"A shared destiny, huh."
After escorting Takamatsu Tomori home as promised, Kazama Haru walked on his way back, the impactful words from Togawa Sakiko's phone call replaying in his mind.
Sakiko hadn't elaborated on this abstract term during their conversation, nor had she asked Kazama Haru for an immediate affirmative answer.
Instead, she stated that the matter was of no small significance, impossible to explain in a few words over the phone, and hoped Kazama Haru would understand her thoughts in person before making a careful decision about whether to form a shared destiny with her.
Listening to her serious and earnest tone, Kazama Haru was almost certain that the crucial plan Sakiko spoke of was, in all likelihood, a girl Band project centered on theatrical elements—Ave Mujica.
Upon receiving Kazama Haru's willingness to listen in person, Sakiko's tone immediately became a few shades more cheerful.
After coordinating their schedules, they agreed to meet tomorrow evening at 6 PM at a coffee shop in the Bunkyo Ward urban area, near Kazama Haru's school, for an in-person discussion.
Kazama Haru rubbed his bruised right hand, which was starting to ache, and gave a wry smile, "Why do I always feel like my actions... are a bit like two-timing both sides?"
Although he hadn't refused Sakiko's invitation, he understood that simultaneously intervening in the operations of two Bands without either side's knowledge would be an extremely challenging endeavor.
How to allocate energy and time, how to act as a lubricant to facilitate honest communication and resolve past conflicts and misunderstandings, and how to explain the reason for "serving both sides"... all of this required prior planning. Any oversight in a single step could lead to misunderstanding or even resentment from both groups of girls.
Kazama Haru scratched his face in distress, not expecting his daily few cups of black tea to be so effective.
Not only did it quickly conquer Sakiko's taste buds, drawing them closer, but it also provided some spiritual encouragement, helping her emerge faster from the shadows of her family's troubles and the forced disbandment of CRYCHIC.
From then on, she resolved to look forward, using her naturally talented girl Band project to replace inefficient and arduous part-time work, to repay the debts left by her alcoholic father.
"Speaking of which, how could she be so confident that the guitar skills I bragged about that day were real? Wasn't she afraid I was just showing off to impress her?"
Kazama Haru chuckled wryly; this kind of unconditional trust felt rather nice.
Since she trusted him so much, he, as a man, certainly couldn't let her down.
If the future Ave Mujica was Togawa Sakiko's wish, then he would do everything in his power, hand in hand with her, to lead this luxuriously equipped galaxy battleship to the highest stage…
….
The next day, walking to school, Kazama Haru could clearly feel the surrounding attention becoming increasingly obvious.
Besides some female students who focused on his appearance, some boys also joined the ranks of "peeping," looking at him with a mix of fear, curiosity, admiration, and reverence.
The reason was self-evident: Kazama Haru's showdown at the school gate yesterday had already spread to every corner of the school.
Even students who hadn't witnessed it firsthand had seen the entire commotion through widely circulated online videos.
Everyone who witnessed Kazama Haru's performance at the time was left with only one thought:
"Sugoi... he's practically a superhuman!"
To the surrounding gazes, Kazama Haru maintained his usual calm and composed expression. He was accustomed to being the center of attention and didn't care what outsiders thought of him.
….
As soon as he entered the classroom, a teacher from the guidance department appeared and called him out, taking Kazama Haru to the grade guidance office.
Kazama Haru wasn't surprised; with such a big commotion yesterday, it would be strange if the school had no reaction at all.
Since delinquents were involved, he had even prepared for police questioning in advance.
Bullying incidents have been frequent in Japanese schools in recent years, and to minimize the impact of such events, schools typically investigate and handle them immediately.
Upon arriving at the guidance office, a pot-bellied, bald dean of discipline looked Kazama Haru up and down before speaking:
"Kazama-kun, regarding yesterday's incident, the school has already liaised with the police. After gathering evidence from multiple sources, including eyewitness students, we understand that you are not at fault."
Kazama Haru raised an eyebrow. He had prepared to "prove his innocence," but he hadn't expected the school's efficiency to be so high and its protection of students to be so thorough.
This saved him a lot of time.
The dean of discipline stated that Riko Nakamura, who colluded with outsiders to cause trouble, had been expelled, and others in her clique, had been suspended.
Finally, after a symbolic reprimand and educational talk for Kazama Haru, the dean of discipline repeatedly reminded him to pay attention to his safety on his way to and from school in the future, and to contact teachers or the police immediately if he encountered any unsolvable difficulties.
Kazama Haru nodded in agreement. He had already considered the forces behind yesterday's thugs and the consequences of offending them.
A small violent gang primarily engaged in legitimate fishing couldn't cause much trouble even if left completely unchecked.
Kazama Haru's family was already an unselectable target, so even if they wanted to retaliate physically, they could only target him personally.
With his current combat strength, unless they were willing to go all out, it would be difficult to pose a significant threat to Kazama Haru.
Furthermore, he was about to enter the fast lane of simultaneous development with two Bands, which would bring in a continuous stream of wish points, and his various physical stats and skills would receive even more exaggerated enhancements.
By then, he would almost welcome them seeking trouble to eliminate future worries.
…
Back in class, Kazama Haru didn't forget his duty as a student, listening attentively to every lesson and diligently taking notes.
After a day of studying, the "Basic Academics" skill also upgraded to LV2 (Proficient). This level, if reflected in exams, would at least place him in the top 20 of his grade.
…
"Let's go, Haru-kun."
As soon as school ended, Amaori Renako eagerly walked up to Kazama Haru, a sweet smile gracing her face.
Yesterday, seeing Kazama Haru abandon her, a best friend who needed more attention, and choose to escort Takamatsu Tomori home instead, the sense of crisis in the pink-haired girl's heart immediately escalated to the next level.
Her intuition told her that if she didn't do something soon, the "danger" flag above her head would quickly turn into a "defeat" flag.
The defeat of a makeinu.
So, after returning home, she didn't even have time to open her beloved PS5 to play games; instead, she lay directly on her bed and began her daily "pillow-hugging reflection session."
After some deliberation, she decisively mustered her courage to take the initiative and had a 30-minute best friend call with Kazama Haru.
Learning that he, like her, hadn't yet decided which club to join, they agreed to visit clubs together after school today.
….
As they walked out of the classroom, the campus, having finished its day of teaching, was now filled with the boisterous sounds of youth.
Near the teaching building, the beautiful string music of the wind ensemble occasionally drifted into their ears; closer to the sports field were the cheers of the track and field club and the soccer club.
On the tennis court, a petite female tennis coach sweetly smiled as she instructed a few new club members on their grip posture.
The baseball club next door had freshmen standing in a row, listening to the serious lecture from their nearly 2-meter-tall bald club president.
Unlike ordinary informal hobby groups, clubs, as an important part of academy life, even those leaning towards entertainment, had very strict rules.
Student numbers, attendance rates, national competition results... the academy would assess a club's potential based on these factors to decide the amount of funding to allocate.
Clubs with insufficient members or those mostly composed of inactive "ghost members" would face the crisis of disbandment.
After walking a few steps into such a crowded place, Renako's head drooped in frustration, and she began to have second thoughts: "It feels so troublesome. Maybe I should just continue being a 'go-home club' member."
"That won't do."
Kazama Haru smiled and shook his head: "Aren't you, Renako-chan, planning to become more outgoing? Since those scumbags like Riko Nakamura have already dropped out, why don't you take the opportunity to join a club, change your social circle, and find a new group of friends?"
"What's with that way of calling me..."
Renako's cheeks flushed at his affectionate address: "Friends, it's about quality, not quantity. Also, Haru-kun, you say you're thinking of me, but aren't you secretly thinking of quickly getting rid of me, your osananajimi, and then finding an opportunity to get close to Takamatsu-san?"
Kazama Haru looked innocent: "You're wronging me there. I genuinely hope you, Renako, can make more friends. My Band is about to start activities, and then I won't be able to guarantee I'll have time to hang out with you every day, you know."
"Also, joining at least one club is a mandatory academy rule. You don't want to be expelled, do you?"
"Ugh..." Listening to his heartfelt and logical persuasion, Renako clutched her head in distress: "I-I know, but the problem is, I've been looking for so long, and I just haven't found a club I like."
Kazama Haru pointed to Building C, not far away, "I heard there are some newly established clubs in there. How about we go in and take a look?"