Outside the coffee shop, dozens of tables and chairs were lined up. Since it was right after school and work, the place was fairly crowded. Customers were coming and going nonstop.
For a socially anxious person like Hitori Gotoh, this scene was pure hell. She stood trembling in a corner near the entrance, her expression dark as she tried to shrink her presence as much as possible. She stood there like she was being punished, desperately wishing she could become as small and unnoticeable as a grain of sand by the roadside.
But her baggy tracksuit and the guitar case slung over her back, which looked oddly out of place with the outfit—made her stand out even more. Anyone walking past the coffee shop inevitably glanced at this strange combination.
In contrast, Kita Ikuyo sat comfortably at one of the coffee shop's tables, looking completely at ease.
The moment Yuki appeared, both girls noticed him. Not that they could help it; with looks like his, he stood out no matter where he went. The light around him was always the brightest.
The moment Hitori saw Yuki, something in her expression relaxed. It was as if she had finally been released from some kind of torture. She immediately started walking toward him. But halfway there, she saw another girl appear beside Yuki.
The girl walked up to him with a bright smile—so radiant and sweet that it made Hitori's heart clench, as if she had been pricked by something sharp. Hitori didn't know her, but she had noticed her earlier when she first arrived at the coffee shop. The girl was sunny and lively—the complete opposite of someone like Hitori, who was gloomy and withdrawn.
Hitori envied her. She had often dreamed of being like that—basking in the sunlight, smiling freely, and making lots of friends. Not hiding in a dark corner, curled up like a pathetic grain of sand. But reality had other plans. No matter what she did, she couldn't seem to escape that dark corner. She couldn't make any friends in class.
Meanwhile, Yuki noticed Kita walking toward him with coffee in hand and greeted her. "You got here early, Ikuyo." He smiled, slowing his pace as he approached her.
Kita held out one of the two drinks in her hands. "Here! I didn't know what you liked, so I got you a latte."
Yuki raised an eyebrow and gave her an appreciative look. It had to be said—this was Kita Ikuyo, the girl who was practically the definition of a social butterfly. Her thoughtfulness and people skills were exactly why she had so many friends.
He took the latte from her. It was cool to the touch—an iced latte.
"Iced latte. The ice level is just right—not too cold, not too mild," Kita smiled brightly as she explained.
"Thanks, Ikuyo. The temperature's perfect. Honestly, I'm not picky. I can drink just about anything." Yuki smiled back at the thoughtful girl.
Among coffees, a latte wasn't too bitter or too sweet—it was well-balanced. And by serving it iced with a moderate amount of ice, she had played it safe. It was a smart move when you didn't know someone's taste. Since it was mild in every aspect, it was hard to dislike. It showed how attentive she was when dealing with people.
"Oh, I'm so glad!" Kita looked relieved to see Yuki was satisfied.
After all, blindly giving someone a drink when you didn't know their preferences was risky. One wrong choice could turn them off completely, and that would tank their impression of you. That was the last thing she wanted. Especially since she suspected Yuki might actually like her, the last thing she needed was to lose points with him.
Yuki noticed her subtle sigh of relief and couldn't help but smile.
"Go ahead, try it, Yuki-kun," Kita urged him to take a sip.
"Alright." He nodded and took a small taste.
The coffee came through with a hint of milk's sweetness—smooth, rich, and creamy. The bitterness of the coffee was mellowed by the milk, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.
"Not bad." After a small sip, Yuki nodded and smiled at Kita.
Her face lit up with a bright smile in response.
Just then, Hitori timidly shuffled over, forcing a nervous smile as she greeted Yuki. "Y-Yuki-kun... you're here."
With someone else around, she was visibly more anxious—so much so that her words came out stammering. Hearing the voice behind her, Kita turned curiously. She found herself looking at a gloomy-faced girl carrying a guitar on her back.
Kita's expression showed a hint of confusion. She didn't know her, but judging by how she knew Yuki and was carrying a guitar, she figured it had something to do with the band.
"Hello. I'm Kita Ikuyo. Nice to meet you." Kita greeted her warmly with a radiant smile.
To Hitori, that smile felt just as blinding as Yuki's. Ah! So bright! So dazzling! Stop! I can barely keep my eyes open! This girl... she's definitely a social butterfly, isn't she?!
Just from that one smile and the approachable aura around her, Hitori was certain—Kita was a genuine extrovert.
"H-Hello... I-I'm Gotoh Hitori." Face to face with Kita, Hitori grew even more nervous. Her voice trembled, and she looked flustered.
"Gotoh-san, I see." Kita smiled kindly and nodded.
Hitori gave a small nod in return. She kept her usual gloomy expression, but inside, she was a complete mess. Ahhh, was it okay to just nod like that? Is that really alright? Oh no, oh no—that's not right, is it? The proper thing to do would've been to smile and shake her hand, right?! Right?!
Seeing that they had at least gotten acquainted, Yuki made a suggestion. "Let's walk and talk. I'll fill you in on the way."
"Okay!"
"Mm."
They both responded, then followed Yuki as they headed toward STARRY. Along the way, Yuki explained the situation and clarified which roles Hitori and Kita would play in the band. After listening, the two had a better understanding of each other—and both knew they had been invited by Yuki to join this band.