"What? A band team-building event? Is your guitar adjusted? What... Which Tomori is going? Tell me the meeting point, I'll be there. And a surprise? What does that mean?"
"A band team-building event? Okay, can Mutsumi-chan come too? Good. Is there a surprise? Then Mutsumi-chan and I will look forward to it."
Anon notified everyone in the band, after all, Rikuo didn't have Taki's contact information.
...
The day's classes ended, and everyone also didn't have club activities.
Rikuo took Sakiko, Anon, and Tomori to RiNG. The warm sun and gentle breeze of late spring were comfortable, but they also brought rain clouds.
"Ah, is it going to rain soon? I can't go shopping then."
Anon's complaining voice came. Her day of shopping, which she had looked forward to, had turned into a team-building event, and now it was going to be interrupted by the last rain of spring?
"Hmm, since it's raining... then we can just play indoors. Anon-chan, didn't you want to be the lead vocalist and guitarist before? Then let's go to KTV and listen to you sing."
Tomori saw Anon's dejected look and thought of Crychic's first team-building event, so she proposed going to KTV.
"KTV? That's a good idea! I'll show you all Anon-sama's singing voice!"
The world line converged. Anon did not proactively invite Tomori to KTV as she originally did, and the band's formation was also brought forward. However, Tomori's invitation seemed to make up for it, and Anon would not have the bad impression she originally had when she first met Taki.
"KTV? It's full of memories, isn't it?"
Sakiko also recalled Crychic's first team-building event; that was also the first time everyone had an inner exchange.
"Mo, you're talking about things that exclude Riku and me again! Riku, quickly tell her off!"
Anon put her hands on her hips, gave Rikuo a look, and then pointed her index finger at Sakiko.
"I'm sorry, Anon, I really shouldn't talk about things that exclude you."
"Hmph, since Sakiko-chan apologized, then Anon-sama will forgive you."
Before Rikuo could speak, Sakiko apologized.
'Good thing, I wouldn't dare touch anything about Crychic, it almost made me break out in a cold sweat.'
Rikuo didn't know what Sakiko's attitude towards Crychic was after using the 2 of Hearts. If Sakiko wanted to rebuild it, Rikuo wouldn't stop her, but he would definitely have a grudge against Sakiko. Because the Sakiko who was stuck in the past was not the Sakiko he liked.
'And if it really happens, Anon will have to be compensated well.'
Rikuo decided that if Sakiko really rebuilt Crychic, he might help Anon form another Ave Mujica or what Anon liked to call Anon Tokyo. Anyway, the band's drummer, bassist, and guitarist were all there, it just depended on the lead vocalist.
'If Uika doesn't work out? Ms. Donut isn't out of the question either?'
...
Soon, the four arrived at Ring and saw Soyo, Mutsumi, and Taki sitting in their seats.
"Why is this guy here? And that girl! You're not even in our band!"
"Taki-chan, calm down. It's not polite to call people 'this guy' or 'that girl'. Although Rikuo-kun is not a member of our band, he has helped us a lot and is an important friend to Tomori-chan, Anon-chan, and me. Saki-chan... Is there something you need here?"
Taki was furious when she saw that Sakiko and Rikuo had also come, mainly because of Sakiko. Soyo immediately tried to ease the atmosphere, but at the moment, she didn't know what expression to use to face Sakiko.
'This must be the surprise Anon-chan mentioned, right? Did Rikuo-kun persuade Saki-chan to come back? But if so, what about Anon-chan and Raana-chan?'
Soyo began to imagine Sakiko's intentions. Although she was still worried about Sakiko, Soyo, after reconciling with herself, also cherished everyone in the current band.
Rikuo pulled Anon aside, not wanting to interfere too much, even though the subsequent developments might be very unfair to Anon.
"Taki, I'm here to apologize this time. I'm sorry, it was my fault for leaving the band without permission."
Sakiko did not immediately offer too many explanations for her actions, simply bowing 90 degrees and apologizing.
"Hmph, you treated Tomori like that when you quit, and now a simple apology is enough? I need an explanation!"
Taki's attitude softened a bit, but her words still indicated that it wasn't over yet.
"Hmm, I think so too, so I will explain the reason now. Admitting my mistake first is to show my sincerity."
Sakiko explained her feelings about wanting to form a band after her mother passed away, and her current situation after her father was expelled from the family. After listening, Taki's anger gradually dissipated, turning into worry and self-blame. Soyo, upon hearing Sakiko's experience, also recalled Sakiko's complex expression when she had pestered her before.
'So Saki-chan left then because of the pressure of life? Then my previous actions...'
Soyo began to understand why Rikuo said he didn't want to put pressure on Sakiko and that he wanted to give Sakiko some time.
"I'm sorry, my attitude was too much before, I didn't know about your family situation."
Taki touched her head with her right hand, her expression slightly embarrassed. Her personality was very straightforward, but she dared to admit her mistakes.
"No, Taki is not wrong, and Mutsumi, it's not your fault for disbanding the band either. The only one at fault is me, even though there were family reasons, but I couldn't fully trust everyone even though we were friends. Of course, I don't expect everyone to forgive me, I just hope to put an end to the mistakes I've made."
"Saki, she's changed."
"Yes, Mutsumi-chan, Saki-chan has changed. She's become more... sunny and confident than before?"
"Hmm, Saki-chan's emotions seem more intense and direct than before?"
"Anyway, it's good that everything is alright."
Sakiko looked at her friends in front of her, feeling as if everything had returned, yet also felt distant. Her eyes gradually blurred, but she did not lower her head to wipe them, because this was the proof of their friendship. Everyone in Crychic hugged each other, as if they had returned to the beginning of spring.
"Riku, they've made up, so they don't need me anymore, do they?"
Anon looked at the harmonious and friendly five, once again feeling like she had become air. Fortunately, there was still someone to rely on beside her.
"Let's see, I don't think they would casually abandon their friends."
Everyone in Crychic separated from their embrace, looked at each other, saw each other's slightly red eyes, and then all laughed happily.
"Well then, everyone. Starting today, Crychic is officially disbanded. Tomori, Soyo, Taki, haven't you already formed a new band? Can I listen to your performance?"
"A performance, isn't that too sudden? And Noraneko isn't here..."
Just then, Raana walked over with a matcha parfait.
"A performance? Is it starting?"
"Noraneko, she really is... you weren't present for several rehearsals, but you're quite reliable when it matters. Anon, aren't you coming over? We're about to perform."
Hearing Taki's impolite shout, Anon, for the first time, didn't feel hurt by Taki's tone.
"Coming, coming! I also want Sakiko-chan to see my guitar show! Oh, and the 2 of Hearts!"
Sakiko heard Anon mention the Undead Card and took out the 2 of Hearts, which represented humanity, from her pocket. At this moment, it was as if Sakiko was entrusting the band to Anon...
"But we don't have our own songs, Rikki, your song isn't finished yet, is it?"
Taki also became troubled when she heard Anon's words. It was a moment to bid farewell to the past, but not being able to use their own band's songs would always feel a bit regretful.
"Then, let's use HaruhiKage."
"HaruhiKage? Crychic's? I can play it too!" This was Anon's reply.
"HaruhiKage? Sounds good." This was Soyo's.
"If Saki-chan agrees, then I have no problem." This was Tomori.
"Since everyone has no objections, then let's play HaruhiKage."
Taki, as the leader, also decided on the song to be performed.
In the practice room, the sound of HaruhiKage's guitar came out. As if in response, heavy rain began to fall from the sky. The rain on the day Crychic disbanded was also so timely, yet completely different; that day's rain was to cover sadness, while today's rain announced the end of spring. But spring will eventually end, and will eventually return.
However, the warmth of summer, the melancholy of autumn, and the purity of winter are also beautiful.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To Read Advanced Chapters, and support this novel, please join me on [email protected]/geats2000