Bai Qiu looked at Toyokawa Sachiko with concern.
He had already recognized this girl as the succubus shop assistant he had met at the musical instrument store before.
However, she seemed a little disheveled right now.
Although, it was all because of him.
Just now, after watching the performance at Starry.
Nijika was really worried about Iroha going home alone so late.
She planned to personally send her home.
Bai Qiu happened to be going the same way, and he had also coaxed Iroha.
Feeling guilty, Bai Qiu volunteered for the task.
He even helped her pull her suitcase the whole way.
Then there was Ryo, who decided to stay at Nijika's house for dinner tonight.
Finally, there was Gotou Hitori.
After hearing that her commute was two hours long.
Even Nijika hesitated.
Not to mention Bai Qiu.
Everyone knew that Bai Qiu had always liked children.
As for Bocchi,
Bai Qiu could only wish her well.
Afterward, he came here to see Iroha off at the station.
Just as he walked onto the overpass, Bai Qiu saw the scene of the succubus-san attempting to take her own life.
Bai Qiu's expression instantly changed.
"Are you trying to die?!"
In his view, Toyokawa Sachiko was standing on the railing.
Half of her body was over the railing.
She could fall at any moment!
So, Bai Qiu rushed forward in a hurry.
He wanted to pick her up.
But, because he was running too fast.
And with the added impact of the Electronic Keyboard on his back.
He couldn't stop.
As a result, he pushed Toyokawa Sachiko and she fell.
Thinking of this, Bai Qiu's expression became somewhat awkward.
Next time, I should store the Electronic Keyboard in the Light Music Club or Starry.
That would be more convenient.
"Um... are you alright?"
Bai Qiu asked tentatively.
Seriously, sis.
Just say something, are you okay or not?!
Toyokawa Sachiko hadn't said a word since earlier.
Instead, Bai Qiu was worried that he might have hurt her head with that one hit.
Toyokawa Sachiko awoke from her memories, only to be captivated by the scene before her.
It felt… his eyes were so bright,
Gentle, dazzling, warm, beautiful…
Just like…
Just like Tomori's lyrics.
Her chest felt… like it didn't hurt as much anymore.
"Can you stand up?"
Bai Qiu leaned down, reaching out a hand to help Toyokawa Sachiko up.
The other person was wearing a skirt, and it wasn't good for her to keep sitting on the ground.
Toyokawa Sachiko's golden eyes reflected Bai Qiu's hand.
A voice kept repeating in her mind... repeating...
Dame da yo!
No!
Impossible!
This kind of thing!
Taking this hand... is not allowed!
Because once she held this hand, it felt like the weak version of her from the past would come back!
However, the hand had its own ideas.
Toyokawa Sachiko's fingers, dusted with grime, had already lightly grasped Bai Qiu's hand.
Bai Qiu exerted force with his wrist, carefully helping Toyokawa Sachiko to her feet.
"Th…thank you…"
Toyokawa Sachiko's voice was barely audible, and a blush crept onto her face.
On this autumn night, their fingers were slightly cold, but Toyokawa Sachiko felt a warmth instead.
He made sure she wouldn't fall.
Bai Qiu released his grip, a sigh of relief escaping him internally.
"That scared me half to death, finally speaking."
"Are you hurt anywhere? Should I take you to the hospital for a check-up?"
Toyokawa Sachiko was initially embarrassed, a strange sense of loss welling up within her.
But she quickly shook her head.
Now wasn't the time for such thoughts.
"No, I'm fine, no need for the hospital."
That much was true; it had indeed hurt when she fell just now.
Now, it didn't seem like much of a problem at all.
Besides, she didn't have the spare money to go to the hospital.
Bai Qiu, filled with worry and self-blame, said,
"You should still go! I'll pay for the medical expenses."
"No, really, I don't need to."
Toyokawa Sachiko said earnestly.
"But... you were clearly crying from the pain."
Bai Qiu stared at the tear stains on Toyokawa Sachiko's face.
"Huh?"
Toyokawa Sachiko was stunned for a moment, then remembered she'd been crying.
She quickly reached up to wipe away the tear tracks on her face.
She looked a little flustered.
She didn't want others to see her crying.
Because it made her seem weak.
Bai Qiu watched quietly.
After a moment,
"You're… a little dirty," Bai Qiu said.
"Huh?"
Toyokawa Sachiko looked puzzled.
Bai Qiu reminded her, "Your hands…"
Toyokawa Sachiko looked down at her hands and realized that her fingers were covered in dust.
Some of her fingers were white, and the dust had clearly gotten onto her face.
Bai Qiu chuckled; he thought it was quite cute.
"Ah!"
Toyokawa Sachiko cried out softly, her hands flailing as she brushed off the dust, wiping it from her face.
However, she realized she looked even more disheveled.
Suddenly, her arm started to hurt again.
A wave of frustration welled up inexplicably within Toyokawa Sachiko.
This quickly brought tears to her eyes.
Why?
Why did you have to see me looking so awful?
"Why are you crying again?"
Bai Qiu asked, puzzled.
We really should go to the hospital, shouldn't we?
"I'm not!"
Toyokawa Sachiko shouted resentfully, tears flowing even faster.
She seemed to be... giving up.
Startled, Bai Qiu quickly soothed her,
"Alright, alright... You're not crying."
Then he found a tissue and handed it to her,
"Wipe your eyes."
Toyokawa Sachiko stubbornly covered her eyes, turning her body away.
It was clearly this guy who made her fall, made her cry, and made her so embarrassed.
Yet, he was still laughing at her.
Bai Qiu had no choice but to put the tissue in front of her face.
After a long while,
Bai Qiu said, "Am I going to wipe your face now?"
"My hands hurt so much."
"I don't want to..."
Toyokawa Sachiko's voice was a little choked, and then she took the tissue.
She wiped the dust off her face, cleaned her fingers, and stopped crying.
Bai Qiu opened his mouth. He wanted to say that the dust on your face had already been washed away by your tears.
But he felt that this might make things worse.
Better to shut up.
After doing all this, Toyokawa Sachiko's mood seemed to calm down.
Realizing what she'd just done,
her cheeks flushed as she softly said, "S-sorry... and thank you."
Bai Qiu waved his hand. "No, no, I'm the one who should be apologizing."
"Then... the hospital?"
Bai Qiu tentatively looked at her.
"No."
Toyokawa Sachiko flatly refused.
"Alright..."
Bai Qiu sighed helplessly.
He felt that this shop assistant's mood was a bit unstable, sometimes gentle, sometimes cold.
"Then at least... put on a band-aid?"
Bai Qiu took out a band-aid and pointed at Toyokawa Sachiko's scraped arm under the streetlight.
"Okay..."
Toyokawa Sachiko didn't refuse this time and even took the initiative to reach out her hand.
Bai Qiu tore open the band-aid and carefully helped her apply it.
He thought to himself,
"You've been a huge help, Tomori."
Bai Qiu felt he couldn't let Tomori's kindness go to waste.
He put the band-aids at home to gather dust.
Although he wouldn't use them, Gotou Hitori and Ryo might have a chance to.
Besides, it seemed like a lot of people around him had been tripping lately.
Nagisa, Takanashi Tomori, Gotou Hitori…
And the most exaggerated one, Hirasawa Yui, often tripped even on flat ground.
At this moment,
Toyokawa Sachiko also noticed the guitar case Bai Qiu had slung over his shoulder.
It was the one he'd bought at the store the other day.
So late, and he was still carrying his instrument.
Looks like he was diligently practicing.
Thinking this, Toyokawa Sachiko's face lit up with a bright smile.
Too bad, Bai Qiu was looking down and missed the sight.
At the same time, Sachiko couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
She looked at the band-aid on her.
Bai Qiu smiled with satisfaction.
"How does it feel?"
"Very skilled," Toyokawa Sachiko replied subconsciously.
"Ah, no... Thank you is what I should say..."
Sachiko's face flushed red; what nonsense was she spouting? She quickly added.
Bai Qiu coughed awkwardly.
Toyokawa Sachiko looked at the applied adhesive bandage, her expression subtly changing, but quickly returned to normal.
Perhaps Tomori would be very happy to see this.
"By the way, please don't do things like that again next time."
Bai Qiu suddenly said seriously.
"Life is precious."
Toyokawa Sachiko was slightly stunned.
"I don't have any thoughts of giving up, you know."
She chuckled, a bit playful.
Indeed, just like back then.
However, this time, he was the one being saved.
"Huh… huh?"
Bai Qiu's mouth hung open as he looked at her.
Then, Toyokawa Sachiko explained that she had just happened to be standing on the railing.
She wanted to grab a leaf.
She firmly stated that she had no suicidal thoughts whatsoever.
Toyokawa Sachiko didn't want to leave the impression in his mind that she was weak and incapable.
The two of them also learned each other's names.
"Is, is that so...?"
Bai Qiu's mouth twitched, repeating the words in disbelief.
"Yes, it is."
Toyokawa Sachiko seemed a little mischievous, clearly pleased with Bai Qiu's reaction.
"Then... don't stand on the railing, it's too dangerous..."
Bai Qiu said with considerable reluctance.
"Okay."
Toyokawa Sachiko looked at him and blinked.
Bai Qiu looked embarrassed and ashamed.
After all that, he was the culprit again.
Wait, why did he say "again"?
"Toyokawa-san!"
Sachiko was slightly startled.
"Please, let me make amends!"
At the crossroads.
Toyokawa Sachiko stopped.
"This is fine."
"Thank you, Bai Qiu-kun."
"Alright."
Bai Qiu nodded.
"See you later, Toyokawa-san."
"Yeah, see you."
Toyokawa Sachiko waved lightly.
Watching the other person's departing figure,
until they completely disappeared down the road,
she turned and walked towards the deepest part of the alley.
At least, I want to preserve the last bit of dignity in your heart.
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