"The Soyo residence is really tall."
When only two people are inside an elevator, the atmosphere often turns awkward. Staring at the indicator showing their destination—45th floor—Kikukawa Kyo decided to break the silence.
Soyo wasn't quite sure how to respond to that remark, but letting the conversation drop felt equally awkward. Instead, she turned the question back on Kyo. "Do you like living in high places?"
"My family's place is just a regular apartment, but we do live on one of the higher floors." Kyo seemed to recall something, and for once, her expression softened a little. "So there usually aren't any buildings blocking the view. I really like spending time on the balcony, soaking in water."
"In water?"
"I bought an inflatable pool that fits perfectly on the balcony. On my days off, I can just lounge in there all morning."
"That sounds really relaxing."
The conversation felt much more natural now. Soyo could sense Kyo's mood lifting slightly, so she decided to keep it going. "You really like water, don't you? You always had some kind of drink in hand before—I never realized it wasn't just about drinking water."
"Well, even though we were in a band together, it's not like we really knew each other inside and out. It was only a month or two, after all."
"…You're being really blunt today, Kyo."
That comment sent a jolt through Soyo's chest. Was this how Kyo truly felt? For some reason, the words reminded her of Mutsumi. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag as an uneasy feeling crept up on her. She turned to look at Kyo.
Kyo had one hand grasping her other wrist, held behind her back. Her legs were neatly together, posture straight and rigid. Her eyes were calm, emotionless—like a refined gentleman bound by strict etiquette.
Sure enough, something about Kyo felt… off today.
Noticing Soyo's gaze, Kyo turned to meet her eyes. There was a slight smile on her face. "Don't mind me. I have no complaints about everyone in CRYCHIC. That time was a truly happy one for me. That wasn't a lie."
"Then why—"
Ding.
The elevator arrived at their floor, and the crisp chime cut Soyo off. The gilded doors slid open, revealing an impressively spacious hallway.
Kyo was the first to step out, glancing around. "This place is really extravagant."
Although the Kikukawa family was wealthy, they didn't have much use for excessive luxury. Their home was a relatively upscale apartment, but still nowhere near as opulent as this. The sheer extravagance of the Soyo residence was a new experience for Kyo.
After taking a few steps forward, Kyo realized Soyo hadn't moved. She turned back.
"What's wrong, Soyo?"
"…It's nothing." Soyo wrapped her right hand around her left arm. She was starting to feel uneasy. Kyo felt so unfamiliar—so distant. Back when they first met in CRYCHIC, Kyo had been reserved, but this was different. Now, she felt cold. Hard, like ice. Almost untouchable.
And that realization hit Soyo hard.
Maybe Kyo was right. Maybe she really didn't understand everyone as well as she thought.
If Kyo felt this way, then what about Sakiko? Even if she managed to bring everyone back together, would Sakiko truly return to the band the way she wanted?
"Soyo, move. The elevator doors are closing."
As she stood frozen, Soyo suddenly felt her lowered left arm being grasped. A gentle but firm pull guided her forward—not forcefully enough to make her stumble, just enough to instinctively follow.
Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with Kyo. Kyo's delicate right hand gripped hers firmly, while her left hand remained tucked behind her back. The way she led Soyo forward was almost like a dance partner guiding their counterpart across the floor.
The dance lasted only until Soyo stepped out of the elevator—an abrupt and unceremonious end. There was no graceful waltz, no elegant intertwining of movements. Her long hair, which would have swayed in time with a real dance, never even had the chance to lift before settling again. Kyo hadn't even placed a guiding hand on her waist—she had only taken Soyo's hand. And just like that, it was over.
Yet, Soyo felt as though she had danced an entire song. Her chest rose and fell with unsteady breaths, her heart skipping erratic beats.
"…Are you okay?" Kyo watched her carefully. Even if Soyo wasn't someone she particularly liked at this moment, just as she had once reached out to a hesitant Tomori, Kyo was more than willing to offer a hand—at least until she was certain Soyo truly couldn't move forward on her own.
"I'm fine." Soyo steadied herself, her gaze dropping to their still-linked hands. The cool touch against her skin lingered, and her eyelashes trembled ever so slightly.
So Kyo still cares about me, after all…
"Good."
Without hesitation, Kyo released Soyo's hand. There was no unnecessary movement, no lingering warmth—just a polite gesture, devoid of any sentiment. As if her actions had been purely out of courtesy, nothing more.
It was then that Soyo realized: the fleeting warmth she thought she had felt had been nothing but her own wishful thinking. There wasn't even the slightest trace of the warmth they once shared in CRYCHIC, the way they had always looked out for each other.
No, don't overthink this. Maybe Kyo's just in a bad mood today.
But even as she told herself that, the excuse felt flimsy. If Kyo really was in a bad mood today… why? Was it because she had found her old bandmates joining a new group?
The more Soyo thought about it, the more a sharp ache spread through her chest. For a fleeting moment, she had the urge to reach out, to grasp Kyo's hand and beg her to explain why she was acting so distant. But something deep inside warned her—
If she really did that… Kyo might just walk away without looking back.
Now that they had exited the elevator, the silence between them felt even heavier than before. Soyo didn't want to linger in the hallway, so she quickly led Kyo to the door of her home and unlocked it.
"Kyo, come in. Make yourself at home."
"Then I'll take you up on that offer."
Slipping on the indoor slippers Soyo had set out for her, Kyo began walking through the house.
Yes, walking. Soyo's home was so spacious that simply moving through it could be considered a stroll.
A luxury duplex, its massive windows opened out to an endless expanse of sky, white clouds stretching far and wide. There were no other buildings obstructing the view—only by stepping up to the glass and looking down could one see the city sprawled below, its buildings as small as ants, its roads and people even tinier.
If I could watch the rain from here… it would probably be breathtaking. The sky is so close, the clouds so near, almost like…
Kyo couldn't quite picture it. No thoughts surfaced. Not even a forced poetic description came to mind.
Clouds that could bring rain were still just clouds—until they actually began to fall.
She gave up trying. Maybe when she got home, she'd ask her sister for a hug. She needed to recharge.
…Am I really in the right state of mind to be analyzing Soyo right now?
Kyo wasn't aware of just how much pressure she was already placing on her.
---
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