After taking care of a number of big and small odds and ends, the temporary performance organized by Ijichi Nijika was finally right around the corner.
She handed Narumi and Bocchi the sheet music for the performance pieces, and the two of them quickly grasped it and made it their own. After a few simple rehearsals, even though Bocchi-chan occasionally hit a wrong note at the beginning due to nerves and a bit of stage fright, the further they went, the more proficient her technique became. By the end, her playing was so smooth and practiced that it hardly looked like the skill level of a mere hobbyist.
Mm, as expected… she really is "that person," isn't she.
From the very start, Ijichi Nijika—who had been carefully observing everyone—nodded to herself with quiet certainty.
The rising star in the guitar-and-vocals section on YouTube, the newcomer who had gained over a hundred thousand followers within a single week—the Guitar Hero.
Even though the name was a little cheesy and carried that oddly refreshing chūnibyō flair, the stiffness and awkwardness that still came through on camera despite never showing her face, combined with fingerwork that was anything but immature—all of it perfectly matched the pink-haired girl in front of her, who revealed astonishing technique once she relaxed and opened up.
Ijichi Nijika was someone who had replayed every single Guitar Hero video over and over again, so she had at least that much discernment.
Of course, if Guitar Hero herself didn't want that mask to come off, Nijika would naturally be considerate enough to keep her mouth shut.
Unlike Nijika—who was well aware of Bocchi's hidden identity and still chose to protect her secret—both Yamada Ryō and Narumi were completely unaware that Bocchi might have another identity altogether.
As for why… it was probably because they were busy with something else at the moment.
"Hah, my hand speed is definitely faster than yours, Koumi."
Wearing a confident, sure-win smile, Yamada rapidly played out the intro to a song at a flashy, show-off pace.
"Bassists shouldn't be competing on hand speed in the first place. There's nothing flashy to show during an encore either. You'd probably hype the crowd more if you put down the bass and did some street dancing instead."
"Ugh—Koumi, how do you know so many bassist jokes without anyone teaching you?!"
Feeling like she'd been dealt a critical hit, Yamada clutched at her nonexistent chest.
A famous bassist joke: during a band's solo section, the vocalist belts out a high note, the guitarist shreds an impressive solo, the drummer shows off a complex rhythm—and the bassist puts down the bass and does a street dance.
Why does it feel like there's an elementary school kid mixed into our band…
Watching Yamada and Narumi bicker like children, Nijika-the-mom couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead, worried about the level of coordination in this temporary band—yet at the same time, she felt a bit relieved.
Seeing the usually aloof and detached Yamada and the reliable, easygoing Narumi acting so childishly was strangely comforting. This kind of unguarded, uncalculated state was exactly the ideal situation for everyone to grow closer.
And so, after that lively and chaotic rehearsal, the temporary band made up of Narumi Tōru, Yamada Ryō, Ijichi Nijika, and Gotō Hitori came to their first-ever stage performance.
Although among the four, only Nijika and Ryō were longtime partners who had performed together before—and "logically speaking," the rest were all collaborating with each other for the first time—their coordination was nothing short of astonishing. After the performance ended, many audience members applauded the four of them enthusiastically. Even Ijichi Seika, sitting at the front desk, couldn't help but look at them in a new light—after all, she knew full well that this was the first time these four had ever performed together.
Well, of course it felt natural. I lost count of how many times I'd seen you all perform together in the simulation.
Narumi muttered to himself internally.
And next, there should be a guitarist named Kita Ikuyo joining the band, right? If I remember correctly, she's also a big Yamada fan… Somehow this feels like I'm stealing someone else's spot, like a cuckoo taking over another bird's nest.
Even though the four of them looked perfectly in sync on the surface, three of them were each harboring their own little schemes and thoughts.
Of course. I'd already imagined that someday I'd perform on stage together with Koumi, even back in the dream.
With her long-held wish finally fulfilled, Yamada Ryō looked especially spirited during the performance. That carefree composure and ease—doing everything at her own pace—turned into a kind of charisma that infected quite a few people in the audience.
The promise that we'd perform together on the same stage… I haven't forgotten it!
Even though it had become an unfulfilled regret in the dream, when the opportunity finally arrived in reality, Gotō Hitori bravely reached out and seized it—she had never been the type to willingly become a deserter.
Because of that, she gave it her all during the performance, pouring out her very best state without holding anything back.
Though the three of them were all making their own calculations in their hearts, the end result was something that left everyone extremely satisfied.
Mmm—at this rate, it feels like even if this weren't a temporary band, but a proper, official one, it could totally work, right?
The only one completely in the dark—Nijika-the-mom—smiled in contentment, already starting to uncontrollably imagine a bright future that belonged to them.
"Today's performance exceeded my expectations. You were great—especially you, Narumi."
When the four of them returned backstage together, Ijichi Seika looked at them with clear approval and praise, her focus naturally landing on the only one among them with no prior stage experience: the curly-haired boy.
"This was your first time on stage, right? I've only ever seen you sitting at the front desk before, never touching an instrument. Guess you really were hiding your skills. Come on, today I'm treating you all to a good meal."
"Yay, big sis is treating us!"
Nijika cheered as she rushed to the front of the group. Yamada wore a disappointed expression that clearly said Guess I won't be freeloading meals at Koumi's place today, but she still obediently slung her bass over her shoulder and joined them—after all, freeloading the shop owner's food wasn't bad either.
Narumi, secretly relieved that he'd dodged a bullet, packed away his guitar as well. Just as he was about to gather his belongings and accept Manager Seika's invitation—the phone he'd kept in his jacket pocket suddenly vibrated.
"Hm?"
Shifting the slightly cumbersome guitar case onto his back, Narumi pulled out his phone and lit up the screen.
[There was something I forgot to discuss with you when we said goodbye today, Narumi-kun. — 16:25 from Catcat Director]
Right—Catcat Director was the contact name Narumi Tōru had assigned to Yukinoshita Yukino.
Of course, this was an absolutely forbidden contact name that could never, ever be discovered by her. If she did find out, she'd definitely blush bright red and show even more cat-like expressions… Wait, now that he thought about it, maybe pretending to "accidentally" let her see it and enjoying her reaction wouldn't be so bad either…?
"Narumi, Gotō, don't fall behind."
Urged on by Manager Ijichi, Narumi temporarily put his phone away and caught up to the group, bringing along the slightly clumsy Bocchi. Only after they walked together to the izakaya and sat down inside did he pull out his phone again to reply to Yukino.
[What is it, Director? At your service! — 17:14]
[It's a bit sudden, so I hope you won't find it strange. — 17:15 from Catcat Director]
An instant reply… Yukino-san, are you really that free right now?
[This weekend, I was thinking of going to the newly opened shopping mall to buy a few things. I was wondering if you might be free, Narumi-kun. — 17:16 from Catcat Director]
"Oh?"
In the noisy, bustling atmosphere of the izakaya, Narumi raised an eyebrow with interest.
…Was this a date invitation?