All the people who like me are other people’s girlfriends! ?

"No need to rush, Deng, we have plenty of time, let's take it slow."

The blue-haired girl turned to the side, her voice carrying a captivating gentleness and softness.

Yes... This time, even Shiina Tatsuki didn't refute it, because they still have a bright future. This is just the beginning. From now on, they will definitely move forward in an ordinary but firm manner.

The fantasy gradually became more and more beautiful, and the illusion began to appear in my mind, making me believe that this was an ending that would definitely come true.

"Speaking of which... if it's about writing lyrics, Akari, perhaps you could consult Kiyono-kun. His literary skills are the best I've ever seen! I even feel he's better than our school's teachers!"

Shiina Tatsuki quietly turned her head to look at Toyokawa Shoko on the other side. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but when Kiyono was mentioned, Shoko's voice seemed even clearer and sweeter.

That was definitely not the tone used when referring to an ordinary friend.

Kiyono...

The girls muttered to themselves, their feelings toward the boy who had brought CRYCHIC to fruition were quite complicated.

On the one hand, from a male perspective, Kiyono is indeed flawless. He is knowledgeable and capable, gentle, reliable, and handsome, which makes people trust him without even realizing it – as evidenced by his promotion to Ring's most popular employee.

If he were to join CRYCHIC, I could barely accept it...

However, he did not actively participate in the band, and even subtly revealed his attitude of distancing himself.

"Hey... Xiaoxiang seems to always be talking about Kiyono-kun, could it be that she has a crush on him?"

Nagasaki Motoyo said gently that young boys and girls are always full of interest in ambiguous feelings and the opposite sex.

The question was asked, and the entire living room fell into a brief silence.

The girl had asked this question before, and her answer was, "I don't have those kinds of thoughts about him yet."

But now, Toyokawa Shoko's body suddenly trembled. She pulled the blanket up, covering half of her face, her only visible feature being her moist, shimmering eyes. After two seconds, she revealed her pink face, and although she was nervous and shy, she still spoke with composure—

"Maybe, there's just a tiny bit of attraction..."

She was certain it wasn't love, but she couldn't deny the genuine feelings involved.

Even the other girls blushed after hearing this. No, as expected of Xiangzi, he actually dared to say such things... If it were an ordinary girl, she would definitely be shy and make up all sorts of excuses!

Then they talked about the band, about the campus, about boys, until their eyelids became heavy and sleepiness came over them.

This scene was exactly like something out of a fantasy, making her and them think involuntarily—

If only spring would never end.

If only the cherry blossoms would never fall.

The lights were off, the conversations faded away, and occasionally faint breathing sounds and the rustling of clothes could be heard.

Ruoye Mu was the first to fall asleep, her hands folded in front of her, her expression peaceful.

Then came Shiina Tatsuki, and one after another...

The rain continued to fall, its regular rhythm lulling people to sleep.

But surprisingly, Toyokawa Shoko wasn't sleepy. Strangely enough, the moment she confessed her feelings for the boy, her heart felt like it had been clenched. A mixture of joy, panic, and unease spread through her body, an emotion that was impossible to extinguish and could only be barely suppressed.

She didn't know how to name this feeling, so she unconsciously took out her phone and sent a message to the culprit.

[Toyokawa Shoko: Kiyono-kun, are you asleep?]

[Tauren Chieftain: Contemplating life.]

[Toyokawa Shoko: You idiot, we're only sixteen!]

After sending the text message, Toyokawa Shoko hesitated for a long time, constantly editing and deleting new messages, before finally mustering the courage to send it.

If it's convenient, I'd like to have a chat with Kiyono-kun, is that alright?

...

Afraid of waking others, they tiptoed out of the door furtively.

A cool breeze blew, and I felt much more awake. The tranquility unique to rainy nights still lingered around me.

Toyokawa Shoko flinched slightly, but she didn't pay it any mind. She looked up at the night sky outside the apartment. Tonight, there were only thick dark clouds, and the moon was nowhere to be seen. A few stars occasionally twinkled with dim light.

She was about to say something, but the next second, a warmth suddenly enveloped her slightly chilly body. The young lady turned her head and saw the boy casually draping a coat over her shoulders. She could smell the sunshine and the scent of grass.

Toyokawa Shoko winked at him, and Kiyono coughed lightly:

"Isn't this approach too outdated?"

"Old-fashioned can also be called ordinary... and ordinary is good too."

Toyokawa Shoko said something unexpected. After all, she usually liked to talk about fate and other chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur) things, and it was obvious that she was a sentimental and romantic girl. But she didn't dislike the mundane routine. If she were to have a relationship, she would only need a little surprise now and then.

"Why aren't you asleep so late?" Kiyono asked.

"Maybe it's because he's too excited about sleeping with everyone, he just can't fall asleep." Toyokawa Shoko didn't dare look at the boy's face.

"Are you a primary school student on a school trip?!" Qingye teased. "What have you been talking about all this time?"

"We really talked a lot..."

The girl turned her face away and gave a vague answer, but as she spoke, she seemed to remember something and uttered a small complaint:

"Why don't you join, Kiyono-kun? You're a member of CRYCHIC too!"

"Huh? I don't remember having such a setting?" Seeing that Toyokawa Shoko was a little dissatisfied, he added, "I just need to be an invisible guardian and support her from afar!"

The blue-haired girl reluctantly accepted the answer.

The heavy rain subsided a bit, and the dark clouds began to drift slowly. In this secret moment when everyone was asleep, the two of them looked together at the stars that were gradually emerging from the clouds.

Kiyono tilted his gaze and landed on the girl's profile. He hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should give her the gift now.

He could sense that Toyokawa Shoko really enjoyed the night. If he gave it away, it would deepen her attachment to the band. When she looked back on it later, would she feel happy or sad?

At this moment, Xiangzi sensed something. She turned around and looked at Qingye, tilting her head and her expression becoming somewhat strange. She noticed Qingye's abnormality: the boy had been keeping one hand behind his back since earlier, as if he were hiding something.

The girl asked curiously:

"Kiyono-kun, is there something behind you?"

Kiyono paused, then stopped hesitating and handed her what he was holding in his left hand.

Toyokawa Shoko looked on with curiosity. Because she could vaguely see that it was paper, she deliberately walked to the entrance hall before taking it and unfolding it to avoid being splashed by rain.

Then, time seemed to stand still for a moment.

—That was a painting.

With the help of the light, she could clearly see the five CRYCHIC members in the painting. They were looking up at the stars, and although only their backs were visible, they had a strong personal style. Although the painting was not very detailed, the full composition and rich colors gave people a warm and uplifting feeling.

“This is…” Starlight shone in Toyokawa Shoko’s beautiful eyes.

"Consider it a thank-you gift for what the big shot gave me before. I didn't know what else to give, so I just drew a picture..."

"I really love Desuwa! I will definitely treasure it!"

Toyokawa Shoko interrupted him. Under the soft light, she looked up at the boy, her cheeks flushed, a shy smile on her lips, her eyes sparkling with unspoken words.

"I'm glad you like it." Kiyono couldn't stand that kind of gaze, so she turned her face slightly and said with a smile.

I never imagined Kiyono-kun was so good at drawing! He's even better than the best art student in Tsukinomori! Seriously, not only is he handsome, gentle, and sincere, and has outstanding literary talent, but he also draws so well... Just how many good qualities does this boy have?!

Shoko Toyokawa rarely marvels at the talents of her peers; Kiyono is the first.

However, there was one thing she wasn't entirely satisfied with...

"Why aren't you in this painting?" She took two steps forward, almost face to face with Qingye, her eyebrows raised, her sweet breath spraying onto his face.

"I can't draw anymore..."

"Liar!"

Toyokawa Shoko snorted. Holding the drawing paper, she lowered her head slightly for some reason. Her long blue hair, which was not tied in a ponytail, flowed like a waterfall, revealing a gentle, wifely demeanor.

"Um... this painting isn't perfect at all; you need to revise it..."

The sound was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

"What do you want?" Kiyono asked.

"Including you, there's also..."

Toyokawa Shoko suddenly raised her head. The girl's blushing cheeks were as fiery as fire, but even more alluring than her beautiful face were her bright eyes, which rippled like spring water.

she says:

"Please draw another picture, just the two of us."

The blue-haired girl let out a soft whimper and snapped the light off in the entryway, covering her burning face and ears, but her eyes still sparkled.

She was speechless. She forcibly pushed Kiyono into the house, then returned to the entrance hall and closed the door behind her.

But before the door shut out the outside world, she suddenly saw the dark clouds disperse and a ray of moonlight shine down, the bright light making the girl smile beautifully.

I hope their future will be like this too.

The door slowly closed.

*

Xiangzi's Diary

[On April 04.28th, Kiyono-kun gave me a second painting. It only depicts him and me. It's so strange... How can I describe this feeling...? I hung the painting in my room.]

[On April 04.30th, to make the lantern sing, we went to karaoke with Kiyono-kun. I really liked a duet song and wanted to sing it with him, but for some reason he was very resistant, saying something like, "This is a song Yukinoshita likes..." But in the end, he reluctantly agreed.]

But the light still won't sing. Why is that? I'm a little troubled, but there's nothing I can do. I can only ask Kiyono-kun.

[Kiyono-kun is amazing! Is he the legendary Doraemon?! He can sing softly just by hiding the notebook containing the lamp!]

[May 05.02nd, Lighting is currently working on our first song and often consults with Kiyono; they're spending a lot of time together now.]

[Su Shi often initiates conversations with Kiyono-kun, seemingly showing interest in him, but for some reason, I'm a little unhappy.]

[May 05.04th, Spring Shadows... that's our song.]

We need to prepare for our first live performance.

I'm happy, but also a little nervous and scared. I formed this band, and I wonder if I can really lead my bandmates to a perfect performance? Can I confide these feelings to Kiyono? I think I can, right?

I was very scared, but Kiyono said she would watch over me from the nearest place and encourage me, so I wasn't scared anymore.

[CRYCHIC's performance is about to begin.]

My father said he would definitely come to my performance, as would Kiyono, and Hatsuka too... I feel like everything will go smoothly.

I saw Kiyono. He smiled at me and held up a light stick. His smile was like that of an innocent boy. Seriously, Idiot, Idiot! I'm about to perform, how can my heart be beating so fast?

The performance was a great success.

[The band...it's so wonderful. It's so wonderful to have a band he's always supported.]

【but……】

My father said…

What does it mean to say "I can no longer live with you"?

【Father! 】

【——】

【————————】

【————】

【——————————————】

【——————】

【It's raining. 】

"I'm quitting CRYCHIC."

【Qingye-kun, Qingye-kun, Qingye-kun...】

Toyokawa Shoko closed her notebook and turned her head to look at it.

The dim lighting, the cramped space, and the bottles scattered all over the floor made it look like a graveyard exuding an aura of despair.

Her father, the former heir of the Toyokawa family, was huddled lifelessly in the center of the graveyard, the air thick with a repulsive, almost stagnant stench of alcohol.

There is no light, no end in sight.