[Senpai, are you there?]
While Soyo was busy recreating classic anime scenes and dealing with her classmates, someone sent a message to Kamijou Mutsuki, who was on his way to the company.
Who's this?
He perked up slightly, then saw that familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar profile picture.
Shining Maruyama Aya?
Oh, no—more like Ms. "Return Home"!
In Kamijou Mutsuki's mind, the image of a bright, sunny red-haired girl surfaced.
Come to think of it, ever since that one encounter before, the two hadn't met again. He had gone to STARRY several times but never ran into her.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Not here.]
Kamijou Mutsuki replied in a very natural manner.
[Kita: Senpai!]
Kita sent an adorably angry sticker.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: So, what does Ms. "Return Home" want with me?]
[Kita: I told you, don't call me by that nickname!]
Kita first expressed her dissatisfaction with how he addressed her, then got to the main topic.
[Kita: So… you should know that I only recently started learning guitar, right?]
After that, Kita explained her current predicament to Kamijou Mutsuki in full detail.
It was essentially the same situation described in the anime—because she admired Yamada Ryō, she joined their band, but in reality, she knew nothing about playing the guitar.
Although she had been rushing to learn recently, it still felt like trying to fix things too late.
And today was the live performance for Ryō and Ijichi Nijika's band, but Kita felt her guitar skills were far from adequate, leaving her extremely conflicted.
[Kita: Senpai, you know me.]
[Capitalist With a Conscience: I don't.]
"…Senpai, being this dense won't get you a girlfriend!"
Kamijou Mutsuki's blunt reply made Kita puff her cheeks slightly, her expression turning a bit resentful.
[Kita: Actually, I don't want to break my promise, but if I mess up the performance, what if Ryō-senpai ends up hating me?]
Especially after watching Episode 7 of MyGO!!!!!—although the performance eventually succeeded, the earlier scenes were so awkward that she felt like she could carve out an entire STARRY with her toes.
In Kita's eyes, Chihaya Anon's expression of questioning her entire life on stage was basically her future self.
In fact, her guitar skills were even worse than Anon's!
Thinking about all the stressful plot developments in MyGO!!!!!, Kita felt like her brain was trembling.
She couldn't help but recall what Kamijou Mutsuki had called her when they first met—the runaway guitarist.
Could it be… that it was about to come true?
Kita wanted to run away, but she just couldn't make up her mind.
In the end, the girl recalled that almost prophetic nickname Kamijou Mutsuki had given her when they first met, and subconsciously reached out to him for advice.
[Kita: Senpai?]
However, after explaining her predicament and confusion, Kamijou Mutsuki didn't reply for quite a while.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: I'm buying a plane ticket.]
[Kita: ?]
Kita couldn't quite understand what he meant.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Which school in the UK do you prefer?]
[Capitalist With a Conscience: I have some connections over there. I can arrange it for you right now.]
[Kita: Senpai, even if I run away, I wouldn't go that far, right?!]
The girl finally understood what he meant and couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. Why would she run off to the UK?
Did he really think she was like Chihaya Anon?
Sure, they were a bit similar in some ways, but she definitely didn't have that kind of idea!
[Capitalist With a Conscience: So, are you ready to run away?]
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Miss Runaway Guitarist?]
[Kita: Ugh~ isn't it because I can't make up my mind that I came to ask you, Senpai?]
[Kita: You're really mean.]
[Capitalist With a Conscience: My suggestion is—running away may be shameful, but it works.]
[Kita: Senpai thinks so too?]
Hearing this, the girl's wavering thoughts gradually began to lean in one direction.
In truth, she already had the desire to run away deep down. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so conflicted—Kamijou Mutsuki's words merely gave her the final push.
[Capitalist With a Conscience: By the way, I know a guitarist named Gotō Hitori.]
[Kita: ?]
What did Senpai mean by that now?
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Bocchi-chan's guitar skills are excellent, and she's cute too. She can completely replace your position.]
[Capitalist With a Conscience: Nijika and Ryō will definitely like her too. They'll probably forget about you soon, so you don't need to worry about them being angry or sad if you leave.]
[Capitalist With a Conscience: At the same time, I'll take good care of them~]
What exactly do you mean by "take care of them"?
[Capitalist With a Conscience: I shall provide for Nijika and Ryō—you need not worry!]
Is that kind of "provide" even proper?!
[Capitalist With a Conscience: So just focus on studying in the UK, Kita. I'll miss you!]
[Kita: I told you, I'm not planning to study abroad at all!]
Hearing Kamijou Mutsuki's words, the bit of eagerness she had to run away was instantly extinguished.
The thought of her place in Ryō-senpai and Nijika's hearts being replaced by another girl—no way she could accept that!
Just imagining a stranger sticking close to the senpai she admired most, living her daily life, even singing songs that were supposed to be hers—Kita felt her brain trembling.
If things really turned out like that, she'd end up sitting at the same table as "Ms. Donut"!
And the things Kamijou Mutsuki said afterward were also extremely suggestive.
Making a move on Ryō-senpai or something—even if it was Senpai, she absolutely couldn't accept that!
If anything, come at her instead… wait, no!
In any case, if even she ran away, then who would protect Ryō-senpai?
[Kita: Senpai, I understand what you mean!]
[Kita: I won't run away anymore!]
Although the method was a bit questionable, Kamijou Mutsuki's words really did give her the courage to give up the idea of fleeing.
[Kita: But for this performance, could Senpai come support us?]
[Kita: It was because of you that I made this decision, so I want you to watch me when I perform!]
After sending those messages in the heat of the moment, Kita immediately felt a bit of regret.
After all, that sounded way too ambiguous.
And inviting him so suddenly—what if Senpai refused?
Wouldn't she end up like Soyo?
However, after thinking for a moment, Kamijou Mutsuki gave a positive reply.
As for the company, if he paid a bit more overtime, Myaamori would handle things!
Being trusted like this—surely Myaamori would be happy, right?
Besides, MyGO!!!!!'s broadcast was nearing its end.
It was about time to put Bocchi the Rock! on the schedule as well.
Meanwhile, after receiving Kamijou Mutsuki's confirmation, Kita immediately showed an excited expression.
But she quickly got her emotions under control.
Running away is shameful—and the best way to overcome fear is to face it.
Whether it was Ryō-senpai and the others, or Senpai—she wouldn't let any of them down!
With her guitar on her back, Kita's gaze became resolute.
......................