"Since your resolve is only this much, then I'll leave CRYCHIC. It's good that we don't have to bother each other anymore. After all, you don't need me, do you?"
Shimizu Rin turned and slung her guitar case over her shoulder, abruptly dropping another bombshell on CRYCHIC's already fractured relationships, making to leave the silent practice room.
It really hurts... it might even be bleeding. I guess I'll have to go to the school infirmary. It'll save a considerable amount on medical fees.
I'll have to postpone it, my gig... I probably can't go... I'll have to apologize to Seika-nee... So annoying...
Shimizu Rin bit her lower lip, trying her best not to let others see her distress, but even so, the pallor on her face couldn't be hidden.
Now, she just wanted to leave here as quickly as possible, to get away from these terrifying band girls.
"I didn't mean that..."
Shiina Rikki's expression instantly changed, her eyes downcast, but she had only spoken halfway when her gaze was again drawn to the despairing Takamatsu Tomori not far away.
Any thought of explaining herself vanished. Shiina Rikki was still the same, loyally protecting her master. She quickly walked to Takamatsu Tomori's side to comfort her.
"Tomori, are you okay...?"
Upon hearing Shimizu Rin say she was leaving CRYCHIC, Takamatsu Tomori's eyes instantly dimmed, losing their former sparkle.
She was like a child abandoned, her pupils filled with despair and confusion for the future, falling into an icy abyss, her frail body trembling. Although she didn't want the other person to leave the band, at this moment, she couldn't even utter a word of retention.
No...
No!!!
Takamatsu Tomori's heart was screaming, but she didn't dare say a word, choosing to curl up in her own world once more.
Heh, you're being cowardly again, Tomori.
Shimizu Rin observed this dramatic scene with cold eyes, understanding. Things were indeed turning out exactly as she had predicted.
Suddenly, two cold hands covered Shimizu Rin's right hand, which was trying to open the door.
The cold touch made her face change.
Shimizu Rin gasped, looked down, and saw that it was Nagasaki Soyo, gazing at her with a mournful expression.
Shimizu Rin's heart trembled instantly, her eyebrows raised.
Hmm? Is the famous scene coming?
Should I laugh?
Forget it, I'm not in the mood, I should leave quickly.
If I bleed too much, I'll turn into a blue Shimizu Rin...
I definitely don't want that!
So, Shimizu Rin tried to learn from customer service representatives and shake off Soyo's hand.
But after a few attempts, Shimizu Rin awkwardly realized that she didn't have the immense strength of a customer service representative. Her frail body couldn't resist the bassist who was half a head taller and two cup sizes larger than her.
What to do?
What else could she do?
Comply, of course.
It seems the customer service representative's tactics weren't suitable for this little guitarist.
"Let go, Soyo, I'm definitely leaving CRYCHIC today!" Shimizu Rin urged, her eyes filled with a desperate longing to escape the black hole.
"Don't go, Rin-chan! Didn't we promise to be in a band for life? Sakiko too, everyone promised for life!"
Nagasaki Soyo said excitedly, even her usually well-feigned high-pitched voice dropped its disguise at this moment, revealing her somewhat rough original tone. She held Shimizu Rin's hand, absolutely refusing to let her leave the practice room.
During this, Shimizu Rin quietly observed Nagasaki Soyo's slightly trembling knees.
She was afraid that the other person would perform a shocking kneel for her in the next second, and then it would be hard to deal with.
After all, Toyokawa Sakiko was coming soon, so how would Soyo keep her? Another shocking kneel?
It seemed quite entertaining...
No, no! What I should be thinking about now is how to get rid of this Long-term Vegetarian lady in front of me. It's best if she doesn't bother me again in the future, otherwise I'll really be troubled.
Oh! I've got it!
"With what kind of resolve are you saying such things? You're just a student, do you have the ability to completely bear the burden of another person's life?"
"Also! I never said 'forever', and Soyo-chan, don't you think 'forever' is too heavy for others?"
Let someone else say those high-and-mighty words. Shimizu Rin didn't want to be the bad guy.
Moreover, Shimizu Rin's life was genuinely heavy.
She truly had no way out; it wasn't just talk.
Nagasaki Soyo's face grew paler, her lips trembled. Unable to speak after being rebuked by Shimizu Rin, she could only lower her head.
Her brown bangs obscured her eyes, and tiny tears sparkled within them.
No...
I truly love everyone in CRYCHIC, please don't say that to me...
"But I really..."
Taking this opportunity, Shimizu Rin shook off Nagasaki Soyo's hand and, looking up at the nearly collapsing Nagasaki Soyo, said word by word:
"Why don't you quit too, Soyo? This band isn't worth you being so humble. Look at yourself now, is this even proper?"
After she finished speaking, Nagasaki Soyo's heart completely shattered. She pursed her small lips and knelt weakly on the ground, her hands losing all strength and hanging limply by her sides, looking utterly desolate, as if broken.
This could be considered an alternative version of a shocking kneel, couldn't it?
Shimizu Rin casually tossed a tissue to Nagasaki Soyo to prevent her from crying. If the other person started crying, she might actually soften.
Just as she opened the training room door, intending to leave this gravity-filled place, she was unexpectedly tackled to the ground by someone who suddenly rushed in the next second.
Her poor back of the head once again took a solid, heavy blow.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch..."
The smell of rusty rain mixed with a hint of faint fragrance. The strange combination of scents permeated Shimizu Rin's nostrils, causing her to involuntarily furrow her beautiful, delicate brows and wrinkle her nose, showing strong aversion to the smell.
A wail came from the back of her head again, and Shimizu Rin felt a sudden dizzy spell.
Shimizu Rin was about to scold the intruder for her recklessness, but when she opened her eyes, a familiar head of blue long hair came into view, tied with two black bows.
The identity of the newcomer seemed quite obvious...
Looking at Toyokawa Sakiko, who was soaking wet and pressing down on her, Shimizu Rin's face immediately fell.
Her clean white dress was stained by the overflowing rainwater, squeezing out a large patch of water.
"Sakiko?"
Soyo's voice rang out, awakening the two embracing girls and also attracting the attention of the other band members.
Dazed from the collision, Shimizu Rin quickly pushed Toyokawa Sakiko off her and immediately checked the condition of her guitar behind her.
Santa, my lifelong love, you must not die!
Even if it was just superficial scratches and bumps, the repair cost for the guitar would be astronomical for Shimizu Rin.
What's more, her Santa was a premium model, making the repair costs even higher.
Shimizu Rin quickly opened the guitar case. Seeing her Santa safe and sound, she let out a long sigh of relief, and even the pain in her body lessened considerably for a while.
Thank goodness, thank goodness, as long as it didn't die...
If a person were to die, Shimizu Rin could grit her teeth and endure.
But if the guitar were to die, she would have to commit a love suicide with it.
"What? Sakiko, was your bento stolen? Are you in such a hurry?"
Shimizu Rin felt a surge of anger now. Disregarding Toyokawa Sakiko's expression, she forcefully pulled her up from the cold floor.
"Rin-chan, calm down, okay?"
"Nagasaki Soyo! This is none of your business!"
Shimizu Rin didn't know where she got the strength, but she pushed away Nagasaki Soyo, who had come closer, with one hand and pointed at her nose, scolding:
"What does her not looking where she's going have to do with you? She almost broke my lifeblood, and you still want me to apologize to you?!"
"Apologize to me! Toyokawa Sakiko!"
"This..."
"Soyo, this is indeed my fault."
Toyokawa Sakiko stood up expressionlessly, ignoring her wet clothes, and bowed deeply to Shimizu Rin.
The inadvertently revealed demeanor of a rich young lady made Shimizu Rin want to laugh a little.
"I'm sorry, Rin."
Shimizu Rin turned her head away, not accepting the apology, and directly ignored Toyokawa Sakiko, who was bowing her head in admission of fault.
If she didn't know about Toyokawa Sakiko's current family situation, she would definitely make her pay for the emotional damages to her guitar!
"It doesn't matter anymore... Anyway, you're not even human now, you can't do anything!"
"Perfect! There's something I've wanted to say for a long time, and since everyone is here today, I might as well just say it..."
"I shouldn't have listened to your nonsense about forming a band before! And talking about a 'community of destiny,' can you even achieve that? You bastards! Don't say things you can't do!"
With that, she left the conflicted Nagasaki Soyo and the silent Toyokawa Sakiko behind, turned around angrily, and left the training room.
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T/N: If you like this Fanfic, buy me a coffe ☕, i know I am just a translator, 1$ is enough for coffee sachet in my country.
(ko-fi.com/alex157918)
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