—The next day, 4 p.m—
The faint roar of the train, accompanied by a gentle vibration, pulled the boy's thoughts back to the present. With his arms folded before him, the black-haired teen leaned against the panel next to the train door. He looked up slightly and turned his gaze toward the glass window.
Scenery and light rushed past outside, flickering like the spinning wheels of time itself, vanishing the moment they reached the edge of his vision.
There were only a few scattered passengers in the train car, and sitting alone in the corner, he felt a subtle sense of loneliness seep in through the empty space.
But Haru didn't care. He propped up his chin and returned his focus to the listings of apartments and real estate ads on his phone.
"…Maybe I should just pick a place in Setagaya or Shimokitazawa? Staying in Yokohama all the time means wasting so much time on the train."
He lightly pressed a finger to his forehead, seriously mulling it over.
Compared to a few months ago, his circumstances had changed drastically.
Now that two or three of his girlfriends often showed up at his place unannounced, his tiny one-room apartment was starting to feel way too cramped. Whether it was for group hangouts or something more specific like last night's situation with Soyo, he didn't even have the space to let someone stay over.
Even when Soyo left last night, she still seemed visibly unsettled. It was clear that after breaking down like that, her deep-rooted insecurity wouldn't just vanish overnight.
If only both Soyo and Taki could stay the night, maybe that would've helped ease her anxiety more quickly.
With that in mind, Haru exhaled and muttered to himself, "I'll need to keep a closer eye on Soyo for a while. And yeah… moving really needs to become a priority."
Maybe he should just move near Soyo's place?
After all, the Nagasaki family's apartment was a luxury penthouse. It had enough space to host the entire MyGO band with all their instruments during training camps, and the location was extremely accessible.
It was tempting, he even considered moving into the unit directly above hers.
[Now arriving at Ikebukuro Station, Ikebukuro Station…]
The automated station announcement brought Haru back to the moment. He gathered his thoughts and casually picked up the instrument case leaning next to him. Without hesitation, he stepped out of the train and headed straight toward LiveHouse RiNG.
Technically, Haru should've been too busy preparing for his bet with Mori Minami to come here at all. Especially since today was MyGO's rest day from training, none of the girls would normally make the trip out to RiNG.
But of course, today was different.
"I wonder if Umiri's already here?"
Haru checked the LINE messages on his phone, then picked up the pace and entered RiNG.
Climbing the familiar stairs to the second-floor café, the first thing he saw was Shiina Taki in her work uniform. The moment their eyes met, she froze slightly in surprise.
But as Haru sat down at the bar counter, she quickly walked over.
"Haru, what are you doing at RiNG all of a sudden??"
"What, can't I just drop by to see my lovely Taki?"
His teasing tone made her ears flush red. She quickly raised her order pad to cover her face, trying to play it cool.
After a brief pause, she responded shyly, "Cut it out… You only ever call me cute at times like this. So what are you really here for?"
Don't pin that on him. He just didn't dare say it before.
Back then, their relationship had been a proper partnership, just bandmates and friends. Their LINE chats were strictly about music and practice.
If he had randomly called her cute back then, she probably would've lost her mind.
Caught in the act, Haru simply replied with a shrug, "Well, I do have a reason. Umiri said she's short on help today, so she dragged me over to work like a mule."
"Oh, so you came to see Umiri?"
Taki folded her arms and turned away with a dry tone.
Even though she was good friends with Yahata Umiri, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous. It was like Haru had just dropped in to say hi on his way to someone else.
"Well then, sir, may I ask what you would like to order?"
The cold beauty with long black hair flowing to her waist had returned to her usual aloof self. Standing perfectly poised, pen in hand, her eyes flashed with a sharp glint. Her pretty face, already chilly, now held a faint hint of dissatisfaction.
Haru's mouth twitched. He raised two fingers as if this were routine. "Two mochas, with sugar."
"…I'm working. I don't have time to drink coffee with you."
She shook the pen slightly, giving him a quick side glance with a calm exterior.
"No, I meant I'll be drinking both."
At that, Taki immediately furrowed her sharp brows. Her violet eyes gleamed dangerously, and a frosty chill spread across her already stunning face.
Even the plastic pen creaked under the pressure of her grip.
Seeing this, Haru immediately raised both hands in surrender. "Sorry, I was just joking! You're just too cute when you get jealous, I couldn't help myself. Of course, the second cup is for you!"
"You—! Who's jealous?!"
Taki widened her eyes and grabbed him by the sleeve in embarrassment and anger.
See? She's mad already.
Feeling the "sourness" rising from her jealousy, Haru raised an eyebrow and coughed lightly before continuing, "Anyway, I didn't just come to see Umiri. There's still time before the band I'm helping arrives."
"I came early because I wanted to talk to you."
"Hmph. You're all talk…"
Blushing, Taki lifted the menu to hide half her face. Only her elegant violet eyes and the beauty mark beneath them remained visible.
Such an easy woman...
"But like I said, I'm working. I don't have time to hang out."
"Shouldn't be a problem. Looks like Ririko-san already gave the okay."
Haru gestured toward the front counter. There, Matsugi Ririko, also in a RiNG staff uniform, raised her arms over her head and made a big circular gesture of approval with a smile.
Taki was officially out of excuses.
"…Just a quick break. And don't expect this to happen again!"
She gave him a side glance, then sighed quietly, clearly resigned.
Since becoming a couple, the once cold and short-tempered Shiina Taki had changed without realizing it. Even if she was mad at him for teasing her, all it took was a bit of coaxing before she gave in again.
There was nothing she could do.
"Mm!"
As soon as she sat down beside him, Haru gently took her hand in his. Her face turned bright red, and she gave a token struggle, but he held on tight, leaving her with no choice but to let him.
She shot him a quick glare, then huffed and let him hold her hand.
Haru's lips curled into a smile. He turned his gaze to the steaming mocha before him and spoke with a hint of nostalgia.
"Funny, isn't it? This feels familiar. Last time we were sitting together drinking mochas too."
"…That was about Soyo, right? You insisted on apologizing."
Taki frowned slightly at the memory. Even now, she still didn't think it was Haru who should've apologized.
"Speaking of Soyo, Taki, did anything happen when you walked her home last night?"
"Nothing particularly special, I guess."
Taki lowered her head with a complicated look, trying to recall the events of the previous evening.
It had been the first time she'd ever seen Soyo so flustered. Though she'd calmed down quickly thanks to Haru's comfort, Taki could still tell that Soyo was tense. Even the walk back had lacked her usual composure.
Soyo clearly wanted to "monopolize" him, but she didn't even have the courage to admit that in front of Haru.
Haru paused for a few seconds, then continued thoughtfully, "Anyway, thanks again for helping out last night. Even though things between you and Soyo aren't exactly smooth, you still offered to walk her home."
"I only did that because I said I'd try to get along with her. And really, it's not like something that small deserves your thanks."
"Besides, you've helped me out plenty of times, Haru. If anyone should be thanking someone, it's me thanking you."
"No, really, I mean it. I owe you."
Arms crossed, Taki maintained her usual calm expression, but somewhere along the way, her icy elegance had started to blush with a delicate pink. Her black, glossy hair fell gently over her pale neck and down her wrist, and though her demeanor remained cool, there was a springlike warmth that softened her edges.
Haru quietly inhaled, trying to settle the stirrings in his chest. After a short silence, he couldn't help but say, "Now that you mention it, I don't think I've ever heard you thank me properly before. So how about… you try it now?"
"…And how exactly should I thank you?"
Taki's eyes drifted, and even her voice softened a little.
"Well, let's see…"
Haru stole a glance at her. Her fingers clutched the handle of the coffee mug so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale. Her perfect face had taken on a rosy hue, and it was clear she was anxiously waiting for what he would say next.
The way she quietly looked at him like that, Haru felt his restraint beginning to waver.
"Come to think of it, when we first started dating, weren't you supposed to be the one to take the lead on our first kiss? But in the end, you got too nervous and made me do it."
"So how about this time, as a thank-you, you kiss me instead?"
His eyes glinted mischievously. The teasing in his voice left Taki momentarily frozen.
"…Huh? Right now? Here?"
"Well, there's no one around at the moment. Though that could change soon…"
Panicking, Taki instinctively looked toward the bar. Ririko, the RiNG floor manager, hadn't noticed anything, and the café was empty. They were seated in a quiet corner, completely out of sight.
Taki wanted to flee on impulse, but Haru was still holding her hand. There was no escape.
She saw the amused glint in Haru's eyes and bit her lip, finally responding in a soft and weak voice, utterly stripped of its usual bite:
"…Ugh, you're the worst."
Her offensive power seemed to have weakened quite a bit.
Seeing her like that was more than enough for Haru. He had only meant to tease her a little. With a small smirk, he added, "I was just kidding, really. If it's too much for you—"
"Tch…"
Blushing furiously, Taki grabbed Haru by the collar and tugged him toward her.
Before he could react, the determined Taki pulled him in and kissed him, quick and decisive. Her lips were soft, tasting of mocha and cocoa, with just a hint of sweet chocolate and bitter coffee.
Haru stared in shock as Taki pulled away. He didn't know what to say.
Her flawless, delicate face was flushed all over, from her cheeks to her ears and even down her neck.
"There. That's good enough, right?"
"…Yeah."
More than enough, in fact.
Even though they'd been dating for a while, Taki still hadn't been brave enough to kiss or even hold hands in public. That she'd done so here, in the middle of RiNG, completely blew Haru away.
"Taki, you smell really good."
"Shut up!"
Like a startled cat, Taki snapped and glared at him, then turned away with a bright red face.
She had used up every ounce of courage to pull that off. While she looked calm on the surface, she was struggling just to stay upright. It was honestly a miracle that no one else had seen them. If anyone had…
There would be no next time. Ever.
Just as that crossed her mind, she glanced nervously around the café and her eyes froze on the entrance.
Standing outside the glass door was a petite girl, staring intently through the window.
Short silver hair bobbed slightly as she leaned forward, eyes of mismatched blue and gold gleaming with curiosity. Her lips curled in amusement, and she immediately pulled a rolling cart behind her and headed straight for the entrance.
"Noraneko?!" (Noraneko= Stray Cat)
Taki's expression froze as the silver-haired girl walked up to them. The way she looked at them smirking, knowing made Taki want to crawl into a hole and disappear.
You've got to be kidding me. Someone saw that?!
And of course, of course it had to be someone she knew...
Noticing Taki's flustered and panicked expression, Haru finally noticed the unexpected intruder, Raana.
He followed her gaze and instantly understood what had happened.
The silver-haired stray raised her eyebrows and leaned between them.
"Rikki, no more kissing?"
"Raana! You better forget everything you just saw!"
Taki snapped, glaring at her in a mix of shame and fury. But Raana didn't even flinch. She just squinted her catlike eyes and said, "If Rikki won't kiss, then I'll kiss Haru too."
And with that, she copied Taki's earlier move and tried to grab Haru by the collar.
Reacting instantly, Haru clamped his hand over her mouth, breaking into a cold sweat. "Raana, you can't do that! That's not something you can copy just like that!"
"Why not?"
Raana pouted, clearly displeased.
Haru felt a sharp jolt go down his spine. He should've known better than to tease Taki like that. And of all people, it had to be this cat who walked in on them.
Once Raana took interest in something, she never let it go.
"Anyway, no means no! As an apology, I'll buy you a matcha parfait, okay?"
"Haru's playing favorites with Rikki."
Raana puffed out her cheeks, already starting to squirm out of his grip.
They had kissed before during the training camp. From her perspective, this was totally unfair.