As Soyo had predicted, Hikari was pulled away by her.
Riki couldn't spare a glance for Hakushu and immediately wanted to follow.
She knew a little about Soyo's intentions.
She couldn't let her hurt Hikari!
However, to Riki's surprise, Hakushu followed after them even faster.
Hikari was the one Hakushu had asked out!
Now, it looked like Hikari was being held hostage by Soyo.
Also, Hakushu vaguely felt like there was a juicy story to be had!
"Hikari, I'll protect her."
Riki's eyes widened, unwilling to be outdone, and she quickened her pace.
In front of the RiNG entrance, their steps slowed.
"RiNG?"
Hakushu spoke instinctively after seeing the large sign above the shop.
The name is pretty good!
RiNG is awesome!
Although I didn't quite understand, I just went along with it.
"Huh?!" Riki Shiina was taken aback, but she quickly seized the opportunity to retort, "This is RiNG, not some RNG!"
Soyo Nagasaki also kindly reminded, "Hakushu, it's RiNG."
"Hmm?"
Hakushu looked up in confusion, taking another careful look.
If the one called Riki was possibly antagonizing him, then Soyo shouldn't be lying.
Sure enough, it really was RiNG.
He had been too quick to assume. Mainly, in his past life, he always heard people shouting about how awesome RNG was.
You remember things when you hear them enough.
However, Hakushu wasn't about to back down when it came to Riki.
"It's because it uses a lowercase 'i'."
Riki snorted and turned her head away.
They were already at the door. Soyo was worried the two would start arguing outside and cause some trouble, so she urged them,
"Let's go in quickly!"
RiNG, inside the store.
A spot by the window.
Hakushu and Riki were on either side of Hikari, guarding her.
Even the expression management expert, Soyo, couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth, but she managed to suppress it.
She was the one who pulled Hikari in here first, so why did it end up like this?
She had also planned to sit next to Hikari, hoping to find a chance to chat with her.
Well then!
Soyo sat in the remaining empty seat, a gentle smile on her face.
Riki looked at Hikari with concern.
Hikari lowered her head slightly, occasionally sneaking glances at everyone.
Hakushu, on the other hand, was deep in thought.
Just now, after Nagisa Soyo's introduction,
he already knew the name of the seemingly fierce girl.
Riki Shiina.
Hakushu couldn't help but inwardly complain.
So her last name is Shiina?
Even though she has such a beautiful last name,
How different her personality is from those girls with the Shiina surname in his memory!
For example, right now,
Hakushu glances at Hikari, and Riki Shiina immediately crosses her arms, giving off a slightly oppressive gaze.
Hakushu retracts his gaze, and the pressure dissipates. Turns out, Riki has looked back at Hikari.
A little amusing, so Hakushu couldn't resist testing the waters a few more times.
From this, he came to a conclusion: Riki Shiina is even more wary of him than Seika Iejichi is when he gets close to Nijika.
"That Riki, can I order something?"
Soyo noticed that Riki was still in her work clothes, so she asked, hoping to break the silence and ease the tension.
"Yeah."
Riki nodded and took out a pen and paper.
"Then, a hot Earl Grey tea, please."
"Thank you."
Soyo smiled, then turned to Hakushu and Hikari.
"Hikari?"
"Hikari?"
!!
Riki and Hakushu looked at each other.
Riki's expression was guarded, while Hakushu offered a small smile before pouting slightly.
"Mo... mocha coffee."
Hikari looked at the menu and quietly spoke.
"Okay! Coming right up!"
Riki immediately replied to Hikari, then reluctantly turned her gaze to Hakushu.
"I'll have the matcha parfait."
Hakushu noticed the signature item on the menu and, remembering the previous incident, decided to give it a try.
So, while Riki was away.
The remaining three of them chatted for a bit... it was just Soyo fishing for information...
"I see."
"Hakushu-kun and Hikari went to the planetarium together and met Riki at RiNG on the way back."
Nagasaki Soyo summarized with a high-pitched voice.
Hakushu and Hikari nodded, and then Hakushu glanced at Soyo.
He didn't know when it had become calling him by his name, but he didn't mind it.
"Soyo, Riki, are former... Crychic friends."
Hikari suddenly spoke up.
"Huh?" Soyo's smile faltered. "Hikari… why bring this up all of a sudden?"
"Crychic?"
Hakushu looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression.
Crychic… I feel like I've heard that name before, but I don't know it well.
"It's the name of a band…" Hikari explained to Hakushu first, then looked at Soyo. "I was just talking about it with Hakushu…"
Soyo forced a smile. She had planned to bring up this topic with Hikari when they were alone.
I didn't realize Hikari and Hakushu had become this close. I guess I need to increase my focus on him.
白秋 sensed that Soyo was acting a little strange, but he continued to ask,
"So, the band is now..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.
"Everyone... has split up."
Hikari finally lowered her head. "It's all my fault..."
Under the table, where no one could see, Hikari silently clenched her fists.
"I sang badly."
"Hikari, that's not your fault at all!"
Standing there with a tray in her hands, Riki Shiina suddenly appeared, her tone unfriendly.
"It's that jerk! The one who quit without a word!"
Hakushu's mouth dropped open in surprise. There was someone else?
Also, had Hakushu perhaps misunderstood Riki Shiina? Compared to this tone, she'd seemed rather gentle before!
"Wait, Riki! Don't say that!"
Hearing Riki's words, Soyo Nagasaki's heart clenched. She quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over.
"Everyone… isn't wrong!"
Hakushu looked at Soyo in surprise. This was the first time Hakushu had seen her like this.
And, the voice sounded a little off.
"If everyone isn't wrong..."
"Why are we still apart?"
Hikari, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke.
"Hikari..."
Riki looked at her anxiously.
[Triggered Hikari's memories of the band, Notes +300] [Discussed Crychic in front of Soyo Nagasawa, Notes +300]
[Discussing the band in front of Riki Shiina, Notes +150]
[Stimulating Hikari Takamatsu...]
[In front of Soyo Nagasaki...]
Suddenly, a series of note rewards rang out in Hakushu's mind.
Most of them were contributed by Hikari Takamatsu and Soyo Nagasaki.
Riki Shiina seemed a bit stingy.
Hakushu suddenly felt guilty about Hikari's dejection, but earning from Soyo Nagasaki and Riki Shiina felt perfectly justified!
I feel like Riki could be put under more pressure, Shoko could be made to suffer more, and Uge could be given a heavier burden... But I'm also worried about scaring away the viewers who like Bocchi the Rock! and K-ON!, so I'm holding back a bit... What do you all think?
I heard that everyone is capable of anything, so please give me some power!
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