Chapter 693 681: Arrival

The tires of the bus rolled across the smooth asphalt road. The scenery outside the window was slowly receding backwards, gradually transitioning from the gates of Toyogasaki—which weren't all that familiar to Nagasaki Soyo—to the surrounding streets of Sobu High.

The brown-haired girl sat by the window, her elbow resting on the chilled edge of the window frame, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing along the sill. Her gaze fell upon the street scenes flying past outside the window, yet her eyes were somewhat unfocused, her thoughts having long drifted back to a time far in the past.

Even so, the scenes that repeatedly surfaced in her mind, to a greater or lesser degree, all contained the figure of Sakiko, whom she had once regarded as her closest friend—that girl with blue-and-white hair, stubborn yet a little awkward in personality; that girl who had once practiced instruments with her in Tsukinomori's performance room, stayed up late rehearsing for the band's live shows, and shared joys and troubles together as a shared community of destiny.

She originally thought they would stand together on an even grander stage, yet no one expected that Sakiko would quit the band without any forewarning, transfer schools without even leaving a single word of farewell, and completely vanish from their world.

"Why... Sakiko..."

Nagasaki Soyo murmured softly in her heart, her fingertips tightening slightly until her knuckles turned white.

Even now, she still couldn't understand why Sakiko did what she did.

"Could it be that you truly have not even the slightest lingering attachment to CRYCHIC anymore..."

There were no arguments or conflicts between them—well, strictly speaking, there were actually a few, such as Mutsumi-chan's slightly explosive remarks, Tomori's self-abandoning state after being affected by malicious online comments, or Taki's high-pressure attitude. As for Sakiko, well, what fault could Sakiko possibly have? She merely quit CRYCHIC and directly triggered the band's collapse, that's all; none of these were major issues, just like how even if Archduke Ferdinand hadn't been assassinated in Sarajevo, World War I was bound to break out all the same.

—However, a band that was originally agreed to stay together for a lifetime falling apart so abruptly was far too sudden, so much so that even now Nagasaki Soyo found it hard to accept.

She had asked her classmates at Tsukinomori and asked the teachers, but nobody knew where Sakiko had gone—of course, Mutsumi-chan might know, but no matter what, she had no way of learning Sakiko's whereabouts from her, and in the end could only add another offense to little cucumber's record in her heart.

After stumbling about blindly like a headless fly like this, the girl's mind and body had both grown utterly exhausted.

It was probably precisely because of this that she had inadvertently agreed to the teacher's request to substitute for an ill student who had withdrawn from the Performance Club and take part in the Triwizard Tournament's club battles.

Speaking of which, Tomori-chan seemed to be attending Sobu High... Wonder if Tomori-chan knows where Saki-chan is right now?

"Hey, are you alright?"

A crisp and melodious voice sounded beside her, pulling Nagasaki Soyo's drifting thoughts back to reality.

She turned her head, the widow-like melancholy in the depths of her eyes not yet entirely faded, looking toward her side with a few hints of blankness from just being startled awake.

Sitting beside her was Sawamura Spencer Eriri, a half-Japanese, half-British girl.

Eriri wore the same uniform as her, yet undeniably projected a completely different temperament—her long blonde hair seemed woven from sunlight, tied into twin-tails with a hint of cuteness, draped casually over her shoulders with tips slightly curled; a pair of sapphire-blue eyes were as clear and bright as a pristine lake, her facial features exquisite as a porcelain doll, and her skin fair and delicate.

Even in Tsukinomori, which was filled with wealthy young ladies, she stood out among the flock, belonging to the remarkably eye-catching type.

Even though she was a student from Toyogasaki's main campus, that is.

At this moment, Eriri was tilting her head to look at her, a faint hint of concern lingering in her sapphire-blue eyes, her posture elegant and composed, exuding the aura of an elite young lady from head to toe.

As a side note, the girl was naturally not a member of the Performance Club. Unlike herself who was just making up the numbers, Sawamura attended this Triwizard Tournament club battle as the ace of Toyogasaki's Art Club. According to the supervising teacher, even when compared against those Art Club members from Shuchiin who already possessed professional-level skill, Sawamura-san's ability was not in the least inferior, and her chances of victory were even quite high.

"I'm fine," Nagasaki Soyo withdrew her gaze and responded in a flat tone. She instinctively avoided Eriri's line of sight and looked back out the window.

She didn't want others to see her vulnerability, and wanted even less to discuss the matter of Sakiko with a stranger—that was an obsession in her heart, a secret she was unwilling to share easily with anyone.

Eriri seemed to sense her resistance, yet didn't press further with questions. She merely smiled gently, her tone remaining warm: "Seeing you looking downcast the entire way, I thought you weren't feeling well. We're almost at Sobu High, so adjust your condition; after all, we can't easily lose this club battle, you know."

Looking at the girl's gentle smile, an inexplicable, strange sensation welled up in Nagasaki Soyo's heart.

She felt that this Eriri sitting beside her seemed to be the exact same type of person as herself.

Appearing gentle and elegant, treating others with warmth, wearing a just-right smile no matter who she faced, resembling a flawless honor student (even though Eriri's English grades were terrible)—yet Nagasaki Soyo could clearly sense the detachment and facade hidden behind that smile.

No, I'm different from her.

Nagasaki Soyo opened her eyes slightly and caught a glimpse of Eriri beside her from the corner of her eye.

Eriri was currently looking down at her fingertips, her azure eyes devoid of any emotion, seemingly conceptualizing the layout of a painting.

In front of others, this half-Japanese, half-British young lady would always wear the mask of an 'honor student'. Those seemingly enthusiastic smiles and seemingly sincere greetings were nothing more than a disguise—to cater to others and prevent herself from appearing out of place.

Nagasaki Soyo knew just how exhausting it was to live like that.

But I am different. An inexplicable sense of superiority surfaced in the girl's heart.

She had true companions, a home where she didn't need to live so exhaustingly, and companions to be together with—even if the current state of this home was slightly fractured, as long as she could bring Saki-chan back, everything would definitely turn out fine!

You surely don't have that, do you? Nagasaki Soyo looked down condescendingly in her heart at the blonde twin-tailed girl beside her: Companions who let you lower your guard, and a place where you can reveal your true self.

"Mm, I know," Nagasaki Soyo said with a fake smile.

She naturally understood the importance of this club battle; this was the first joint event the merged Toyogasaki & Tsukinomori Joint Academy had with other schools, serving as the very first time this brand-new school showcased itself before the public, concerning the school's evaluation, future, and honor.

In order to achieve good results—or at least not lose too embarrassingly—it was said that the school's honor students were given extra tutoring by the teachers so they could secure better results in the Triwizard Tournament's first event, the joint exam.

Frankly speaking, however, this held no meaning for Nagasaki Soyo. While her grades were decent, squeezing into the top ten was still rather difficult, so she didn't receive any extra tutoring, and Nagasaki Soyo herself had little interest in the Triwizard Tournament anyway.

The bus interior was quiet. The other members of the Performance Club were either resting with their eyes closed or discussing the upcoming club battles in low voices.

Leaning against the seatback, Nagasaki Soyo closed her eyes, and scenes of CRYCHIC in the past resurfaced in her mind... well, mainly the image of Sakiko—sitting before the piano, fingers dancing nimbly across the keys, her gaze focused and resolute, the practice room lights casting down upon her as if coating her in a golden halo.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Eriri's voice pulled Nagasaki Soyo back to reality once more. Only then did she realize she had unconsciously been staring at her just now.

A flicker of confusion flashed through the girl's azure eyes, which then gave way to a gentle smile: "Is there anything you need help with?"

Elegant—simply far too elegant.

"It's nothing, just looking around aimlessly," Nagasaki Soyo hurriedly withdrew her gaze, her tone remaining flat as she deliberately avoided her eyes, the aloof expression returning to her face.

Looking at her, Eriri blinked, said nothing more, and merely nodded gently.

If anything, she didn't seem particularly keen on getting involved with Nagasaki Soyo either.

Before long, the bus gradually decelerated and finally came to a steady halt.

The members in the bus packed their belongings one after another, their faces showing hints of anticipation and nervousness—they had arrived at Sobu High; an unfamiliar place never failed to bring a mix of tension and excitement.

"Alright, everyone, we have arrived at Sobu High. Please disembark in an orderly manner, make sure not to leave any personal belongings behind, follow the group, and do not wander off on your own."

The supervising teacher's voice rang out inside the bus, breaking the silence: "Remember to maintain your composure in front of the students of Sobu High and do not bring shame to Toyogasaki and Tsukinomori."

Nagasaki Soyo took a deep breath, suppressing the melancholy and stray thoughts in her heart. She packed her sheet music and personal items, following the line as she slowly stepped off the bus.

The moment she stepped out, warm sunlight washed over her, so glaring that she squinted instinctively.

Raising her head, she sized up the Sobu High campus before her.

Sobu High's campus was large and the environment could be considered scenic—naturally, it couldn't compare to Tsukinomori's luxurious campus (the reason for Tsukinomori's bankruptcy seemed to have been found)—in short, it was considerably better than Nagasaki Soyo's initial expectations.

The girl's eyes unconsciously scanned the crowd—she was searching for that girl with blue-and-white hair.

As expected, she wasn't there. Thinking that Sakiko just happened to transfer to Sobu High was simply relying too much on wishful thinking.

"Welcome, students of Toyogasaki & Tsukinomori Joint Academy, to Sobu High to participate in the Triwizard Tournament!"

An enthusiastic voice sounded, pulling Nagasaki Soyo's attention over.

She turned her head to see a group of students in Sobu High uniforms standing not far away, led by a rather dashing, straight-black-haired yo... uh, wearing a skirt uniform, so probably a girl.

Nagasaki Soyo withdrew her gaze from the other person's completely flat chest.

The other party didn't notice her gaze, merely wearing a radiant smile with bright, energetic eyes, waving enthusiastically toward them.

"I am Sobu High's Student Council President, Amakusa Shino. Over the next few days, our Student Council will be responsible for hosting everyone. I hope you all have a pleasant time at Sobu High, and I look forward to an exciting showdown with everyone in the club battles!"

The voice of the girl named Amakusa Shino was crisp, bright, and full of vigor. The smile on her face was sincere and warm, so infectious that it even gave Nagasaki Soyo the illusion of seeing the white Saki-chan of the past.

Hmph, merely a downgraded substitute for Saki-chan.

Nagasaki Soyo curled her lips disdainfully.

She cast a casual glance at Amakusa Shino and looked away. Since Saki-chan wasn't here, the next step was to find an opportunity to look for Tomori-chan and see if she knew where Saki-chan was right now.

Right at that moment, she suddenly felt Sawamura-san beside her stir.

Nagasaki Soyo turned her head instinctively and discovered that the gentle smile on Sawamura-san's face had vanished, replaced by an expression of astonishment. Her azure eyes widened slightly as she stared fixedly toward the crowd of Sobu High students, her gaze full of disbelief and even a barely noticeable trace of fluster.

This took Nagasaki Soyo somewhat by surprise.

Sawamura-san had always appeared composed and confident; this was the first time she had seen such an expression on this 'honor student's' face.

What on earth could make Sawamura-san so surprised?

Nagasaki Soyo followed Eriri's gaze, looking through the crowd, and spotted someone in the Sobu High Student Council line.

She understood immediately.

As a modern person, the girl had more or less heard of the 'chuunibyou' archetype.

What Sawamura-san was seeing right now was precisely a chuunibyou.

The other person was a boy roughly the same age as them.

Except he wore an eyepatch over his face, his hair was dyed salt-and-pepper white, and bandages were wrapped around the arms that should have been exposed in a summer uniform.

No matter how one looked at him, he didn't look like a normal person—it couldn't be that he was blind in one eye, had a skin disease on his arms, and naturally possessed salt-and-pepper hair, right?

This bizarre getup made him exceptionally conspicuous in the crowd, so it was no wonder that even someone like Sawamura-san couldn't keep a straight face.

While she was silently complaining in her mind, Sobu High's Student Council President Amakusa Shino patted the boy's shoulder and smiled at everyone: "Alright, let me introduce him. This is a temporary member of our Student Council. Next, he will lead everyone around our Sobu High campus to get familiar with the environment and introduce our school's club facilities along the way. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask him!"

Why emphasize 'temporary member'? Doesn't that just make people think this guy is unreliable?

Nagasaki Soyo grumbled internally.

"My name is Asakura Takuma," the chuunibyou said. "Pleased to meet you all—though the initial plan was only to take the students from the Tsukinomori branch on a tour, since the Student Council President put it that way, everyone please follow me."