Just as Sakiko expected, the time lost from almost falling allowed Soyo to catch up to her.
Following closely behind was Mutsumi, who stood quietly to the side.
Her golden eyes looked towards Hotaru, seemingly more interested in him.
Hotaru turned his head to glance at the two girls who had arrived one after another.
Especially the girl with flaxen hair.
Another bassist, is that everyone now?
Surely, he wouldn't encounter any more bassists.
Soyo's attention was now entirely focused on Sakiko.
"Huff…! Huff…!"
Soyo gently caressed her chest, which was heaving from the strenuous exercise, still panting heavily.
Looking at Sakiko's familiar figure, she asked with a mix of joy and urgency:
"Saki, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Hotaru released Sakiko.
Sakiko pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and seemed to have made some decision.
Then, Sakiko turned to look at Soyo, her previous fragile demeanor instantly gone.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
"That's good."
Soyo smiled and gently clapped her hands.
This was great, Sakiko was finally willing to talk to her.
Soyo chose to drop the matter of Sakiko running away earlier.
"Hey, Saki, how about we find a cafe to talk?"
The air instantly became a little heavy.
"I don't think we have anything to talk about."
"Eh? How could that be?"
Soyo's thin lips parted slightly, and she continued to smile.
"We haven't seen each other in a long time."
"Then, what do you want to talk about?"
Sakiko said indifferently.
Soyo seemed to have seized an opportunity and quickly said:
"It's just…"
"Saki, how have you been doing lately? Why did you suddenly transfer schools?"
"I sent you so many messages, but I didn't receive any replies."
"Did you change your number?"
"Would you mind telling me your new number?"
Soyo spoke, but she didn't notice Sakiko's beautiful eyebrows gradually furrowing, and her expression wasn't looking good either.
Or perhaps she noticed, but she just didn't want to admit it.
"And about the band, our Crychic, everyone is waiting for you."
In her excitement, Soyo stepped forward and grabbed Sakiko's wrist.
"I've said it before, I've already quit that band," Sakiko said coldly.
"Eh, Crychic was founded by Sakiko, though."
"Please let go of me."
Sakiko struggled against Soyo's grip on her wrist.
Soyo was a little flustered and quickly apologized:
"I'm sorry, Saki, did I accidentally hurt you?"
Sakiko remained silent.
Soyo took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and her eyes became serious.
"I know."
"Saki, you must have encountered some difficulties or troubles, right?"
"Can you tell me?"
"I will definitely try my best to help."
"Just tell me, tell everyone, and everyone will help you."
"You agree, right, Mutsumi?"
Soyo turned her gaze to Mutsumi, who had remained silent, hoping she would quickly say something to help.
Because of Soyo's words, Sakiko's eyes sharpened.
She also looked at Mutsumi, seemingly warning her not to speak out of turn.
Mutsumi's slightly parted lips closed again.
"I don't need your help with anything."
Sakiko said in an even colder tone.
"Didn't you say we were fated to be together?"
"…"
A struggle flashed in Sakiko's eyes.
However, thinking that Tomori already had a new band, and to prevent Soyo from dwelling on the past, and to prevent Soyo from pestering her and thus digging up her secrets.
So Sakiko hardened her heart and said:
"Those words were a lie."
"Eh??"
Soyo took two steps back in disbelief.
"No, Saki, Sakiko wouldn't lie."
"That's right, Mutsumi, Mutsumi."
"You should say something too, Sakiko wouldn't lie to us."
Soyo looked at Mutsumi again.
Mutsumi still had her eyes lowered, and her emotions were unreadable.
"Don't say anymore," Sakiko shook her head, "I have things to do, I need to leave, please don't come looking for me again."
"But, without you, our band…"
"Enough!" Sakiko interrupted with a reprimand, "If a band cannot continue without someone, then what is the meaning of such a band's existence?"
Sakiko already knew what Soyo was going to say.
Sakiko stared intently at Soyo, as if questioning her.
Soyo was scared and anxious under her gaze, until she lowered her head, unable to say anything.
"But, but…"
After all, she couldn't very well say that she actually didn't care about the band or not.
For her… she just wanted everyone in Crychic to be together, giving her a sense of home, that was enough.
Seeing Soyo not speak, Sakiko gritted her teeth and said in a low voice:
"Crychic, it's over."
"No!"
Soyo immediately responded, her voice rising.
The sudden reaction startled everyone.
"Even… even if it's Sakiko, please don't say that!"
Soyo shook her head in disbelief, her tear-filled eyes looking at Sakiko with sadness and grievance.
Tears began to flow from the corners of her eyes, slowly tracing down her pretty face.
She seemed not to have expected this to be such a big blow to Soyo, but for Sakiko, Crychic was truly and utterly over.
She could no longer, nor did she have the right to, return to that Crychic.
So, Sakiko advised:
"Please look forward, Soyo."
As her words fell.
Sakiko no longer paid attention to Soyo.
Sakiko first looked at Hotaru with an apologetic gaze.
If she could, she didn't want Hotaru to see such a scene.
Then she stepped onto the platform, and finally glanced at Mutsumi.
"Sakiko…"
Soyo looked at Sakiko with pleading eyes, still wanting to keep her, but received no response.
Mutsumi quietly watched Sakiko's retreating back, saying nothing.
Hotaru saw her lips part slightly, initially thinking she would say something, but then they closed again.
As Sakiko left.
Hotaru and Mutsumi subconsciously turned their attention to Soyo.
She stood there stunned, seemingly quite shaken, with her head drooping and some color lost from her eyes.
Then.
Hotaru and Mutsumi looked at each other simultaneously.
It was only then that Hotaru had a chance to observe this last member of the C-group.
His attention had been on Soyo and Sakiko earlier.
Her light green long hair, crystal clear skin, and golden eyes all exuded a faint glow.
What puzzled Hotaru was that.
When two former teammates had such a conversation, she said nothing.
That face, more delicate and beautiful than a doll's, showed not a single ripple of emotion.
It only gave Hotaru a sense of inscrutable calm.