"Today, we're not practicing. I've got something else to do."
Looking straight into Tomori Takamatsu's eyes, Anon Chihaya said it plainly.
"W-what… thing?"
"…Following Sakiko."
…
Sakiko Toyokawa's routine was mostly consistent.
Classes.
After school.
If she had lessons, she stayed. If not, she borrowed the wind ensemble room to practice piano.
Then, after most classmates had left, she took a slightly roundabout route—avoiding attention—before boarding a train toward Akabane.
Then came the long downhill walk.
An empty park.
And finally, the run-down apartment.
…
But today—she didn't go back.
Or rather, before going back, she received an unexpected message.
From her childhood friend—
the one who had always been by her side.
Mutsumi Wakaba.
"..."
So—
After pausing midway on the slope to check the message, the girl turned around.
"W-wait, quick! Tomori, hide here!"
Panicked, Anon spun around and dragged Tomori into a corner.
She hadn't expected this.
They had followed all the way here—and Sakiko suddenly turned back?!
Did we get spotted?!
She immediately regretted bringing someone along.
More people = more chances to be discovered.
But—
Sakiko showed no sign of noticing them.
She simply retraced her steps toward the station.
Not discovered!
Thank god!
Anon clenched her fist in relief.
"Anon…"
Tomori's soft voice sounded uneasy.
"Ah—sorry, sorry! Emergency situation! Anyway—let's follow her!"
No time to dwell.
If they hesitated, they'd lose her.
"…Mm."
Tomori hurried after her.
Even now, she didn't understand—
Why were they following Sakiko?
They boarded the tram toward Toden-Arakawa Line.
Blending into the crowd, they hid in a corner—
Watching Sakiko, who seemed slightly irritated.
"Ding—"
"Next stop: Asukayama."
The train stopped.
Sakiko got off quickly.
"Quick quick, get off!"
Anon darted after her.
This was her first time tailing someone.
Keeping distance.
Hiding.
Afraid of being seen, yet afraid of losing sight.
…
It was unexpectedly fun.
And with Tomori—
a slightly clumsy partner who might get exposed at any moment—
every successful pull, every dodge—
gave Anon a strange sense of accomplishment.
Following Sakiko step by step—
Anon suddenly noticed something.
The scenery had changed.
Luxurious flowers lined the road.
And then—
She realized.
They had arrived at:
Former Furukawa Gardens
A mansion-like estate.
Elegant. Lavish. Overflowing with wealth.
So this was her destination?
Her former home?
Then—
Was the "widow-like rich lady high schooler" mentioned in the diary…
Her family?
But what did that even mean?
Sakiko stopped again.
This time—
At a small park near the estate.
Fountains trickled.
Soft lights illuminated expensive-looking stone arrangements.
Anon and Tomori crouched in the shadows.
Anon took out her phone.
Only now did she check messages.
Rana: "Wanna play band?"
(From over an hour ago.)
No reply from her.
No reply from Tomori.
And likely none from Rikki either.
This time—
No one would come.
Sorry, Rana… I'll treat you to matcha parfait next time…
She silently apologized—
Then opened her camera.
Recording.
She had a feeling—
This was it.
"Eh…?"
Tomori widened her eyes.
Why… recording?
She didn't understand.
But she didn't dare question it.
She just stayed there—
Hiding. Watching.
Night had fully fallen.
Cicadas screamed relentlessly—even here.
Sakiko seemed to be waiting for someone.
And soon—
That person appeared.
Soyo Nagasaki
A girl—
Beautiful like a porcelain doll.
Expressionless.
Yet carrying an overwhelming presence.
A "widow-like rich lady high schooler."
"Mutsumi?!" Tomori whispered in shock.
Luckily, it was quiet enough not to be heard.
"Thank you… for meeting me today."
Soyo's gentle voice drifted through the night.
Anon held her breath.
Now she understood—
What the diary wanted her to record.
Soyo—
Who skipped practice.
Ignored messages.
Even took leave from school—
What she truly wanted—
Was this meeting.
A one-sided confession.
A one-sided apology.
A one-sided plea.
The gentle, composed, elegant Soyo—
Now showed a side no one else saw.
That expression—
It looked…
pathetic.
Sakiko, already distant—
Became even colder.
Decisive. Absolute.
No hesitation.
Soyo trembled.
Her expression shifted.
She forced a smile.
"Didn't you say… the band was a shared fate?"
Then—
Sakiko replied:
"Then what was that band?"
"—No, that's not it!"
Soyo denied desperately.
And then—
Like a breaking point—
She pleaded:
"Please… I want to rebuild CRYCHIC!"
Silence.
Clear. Loud. Final.
The words echoed through the night.
Anon froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her mind blanked.
And then—
A single thought exploded inside her—
…Huh?
Then what about me?
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