By the time Chihaya Anon realized she had run away, she had already wandered into a nearby open plaza.
People bustled through the pedestrian street, occasionally casting curious glances her way. After all, a high school girl with red-rimmed eyes, looking utterly dejected, was bound to attract some attention.
How embarrassing…
Anon pulled a tissue from her bag and wiped at the corners of her eyes. As she walked aimlessly, she searched for a quiet spot where she could be alone for a while.
Standing in a shaded corner, she stared blankly at the distant buildings, a sudden urge welling up inside her—to call someone.
Yeah… back in the UK, there were so many times I wanted to leave, but Chihiro's presence made things bearable.
Without Chihiro, with her tendency to overestimate herself, she probably would've run away a long time ago.
Though in the end, she still couldn't hold out. Not long after the school year started back home, she found an excuse, talked to her family, and bought a ticket back to Japan.
Anon glanced at her phone, at the LINE contact saved under Chihiro, hesitated for a moment, then made the call without further thought.
The wait for the call to connect felt long. With so many words bubbling up inside her, the frustration from earlier, especially toward that girl named Shiina Taki, reignited all over again.
"What's wrong, little Anon?"
"Chihiro-nee! What took you so long to answer?!"
But… I'm glad you picked up.
Like a weight lifted off her chest, the anxiety inside her eased. Even the emotions threatening to overflow just moments ago began to settle.
"Sorry, I was busy with something. But the moment I saw it was you calling, I dropped everything to comfort you."
"So, tell me—who's bullying you this time?"
"I…"
The words were right there, but suddenly, Anon didn't want to just vent without context.
Maybe… this was her chance. A chance to finally confide in someone she trusted.
"Chihiro-nee, I lied to you. The reason I came back to Japan… it wasn't because of my family."
"Then why was it?"
"Do you have time right now? This… might take a while."
Anon figured Chihiro had probably returned to Japan for some kind of performance or a music festival.
She didn't want to start talking, only for Chihiro to suddenly say she had to go.
"Of course, I do. You can take your time—just like always."
Chihiro's voice was so gentle… just like back then.
Anon remembered those days in the UK. Whenever she felt down, she'd ask Chihiro to go to a show with her.
Sometimes it was a musical, sometimes a concert. Of course, since she was always the one inviting Chihiro out, she was also the one footing the bill.
Not that the money mattered. More than anything, the time spent together made everything feel easier.
"Actually… I just couldn't take being in the UK anymore. You remember when we first met? Back in January?"
"Yeah, you were in your school uniform, looking totally lost. I was worried you'd get scammed on your first day abroad, so I stepped in and helped you out of that mess at the convenience store."
"Mm…"
Thinking back on that moment, Anon felt a deep sense of security wash over her. She didn't even register the fact that Chihiro had just called her lost like it was nothing.
"That was shortly after I started school… my third day, I think."
"The first day, when I walked into the classroom, I made a complete fool of myself. The teacher had everyone introduce themselves. The other students spoke so fluently, but when it was my turn…"
She trailed off, cringing at the memory.
Honestly, if it had just been a bad self-introduction, she wouldn't have dwelled on it for so long.
Anon liked to think she adapted well to new environments—so long as she could actually use her strengths.
But in that foreign land, she struggled to find a niche where she fit in. Her English-speaking skills were awful, a problem she had never once considered before leaving Japan.
That first hit to her confidence was enough to shake her. Those first few days, she didn't feel like herself at all.
And on top of that, she couldn't get used to British culture or food. Her usual way of getting close to people—talking about things she was familiar with—didn't work anymore.
"That's totally normal…"
Chihiro, on the other end of the line, listened quietly. Her voice carried a note of nostalgia. "I had it way worse when I first got to the UK."
"But Chihiro-nee, you always seemed so confident when you talked to people. You handled things so smoothly…"
Anon couldn't help but admire her.
Maybe that was why Chihiro had seemed so dazzling that day—when Anon was stuck at the convenience store, confused and unable to explain herself after being overcharged, and Chihiro had suddenly appeared like a lifeline.
"But I just couldn't keep up with my classes. Every single day at school, all I could think about was the next holiday—so I could ask you to go out with me."
"I get it now." Chihiro let out a small laugh. "No wonder you looked so eager to get back to Japan on the plane…"
"I'm sorry. I lied to you… Chihiro, you're not mad at me, are you?"
"Of course not."
If Anon could hear Chihiro's thoughts, she'd realize just how insignificant her little "lie" was compared to the things her idol had kept secret.
But that thought never crossed Anon's mind. Now that she had let everything out, she just felt… lighter.
"Chihiro… Let's hang out sometime. I really miss you."
"Ugh, don't say it like that. Someone might think you picked up some bad influences in the UK."
"…Huh?"
Before Anon could even react, the call ended.
Chihiro had hung up on her.
"Shiina Taki…" Chihaya Anon clenched her tiny fists, muttering to herself on the street like a villain making a dramatic vow.
"You don't want me to form a band with Tomori? Fine. I'll do it just to spite you!"
But then, another thought popped into her mind—Nagasaki Soyo.
The girl she met at the café today had left a good impression.
She was friendly and easy to talk to.
And hadn't she said she used to be in a band?
"Ah, crap…" Anon smacked her forehead.
"I forgot to ask for her contact info!"
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T/N: HEHEHE you dont know how many times guys used that i miss you line like smh smh smsh sm hsms hsmsh