Nagasaki Soyo watched the two people downstairs, her expression thoughtful, then looked toward Shiina Ritsuki.
"Hey, Ritsuki, what kind of relationship do you think Mutsumi has with him?"
"If you're so curious, why not ask them directly?" Shiina Ritsuki snorted coldly. Her first impression of Hoshino Miru was somewhat poor. "Even if they're dating, I don't care."
Nagasaki Soyo was long accustomed to her sour expression and simply followed her thread of conversation.
"As for dating, it's a bit ambiguous, but too early." Nagasaki Soyo first commented, then smiled. "Isn't Ritsuki curious at all? Why would Mutsumi take a liking to this guy?"
"Don't know, not curious." Shiina Ritsuki spoke stiffly. "I'm more curious about why you care so much about this guy. Have you also taken a liking to him?"
Nagasaki Soyo smiled without speaking. She knew Shiina Ritsuki had this attitude towards everyone, except Takamatsu Tomori.
"If Tomori and Shoko could come back, would Ritsuki be willing to rejoin our band?"
"After everything that's happened, are you still clinging to such a ridiculous idea?"
"Hehe, you're right."
Nagasaki Soyo neither confirmed nor denied, though inwardly she was silently wondering—what was the relationship between Hoshino Miru, Wakaba Mutsumi, and Toyokawa Shoko?
Since Toyokawa Shoko's disappearance, she had finally found a bit of a lead.
Nagasaki Soyo absentmindedly played with her fingers. Next time, she would definitely find Toyokawa Shoko.
...
Toyokawa Shoko looked up at the sky. Another day was passing.
This week, Sumita Mana's learning progress had accelerated even more. After teaching a few more lessons, she probably wouldn't need her anymore.
At that time, this temporary job would end.
She just inexplicably thought of Hoshino Miru, and her mood became complicated. She knew she had opportunities to find part-time work as a piano tutor.
However, Toyokawa Shoko was somewhat resistant.
Because looking at the familiar piano and other people's clean and comfortable rooms reminded her of her former life as a young lady. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to withstand such temptation and would no longer be willing to return to her current home.
Her father was in a state of collapse. She had to shoulder her responsibilities as a daughter and wouldn't proactively seek work that would make her weak.
Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath, hoping Hoshino Miru could understand her feelings. Right now, she really shouldn't consider overly comfortable work.
Immediately after, she found it somewhat amusing. What was she thinking about?
They were clearly just friends who had met recently. Why did she care so much about Hoshino Miru's opinion of her?
He's probably together with Wakaba Mutsumi right now. Toyokawa Shoko unconsciously had this thought.
She could hardly imagine the scene of Wakaba Mutsumi playing guitar together with a guy.
Toyokawa Shoko took out her phone. She had just filmed a video of Sumita Mana practicing piano and could send it to Hoshino Miru.
However, after thinking for quite a while, she added a supplement.
「Toyokawa Shoko: Practice.mp4」
「Toyokawa Shoko: Mana-san's level has improved again. Can you hear the difference?」
Toyokawa Shoko waited for a while. Hoshino Miru didn't show as "read," so she put away her phone with slightly flushed cheeks.
She looked at the surrounding streets and noticed passing students wearing Tsukimori school uniforms. Feeling somewhat unnatural, she lowered her head and quickly mixed into the crowd.
...
Kasugano Sora was now looking at Hoshino Miru with particular dissatisfaction.
Although she hadn't said anything, the girl's eyes had to be fierce, her cheeks had to puff up, to let Hoshino Miru know just how angry she was right now.
Hoshino Miru stood in the living room, completely motionless, playing a staring contest with her.
After a moment, Hoshino Miru had to surrender.
"I was wrong, I was wrong. I shouldn't have just dumped you on Eriri."
Kasugano Sora raised her chin, making the victor's light humph, while turning her pretty face away, taking the opportunity to blink—she had almost died of sourness just now.
"My little sister is so cute—I really can't let her go out alone." Hoshino Miru said seriously, "Next time we go out, I'll have to keep a close eye on her from the side, to prevent outsiders from snatching her away."
"Enough, you idiot!" Kasugano Sora couldn't help blushing. What nonsense was he spouting!
"Isn't it because I didn't go with you that you're angry?" Hoshino Miru looked quite remorseful.
"I never said that!" Kasugano Sora originally wanted to admit it, but on second thought, if he guessed the reason for her anger so easily, how could she continue being angry next time?
So Kasugano Sora thought for quite a while.
"It's because you went to play guitar with someone else again!" Kasugano Sora pouted. "Is guitar really that fun? Or is there a very pretty girl over there?"
As she said this, Hoshino Miru unconsciously thought of Wakaba Mutsumi's appearance just now, and his heart skipped a beat.
"So my little sister is curious about this—are you worried your brother will be tricked away?" Hoshino Miru's face showed no embarrassment as he even turned it around to tease the girl.
"D-don't use strange forms of address!" Kasugano Sora emphasized shyly, "We're not real siblings!"
When it benefited her, it was "onii-chan and little sister." When it didn't, it was "we're not siblings." This little sister's stance was truly flexible.
"What does it matter? Anyway, if Sora is curious, next time let's go watch a band's live performance together, okay?" At this moment, Hoshino Miru certainly wouldn't show fear or guilt. The more proactive he was, the less suspicious she would become.
Sure enough, Kasugano Sora's attention was immediately diverted.
"A band's live performance?" Kasugano Sora instinctively felt somewhat afraid. She disliked crowded places.
"Right, I'm planning to invite Eriri too." Hoshino Miru deliberately mentioned Eriri's name. "Want to come together?"
Kasugano Sora immediately felt her scalp tingle. She didn't want to go, but if Eriri was going, she had no choice but to follow, because she couldn't give Eriri the slightest opportunity.
"S-since Onii-chan has said so, I'll reluctantly go with you."
Hoshino Miru couldn't help laughing, making Kasugano Sora feel guilty and blush.
"My little sister is so cute."
"I-I hate you the most! I walked around for so long today, even my feet are sore!"
"No problem, I'll give you a massage."
Kasugano Sora definitely didn't want to give him this opportunity. After walking for so long today, there might be an odor. She couldn't let him develop a bad impression of his little sister.
The girl's firm refusal left Hoshino Miru somewhat regretful, though he didn't take it to heart.
His mood was quite good right now because his「Music Theory LV1」had been promoted to「Music Theory LV2」—a reward he had just obtained from Wakaba Mutsumi.
The other two options were [Stamina +1] and [The mango juice Wakaba Mutsumi drank from]. Hoshino Miru felt there was temporarily no need to choose them.
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