Soyo-chan, Version 2.0—Courtesy of Me! [196]

"Chihiro, let’s head back. My mom made a really good meal today, and I still need you to teach me guitar."

That was the first thing Chihaya Anon said to Tsuzuki Chihiro after confirming that everyone was wrapping up and heading home.

Meanwhile, Nagasaki Soyo was much simpler.

She… didn’t say a single word.

She just stared at Chihiro with a cold, piercing gaze—one that practically screamed "If you dare say yes, you’re dead."

"Ahem."

Tsuzuki Chihiro felt a headache coming on. Why is a beautiful girl like me stuck in a ridiculous love-triangle deathmatch that only happens to harem protagonists?

But the easiest to deal with… was, of course, the little sister clinging to her waist.

"Raana, can you let go of me first?"

"Benishouga. Play together."

"…That, huh." Chihiro glanced at Soyo, who didn’t seem to object. So, she nodded. "Alright, alright, I promise. Now can you let go?"

"Big sis is the best!"

Raana was easy to please. Her motives were pure—she just wanted to play music with her big sister.

That was it.

There were no hidden intentions.

Well… if there was a hidden agenda, it was probably just her wanting an excuse to escape from her aunt’s house and hide away at home, playing guitar.

Chihiro glanced at Soyo, who seemed completely unfazed. Would she regret this once she figured it out?

As Anon and Soyo continued their silent battle of wills, Chihiro’s phone suddenly buzzed.

She checked the message, raising an eyebrow slightly. Then, after tapping out a quick reply, she looked up—meeting Anon’s eyes with a mildly apologetic expression.

"Anon, I don’t think I can teach you today. But… there’ll be plenty of chances later."

"Chihiro-neesan?" Anon blinked, visibly confused. And also—maybe—a little bitter.

It felt like her longtime best friend had been completely claimed by Soyo.

"Did you forget?" Chihiro chuckled, reaching out to pat Anon’s head. "I still have to learn piano. I won’t have much free time for a while."

"…Fine."

Anon pouted, clearly disappointed.

But then… a realization dawned on her.

Even Chihiro-neesan, who’s basically superhuman, has to start from scratch as a total beginner…

Somehow, that thought pleased her.

It was just a shame she wouldn’t get to watch Chihiro struggle in real time.

After about five more minutes, Tsuzuki Chihiro finally said goodbye to the reluctant Chihaya Anon. She also convinced Raana to go home first before heading off with Soyo.

Normally, couples would hold hands while walking together.

But in a place like Japan, excessive physical closeness between girls tended to attract attention.

And someone like Nagasaki Soyo—who cared deeply about her public image—wasn’t about to make the first move.

But this… this was already enough.

Walking beside Chihiro, watching every little change in her expression…

That alone made Soyo smile.

"By the way."

On the train, Soyo found herself pressed tightly against Chihiro thanks to the crowd.

Trying to suppress her excitement, she leaned in close—speaking in a voice only they could hear.

"Who was that message from just now? Also… don’t tell me you actually asked Sakiko to be your teacher?"

"As if."

"Why not?" Soyo looked surprised. "I thought you two were close? You even told me before—"

"That was before."

Chihiro sighed.

Then, deciding there was no point in hiding it anymore, she glanced at Soyo and said:

"You remember Benishouga’s lyricist? That ‘OB-something’ person?"

"Of course I do— Wait. Don’t tell me…"

"Yup. That was Sakiko."

"…It was really her?!"

Soyo had suspected as much before.

But hearing it from Chihiro directly was still shocking.

So… the moment Sakiko suddenly left the group chat…

That was when everything changed?

"But why did she just… up and leave?"

Soyo trailed off mid-sentence.

Because she had already asked that question before—back when she confronted Sakiko herself.

And if she didn’t get an answer then, she probably wouldn’t get one now, either.

"How should I know? That girl acts like she’ll explode if she says more than three words at a time. It’s infuriating…"

"…"

Soyo didn’t respond.

Her feelings were complicated.

On one hand, she still deeply appreciated the Sakiko from the past—the one who had helped her escape her own darkness.

But on the other hand…

The current Sakiko felt like a complete stranger.

Taki once told her that this was just who Sakiko had always been.

Back then, Soyo refused to believe it.

But now…

"Let’s drop it. My keyboard lessons have nothing to do with her, anyway."

Chihiro knew Soyo was getting lost in her thoughts again.

So, she quickly changed the subject.

"First, let’s stop by Yoshinoya. We’ve got some old friends to meet."

"Old friends? You mean Tomo and the others? Or Momoka’s group?"

"Both."

"Huh?"

"I never told you? They actually formed a full band now."

"And they invited us to their live show this weekend."

"…I knew Tomo and the others were in a band. I didn’t know who they teamed up with, though."

Soyo narrowed her eyes at Chihiro.

After everything that had happened today—especially Chihiro flirting with Anon right in front of her—Soyo was already annoyed.

And now, this girl was acting all smug about having withheld information from her?

Her patience finally snapped.

Soyo reached out—aiming straight for the softest spot on Chihiro’s waist.

But—somehow—Chihiro dodged!

"You little maid. Trying to attack your master, are you?"

"Hmph."

Soyo turned away, trying to hide the embarrassment on her face.

But then, after a moment, she asked:

"So what, are you saying you’re going to learn piano from Tomo?"

"That little gremlin… is she even that easy to deal with?"

"Tomo is adorable. Don’t talk about her like she’s some kind of final boss."

"The last thing I want to hear from your mouth is praise for another girl."

"You really…"

You really are a hopelessly jealous girl, Chihiro almost said.

But she held back.

She knew that when it came to things like this, Soyo was the type to get flustered and defensive while still secretly enjoying the attention.

"So Tomo agreed to teach you? No strings attached?"

"Of course there were conditions."

"…What kind of conditions?"

"I have to teach Nina guitar." Chihiro smirked. "Though, I plan to make Anon do most of the work first."

"Then, when she inevitably struggles, I’ll step in."

"That is such a you thing to do… But why won’t you teach me guitar?"

"Who says I don’t?"

"Don’t I practice finger placement with you every night?"

"Y-YOU’RE INSANE! WE’RE ON THE TRAIN!"

"What? It’s just whispering. No one else can hear us."

"Besides…"

Chihiro leaned in—close enough that Soyo could feel her breath against her ear.

"Soyo, you’re getting way better at picking up on my hints these days."

"I-I don’t know what you’re talking about—!"

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T/N: AHHHHHHHHH THESE GIRLS ARE GONNA KILL ME

This is a fan translation of 素世同学，恭喜你被我优化了 by 杰克喵. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!