Taki really had changed so much…
Yoshiiro Chiose leafed through the lyrics Shiina Taki had written.
One song, two songs, three… She'd filled an entire notebook with practice pieces.
Most of them read like poetry — some lines genuinely brilliant, others dull as filler. But the lyrics Taki had memorized outnumbered even what she'd written down.
"Which line from Rio Romeo's "Nothing's New" is your favourite?"
"Because you've caught my heart, and I know it's worn and battered — so please, spare me the insults, and leave me just a little dignity."
Today was a research trip, and also a Friday afternoon after school.
Taki sat in the gazebo of a small Park, quietly reciting lyrics to herself.
"Hehe, look at you, so diligent — little Taki just keeps getting better and better."
Taki had no idea whether drilling like this would actually help her write good lyrics, but it seemed to be doing something.
What she still couldn't figure out was how to continue the three lines she'd written in that sudden flash of inspiration.
"Still can't find the next line?"
"No."
"You haven't been home in half a month — you're really sure that's okay?"
"..."
"I still have no idea how you convinced your parents. Aren't they worried I'll spirit you away?"
"You're an idiot, so nobody worries about that."
Shiina Taki closed the notebook — still only three lines inside — and sat there, unable to think of what should come next.
"Come on. I'll take you somewhere I love. Though… I'm honestly not sure whether this place even exists yet, ten-odd years back."
"What?"
"Never mind. But Taki — this weekend, you go home like a good girl, okay? You can't hide from your sister forever."
"I know…"
"And I know it's not that you don't want to see her — it's that you're afraid your resolve will waver, that you'll give up on chasing her halfway. Isn't that it?"
"..."
"Don't be afraid, you stupid little teardrop-mole girl."
Yoshiiro Chiose cupped Taki's chin in her hand again, gazing at her with warm, smiling eyes.
"I'll be right beside you to face every difficulty head-on. Just trust me — I'll handle everything."
"Then… alright."
Shiina Taki stretched her limbs. She really did need to go home and see her sister.
If possible, she wanted to ask Maki about some music theory…
Actually, forget it. She could just as easily ask Yoshiiro Chiose.
...
Northern Tokyo — Akabane, near a small, unremarkable little port.
Yoshiiro Chiose had found the spot where, six years from now, she and Tomori would get drunk and fall into the sea and end up soaking in a hot spring. She ran her fingers over the wooden post that had yet to grow any moss.
So this is what the world looked like when it was young.
"The sun's setting. It's beautiful."
"Hehe — Yoshiiro Chiose's personal picks, guaranteed to deliver!"
"Only… it doesn't seem like any great wave of inspiration is crashing in."
Honestly, Shiina Taki!
Yoshiiro Chiose rolled her eyes at her, not bothering to hide it.
"Taki, there's no need to rush. I know you've already made up your mind — but wait, have you actually, truly made up your mind? To surpass your sister?"
"I think I have."
"Just saying so isn't nearly enough."
If Taki's only goal was to beat her sister, then that would be such a waste — such a shame.
It was like studying only to pass a test: you'd learn exactly that much, and no more. Forever circling in a small, self-congratulating loop.
But Taki was still young. Saying all of this… might as well be saying nothing.
Yoshiiro Chiose bought two bottles of ramune from the nearby vending machine and tossed one to Taki, who was gazing out at the sea.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"Because this is the place I can't forget most." Yoshiiro Chiose rummaged through her small bag and pulled out an object she knew intimately — and yet no longer knew at all.
Beer. One last can her father in this life had left behind.
"You…"
"Don't worry — I'm not drinking it. I want to offer it to my sister. And my senpai."
She pried the tab open with her fingernail and tilted the can. The amber liquid streamed down into the port waters below.
"Please don't judge me for this. This is a little sister's farewell to a foolish, drunken older sister she will never see again."
Within moments, all but a few trickling drops had been poured into the sea.
Shiina Taki watched Yoshiiro Chiose in silence. Something in her told her she ought to say something — but not a single word of comfort would come.
"You don't have to comfort me. And you don't have to pity me. The mistakes I've made — I'll only go on making them, again and again."
Yoshiiro Chiose dropped the can into a rubbish bin and took Taki's hand.
"You know, I love watching Taki when she's writing. I love it the same way I love Taki's lyrics. The same way I love Taki."
"But you're only fifteen. Your goal is wonderful and grand, and I admire it — but you need to go home and see your sister too. Treasure every day you have with her. Your whole life still stretches out ahead of you…"
"I've already made up my mind, Yoshiiro Chiose. I really have…"
"I believe you. And next year, we're going to the music festival together. Next year is your third year of middle school — you'll be graduating."
One year. The timeline Yoshiiro Chiose had mapped out for this simulation's arc was exactly one year.
She could already play guitar with real fluency, and had started picking up bass as well.
"At the graduation music festival, we're going to shine — with songs that are ours! Little Taki!"
"Yes!"
The last of the evening light fell equally on both of them. Yoshiiro Chiose had her back to the sunset. Taki could see it — behind them, the sea had turned a deep, glowing orange-red.
That sea was so vast and open — just like the future she could see stretching out before her eyes.
"Let's go. I'll walk you home. Remember to be good to your sister… though I know you'll only bicker a little and never actually give her the cold shoulder."
"Going home? Yes — going home."
Then home it was.
...
The moment Taki said "going home," her heart had already arrived there.
"See you Monday! And if you want to stay over again Monday, that's fine too — my place is your place."
"You're not coming up for tea?"
"I don't think an idiot like you knows how to brew tea."
"Hah? You dare look down on me!"
"See you, little Taki."
"Sweet dreams, little Chiose."
Yoshiiro Chiose didn't look back. It was six o'clock in the evening.
She had somewhere to be — somewhere that had nothing to do with Shiina Taki.
She flagged down a cab on the spot and told the driver: "To Ring. As fast as you can."
Outside the windows, the scenery flickered past. Yoshiiro Chiose's thoughts had already shifted — from planning Taki's story arc to tracing the history of Tomori, Sakiko, and Taki.
"But in this simulation, Taki never crossed paths with Sakiko and the others. So what would they have been like?"
You especially, Sakiko Togawa.
This simulation only covered two characters — and yet somehow, both were connected to you.
In a past I couldn't see — what kind of person were you, really?
"I find myself growing more and more curious about you."
____
________________________________________
🌸 Help Love Bloom!
Our girls need a little push... and you can help!
💖 Gift for Everyone: Once we hit 50 Powerstones, I'll release +1 bonus chapter to warm your hearts.
🚀 Community Reward: If we reach 20 supporting members, we'll have a +5 chapter marathon across all stories! The romance won't stop.
👻 Come to our secret corner: Search for GirlsLove on (P). You know that's where the magic happens... 😉