Sakiko's apartment.
"Soyo..."
Sakiko heard the voice from the other end of the phone, her body and heart trembled, feeling betrayed by Mutsumi. However, thinking that Mutsumi had just said Rikuo was injured, she couldn't bear to hang up directly.
"Is what Mutsumi said true? How did Rikuo-kun get injured?"
"Of course what Mutsumi-chan said is true. Rikuo-kun was... Rikuo-kun was hit by a taxi while protecting Mutsumi-chan. We've had him checked, and there's nothing serious. But Rikuo-kun is resting, and we don't know his address. Although we wanted him to stay and rest, we don't have his family's contact information. So, we wanted to ask if you could inform his family that he's safe, or if they could pick him up?"
"Is that so? It's good that Rikuo-kun isn't seriously injured, but... Rikuo-kun's last living relative passed away over a year ago."
Soyo heard Sakiko's reply, and her blue eyes looked at the unconscious Rikuo, filled with concern. Since she didn't know if Sakiko was aware of Kamen Rider, she didn't reveal it on her own.
'Rikuo-kun, he really doesn't have any family left? He's such a gentle and kind person, doing such dangerous things, but he has to bear it all alone?'
"Well then, we'll let him stay and rest. Oh, Saki-chan, do you know about the playing cards on Rikuo-kun?"
Although Soyo didn't want to keep Rikuo's secret, she still asked if Sakiko knew, after all, she might be the person closest to Rikuo. If she knew this secret, they could look out for each other more.
"Playing cards, what does that mean? Does Rikuo-kun really like playing cards?"
"Uh, yes. Rikuo-kun said on the way that he originally wanted to play cards with us, but then he accidentally encountered an accident, and things turned out this way."
"Is that so? That's really a shame."
After Soyo probed and found that Sakiko didn't know about Kamen Rider, she responded perfectly, but there was still some regret in her heart.
'Saki-chan doesn't know? It seems Mutsumi-chan also said that Saki-chan only has her left now... Maybe Rikuo-kun doesn't want her to have too much pressure? Rikuo-kun is really...'
"Then there's nothing else... Oh, Saki-chan, are we still friends?"
After understanding Rikuo's and Mutsumi's thoughts, Soyo also didn't want to add to Sakiko's burden. She had intended to hang up directly, but her reluctance to let go of Sakiko and their past feelings couldn't be easily severed... She just wanted Sakiko to give her a small affirmation, or a clean break.
"..."
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.
Sakiko didn't know Soyo's thoughts at this moment. The Soyo in her eyes was still the one who blocked the school gate every day; who would secretly follow her; and who almost shattered her last bit of dignity... 'But, did Soyo really want to embarrass me?'
"...Yes."
Sakiko finally answered yes, although her left hand was pinching her right arm, which was gradually turning red.
"That's good then, Saki-chan. I won't bother you anymore. If there's nothing else, Saki-chan, you can hang up."
Sakiko didn't reply again and slowly hung up the phone. She opened Soyo's LINE... 'Soyo, I'm sorry, I don't have the courage to face you all yet. Can you give me a little more time...'
Turning her head, Sakiko looked again in the direction of Rikuo's apartment.
"Also, Rikuo-kun, he's already on such good terms with Mutsumi and Soyo so quickly? And they're even going to play cards together. It's an interest I didn't even know about. I thought only you and I were the same...'
...
Train waiting room.
"So, that's the situation. Whose house should Rikuo-kun go to?"
Soyo saw Sakiko hang up the phone and looked at the three people in front of her.
"As for me, I probably can't. If I bring Riku home, Mom and Dad will definitely misunderstand. They love to joke around, and it might affect Riku's rest."
"Soyo, no. Minami-chan won't let me bring a male home."
Hearing Anon's and Mutsumi's replies, Soyo looked at Tomori, who had the best relationship with Rikuo among them.
"Hmm, my house, yes. But the space is too small, though Rikuo-kun can sleep in the same room as me."
"No, it's too early for that!"
Hearing Tomori stammer out some inappropriate words, Anon and Soyo shouted in unison.
"Hmm, no? I wanted Rikuo-kun to sleep on the bed and I'd sleep on the floor, you know."
Upon hearing Tomori's subsequent words, Anon and Soyo both blushed, realizing they had overthought it. Although Tomori was naive, she wasn't completely clueless.
"Then, that's also not allowed. Tomori doesn't need to specifically sleep on the floor. Besides, it would be difficult to explain to your parents, right? Also, I remember your bed is a top bunk, Tomori? It would be troublesome to help Rikuo-kun up there."
Anon was still blushing, while Soyo had already started fighting back.
"If Tomori-chan's house also isn't an option, then let Rikuo-kun rest at my house. I have a spare room, and my mom rarely comes home because of her job. Rikuo-kun can get the best rest at my place."
"Hmm, that makes sense. Alright then."
Tomori accepted Soyo's suggestion after hearing her impeccable reply.
"Since Tomori-chan also agrees, and it's getting late. Everyone must be tired, right? It's time to go home."
Soyo's words concluded the topic of Rikuo's whereabouts. Indeed, everyone had experienced a lot today: first, the formation of the band; Soyo's and Mutsumi's reconciliation; the battle between Kamen Rider Blade and Kuchisake-onna; and the matter of Rikuo's unconsciousness.
"It feels like we experienced so many things this afternoon. Although most of it didn't really involve me, I'm still very happy to have met everyone!"
Anon looked at everyone about to part ways, feeling that their bond had deepened after the afternoon's trials.
"Yes, from now on, everyone is good friends, and we share a common secret. I hope we can get along well."
Soyo began to engage in a back-and-forth with Anon.
"Hehe, from now on, I'll call Soyo-chan 'Soyorin'! For Tomori-chan, it's 'Tomorin'! As for Mutsumi-chan, calling her 'Mutsumi' is still cuter."
"I think 'Mutsu' would be good."
Rikuo, hearing someone making up nicknames, suddenly opened his eyes. He startled all four of them, sat up straight, and spoke to Anon... then fainted again.
"As expected of Rikuo-kun... And as for 'Soyorin,' let's just forget about it."
"Yes, as expected of Riku. But isn't 'Soyorin' cute?"
"I said no! It's so embarrassing, alright?"
Soyo didn't lose her composure even when Rikuo talked about rebuilding Crychic, but Anon's nickname broke her. However, the arrival of the train signaled the end of today, just as the sun always sets; friends always part; and beautiful youth always ends. So, let's try not to have so many regrets...
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