Watching Sakiko leave... looking at the cup of coffee on Sakiko's seat that was only half-drunk.
Mutsumi sighed softly and refocused her gaze on the coffee she was holding in both hands.
"Shouko, you... what exactly are you trying to do?"
"Haneoka Girls Academy..."
She took out her phone and glanced at the message she had sent to Rikki.
By now, the other party had read it but hadn't replied at all.
"As long as she saw it, it doesn't matter if she replies or not."
"With the entire CRYCHIC Band dissolved, Soyo is definitely the one who won't let go."
"And as long as Soyo doesn't get information about Saki, she can only watch helplessly."
"As for my side, and Shouko's side, there's a high probability Soyo won't get any news."
"Therefore, after seeing the message, Rikki probably won't tell Soyo either."
"Moreover, Soyo seemed to be nice to everyone before, but she never actually entered anyone's heart."
"Rikki cares more about Tomori, and Tomori's school isn't Haneoka Girls Academy, so it doesn't matter."
"Shouko, Shouko, I will be watching you..."
Inexplicably, Mutsumi opened that message Shouko had sent her yesterday once more... Time slowly passed... In the blink of an eye, it was night once again.
Today, Rikki had dinner with her parents and older sister with a long face.
After glancing at her sister who had entered her room, she clenched her fists.
Taking a deep breath, she looked solemnly at her parents.
"Dad, Mom, I have a request. I want to transfer from the Middle School Division of Haneoka Girls Academy to the High School Division of Hanasakigawa Girls Academy."
"Oh, can you tell us the reason? The study environment there isn't as good as your current one."
Putting down his phone, her father looked at Rikki sitting opposite him with curiosity.
Her mother, who was washing dishes, also stopped her movements and turned to look over.
"My sister is too excellent. If this continues, I'll be under a lot of pressure."
"I want to change to a new environment and start over in a school without my sister."
"I will prove with my own efforts that I am definitely not just my sister's younger sister."
"So, please..."
Looking at the serious Rikki before them.
After her father and mother exchanged a glance, her father nodded in agreement.
"Very well, I can accept your idea, but the requirement is that your grades must not drop."
"No problem. My grades... will definitely not drop."
"Mm, then... do your best, Rikki."
"Alright, thank you. I'll head back to my room then."
After rising and giving a slight bow, Rikki turned and left the dining table.
Because her older sister, Maki, was too outstanding, she had long considered leaving Haneoka Girls Academy.
Before, the CRYCHIC Band had kept her focus and drive pinned entirely on it.
But with CRYCHIC Band shattered, and now that she knew Sakiko would also attend Haneoka Girls Academy,
this school no longer held any reason for her to stay.
Thus, Mutsumi no longer needed to pass along messages telling her to watch out for Sakiko and Soyo at school.
A fresh start—everything brand-new... At Hanasakigawa Girls Academy, she would open the path that truly belonged to her!
...At Tomori's home... After much mental preparation, Tomori kept singing inside the song Courage that Shouko had given her.
Taking a deep breath, she faced her puzzled father.
She opened her mouth, then closed it again.
In the end, she opened it once more and said earnestly, "Dad, I want to enter the senior high division of Haneoka Girls Academy."
"Haneoka Girls Academy? They have very strict management. Are you confident you can test in?"
Her father looked curiously at his daughter, inwardly approving of Tomori's decision.
So this was what she'd been brooding over all last night?
Nodding, Tomori answered earnestly, "Yes, I'll work hard. It'll be fine."
Her father smiled and nodded. "All right, then it's up to your efforts. Go for it, Tomori."
"Thank you..."
With her father's approval, Tomori clenched her fist, delighted inside.
Back in her room, she picked up her phone, wanting to message Rikki.
But after thinking, she set the phone down again.
She would give Rikki a surprise—she'd surely be shocked.
Though CRYCHIC Band had disbanded for now, Shouko's comfort had reignited the flame inside her.
Shouko's Minato School... because it was co-ed and Shouko herself scared her a little,
Minato School wasn't under consideration.
Sakiko, Mutsumi, and Soyo attended Moon Forest's Tsukinomori Girls Academy, a school for young ladies—
the expenses were more than an ordinary family like hers could bear.
Only Haneoka Girls Academy where Rikki studied felt least stressful and easiest to enter.
Before enrolling, she would study hard and improve her singing.
Once inside Haneoka Girls Academy, she'd give Rikki a huge surprise.
Then, if they both strived together, CRYCHIC Band setting sail again wasn't impossible.
Don't worry, Shouko—she wouldn't give up. She would summon her courage and make everything better!
...Time passed... Before they knew it, a week had gone by since CRYCHIC Band disbanded.
After school that afternoon, Shouko and Soyo walked home together.
"Soyo, it's been a week since CRYCHIC broke up. Should we buy a cake to celebrate?"
"Eh!?"
[anger value +66]
After a moment's pause, Soyo sighed helplessly. "Shouko, are you a demon?"
Shouko nodded knowingly. "Then no cake. Go practice your bass—you've been slacking lately."
Seven days had passed, and this was the first time Shouko had brought up the band on her own.
Excited inside, Soyo didn't ask again about Sakiko or CRYCHIC Band.
Instead she nodded earnestly. "All right, I'll practice hard. Should we book a room at Circle?"
"Sure, let's go."
With Shouko's nod, the two headed toward Circle-LiveHouse.
Across from Circle-LiveHouse, Mutsumi was already waiting.