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V2 Chapter 14: A Familiar White Figure
🕑 Added 2025-05-09 13:09:35 +0000 UTC"Forget it..."
If Mutsumi Wakaba wanted to follow, then let her. Aside from the way she stared at him closely making Kazami Haru a bit uncomfortable, there wasn't much else to worry about.
Seeing that Kazami Haru wasn't driving her away, Mutsumi Wakaba quietly followed again.
She wanted to see what was so special about this boy who resembled Sakiko a little. Why could he make Sakiko smile in a way she herself had never seen? What exactly was his relationship with Sakiko, or perhaps...
Kazami Haru had no idea about the chaotic thoughts going on inside her head, as she follows behind him. He passed by several Gal game shops and LoveHouse along the shopping street.
Suppressing his urge to go in for a look, he quickly left this mentally corrosive district.
If he didn't get going, he wouldn't be able to buy the electronic keyboard today.
Since he planned to buy a quality instrument, Kazami Haru figured he should go to a trusted music store. He thought of a shop named "10CIA" near the Shimokitazawa Tamako Market.
"What's your name?"
Bored along the way, Kazami casually turned and greeted the green-haired, emotionless beauty walking behind him.
Wakaba's golden eyes stared into his as if thinking it over. After a brief hesitation, she slowly responded, "Wakaba Mutsumi ."
"My name is Kazami Haru, a student from Haneoka High School."
After hearing his answer, Wakaba merely nodded and had no intention of continuing the conversation.
Her total lack of conversational ability made Haru shake his head helplessly.
He didn't know much about Wakaba Mutsumi, only that she was Sakiko Togawa's childhood friend, someone always passively used like a tool and stuck in the middle of conflicts.
She never voiced her own opinions, like a puppet being controlled.
Here we go again...
Seeing Haru's slightly helpless look, Wakaba felt a subtle, almost invisible sense of disappointment flash in her eyes.
Even though she was just answering questions normally, both Sakiko and Kazami always looked at her that way.
Unknowingly, they had arrived at a large music store. Without hesitation, Haru walked straight in, heading directly to the electronic keyboard section.
Though a bit puzzled, Wakaba quickly followed.
Inside were countless models of electronic and digital pianos. The wide variety was dazzling, and Kazami found himself overwhelmed and scanning all around, not sure where to begin.
So, he could only strike the standard "newbie buying an instrument" pose, hands behind his back, nodding slightly while browsing.
Whether he understood anything or not didn't matter—he had to look confident.
"Are you buying an electronic keyboard?"
Mutsumi Wakaba suddenly spoke up.
"I'm not really familiar with electronic keyboards. I used to play the piano."
"Wakaba, do you have any recommendations?"
Kazami stroked his chin and looked toward the usually silent Wakaba.
He hadn't objected to her following him because he wanted to hear her advice to help guide his purchase.
After all, Wakaba was once a professional-level guitarist recruited into Sakiko's band. If her guitar skill were rated like a simulator, she'd be at LV3 or even LV4. She obviously had far more experience than he did.
Her musical knowledge didn't conflict with her dazed appearance.
"The Roland JUNO-DS61W is good for beginners. This one, the Roland AX-1, is used by the keyboardist from Afterglow. Also, these are…"
Once asked about something she knew well, the usually quiet Wakaba began explaining the features and value of each keyboard in a soft, slow tone.
Her explanations were so detailed that Kazami kept nodding in amazement.
He hadn't expected the little cucumber trailing him to be so knowledgeable.
Letting her tag along was clearly the right choice.
Without her help, Kazami figured he would've just picked whatever keyboard looked nice and then gotten laughed at by Yamada Ryo at STARRY tomorrow.
"Hmm, this one feels pretty nice."
Haru's eyes lit up as he spotted a black-and-white keyboard in the corner. Its plain color scheme gave off a gentle and soft vibe.
He walked over and gently touched the keys. The smooth texture pleased him.
"..."
Wakaba looked at the keyboard and opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.
"Wakaba, what do you think of this one?"
"…That's the Roland V-Combo VR-730. It's a very good keyboard."
Why was the introduction for this one so short?
Haru gave her a suspicious look.
She had explained every previous keyboard in detail, highlighting their strengths and features, why so brief with this one?
Was there something special about it?
Wakaba's expression didn't change, but the truth was she didn't know what to say.
Because this Roland keyboard was the model Sakiko used to play.
…
After some inner struggle, Kazami reluctantly pulled out 150,000 yen to buy the brand-new Roland.
Holding it in his arms, he even thought of a name for it.
With its black-and-white tones, he decided to call it "Elizabeth."
"Are you starting a band?"
Wakaba finally asked the question on her mind.
"That's right. I'm planning to form a band."
"I should've done this a while ago, but I've just been too busy."
Even today, he had to skip work to make time for it.
Now that the bands "Kessoku Band" and "Mygo" were more or less formed, it was time for him to get a personal keyboard for regular use. After all, he couldn't go on stage with a training keyboard.
"Mm."
Wakaba looked a bit down when the band was mentioned. Though her face didn't show any expression, Kazami somehow sensed her disappointment.
"Wakaba, thanks again for helping me choose the keyboard today."
Seeing her like that, Kazami felt a bit sorry and made a decision.
"To thank you for helping me pick a keyboard, how about I treat you to something to eat?"
Petals fluttered past him, the gentle breeze lifting his black hair. His warm smile was like a springtime sea of flowers. He simply pointed toward the nearby shopping street.
That smile reminded Mutsumi Wakaba of a familiar white figure from the past.
She nodded instinctively.
