Does gravity make me stronger?

It's a very simple way of thinking, but is it really that simple?

The impact of Toyokawa Shoko's departure from the band is essentially irreversible. No amount of compensation can make up for it; it will only make Takamatsu Akari feel a little better. Moreover, in Hachiman's view, Takamatsu Akari doesn't necessarily need to join the band.

Escaping may be shameful, but it's useful, isn't it?

Thinking of this, Hachiman said, "Chihaya is right, we should start with the two of them. Also, Takamatsu's own thoughts are very important."

After making his decision, Hachiman said goodbye to the two of them and began searching online for information about the band "Crychic" from his past.

There isn't much information online, but through Crychic's independent account, Hachiman learned quite a bit.

First of all, the band was formed during the time of Hachiman Junior High School. There were five members in total: in addition to Akari Takamatsu, there was Motoyo Nagasaki, Tatsuki Shiina, Shoko Toyokawa, and a girl named Mutsumi Wakaba.

Around the third year of junior high school, the band's activities suddenly came to an abrupt end without any warning, and many fans' messages remained in the comments section.

Although the account operator responded, it's clear that everyone is very dissatisfied with the result.

Based on Shiina Tatsuki's words, Hachiman filtered through the band's account activity and quickly discovered a clue.

"The keyboardist's clothes didn't change at all during the last few performances."

Girls pay great attention to their appearance, and in important occasions like performances, they generally avoid wearing the same outfit repeatedly, except for team uniforms, in order to increase the sense of novelty.

Indeed, this is the case. As can be seen from the updates, apart from Toyokawa Shoko, everyone else changes their clothes for each event, even Shiina Tatsuki, who dresses the most simply.

But starting with one performance, Toyokawa Shoko has been wearing the same outfit ever since.

Shiina Tatsuki just said that Toyokawa Shoko seems to be a girl from a wealthy family, and that she attended a prestigious junior high school like Tsukinomori.

"How strange..." Hachiman murmured, suddenly feeling as if he had found a breakthrough.

The next day, Hachiman was studying at school as usual when a pale blue figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight while he was eating in the cafeteria.

"Hey, that guy over there seems to be staring in a daze."

"Yes, they just stand there and don't even know to give way."

Amidst the whispers of many people, Hachiman snapped out of his daze and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't been mistaken; the girl he had just seen was Toyokawa Shoko from Crychic.

IF :

Chapter 301 The Light Chapter: Takamatsu Light Forever Yearns for the Past (Part 3)

Hachiman didn't think he had any special insight; at most, he had just become a little more perceptive through observing human activities day after day.

Therefore, when he discovered that the key figure in Crychic's collapse—Toyokawa Shoko—was actually a student from the same school as him, he became quite flustered.

Wait a minute, what's that guy doing at Haneoka Academy? Isn't Tsukimori a school that combines junior and senior high school?

As a prestigious school with a long history, Tsukimori has established both junior high and senior high schools. As long as the tuition is paid, students can enter this top high school in Tokyo without taking any exams.

So he couldn't understand why Toyokawa Shoko, who attended Tsukinomori in junior high, would transfer to Haneoka Academy in high school.

Is it because of the college entrance rate?

In terms of college entrance rates, Haneoka Academy is well-known in the Tokyo metropolitan area, but it still can't compare to Tsukinomori Academy, let alone the neighboring Shuchiin Academy.

How far from home?

Don't noble ladies always get chauffeured to school? Besides, Haneoka Academy isn't far from Tsuki no Mori; it's just one or two train stops away.

It can't be just because the school uniforms here look nice, right?

After much thought, Hachiman still couldn't come up with a very reasonable explanation. All sorts of mysteries swirled in his mind. In an instant, an incredible idea took shape in his mind.

"Although it's a bit melodramatic, it makes all the sense. Also, it seems that Wakaba Mutsu is Toyokawa Shoko's childhood friend, which explains his attitude back then."

With his back hunched, Hachiman watched Toyokawa Shoko disappear into the distance, took a deep breath, and then followed her.

"Excuse me, are you Toyokawa Shoko?"

"Who is it?" The quiet girl turned around, her delicate face showing a hint of weariness and distance: "You... are you Hachiman from Class 1-C?"

Have we met before?

Upon hearing the other party state his name, Hachiman took a half-step back in surprise, wondering if Toyokawa Shoko had seen through his thoughts.

Fortunately.

The other party was not aware of this.

“No, I just remembered everyone in the school.” Toyokawa Shoko shook her head, her faint smile showing no hint of affection.

Clearly, the other person must have gone through something that caused this once cheerful girl to undergo a dramatic change.

This further confirms Hachiman's guess.

"So, what can I do for you, Hachiman?"

"No, it's nothing really."

Hachiman feigned shyness and stammered, but just as Toyokawa Shoko grew impatient and was about to turn and leave, he suddenly fired a shot.

"Crychic, have you heard of this band, Toyokawa-kun?"

The girl, who was about to take a step, suddenly stopped, her face darkening, and her pretty brows furrowing tightly: "Of course, this is the band I used to be in, but unfortunately it has disbanded now. Is there a problem?"

“No, there’s absolutely no problem.” Hachiman shrugged innocently. “I just happened to hear the name from an acquaintance, so I wanted to inquire about it.”

The girl, who wasn't planning on ending the conversation with Crychic quickly, said, "If there are no more questions, I'll be going."

"Okay, bye."

Hachiman gazed at the girl's slender back, and after walking about ten meters, he said again, "Speaking of which, I have a guess. You left Crychic out of necessity, didn't you?"

Because of the distance, Hachiman deliberately raised his voice, a move that clearly surprised Toyokawa Shoko.

She stopped again, and although she tried her best to control her body, her thin shoulders still trembled slightly.

How much does that guy actually know, and what is his purpose?

Sensing something ominous, Toyokawa Shoko felt as if a storm was brewing in her heart. She remained silent for a moment, forcing herself to slowly regain her composure.

"I don't know what you're talking about, and Crychic's journey is over, so please stop talking, Hachiman."

Xiangzi spoke with his back turned, and Hachiman followed him, lowering his voice.

"Although I don't know if it has anything to do with Xiangzi, I have looked up the Toyokawa family's businesses in Tokyo."

"To my surprise, the Toyokawa family's investments are very stable and show no signs of decline."

"Therefore, Toyokawa's sudden change during junior high school was due to a family crisis, specifically..."

Just as Hachiman was about to continue speaking, Toyokawa Shoko rushed over and grabbed Hachiman's sleeve tightly, her amber-gold eyes filled with rage.

That's enough!

The results were outstanding.

Hachiman admired him inwardly, and then wisely kept quiet for a while before finally speaking: "So, can you tell me the truth?"

After venting her anger, Toyokawa Shoko released her grip, took a few steps back, and looked at Hachiman warily.

"What's the point of knowing all this to you? What's your relationship with the main family?"

“It has nothing to do with me. I’m a purebred Chiba native.” Hachiman simply shook his head. “Besides, I did this because an acquaintance of mine is confused about Crychic.”

"You're in Class C of the first year, right? So you are...?"

"It doesn't matter who it is."

"Does the truth really matter that much?"

The once spirited girl suddenly looked dejected, like a deflated ball pierced by a needle.

“I’m not interested in the truth; I just want my acquaintances to stop being haunted by the ghosts of the past.”

"Heh, is she really just someone you know?"

Toyokawa Shoko gave a cold laugh, then, completely resigned, revealed the reason for leaving the band.

"Hachiman, it's a bit of a shame to say this, but please keep it a secret for me. I don't want anyone else to know about this, including Akari."

The girl's pride wouldn't allow more people to know the truth; in reality, she was already on the verge of collapse.

Hachiman thought for a moment and nodded, "I promise you, but what about Takamatsu-kun..."

Just as he was about to speak, he realized he had been tricked into revealing information.

Shoko Toyokawa gave a bitter laugh; this was her only victory so far.

"It really is Deng. That child has always been very popular."

"No, I just came here to investigate without permission."

To prevent Toyokawa Shoko from misunderstanding, Hachiman explained.

For some reason, Xiangzi had a lonely expression on her face: "I know this is a bit shameless, but if possible, please take good care of Akari for me, Hikigaya-kun."

Hachiman resolutely refused: "This is something I should do myself."

"I'm sorry, just consider the old Toyokawa Shoko to be dead."

"Death cannot absolve one of responsibility."

Hachiman spoke with clear eyes.

It was this one sentence that completely shattered Toyokawa Shoko's defenses, and she leaned against the wall, gritting her teeth in despair.

That's enough...

Hachiman has been hurting the girl in front of him since the beginning, and now it's time to close the net.

Hachiman scratched the back of his head, a hint of guilt in his expression: "If you want to make amends, Toyokawa-kun, would you be willing to make a deal with me?"

...

Back in the classroom, Hachiman immediately found Takamatsu Akari and told him about his suggestion to take him to meet Nagasaki Motoyo and Shiina Tatsuki.

Hearing this, Chihaya Aine thought that Hachiman was going to try to stop them again, so she quickly spoke up.

"Hachiman, didn't we agree that you can't interfere in the band's affairs anymore!"

When was this agreed upon? How come I didn't know?

Hachiman swallowed his words and shook his head, saying, "This time, I won't stop you from forming a band. In fact, I never intended to stop you before."

Ai Yin pouted: "You clearly do!"

Takamatsu Akari tilted her head: "But, did Hachiman go to see Suze-chan and the others for something?"

"Let's talk about it when we get there. It's too much trouble to explain now, as it would require repeating the explanation."

In short, after realizing that Hachiman's attitude had changed, Aine stopped stopping him and followed along.

This time, a strange girl appeared in RiNG's coffee shop.

The girl had beautiful heterochromatic eyes and short white hair, and her slender, youthful body subtly outlined slightly developing curves.

Okay, to put it simply, it's a bit flat...

Is this kid still in middle school?

Just as Hachiman was looking around, he heard the girl with heterochromia wave to him in a friendly manner: "Long time no see, interesting man."

Who is the interesting man?

Is it me?

Little sister, that's a really annoying comment. Do you want to say it again?

With a slight twitch of his brow, Hachiman nodded to the girl, then turned his gaze to Nagasaki Motoyo and Shiina Tatsuki, who were looking anxious at the front desk.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's you again. What do you want to ask this time?" Shiina Tatsuki's attitude was terrible, as if Hachiman owed her a lot of money.

"Well, Tachibana-chan, relax. Maybe Hachiman is here to speak up for us." Nagasaki Motoyo's smile was laced with sarcasm; though it was meant to be comforting, it had a sarcastic undertone.

“Before that, let’s have Takamatsu-kun talk about the band first,” Hachiman said, neither humble nor arrogant. “Takamatsu-kun, what are your thoughts on joining the band?”

Startled by being pushed forward for no apparent reason, Takamatsu Akari looked around before slowly lowering her head. "Wait... I'll only cause trouble for everyone. Even if we get a new band, it'll disband sooner or later because of me... so... wait..."

Apart from the heterochromatic-eyed girl who was confused about the situation, the others all looked troubled.

At this moment, Hachiman interjected, "Crychic's problem is not your problem."

"Crychic?" Upon hearing the word from DNA, Nagasaki Motoyo suddenly looked up: "Why does Hachiman-kun know about Crychic?"