My Simulation… Why Is It Turning into a Real Romance?!-Chapter 85 - 23: Watashi…?

"Tomori-chan, what are you doing here?"

"Ever since that time... I haven't been able to reach you. I've really been worried."

Nagasaki Soyo took a step closer, brows slightly furrowed, concern filling her gentle blue eyes.

Her overly familiar tone confused Chihaya Anon, who could clearly see that the girl next to her—Takamatsu Tomori—was visibly flustered. Anon's guard immediately went up.

With protective instinct kicking in, Anon took a deliberate step forward, subtly blocking Soyo's line of sight.

"Um, excuse me—are you a friend of Tomori's?"

Seeing the pink-haired girl suddenly wedge herself between them, Soyo realized she might've come on too strong. She stepped back and adjusted her posture.

"I'm sorry. I just got so excited after not seeing Tomori for so long."

She didn't know who this pink girl was, but anyone who could casually call Tomori "Tomori" and be so close must have a significant relationship.

Maybe a new friend? Maybe someone who helped Tomori come out of her shell?

Either way, anyone like that was worth connecting with, especially for someone who still hadn't given up on reviving CRYCHIC.

"My name is Nagasaki Soyo. I used to be in the same band as Tomori."

Soyo clasped her hands together and bowed with elegant grace as she introduced herself.

The refined and gentle aura she exuded, paired with her soft smile, made it nearly impossible to dislike her.

"Ah, same band? So, like Taki-chan?" Anon's eyes widened as she finally understood.

Taki?

"That's... something I'd love to hear more about, if you don't mind?"

Soyo's gaze sharpened slightly. She hadn't expected to hear Shiina Taki's name from this girl.

Not only that, but the black instrument case on Anon's back...

That had to be a guitar inside, right?

Could it be... Tomori had already started forming a new band without her knowing?

"Ah! But Tomori and I are actually heading to a Livehouse right now..."

Soyo clapped her hands with a feigned "aha" face.

"A Livehouse nearby... ah, would it happen to be RiNG?"

"Eh?! How'd you know?" Anon blinked in surprise.

The smile on Soyo's face widened in satisfaction.

Bingo

So they were already in touch with Taki. Not only that, they were forming a band with this pink-haired girl too? This was a huge surprise.

"I was planning to stop by and visit Taki-chan too~ Shall we go together?"

...

All the way to RiNG, Soyo subtly prodded Anon with light conversation, gauging the situation.

Finding out that Tomori truly wanted to join a band again shocked her in the best way.

To think that Tomori had really moved on from the shadow of CRYCHIC. Soyo was genuinely happy for her.

And it also meant her own plan could finally take its first step.

If Tomori was back in the game, Taki would surely follow. If she could use this chance to join the band and somehow get Mutsumi back in too...

Then maybe... just maybe.... CRYCHIC could be reborn.

"Ehh! Soyo-chan, you used to play bass?! That's perfect, we're actually looking for a bassist right now!"

The moment Soyo mentioned she played bass, Anon's eyes lit up with joy. They'd grown close during the conversation, and Anon was now calling her by nickname.

Soyo was even easier to get along with than Taki, and being a bassist, a rare commodity in bands, was a huge plus.

If we pull her in, our lineup's basically complete!

Already planning her pitch to Haru, Anon bounced with excitement as they reached RiNG's entrance.

Talking with Soyo had been unexpectedly fun.

Though... something about her voice still felt a bit off. Not a big deal, though.

"Taki~! We're here!"

"Geez, there's no need to yell from halfway across the block."

Shiina Taki sighed, feeling secondhand embarrassment as she heard that overly loud pink-haired idiot from below.

But the moment she looked up, her expression subtly changed.

Soyo?

When did she show up?

Taki frowned slightly. Something felt... off.

She'd always had a hard time dealing with Nagasaki Soyo, even back during CRYCHIC. The girl would pop into RiNG now and then, casually bringing up old memories—probing her, subtly pushing the idea of "getting the band back together."

But back then, they hadn't heard from Tomori at all. So Taki never gave it serious thought.

And now... Soyo was here, with Tomori.

So she found her first.

"You're late."

"Sorry, sorry~ I was chatting with Soyo-chan and totally lost track of time," Anon apologized with a sheepish grin.

After learning Soyo was a bassist, Anon had gotten a little too hyped. They ended up talking about band stuff the whole way over.

It was only now that Anon noticed something else.

There was someone standing next to Taki.

A girl in black, punk-style clothing. Her mid-length black hair, strong androgynous features, and calm, pale green eyes gave her a powerful, unmistakably rockstar presence.

Even her stoic silence commanded respect.

Anon gulped and cautiously asked, "Um... who's this?"

"She's Yahata Umiri," Taki replied flatly.

"She's a mercenary bassist, plays with all kinds of bands. We're classmates, and since we still don't have a bassist, I brought her."

"Hello."

Though her expression barely changed, Yahata Umiri politely greeted the group. novelbuddy.cσ๓

She'd agreed to help out in exchange for a box of chocolate milk. She was just here to practice with them and assess everyone's skill level.

As for Nagasaki Soyo, standing behind them—

She was stunned.

Eh? You already have a bassist?

Then what about me?!