Hotaru arrived first, noting Shiina Rikki's absence at the front desk.
He regretted missing her reaction to seeing him with Tomori again.
Chihaya Anon and Takamatsu Tomori arrived soon after.
Anon, lively, flashed her canine teeth, greeting Hotaru and Tomori.
Hotaru nodded calmly.
Anon pouted to Tomori, "Tomorin, he's so cold."
Hotaru, confused, "Tomorin, since when?"
Tomori chuckled, knowing Anon's teasing.
"Cute nickname, right? Want one?" Anon grinned.
Hotaru waved her off.
Yamato Love Nika arrived, lured by Hotaru's matcha parfait promise.
Staff member Shinji Rinko began, "Rana, you're—"
Nika walked straight to Hotaru.
Rinko paused, suspicious. Second time.
Rana usually played guitar, then ate parfait, but now…
Rinko eyed Hotaru. Rikki's friend. Leading Rana astray?
As her former boss's granddaughter, Rinko watched closely.
Anon greeted Nika brightly. This guitar master looks like a kid?
"Matcha parfait," Nika demanded.
"Don't rush, I'll get it," Hotaru said, seating her.
Nika stared at Tomori, drawn to her.
"Band?" Nika asked.
Tomori, feeling odd, clenched her fists, "Hmm, a band… forever."
Nika's eyes lit up, lips curling, "Interesting woman."
Hotaru, returning with the parfait, twitched. Woman?
"Rana, don't say 'woman,' it's rude," he said.
"What then?"
"Girl."
"Oh," Nika nodded.
3 PM sharp, Kairin arrived.
Hotaru waved, "Hailing, over here."
Kairin nodded, approaching, surprised to see Tomori.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"Just in time," Hotaru said.
"I'm Hachiman Kairin, bassist, active in ~30 bands," she introduced.
Anon and Tomori were shocked; Nika ate her parfait.
They sat, introducing themselves, chatting.
RiNG entrance
Rikki arrived for her shift, spotting Tomori.
Surprised, she rushed over, "Tomori! You're here."
She softened her voice, cautious.
Tomori smiled gently, "Hmm… Rikki."
Rikki noticed Hotaru. "You're here too?"
Then Kairin. "Hailing too?"
Seeing Nika and Anon, less familiar, she froze. What's this group doing with Tomori?
Anon, expecting a greeting, pointed at herself, ignored.
"What are you doing?" Rikki asked Tomori, Hotaru, and Kairin.
"Band matters," Kairin replied.
"Forming a band!" Anon chimed in.
"What?!" Rikki neared Tomori. "You're forming a band?"
"Hmm…" Tomori nodded, smiling at Anon and Hotaru. "With Anon and Qiu."
Anon grinned proudly; Hotaru noted he wasn't technically a member.
Rikki's eyes widened, emotions swirling. They've formed one?
She'd rejected Anon's invite before. Missed a chance with Tomori? Fool!
"Tomori, I want to form a band with you," Rikki blurted, flushed, nervous, hopeful.
"Any open positions?"
"Eh?" Anon blinked. Didn't you reject me?
"We need a drummer," Tomori said happily, looking to Anon and Hotaru.
Hotaru, catching Anon's agreement, nodded. Drummer secured? Smooth.
"If you're interested, sit and chat," Hotaru offered.
Rikki nodded, sitting.
Hotaru turned to Nika, nearly done with her parfait. "Rana, want to join?"
Nika, biting her spoon, "Live performance?"
"Of course," Hotaru chuckled.
"I want to form a band," Nika said.
Hotaru nodded, then to Kairin, "Hailing, decided?"
"I'll join as support first. Notify me early for practices, okay?" Kairin said.
All agreed.
Rikki, eyeing Kairin and Hotaru, "You two close?"
"Sort of, why?" Kairin replied.
"Nothing," Rikki turned away.
"Jealous?" Kairin teased, rubbing her chin.
"Huh?" Hotaru and Rikki exclaimed, staring at each other, then Kairin.
Hotaru thought, Hailing, what?! Not the cool mercenary I know.
Rikki raised an eyebrow, "What're you talking about?"
"You two have chemistry," Kairin said.
Hotaru shrugged; Rikki crossed her arms.
"No way!" they said in unison, turning away.
Anon blinked, "They do have chemistry."
Tomori softly, "Hmm."
"What are you all doing?" a sudden voice interrupted.
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