Hello! It's been an eternity, but here I am!

Actually this chapter was already released on Archive of Our Own, but since I noticed some folks are reading here too, I decided to update here too.


"I'm not interested in relationships" "She's way out of my league"

With Haruki's beanie clutched in her hands, Mio was on her way back with the intention of returning it to Haruki when she unexpectedly overheard that conversation. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but the weight of their words held her in place, preventing her from turning that corner and walking in.

Upon hearing approaching footsteps, the girl swiftly concealed herself behind the nearest door in the hallway. It would certainly be awkward if Haruki or his friends knew she had been listening to their conversation, even when by accident.

Peering through the narrow crack of the door, she watched the boys pass by.

"Don't you guys know about her fan club? They treat her like a freaking idol. If anyone were to start dating her, their life would probably become a living hell."

Wataru's words rang in Mio's ears. She held the beanie's fabric tightly against her chest, unable to deny the truth in his statement. However, she never asked for this unwanted fan club. All she had ever wished for was to blend into the background, unnoticed by others, be completely invisible. It was unnerving, to say the least, that she had to deal with something like that, and on top of it, hear gossip about herself in the mouths of others who barely knew her.

Once she heard their voices far away, she stepped out with a relieved sigh.

Lost in her thoughts, she walked leisurely towards her room, contemplating the events of the day. All she craved at that moment was to immerse her mind in the soothing embrace of the hot springs and then drift off to sleep. It marked the final day of her stay there. It had been a weekend full of surprises. She had fulfilled her wish to solve her misunderstanding with Haruki, and even got the opportunity to know a little more about him.

But amidst the whirlwind of thoughts occupying her mind, one thing remained undeniably clear to Mio: the boy's presence never left her thoughts, not even for a single minute throughout the entire night.

Even when she lay down on her sleeping mat, his face refused to go away from her head. While her friends packed up their clothes, they were chatting about something she didn't bother paying attention to. For the past thirty minutes, she remained motionless, staring at the ceiling, the back of one hand on her forehead and the other holding her stomach, her mouth ajar.

She snapped out of her daze when a pillow suddenly struck her face, jolting her back to reality.

"Bullseye!" came the triumphant voice.

Mio furrowed her brows, quickly sitting up on her mat, her disheveled bangs falling across her face. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and confusion. She focused her gaze on Mugi, who stood before her, clutching another pillow, poised to launch it her way.

"Mugi, what are you humph–" Mio's words were abruptly stifled as the plush impact of the pillow landed on her face. Mugi had a knack for throwing objects with surprising strength and speed.

"This is a war zone, missy!" the keyboardist declared with a mischievous glint in her eyes, fully embracing the playful atmosphere.

Amidst the chaos, Yui chimed in, her voice brimming with excitement. "Oh! Just like in Kyoto, right?" Already seizing a nearby pillow, she joined in the spontaneous pillow fight.

"WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE TARGETED?!" Mio's plea rang out as she deftly dodged another incoming pillow, narrowly escaping its feathery assault.

"Because you were spacing out!" Mugi and Yui said in unison.

Mio looked at her two friends in silence. They were right after all. She had been so busy with her own thoughts that she had completely ignored them the entire time since she arrived in the room. She let out a sigh before apologizing. "I'm sorry, guys."

"Less apologizing, more pillow fights!" Mugi shouted.

Where did she find so many pillows? Mio thought as she embraced herself for another impact. But before Mugi could do anything, Yui successfully hit her back with a thrown pillow.

"Gotcha! Hahaha!"

The bassist couldn't help but laugh at her two friends. That scene certainly brought back good memories of high school. Around this time, Sawako-sensei would appear and tell them to shut the hell up and go to sleep. It wasn't all too different though, as their room door burst open with a hellish aura of a very angry punk girl.

"DO YOU IDIOTS HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT TIME IT IS?!" Akira's voice rang out, her accusatory finger pointed directly at Yui.

"Ah, Akira-chan! Sorry!" Yui sheepishly replied, scratching the back of her head.

At that moment, Mugi seized the opportunity and clutched another pillow. With no warning, she unleashed a perfectly aimed throw, launching the pillow towards the furious girl. The force of the impact caused the guitarist to stagger backward, crashing to the ground with an exaggerated thud.

Taken aback by her friend's audacity, Mio only managed a whisper, "M-Mugi…"

"Oh, we're so screwed," Yui muttered with utter fear in her eyes.


The hotel lounge was bursting with chatter on that Sunday morning. The members of the light music club were gathered there with their luggage, ready to board back to Toyosato. Among them were Mio, Yui and Mugi, waiting for the club president to check everyone out of the hotel.

"I wish we could have stayed longer…" Yui cried out.

"Yeah, no way we could do that," Mio replied. "It's the start of a new semester now. Skipping the first classes would be a very bad idea."

"I know, and even if we could stay, I'm completely broke," Yui added while taking a cringy peek at her empty wallet.

"What were you spending all your pocket money on anyway?" Mio asked.

"Souvenirs for my family and food!" Yui replied, waving a peace sign.

Mio's eyes widened. She had completely forgotten about the souvenirs. It wasn't like her to forget about things like that, but she was so focused on other things during the trip that it had completely slipped her mind.

Without the need for words, the keyboardist was quick to understand the bassist's expression. "I actually purchased some souvenirs for my family, but it turns out they have already visited this place before," Mugi explained. "So, there's no point in taking them. Would you like them, Mio-chan?"

"Really? Thanks, Mugi. You're a lifesaver!" The bassist's face brightened. "Just let me know how much they cost, and I'll reimburse you."

Mugi waved off the offer with a warm smile. "Don't worry about it."

"Haru-kun you'll catch a cold like this!" A female voice said from afar, catching the attention of the three girls. Their eyes landed on a corner of the lounge where Ayame stood, combing Haruki's wet hair with her hands. His damp hair clung to his forehead, while he emitted soft sneezes. Mio's brows furrowed slightly at the sight, her lungs involuntarily drawing in a deeper breath, as if her body instinctively reacted to his presence.

Yui and Mugi proceeded in the direction of the commotion, their steps leading them away from Mio, who remained momentarily rooted to the ground. Time seemed to slow down as she gathered her thoughts, taking deliberate and measured steps to catch up with her friends.

"Why didn't you dry your hair, Haruki-kun?" Yui asked.

Haruki let out a sigh. "I didn't have enough time," he admitted, his tone slightly frustrated. He turned to Ayame. "Just leave it as it is, senpai. I'll be fine."

Ayame crossed her arms, her expression determined. "No way! It's freezing outside. You'll definitely catch a cold!"

Upon hearing the conversation from behind Mugi and Yui, Mio could sense something was amiss with Haruki, solely based on the timbre of his voice. Her instincts told her that he wasn't in a good mood, and she couldn't help but wonder what might have caused this shift in his demeanor. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach, and a concerned frown etched itself onto her features.

Amidst her thoughts, Yui's voice cut through the air. "Mio-chan brought a blowdryer."

"Oh, really?" Ayame said eagerly.

The mention of her name snapped her attention to the forefront, and she found herself standing at the center of attention. Mio felt her friends creating space around her, their gazes expectant, awaiting her response. Battling her own apprehensions, she gathered her courage and stepped forward. With a nervous yet determined tone, she offered, "Um, yes. It's in my backpack." Her eyes instinctively sought out Haruki's, hoping to catch a glimpse of his emotions. "Do you want to use it?"

"N-" Haruki was cut short by Ayame.

"Sure, hand it over to me!"

While Mio placed her backpack on the ground and started rummaging for it, Ayame approached her. "I know I may be asking too much, but do you also have a hairbrush?"

"Yes, right here." The bassist replied, retrieving both accessories and passing them to her.

Haruki couldn't help but protest. "You're going to mess up my hair, senpai!"

Ayame rolled her eyes, undeterred, as she stepped back behind Haruki. "Shut it. I know what I'm doing," she retorted, swiftly plugging the blow dryer into a nearby outlet. "Remove your glasses, or else they will be in my way."

"Good grief…" Haruki grumbled, reluctantly complying with his senior's request. With one hand, he removed his trademark eyeglasses, revealing a face that seemed strangely unfamiliar without them. It felt almost silly to admit it, but the transformation was undeniable. The sight certainly had an effect on the group of girls, eliciting a collective sigh from their lips. Mio and Mugi, in particular, found their cheeks tinged with a deep blush, unable to hide their visible reactions.

He looks… even more... like Ricchan now doesn't he?

The two bandmates shared that thought when they exchanged astonished looks.

"Haruki-kun, you look so different without your glasses!" Yui spoke.

"Huh?" He blinked in confusion, momentarily taken aback by the comment.

"Yui-chan, I was thinking the same thing!" Mugi added.

Ayame gently placed her hands on his shoulders and playfully remarked, "I completely understand what you guys mean. He looks even more handsome without them, doesn't he?"

The boy, now acutely aware of the attention focused on him, looked down at his hands, a slight blush rising to his cheeks.

Mugi chimed in with a question, "Takeda-kun, have you ever tried wearing contact lenses?"

"Yes, I have," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance. "But they were incredibly uncomfortable and such a hassle to put in and take out of my eyes," he grumbled, punctuating his words with frustrated gestures. "I quickly realized that I much prefer sticking with glasses instead."

"Ah, why am I not surprised?" Ayame said as she patted his head, messing up his hair. "Okay, enough talking now, here I go." With a flick of her wrist, the girl turned on the blow dryer, its whirring sound drawing the attention of those nearby. However, she remained undeterred by the curious gazes directed their way. Her focus was solely on her mission to dry her junior's hair, a task she had taken upon herself with unwavering determination. Haruki closed his eyes, feeling the rush of warm air against his wet strands. The tingling sensation on his scalp coupled with his senior's focused expression made him momentarily forget the cold and discomfort. "Wow, your hair is incredibly soft and silky," Ayame commented, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush.

Meanwhile, Mugi and Yui watched in awe as the girl worked her magic. The way she handled the blow dryer and hairbrush with such expertise and delicacy fascinated them. It was as if she had experience with that sort of job before.

Mio, on the other hand, wasn't really paying attention to the hairstyling itself. She was in reality studying the closeness between the two drummers, wondering if their friendship would ever take another turn.

"I'm not interested in relationships"

Those were his words, she pondered. However, a whirlwind of doubts swirled within her. Did he truly mean what he said? What if Ayame were to confess her feelings to him? How would he react? These questions relentlessly plagued Mio's mind, tormenting her ever since she learned about Ayame's feelings toward Haruki. She didn't even understand why that bothered her so much. The girl was his closest friend from the start, they would definitely form a good pair too. Then why?

A dull ache started to spread through her jaw as she unconsciously applied pressure between her teeth. The whole thing took less than five minutes to finish, but to Mio, it seemed like an eternity.

"There, did it hurt?" Ayame prompted Haruki sarcastically after she powered off the blow dryer.

The boy stood up from the chair and walked up to a nearby mirror to take a better look at his senior's work. "Are you secretly a hairdresser or something?" He asked nonchalantly as he adjusted his appearance to his own taste.

"Well, you're welcome, monsieur," Ayame replied with a pout. "Geez, someone sure is moody today. Here, Mio-chan, thank you." She turned to Mio and handed back the items.

"A-ah, no problem," she said before opening her backpack to place the objects back inside.


The journey back felt somewhat faster from Mio's point of view. It was almost as if in a blink of an eye, she was already back in her dorm. Perhaps it was due to the fact that the girl had slept at least more than half of the trip, considering she could barely close her eyes the night before.

It was only during nighttime, after taking a shower, that she started to meticulously unpack her clothes from her bags. After finishing up with the larger one, she directed her attention to the handbag. Carefully emptying its contents, her hand brushed against a soft fabric.

His beanie!

Her heart leaped within her chest as she delicately retrieved the winter hat, cradling it in her hands. Although she had the opportunity to return it to him in the morning, she preferred to do it another time since he didn't seem well.

A soft smile played at the corners of her lips as she inhaled the lingering scent on the fabric—a subtle blend of his fragrance intermingled with her own. Now alone in the sanctuary of her room, she surreptitiously savored the proximity, bringing the hat closer to her face. Collapsing onto her bed, a blush tinted her cheeks as a wave of embarrassment washed over her, feeling stupid for doing such an embarrassing thing. Her heart thumped visibly in her chest with a small realization that passed through her head.


It was during the second year of high school that Mio's life took an unexpected turn, all triggered by a simple yet profound question posed by their light music club advisor. The girl had developed a habit of seeking out Sawako whenever she completed a set of lyrics for a new song. The music teacher would then assist her in refining the melody, offering suggestions, and providing guidance to enhance the overall composition.

On this particular occasion, they found themselves in the teachers' office before classes started. Sawako had the lyrics in her hand, attentively proofreading the verses that Mio had crafted. The woman had a curious expression on her face.

"I-Is something wrong?" Mio nervously asked.

"No… I was just wondering about something." The music teacher said. "Mio-chan, what are your inspirations when you write your lyrics?" Sawako inquired, her eyes focused on the words on the paper.

Mio blinked, her mind momentarily blank. "My inspirations?" she repeated, seeking clarification.

"Yes, I mean… Your lyrics are mostly about love, aren't they? Is there anyone in your mind?"

The bassist's hesitation was palpable as she considered the question. She had never truly reflected on the origins of her lyrics before. "Hmm, no, not really. I simply write whatever comes to me at the moment."

The music teacher let out a brief chuckle. "Really? Wow… For a second I thought you were head over heels for someone. I wouldn't be surprised if that would be the case, you're sixteen after all. It's only natural you'd eventually fall for someone at that age."

The music teacher raised a valid point, Mio thought. It was not uncommon to overhear girls in her class chattering about their boyfriends, sharing their experiences and stories. But in Mio's own circle of friends, such romantic encounters seemed elusive. None of them had ever been in relationships, and she found it hard to imagine any of them finding a boyfriend in the near future.

"Oh, so you fell for that boy in high school around this age?" Mio asked with genuine curiosity.

Sawako let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "No, it was actually when I was a senior in high school. But let's not dwell on that," she replied, her eyes twitching comically as she recalled the memories she'd rather forget.

The girl pressed on, intrigued by the older woman's experiences. "How did you come to realize you were in love with him?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine interest.

Sawako let out a resigned sigh, her gaze momentarily lost in the depths of her memories. "It seems you won't let this go, will you?" she remarked, her voice tinged with a touch of weariness. "Well, it wasn't something that happened overnight," she began, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "It took time for me to realize my feelings. I found myself thinking about him constantly, my heart racing whenever he was around. There was this warmth that filled me whenever we spoke or even made eye contact…"

The bassist felt her heart skip a beat.

Wait, so…

That's how loving someone feels like…?

"It was as if my world revolved around him, every little thing he did, every word he said, it had an impact on me. I couldn't deny the butterflies in my stomach whenever he smiled or the pang of jealousy when I saw him with someone else." As Sawako continued sharing her own experiences, Mio's mind raced with a realization that hit her like a wave crashing against the shore.

All those things felt way too familiar.

Yes, she had experienced that before.

The same warmth she felt in her chest…

The racing of her heart…

The butterflies…

How could she have been so stupid not to realize?

The signs were all there, right in front of her, and she had brushed them off as mere friendship. She had been oblivious to her own heart's yearnings, blind to the truth that had been quietly building within her.

A flood of memories washed over Mio, vivid and intense.

Ritsu's smile, her laugh, her voice, her scent…

But… Wasn't that something normal to feel toward a friend?

It was all too confusing…


"Ugh… everything is repeating again…"

As night fell, Mio lay on her bed, her body facing downward, her mind filled with contemplation. The room was quiet, except for the faint sound of her own breathing. The events of the past resurfaced, intertwining with her present reality, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu.

Her heart had once again become a battlefield, torn between the familiar comfort of friendship and the uncertain depths of romantic love. The realization of her feelings for Ritsu had brought about a whirlwind of emotions, and now Mio found herself grappling with the same doubts and uncertainties that had plagued her in the past, but now toward Haruki.

Interrupting her daze, a sudden vibration jolted her attention to her phone. A message at this hour? she wondered, her hand reaching for the device resting on her bedside table. It was already 10 pm, and receiving a message at such an unusual time piqued her curiosity.

Unlocking the screen, she discovered that the message came from an unknown sender. The content of the message caught her off guard:

815XXXXXX25: Hello, Autumn Mountain girl.

Accompanying the enigmatic greeting was the stunning photograph of herself, captured through Haruki's lens on Saturday's late afternoon. Behind her were the beautiful mountains, covered in snow. The image was masterfully taken and skillfully edited, momentarily stealing her breath away.

It took her a few seconds to realize who the sender was and soon a blush crept on her cheeks as she thought about all the work he put into that picture of her. But before that, what intrigued her the most was how the boy managed to find her number. Thus, she began the process of composing her response. She found herself typing and deleting her words multiple times, unsure of what to say.

Mio: Haruki-kun? How did you get my number?

After clicking the send button, her heart began to race with anticipation. Doubt quickly flooded her thoughts. Did her response come across as too harsh? Should she have chosen different words? Her racing mind caused her hands to grow clammy, beads of sweat forming as she anxiously second-guessed her decision. After locking the screen, she tossed her phone onto the bed, apprehensive about his potential response. Within moments, his reply arrived, yet Mio opted to bury her head in her pillow before mustering the courage to read it.

Why am I feeling this way? I don't understand… she pondered, her grip on the pillow tightening. The urge to unleash a scream was overwhelming, but she knew it would only draw attention from her entire dormitory.

Summoning her courage, she reached for her phone and mustered the strength to check his latest message.

815XXXXXX25: I asked Hirasawa-san for it. Was that a bad idea?

Mio's eyes widened in surprise as she read Haruki's response. Hirasawa-san, she thought, referring to Yui. So it was Yui who had given him her number. Of course, they had exchanged contact before to plan for the rehearsal. She remembered.

Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Mio began formulating her reply. She wanted to choose her words carefully, not wanting to reveal too much yet still convey her genuine interest.

Mio: No, not at all! Just caught me off guard. The picture looks great, by the way. You really have a knack for it!

The boy seemed to be expecting her message, because his answer came seconds after.

815XXXXXX25: Thanks, Mio, but that's totally on you, I only clicked a button.

Mio's cheeks flushed at Haruki's response. His casual yet genuine compliment made her heart flutter. She couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her as she read his words.

With a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, Mio quickly typed her reply, her fingers dancing across the screen.

Mio: You make it sound so simple. You certainly have a way of seeing things others don't.

Haruki's reply came swiftly, his message appearing on the screen.

815XXXXXX25: They say that with practice comes perfection. And speaking of which, when are you free this week?

Mio nearly dropped her phone when she read it. She couldn't believe he was asking about her availability. Her mind raced, considering the possibilities and the implications of his inquiry.

Mio: This week will be a pretty busy one, it's a new semester after all. However, I have Saturday afternoon free, why?

Mio could feel her hands tremble as she typed her reply, her fingertips hovering over the keys with nervousness. With a deep breath, she pressed the send button.

This time, the boy took a little more than before to answer. The seconds ticked by, turning into minutes, and the anticipation built within her. The longer the wait, the more her anxiety skyrocketed, her mind conjuring up various scenarios and possibilities. Every passing minute felt like an eternity, and Mio's heart raced with a blend of anticipation and uncertainty.

She was in the process of saving his number when his reply finally came, the girl quickly sat up on her bed.

Haruki: I promised I'd teach you how to use your camera, remember? I have a cool place I wanted to go to where we can take some nice shots. How about that?

It almost sounds like a date… She mused, burying her head again in the soft pillow. Her legs were unconsciously swaying back and forth, softly hitting the bed one at a time.