"Are you free this weekend? Can we meet up? I have something to tell you."
As soon as the call connected, Utaha got straight to the point.
"I have plans during the day, but I'm free in the evening."
"That works, let's meet in the evening then."
"Can you tell me what it's about?"
"Actually, Eriri and I seem to have been stalked by a pervert recently. It's quite unsettling."
Utaha's tone instantly became delicate and helpless, and you could almost imagine her pitiful expression through the phone.
But why does this scenario feel so familiar?
"…Stop joking around, be serious."
Chisato noticed the lightness in her tone.
"You caught me~ I'll keep it a secret for now. Let's talk about it when we meet the day after tomorrow."
"Got it."
"Mm."
At Toyosaki Academy, Utaha hung up the phone while sitting in the cafeteria.
Eriri, who had been eavesdropping, distanced herself.
"Isn't this a bit too forward? Asking Chisato out for the first time and suggesting an overnight stay might make him think we're too loose."
Utaha put her phone in her pocket and gave Eriri a helpless look.
"You brought the hotel vouchers and came up with the plan. Now that I've called and arranged it, you want to back out? That's quite the strategy."
"I just mentioned it casually. Who knew you'd call right away!"
Eriri's voice weakened.
"Besides, after you messed things up with my mom, I explained everything and it seemed fine, but my dad is still keeping an eye on me."
"Even if I'm slightly late, he calls to check on me. He even skips his favorite fishing trips to pick me up first."
"This time, he gave me the vouchers from his friend, saying I could use them for a meal with friends, but he never said I could stay overnight."
Utaha chuckled.
"That's fine. After dinner, you can go home like a good girl, and I'll handle the rest. Don't worry, I'll tell you everything we talk about."
Who would believe you're just talking?
Eriri thought to herself.
She had never wanted financial independence and freedom from her parents' control more than now.
She envied Utaha, whose parents were very lenient. She only needed to call if she stayed out late, enjoying ultimate freedom.
In less than two years, she would go to college and move out.
Eriri had already made up her mind and hoped to get her parents' permission. If not, she would drag Utaha along.
…
As soon as Chisato hung up, he heard a cold voice from behind.
"I'm going to practice the piano."
Chisato turned around and looked at her, feeling puzzled but still replied,
"Go ahead."
"I don't like having people around when I practice."
That was a clear dismissal.
But you just said I could stay.
He held back the words, feeling it would lead to unnecessary arguments.
Chisato guessed her sudden mood change was related to the call he just received.
"Alright, good luck."
He picked up his lunchbox and the piano book she had given him. Before leaving, he took a strawberry pudding from his pocket and placed it on the piano.
As Chisato left the first music room and walked down the stairs, he saw some delinquents smoking at the corner.
He walked past them without looking.
After placing his belongings on his seat, he declined the invitation from two girls who asked him to go out over the weekend and left the classroom again.
In the narrow space under the rarely used stairs, the pink-haired earthbound spirit remained as usual.
Chisato bent down and quietly approached the girl who was fully engrossed, gently tapping her shoulder with his index finger.
"Ah!"
Hitori let out a startled sound and quickly turned around. When she saw the smiling face of Chisato, her panicked expression quickly turned into joy.
She was happy about his arrival.
"So focused, what are you doing?"
Chisato sat cross-legged beside her.
The familiar scent, Suzumiya-kun smells so nice.
"The band is considering releasing an original song. Nijika asked me to write the lyrics, so I'm thinking about the lyrics."
After the initial surprise, Hitori lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
Although they had known each other for a while, if she was in a small space and close to Chisato, she couldn't help but react this way.
Social anxiety isn't something that can be easily overcome.
So, she has started writing songs for her band.
Chisato felt gratified as he looked at Hitori in front of him.
"Can you tell me what kind of song it is?"
"Uh… I haven't decided yet."
"Can I see the lyrics you've written?"
"I haven't started writing yet."
"…"
After a moment of silence, Chisato spoke,
"Gotoh-san, are you putting too much pressure on yourself?"
"I'm sorry."
Hitori closed her eyes tightly and apologized skillfully.
Chisato sighed helplessly,
"I think it's better to stop apologizing to people so easily. If you keep doing this, you might get bullied."
Hitori was obviously startled,
"Are you saying that Suzumiya-kun will bully me…"
Chisato wanted to scare her, so he smiled mischievously,
"Maybe I will."
"Please, don't do that."
Hitori glanced at Chisato secretly and quickly looked away with a flushed face.
"…"
Please respect me, why are you not afraid at all, but rather a bit excited? Am I not bad enough?
"Ouch…"
After lightly tapping Hitori's head, Chisato nodded in satisfaction, feeling that he finally had a bit of a bad guy's demeanor.
"Do you need my help?"
"Huh?"
"I mean with the lyrics, do you need my help?"
The current situation coincided with some of Chisato's thoughts, and he wanted to try that possibility.
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