Yesterday's part-time job with Starlight went very smoothly.
Seika Ijichi was quite satisfied.
So much so that Seika thought, if she had Hakushu and Kita at the same time, maybe she wouldn't need Ryo Yamada and Bocchi-chan.
Ryo, in danger!
As for rehearsals, they hadn't started yet.
After all, Ryo Yamada hadn't had a chance to give her guitar to Kita.
Also, everyone discovered that Rena You's abilities were surprisingly astonishing.
After Hitori Gotou improvised a song, "Workers' Elegy," Rena You perfectly replicated it on the spot.
Then, Rena You pulled Hitori Gotou, wanting to have a solo with her.
But, a mere Bocchi-chan, how could she have the courage to duel a stray cat!
Hitori hid tightly inside a trash can, refusing to come out no matter what.
The little cat was helpless against her.
So, the cat went to Hakushu, wanting him to pull Hitori out.
Bocchi-chan was someone Hakushu could occasionally tease himself; how could he help the cat bully Bocchi-chan?
However, after hearing Rena You's playing, Hakushu also couldn't help but admire her skill.
Are even kids this young this amazing now?
Looks like I need to speed up my progress.
Even Nijika thinks Bocchi the Rock! might need another guitarist?
And then… Hitori Gotou felt an unprecedented sense of crisis!
They're actually suggesting it.
But with more people, Hitori can't perform at her best.
As a result, Bocchi-chan was completely defeated.
The next day.
Hakushu had just sat down in the classroom.
Aine Chihaya kept turning her body, looking at Hakushu several times, and then glancing at his guitar case.
She looked like she wanted to say something but was hesitating.
Hakushu noticed this and was puzzled. He said, "Aine, just say what's on your mind."
"Hehe…"
Aine Chihaya laughed awkwardly after being caught, and then she said directly, "Hakushu-kun, I heard you're forming a band?"
Aine Chihaya went to the Brass Band Club yesterday after leaving the Light Music Club.
Then, after hearing that the Brass Band Club's goal this year was the gold medal at the national competition, she got a little intimidated.
If that's the case, the training pressure must be huge!
Aine thought. She only planned to mess around a bit, just to have some material to post on SNS.
She didn't want to stress herself out.
But then, thinking again, what if they really won the gold medal at the national competition?!
That's a competition with a very high gold content!
Maybe there would even be a chance to be on TV.
But Aine also realized that the Brass Band Club had way too many members.
Dozens of people performing together; even if she performed her best and shone brightly, it would be hard to get noticed.
Actually, she didn't play any brass instruments either.
It's better to give up, after all.
So, Aine Chihaya also passed on the Brass Band Club.
However, she heard from Yui Hirasawa that Hakushu was forming a band outside of school.
Therefore, Aine Chihaya set her sights on Hakushu.
"Yes, in Shimokitazawa."
Hakushu nodded in response.
"So... are there any positions still open in your band?"
Aine Chihaya asked, a little hopefully.
"We were short a vocalist, originally."
Hakushu replied truthfully.
However, after Kita's successful joining yesterday, they already had a vocalist.
So, Bocchi the Rock! was now fully staffed.
By the way, Kita's joining brought Hakushu a reward of 5,000 Notes.
"Eh?"
Aine Chihaya's eyes immediately lit up.
She hadn't gone to the same school as Hakushu and Yui Hirasawa before.
"Speaking of which, I used to play the guitar too, and I even performed on stage as the lead singer!"
Aine used her slender, white index finger to twirl a lock of her pink hair, and blinked.
It looked like she was hinting at something.
Clearly, she had overlooked the word "originally" that Hakushu had used.
Hakushu understood her reaction.
It's a pity, Aine-san, you were too late.
Hakushu replied with a touch of regret, "But, Kita from Class 1 joined us yesterday."
"Ah..."
Aine Chihaya looked dejected. Why yesterday of all days!
She sighed softly, then considered, Maybe I should just form my own band?
That's quite troublesome, though.
But, that also means I'm definitely the center of the band, right?
Should I form my own?
Hakushu heard Aine Chihaya's muttering.
A sudden flash of inspiration sparked in his mind as well.
Perhaps, Hakushu thought he could support her idea.
Because that way, not only would everyone around him be tools providing him with Notes.
And also...
Hakushu instinctively glanced at Hikari Takamatsu on his right.
Through his observations over the past while, and from their conversation at RiNG the other day, Hakushu realized that Hikari Takamatsu really wanted to join a band.
But she seemed to be afraid of something.
Evidently, she hadn't yet emerged from the shadow of her previous band's disbandment.
Although he had clarified his statement about the "vocalist working too hard," it did ease some of her psychological pressure.
Hikari Takamatsu's unconditional trust actually made Hakushu feel a bit bad.
Too bad, neither the Light Music Club nor Bocchi the Rock! had a suitable position for Hikari Takamatsu!
But if I just formed a new band, wouldn't that solve everything?
That way, you could play whatever you want, sing whatever you want!
Hakushu lightly tapped his chin, an idea gradually taking shape in his mind.
"Are you going to do this, Hakushu?"
Then, under Aine Chihaya's surprised gaze,
Hikari Takamatsu blinked her adorable eyes, handing Hakushu a smooth, small pebble.
Hakushu happily accepted it,
"Thank you, Hikari. I'll treasure it."
"Hmm!"
Hikari Takamatsu revealed a slight smile, continuing to carefully wipe clean the remaining pebbles.
Aine Chihaya was taken aback, confused.
I don't really understand your hobbies.
But this way of addressing each other,
Aku?
Hikari?
Are you two really that close?
Aine already knew that Yui Hirasawa and Hikari Takamatsu were the most popular girls in their class.
Hakushu was actually close to both of them.
It must be because of this seat, getting the advantage of being close to the water!
Isn't this exactly what she had been dreaming of?
But soon, Hakushu's words made Aine Chihaya immediately forget about it.
She saw Hakushu suddenly speak,
"I think forming a band is a good idea, both for making friends and cultivating hobbies."
Hakushu didn't talk about career development because most student bands were just following a trend and playing around. Very few were truly determined to go professional, and it was extremely difficult.
Aine Chihaya shouldn't have any of those kinds of thoughts, right?
"If it's Aine, I believe you'll find members quickly!"
Hakushu encouraged her.
"Eh? Really?" Aine Chihaya smiled shyly. "W-well, maybe not!"
Even though she said that, her confidence soared.
Hakushu looked at Aine Chihaya and then gestured towards Hikari Takamatsu with his eyes.
Aine Chihaya, who was good at reading people, immediately understood.
Her thoughts affirmed, her mind became more active.
And so, their ideas coincided perfectly.
-------------------
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