"Too far? Am I... really going too far??"
Shouko kept pressing closer to Soyo.
"Then, don't you think you're going too far? You selfish person who only cares about yourself, have you ever thought about others??"
"How haven't I? I've been working hard all along! Weren't the CRYCHIC Band forums and many of the coordination things maintained by me? And also, and also..."
Listening to Soyo's incredibly angry and continuous descriptions of her own efforts.
Shouko, however, calmly looked at the pop-up windows flashing before her.
[anger value, +166.]
[anger value, +51.]
[anger value, +37.]
Seeing the anger value gradually decrease... Shouko's intimidating movements toward Soyo became even larger.
And with a body that had been trained and had its qualities doubled through reinforcement.
How could Soyo, who was just a delicate young girl, possibly withstand Shouko?
Even though she was exceptionally angry, she could only be forced to keep retreating by Shouko's pressure.
"True, you did indeed do a lot."
"But ask yourself, doesn't everyone think you're very hypocritical??"
"Your family is indeed a single-parent one; you are usually lonely and helpless."
"But you only care about yourself, only about taking the happiness of a 'home' you want from Saki."
"You are just hypocritically taking care of everyone, but does anyone really feel your sincerity??"
"You want many things, but many things don't go as you wish..."
"Don't you think about the reason? Yes, you don't; you don't think deeply at all."
"You simply want others to accept you, but have you ever really thought about why others can't truly accept you??"
"Just because of your seemingly gentle but utterly hypocritical concern and smiles??"
"Because the road ahead is blurred, you are afraid of losing, yet you only hypocritically persist in what you consider gentleness."
"The past is certain, the future is yet unknown..."
"And you only greedily cling to Saki like a parasite, absorbing the energy you need."
"Why was Saki late? Why has she been like this lately? Why did she make that expression??"
"Did you really care? Did you really think about it??"
"Why, when she went over today, did you just keep repeating that Saki wasn't coming to band practice??"
"Is the existence of this band really more important than Saki herself????"
Listening to Shouko's interrogation, she was continuously forced against the cold wall by Shouko.
Incredibly angry yet extremely unwilling, Soyo kept shaking her head, shouting "No, no."
But she couldn't say why it wasn't so.
Because, amidst her anger, she discovered with infinite dread that she really seemed to be like that.
Soyo didn't want to accept such a thing, nor was she willing to.
Enraged, she raised her hand to push Shouko, trying to take the initiative.
But unfortunately... Soyo's weak body failed to counterattack.
Instead, Shouko grabbed both her hands and pinned them above her head, pressing her knee against Soyo's stomach.
"Are you angry? Is it very frustrating? Are you very unwilling to accept this??"
"Do you know how twisted your feelings are??"
"Why do you insist that others must bear your incredibly twisted and artificial emotions??"
"Are you the only one confused about the future? Everyone is confused."
"But while everyone is working hard to move towards the future, only you are constantly holding everyone back."
"Do you know why Saki is like this? You don't. You don't know at all."
"You only know your own desires; you only live in your own world."
"You are unwilling to think more; you are unwilling to accept the unknown and fear."
"Even though you don't like them deep down, you keep praising Tomori's lyrics as being good."
"But do you really know what's so good about these lyrics??"
"Why does everyone like Tomori so much? Why are you the only one always smiling hypocritically??"
"You don't know. You only know you don't like them, yet you praise them against your heart."
"You crave belonging, you crave being needed, you're afraid of being alone, yet you're always being abandoned."
"You can accept going with the flow, you can choose to accept everything, but the real you is just an empty shell."
"Do you understand, Soyo!!!"
[anger value, +666.]
[anger value, +333.]
[anger value, +171.]
[anger value, +111.]
As Shouko relaxed her physical control over Soyo...
Soyo, who had fallen into an infinite spiral of conflict and anger, lunged at Shouko like the wind.
[anger value, +777.]
The next moment, Soyo was directly struck to the ground by Shouko with a belt—crack.
Raindrops danced in round patterns, and Soyo, wearing long pants, knelt directly in front of Shouko.
Crack, crack!!!
Seeing Soyo trying to resist, Shouko swung her hand and lashed her hard again.
Seeing it wasn't enough, she gave her a few more lashes.
Of course, Shouko didn't really use force, otherwise Soyo would have been knocked unconscious.
Finally... the ten minutes of the Wrath Aura finally passed.
And Soyo was like a pitiful little beast, crying and holding her face, sobbing continuously.
She didn't dare move a muscle.
Because as long as she resisted, she would be lashed with the belt.
Emotions of fear and confusion had occupied Soyo's entire heart after the anger receded.
"I just... just didn't want to lose... I didn't... didn't..."
"Actually, a lost child just needs to find the way home."
Shouko gently raised her hand, softly stroking Soyo's long hair, which was clumped together by sweat and rain.
♬ My heart is exhausted, my eyes won't stop trembling.
♬ I am all alone in this world.
♬ In the withering spring.
♬ Every year, I only feel the cold.
♬ In the darkness, I walk a one-way path.
Softly, Shouko used a very gentle tone.
Singing in Soyo's ear the song Tomori had written for everyone's CRYCHIC Band: Haru no Kage.
♬ I can only keep writing randomly.
♬ Knowing full well that expectation is in vain.
♬ Yet still constantly seeking salvation.
♬ Heart-wrenching and beloved.
♬ If it's now, I seem to understand.
♬ Happiness that makes one's heart flutter and mind wander.
♬ Shining upon me, who cannot cry.
♬ The light gently carries me along.
♬ Passing through layers of clouds, becoming sparkling and bright.
♬ The thoughts in my heart overflow.
♬ My cheeks, once I realize it, are also sparkling.
♬ Hot tears have wetted my face.
♬ Why is your hand so warm.
♬ Hey, I beg you... Please don't ever let go from now on.
Shouko, with her gentlest voice, kept singing their CRYCHIC Band's Haru no Kage.
Even though it was a cappella, it felt as if familiar instruments were echoing in Soyo's ears.
Before her eyes, it was as if she had returned to the time when they were happily practicing together and then taking the stage.
Even though everyone on stage had various discordances, they still desperately performed [Haru no Kage] in the end.