C-Clever, too clever...
The things the boy in front of her was saying felt so familiar.
She had once said the same thing to Takamatsu Tomo.
Toyokawa Shoko's thoughts drifted back to that day.
It was right here on this pedestrian bridge, in this very spot.
She had smiled and held out her hand to the other girl, saying:
"Let's start a band together!"
This was where Crychic had begun.
And where her own dream had started.
Toyokawa Shoko Cried
Bai Qiu looked at Toyokawa Shoko with concern.
He had already recognized her as the succubus clerk he'd met at the music store before.
Only, she seemed a little worse for wear now.
Though that was all his fault.
Earlier, after they'd watched the performance at Starry,
Nijika couldn't bear to let a little girl like Yoruna go home alone so late.
She'd decided to take her home herself.
Bai Qiu happened to be headed in roughly the same direction, and he'd also managed to coax Yoruna into agreeing.
Feeling guilty, he volunteered to take on the task.
He even pulled her suitcase all the way there.
Then there was Ryo. She'd decided to stay at Nijika's house for dinner that night.
And finally, Goto Hitori.
When they heard that her commute took two hours,
even Nijika hesitated.
Never mind Bai Qiu.
Everyone knew Bai Qiu had always liked children.
All he could do was wish her a safe trip.
After that, he came here to see Yoruna off at the station.
As soon as he stepped onto the pedestrian bridge, Bai Qiu saw the succubus trying to take her own life.
His expression changed instantly.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
From where he stood, Toyokawa Shoko was standing on the railing.
Half her body was hanging over it.
She could fall at any moment!
So Bai Qiu rushed over in a panic.
He'd meant to lift her down.
But he'd been running too fast.
And with the momentum of the electronic keyboard on his back adding to the impact,
he ended up knocking Toyokawa Shoko to the ground.
At the thought, Bai Qiu's expression turned a little awkward.
Next time, he'd leave the electronic keyboard in the Light Music Club room or at Starry.
That would be more convenient anyway.
"Um... are you okay?"
Bai Qiu asked tentatively.
Come on, girl.
At least say something, whether you're okay or not!
Toyokawa Shoko hadn't said a word since the incident.
That only made Bai Qiu worry that he'd hurt her head when he knocked her down.
Toyokawa Shoko came back to herself, but then her attention was drawn to the sight before her.
His eyes... seemed so bright,
so gentle, radiant, warm, and beautiful...
Just like the lyrics of Tomo's song.
It felt like... her chest didn't hurt quite so much anymore.
"Can you stand?"
Bai Qiu bent down and held out his hand to Toyokawa Shoko, hoping to help her up.
She was wearing a skirt. It wasn't right for her to keep sitting on the ground.
Toyokawa Shoko's golden eyes reflected Bai Qiu's hand.
A voice kept repeating in her mind... over and over...
"No way!"
She couldn't take that hand!
Because the moment she did, it felt like the weak version of herself from the past would come back to life!
And yet, her hand had a mind of its own.
Toyokawa Shoko's dusty fingers had already curled gently around Bai Qiu's hand.
Bai Qiu tightened his grip and carefully helped Toyokawa Shoko to her feet.
"Th-thank you..."
Toyokawa Shoko's voice was barely audible, and a blush crept across her face.
On an autumn night, their fingers were a little cold, but Toyokawa Shoko felt warm.
Once he was sure she wouldn't fall,
Bai Qiu let go, and felt relieved.
"You scared me. I'm glad you finally said something."
"Are you hurt anywhere? I'll take you to the hospital for a checkup."
Toyokawa Shoko first felt a little embarrassed, then, for some reason, a wave of disappointment welled up inside her.
But she quickly shook her head.
Now wasn't the time to let her thoughts run wild.
"No, I'm fine. I don't need to go to the hospital."
That was true. It had hurt when she fell to the ground,
but she felt mostly fine now.
Besides, she no longer had money to spare for a hospital visit.
Bai Qiu didn't believe her. Looking worried and guilty, he said,
"Still, we should go. I'll pay the medical bill."
"No, really. It's not necessary."
Toyokawa Shoko said earnestly.
"But... you were crying from the pain."
Bai Qiu looked at the tear tracks on Toyokawa Shoko's face.
Toyokawa Shoko froze, then remembered that she'd been crying the whole time.
She quickly reached up and wiped the tear tracks from her face.
She looked a little flustered.
She didn't want anyone to see her crying.
It made her look weak.
Bai Qiu watched quietly.
"You've got a little smudge on your face."
Toyokawa Shoko looked confused.
Bai Qiu pointed it out. "Your hand..."
Toyokawa Shoko looked down at her hand and only then noticed that her fingers were covered in dust.
A few of them were pale, and it was obvious the dust on them had gotten onto her face.
Bai Qiu chuckled softly. He thought it was rather cute.
Toyokawa Shoko let out a small cry and frantically brushed the dust off her hands and wiped her face.
But somehow, she only looked more disheveled.
Her arm suddenly started hurting again, too.
A wave of grievance rose inexplicably in Toyokawa Shoko's heart.
Her eyes quickly welled up again.
Why did he have to see her looking so pathetic?
"Why are you crying again?"
Bai Qiu asked in confusion.
Maybe they really did need to go to the hospital after all!
"I'm not!"
Toyokawa Shoko shouted petulantly, and her tears fell even faster.
She seemed to have given up trying to hold them back.
Bai Qiu was startled and hurried to soothe her.
"Okay, okay... you're not crying."
Then he took out a tissue and handed it to her.
"Wipe your face."
Toyokawa Shoko stubbornly covered her eyes and turned away.
This guy in front of her had made her fall, made her cry, and left her looking so pathetic.
And now he was laughing at her, too.
Bai Qiu had no choice but to hold the tissue in front of her face.
After quite a while,
Bai Qiu said, "If you don't take it, I'm going to have to wipe your face for you, okay?"
"My arm's getting tired."
Before you continue