By the time Takamatsu Tomori and Chihaya Anon finished their singing practice, it was already five in the afternoon.
After practicing for almost the entire afternoon, besides the budding harmony in their voices, Anon had also come to understand one fact—
"Tomori is definitely a better fit for lead vocalist than me."
Unlike her own singing ability, which was limited to the level of a KTV regular, there was a certain special magic in Tomori's voice.
Though not good with words, her delicate and uniquely sensitive mind was very adept at accurately interpreting the emotions contained within lyrics.
It was a very unique gift, a talent that Anon could not imitate.
Perhaps it was for this very reason that the song she had written the lyrics for herself was so moving.
"Anon's voice is also very cute... that's something I can't learn."
"Ahem, listen to my voice right now. Can you really still call it cute?"
After singing for an entire afternoon, Anon's throat had already become incredibly hoarse.
And similarly, Tomori's situation was not much better.
In order to alleviate the stinging pain in her throat as much as possible, Tomori had lowered her volume to the absolute minimum.
If it weren't for the quiet environment, one would probably have to put their ear right next to Tomori's mouth to even hear what she was saying.
"In any case, let's call it a day for now... otherwise, the two of us might not even be able to talk tomorrow."
Anon said as she stood up from her chair.
"Do you want to stay for dinner before you go, Tomori?"
"Not today. I told my family I'd be back before dinnertime, and besides..."
"Besides?"
"Talking to Chihaya-san with this voice... it feels... a little embarrassing."
"Ah, that makes sense."
Anon naturally understood this as a girl's modesty.
If she were the guest at Tomori's house, she wouldn't want to overstay her welcome with such a raspy voice either.
"Then I'll just go tell my brother you're heading home... Ah, Tomori, don't forget your lyric book."
"Mhm, I know."
And so, having reached a consensus, the two of them finally left the room.
...
"Eh? Takamatsu-san is leaving already?"
Tetsuya, who was still on the sofa trying to decide what to order for dinner, put down his phone.
"Won't you stay for dinner?"
"Mhm, please don't trouble yourself."
Tomori said in a small voice:
"I accidentally got a little too carried away practicing with Anon this afternoon, my throat is a bit..."
"Ah... I see."
Hearing Tomori's faint voice, Tetsuya couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.
"Anon's voice is completely hoarse too... You two really need to learn some moderation when you practice."
"Hey, it won't happen next time."
Anon said with a voice so raspy it was almost off-key.
"By the way, Brother, do we have any throat lozenges at home?"
"No, my line of work would never require something like that. But I can go out and buy some now."
Tetsuya said as he stood up from the sofa.
"I'll take Takamatsu-san to the station. You just stay here and rest."
"Eh?"
The whole afternoon of practice had not only wrecked her voice but also drained most of her physical energy.
It was fine for her brother to take her friend home for her, but... would Tomori be okay with it? Would she feel troubled or opposed to the idea?
As Anon thought this, she cast a questioning glance at Tomori.
To Anon's surprise, however, Tomori nodded quite decisively and said in a small voice:
"It's okay. Please let Chihaya-san take me."
"I see. As long as you don't mind."
Anon nodded, then gave her brother an "OK" sign.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Brother... Oh, right, remember not to buy the hard lozenge kind, I want the gummy ones!"
"Yes, yes, I know. You just stay here and behave."
Tetsuya, who had already put on his suit jacket, first gently poked his sister's forehead with a finger, then turned to Tomori and said:
"Well then, Takamatsu-san, shall we go?"
"Mhm!"
Tomori nodded silently, then followed behind Tetsuya as they walked out the door together...
...
Since they both needed throat lozenges, they took a detour to a nearby pharmacy before heading to the station.
After finding the specific brand of gummy lozenges his sister had requested, he took all of the remaining stock from the shelf in one go and headed to the counter to pay without a second thought.
"?!"
Just as Tomori was stunned by Tetsuya's actions, Tetsuya explained:
"You'll definitely be coming here again in the future, right? I have to be prepared in advance for the next time you overdo your practice."
At this, he handed one of the bags of gummies directly to Tomori.
"I-I bought my own lozenges—"
"Try this one too. I don't know if it'll be effective, but Anon seems to like this kind, at any rate."
Tetsuya directly cut off Tomori's refusal.
"By the way, this is also a small token of my gratitude. It's been a long time since I've seen Anon have so much fun with a friend."
"I should be thanking Anon..."
Tomori said in a small voice:
"This is also the first time I've... had such an unforgettable day at a friend's house."
"Unforgettable, huh..."
Hearing that word, Tetsuya repeated it with deep meaning.
"That's true. You came for a normal visit, only to be suddenly and inexplicably intimidated by your friend's older brother... Thinking about it that way, it certainly qualifies as a rather unforgettable experience."
"!? Th-That's not what I mean—!"
In her haste to object, Tomori subconsciously raised her volume, but the intense pain that shot through her throat immediately made it impossible for her to continue speaking properly.
And Tetsuya, as if he had been waiting for this very moment, suddenly took something out of his pocket—
"Then, as an apology for my rude behavior today... Takamatsu-san, please accept this."
"...???"
Tomori, who had not yet readjusted her throat to a speaking register, took the item from Tetsuya with a bewildered expression.
It was a square, transparent, sealed bag. Inside the bag were two small, mysterious accessories printed with a golden five-pointed star pattern.
"These are magnetic earrings. I bought them back when I was still at Geika Institute of Fashion... But don't worry, I never once wore them before I left, so they are one hundred percent brand new."
Tetsuya explained.
Meanwhile, Tomori cast a puzzled look at Tetsuya, as if wanting to ask him why he was giving her these earrings.
"For most people, change usually begins with one's appearance. But I know that you are a very delicate and cautious person, Takamatsu-san. Out of a sense of self-preservation, you would surely be unable to accept changes that are too drastic or direct. That's why I hope this can be the first step in changing your appearance."
Tetsuya explained as he looked towards Tomori's temples.
"With magnetic earrings, you don't need to get your ears pierced, and they aren't too flashy or conspicuous. This small accessory won't make you a subject of gossip for outsiders who don't care about you, nor will it attract so much attention that it makes you anxious... It will only attract the attention of those who are always watching over you, who care about you."
"They will notice this small change. They will sense your desire to change. Perhaps someone more daring might even directly praise you for the cuteness you've never dared to acknowledge yourself."
"This is my apology for what happened today, and also a small, insignificant bit of encouragement from me, a fashion designer, to a girl who longs for change."
Under Tomori's gradually mesmerized gaze, Tetsuya smiled and said to her:
"So, please, you must accept it."
"..."
Like a fish stranded on the shore, Tomori's mouth opened and closed several times, but she was unable to make a single sound.
After a moment's rest, she should have been able to speak again, but the earrings in her hand, which seemed to still hold a faint warmth, and the smile on Tetsuya's face, as warm as the sunset at that moment, made it impossible for any sound to come smoothly from her throat.
It was as if her current feelings and thoughts could no longer be squeezed out through her small voice.
"Alright, let's go, Takamatsu-san."
Meanwhile, seeing that Tomori no longer seemed intent on refusing the small gift, Tetsuya turned around with a sense of relief.
"The station is about a ten-minute walk from here. You should try to remember the way, it'll be more convenient for you next time you visit."
"..."
Gazing at the tall back so close to her, Tomori suddenly felt a little grateful for her throat, which was still aching faintly.
It gave her a reason not to reply immediately, and it gave her a chance to calm her racing heart with deep breaths behind that back.
She quietly took the earrings out of the sealed bag and put them on her earlobes.
Feeling a little shy, she deliberately fiddled with the hair at her temples, as if wanting to slightly cover up this wisp of hard-won courage.
However, when the two arrived at the station, this small bit of courage was instantly overwhelmed by an even greater joy and shyness—
"Mhm, just as I expected. These earrings really suit you, Takamatsu-san."
Without a second of hesitation, the moment Tetsuya turned and saw her, he said immediately:
"In the future, when you want to make more changes, you can come find me anytime. Well then, see you next time, Takamatsu-san."
"Mhm... See you next time, Chihaya-san."
Vows and promises are only valid when acknowledged by both parties.
Therefore, this one reply, she had to say it with her own mouth.
A dazzling and brilliant golden glimmer transmitted the crimson warmth from her ear to her entire cheek.
And so, Takamatsu Tomori, under this sunset shimmering with faint starlight, welcomed the beginning of her summer.