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V3 Chapter 27: Revive, My CRYCHIC!
🕑 Added 2025-05-22 08:27:02 +0000 UTC"Haru-san, what would you like to drink? I did promise to treat you, after all~"
Nagasaki Soyo sat by the window of the café, her delicate and gentle features softened by the sunlight.
"No need, I was just joking earlier."
Kazami Haru raised an eyebrow slightly.
He had sent that "If you're paying, I'm in" reply on Line as a half-joke, but that kind of response was usually reserved for a certain blue-haired woman who owed him money.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't let someone else pay for him.
(Of course, if it were "Ex-Wife No. 1," that would be a different story.)
"That won't do~ We already agreed, didn't we?"
"Since I've decided to treat you, Haru-san, there's no need to hold back."
Soyo smiled, idly toying with her fingers. Her expression remained unreadable.
Unable to argue with her, Haru reluctantly gave in.
Haru rarely visited other cafés, after all, as the head barista at "Rabbit House," his own brewed coffee was several tiers above most places, especially the overpriced ones outside.
Flipping through the menu, he hesitated, his eyes scanning indifferently.
Soyo, sharp as ever, seemed to pick up on his thoughts. With a gentle clap of her hands, she leaned forward, her smile warm and inviting.
"Haru-san, how about trying some black tea?"
"Black tea?"
"It's really quite delicious~ And just like coffee, it can help relieve fatigue and refresh you! Since we're already here… why not give it a try?"
Faced with the brunette beauty's enthusiastic recommendation, Haru nodded casually.
Truthfully, it didn't matter much to him what he drank right now.
The real reason he was here was to find out why Soyo had gone out of her way to invite him for a private chat. He wanted to see what exactly she was scheming.
(Though, he could already guess most of it.)
If it was Soyo, the reason she sought him out was almost certainly related to The Great Sakiko-sama, wasn't it?
What Haru wasn't sure about was how much Soyo actually knew about his connection to Togawa Sakiko. She must have noticed something to go this far.
"Excuse me~ Two cups of Darjeeling tea, please."
As expected of a refined Tsukinomori young lady, Soyo raised her hand gracefully to order, her smile as soothing as water, instinctively making people want to rely on her.
Once the server left, Haru decided to cut to the chase.
While they waited for the tea, he had no intention of dancing around the subject any longer.
"Soyo, did you call me before?"
"I did call, but since you didn't answer, I didn't want to bother you further."
Soyo's smile remained as gentle as ever, her voice sweet and light.
"How did you even get my number?"
As if she had anticipated the question, Soyo casually brushed a lock of her smooth brown hair behind her ear, tilting her head slightly with a playful smile—
"Anon-chan gave it to me~"
"I thought having everyone's contact info would make communication easier, so I asked Anon-chan for her number and since she happened to have yours too, I just took both at once~"
So it was you, you damn pink-haired gremlin!
Haru had been wondering how Soyo got his number when they'd barely interacted, turns out there was a traitor in his own ranks!
"I also wanted to thank you, Haru-san, for helping Tomori-chan find the courage to join a band again."
"I didn't do much. Tomori herself still longed to be in a band, I just gave her a little push."
Haru shrugged off her gratitude with a faint smile.
"Haru-san—"
Soyo interlaced her fingers, resting her chin lightly on her knuckles. Her clear blue eyes fixed intently on Haru's face, as if searching for something hidden in those deep black irises.
"I think I mentioned this before, but… I used to be in a band with Rikki and Tomori-chan. Back then, we were a community of fate, everyone worked hard for the sake of the band."
"But in the end… because of misunderstandings, it fell apart…"
The faint sorrow in her voice wasn't feigned. To Soyo, CRYCHIC meant more than anyone could imagine. Even now, she was the one who wanted its members back the most.
"It's sad, isn't it?"
"But it was just a disagreement. I'm sure everyone can make up."
A shadow flickered in Soyo's eyes as she lowered her gaze slightly, an unspoken melancholy seeping through.
"...Yes. I'm sure we can."
Haru responded noncommittally.
With Soyo leading with CRYCHIC, he could pretty much guess what she was after.
Right now, she was absolutely fixated on reassembling CRYCHIC, but in pursuing that goal, she'd overlooked how the other members actually felt. Unbeknownst to her, their hearts had already moved on.
Honestly, Soyo really was only thinking about herself.
Before long, two steaming cups of Darjeeling tea were brought to their table.
Haru took a sip, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
"Unexpectedly good."
The subtle muscatel notes blended seamlessly with citrusy undertones, refreshing yet refined. The smooth, delicate texture was a far cry from coffee, and the faint sweetness lingered pleasantly on the palate.
No wonder the young ladies of Tsukinomori favored this tea. The taste truly was sophisticated.
"Since I'm always drinking coffee, trying some tea now and then isn't bad."
Before this, Haru rarely drank tea.
Maybe it was the Shimokitazawa effect, compared to sleep-inducing tea, he usually preferred stimulants like coffee, but after tasting this, his impression of tea had shifted slightly.
"I'm glad you like it, Haru-san~"
Soyo's smile remained soft and sweet, her slender eyes curving into crescents. She elegantly lifted her porcelain teacup, though her movements carried a hint of restraint.
After all, Soyo wasn't a true noblewoman.
Though she attended Tsukinomori—a school for elites, just like Togawa Sakiko once had, she'd entered that world abruptly, midstream. Unlike those raised in high society from birth, she'd spent her time carefully mimicking the mannerisms and speech of those around her to avoid standing out.
No matter how hard she tried, she could never quite match Sakiko's innate grace.
Still, Haru found that slight awkwardness of hers somewhat endearing.
"So, Soyo-san, did you invite me here just to drink tea?"
"Not at all~"
Soyo, fully prepared, pulled out her phone and showed Haru a photo of CRYCHIC.
In the picture, Soyo, holding the phone, beamed with gentle warmth, while behind her, Sakiko's radiant smile shone like the moon. That innocent, carefree expression was a stark contrast to the Sakiko in Haru's memories.
He had to admit, Sakiko-sama back then was truly beautiful.
Haru's gaze lingered on her for a beat too long.
And Soyo noticed.
"Actually, Muuku already told me… about your relationship with Sakiko."
Haru: ?
What relationship?
Aside from marrying her twice in simulations, he and Sakiko were completely innocent in reality. There was no way Mutsumi knew anything, Sakiko would never reveal their part-time job arrangement to anyone.
Even if Mutsumi knew, she wouldn't have told Soyo.
…Unless Soyo had somehow manipulated her. That would complicate things.
Haru's mind raced, but his face remained calm, betraying only mild confusion. He wasn't about to let his thoughts show.
It was clear now, Soyo was fishing for information.
If he slipped up here out of panic, the fallout would be disastrous.
"I do know Togawa Sakiko, but there's nothing special between us."
Haru kept his tone even.
At this point, lying wasn't an option.
Nagasaki-san must have gotten her hands on some kind of intel before approaching him, using Mutsumi as bait right off the bat, likely convinced he had ties to Sakiko.
Yet her motives and thought process were crystal clear to Haru.
Precisely because he'd seen through her, he refused to slip up. His deliberately puzzled and unfazed reaction left Soyo, who'd prepared countless scenarios, momentarily stumped.
Could it be… Haru and Sakiko really have no connection?
Though skepticism lingered, Soyo shifted focus to another detail.
"...So Haru-san does know Sakiko, after all?"
This unexpected revelation softened Soyo's usually sharp, sentimental voice. Even the practiced smile she wore for others seemed to fade, revealing a glimpse of her truer self.
But she quickly realized how underhanded her Mutsumi bluff had been. Bowing her head, she apologized earnestly.
"I'm sorry, Haru-san! I shouldn't have brought up Mutsumi like that—"
"I just… I need to know about Sakiko."
Her voice trembled with desperation, as if terrified Haru might resent her now.
"After CRYCHIC disbanded, I lost all contact with her. She never replied to my messages… I've been so worried!"
"Haru-san, you know where Sakiko is, don't you? Please… could you tell me?"
Wow, she's this desperate huh, talk about cutting straight to the chase.
So, Soyo was trying to extract intel on The Great Sakiko-sama from him, but as Sakiko's friend, Haru would never divulge something so critical.
The current Sakiko and Soyo existed in fundamentally different worlds.
The former Sakiko was gone.
Now, Togawa Sakiko lived a life of relentless frugality, hand-washing clothes to save on electricity, surviving on bland, nutrient-devoid bean sprouts for lunch, meticulously budgeting even for a single towel. Her once-pristine navy-blue dress had faded from endless washing, yet she couldn't afford a replacement.
If Sakiko, already struggling to make ends meet, were to be hounded by Soyo on top of that, she'd probably break down in tears.
"If bringing up Mutsumi upset you, Haru-san, I'll apologize properly!"
"I'll do anything to make up for it, but I need to reach Sakiko…"
Soyo knew full well that Haru might be her only lifeline to Sakiko's current whereabouts. This time, she refused to let go without a fight.
She wanted to restore CRYCHIC, her place to belong.
"I'd like to help, but I really don't know much."
Haru lifted his porcelain teacup, his tone steady and unwavering.
"You… really don't? Then how did you meet Sakiko?"
Her fingers trembled slightly around her cup as Soyo leaned forward, her warm chestnut hair cascading like a waterfall. The urgency in her crystal-blue eyes was unmistakable.
"I just happened to run into her at a part-time job. No idea what she's up to now."
Not a single lie.
Haru only ever interacted with Sakiko during work shifts. Occasionally, he'd join her for lunch at school, but beyond that, he'd never contacted her proactively. He didn't even know where she lived.
"...Is that so?"
Soyo's delicate brows furrowed. Haru didn't seem to be lying.
Yet doubts still gnawed at her.
She'd sensed that Mutsumi's relationship with Haru wasn't ordinary. Before this, she'd never even heard of him, let alone that Mutsumi, of all people, had such a close friend.
Mutsumi, who's always been like a doll…
The only person she's ever shown that kind of favor to was Sakiko.
"But—"
Just as Soyo prepared to press further, the café's entrance chimed softly.
Haru's attention snapped toward the sound.
Noticing the flicker of surprise on his face, Soyo, still uneasy, turned slowly to follow his gaze.
Her eyes landed on an achingly familiar figure.
"..."
There, standing at the door, was another girl in Tsukinomori's uniform.
Standing there was a petite, slender girl with an expressionless face. Her cheeks, usually as pale as porcelain, were now flushed a delicate pink, like cherry blossom petals staining snow. Fine beads of sweat glistened on her flawless skin, causing strands of her smooth, light-green hair to cling to her face.
Her slightly labored breathing made it clear she'd rushed here in a hurry.
But it was the stark contrast that usually cold, doll-like face now tinged with uncharacteristic color, that struck Haru like Cupid's arrow, piercing straight through his defenses.
Mutsumi's face looks as juicy as a ripe peach… so cute I could just take a bite.
"Mutsumi…?"
Soyo stiffened the moment she recognized her.
She never expected Wakaba Mutsumi to show up here and judging by her sweat-dampened state, she'd clearly raced over knowing what Soyo was up to!
Those emotionless golden eyes locked onto Soyo, making her squirm uncomfortably.
A memory flashed, Mutsumi's earlier words, leaving Soyo momentarily paralyzed.
"Uh, Mutsumi, I—"
"Haru has nothing to do with Sakiko."
Mutsumi shook her head lightly, stepping past Soyo without hesitation to stand beside Haru.
"..."
She tugged gently at his sleeve. Though she said nothing, the faint worry in those golden eyes melted Haru's resolve instantly.
Add the sweat still dotting her forehead? Zero chance of refusal.
How is anyone supposed to resist this?
"Sorry, Soyo. Looks like I've gotta go."
Letting Mutsumi lead him away, Haru tossed a casual farewell to Soyo before following the silent girl out of the café, leaving enough cash for his tea on the table.
Alone now, Soyo sat clutching her teacup, her expression despondent.
She could tell, Mutsumi was genuinely upset this time.
Yet Soyo couldn't bring herself to give up. Even if Haru claimed there was nothing between him and Sakiko, her instincts screamed otherwise and she trusted those instincts.
"I can't stop now… even if Mutsumi hates me for it."
She had to reunite them all. She had to bring CRYCHIC, that beautiful past, back to life.
