After leaving the planetarium.
Hakushu and Takamatsu Tomori, still chatting about the stars, slowly made their way towards the station.
Seeing how excited Takamatsu Tomori was, Hakushu almost didn't want to bring up the next topic.
However, if he didn't clear things up, Takamatsu Tomori might revert to being Little Closed-Off Tomori again tomorrow.
So, seizing the opportunity, Hakushu voiced his question,
"Are you in a band, Tomori?"
"Huh?"
Takamatsu Tomori looked up, slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected to be asked that so suddenly.
After a moment of silence, Tomori nodded slightly.
"I… used to be in a band."
Then, Tomori's head didn't lift again.
As expected, mentioning bands caused Tomori to visibly become dejected.
[Triggered Tomori's memories of her band, Musical Note +200]
Ugh… Hakushu's lips twitched. He was short on Musical Notes lately, it's true.
But he hadn't planned on getting Musical Notes from Tomori. It would fill him with guilt to deliberately provoke her when she was in such a state.
Of course, something was better than nothing… Besides, maybe this would motivate him more to help her.
But when Tomori said "before," did she mean she's quit now? Or that the band's broken up?
"So, were you upset yesterday because of the band?" Hakushu asked next.
"Yeah..."
Takamatsu Tomori responded in a low voice, and remembering Saki's cold gaze made her flinch.
A low-pressure atmosphere began to emanate from Takamatsu Tomori.
Hakushu quickly reached out to pat Tomori's gray short hair, as if comforting a small animal.
"Tomori, can you tell me more about it?"
Takamatsu Tomori seemed to have mustered a bit of courage, lifting her head slightly as if to say something.
However, an uninvited guest suddenly appeared.
"Who are you?!"
"What do you think you're doing to Tomori!"
A girl with long black hair suddenly stepped between Hakushu and Takamatsu Tomori.
She stood protectively in front of Tomori, glaring at Hakushu.
Their eyes met.
Hakushu was somewhat taken aback by the suddenness of it all.
Then, Hakushu looked at the girl in front of him, who was only a centimeter taller than Tomori. The tear mole under her left eye was very attractive.
And just like the golden-haired girl he'd seen twice before, she had rare purple eyes.
However, this pair seemed full of hostility.
While Hakushu was observing Shiina Riki, Shiina Riki was also observing Hakushu.
She was originally working part-time at RiNG, wiping down glasses.
Suddenly, she saw a familiar figure not far from the door. It was Tomori!
Tomori was sadly looking down, and there was a guy in front of her.
Shiina Riki thought that Tomori must be getting picked on.
So, abandoning her work, Riki immediately rushed over and positioned herself in front of Tomori.
Looking at the handsome face before her, a face that could deceive anyone, Shiina Riki felt inexplicably annoyed.
Riki wasn't shallow; she wasn't impressed by pretty faces.
On the contrary, she thought Hakushu was probably using that face to trick the pure, kind, and adorable Tomori.
And, he definitely touched Tomori's head just now!
Riki instinctively glanced at Hakushu's hand.
Unforgivable! She wanted to…!
Hakushu was now certain; she had completely misunderstood and was filled with hostility towards him!
However, it seemed like the other person knew Tomori as well, so Hakushu spoke up.
"You might have misunderstood. My name is Hakushu, and I'm a friend of Tomori's."
"Huh?"
Shiina Riki instinctively let out a "huh."
Tomori, you call her that?
Still, Riki turned to Tomori first.
"Tomori, is that right?"
Shiina Riki's tone and gaze softened instantly.
A touch of nervousness clung to her, as it had been a while since she'd seen Tomori.
Hakushu was taken aback, even questioning if he was hallucinating.
Your change of heart is a bit too fast.
Or perhaps, from her perspective, did he really seem like a bad person?
Takamatsu Tomori breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to speak.
It had all happened so fast, their quick conversation and Riki's anger, she hadn't been able to say a word.
So Tomori immediately explained,
"Yes! Riki..."
"Hakushu is my friend..."
"Also my classmate, and a member of the same club."
Takamatsu Tomori glanced at Riki, then at Hakushu, thinking that this explanation should keep Riki from getting angry.
However, Tomori didn't see that Riki's expression was getting worse with every word she said.
"Hah… hah?!"
Unable to believe it, Shiina Riki's mouth dropped open.
Hakushu... Hakushu!
They were already using first names?!
This guy, just how did he deceive Tomori?
A classmate? A club member?
Shiina Riki felt like her brain couldn't keep up with Tomori's words.
Hakushu looked at Shiina Riki, as if to say, "Now you believe me, right?"
However, Shiina Riki just crossed her arms and snorted coldly.
Her hostility hadn't lessened, but she wasn't glaring quite as fiercely as before.
Just as Hakushu was about to say something to ease the tension…
"Um…"
"Tomori, Riki, and Hakushu..."
Nagasaki Sousei appeared suddenly, looking at the three of them with a puzzled expression.
"What are you all doing?"
Nagasaki Sousei was thrilled inside. She had just come to RiNG as usual, intending to check on Riki, who worked there part-time.
She didn't talk with Shiina Riki much, but Riki and Tomori were currently the only two people from Crychic she could easily see.
Also, seeing Riki would allow her to get some information about Tomori and probe their thoughts about Crychic.
Unexpectedly, just now, from a distance, Nagasaki Sousei had seen Tomori and Riki standing together. What surprised her even more was that Hakushu was also there.
Hakushu-kun really did have a close relationship with Tomori.
Then, from Riki's expression, Sousei could tell that they seemed to have had a bit of a disagreement.
So, Nagasaki Sousei quickly quickened her pace, hurrying over, afraid of missing this chance.
She only slowed down again when she was about to appear before them.
With a gentle smile, Nagasaki Sousei looked at the three of them.
The three of them also looked at the suddenly appearing Nagasaki Sousei in surprise.
"Sou… Sousei…"
Takamatsu Tomori couldn't help but lower her head again.
Shiina Riki didn't say anything, but she heard Hakushu's name, and she also knew Sousei.
"Sousei?"
Hakushu looked puzzled. Do you all know each other? That's quite a coincidence.
Nagasaki Sousei nodded slightly, then looked at Tomori. After a moment of thought, she smiled and suggested,
"Why don't we go inside the shop? It's not really the best place to talk here."
As soon as she finished speaking, before Hakushu or Riki could answer,
Nagasaki Sousei had already grabbed Tomori's hand and started walking towards RiNG.
She knew that as long as she had Tomori, Riki would definitely follow. Plus, it would prevent Tomori from suddenly running off.
As for Hakushu, he wasn't needed for now.
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