My Simulation… Why Is It Turning into a Real Romance?!-Chapter 86 - 24: Could It Be...

Just a moment ago, Nagasaki Soyo had been wearing that all-knowing, composed smile.

But the instant she saw that Shiina Taki had already brought a bassist, she froze on the spot.

Even that calm, elegant smile stiffened completely.

The plan she'd carefully crafted to ease her way into the band and start influencing things from the inside, was now in shambles.

"Eh?! But I was just about to—"

Chihaya Anon looked equally stunned. She glanced at Soyo beside her, equally at a loss.

She'd been planning to suggest inviting Soyo to join their band. But out of nowhere, Taki brought along a bassist they'd never met. And now, by complete coincidence, both sides had met.

This is bad. Now what?

Cold sweat beaded on Anon's forehead as her brain scrambled for a solution.

You only need one bassist. Not like guitarists...

She'd never been this desperate for Kazami Haru to hurry up and show up, because honestly, she had no idea how to fix this herself!

Yahata Umiri calmly observed Anon's subtle panic, then shifted her gaze to Soyo's clearly frozen expression. Always skilled at reading a room, she gently offered:

"I was only invited by Taki for a temporary session today. I've got another band gig scheduled afterward."

"R-Really...?" Anon finally exhaled. Her tensed shoulders relaxed.

Beside her, Nagasaki Soyo also began to regain her usual graceful smile. That had nearly scared her into a panic. But thankfully, things weren't as bad as she thought.

All she had to do now was wait for someone to invite her, then she could join the band naturally.

"Hm?"

Taki's eyes darted between Anon, Tomori, and Soyo.

Where's the keyboardist?

So far, she'd only seen these three. The 'keyboardist' Tomori had mentioned, named Haru, was nowhere to be found.

Could it be he was skipping because he was late?

Missing the band's first rehearsal? Her already low opinion of Kazami Haru dropped further. Still, noticing Tomori's uneasy glances toward her, Taki shelved her annoyance for now.

She turned her attention to the ever-smiling Soyo.

"Soyo, why are you here with Tomori?"

"Oh, I just happened to run into her by chance! And then I heard from Anon-chan that Tomori wanted to form a new band again, and I couldn't help but tag along~ I figured Taki-chan would've told me!"

Soyo casually ordered a Darjeeling tea from the café counter, chatting as though it were no big deal.

Technically, she wasn't lying, she really had run into Tomori by coincidence.

"Seeing Tomori take this step again makes me so happy. It's really amazing that you could move forward like this."

Her gaze shimmered with admiration. But behind her soft smile, there was a subtle sadness.

Even Tomori... someone who was hurt so badly... even she could move on.

And CRYCHIC... it was something we all treasured so much...

But now was not the time to dwell on that.

This was a chance she could not let slip—

"Hey, can I join too? I want to start over with everyone."

"Is that okay?"

Her voice was sweet but tinged with sincerity as she looked toward both Taki and Tomori.

Taki folded her arms, unsure how to respond.

In her mind, Tomori was the heart of this band.

Tomori placed a hand over her chest, fingers lightly pressing into her school uniform. Her eyes shimmered with resolve.

Forming a band again—

That's what I already decided.

This time, Haru will be there to support me. Just like a keyboardist quietly supporting the vocalist from behind onstage. Even someone like me, who struggles to be "human"... I can do this.

The fog that had once clouded her eyes was gone. What remained was a blazing, unwavering determination.

"I want to... make a band again, with Soyo-chan and everyone."

"This time... we'll never be apart."

Her voice wasn't loud or dramatic, but the unwavering conviction in it made it resound deeply.

Even Taki, normally composed and cold, was moved. She leaned in, locking eyes with Tomori.

"I'll never be apart from you again."

Soyo's expression bloomed with pure joy.

She had waited so long for this day.

...

Never part!?

Anon looked around awkwardly, Soyo had fixed her gaze on Tomori, and Taki was completely caught up in her.

Only Yahata Umiri, calmly sipping her tea, seemed to acknowledge Anon's presence, watching her with subtle amusement.

Why does it feel like I don't belong here?!.JPG

...

Damn it, where the heck is that Kazami Haru guy?!

"Ahem!" Anon loudly cleared her throat, trying to reclaim the group's attention.

"A-Anyway! Now that everyone's finally here, shouldn't we come up with a band name or something?"

"That can wait. Besides, everyone isn't here yet."

There's still a keyboardist missing, you know.

Taki frowned. Anon clearly wasn't taking this band as seriously as she should, and that irritated her.

Soyo agreed with a light nod, twirling a lock of her softly curled hair around one finger.

"Taki-chan's right~ We only have, what... three... four people now?"

"A vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer. That's still a bit lacking if we want to be a proper band. I'd say we definitely need at least one keyboardist, don't you think?"

Taki gave Soyo a strange look, then glanced at Tomori, confused.

Tomori blinked, clearly not getting what that look meant.

"Eh? But we do have a keyboardist~"

Anon's casual answer made Soyo freeze.

Her wide eyes immediately shot to Taki, who just nodded with a deadpan expression.

Taki wasn't one to lie. If she nodded, it meant it was true.

Soyo's heart pounded faster than ever.

Even her usually perfect, composed smile slipped off her face.

She clutched at her collar, her breathing irregular.

She'd been wondering all along, why had Tomori suddenly decided to form a band again?

Who could've reached that deeply wounded girl?

There was only one possibility—

"C-Could it be..."