One hour earlier~
In the crisp days of autumn, the students of Tsukinomori Girls' Academy had already switched out their pure white summer uniforms for elegant dark-blue blazers with white collars. Youthful vibrance bloomed throughout this garden of girls.
As the instructor exited through the main classroom doors, Nagasaki Soyo had barely able to contain the flutter in her chest as she rose from her seat with a beaming smile. Her softly curled brown hair swayed gently behind her.
She couldn't help but press her lips together in a genuine, glowing smile. Her heart pounded wildly, as if out of her control.
Today was the long-awaited training camp day. Today, her beloved husband would be sleeping under the same roof. Openly, officially, in her home. She had to get back and prepare everything before the others arrived.
If she let down her guard even slightly, this golden opportunity might vanish into thin air like one of the slippery shimokita pit vipers.
"Soyo-san, are you free after class today?"
"I'm sorry... Something really important came up with my band, so I'll have to say no, Nagae-san. I truly am sorry."
With an apologetic expression, Soyo bowed slightly to her friend. Despite her inner impatience, she skillfully feigned regret. Seeing her so urgent, the other Tsukinomori girls froze for a second.
Then, seemingly understanding something, they all shook their heads and answered quickly.
"It's okay, it's okay! We know you've got something important."
"Yeah, we totally don't mind!"
With their understanding, Soyo let out a breath of relief. Her beautiful, serene smile returned as she clasped her hands together and bowed politely.
"Thank you so much, everyone. Then I'll excuse myself for today~"
After exchanging only a few words, she left Class A's room with that ever-graceful air.
But her hurried footsteps, slightly faster than usual, revealed something urgent. Wakaba Mutsumi, who had yet to stand up, blinked at her vanishing figure in a daze.
"Soyo-san's been so busy lately. Every day she rushes off to band practice."
"Honestly, I don't think it's just the band. Do you think she's dating someone? Remember last time when..."
As the girls chattered, Wakaba Mutsumi's gaze lingered on Soyo's exit. After a moment of silence, she pulled out her phone and opened a Line chat named "Cucumber Greenhouse." Her slender fingers began tapping away at the screen...
…
Back to the present~
Holding a gift bag filled with fresh cucumbers, Wakaba Mutsumi now sat on Soyo's enormous living room sofa. Her sudden appearance left the girls around her visibly confused. Chihaya Anon blinked at Rikki(Taki), who looked just as baffled. Then Anon glanced toward Kazami Haru.
Of course, he had nothing to do with it.
Mutsumi wasn't a member of Mygo, and she hadn't messaged Haru about coming. There was no reason she should know about the training camp at Soyo's house.
Yet she had shown up at this exact time, like there was a AirTag on him.
But Haru knew one thing: that was impossible.
Soyo, a former CRYCHIC member, would never invite Mutsumi to interfere with this. Taki had never been close to Mutsumi either, and her personality wasn't the type to drag "outsiders" into this.
Which meant ...
"..."
Haru glanced at Takamatsu Tomori, sitting nearby.
Naturally bad at lying, her flustered expression said it all.
So it was you who lured the cucumber princess here!
The sudden arrival of Wakaba Mutsumi naturally put Nagasaki Soyo on edge.
She had prepared a lot for this training camp. Originally, she only needed to handle Anon. But if another "girlfriend" like Mutsumi joined the mix now, things would get complicated fast.
Soyo quickly rearranged her expression into a smile. She placed a steaming cup of tea in front of Mutsumi and spoke in her usual sweet, melodic voice.
"What a surprise, Mutsumi-chan! I didn't expect you to visit today…"
"Did something bring you here?"
Mutsumi, the doll-like girl with an unchanging face, lifted her eyes. Her pale golden gaze passed right through Soyo and locked onto Kazami Haru. The unspoken understanding between the two was instant.
If Mutsumi were to say Haru invited her, he could cover for her.
After a brief pause, the girl replied plainly:
"I wanted to see you."
Kazami Haru: Huh?
"Eh?"
Why?
Soyo stared at her, full of confusion. She hadn't anticipated this answer at all. Whatever speech she had prepared vanished instantly.
Coming back to herself, she took a slow breath. Whatever calm she'd had was now long gone.
Mutsumi, ever the quiet observer, caught the flicker of emotion on Soyo's face, but didn't comment. Still expressionless, she calmly handed over the gift bag she'd brought.
"This is a gift. A little something to celebrate your live show in advance."
Offering tribute to the queen.
Even Soyo was taken aback by that. She accepted the bag and peeked inside, only to see several neatly stacked cucumbers.
Why cucumbers?
The confusion swirled in her mind, but outwardly she kept her smile intact.
"You came all this way just for that? Thank you so much, Mutsumi~"
"Our training camp today is all in preparation for that live show. We'll give it our all up there. But… it's about time we start practice, don't you think?"
The unspoken meaning: You can go now.
Mutsumi couldn't stay. Another person meant another variable. And Soyo couldn't afford that.
"…Since when did Soyo get so serious about practice?"
Shiina Taki narrowed her eyes, watching Nagasaki Soyo's serene smile with a complicated look. Her words were laced with poorly concealed suspicion, and Anon beside her nodded in agreement.
Exactly because they were rival "love interests," Anon knew Soyo's personality very well.
Tapping her chin thoughtfully, Anon arched a brow. Being unusually sensitive to "moods," she could tell something was a bit off with Soyo as she was clearly more flustered than usual.
I get it now!
Suddenly enlightened, Anon's mouth opened in realization. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she raised her voice in a mock imitation of Soyo's sweet tone.
"Ehh? But do we really need to rush into practice right now?"
"I mean, practice can happen anytime, right? It's rare that we're all together! And besides, Mutsumi-chan just got here, didn't she? Why don't we take this chance to eat together first?"
You fluffy pink menace, aren't you forgetting you already ruined the mood earlier?
Soyo took a deep breath, trying to smother her growing irritation. Her fingers twitched slightly as they toyed with her curled locks, and though she still wore a smile, it had grown a little stiff.
"…Anon-chan, we don't have that much time for practice, you know?"
Taki gave the pink fluffball a deadpan look.
"You really don't get the point of this training camp, do you?"
"Taki's right~ We need to make the most of our limited time. Remember what our main goal is."
Ugh, this brown-haired fox! Your goal clearly isn't just practice!
Anon muttered inwardly, flustered as she glanced toward Kazami Haru and brightened, her eyes lighting up with a hopeful gleam.
"Haru, you think we don't need to rush into practice either, right?"
Feeling all eyes suddenly shift toward him, Haru knew he couldn't just stand by. With a shrug, he stepped in to take the heat.
"Dinner's not far off anyway. It's hard to get into a proper mindset for practice in such a short time. We might as well rest up and start fresh in the evening."
"…I-I think so too… practicing tonight might be better…"
Tomori glanced at Mutsumi, then shyly voiced her agreement, which made even Taki falter.
After a brief pause, Taki let out a heavy sigh.
"…Fine, we'll eat first, then practice."
"Mutsumi's way more experienced with guitar than me. Anon, you totally messed up the high-C section during our last live, didn't you? So take this chance to learn from her. You can't mess up again on stage."
Even Taki was turning, and now with Mutsumi on the verge of casually joining Mygo's training camp, Soyo grew increasingly unsettled. She clung to one last objection.
"But Mutsumi's family is really strict about these things, right? If she stays too late, won't that be a problem?"
"If it's before eight, it's fine."
Mutsumi calmly raised her head, lifting one hand to form the number eight.
"…In that case, please join us for dinner, Mutsumi-chan."
Soyo exhaled deeply.
She couldn't read a thing from Mutsumi's doll-like expression. But now that things had reached this point, she had no choice but to give up her resistance. As long as Mutsumi didn't stay the night, she could still manage.
As long as she left before eight, Soyo could live with it.
…
Dinner duty, of course, fell to Kazami Haru.
Taki had been stunned to learn he was in charge of cooking. She had asked him several times whether he could actually cook, only settling down when both Soyo and Mutsumi vouched for him. Even then, she kept peeking toward the kitchen, clearly worried.
Her doubts vanished the moment dinner was served.
Simply because it was too delicious.
Taki had never imagined Haru's cooking would be this good. He always looked like the type who'd starve before lifting a finger, yet his dishes far exceeded anything she had pictured.
The astonishment on her face drew quiet chuckles from the others.
But Taki herself was too overwhelmed by the sheer flavor to care. Expressionless, she kept her head down, quietly scarfing down mouthful after mouthful.
"Hey hey, Rikki~ How are you feeling now~?"
Anon leaned in with a sly smile. Taki flushed bright red, but didn't know how to respond, so she turned her head away stiffly.
This was the first time she'd ever eaten so much at someone else's house that she felt full. Haru's cooking had some kind of irresistible pull, like it was laced with… something forbidden.
She couldn't help glancing toward him and of course, he was already watching her with that faint, knowing smile.
Blushing fiercely, Taki whipped her head away and muttered awkwardly.
"…I-It's… okay, I guess."
"Eh? But I didn't ask about Haru's cooking~"
Anon blinked innocently, her silvery eyes wide. Taki froze, her eyes going wide in realization and suddenly everyone else was looking her way.
In a flash, her already-blushing cheeks turned crimson. Even her ears and pale neck were glowing red.
You pink gremlin, you set me up!
"So even Taki can be honest, huh~?"
Soyo's smile gleamed with satisfaction.
Sure, she had been one-upped in the cooking department by her own "husband," but seeing the usually stiff Taki admit something was "good" gave her a sense of pride as a wife.
Pfft—
Anon finally broke into laughter, unable to hold it in.
Red-hot with embarrassment, Taki glared daggers at her. But paired with her thoroughly flushed face, even her fiercest glare had no bite.
Instead of intimidating anyone, it somehow made her even cuter.
As Taki fumed and flailed, the only one who stayed quiet was Takamatsu Tomori, quietly sipping her tea beside Mutsumi, her expression distant.
Haru noticed.
Seeing her downcast expression, he exchanged a glance with Mutsumi, then gently asked, "Tomori, is the food not to your liking?"
Startled, Tomori shook her head furiously, like a wind-up doll. Afraid she had worried him, she rushed to explain.
"N-No! Haru's cooking is really good…"
"It's warm. So warm… really…"
Her voice trailed off, the sadness in her tone impossible to miss. Haru took a deep breath and quietly moved to sit beside her.
Gently brushing his fingers through her soft, ash-gray hair, he didn't press her to explain.
Feeling the familiar touch, the little penguin gradually calmed. Realizing how worried he must've been, she furrowed her brows, then spoke softly.
"I just… feel a little lonely."
"CRYCHIC hasn't been together in a long time. And now… Sakiko's the only one missing…"
At that, Haru finally understood.
Sitting beside the little penguin, the wooden doll-like girl opened her mouth slightly in surprise, a flicker of unusual light glinting in her pale gold eyes.
"You should look at it this way. If Sakiko didn't come, that's her loss."
If the group ever threw an amazing party again, there'd probably be just one person who wouldn't get an invite.
Not naming names.
Kazami Haru couldn't help but snark to himself about their dear Miss Sakiko. His expression turned a little strange as he gently guided the little penguin to lean against his chest, his voice warm and comforting.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure Sakiko makes up with everyone."
"Promise."
From the beginning, Haru had been planning to do just that.
It was true Sakiko was in the wrong for walking away from CRYCHIC. No matter the circumstances, she owed the little penguin an apology. They had once been inseparable. That kind of friendship shouldn't just end in silence.
Haru would never give up on convincing Sakiko to come clean. Even if they couldn't return to how things used to be, they could at least clear up the misunderstandings and the thorns in their hearts.
Wakaba Mutsumi seemed to nod gently as well, a ripple passing through her usually calm eyes.
"Well then… isn't it about time we started practice? After we've worked up a sweat, we can all go soak in the bath together~ It can fit two or three people at once, you know?"
Soyo grinned sweetly, throwing a glance toward Haru before casually looking away.
Shiina Taki blinked, then looked up as if realizing something all of a sudden.
"Wait, hold on! What about…"
"When it's time to bathe, what's Haru supposed to do?"
The moment she asked, Anon's head jerked up, her will to practice vanishing as a wave of unnamed nervous tension washed over her.
Haru rolled his eyes and replied matter-of-factly, "Can't we just split into two groups? You girls go first, and I'll go after."
"Idiot, that means we'd be soaking in the same water as you…"
Taki trailed off halfway.
Noticing the flush in her ears, Haru suddenly understood. Was she really concerned about him using the same bathwater she had? Like some kind of indirect kiss?
Seriously, Taki-bro… you're too pure.
Feeling his own heart skip a beat, Haru took a deep breath and put on a chaste, upright expression.
"Don't worry. I don't have any thoughts like that."
No thoughts? Yeah, right.
First I'll have a taste, then I'll see if I have thoughts!
Just imagining soaking in bathwater previously used by Taki-san, he could already feel himself turning into a water elemental.
"If it really bothers you, I can go first instead. Or, if it makes you uncomfortable, I can just wait and bathe tomorrow morning."
"…Huh? When did I ever say I was bothered?"
Taki snapped back coldly, her cheeks faintly pink. Her brows furrowed, clearly annoyed, but just imagining the situation made her face grow even redder.
Ugh, why is this guy being so nitpicky today?
Just then, Soyo clapped her hands together, all smiles, and gently pushed Haru toward the bath.
"Then why don't you go first, Haru~? The rest of us still need to practice anyway."
This woman's up to something. Probably best not to lock the door.
Seeing that even Taki had no objections, Haru simply shrugged and said,
"Well then, I'll go ahead. You girls use this time to get in some practice. I'll be back later to check in on your progress."
The girls watched as Haru headed for the bath. Even Anon turned a bit pink watching him go. Seeing everyone dazed, Soyo narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Alright, alright. Let's get started, shall we?"
He'd probably be in there at least thirty minutes…
Usually cheerful and lively, Anon seemed a little out of sorts today. Maybe she was too preoccupied thinking about that shared bath scenario. Hugging her guitar, she looked completely distracted.
And it showed.
During practice, Anon made several small mistakes. But she wasn't the only one, Shiina Taki's drumming occasionally sped up with erratic bursts of energy.
Only Takamatsu Tomori kept singing diligently, but overall their performance was clearly off.
After they restarted three times in a row, Soyo clapped her hands gently, radiating a serene, nurturing charm.
"Let's take a short break, everyone. Regroup and reset your focus."
"…Then, I'll excuse myself for a moment."
Still smiling, Soyo headed toward one of the bathrooms.
Seeing this, Anon rubbed her pink head in frustration.
Was she really this weak? Just a little teasing, and her whole body turned to jelly?
"…Mutsumi-chan, could you help me out with this fingering? I kept messing it up during the ensemble…"
"…Sorry. I'll step out for a bit as well."
Expressionless as always, the doll-like girl glanced meaningfully toward the same direction Soyo had gone, then followed right after.
Anon blinked in confusion.
"Huh? But… no one really drank that much water today, did they?"
Still, she didn't think it was strange.
Soyo's apartment had over 300 square meters. Of course it had several bathrooms.
As Soyo stepped from the restroom into the changing room, she reached for the buttons at her collar, but just as she undid the first one, a familiar voice rang out from behind.
"Soyo, what are you doing."
"…Oh my. It's just you, Mutsumi."
Soyo turned, smiling with practiced ease at the doll-girl behind her. But those sharp golden eyes, like they could see right through her, made Soyo feel distinctly uneasy.
Still, she kept her tone breezy and light.
"I'm just getting ready to use the bathroom. What brings you here so suddenly, Mutsumi?"
"Do you have to undress to go to the bathroom?"
Wakaba Mutsumi stared impassively at the unbuttoned part of the blouse at Soyo's chest, where a hint of skin glimmered under the dressing room light. The smile on Soyo's face slowly faded.
Busted instantly.
If it had been Anon, she never would've suspected that Soyo might sneak around just during a bathroom break. But unfortunately for her, Mutsumi, someone who knew her all too well, was here today.
"Why did you come to interrupt me, Mutsumi?"
Her voice was as sweet and elegant as ever, but the smile on her beautiful face held no warmth. Faced with the question, Wakaba Mutsumi only gazed at her in silence.
Soyo's brows knit slightly under the intensity of that gaze. Her eyes, once serene, now had no hint of amusement.
"Mutsumi-chan, you're so sneaky, aren't you? You go chasing after him in secret, but when it's my turn, you come to get in the way? Do you really hate me that much?"
"…Haru wouldn't agree."
"And how do you know for sure he wouldn't?"
Despite Soyo's sharp tone, Mutsumi's expression didn't change. She knew exactly what Soyo was planning. If she actually pulled it off, everything afterward would be that much harder to deal with.
No matter who it ended up being… it couldn't be Soyo.
"I really do hate that about you, Mutsumi."
With that parting shot, Soyo calmly buttoned up her blouse and, without another word, walked right past her and out of the room.
The sheer abruptness of her "withdrawal" left Mutsumi blinking in surprise.
That wasn't like Soyo. She wasn't the type to give up so easily.
Frowning slightly, Mutsumi checked the time on her phone. The glowing screen reflected in her pale gold eyes as she murmured to herself.
"…Almost eight."
Somewhere deep inside, she had a bad feeling.