The light breeze momentarily gusted, sending a shiver up Ranko’s bare legs as she walked. She hadn’t bothered to change out of her ridiculous uniform before she left the talent studio, having not particularly wanted to undress there after everything that had happened. The lavender dress she had worn to work this morning lay folded over her purse, which dangled from the right side of her body. She hadn’t taken the time to take her hair down yet, either, mostly because she hadn’t thought about it, but she had at least restored her silver bracelet to its rightful place.

She felt a bit nervous and exposed being out in public dressed as she was, but something gave her a bit more confidence. Maybe it had been that she had stood up to a bully and won, without going full final attack on him. Maybe it was the number of people who had complimented her looks over the last few days.

Maybe it had something to do with the two-meter tall guitarist walking just to her left. Sure, he was a guy, and all guys brought with them some element of danger these days, but if he were a pervert, he likely wouldn’t have decked his boss for being a pervert and gotten himself fired for it.

“Ranko, I’m really sorry that happened. I swear, I had no idea he was like that.”

Ranko stopped, turning to look up at him. “Crash, don’t. It’s not your fault. It’s me that’s sorry. He kicked you out because of me.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “No he didn’t, and don’t you go taking blame for his bullshit. He let us both go because he didn’t like being told he couldn’t have what wasn’t his. Bullies never do. If I’d known what he was like, I’d have quit on my own anyway.” He hoped that Ranko had been the first girl Takao had done this to, but he strongly doubted it.

Ranko blushed a little and gave a small nod. “Well, thanks. I mean it, Crash. I’m… not really used to people sticking up for me like that. It meant a lot. I owe you one.”

He smiled a little, and Ranko thought he might have blushed as well. “Anytime. Not… not that I hope I ever have to again, but, I… you know what I mean, right? Anyway, are you okay? He got you pretty good.”

The young lady nodded. “Nothing that won’t heal. What I’m gonna do about a career, though, that’s gonna be tough.”

Crash waved his hand dismissively. “Nah, there’s plenty of ways for somebody with talent to make it. You’re still singing at the Phoenix, right?”

She nodded. “I guess, yeah.” She didn’t much feel like singing these days. It just felt hopeless.

Ranko’s companion looked around. “We’re actually getting pretty close to it, aren’t we? It’s great that you live so close to your work.”

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“I actually live right above it. I have a little apartment up there,” Ranko said with a sheepish blush.

Crash let out a warm snicker. “Well, that’s one way to save on train fare! Seriously, though, you’re gonna be okay. I’m sure of it.”

Ranko rubbed her sore cheek, hoping to surreptitiously hide her flushed face. “Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence.” She reached for the handle of the glass front door of her destination. “Well, this is me. You’re welcome to come in for a drink if you want, before you head home.”

He smiled. “I think I’d like that.” He reached past her, taking the opposite door handle and opening it for her. “After you.”

The blonde at the bar looked up, seeing the door opening. “Ran-chan, you’re home ea… what happened to your face?” Yui took a few rushed closing steps before Crash entered the room behind her.

“I… I told him no, like you said, Yui. It didn’t go super well.” She looked up at her companion. “This is my friend, Crash. Crash, meet my big sister Yui.”

The guitarist gave a polite bow, blushing as a little twanging sound came from behind him. He had completely forgotten that his guitar was strapped to his back, and he had just bonked Ranko in the back of the head with the neck of it. “Oh, shit, sorry, Ranko!”

Both girls laughed, and Ranko smiled up at him. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not even the hardest whack I’ve gotten today.”

He backed up a little, seeming a bit nervous all of a sudden. “Well, uh, I should probably get going. Yui, it was great to meet you. Ranko, I’ll, um… I’ll see ya around, yeah?”

The redhead nodded, and Yui couldn’t help but notice her face flushing again. “I’d like that. Take care of yourself, Crash.”

The young musician gave a wave and pushed through the door to the street beyond. Yui glanced over her sister’s face. “You want some ice for that?” Ranko nodded, and Yui headed behind the bar to get some. “Don’t worry about that jerk. We’ll find another way for you, I promise.”

“Yeah.” Ranko sighed sadly, slumping into one of the chairs at a nearby table.

Yui sat next to her, handing her a blue bar towel with a handful of ice cubes wrapped up in it. “So… Crash, huh?” She smirked devilishly.

Covering her cheek with the ice pack, Ranko nodded. “Yeah. He’s a good guy. He straight up decked Takao when he saw what happened. Got himself fired along with me, too.”

Yui nodded. “And, you’re not seeing anything else there, huh?” She laughed with an amused smile, shaking her head. “Sometimes, I swear you just became a girl yesterday.”

Ranko blinked. Yui had no idea how close to correct she was. “What do you mean?”

Yui sighed, throwing her hands up in the air in mock frustration. “Did you really not see how into you that guy was?”

The redhead looked away. Her face was simultaneously freezing from the ice, and on fire from the blood flow to her cheeks. “No way! Crash is just a friend! And besides, I’m with Akane.”

Yui laughed. “Well, at least you’re admitting that now.”