Although rewards had suddenly appeared, Hoshino Miru didn't rush to check them but continued listening to Toyokawa Sakiko's story.
The story Toyokawa Sakiko wanted to tell Hoshino Miru was simple.
It began with her mother passing away from illness last year, which made her feel extremely sad and painful, leaving her feeling incredibly empty every day.
Until she witnessed her classmates' band performance at school - the impact of rock music and their stage presence deeply shook her soul.
From then on, Toyokawa Sakiko developed great interest in bands and wanted to form her own.
Toyokawa Sakiko was full of initiative. She brought along her childhood friend who played guitar, recruited a bass player from school, and through a senior's connections, invited a drummer from another school.
Even that wasn't enough. Under fate's guidance, she one day encountered a girl who was particularly skilled at writing lyrics. Though her singing wasn't great, she was emotionally rich and could move people's hearts.
Guitarist, bassist, drummer, vocalist, and herself as keyboardist - this band belonging to her and them was finally established.
Their first song had lyrics by the vocalist and music by Toyokawa Sakiko - completely their original creation, practiced together and performed together on stage.
Toyokawa Sakiko had lost count of how many wonderful days they'd shared. However, whenever these happy memories were mentioned, Hoshino Miru noticed the corners of her mouth would unconsciously lift, then slowly suppress themselves, her eyes showing extremely complex emotions.
What should have been a beautiful beginning came to an end last month.
After her mother's death, her father tried to throw himself into his career but failed spectacularly, instead accumulating staggering debt. Now they could only huddle in a small, old, broken-down house while he drowned his sorrows in alcohol daily.
Because of this, Toyokawa Sakiko had to consider realistic pressures - working part-time to earn living expenses while caring for her father.
The consequences were predictable. Toyokawa Sakiko not only couldn't keep up with the band but rarely went to school, having to consider what to eat for her next meal every day.
Finally, Toyokawa Sakiko chose to leave the band.
This was the scene Hoshino Miru had witnessed on the street - she had just broken with her band and accepted her reality.
After hearing the entire story, Hoshino Miru hesitated slightly: "They don't know about your situation?"
"There's no need for them to know. Even if they knew, what could it change?" Toyokawa Sakiko clenched her fists. "I... I'm no longer suitable to stay in their band."
She could never return to the past. She had to work, accept reality - she had no time to continue playing what seemed like children's house games with them.
Even if she told them about her situation, reality wouldn't change. She and they were already people from two different worlds.
"Separating like this is good for me and for them." Toyokawa Sakiko suppressed her voice. "They just lost one keyboardist. They can find another one - it's no big deal."
But you were crying very hard at that time, weren't you?
Hoshino Miru mentally criticized the girl, then asked: "Was that girl also a band member?"
"Yes, little Mutsuki is my childhood friend." Toyokawa Sakiko's expression still didn't improve but became even darker.
Because her childhood friend, Wakaba Mutsuki, had said those words to everyone at the end.
Hoshino Miru finally understood their relationship. So they were childhood friends - no wonder that girl had looked so pained at the time.
However, Hoshino Miru still felt it was somewhat regrettable. Since they didn't know each other and time was tight, he hadn't gotten any rewards from her.
"So you're still in contact?" Hoshino Miru asked.
"Of course we're still in contact. I returned the umbrella to her last time too." Toyokawa Sakiko's expression was complex. Speaking of which, Hoshino Miru had seen all her embarrassing moments.
"She should know about your situation, right?" Hoshino Miru said softly.
Toyokawa Sakiko was silent for a moment, then said: "I told her not to tell anyone. You're the second person to know."
That wasn't true. Although she didn't show it, Hoshino Miru knew she had hidden a lot of content.
Hoshino Miru quietly looked at her. These matters seemed complex, but the reality she spoke of was very simple - because of an accident at home, she felt she should quit the band.
If she had just explained things properly, even without playing in the band, everyone would still be good friends. Toyokawa Sakiko had turned this into a complete break.
However, Hoshino Miru had no standing to criticize Toyokawa Sakiko for doing wrong, much less reason to lecture her about grand principles.
Their relationship was just that of friends who had met by chance, nothing more.
Toyokawa Sakiko knew this too, which was why she had decided to tell Hoshino Miru about her situation.
In this story, Hoshino Miru was just an observer, just someone for Toyokawa Sakiko to confide in.
As a confidant, Hoshino Miru just needed to listen. Toyokawa Sakiko wouldn't ask him to make any judgments about it.
"Well, that's my story." Toyokawa Sakiko spoke softly. "I'm very grateful for what you've done for me, so please don't treat me like this anymore in the future."
Toyokawa Sakiko looked sideways at this boy who had been a complete stranger just a few days ago, yet had done quite a lot for her.
For this reason, Toyokawa Sakiko didn't want to continue accepting this kindness.
"Thank you for being willing to keep me company today. I don't know what you meant by ulterior motives, but if you meant me personally, sorry to disappoint you - I won't fall in love with anyone."
Toyokawa Sakiko spoke very seriously. She carried too much baggage - she couldn't even take care of her former band, so how could she possibly date anyone?
However, Hoshino Miru looked completely bewildered by this.
"Is this a rejection card?" Hoshino Miru complained. "Being rejected before even confessing makes my feelings somewhat complicated."
"I... I just wanted to tell you in advance that I won't date anyone." Toyokawa Sakiko felt awkward. "I think quite a few people would like you."
Hoshino Miru sighed. Beautiful girls were indeed very confident, though he had indeed felt a moment of attraction.
"Alright, I'll keep it well in mind." Hoshino Miru asked: "But we're still good friends, right?"
Toyokawa Sakiko's originally somewhat guilty heart gradually recovered seeing his expression, the corners of her mouth lifting again.
"We're definitely good friends."
The girl added silently in her heart that she wouldn't mind being friends with Hoshino Miru forever.
Having such a friend inexplicably made her feel very relaxed, making her hope this fate-like friendship could last a lifetime.
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