After ending their day's journey with the music store as their final stop, the group went their separate ways at the station before the sun had completely set.
Before leaving, Soyo made a point to walk up to Tetsuya. She stared at him intently and said:
"Today... thanks to you, I was finally able to talk to Sakiko again and clear up the misunderstanding that had been bothering me for so long... But I have to make one thing clear: I haven't given up on the idea of reforming [CRYCHIC]."
"Mhm, okay."
Tetsuya nodded, replying at a slightly faster pace than usual.
"Good luck with that."
"...You don't believe me at all with that tone, do you?"
Faced with Tetsuya's perfunctory attitude, Soyo's brows furrowed.
"I'm being serious."
"Mhm, I know."
"..."
Infuriating.
Soyo really wanted to punch this calm-faced man, but considering the high-class education she had received over the years, and the fact that such an action would only expose her own lack of confidence, she ultimately suppressed the shame and anger welling up inside her.
At the same time, Tetsuya could see that Soyo was on the verge of flying into a rage out of embarrassment. In order not to provoke her further, he decided to talk about something serious—
"So, about Togawa's design, are you still planning to accept it?"
Tetsuya asked.
"That's a design meant only for you. If you don't plan on accepting it, I'll tell her directly that the design is canceled."
"No way! Sakiko said it was her first design, it absolutely can't be canceled for no reason!"
Soyo immediately objected without hesitation. However, she quickly remembered what had just happened.
"But, I already said such awful things to her back then..."
"She said awful things to you all a year ago, too, so you don't need to feel any psychological pressure about it."
Tetsuya shook his head.
"You just need to tell me whether you want it or you don't."
"..."
Asked once again, Soyo's eyes darted around for a moment. Then, as if she had made some kind of decision, she finally spoke:
"I understand. I'll accept it."
"Mhm, that's good."
Tetsuya nodded.
"In that case, once she finishes the sample, I'll help her with the production."
"..."
Learning that she would have another chance to receive that gift from Sakiko, Soyo's mood lightened considerably.
Then, after a brief hesitation, she suddenly spoke up again.
"...Hey."
"What is it?"
"Sakiko... is she happy, working with you?"
"I don't know."
Faced with Soyo's question, Tetsuya shook his head very directly.
"That's something you should ask her yourself."
"You..."
At a loss for words, Soyo subconsciously looked up and glared at Tetsuya. However, when she met his unwavering, calm gaze, her shoulders slumped once again.
"Fine, you're right. There's no point in asking anyone other than the person herself..."
At this, she couldn't help but shoot a somewhat resentful look at Tetsuya.
"But even so, couldn't you just tell a little lie to put my mind at ease?"
"This question is important to you, isn't it? If that's the case, then I absolutely cannot lie so easily."
Tetsuya said.
"Sometimes, even a white lie can breed misunderstanding. You should have experienced that for yourself by now, right?"
"Forget it, I can't win against you. I'm leaving!"
Completely refuted by his logic, Soyo pouted, then turned without hesitation and walked towards the station.
Just before entering the station, she suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Tetsuya again.
At the same time, Anon, who had just seen Tomori off, had returned to his side. It seemed the two of them were preparing to go home together...
If you could become family with that guy, even the narrowest, most rundown apartment would surely feel incredibly warm and comfortable, wouldn't it?
She couldn't help but recall the first time she had seen Tetsuya at the café.
In fact, ever since she first met him, she would occasionally imagine what her life would be like if she also had a brother like Tetsuya.
...
"How enviable... Chihaya Anon."
After letting out such a quiet, wistful sigh, Soyo averted her gaze and prepared to head back to her empty home.
...
"Phew~ I really worked hard today to go along with Nii-san's plan."
After everyone had left, Anon stretched out her arms with a big yawn.
"I had to use every observation skill I've ever learned to keep Wakaba-san and Soyo calm! How was it? That phone call was pretty effective, right?"
"Mhm, as expected of Anon."
Tetsuya nodded, offering his praise without reservation.
"Thanks to your cooperation, Nagasaki-san probably won't be thinking about leaving the band anymore."
Even if she was unwilling to admit it, at this moment, this band had already become her new place to belong.
And after clearing up the misunderstanding, Mutsumi and Togawa could reconnect with her as well.
Although there was still a long way to go before they could completely restore their relationship from the [CRYCHIC] days, at least both she and Togawa had taken a proper first step.
"Nii-san."
"Hm?"
"Thank you."
Anon smiled and looped her arm through his.
"You interfered in their business so actively because of me, right?"
"Motivation-wise, that's true. But after learning their story, I really couldn't just stand by and watch."
Tetsuya reached out and ruffled his sister's hair.
"And this also counts as helping my assistant solve her troubles. Starting today, she should be able to focus more on learning about clothing than before."
"..."
She had only learned about the relationship between Tetsuya and Togawa Sakiko today.
But, while marveling at fate and coincidence, she recalled the many comments Tetsuya had made about his "assistant-san," and she couldn't help but ask:
"Nii-san, I'll always be your one and only little sister, right?"
"Hm? Isn't that a given?"
Tetsuya gave Anon a slightly strange look.
"Unless Mom and Dad decide to have another one."
"Hey, that's not what I'm talking about... but never mind!"
Anon tightened her hug around his arm.
The time for the band was over. All the time left today belonged to family.
"Let's go home, Nii-san!"
Chihaya Anon had another very fulfilling and happy day.