What exactly happened to Sakiko?
Throughout the entire break, Nagasaki Soyo had persisted in sending Sakiko messages on LINE every day, occasionally even calling her. Yet no matter what she did, there was never any response.
Back when they all performed together, bringing Haruhikage to life as CRYCHIC, they had been so happy. So why had Sakiko suddenly decided to leave the band? Why had she disappeared without a word, cutting off all contact?
After Sakiko left, Tomori and Taki followed suit. Even Mutsumi, though she didn't leave, refused Soyo's request to keep the band going. And as for Kyo—what was she thinking?
Soyo had always believed that she and Kyo were alike.
Perhaps it was because Soyo herself had never been good at expressing her emotions openly. In order to be accepted by those around her, she had long since wrapped herself in a gentle exterior, carefully concealing her true self beneath it.
So when Kyo joined CRYCHIC, always smiling yet keeping a subtle distance from the rest of the band, Soyo had a hunch—Kyo was doing the same thing. She, too, was wearing a thick mask, maintaining relationships through careful pretense.
That was why, from the very start, Soyo couldn't help but be intrigued by her. She found herself watching Kyo, noticing the little things about her.
As time went on and CRYCHIC grew, Soyo began to think of the band as a second home. In fact, compared to the cold, empty mansion where she spent most of her time alone, she preferred the lively energy of her bandmates—the laughter, the teasing, the warmth.
She also noticed that Kyo was gradually opening up. Once passive in conversations, she started revealing more of herself—her oddly intense love for all kinds of drinks, her sudden bursts of playful mischief, her clueless but endearing moments of unexpected closeness…
Within the band, Soyo had always taken on a motherly role. And when it came to Kyo, she felt something akin to sympathy, as if they shared a quiet understanding. Maybe Kyo, like her, had found a place to belong in CRYCHIC.
Then came that rainy day.
"I'm leaving CRYCHIC."
…
Why? Why couldn't they just sit down and talk things through? If something was wrong, why couldn't they share their struggles and face them together?
Isn't that what a family is supposed to do…?
But at least, there was still Kyo.
Soyo would never forget the promise Kyo had made to her.
"Will you stay with me?"
"Of course."
There were no words more reassuring to Soyo in that moment. Even if no one else was coming to CRYCHIC right now, at least she knew that when she invited Kyo again, Kyo would be willing to return.
If everything truly reverted to the lonely world it had been before, Soyo would still do her best to piece together the fragments of the band from her memories. But things hadn't completely reset—Kyo was still here, by her side.
Kyo must have wanted to bring CRYCHIC back together too. After all, that band was a place where she could genuinely smile, wasn't it?
Nagasaki Soyo had always believed that she and Kikukawa Kyo were alike.
During the break, Soyo couldn't help but send a few LINE messages to Sakiko every day. Just a few—never too many.
Because that day, Kyo had told her to take a deep breath, to calm down first. To take a hot bath, drink some warm tea. Soyo had followed her advice completely. Kyo had also said not to panic, that maybe Sakiko just needed some time. That maybe things would work themselves out. And if they didn't—when school started again, Soyo could ask Sakiko in person.
So Soyo had done just that. She forced herself not to overthink things, clinging to the hope, the belief, that everything would turn out okay.
Then, on the first day of school, Soyo hurriedly—but still keeping in line with Tsukinomori's etiquette, carefully adjusting her pace—made her way to the campus. She checked every classroom, one by one.
Sakiko wasn't there.
The realization struck Soyo hard. A chilling thought crept into her mind—what if Sakiko had left Tokyo? What if she had left Japan entirely? The hope of CRYCHIC reuniting was like a fleeting dream, still visible but unreachable, something that would shatter at the slightest touch.
But thankfully, Mutsumi was terrible at lying.
Even though she refused to answer Soyo's questions, her silence told Soyo everything she needed to know. By piecing together her reactions and pressing with carefully phrased questions, Soyo confirmed it—Sakiko was still in Tokyo.
I will bring Sakiko back.
That resolve took root in Soyo's heart. But she hadn't forgotten about the other members of CRYCHIC either. If she wanted to restore what had been broken, she needed to gather them first. Then, when Sakiko returned, she would be able to rejoin the band right away.
Kyo and Mutsumi would surely want to come back too. With that in mind, Soyo decided to find Reki first. And since Taki had always liked Tomori, she could use that to reconnect with her as well.
Which was why Soyo had come to RiNG today—to find Taki and bring the band back together.
But instead, she unexpectedly ran into Kyo.
At first, Soyo instinctively ignored the unfamiliar pink-haired girl beside Kyo, her attention drawn to Kyo herself—someone she hadn't seen in a while.
Was she here to watch a live performance at RiNG? Or… could she be here for the same reason I am? To find Taki and rebuild the band?
The possibility made Soyo's heart lift. The feeling was almost parental—like a mother watching her child finally take action for the sake of their family.
However…
That was when Soyo truly noticed the girl standing beside Kyo.
Who is she?
Just as she was about to step forward and greet Kyo, she saw Kyo exchange a few words with the pink-haired girl before heading off in another direction—toward the restroom, it seemed.
Soyo stifled a small laugh behind her hand. She must have had too much water again. Honestly, no matter how many times I tell her, she just never learns moderation.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Soyo decided to approach anyway. Even though Kyo was gone, the pink-haired girl remained, standing by the request board and scanning its contents.
With her usual gentle and sweet tone, Soyo stepped forward and spoke.
"Excuse me, could you move aside a little? I'd like to take a look as well."
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