After scolding Kikukawa Kyo for not drying her hands properly, Soyo took out a neatly folded handkerchief she always carried with her, gently laying it across her palm.
"Kyo, would you like to dry your hands? Or would you rather leave them as they are? Which would you prefer?"
Compared to her earlier conversation with Anon, Soyo's tone had always been warm and impeccably composed, making it easy for someone she had just met to feel comfortable.
But when she spoke to Kyo, there was something even more… affectionate in her voice.
There was no subtle persuasion, no expectation—only a gentle willingness to let Kyo decide. It was the kind of patience one might have when watching a child run around with wet hands after washing them—hoping they'd dry them off properly, but ultimately willing to let them do as they pleased.
Kyo, still holding her arms out limply in front of her like a ghost, glanced down at the handkerchief in Soyo's hand before looking up at Soyo herself.
On the surface, Soyo was offering her a choice. Even the way she extended the handkerchief seemed effortless and natural.
For comparison, someone like Taki, when offering a bandage to someone, would shove her arm straight out, almost forcing the item into the other person's hand. That kind of approach pressured people into taking it, whether they wanted to or not.
But was Soyo truly neutral in this offer?
Kyo observed her carefully. The slight step Soyo unconsciously took forward, the barely perceptible lean of her upper body, the subtle contraction of her pupils—all of it betrayed a quiet hope.
She wanted Kyo to accept her help.
So was this choice a lie?
Was Soyo just putting on a show, offering an empty gesture while secretly disapproving of Kyo's habits?
Kyo quickly analyzed the situation. The moment that hypothesis formed, she immediately dismissed it.
If Soyo had actually been bothered by this habit of hers, she would have reacted differently long ago. Back when CRYCHIC was still together, Kyo had never noticed any irritation or discomfort from Soyo about it. Even now, if Soyo truly disliked it, her response would have been more immediate—disgust wasn't something people could easily suppress.
Or… was it something else?
Maybe Soyo wasn't just looking at Kyo—maybe she was looking through her.
Perhaps, in Soyo's mind, Kyo had become a symbol of CRYCHIC itself.
Maybe this wasn't about the simple act of drying hands. Maybe, by having Kyo accept her help, it would provide Soyo with some subconscious reassurance. A way to tell herself, CRYCHIC is coming back.
Kyo studied Soyo's face again, focusing on her eyes.
Was she truly looking at her? Or was she staring at the ghost of something long gone?
The moment the thought solidified, the moment she found enough evidence to support it, Kyo felt something rise within her—
A deep, overwhelming sense of disgust.
Stop.
She forcibly shut down her own thoughts.
Jumping to conclusions was dangerous. Once a single assumption took root, everything afterward would unconsciously be twisted to fit that belief.
She didn't want to think of Soyo in that way.
But the seed of revulsion, once planted, had already begun to grow. No matter how hard Kyo tried to erase the thought, a faint, lingering unease remained.
For now, it was best to go along with Soyo.
Kyo quickly composed herself, letting her usual easy smile return to her face.
"Thanks, Soyo."
She stepped forward, reaching for the handkerchief—
But before she could take it, Soyo gently grasped her wrist.
Kyo froze for a moment.
But she didn't pull away.
Soyo held Kikukawa Kyo's small, cool hand—chilled even further by the lingering water droplets. Even as her own hand became damp in the process, she showed no sign of discomfort. Instead, she tightened her grip ever so slightly, as if simply ensuring a firmer hold to make drying them easier.
After securing her grasp, Soyo took a moment to carefully feel Kyo's hand.
The handkerchief she carried was made of the finest material—soft, smooth, and gentle against the skin. But even that luxurious fabric couldn't compare to the delicate touch of Kyo's hand against hers.
These hands didn't seem like those of a guitarist.
Soyo knew Kyo was an exceptionally skilled guitarist, yet her hands bore none of the expected callouses from practice. They were smooth, soft, and almost untouched by effort. With the water droplets clinging to her skin, they looked even more dewy and delicate.
If I pressed down just a little… would water seep out?
The thought flickered through Soyo's mind, and before she could stop herself, she gave Kyo's palm the lightest squeeze.
Of course, no water actually came out.
But even with that gentle press, the area she touched turned faintly red, as if Kyo's skin was as thin as a film of water—so fragile it might break with the softest touch.
"Soyo?"
Before Kyo could say anything, Anon spoke up first, her tone laced with confusion.
Why… why did this turn into Soyo just holding Kyo's hand?
Anon fumed silently.
Just a moment ago, Soyo's entire demeanor had suggested she was simply offering the handkerchief for Kyo to use herself. But now? Her actions completely contradicted that polite, well-mannered appearance she had put on earlier.
Then again, in a way, this kind of behavior… did suit Soyo.
A mother gently tending to her child—this moment between Soyo and Kyo carried that same warmth.
But still! Holding Kyo's hand like this—what was she thinking? Anon knew she had only met Kyo more recently, but she was Kyo's close friend now too!
The moment Anon's questioning tone reached her, Soyo finally pulled back from her quiet admiration of Kyo's hand.
Not because of Anon.
Rather, Soyo was more concerned about whether she had pushed too far—whether Kyo herself might find this uncomfortable.
Soyo always preferred maintaining harmonious relationships with those around her.
Perhaps realizing she had been holding on for too long, Soyo quickly and efficiently dried Kyo's hands before tucking away the now-damp handkerchief.
As if to naturally shift the topic, she spoke first.
"I just heard from Anon—you two started a band?"
"Yeah." Kyo nodded. "We came here today to see if Taki would be interested in joining. Oh, and by the way, Tomori and Anon are in a band together now too."
Anon, already aware that Kyo hadn't technically joined their band, couldn't help but think to herself—Kyo's still doing this, huh?
Despite putting so much effort into helping form the band, she continued to keep herself separate from it.
But to Soyo, Kyo's wording made it sound as if she was part of the band.
And when she heard that Taki was involved as well, a quiet excitement sparked in her chest.
This is perfect. If that's the case… doesn't that mean most of the original members are already back?
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