Ryo and Nijika climbed the last step, exhausted.
They sat on the ground, sweating, panting.
"So tired, so hot… can't climb," Ryo said.
"Me too," Nijika replied.
"Rest…" Ryo muttered.
Hotaru called to Ikuyo, leading the group, "Ikuyo, wait, we're too fast."
Ikuyo, vibrant, stopped, turned.
She approached Ryo and Nijika, shining, encouraging, "Ryo-senpai, Nijika-senpai, don't give up, almost there!"
"How much further?" Nijika asked.
Hotaru smiled, "Less than halfway."
Nijika and Ryo paled.
Hitori appeared, crawling up the stairs, sprawling.
She collapsed, eyes catching something, exclaimed, "An escalator!"
Ryo and Nijika looked where Hitori pointed.
Ryo's eyes lit up, "Let's take it!"
Nijika nodded.
"No!" Ikuyo protested, "The view from climbing is best!"
Ryo shook her head, "View doesn't matter."
Ikuyo looked at Nijika, "Nijika-senpai doesn't think that, right?"
Rarely, Ikuyo didn't back Ryo.
All eyes on Nijika.
"Well…" Nijika hesitated awkwardly.
"I've got it!" Nijika's fist hit her palm. "Vote."
Everyone agreed.
Nijika looked at Ryo, who chose the escalator.
"Aki-kun?" Nijika asked Hotaru.
"I support Ikuyo," Hotaru said.
"2 to 2."
Eyes turned to Hitori.
"Bocchi-chan, escalator or stairs?" Nijika asked gently.
"I, I…" Hitori trembled, anxious.
Choosing risked offending someone.
She regretted spotting the escalator.
Hotaru, seeing her thoughts, encouraged, "Don't overthink, Bocchi-chan, say it, no one will blame you."
Hitori, exhausted, faced hopeful Ryo and Nijika.
Ikuyo sensed trouble.
Indeed, avoiding Hotaru and Ikuyo's gazes, Hitori whispered, "Escalator…"
"3 to 2," Ryo announced.
Hotaru and Ikuyo lost.
Nijika and Ryo smiled.
Ikuyo, unwilling, muttered, "Darn indoor types!"
They headed to the escalator.
Ikuyo eyed the stairs longingly.
"Escalator costs money, maybe stairs," she said.
Hotaru suggested, "Split up? You take the escalator, Ikuyo and I climb."
Ikuyo's eyes lit up, "I support that!"
Nijika nodded, "Good idea."
Before parting, Nijika said, "We'll wait at the observation deck."
…
Hotaru and Ikuyo climbed the mountain path.
The outdoor duo moved swiftly.
Ikuyo took photos, occasionally asking Hotaru for help.
After a good shot, she asked, "Hotaru-kun, did you choose stairs for me?"
Shy but extroverted, Ikuyo found it easy to ask.
"Half and half," Hotaru admitted. "I like the scenery too."
Ikuyo relaxed, "Good, I'd feel bad if it was just for me."
Hotaru smiled.
Ikuyo asked, "Can we pass Seika's rehearsal?"
"Didn't Nijika say no band talk today?"
Hotaru knew they'd pass.
Ikuyo laughed, embarrassed, "Just chatting!"
"Really?"
As Ikuyo nodded, Hotaru asked, "Worried you'll hold us back?"
Ikuyo faltered, startled.
She stopped, sighed awkwardly, "Can't hide from Hotaru-kun…"
Pleased he guessed her thoughts.
"I haven't progressed much."
"Hitori's working hard, not hiding in a mango box."
"I might cause problems."
Ikuyo's red hair dimmed with her mood.
"Don't worry, you won't," Hotaru said.
"Why?" Ikuyo looked puzzled.
"Aren't you the karaoke queen, perfect 100?" Hotaru teased.
"Classmates teasing! Not 100," Ikuyo said sweetly.
"But your singing's great, right?"
Ikuyo nodded hesitantly, "Bad if I mess up guitar."
Hotaru pondered, "If you do, I'll cover with my keyboard."
"Eh? Can you?" Ikuyo was surprised.
"Yes," Hotaru assured. "Sing your heart out."
"Sing my heart out?"
Ikuyo studied Hotaru, then smiled confidently, "I understand!"
Seeing her adjust, Hotaru said, "Speed up, don't keep them waiting."
"Okay!" Ikuyo shouted, "Race to the summit!"
She charged forward.
"Huh?" Hotaru, stunned, replied, "I won't go easy."
"Don't underestimate me."
They accelerated, climbing.
A voice called from behind.
"Person in front, help me."
"I… can't go on."
Hotaru and Ikuyo stopped, looked back.
------------------------------
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