After all the tossing and turning, the sky outside had darkened completely. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving the night sky draped in black while the neon lights of the city illuminated the ground like a sea of colors.
When Soyo was home alone, she rarely turned on the lights while staying in her room. Now that Kyo was already asleep, there was even less reason to do so.
People tend to become more sentimental at night. Sitting beside Kyo, Soyo gazed at her adorable sleeping face, feeling as if the gaping wounds in her heart were gradually being filled with warmth and happiness.
Perhaps… even if Kyo didn't want to join the band, this wasn't so bad either. The emptiness of her desires had, for now, been temporarily filled by the overwhelming joy Kyo had given her tonight.
For the first time in a long while, Soyo truly felt a sense of contentment. Though she knew that once she woke up, those suppressed cravings would likely resurface, at least for now, just watching Kyo was enough.
She stole a few more reluctant glances at Kyo. She knew Kyo wouldn't wake up anytime soon, but she still found it difficult to look away, as if shifting her gaze for even a second would make this precious moment disappear.
"I should take a shower." Soyo forced herself to get up. She carefully adjusted Kyo's sleeping posture, laying her properly toward the inner side of the bed, before heading off to freshen up.
She needed a good, long shower to wash away the restlessness stirring inside her.
Whether or not it would work, though… that was another question.
A shower was certainly an effective way to clear one's mind. As the water flowed over her body, it created an undeniable sense of cleansing—a subconscious reassurance that all stray thoughts were being rinsed away.
But if Soyo hadn't noticed Kyo's neatly folded school uniform—and even her undergarments—placed in the laundry basket outside the bathroom…
If she hadn't noticed the small stool that had clearly been moved from its usual spot, proof that Kyo had used it earlier…
If she hadn't found herself staring at the cascading water, her mind drawing an unshakable connection between it and Kyo's presence…
Then maybe—just maybe—the shower would have actually helped her clear her thoughts.
...
(Skipping a portion of the scene.)
After finishing her shower, Soyo still didn't feel like going to bed just yet. She tossed Kyo's clothes into the washing machine, ensuring they were properly cleaned before hanging them out to dry.
Then she went over her breakfast plans for tomorrow. She decided to make a bowl of miso soup for Kyo.
With everything taken care of, Soyo nodded to herself in satisfaction. Only then did she return to her room, moving as quietly as possible as she slipped into bed.
Have you ever shared a blanket with someone before?
Sometimes, when you're lying under the same blanket, even in complete silence, you can still feel the other person's presence—their steady breathing, their faint heartbeat. It might seem like an illusion, but it's so incredibly real, a constant reminder that they're right beside you.
Kyo slept soundly. From the moment Soyo had left to the moment she returned, Kyo had remained in the same position—lying still, hands resting neatly on her stomach.
Soyo lay on her right side, her usual sleeping posture. But tonight, it allowed her to gaze directly at Kikukawa Kyo, nestled toward the inner side of the bed.
She wanted to do something.
At this moment, no matter what happened, Kyo probably wouldn't wake up… right?
But once again, Soyo restrained herself.
After Kyo had called her out on it, Soyo had come to recognize just how insatiable she was. If, even after experiencing this contentment, she still sought more, then she would only become even harder to satisfy in the future.
And when that time came, she would surely make Kyo hate her even more.
Take it slow. Time changes everything.
Soyo willed herself to suppress her restless ambitions, at least for now. She still wanted Kyo to return to the band. She still had to face Sakiko, still had to talk to Mutsumi.
She would help Kyo rediscover the meaning of being in a band. She would find out why Sakiko had left. She would ask Mutsumi if she was willing to rejoin them.
But she wouldn't rush anymore.
She would take her time. Lay the groundwork. Move forward, step by step.
Good night, Kyo.
---
The night remained gentle, the dazzling neon lights still captivating and disorienting.
At three in the morning, Kyo quietly woke up.
She had gone to bed a little too early. In fact, even when she slept at a normal hour, Kyo would often wake up around this time—
To use the restroom, grab a glass of water, then go back to sleep.
But tonight, there was no need for her to go back to bed. In the stillness of the night, her eyes shone with alertness.
It didn't take her long to fully grasp the situation.
She took in the unfamiliar ceiling above her, the vast cityscape visible through the large floor-to-ceiling window on her right, and the sleeping figure of Soyo on her left.
Sitting up, Kyo could still feel the lingering taste of the vegetable soup she had drunk earlier.
But unlike before—when the warmth had come first, only to be replaced by a hollow sense of emptiness and longing—
This time, after downing an entire bowl in one go, the first emotion to surface was not warmth but rather a deep, helpless anxiety. A desperate struggle to conform, to go along with the flow.
Kyo had a guess.
There were plenty of small details that hinted at it—the contrast between Soyo and Sakiko in terms of etiquette, combined with the emotions she had sensed from the soup…
Soyo was probably from an ordinary background, only becoming well-off later and transferring into Tsukinomori mid-way.
Many of Kyo's classmates had expressed their admiration for prestigious academies like Tsukinomori, but places like that weren't easy to enter.
And even if one managed to get in, the daughters of noble and influential families had long-established social circles. A transfer student—who might even be seen as an upstart—would have a hard time truly fitting in.
That deep-seated insecurity, that relentless effort… Kyo could almost see Soyo trying to maintain a gentle, composed image, struggling to keep up with conversations, all in hopes of blending in.
But after that wave of anxiety passed, the familiar warmth returned—this time, taking on a more tangible form.
It was like the gentle sunlight of spring—warm and comforting, never harsh.
Suddenly, Kyo understood why Soyo treasured CRYCHIC so much.
Though Soyo had joined the band from the very start, the moment she truly became part of it was when Haruhikage was written.
Despite her discomfort with expressing her emotions so directly, she had still felt that the song captured her completely. And because of that song, the band had finally united with a shared purpose—
To stand on stage and perform their song, together.
Kyo's curiosity stirred.
Haruhikage… Could a single song really hold that much power?
It was Tomari's cry from the heart.
It was a song that had moved Sakiko to tears the moment she read the lyrics.
It was what had convinced Taki to sing for Tomori.
And now, it had given Soyo salvation.
Kyo turned to look at Soyo.
Before, she had thought that Soyo's obsession stemmed from a lack of love and attention. But now, she realized—Soyo had gone through something similar to herself.
If CRYCHIC and Haruhikage hadn't existed, Soyo would have likely continued suppressing her true feelings, spending her days trapped in a lifeless, hollow routine.
To Kyo, that kind of life was as stagnant as a pool of still water. And back then, Soyo had already been drowning in it.
Kyo's turning point had been an accident.
Soyo's had been the band.
Silently, Kyo slipped out of bed and left the room. She stood by the large living room window, gazing out at the cityscape as her thoughts swirled.
She had changed her mind.
There were things she needed to figure out.
And for Soyo's sake—she wanted to do something.
---
Time passed, and the sun began to rise, casting the first pale light into the room.
Soyo woke up to an empty space beside her. Her chest tightened.
She didn't even bother changing out of her pajamas before getting up and hurrying out of the room.
The moment she opened the door, she heard the sounds of movement coming from the kitchen.
Puzzled, she followed the noise—only to find Kikukawa Kyo standing at the stove, busy cooking.
"Oh, Soyo, you're awake." Kyo hummed a tune from Singin' in the Rain as she spoke, her tone lighthearted. "Sorry for using your kitchen without asking. I woke up and got a little bored, so I figured I'd make you breakfast as thanks for last night."
"…It's fine."
Still half-dazed, Soyo stood there, staring at Kyo—who was now wearing an apron, preparing breakfast as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Without turning around, Kyo focused on the pot in front of her, where the broth bubbled gently.
"Go freshen up first," she said. "I'm making miso soup. Mm-hmm, I promise it'll taste great."
Miso soup…
Soyo blinked in a daze. But without questioning it, she listened to Kyo's words and went to wash up and change her clothes.
By the time she sat down at the dining table, Kyo had just finished cooking.
And somehow, at this moment, it felt like Kyo was the true owner of this home.
After placing the pot on the table, she expertly found the bowls and ladle, serving a portion for Soyo without hesitation.
Miso—fermented soybean paste—had a rich aroma and high nutritional value. The soup Kyo had made was simple, with daikon radish and snapper fish bones simmered to enhance its umami depth.
"Here, Soyo."
She placed the steaming bowl in front of Soyo, her eyes filled with anticipation, as if she wanted her to take a sip right now.
Unable to refuse, Soyo murmured a quiet "Itadakimasu" before taking a small sip—
And immediately, her eyes widened slightly.
"…It's good."
"Heh." Kyo grinned, crossing her arms in satisfaction. As a bartender, making good soup was only natural for her.
"If you like it, have some more. That would make me happy."
As she spoke, she untied her apron and casually draped it over a chair.
"I have something to tell you."
Soyo looked at Kyo in confusion, unsure of what she was about to say.
"I'll join the band."
"—!"
Soyo nearly choked on her soup. She quickly set the bowl down, eyes wide with surprise.
"But on one condition."
Seeing Soyo's delighted expression, Kyo smirked mischievously, drawing out the suspense.
"…What condition?"
"I want to be the band's keyboardist."
---
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Okay, real talk: I am extremely hungry for money, so I'm raising membership prices soon.
BUT.
If you're already subscribed before the change, your current price stays the same as long as you remain subscribed.
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Person A is already subscribed at $7/month
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