The Sweet Donut shop.
After dropping off Sakiko, Hotaru came here.
She saw that there were only a few donuts left in the display case.
So Hotaru said magnanimously,
"Pack all the donuts, please."
"Alright, please wait a moment."
This was the first time she had come in the evening.
Coming here,
Hotaru couldn't help but think of the Sweet Donut Lady.
Since that day, she had been coming to buy donuts for breakfast every morning.
Hmm… she was a little addicted.
The Sweet Donut Lady seemed to be the same.
And, no matter what time she left.
She always seemed to be a little earlier than her.
Standing one or a few spots ahead of her in line.
She would buy 20 donuts every time.
Fortunately, the situation of Hotaru waiting for a long time did not recur.
Forget it, why am I thinking about her?
Hotaru scrolled through her phone, bored.
"Excuse me, may I please have a few donuts?"
Hotaru looked up.
A black mask, a familiar baseball cap, and sunglasses.
Hotaru was secretly delighted.
Finally, I caught an opportunity, didn't I?
You annoying Sweet Donut Lady!
So, Hotaru showed her most polite smile and looked at her seriously,
"Of course not…"
Hotaru's pupils contracted slightly,
"Not a problem…"
Hotaru's smile vanished, her expression a little stiff.
She wanted to smile, to let her know she was willing.
But just now, in order to swallow the word "possibly" back.
She accidentally bit her tongue, and it was bleeding.
She couldn't manage her expression perfectly anymore.
The pupils behind the sunglasses also contracted slightly.
"I'm sorry, did I scare you?"
Uika naturally pulled down her mask and subtly took a step forward.
Her deep violet eyes revealed a hint of mystery, more captivating than stars.
Hotaru had seen many exquisite faces in her life.
But compared to them, this one exuded composure and calmness.
Her profound gaze made it impossible to tell what she was thinking.
However, none of this was enough to surprise Hotaru so much.
The key was her short blonde hair.
It made Hotaru realize that she had mistaken her for someone else.
Thankfully, she reacted quickly.
Taking a deep breath to ease the pain, Hotaru shook her head and slowly spoke,
"How many do you want? Is five okay?"
Hotaru glanced, estimating there were fewer than 10 donuts left.
"Mm, that's fine, thank you."
Uika nodded and thanked her softly.
Actually, two would have been enough, since Rana could only sneak two at a time.
Hotaru gave instructions to the staff.
After paying, she quickly left this place that frequently made her feel frustrated.
After Hotaru left, Uika pulled her mask back up, looked at her retreating back, and then murmured in a voice only she could hear,
"It seems she's not the person I'm looking for!"
"Although, she did look a bit like her…"
From the moment Hotaru turned around,
Uika had been closely watching her every move.
Her eyes hadn't left her for a second.
She seemed to have bitten her tongue?
Other than that, there was nothing unusual; she didn't show any sign of knowing her.
Well, how could she possibly find her just by coming out to buy donuts for Rana?
After all, Tokyo is so big.
Uika chuckled softly.
Hotaru…
Hotaru…
Hotaru-chan…
Wait for me…
I will definitely find you.
"Um… Miss, could you possibly be Uika from the idol group Sumimi?"
The store clerk suddenly asked nervously.
Uika then snapped back to reality.
She smiled and nodded slightly, making a "shush" gesture with her finger.
The clerk nodded, dumbfounded.
Taking the donuts, Uika quietly said thank you.
Uika took her leave.
...
In front of the elevator.
Hotaru and Soyo stood side by side, maintaining a slight distance between them.
After exchanging greetings, the two fell into silence.
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
What a… coincidence!
Both of them couldn't help but think at the same time.
These two had been very tacitly avoiding each other recently.
As for the reason?
Of course, it was because of the incident a few days ago where they shared a bowl of soup.
Actually, these past few days.
Whenever Soyo thought that Hotaru might be eating alone in a big house, just like her.
And eating food from places that weren't open.
Soyo felt a little uneasy; she had originally intended to invite Hotaru to her place for dinner.
Of course, she could also inquire about Tomori's news then.
However, the moment she was about to press the doorbell.
The scene from that night would involuntarily flash in her mind.
Soyo felt her head get hot and she backed down again.
Hotaru felt like things were a bit out of sorts today!
Whose fault was it?
Rana? No, children are innocent.
Sakiko? No, I'm the bad guy.
The blonde girl? No, she's just a passerby.
Soyo? No, Soyo is not at fault.
So, I'm sorry, only you are left.
Sweet Donut Lady.
If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have thought of donuts, if I hadn't thought of donuts, I wouldn't have gone to buy donuts, if I hadn't gone to buy donuts, I wouldn't have met the blonde girl, if I hadn't met the blonde girl, I wouldn't have mistaken her for someone else, if I hadn't mistaken her for someone else, I wouldn't have been delayed there for a few minutes, if I hadn't been delayed for a few minutes…
Then, I could have arrived downstairs before Soyo, entered the elevator a step earlier, and wouldn't have met Soyo.
Hotaru thought so.
"Um… Hotaru, the elevator has arrived."
Soyo reminded her, holding the open button in the elevator, looking at Hotaru with a deep gaze.
Are you unwilling to even share an elevator with me now?
"Oh, oh, okay, I'm sorry."
Hotaru snapped out of it and quickly entered the elevator.
Once inside the elevator, the space was limited.
Hotaru couldn't help but stand next to Soyo.
Soyo pressed the button for the 45th floor.
At this moment, Soyo also regained her composure and calmness.
She noticed that Hotaru was still carrying a keyboard bag.
Soyo looked at it curiously.
This packaging, it's an electronic keyboard…
Soyo's gaze narrowed slightly.
Coming back so late, did she go to practice the piano?
Oh, speaking of which, she forgot to ask her about the band last time.
Then she would inquire about it now.
Soyo's lips curved into a smile, and just as she was about to speak, her expression suddenly changed.
Wait a minute!
What is this smell?
Soyo sniffed, the scent seemed a bit faint.
So, she took a step closer to Hotaru.
Sniff, sniff…
Ah… familiar… such a familiar scent.
No mistake… no mistake… no mistake!
Absolutely no mistake!
This aura, this scent.
It was definitely the scent that only Sakiko had.
Soyo was both surprised and delighted; the scent of Sakiko made her feel at ease.
She subconsciously closed her eyes, greedily taking in the scent, her body and mind gradually relaxing.
However, in an instant.
Soyo suddenly opened her eyes wide, her gaze sharp.
She wanted to question her now!
Question her loudly!
Why!
Why do you smell like Sakiko!
What is your relationship with Sakiko!
Tell me everything!
This was definitely! A scent that could only be picked up by being very close!
From the moment the elevator started, Hotaru felt an inexplicable pressure.
And, as the elevator ascended, this pressure became heavier and heavier.
She didn't think it was due to gravitational acceleration.
There was no one else in the elevator, without a doubt.
The source of this pressure came from Soyo.
Hotaru touched her face, feeling that Soyo had been staring at her for a long time.
Is there dirt on my face?
"Soyo, what's wrong?"
Soyo took a deep breath.
Calm down, Soyo.
At times like this, it's even more important to stay composed.
"Nothing!"
Soyo smiled, narrowing her eyes,
"I was just curious, Hotaru is coming back so late."
"Did you go out to play somewhere?"
Yes, yes, Soyo, that's it, guide her step by step to reveal the answer.
"Oh, about that, I went to work with my bandmates today."
Hotaru said this on purpose.
This way, it could ease the awkward atmosphere and provide a topic of conversation.
Crucially, it could also earn her Soyo's musical notes.
Band? Bandmates? Work?
This sentence revealed a lot of information.
A glint flashed in Soyo's eyes, and then she praised her,
"Hotaru is very diligent!"
She had wanted to ask where she worked, but that would have been a bit abrupt.
"This, is it an instrument?"
Soyo asked, she recognized it as an electronic keyboard at a glance, and even the model that Sakiko used to use.
However, she wanted to get the answer gradually.
That way, it wouldn't arouse suspicion.
And Hotaru, she preferred to get straight to the point.
"Yes, I'm the keyboardist for a band."
"I see, does your band have live performances? Where do you usually practice?"
Hotaru's eyes lit up.
Indeed, Soyo knew quite a bit about bands.
"Not yet, we're active in Shimokitazawa."
"If you're interested, when we have a live show, I'll definitely invite you."
Hotaru said with a smile, feeling the pressure around her also decrease significantly.
"Okay, be sure to save a ticket for me then."
Soyo's lips curved, and then she prepared to throw out the next question.
"Of course."
"Ding!"
The floor was reached, and the elevator doors opened automatically.
Hotaru's eyes lit up, saved!
She was the first to step out of the elevator, immediately feeling a sense of relief throughout her body.
Damn elevator!
Soyo cursed silently, feeling extremely annoyed.
Why did it go up so fast?
Just when it was getting to the crucial part!
She hadn't even asked which live house it was.
She should have rented the top floor.
No, if she rented the top floor, Hotaru would also get off on that floor.
Damn it, once out of this space.
Sakiko's scent would be gone!
Soyo couldn't help but sniff one last time.
Huh?! Why?! I can't smell it anymore!
Soyo's eyes darkened.
"Um… Soyo, aren't you coming out yet?"
Hotaru looked at Soyo in confusion, and what was with her face, red one moment, black the next?
"Ah, yes!"
"I'm sorry, I zoned out."
Soyo quickly walked out.
"Hotaru, have you eaten? Would you like to come to my place for dinner?"
Soyo invited her, thinking it would be a good opportunity to gather more information.
Hotaru hesitated slightly, then held up the bag in her hand.
"No, I bought donuts, they won't be good if they sit too long."
"I still have food at home, so I won't trouble you."
Although she really missed Soyo's home-cooked meals, she felt she was a little strange today, and her gaze seemed overly intense.
Considering what had happened today, Hotaru no longer wanted to bother.
So she decided, she'd just go home!
"I see…"
Soyo was a little disappointed.
Damn donuts.
"Then you can't refuse next time, okay?"
Soyo said, retreating to advance.
"Of course."