If you were to ask everyone individually, "Do you miss [CRYCHIC]?" their answers would surely all be the same.
Even Mutsumi, who lied and said she "never found forming a band to be fun," must have cherished that time from the bottom of her heart.
Nagasaki Soyo was not blind, nor was she so dense that she couldn't distinguish between a lie and the truth.
Especially after learning about Sakiko's current situation, one only had to think for a moment to understand why Mutsumi's behavior was so contradictory.
So, before she left, the words she spoke to Wakaba Mutsumi contained no blame, only a simple farewell.
...
But even so, the reality was just as Sakiko had said.
Even if they all shared the same feelings, they were destined to be unable to return to the past.
After meeting the Chihaya siblings, Tomori gained the courage to start over, and Taki was willing to unconditionally support the Tomori who could sing the true voice of her heart.
After a series of changes, Sakiko became a fashion designer's apprentice, and Mutsumi was always watching over her from not far away.
Like graduates after a graduation ceremony, everyone had naturally left that place that was once second only to home, each embarking on a different path.
In the end, the only person who remained standing still, hoping to recreate that precious time, was her alone.
It certainly wasn't a bad thing to be able to look forward, and their separation wasn't due to some irreconcilable conflict or someone's malice.
In fact, thinking about it calmly, everyone had simply gone their separate ways for very ordinary, practical reasons.
This meeting with Sakiko had cleared up many of her doubts and made her understand a lot of things.
She wasn't actually disappointed by Sakiko's or anyone else's choices; during that year-long wait, she had long grown accustomed to that feeling.
She simply felt an immense emptiness and loneliness because that last glimmer of hope had been shattered.
Of course, she could still hold on to the name [CRYCHIC], and she could live forever in that beautiful, illusory memory.
But at the same time, she hadn't forgotten that from this day forward, she would become truly and completely alone.
"...The superfluous ones aren't Anon and Raana, it's me."
On the pedestrian overpass they used to use as a meeting spot, Nagasaki Soyo stared at the cars below, murmuring with a blank expression:
"Where on earth should I go now..."
Should I go home? But even if I go home, I'll still be alone.
Contact other classmates? Forget it. She knew better than anyone how superficial her relationships with her other classmates were.
Without [CRYCHIC], she truly had no place to belong anymore.
From now on, what would she do, and where would she go...
"I took a look at that design sketch for you. While there are quite a few technical errors, the ideas and concept are indeed impeccable."
Suddenly, an unexpected voice sounded beside her without any warning.
When she subconsciously looked in the direction of the voice, Chihaya Tetsuya was standing in the same posture as her, leaning on the railing and gazing at the cars below.
"Just a month ago, she was a complete amateur who couldn't even recognize the different sizes of sewing needles. A month later, she's already mastered the most basic sampling skills and has even touched the threshold of 'design.' Other than 'genius,' I really can't find any other word to describe her."
"...Sakiko has always been amazing."
Already mentally and physically exhausted, Soyo didn't bother to question his uninvited appearance. She slowly retracted her gaze and said in a flat tone:
"Academics, the band, her piano skills, and now fashion design... She's been outstanding at everything she does. But thinking back now, while we were marveling at her talent and hard work, she was already enduring pressures we knew nothing about."
At this, she couldn't help but laugh at herself.
"And we were talking about being a 'community of fate.' In the end, we didn't understand each other at all."
"But Togawa just said it too, didn't she? For the her of that time, those words were by no means a lie."
Tetsuya said.
"Even if you didn't know about the hardships and trials she was going through, that doesn't change the fact that you were one of her few sources of comfort and companionship during that time."
"So what? What's the point of such superficial happiness now?"
Soyo asked in an incredibly empty tone.
"In the end, I couldn't give Sakiko any real help, nor could I get the companionship I needed most from her. Before long, as this memory slowly fades with time, we'll surely just become old acquaintances who once shared a past. And I, who couldn't even hold onto this memory, will become someone who truly has nothing."
As she spoke, an image flashed through her mind.
After graduating from high school, a version of herself who was no longer obsessed with [CRYCHIC] or bands happens to run into Togawa Sakiko on the street.
Although they both recognize each other, they don't say hello, simply passing by as if nothing happened.
The future that awaits her is surely something like this—
"...Pfft."
In the end, before Soyo could even begin to feel sentimental about the image in her head, a laugh from beside her immediately shattered her fantasy—
"Hey, what's so funny?"
"Ah, it's nothing. I just thought... it's a little cute that a girl who's only in her first year of high school would be defining her own future and end with such seriousness."
"Hah?"
A trace of displeasure flashed across Soyo's face.
"What do you mean? Are you looking down on me?"
"No, no. After all, you're at that age where it's easiest to be sentimental. It's only natural to exaggerate your current emotions."
Tetsuya cleared his throat twice, composing the smile on his face.
"But regarding what you just said... there's one point I must correct."
"What?"
"The part about 'having nothing'."
At this, Tetsuya suddenly turned his gaze to Soyo's other side—
"Wakaba-san, did you get through?"
"Y-Yes..."
Wakaba Mutsumi, who had appeared at some point, nodded first, then, under Soyo's confused gaze, pressed the speakerphone button on her screen—
["Hey? Soyo? Can you hear me?"]
The next second, Chihaya Anon's energetic voice came through the microphone.
["My brother just sent me a message saying that thing you mentioned earlier is done. So, do you want to come hang out with us in Shimokitazawa? I just saw a dress in a clothing store that would be super perfect for you—"]
["Soyo, don't believe her. It's a high-slit dress that's not suitable for our age at all, and the color is super bright. There's no way it would suit you."]
Shiina Taki's voice followed from the microphone.
["And that camisole you just picked out for Tomori is a definite no, too!"]
["How do you know if you don't try it on? What do you think, Tomori?"]
["I... I don't really get it, but I definitely wouldn't wear clothes like that..."]
["Eh?!"]
["See? Even Tomori isn't on your side this time! Sigh... Soyo, if you really don't have anything to do, just come over. I really can't handle this one by myself."]
["Soyo..."]
Tomori asked in a slightly hopeful tone.
["We're planning to see a show at a live house here later. If you can, please come too, Soyo... with Mutsumi."]
"...Eh?"
Even though she wasn't seeing it with her own eyes, the image of those three fooling around on the streets of Shimokitazawa appeared vividly in Soyo's mind.
The mischievous Chihaya Anon, the innocent Takamatsu Tomori, and the exasperated Shiina Taki.
The chaos that should have annoyed her to no end was now inexplicably filling the void in her heart.
Then, after a moment's hesitation, Wakaba Mutsumi also spoke up:
"Do you want to go together, Soyo?"
"Mutsumi, didn't you hear what I said just now?"
Soyo's expression had shifted from initial shock to complete bewilderment.
"I just said it, didn't I? I'm not on the same path as you all anymore—"
"That doesn't stop you from going to see a show with them. And going to Shimokitazawa has to be more fun than watching traffic from an overpass by yourself, right?"
As Tetsuya spoke, he gave Mutsumi another meaningful look.
"Wakaba-san, call a taxi. I'll pay for it."
"Right!"
"Eh? W-Wait a minute, I haven't agreed—"
"As for Sakiko, she's already gone back to the studio with the design sketch. I know this is different from what we discussed, but I'm planning to use her design as your first stage outfit. After all, the brief acquaintance the two of us have can't possibly compete with a design that holds all her memories and emotions."
"By the way... although it seems you just spouted a whole bunch of farewell-like lines, you didn't give us any time to respond. So now, I'll respond on their behalf—"
Under Soyo's stunned expression, Chihaya Tetsuya said:
"Sorry, we didn't hear anything just now."
"Chihaya-san! I got a taxi."
"Alright. Nagasaki-san, let's go."
"N-No, wait, I'm telling you, I still haven't agreed..."
"Driver, we're going to Shimokitazawa. Please step on it, we're going to be late for the show at the live house."
"You got it!"
"E-E-Ehhh—!"
In the midst of this sudden chaos, Nagasaki Soyo finally uttered the only meaningful line she would say in this chapter:
"But we don't even know which live house they're going to!"
"Ah, you're right, I did forget to ask... but it's fine."
Chihaya Tetsuya replied:
"They're all there anyway. As long as you want to find them, you always can."
"..."
Hearing these words, Soyo stood frozen on the spot.
As long as you want to find them, you always can?
She subconsciously looked at Wakaba Mutsumi beside her, who was also looking at her.
[CRYCHIC]... might not exist anymore. But Sakiko, Mutsumi, Tomori, and Taki were all still here.
What exactly did it mean to have nothing, to be alone?
And what was this feeling that was now filling her heart?
As if to cast off the pointless struggles and self-pitying sentimentality, the taxi driver slammed on the accelerator, carrying the bewildered girl unstoppably forward.