Compared to Tomori's singing, which was gentle, touching, and melancholy...
Shouko's singing, while very gentle, was filled with a fortitude and light that Tomori lacked.
This feeling was something Soyo had never heard or felt before.
To make herself more resilient... and to trust everyone more... Was she really that hypocritical, really that hated by everyone???
The more she thought, the more the singing of Haru no Kage blurred her vision; tears had completely surged out of control.
"I'm not... ... I'm not, I'm not..."
"I also wanted, I really wanted to be with everyone, to go to the very end together."
"Am I... really that selfish..."
Raising her head, although Soyo's vision was already blurred.
Her posture was one of begging Shouko to give her an answer.
However, Shouko was just slowly singing... Haru no Kage... At Tomori's home... Since returning, Tomori had locked herself in her room.
Outside the window, the autumn rain had gradually stopped.
But in this small bedroom, the darkness was like a thick curtain, tightly enveloping every corner.
An oppressive and heavy atmosphere filled the room where the lights weren't turned on.
A grieving Tomori just quietly curled up in this darkness.
As if trying to shrink herself into a tiny, unnoticed existence.
She sat on the bed; the soft mattress didn't bring her the slightest bit of comfort.
Her messy hair was scattered on her shoulders and the sides of her face, a few strands covering her dull, lifeless eyes.
This afternoon... Shouko's and Sakiko's words kept flashing before her eyes.
"Is my singing really that bad? I just wanted to wait for everyone to practice together."
"Although, although it's true that we practiced very little, and... I was too timid."
"That's right, I'm really... too pathetic, too pathetic."
With eyes slightly red and swollen, Tomori unconsciously let two tear streaks fall down her cheeks once more.
Her lips were pressed tight, fighting the sob that threatened to shatter her at any second.
Yet in the end… Tomori couldn't hold it back; she buried her face between her knees and sobbed.
It was as if she meant to cry out every grievance of the afternoon and every moment of grief she'd endured.
Buzz, buzz… a sudden vibration from her phone.
Through blurred, tear-filled eyes, Tomori looked toward the glow.
She reached out with a trembling hand, then flinched and pulled back.
Only when the light vanished and darkness swallowed the room again did she bite her lip and slump over her knees, shuddering.
Knock, knock… came from the door, followed by her mother's voice: "Little Lamp, dinner's ready—come out."
"…"
Tomori gave no answer; she only curled tighter.
When her mother received no reply, she offered a few gentle words and then walked away.
Silence returned.
Time crept on… crying herself to sleep, Tomori woke without noticing the lapse.
After the outburst, the despair in her chest had eased a little.
She sighed and felt the hollow ache of hunger.
She climbed off the bed, opened the door, and stepped out.
Instantly… the brightness outside made her raise a hand to shield her eyes.
"Little Lamp, the food's still warm in the pot—eat while it's hot."
"Mm…"
Tomori gave a small nod, glanced at her father on the living-room sofa,
and quickly carried her plate back to her room.
"Little Lamp, did something happen?"
"…"
Confronted with her father's concern, she hesitated,
but said nothing and slipped inside.
Click… she turned on the light, set the food on her desk,
and, after a wary look at her phone, clenched her teeth and left it untouched.
She sat and ate in silence.
Yet the scenes of the afternoon—and the words of Shouko and Sakiko—flooded back.
"Worthless, worthless, worthless, worthless."
"I'm just… worthless."
"It's all my fault; if it weren't for me, CRYCHIC Band would still be together."
"If only I hadn't—"
Mid-bite, tears slid down Tomori's cheeks again.
Buzz, buzz… from the bed, her phone vibrated once more.
She glanced at it, steeled herself, and snatched it up.
The first messages were from Rikki, offering comfort.
She knew Rikki praised her blindly, yet it still soothed her.
Next came Soyo's text—formal, distant reassurance.
She kept scrolling… until she reached the newest message, sent by Shouko.
Her finger hovered over the dismiss button, then tapped to open it.
It wasn't text but a voice note.
Already resolved to listen, she pressed play without hesitation.
"Tomori, I'm sorry for the harsh words this afternoon."
"Thank you for the message you sent."
"But something's come up with Sakiko, so I have to put her first right now."
"Don't ask what happened—it's something you can't shoulder yet."
"When the day comes that you can hold your heart steady and find courage,"
"when you finally break through the maze inside and truly grow brave,"
"maybe everything will return to how it was…"
"So after CRYCHIC Band disbands, don't give up on yourself so easily."
"Lastly, here's a song called Courage—may we meet again, stronger than before."
With that, Shouko's gentle yet resolute singing began.
~ Always within the light, chasing after yesterday
~ A road our feet have never known
~ Trapped inside a maze with no end in sight
~ Holding a map soaked through by rain
~ Never a single regret
~ The voice that calls will surely reach
~ The bell that starts our tale
~ Binding every step we take
~ The future world you once portrayed
~ Will someday lead us to the sky
~ No matter how many dreams we reset
~ Each one remains sincere
~ Ah, on give for my way
~~~~
Listening to that tender, unwavering song of hope and courage,
Tomori couldn't stop the tears flooding down.
"Courage, huh… thank you, Shouko."
She finished her meal while looping the song over and over,
and with every replay her gaze grew steadier.
She didn't know if she could truly become brave,
but she refused to betray her friends' hopes.
She would fight to become someone worthy of that courage!