampening Anon's enthusiasm, she quickly picked up one of the small maracas in the room, giving it a little shake. A soft shhh-shhh sound filled the space.
"I-I'll cheer you on instead!"
"Ehh—"
Tomori seemed a little livelier than before, but Anon still wanted her to open up more.
"Singing by myself is no fun at all! Kyo, what about you?"
She was clearly roping Kyo into helping persuade Tomori to sing.
"I think Tomori's voice is much nicer than mine," Kyo replied nonchalantly, still sipping her drinks. She had just finished her cola and was now moving on to a glass of orange juice.
Even though she was busy drinking, Kyo instantly understood what Anon was trying to do. After all, they had specifically chosen a small, private karaoke room with just the three of them. It was obvious that Anon wanted to use this chance to talk to Tomori about the band's breakup.
"I don't know how to sing the songs you and Anon like…" Tomori dodged again, not even sure what kind of music Kyo preferred.
"Then why not try singing Haruhikage?"
Kyo dropped the suggestion without hesitation.
"Haruhikage? Ah, is that one of your old band's original songs? That's amazing—"
Anon excitedly tapped through the song selection menu.
"…But it's not in here."
Hearing the name Haruhikage, Tomori's gaze lingered on Kyo for a moment, then shifted to Anon.
"If I sing Haruhikage…"
A fragile hesitation flickered in her eyes.
"…everyone will leave me again."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the maraca.
"I don't want to waste my effort anymore…"