Omnibus Anime: In a Music Anime, Relaxed and Happy

So cunning, so incredibly cunning...

The words spoken by the boy in front of her sounded so familiar.

She had once said the exact 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, reached out her hand to the other girl, and said:

"Let's start a band together!"

This was where Crychic had begun.

It was also where her own dream had started back then.

Chapter 37 Toyokawa Shoko Cried

Bai Qiu looked at Toyokawa Shoko with concern.

He had already recognized this girl as the succubus clerk he had met earlier at the music store.

As everyone knows, Bai Qiu has always been someone who likes children.

Bai Qiu could only wish her safety.

Afterward, he came here to see Yoruna off to the station.

Just as he stepped onto the pedestrian bridge, Bai Qiu witnessed the scene of the succubus attempting to take her own life.

Bai Qiu's expression changed instantly.

Are you trying to get yourself killed?!

From his perspective, Toyokawa Shoko was standing on the railing.

Half of her body was already leaning over the edge.

She could fall at any moment!

So, Bai Qiu rushed forward in a panic.

He had intended to pull her down.

Who could have expected that, because he was running too fast, combined with the momentum of the electronic keyboard strapped to his back, he ended up pushing Toyokawa Shoko over.

Thinking of this, Bai Qiu looked a bit embarrassed.

I should just store the electronic keyboard in the Light Music Club or at Starlight next time.

That would be more convenient, too.

"Um... are you okay?"

Bai Qiu asked tentatively.

Seriously, sister.

Say something, whether you're hurt or not!

Toyokawa Shoko hadn't said a word from the moment it happened until now.

This only made Bai Qiu worry that he might have caused her to hit her head with that shove.

Toyokawa Shoko awoke from her memories, only to be captivated by the scene before her.

It feels like... his eyes are so bright.

Gentle, dazzling, warm, beautiful...

It was just like the lyrics to Akari's song.

Her chest felt... perhaps not quite as painful anymore.

"Can you still stand?"

Bai Qiu leaned down and reached out a hand toward Toyokawa Shoko, intending to help her up.

She was wearing a skirt, and it wasn't ideal for her to keep sitting on the ground.

Toyokawa Shoko's golden pupils reflected Bai Qiu's hand.

A voice kept repeating in her mind... repeating...

Dame desu wa!!

She couldn't take this hand!

Because, once she took this hand, the weak version of her from the past might just come back to life!

However, her hand had a mind of its own.

Toyokawa Shoko's dust-stained fingers had already lightly gripped Bai Qiu's hand.

Bai Qiu exerted force from his wrist, carefully pulling Toyokawa Shoko to her feet.

"Th-thank you..."

Toyokawa Shoko's voice was barely audible, and a blush crept across her face.

On this autumn night, their fingers felt slightly cold, yet Toyokawa Shoko felt a sense of warmth.

Ensuring that she wouldn't fall, Bai Qiu let go of her hand, feeling a sense of relief in his heart.

"You scared me; you finally spoke."

"Are you hurt anywhere? Should I take you to the hospital for a check-up?"

Toyokawa Shoko felt a bit embarrassed at first, but then a strange sense of loss welled up in her heart.

But soon, she shook her head.

Now was not the time for wild thoughts.

"No, I'm fine. There's no need to go to the hospital."

That was the truth; the moment she had fallen to the ground earlier, it had truly hurt.

Now, however, it was nothing serious.

Besides, she no longer had the spare money to go to the hospital.

Bai Qiu didn't believe her, saying with a mix of worry and self-reproach, "You should still go! I'll cover the medical expenses."

"No, I really don't need to."

Toyokawa Shoko said with a serious expression.

"But... you were clearly crying from the pain."

Bai Qiu stared at the tear tracks on Toyokawa Shoko's face as he spoke.

Toyokawa Shoko froze for a moment, then remembered that she had been shedding tears just a moment ago.

She hurriedly reached up to wipe the tear tracks from her face.

She looked somewhat flustered.

She didn't want others to see her crying.

Because that made her look weak.

Bai Qiu watched her quietly.

"You've... become a little smudged."

Toyokawa Shoko wore a puzzled expression.

Bai Qiu reminded her, "Your hands..."

Toyokawa Shoko looked down at her hands and realized that at some point, her fingers had become covered in dust.

The dust on a few of her fingers had clearly been smeared onto her face.

Bai Qiu chuckled softly; he thought it was actually quite cute.

Toyokawa Shoko let out a soft cry, frantically brushing the dust off her hands and wiping the dirt from her face.

Only to find that she had become even more disheveled.

Her arm suddenly began to ache again.

All of a sudden, a sense of grievance welled up in Toyokawa Shoko's heart for no apparent reason.

This made her eyes well up with tears once again.

Why do you have to see me in such a pathetic state?

"Why are you crying again?" Bai Qiu asked, puzzled.

I really should take her to the hospital to get checked out!

"I am not!" Toyokawa Shoko shouted, sounding petulant, her tears falling even faster.

She seemed to have reached a point of throwing caution to the wind.

Bai Qiu was startled and hurriedly tried to soothe her.

"Alright, alright... you're not crying."

He then found some tissues and held them out to her.

"Here, wipe your face."

Toyokawa Shoko stubbornly covered her eyes and turned her body away.

It was clearly this guy in front of her who caused her to fall, caused her to cry, and caused her to be this disheveled.

Yet, he was still making fun of her.

Bai Qiu had no choice but to hold the tissues right in front of her face.

After a long while, Bai Qiu said, "If you don't, I'm going to have to wipe it for you, okay?"

"My arm is getting sore."