"I hope you can let go of the past, Tomori."
For the first time, Sakiko spoke her true thoughts to her.
"And find happiness in your new band."
But… was that really how she truly felt?
Recalling what Kamijou Mutsuki had said before, Sakiko's expression became a little absent-minded.
Just like Soyo had once said—returning to the happy days they once had…Had she really never thought about that?
In fact, regarding the debt she owed Kamijou Mutsuki,
although she was still working hard to repay it, she didn't care about it as much anymore.
At worst…
What Sakiko struggled with the most was whether someone like her—who had once taken the initiative to hurt them—really had the right to accept their kindness as if nothing had happened.
Did she really…have that qualification?
"Is that what you truly think, Saki-chan?"
Sakiko's smile was beautiful, but Tomori couldn't find the feeling it once had.
Perhaps… that choice was the correct one.
"I understand…"
Tomori stepped forward and grabbed Sakiko's hand.
"I won't… let you down, Saki-chan!"
"Huh?"
Sakiko was still immersed in her thoughts and couldn't quite react to Tomori's sudden action.
But before she could come back to her senses, Tomori had already let go and returned to MyGO!!!!!'s group.
Although Sakiko felt a bit confused, she didn't dwell on it.
MyGO!!!!! seemed very harmonious now—that was good enough.
As long as Tomori could be happy, that was all that mattered… even if that happiness didn't include her.
A faint smile unconsciously appeared on the girl's face, though she didn't realize that it carried a hint of bitterness.
"Soyo,"
On the other side, Tomori had already walked over to Soyo.
"Saki-chan said we can perform it."
"Huh?"
Soyo didn't quite react at first.
"…Haruhikage."
"Oh, that…"
The girl finally came back to her senses.
During this time, she had been busy thinking about Kamijou Mutsuki, Mutsumi, and MyGO!!!!!, and hadn't thought as much about Sakiko and CRYCHIC.
But hearing Tomori's words, Soyo also fell into thought.
Regarding Haruhikage, the scenes from the anime were still vivid in her mind.
However, she also felt that after everything Sakiko had been through, she wouldn't break down over something like this anymore.
Moreover, she was now a member of MyGO!!!!!—she had to think for her current band as well.
"Then let's perform it together. I believe Saki-chan will understand!"
Soyo replied with a smile, noticing that Tomori seemed to have more to say.
"I want to respond to Saki-chan… to convey my feelings to her!"
Tomori said seriously.
"I don't want to make Saki-chan sad, and I don't want to make Ano-chan sad again."
"But… I also don't want to make Soyo sad."
Only Soyo had remained trapped in the past.
"…"
Soyo clearly hadn't expected Tomori to say something like this. After a moment of silence, she let out a soft laugh.
"…Then I don't want to make you sad either, Tomori."
"If there's something you want to say, then go say it!"
At some point, Soyo seemed to have grown a lot.
And with her support, Tomori finally seemed to make up her mind. Soon, it was MyGO!!!!!'s turn to perform.
The fans below the stage erupted just like last time. They charged forward like bizarre creatures.
Fortunately, the security staff brought out riot shields to barely hold back the overly enthusiastic crowd.
Still, some fans were dissatisfied.
What, even fans need to be guarded against?
What did they think they were?
Did they look like irrational fans?
However, as Tomori looked at the sea of people below the stage, her attention was completely focused on a certain blue-haired girl.
"Sorry, everyone. Before we start singing, I have something I want to say."
Tomori took a deep breath, her gaze becoming firm.
As Tomori's voice rang out, the entire venue instantly fell silent.
"CRYCHIC… was very happy."
"It was the first time I felt… that kind of warmth."
"Then everyone went their separate ways… and I cared a lot."
"Even after forming a new band… I still couldn't forget the past."
In the audience, Sakiko's expression couldn't help but change slightly, because she understood exactly who Tomori's words were meant for.
At the same time, the fans below also felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Haven't we seen this episode before?
"So… I made you sad, and I also made the one who's always helped me sad."
"…Did I do something wrong?"
She really only cared a tiny bit—she definitely hadn't been dwelling on it all this time!
Listening to Tomori's confession, Anon felt both moved and a little embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Soyo's expression carried a hint of guilt.
"Someone like me… did I disappoint you?"
She had never been disappointed in Tomori!
Sakiko wanted to say that so badly from the audience.
"I will never forget CRYCHIC…"
Tomori said firmly.
"But MyGO!!!!!… I want to stay in a band with everyone for a lifetime!"
"I'm really happy!"
"So, I won't dwell on the past anymore…"
"…Even if I don't look back, I'm still happy!"
"Because I've already found… my true, lifelong MyGO!!!!!!"
This was what Tomori wanted to convey to Sakiko.
Just like Sakiko once said—CRYCHIC had already ended.
If she kept clinging to it, it would only make Sakiko uncomfortable… and would also make Anon sad.
So she chose to stop being tangled in the past.
Even without Sakiko, without CRYCHIC, she was still happy in MyGO!!!!!
Everything from the past… she had let go.
Surely, this was what Sakiko wanted to see, right?
Yes… this is exactly what I wanted to see.
That was what Sakiko thought as she stood in the audience.
But then why did her chest feel so heavy?
Tomori had already let go…
Tomori no longer cared about her…
Tomori had already found a happiness in MyGO!!!!! that didn't include her!
Even though Sakiko had been the one to cut ties with them from the beginning, it was only at this moment that she truly felt she had lost them.
"…I won't disturb you anymore, I won't come closer and make you sad."
On stage, Tomori continued speaking.
"But I also hope… that you can be happy."
Tomori couldn't help but recall the day she went to Sakiko's class to find her, and the words Sakiko had said back then.
"Saki-chan,"
Tomori called her name directly.
"…I wish you happiness!"
This was both a farewell and a blessing.
It was Tomori's answer, after finally understanding Sakiko.
Had Tomori… truly moved on?
Looking at Tomori standing at the center of the stage, Soyo—who had always wanted to restore CRYCHIC—felt no negative emotions at all, only emotion and blessing.
She couldn't help but recall the scenes from before.
Was it only her?
Was she the only one…still trapped in the past?
...................