Omnibus Anime: Person in Music Anime, Relaxing and Happy

That would make Bai Qiu even worse off than her, even more lonely.

Thinking this, Nagasaki Sosei couldn't help but feel a surge of sympathy.

Bai Qiu-kun must be very lonely.

That feeling—she could understand it.

But for now, Nagasaki Sosei couldn't help but say in a coquettish tone, "Please, Bai Qiu-kun, don't say things that are so easy to misunderstand."

"Sorry."

Bai Qiu set down his chopsticks, pressed his palms together, and mimicked Nijika's way of apologizing.

"It's all because Nagasaki-san's cooking is too delicious."

Bai Qiu took the opportunity to pick up his phone, planning to check if the Kessoku Band group chat had anything new.

"Honestly, even if you say that..."

Nagasaki Sosei's tone softened again.

Suddenly, the square Band-aid beside the chopsticks caught her eye.

Nagasaki Sosei's gaze sharpened.

"Bai Qiu-kun, do you like Band-aids a lot?"

Nagasaki Sosei looked at Bai Qiu's fingers again—long, smooth, with no signs of injury.

Carrying cartoon Band-aids around didn't seem like a boy's preference.

Recalling when she fell last time, Bai Qiu had immediately pulled out a penguin-patterned Band-aid.

And now he had so many ocean fish-patterned ones.

Nagasaki Sosei couldn't help but feel puzzled and concerned.

These were just the kind of things Little Tomo would do.

"Not really, they're gifts from a friend."

Bai Qiu didn't think much of it, explaining with a light laugh.

Tomo had given him so many Band-aids.

But it seemed he didn't really have much use for them himself.

After all, he was a keyboardist. Keyboardists, unlike guitarists or bassists, didn't easily hurt their fingers during practice.

A pianist's hands were precious, you know.

"I see..."

A glint flashed in Nagasaki Sosei's eyes.

At that moment, a conjecture inevitably arose in her mind.

It couldn't be that coincidental, could it?

Little Tomo didn't seem like the kind of child who could easily make friends with boys.

Yet, Nagasaki Sosei desperately hoped this conjecture was true!

So, Nagasaki Sosei tilted her head slightly, as if reminiscing.

"Come to think of it, I also know a friend who likes collecting Band-aids!"

Nagasaki Sosei said with a smile.

"This friend of Bai Qiu-kun's—they wouldn't also like smooth little stones, pill bugs, and things like that, would they?"

Bai Qiu grew interested too.

There was another child like Tomo? Then Tomo might be able to make friends with them.

Bai Qiu knew that, despite how Tomo seemed immersed in her own world on the surface, She actually deeply wished she could share the things that interested her with others.

It was just that there really weren't many girls who could take an interest in Tomo's hobbies.

"Yeah, and they'd even put those things on their desk to observe during class."

Bai Qiu looked at Nagasaki Sosei.

"My friend does that too."

Nagasaki Sosei felt her heartbeat gradually quicken.

The answer was right before her.

Bai Qiu's eyes also lit up slightly, showing an interested expression.

At this moment, a conjecture formed in his mind.

After all, Japan was that small—Tokyo was just a village.

She looked at the other's eyes expectantly.

"Could it be that this friend's name is Tomo?" ×2

Bai Qiu and Nagasaki Sosei said in unison.

Chapter 29: Sosei... Stop Piling It On...

Nagasaki Sosei let out an imperceptible breath, calming her stirred emotions.

So Little Tomo had gone to Sakuragaoka Academy.

Ever since Sako left, Takamatsu Tomo hadn't come to the Practice Room anymore, and she'd been avoiding her a bit.

The messages she sent to Takamatsu Tomo would show as read.

But Takamatsu Tomo barely responded, only offering endless apologies.

Let alone being able to invite her out to chat.

"What a coincidence, Bai Qiu."

Nagasaki Sosei lightly clapped her hands, her tone rising as she revealed a joyful and sweet smile.

An ordinary person might have been utterly enchanted by that smile, but unfortunately, she was facing Bai Qiu.

"I suppose so."

Bai Qiu nodded fairly calmly; he wasn't all that surprised.

Tokyo really was that small.

It was a shame Tomo had lost a like-minded companion.

For the rest of the time, the two of them shared a mutual friend.

So naturally, their conversation inevitably touched on a few topics about Takamatsu Tomo.

At the same time, through Nagasaki Sosei's probing questions, she learned that the Bai Qiu before her was in the same class as Takamatsu Tomo, and even sat at the same desk.

They had joined the same club, the Astronomy Club.

It seemed the relationship between Bai Qiu and Takamatsu Tomo was closer than she had imagined.

"Um..."

"That's enough..."

"Nagasaki-san..."

"It won't fit anymore..."

Bai Qiu raised his hand, trying to stop Nagasaki Sosei's movements.

Because at some point, Nagasaki Sosei had started piling food onto his plate nonstop.

Now his bowl was overflowing with vegetables.

"Sosei. Just call me Sosei." Nagasaki Sosei gave Bai Qiu a faint smile.

"Then, Sosei-student..."

Nagasaki Sosei emphasized it again. Though her smile was gentle, it carried a tone that brooked no refusal.

"I understand." Bai Qiu said with a hint of resignation.

"Then, Sosei..."

"Stop piling it on."

"My bowl can't hold any more. You should eat more yourself."

Bai Qiu pointed at his own bowl with his finger as a hint.

Nagasaki Sosei's smile remained as sweet as ever.

Though he began tasting the delicious food, Bai Qiu's mood was a bit complicated.

What was up with this Nagasaki Sosei?

But this sweetness, this gentleness—wasn't it a bit too much?!

Bai Qiu calmed down and thought it over carefully. He hadn't done anything to greatly raise Nagasaki Sosei's favorability, had he?!

And, Nagasaki-san, what's with your voice...

Why did it always feel like there was a hint of tea and a fake tone?

No, no!

How could he arbitrarily judge someone like this?

As soon as the malicious thought about Nagasaki Sosei arose, Bai Qiu harshly criticized himself in his mind.

Here was Nagasaki Sosei, warmly and hospitably treating him to a meal, piling food on his plate, and ladling soup for him.

Not only was he failing to appreciate it, but he was also using his own dark thoughts to speculate about her.

That was far too rude.

When will he ever be as simple-minded as the girls around him?

What's wrong with having a sweet voice?

Sosei-student's voice is just like this!

Nagasaki Sosei naturally had no idea what Bai Qiu was thinking.

Her ten fair fingers intertwined and tangled together, propping up her smooth, pale chin.

Nagasaki Sosei smiled faintly, her gaze as gentle as a spring breeze as she lightly watched Bai Qiu.

Bai Qiu lifted his head, meeting Sosei's burning stare head-on.

Being watched like this while eating made him a little uncomfortable.

Noticing this, Nagasaki Sosei smiled warmly and asked:

"What's wrong?"

"Is there anything else you want to eat? I can help!"

Bai Qiu: "..."

Bai Qiu nodded, starting to shift his mindset.

In the end, he chalked it up to Nagasaki Sosei probably realizing they had a mutual friend, Takamatsu Tomo.

That must be why she was being so unusually warm toward him!

Don't worry, Sosei-student.

At school, I'll look after Tomo-student for you.

Bai Qiu picked up his bowl.

Since he couldn't refuse, he might as well accept it gladly.