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V4 Chapter 10: I Really Wanna Be Bros with Taki for Life
🕑 Added 2025-05-27 06:40:08 +0000 UTCWait a minute!
Chihaya Anon, fingers flying across the chat window, suddenly paused mid-message, her mind snapping into clarity.
If she texted Haru right now asking about Rikki's situation, wouldn't that just be pushing her own worry onto him and in turn, make Haru start worrying about Rikki too?
She knew exactly what kind of person her future boyfriend was. He'd definitely go check on Rikki himself.
"Hold on! Wouldn't that basically be me hand-delivering Haru to Rikki?!"
That's just dumb!
"But Rikki's been totally silent lately…"
"If it stays like this, what are we even going to do about this month's live?"
A thin sheen of sweat broke out on Anon's smooth forehead as she stared at the message she'd just typed. Nervous and panicked, her mouth felt dry.
She deleted the message.
Then typed a new one.
Deleted it again.
Typed again.
The endless cycle of typing and erasing made her silver-gray eyes, gleaming like pearls, tremble slightly with tension.
"She… should be fine, right?"
Anon muttered, her tone unsure after a long silence.
No matter what, the band came first right now.
If Rikki, their drummer, stayed off the grid, they couldn't even start rehearsing properly, let alone prepare for the live that was fast approaching.
Ever since they saw Kessoku Band's live, everyone had felt a fire light up in them.
Especially because Ikuyo Kita, Kessoku Band's vocalist, had blown everyone away despite it being her first performance. She'd calmed herself on stage, delivered an incredible showing, and carried the whole band and both bands had used the same composer and keyboardist, no less!
If their own live ended up a mess…
Wouldn't that make her, Chihaya Anon, look worse than that red-haired background extra?
That really ticked her off.
Whether in love or in music, Anon absolutely refused to lose to Ikuyo Kita.
"That's it!"
After weighing the pros and cons for what felt like ages, Anon made a tactical retreat for the greater good.
Rikki was a classic, iron-willed tsundere who couldn't even admit her own feelings. Honestly, she probably didn't even know yet whether she liked Haru or not and even if Anon already knew how she felt, so what?
Even if she gave Rikki a fifty-meter head start, there's no way she'd lose.
"Rikki might be a rival, but she's way less of a threat than Kita…"
Anon had full, unshakable confidence in her own charm.
She truly believed there were very few girls who could compare to her in Haru's heart. Her chances of winning were sky-high, so letting this slide just a little? No big deal.
Shiina Taki was just a minor obstacle. This was the grace of a real girlfriend.
...
Meanwhile.
"So my bro's actually gone missing?"
Kazami Haru frowned at his screen. Chihaya Anon, now mostly recovered from her recent fever, had sent him multiple messages, clearly panicked about Taki's sudden silence.
They hadn't been able to rehearse together for days. That kind of negligence was seriously dangerous with a live show on the horizon.
"As expected, no response…"
He stared at the unread messages in the LINE chat and raised an eyebrow.
Even Anon, who'd been sick for two days, was back on her feet. But Taki, who had insisted on taking over arranging in his absence, hadn't replied at all.
At first, Haru figured maybe Taki was just hyper-focused on arranging and lost track of time.
But today was the day she promised to have it done. She'd even declared she'd handle it herself. Yet still, nothing?
Even if he trusted her, Haru couldn't just sit around anymore.
Time to act.
The first idea that came to his mind was—
"Looks like it's time to pop the lid."
Time to open the box.
If Taki kept ghosting them like this, who knew what might happen? Haru figured if he made the first move, at least they could talk it out.
The thing was, Taki had never told anyone where she lived. None of the band members knew her home address.
So, the only solution? Ask someone who did know.
Haru slowly dialed Yahata Umiri's number.
"Hello? Is this Yahata-san?"
He'd only just exchanged contacts with Umiri yesterday, and now he already had a reason to call.
"Kazami-kun? What's up?"
Umiri sounded a bit surprised that he was calling, but asked calmly, as usual.
"Sorry to bother you."
"It's like this…"
Haru gave her the quick rundown. How he'd been sick, how Taki took over composing, and how they'd lost contact with her since.
Just a few words, but it was enough for Umiri to grasp the situation instantly.
"So that's what happened. You're asking if I know where Shiina-san lives?"
Umiri stared blankly at her phone, her calm, water-green eyes showing a flicker of thought—perhaps remembering something important.
After a brief pause, she spoke softly.
"Kazami-kun… Are you really that worried about Shiina-san?"
Haru blinked, then raised an eyebrow.
Worried?
Of course he was. Saying otherwise would be a lie.
Taki was sensitive and had a prickly demeanor, but she was the most dependable person in the band. If not for the fact she was a girl, he'd have already sworn brotherhood with her.
If she was in trouble, no way was he just going to sit on the sidelines.
"Yeah. I'm really worried about her."
He replied without hesitation.
"…I see. That explains it."
Umiri muttered meaningfully, then continued:
"I'll tell you where she lives."
"Thanks, Yahata. I owe you a chocolate milk pudding."
Haru kept it brief and ended the call. Umiri had seemed like she wanted to say more, but in the end, she gave him what he needed, Taki's address.
As expected of the ever-cool Umiri. Reliable when it counted.
He really did want to stand in front of the god of loyalty and swear an oath with her, to be sworn brothers for life.
"Alright, time to launch Operation Box."
Haru relaxed and turned off his phone.
Now that he knew where Taki lived, he didn't have to stumble around like a lost puppy.
Even if Taki claimed she needed time to "reflect as an athlete," as her coach, there was no way he'd let that slide. Otherwise, forget "meeting at the top"—with this group of lovestruck girls, they might just meet on the rooftop.
True to his word, Haru headed straight to Shiina Taki's front door.
But when he arrived, he hit his first roadblock.
How was he supposed to get in?
"Crap."
"What if she just pretends she's not home?"
Standing at her doorstep, Haru rubbed his chin and stared at the door with suspicion.
Knowing Rikki's tendency to retreat, she might just go full "play dead" mode if a bandmate showed up.
So he couldn't just knock and explain himself.
A direct approach would never work with someone as proud and sensitive as Shiina Rikki.
Which meant…
He'd need to come up with something unorthodox to get her to open the door.
Maybe pretend to be a water meter inspector?
Or… cry and scream about how the evil Shiina Rikki broke his heart, so she'd be too embarrassed not to open the door?
"Oh my?" (Ara)
Just as Haru was brainstorming ways to "breach the box," a gentle, warm voice interrupted him.
He turned and locked eyes with a woman standing under a parasol, her soft violet gaze resting calmly on him.
Startled, Haru instinctively glanced around, half-expecting sunflowers to be growing nearby.
"…May I ask why you're standing at my door?"
As she lifted her parasol, Haru could finally get a proper look at her face.
The woman had long, jet-black hair and a mature air about her. Her features and demeanor bore a striking resemblance to Shiina Taki—she looked like an older, grown-up version of her.
But unlike Taki, this woman radiated a gentle warmth from deep within. Even her voice carried a softness that stood in stark contrast to Shiina Rikki's stiff and aloof demeanor.
"Sorry for the trouble. My name is Kazami Haru," he introduced himself politely. "I'm a bandmate of Shiina-san. We haven't been able to contact her the past couple of days, so I came by to check in."
The gentle woman with black hair blinked in surprise at his courteous tone, curiosity lighting her eyes.
"Huh? Little Taki has a male friend?"
Well… it wasn't hard to understand why she thought that way.
Back when Haru first met Shiina Taki, her attitude had been cold and sharp. If he hadn't stuck around and discovered she was actually dependable and decent underneath, most people would've bolted just from her thorny exterior.
"Mhm~"
The black-haired woman gave Haru a once-over, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. Then, after a moment of consideration, she nodded in satisfaction.
"Oh dear, I nearly forgot to introduce myself."
"I'm Shiina Maki, Taki's older sister~"
PIC: Maki
So I was right.
Haru's expression said it all, That explains everything.
From her appearance alone, he could guess the relation. What he hadn't expected was that Shiina Taki's older sister would be this kind of person—so completely different from her little sister.
"Well, since you're Taki's friend, come on in~"
Shiina Maki unlocked the door with practiced ease and gave Haru a quick wave, gesturing for him to enter. Her open, welcoming nature was oddly charming.
She might look like nothing more than a sweet and gentle older woman, but Maki was no ordinary person. She used to be the head of the school wind ensemble club, led them to nationals, and took the championship.
A genuine genius and also the origin of Taki's overly sensitive, prideful personality.
"Is black tea okay?"
Before Haru could even say a word, Maki had already ushered him into the living room. With quick and graceful movements, she laid out senbei crackers and candies alongside a fragrant cup of tea.
And just like that, she dove straight into conversation.
"This is the first time I've seen Taki bring a friend home~ She never really talks to me about her personal stuff."
"Saa~ So tell me, little Kazami-kun, how did you and my baby sister meet?"
Her curiosity was practically bubbling over as her soft lilac eyes examined Haru closely, as if trying to detect some hidden clue from his expression.
"It was just through a mutual friend. We ended up forming a band together."
"Ehh~ That's it?"
Maki's face fell with clear disappointment. It was obvious she was hoping for something more exciting.
What else was I supposed to say?
Haru kept a polite smile on his face while silently groaning inside.
Was he supposed to say they met while chasing Clow Cards under the moonlight? He was being hunted by some guy in a blue bodysuit and accidentally summoned Taki from a warehouse bathed in moonlight? Maybe that he was just minding his business when she literally fell out of the sky?
Maki's enthusiasm made her hard to say no to.
But Haru hadn't forgotten the real reason he was here.
"Shiina-senpai… is Taki home right now?"
"You're not her boyfriend? You can just call me Maki-nee."
Haru: …?
Wait, what? When did he become Taki's boyfriend?
They were bros, okay? Like sworn brothers. Don't ruin the sacred bond of brotherhood here.
"…Of course not. We're just regular friends."
He picked up the tea and took a sip. The flavor was unexpectedly sweet and rich—like honey, thanks to the amino acids brought out by the heat. Surprisingly good.
"Really?" Maki blinked, clearly skeptical. She didn't buy that they were "just friends."
Taki's personality made even female friendships rare, let alone a guy showing up at her house like this. In all the years Maki had known her, she couldn't remember a single time a friend had come over.
Especially not a boy.
In Maki's view, even if they weren't dating, there was no way this was just a casual friendship.
"Sorry, my bad for assuming."
Realizing she probably wasn't getting any juicy gossip today, Maki sighed in defeat and backed off.
"Rikki's been home these past couple days. Barely comes out of her room except for meals. She looks out of it whenever I see her, and honestly… I've been really worried."
Maki's concerned sigh deepened Haru's resolve.
"Her room's over here. Come with me."
"Thanks, Shiina-senpai."
With a warm smile, Maki led Haru through the house. They stopped at a wooden door, and she stepped forward to knock gently.
"Taki~ come on, open the door."
"Your friend's here to see you."
There was a pause, and then a faint noise from within.
After a few more moments of silence, the door suddenly swung open.
Standing there in her loungewear was Shiina Taki, her brows furrowed tightly as she turned to Maki.
Her face was pale and bloodless, and the sharp gleam in her usual piercing eyes was dulled with fatigue.
"Maki… what is this?"
Her tone was flat, but as she turned slightly to glance past her sister—
—her eyes locked with Haru's expressionless face.
Uh oh.
"HUH?!"
The shock in her voice practically echoed through the house.
Shiina Taki, clearly exhausted from nights of no sleep, was now fully alert. She looked at Haru like he'd just risen from the dead or worse, like she was staring down Belial himself.
Once she snapped out of it, she asked, stunned—
"Haru?! What are you doing here?!"
Thank your snitch of a sister, otherwise I'd never have boxed you.
Haru mentally rolled his eyes, then answered honestly:
"You stopped replying to messages, so I came to check on you."
"You—"
Taki looked like she was about to say something more, but stopped herself.
Because standing right next to her was Maki, watching with that annoyingly curious sparkle in her eyes.
Instant brain crash.
Taki immediately turned and glared at Haru with those razor-sharp eyes of hers.
No way she was letting any of her feelings show in front of this meddling sister of hers.
"Haru. Come with me. Now."
----
(TL: How many references did you catch?)
