"Would you like another cup?"
As she watched Sakiko slowly finish her tea, Kikukawa Kyo asked, already reaching for the clay teapot beside her.
"No, that's enough."
This time, Sakiko directly placed her hand against Kyo's wrist, stopping her mid-motion. She couldn't shake the feeling that Kyo had been oddly excited since earlier, acting entirely on her own accord.
"Alright then."
Kyo, looking slightly disappointed, withdrew the teapot and instead poured herself another cup.
Thanks to the tea, Sakiko had calmed down. Since her thoughts had already been seen through, there was no point in agonizing over it any longer. Was she supposed to make a scene in the hopes that Kyo would just forget everything? That would be even more embarrassing. It was better to simply lay her situation bare—though only in front of this perceptive young woman, whose keen insight put even Sakiko under pressure.
What she needed to understand now was why Kyo had brought her here, provided her with a bath, and served her tea. What was her goal?
If Kyo's intention was to persuade her to stay in the band, using gestures like these to win her back, then Sakiko had already decided—she wouldn't accept it. She would find another opportunity to repay this favor.
"Kyo, first of all, I apologize for my immature behavior earlier. I've calmed down now."
Setting her teacup down, Sakiko sat up straight and met Kyo's gaze head-on, signaling her sincerity.
"But can you tell me exactly why you brought me here?"
"If you're hoping I'll stay in the band, then since you've already figured out that I'm dealing with serious problems, you should also understand—I simply don't have the energy to waste on something as trivial as this 'pretend band game.'"
Kyo didn't answer right away. She was focused on her third cup of tea. Perhaps it was the combined effect of the hot bath and the warm drink, but her face had flushed red, the color even spreading to her earlobes. She looked almost as if she were drunk.
After finishing that third cup, Kyo gently placed her teacup down and leaned against the counter.
"I can offer you a job."
Her words were abrupt, skipping over everything and getting straight to the point. She hadn't properly answered Sakiko's question, but instead, she had suddenly presented a solution to Sakiko's most urgent problem—in such a casual tone, no less.
Sakiko couldn't ignore that. A part-time job—exactly what had been keeping her up at night for days.
She opened her mouth to ask what kind of job it was, but her throat felt dry, despite just drinking tea. Before she could form the words, Kyo continued.
"It's at my sister's bookstore. There's a rush of customers from after school until about 8 PM, so she's looking for someone to help out. The work is varied—checking stock, organizing shelves, helping customers find books, that kind of thing... It depends on the traffic that day."
"As for pay, when my sister ropes me into helping, I get about 1,400 yen per hour, paid daily. Also, as an employee, you can buy books at wholesale price, and during downtime, you can read whatever you want."
"Even though it sounds like a lot of work, the actual workload depends on customer flow, so there's usually plenty of free time... So, what do you think?"
Sakiko listened as Kyo laid out the job conditions, suspicion creeping into her mind. Was this why Kyo had avoided directly answering what she wanted? Did she really have an ulterior motive?
Because these conditions were incredibly generous.
The work hours were perfect for a student like her. The tasks weren't demanding, there were perks like discounted books and the freedom to read during quiet periods, and most importantly—the pay.
Sakiko had researched this before. The minimum wage in Tokyo was 1,002 yen, while the average hourly wage hovered around 1,200. And yet, this job offered 1,400 yen, with daily payouts. That eliminated any immediate financial worries.
An opportunity like this was nearly impossible to come by.
So... should she accept?
"Kyo..."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Why... would you go this far to help me?"
Sakiko had to ask. Even if Kyo truly had an ulterior motive, she refused to hear the answer "because I pity you."
"I think of us as friends. Isn't helping a friend just the natural thing to do?"
Kyo tilted her head slightly, as if confused by the question. "Maybe you think I'm giving too much, but honestly, for me, this isn't a big deal."
Then she asked, "Sakiko, what exactly are you so afraid of?"
Ah, there it was again.
In those clear, deep blue eyes—like drops of water glistening in the light—Sakiko felt as if nothing about her could be hidden. And yet, she couldn't see through Kyo at all. Were her eyes calm waters, or was there an unseen current running beneath them?
"I... I don't want to accept anyone's pity."
"You're so stubborn."
"Call it what you want... but this is the one thing I won't compromise on."
"If that's the case, then let's put it another way."
Kyo took a step closer, gently grasping Sakiko's hand and pulling her to her feet. No longer speaking from a position above, they were now standing on equal ground, looking each other directly in the eye.
"Let's make a deal," Kyo said, her voice smooth and persuasive, like a devil's whisper in the candlelight. "I'll offer you this job—but in return, you'll do something for me."
Sakiko looked at her. In the warm glow of the light, Kyo's face was crystal clear, yet there was something dreamlike about the moment. She had already laid out her offer, but what did Sakiko have left to bargain with?
"...I don't have anything to give."
Sakiko took a deep breath, but she met Kyo's gaze without wavering.
"If you tell me what you want, I'll do everything I can to make it happen."
Kyo blinked, then smiled—a smile tinged with something unreadable.
"Sakiko, you must have noticed by now—I love water."
Sakiko nodded.
"I love watching its flow, listening to the sound of raindrops falling, feeling the cool sensation as it runs through my fingers, savoring its texture as I drink... It brings me a deep sense of comfort and joy."
"And what I want from you—"
She paused, her words carrying an air of deliberate mystery.
"—is for you to find me more. More experiences with water that I have yet to encounter."
The request was... ambiguous.
Sakiko did her best to decipher its meaning.
"Could you be a little more specific?"
"Relax, it's nothing meant to trouble you."
Kyo spread her hands, motioning toward the bar counter beside them. A bright, eager smile played on her lips, one she could barely contain. "Anything will do. Just make me a drink first."
"Eh?"
The request was so sudden that Sakiko blinked in surprise. She glanced at the bar, overwhelmed by the array of ingredients and tools neatly arranged before her.
After a brief moment of thought, she settled on Darjeeling tea—something she often drank herself. Earlier, while Kyo was making Pu'er tea, she had unintentionally revealed where the teaware was stored. Thanks to that, Sakiko wouldn't have to fumble around.
"Ohhh—"
Kyo clasped her hands together in excitement as she watched Sakiko prepare the tea. Initially, Sakiko had suspected that Kyo was just throwing out vague words to trick her into accepting her help. But seeing her so genuinely thrilled, she started to believe that, at least to Kyo, this really was a wonderful gift.
"How does it taste?"
Sakiko asked nervously as Kyo slowly drank the tea. Even though it was Kyo who had requested it, she couldn't help but worry—what if she had made it terribly?
With this cup of Darjeeling, Kyo had now consumed her fourth cup of tea. The flush on her face deepened, her eyes growing hazier. She savored the tea carefully, as if searching for something intangible hidden within it.
Then, she locked eyes with Sakiko, staring intently.
"K-Kyo?"
Sakiko hesitated at the sight of Kyo's almost drunken expression. "Say something."
"..."
"!?"
Without warning, Kyo pulled her into a silent embrace.
Warm. Like being wrapped in a pool of heated water.
Sakiko's face was pressed against Kyo's shoulder. A few damp strands of Kyo's hair, still carrying lingering droplets from her earlier bath, brushed against Sakiko's cheek, tickling slightly.
"...What's this about?"
"I just thought you might need it. You hold yourself so tightly, yet refuse to let anyone see it."
"What kind of nonsense..." Sakiko mumbled. "What did you see through this time?"
"It's not that I saw anything. You told me—through that cup of tea."
"...Are you some kind of water spirit? Can you read people's thoughts just by drinking?"
"Your voice is shaking a little."
"It is not... Let go of me."
Obediently, Kyo loosened her arms, and they returned to facing each other.
Sakiko hadn't cried, but the faint redness in the corners of her eyes betrayed her unrest.
Kyo, on the other hand, still looked as casual as ever. Yet now, she seemed even more open with her emotions, which had led to the embrace in the first place.
"Sorry, drinking too much water makes me say and do things without thinking."
Kyo was the first to break the silence, offering an explanation for her impulsive actions.
Sakiko let out a sigh, her emotions a tangled mess.
"...It's fine. I do feel a little lighter now."
"I have one last question."
"Go ahead."
"If this is just about your fascination with water, shouldn't everyday sources of water be enough for you? Why do you need me to bring you something different?"
Sakiko's voice was steady.
"I don't want this 'deal' to just be some made-up excuse."
Kyo chuckled softly.
"Sakiko, you're so stubborn. That pride of yours..."
"...It's the only thing I have left."