For both the current MyGO and the former CRYCHIC, there was one song that required no rehearsal, one they could all perform perfectly. It was also the first piano piece Haru ever played before them.
That song, etched into everyone's hearts, was naturally the one with lyrics by the little penguin and composition by Sakiko —
"Haruhikage."
Even if Taki hadn't stood on stage with Sakiko for a year, she would never forget the rhythm of that song on the drums.
"…There's no helping it."
Taki pressed her fingers to her temple, exhaling in resignation.
To think they'd end up playing that.
"Since that's decided, let's get on with practice today. The upcoming live is important, but for MyGO right now, the 'Future World Fes' competition matters even more. We can't slack off on practice."
When the manager spoke, her words carried weight.
With Soyo dragging the stray cat back from wandering around outside, today's band practice resumed its rhythm. Perhaps because Haru himself was overseeing things, the girls played with unusual seriousness.
Before long, practice wound down with the setting sun blazing across the sky.
But today, instead of going straight home, Haru led the three of them to a café while the evening light still painted the world in fire, the Rabbit House.
The glass door chimed as it opened, the delicate sound of windchimes filling their ears. Haru stepped inside first, with the little penguin following close, her face taut with tension.
Haru glanced back.
She clutched his sleeve, her head tucked near his shoulder, too nervous to look around. Taki, arms folded across her chest, frowned slightly as her eyes swept the room.
It was the first time either of them had come here.
Only Soyo looked composed, her designer bag slung over her shoulder, glancing briefly at her phone before speaking calmly. "I already told Sakiko. She's waiting for us here."
"I see her already."
At the back of the café, a blue-haired girl sat with her phone in hand, graceful and poised. The moment she lifted her head, her eyes gleamed faintly, and she raised her pale hand with a wave.
Her radiant smile left Taki slightly open-mouthed. She quickly turned away, shooting Haru a look of disbelief.
"Was she… always like this?"
"…You're asking me?"
Haru's expression twitched.
You knew her a year ago, didn't you? And everyone here except him had seen Sakiko at her "blank canvas" stage.
But there was no denying it, the Sakiko before them now was not the same as before. She could still be cold and sharp when sulking, but when alone with Haru she was almost always in her gentle "Soft Sakiko" state.
"I already heard from Tomori over the phone about the live," Sakiko began, her posture elegant as always, but her expression rare in its gravity. Her amber eyes, similar yet different from Tomori's, fixed firmly on them.
"I don't think a phone call is enough. I wanted to talk face-to-face. That's why I asked Tomori to bring you, Soyo, and Taki. Only Mutsumi isn't here."
"Mutsumi won't be coming?"
Soyo arched a brow, her tone carrying a faint thread of concern. Taki looked surprised at that, though she pressed her lips together and stayed silent.
Haru sighed softly. "She's out shopping for groceries right now, on her way home to cook. Having her drag all that here wouldn't be practical, so I didn't call her. But don't worry, I'll tell her everything later."
Mutsumi, after all, was practically a full-time housewife now. She disliked leaving chores to the servants and insisted on handling things herself. Naturally, that left little time to spare.
But even if she were here, she'd probably just nod along without complaint.
"…Haru, let me handle it."
Soyo's words startled everyone.
Noticing their surprise, she added slowly, "Since Mutsumi and I are both at Tsukinomori… and besides, something like this, it's better if it comes from another former CRYCHIC member."
The long-haired girl lowered her gaze, pale fingers idly playing with her nails, but her voice carried an unusual earnestness. Haru could sense what she meant.
"You're right. Then let's leave it to Soyo."
At that, Taki frowned slightly, arms still crossed. "Why go out of your way? Wouldn't it be quicker for Haru to just tell her when he gets home?"
Soyo closed her blue eyes, her voice calm yet tinged with helplessness.
"…I've long since given up on reuniting CRYCHIC. But when I heard about this farewell live, of course I wanted to support it. Besides, there are things left unsaid between Mutsumi and me. I'd like to finally talk to her."
Sakiko froze, then her eyes softened in realization.
She glanced at Haru. He sat with his chin propped on one hand, his dark eyes quietly studying Soyo's face. When he caught Sakiko looking, he gave her a playful wink.
"…So you already knew."
That was why he had agreed so easily.
Sakiko's expression gentled, her slender fingers stirring her coffee as the rising steam blurred the air between them.
So this was Haru's way of thinking.
"Actually… about CRYCHIC, I also have things I never managed to say. I always wanted to talk to everyone again, but never found the right moment."
"Sakiko?"
Her words drew everyone's gaze. Even the little penguin, sitting beside Haru, was taken aback.
Sakiko lowered her head slightly, blue hair falling forward like strands of ocean silk, her natural beauty sharpened by her solemn expression.
"After I apologized during the live, it seemed like no one blamed me anymore… I let myself believe I was freed, that I had truly moved on."
Her porcelain face glowed faintly like melting snow, her eyes burning with intensity that left them no room to look away.
"But I was wrong. I can't forgive myself. Not yet."
"I can't forgive the selfish, thoughtless girl I used to be."
Her lips pressed together, trembling with unspoken grief. The hands that once thundered across piano keys now shook faintly where they rested.
The three girls fell silent. Even Taki, who had always treated Sakiko coldly, closed her eyes and slowly unclenched her fists.
"…That's why we're doing this live."
Haru's voice, calm and steady, broke the silence. His gaze swept gently across them, easing the storm in their hearts. Sakiko, who had been bent beneath the weight of her guilt, slowly lifted her head.
Seeing the mood soften, Haru patted Tomori's back lightly.
"Mm…"
The little penguin tensed, but she knew this was her chance, one he had created for her. She clenched her fists against her skirt, ears reddening beneath her uneven bangs.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage.
Warmth brushed her hand. She knew without looking who it was, his familiar touch steadying her like sunlight through winter clouds.
"…I… I never once blamed you, Sakiko…"
"Tomori?"
Sakiko's slender body trembled, her long eyes quivering faintly.
Feeling the warmth passing through her hand, the little penguin who always hid behind Haru slowly lifted her head. Her gentle and pure eyes, filled with quiet strength, looked straight ahead with seriousness.
"When the band disbanded, I felt so, so guilty. I kept wondering… was it because I was too useless? Was that why I made Sakiko angry? If only I had done better… would the ending have been different?"
"But now, I think I finally understand."
Tomori met Sakiko's gaze without fear. At that moment, their eyes seemed to trade places.
"I… I'm still lost. But I think I can start to face my feelings now… I can finally move forward again! So… I want to hold a Live. I want to sing. I want to shout out what's in my heart."
"If struggling only for the past meant we ended up hurting each other, then if we work hard for the future, I believe… we'll never be separated again."
They had created CRYCHIC with their own hands, so naturally they should also bring closure to the past with their own hands.
This CRYCHIC Live was a farewell, and at the same time, a rebirth.
Even if they had decided to say goodbye to the past, the future still allowed their paths to cross again.
"…Tomori, let's hold a Live!"
"Eh? Taki-chan?"
Across the table, Takis eyes had grown misty with tears. Overcome with emotion, she suddenly grabbed Tomori's hand, leaving the little penguin flustered and unsure what to do.
"You're right. We have to hold this Live… CRYCHIC needs a proper ending."
Sakiko's eyes also brimmed with tears, but she still showed a radiant and gentle smile.
"…Good grief, the other customers are staring already."
Like a mother watching over a few children, Soyo sighed with exasperation, though she couldn't hide her smile. Then, almost unconsciously, her sky-blue eyes flicked toward Haru beside her, ripples glimmering within them.
Looking back, she felt like a fool for being so fixated on CRYCHIC in the past.
Without realizing it, she had found a true home of her own, a place where she could build memories just as precious, a place where Soyo didn't need to hide behind masks, a place where she could simply be her truest self.
"Alright, enough crying. If someone sees this, it'll look bad… won't they think I was bullying you?"
Haru's dead-serious words pulled the girls back to themselves. Taki, the fastest to react, sniffled and snapped in protest, "Like you've got any right to talk, when you're the main culprit!"
"What?"
How did he suddenly become the culprit?
Haru stared wide-eyed in disbelief. The slander made him want to jump up onto the table and show off one of the new tricks he'd just learned in simulation.
Adaptation is not distortion, storytelling is not fabrication.
Sure, he teased Tomori and Sakiko plenty, and maybe he went a bit too far with Sakiko at times… but to say he bullied Taki and Soyo? That was just wrong!
At least for now.
…
By the time Haru left the café, the sun had already vanished.
The last traces of sunset had been swallowed by rows of tall buildings, and the nearby shopping district, with izakayas opening for the night, glowed with dazzling neon signs. The entire street seemed drenched in rainbow-colored light.
The roar of cars swept past his ears, their reflections glinting on the girls' faces like pale moonlight. The group stopped beneath the stairs of a pedestrian bridge, ready to part ways.
"Then, Taki, you'll see Tomori home."
"You don't need to tell me, I was going to make sure she got home safe anyway."
Taki placed a hand on her hip. Her usually sharp eyes softened, and her cheeks flushed as she tilted her head, sneaking an upward glance at him with a hint of coyness.
It was one of her little habits, something she often did when embarrassed.
Haru noticed and leaned closer with a grin. "Taki, could it be you've got something you want to say?"
"No!"
Maybe it was because both Soyo and Sakiko were watching, but after struggling for a long while, Taki swallowed her words. Her face flushed red as she turned away, tossing a quick line over her shoulder.
"Tomori, let's go."
"Wait, Taki-chan…"
Tomori tugged gently on her sleeve, then held out a notebook toward Haru. The gesture caught everyone off guard, and puzzled looks appeared all around.
A notebook?
Tomori seemed to notice their confusion. A flustered blush spread across her innocent face as she stammered out, "Th-this… is for Haru. P-please… read it after you get home."
"For me?"
Haru's eyes widened.
This was the first time he'd ever received a notebook from Tomori. The design looked familiar too, and he was sure he'd seen it recently, in the practice room earlier that day...
Wait a second, wasn't this the notebook with the lyrics to "Haruhikage"?
"Haru, please… read it at home…"
The weight of everyone's stares only made Tomori shyer. She hastily shoved the notebook into Haru's hands, then turned and hurried away. Taki, regaining her senses, quickly ran after her.
"So I have to wait until I'm home to read it?"
Still confused, Haru's curiosity about its contents only grew stronger.
But remembering Tomori's instructions, he forced himself to hold back and tucked the notebook carefully into his bag.
"Ahem… well, I should be heading home too."
Sakiko cleared her throat softly, and when Haru looked her way, she smoothed her skirt and, with feigned nonchalance, glanced toward Soyo.
"Someone from my family is coming to pick me up, so please see Soyo home instead."
"Haru, you must take good care walking her home!"
Sakiko wagged a slender finger in the air, as if striking a playful note on a piano. After repeating her reminder, she exchanged a quick look with Soyo, and before Haru could react, she turned and briskly walked away.
Her steps looked almost like she was running away, leaving Haru blinking in surprise.
What was that about?
In an instant, it had become just the two of them.
Soyo's feelings grew more complicated.
She never thought she would one day team up with her former rival in love, Saki-chan, over something like this. But with her husband right beside her, she could only fight down her blush and swallow her thoughts.
"…."
Seeing his girlfriend fall into flustered silence, Haru couldn't help but chuckle.
"Shall we go then?"