Hotaru smiled as he took back his bass, then said nothing.
He looked at the tracks, wondering when the train would arrive.
Silence fell; Hotaru offered no explanation.
Soyo spoke first: "You promised Mutsumi you'd comfort me, is this how?"
"I did comfort you."
Hotaru propped his face, replied, "Effect was pretty good."
"How?"
"You're not crying anymore, are you?"
Soyo took a deep breath.
"That's comforting? You teased me!"
"Better than being depressed, right?"
Soyo was stunned; so that was it.
Did she misunderstand him? But she pushed the thought aside.
More important: gather info about Sakiko!
"Can I ask questions?"
Hotaru ignored her.
Soyo pursed her lips, brought up Mutsumi.
"You promised Mutsumi to comfort me."
Hotaru rolled his eyes.
"Doesn't seem related to comforting, does it?"
"It does."
Soyo said righteously, hesitated, added, "About Sakiko."
"Oh? What do I know about Sakiko?"
Hotaru said truthfully.
Soyo didn't care, asked:
"What's your relationship with Sakiko?"
"Best friends."
"Just that?"
"Yes."
Seeing Soyo's disbelief, Hotaru retorted, "What do you think?"
Soyo noted he called her Sakiko-san; it made sense.
She continued, "Which school does Sakiko attend?"
Hotaru hesitated; Sakiko didn't want Soyo to know.
"Why silent?" Soyo looked over.
"If you don't say, I'll guess. Sakuragaoka?"
Soyo watched his reaction.
"Why ask me then?"
Hotaru admitted her guess.
Soyo felt victorious, joyful, triumphant.
Maybe Mutsumi knew too.
So cunning, so hateful.
Everyone hid it; she alone didn't know where Sakiko was.
Soyo pressed, "Why didn't you tell me last time?"
At RiNG, when Sakiko was mentioned.
Hotaru dropped his hand, looked serious.
Soyo startled, "Wh-what's wrong?"
"Why do I feel interrogated?" Hotaru feigned displeasure.
"I… didn't, sorry…"
Soyo softened, fearing he'd stop sharing about Sakiko.
"Hmph, mind your attitude, Soyo-san." Hotaru nodded, satisfied.
Soyo bit her lip, asked softly,
"Why did Sakiko leave the band?"
Hotaru shook his head: "How would I know?"
Disappointment flashed on Soyo's face; Hotaru continued:
"Guess: maybe family-related."
"Family? How do you know?"
Soyo pressed, hoping to understand Sakiko's departure.
"I don't, it's a guess."
Hotaru's reasoning: Sakiko transferred from an aristocratic to a common school, worked part-time jobs.
Likely a family change, probably money.
Melodramas go like that.
"Is that so…?"
Soyo fell silent, considering family issues.
Did Sakiko's family forbid band activities? No, too simple.
Maybe like her, parents divorced?
If so, Sakiko might not be in the mood for a band.
But! Soyo had experience, could comfort her.
"Q&A's over. No more answers. This was an exception."
Hotaru said.
He spoke because Soyo was down after Sakiko's lecture.
He felt Sakiko should explain leaving, but she didn't want to, avoiding Soyo.
He respected that.
"No…"
Soyo wanted more analysis; she felt Hotaru understood Sakiko better.
But his serious look made her drop it.
Her eyes glimmered, she asked softly:
"How did you meet Sakiko?"
"I can tell you."
Hotaru recounted their first meeting.
Soyo listened, brows furrowed.
"You bullied Sakiko!"
"Awful!"
Someone who hurt Sakiko became her friend.
Sakiko was too kind.
Soyo was about to demand an explanation.
The train's roar arrived.
Hotaru stood happily, walked forward.
Did he hear Soyo?
Soyo, ignored, stomped, shouted:
"Wait."
"Going home is more important."
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