"Please, come out!"
Nijika pressed against a combustible trash can, wailing at it.
"The performance is about to start!"
Anyone who saw this scene would feel sorry for this cute girl; clearly, something was wrong with her.
But, the next moment, a difficult, almost crying sound came from inside the combustible trash can.
"I... I still can't do it after all."
Clearly, there was someone with an even bigger problem present.
"It can't be helped, after all, it's a Band that was put together at the last minute."
Nijika looked as if she had already come to terms with it, her hands behind her back, smiling easily as she comforted Bocchi.
"I'm not very good at playing either."
To be honest, she didn't have much expectation for the upcoming performance, only hoping that they could finish playing well.
Meanwhile, Ryo proudly put her hands on her hips, "I play very well."
Inside the combustible trash can, Bocchi, stimulated by this, let out a burst of broken laughter.
Even the only thing I could be proud of has turned out like this. I shouldn't exist. I'm a water flea, a water flea... Seeing that things were getting nowhere, Nijika called out helplessly.
"Just come out of there, don't run from reality."
She urged Bocchi, who was hiding in the trash can, with difficulty, almost as if she was breaking down.
But even so, she still used a gentle, soft-spoken tone.
On the other side, Hayato was sending messages in the men's restroom, holding a bag of things.
"Kita-san, something's come up, hurry and come help."
"I won't be fooled."
In LINE, Kita's tone was as if she saw right through him.
Hayato: "Then there's no choice."
Kita: "Hmm."
Hayato: "I'll just have to post this apology video online and spend a lot of money to buy ad space so everyone can see it."
The next second after the message was read.
Kita: "I'll kill you!!"
Hayato: "Our stage time is 18:00. I don't need to say what will happen if you're not here by then, do I?"
"Also, I wasn't lying about something coming up. If you come to apologize before the end, everyone should still forgive you, otherwise, you'll really be resented for life."
Hayato sent the message and waited for two minutes. Seeing no reply, he changed his clothes and walked through the live house hall, causing a flurry of screams... "If you're scared, how about playing inside this?"
Ryo pulled out a box of ripe mangoes from who knows where.
Nijika and Bocchi stared at her dumbfounded, both stunned by her astonishing creativity.
But a moment later...
"It feels exactly the same as how I've always played!"
Bocchi's voice, now full of confidence, came from inside the ripe mango box.
Nijika, who was going further and further down the path of complaining, stared blankly at the cardboard box and couldn't help but ask.
"What kind of place do you actually live in?"
But Bocchi, having entered her personal zone, was already carried away.
"Everyone! Let's get hyped tonight!"
Bocchi's excited voice came from inside the box, causing the box to shake continuously.
This bizarre scene was something even Ryo, who had just brought the box over, hadn't anticipated. Even she couldn't help but comment.
"It feels like a different person..."
Nijika looked at Bocchi (the cardboard box), who showed willingness to go on stage, and breathed a sigh of relief, then asked in a relaxed tone.
"By the way, how should we introduce you to the audience?"
She tilted her head uncertainly, her soft side ponytail swaying.
"Hitori-chan? Can we use your real name?"
Upon hearing this, Bocchi quickly poked her head out from the opening she had just made. She urgently and subtly refused.
"That... it's still..."
"Then do you have any nicknames?" Nijika asked, puzzled.
"In middle school, they all called me 'that' or 'hey' or something..."
Bocchi said gloomily, as if it were routine, words that were sad to hear and brought tears to one's eyes.
This even startled Nijika; it was a topic she could hardly imagine.
"Are those even nicknames!?"
Bocchi also knew this was too pathetic and anxiously hurried to say.
"I... I haven't become familiar enough with anyone to get a nickname!"
Upon hearing this, Ryo seemed to sense that she wanted a nickname.
She was quite thoughtful and, with her familiar manner, came up with a nickname for Bocchi.
"Bocchi, alone." She blurted it out as if she hadn't given it any thought.
"How about Bocchi-chan?"
This nickname made Nijika, who was standing nearby, dumbfounded. This was a name often used for dogs!
Does this person not think before she speaks?!
But... Bocchi, no, Bocchi, who had poked her head out of the box, had her eyes shining, and she cried out with joy and emotion.
"I... I... I'll be Bocchi!"
As she spoke, little stars of happiness even appeared around her.
She was happy... Nijika stared blankly at the happy Bocchi.
At the same time, while the three were chatting animatedly, a Pervert silently snuck in. Hearing Bocchi's voice, he nodded with satisfaction.
He had arrived at just the right time.
But he squatted in the corner, waiting for an even more opportune moment.
Don't ask how he hid; a Pervert can even get onto the ceiling corner.
"This is my first nickname." Bocchi's tone carried a leisurely happiness, and she smiled, as if her whole being had softened.
Nijika had known Bocchi for so long, yet this was the first time she had seen her like this.
Compared to Bocchi, Nijika felt a pang of heartache. She pressed her hand to her chest and sighed softly.
"Tears are about to fall."
Under their encouragement, and feeling their concern, Bocchi gained some courage and asked.
"I still don't know the name of your Band."
This immediately made Nijika's expression one of struggle; she recoiled a step as if struck hard.
"It's the Kessoku Band."
Ryo explained in a calm tone.
Then, seeing Bocchi fall into confusion, Ryo covered her mouth, quietly chuckling at her proud naming.
"A masterpiece."
"That name is too cold! I absolutely have to change it!"
Nijika waved her hand in exasperation, yelling at Ryo, then clutched her head in agony, wailing.
"Ah ah ah ah..."
"Why? Isn't it cute?" Ryo asked, puzzled.
"Ah... yes." Bocchi replied.
Seeing that even Bocchi agreed, Nijika's wails grew louder, but she quickly changed her attitude.
"Never mind the Band name for now, it's almost time to go on stage."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Bocchi, sighing in fear, shrank back into the cardboard box.
"It's okay!"
Nijika said, comforting her with a smile.
"Even if you play badly, the core is to enjoy playing."
"Music can easily evoke strong emotions."
Before Nijika could finish her comforting words, a very ill-timed character appeared.
"Exactly, happiness is the essence of everything."
Hayato appeared. He quietly turned on the synthesizer and played the sound he had previously adjusted.
"Aiyaya~~"
The three who were conversing were startled by the sound. They looked at the suddenly blaring amplifier, then immediately turned to the keyboard.
The three froze.
The sight that greeted them instantly stunned their minds.
Hayato was wearing a crude scarf like a ragged cloth, iron bracers on his hands, long boots... and a loincloth.
Hayato, who usually looked like he had an ordinary build, appeared strong and sturdy after taking off his clothes.
Although he didn't have the large muscles of a bodybuilder, his flowing yet full physique found the perfect balance between slenderness and strength.
Paired with this outfit, he exuded a sense of fashion that was so trendy it was beyond comprehension.
He stood with his hands on his hips, a proud expression on his face, striking a strange pose as he said.
"Even if we play badly, as long as we keep their attention focused elsewhere!"
"Oh~"
Ryo was the first to recover. She exclaimed in surprise, then nodded.
"Very feasible. Even if the ticket prices are raised, girls will still come to see it."
Nijika, who had been speaking to Bocchi in a gentle tone, was completely dumbfounded, her mouth opening and closing, unsure what to say, until a few seconds later.
"Hayato-kun, put your clothes on!!"
Her face flushed as she closed her eyes and screamed desperately.
"Ahhhhhh!"
On the other side, Hitori glanced over twice, her face red, and she retreated into her cardboard box as if drowning.
"Is this even allowed…"
Hayato even felt the impact wasn't enough; he slowly pinched a corner of his loincloth and began to pull it up.
"Oh oh oh!"
Yamada seemed shocked, leaning back repeatedly.
"Our Band will be famous throughout Japan in one day!"
Hitori noticed the commotion outside growing stranger and couldn't help but peek out.
"Ah!"
The moment she saw Hayato, she covered her eyes, but the next second, her middle and ring fingers parted, and her bright green eyes stared intently at Hayato through the gap.
"That's enough!"
Finally, Nijika's forehead veins bulged with anger. She grabbed a cardboard sheet from the side, blocked Hayato, then punched him… "Hayato-kun, even if you don't value yourself, you can't commit such illegal acts!"
"Yes, I'm sorry."
Hayato changed into normal clothes and knelt on the ground, obediently listening to Nijika's lecture.
Nijika stood with her hands on her hips, speaking sternly to Hayato.
"You've already committed an act of public indecency, do you know that? It's fine here, but if you did that on stage and someone called the police, Hayato-kun would be arrested!"
"I am guilty."
Hayato bowed his head and meekly agreed, repenting obediently. But after speaking, he suddenly remembered someone.
Then, he no longer maintained his obedient expression of listening to the lecture. He took out his phone from his pants pocket and searched.
Hmm, sure enough, there was.
Amidst Nijika's puzzled expression, he showed her his phone.
"But performing in underwear, that's rock, right?"
Nijika stared at the concert crowded with people on Hayato's phone, and that striking white pair of shorts, dumbfounded. Her red eyes held immense confusion.
Yamada knew what Hayato was talking about without even looking. She affirmed, "Yes, that's rock."
Beside her, Hitori had already hidden inside the cardboard box and was motionless.
"Hey!" Nijika quickly stopped Yamada's words, which were only fueling Hayato's audacity.
But after hearing Yamada's affirmation, Hayato believed he was not wrong and stood up.
Under the gazes of Nijika and Yamada, who were focused on him, he stared at his pants, inserted his hand into his waistband, and looked conflicted.
"What are you going to do?"
Nijika asked urgently and warily.
"Because it's rock, and I'm a Pervert, then going a bit overboard should be fine, right? I can…"
"No, you can't!"
Nijika was so anxious that tears welled up, and she screamed, her face flushed… Kita hesitated by the Shimokitazawa train station.
Her cheerful expression had completely vanished. She gazed distantly in the direction of STARRY.
Although she was also afraid that Ishikawa-kun would post her apology online and buy traffic to pin it.
After all, Hayato always seemed like someone who wouldn't dare to do anything.
But more than that, she was concerned about… the performance having issues.
If the Kessoku Band's performance was ruined because of her, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
After much deliberation, she couldn't help but think of Hayato's sly smile.
Honestly!
Hayato, you just wait!
…As the performance began, Seika, now free, leaned against the bar, watching the Kessoku Band, who were about to go on stage, with some tension and unease.
A Guitarist pulled in at the last minute, a performance going on stage after only a short practice and integration period.
It just felt… very unsettling.
And even though Nijika seemed cheerful, Seika knew that her younger sister was surprisingly fragile inside.
She regretted it a little.
She shouldn't have so casually agreed to Nijika going on stage.
As footsteps echoed on the stage, her gaze towards the stage momentarily lost focus.
She saw Yamada and Hayato helping to carry a cardboard box, labeled 'ripe mango,' onto the stage. From the bottom of the lifted box, it was clear there was someone inside.
Seika covered her face.
But then, a person wearing a mask, sunglasses, and a hat, looking like they were about to commit a robbery, appeared at the bar, right in front of her, startling her.
Why are there so many strange people today?
"I want to watch Kessoku Band's performance."
The strange person said, handing over money.
Hearing the voice, Seika immediately recognized the person.
She wasn't angry or annoyed; she simply took the money, then pulled out a yogurt, and waved her hand, signaling her to go in quickly… After helping to connect the power and briefly testing the sound, Nijika signaled the lighting technician in the corner.
The lights came on.
The audience, who had already been murmuring in surprise, now saw clearly and began to exchange interesting whispers.
"Mango box?" / "A new way of performing?"
Just as Nijika was about to introduce the Band, she suddenly saw Hayato walking over. She immediately watched him warily.
But Hayato leaned in and asked, "Leader, can I open the show?"
Nijika said cautiously, "Don't do anything strange!"
"Trust me."
Hayato said with a reliable smile.
Nijika pondered for a moment, her expression relaxing slightly, but then she heard Hayato say, "Nijika, Kita is still a member of the Band, right?"
Nijika blinked, not understanding his intention, and simply replied, "Of course."
…"Good evening! Nice to meet you, we are Kessoku Band."
Hayato walked to the front of the stage, took the microphone from the side, and spoke to the audience.
"Although it's a bit strange, let's just introduce our members directly."
He waved his hand broadly, gesturing to the back, pointing at a surprised and bewildered Nijika.
"Our Leader, Drummer, energetic and cheerful, yet with a motherly gentleness—Nijika~"
Nijika immediately blushed at his antics, glaring at him with an expression that said, 'What nonsense are you spouting?'
I really shouldn't have agreed to him!
Then, noticing the audience's gaze, she shyly waved her hand at the stage.
The audience's mood also seemed to be stirred by Hayato's antics.
Many of Nijika's friends even teasingly shouted, "Nijika~"
By the bar, Seika showed a slight smile, propping her face with the other hand.
Hayato continued the introductions. He walked with the microphone to Yamada's side, leaning on her shoulder.
"On bass, the cool, aloof, lone eccentric—Ryo~~"
And Yamada, just as he introduced her, didn't even change her expression in this embarrassing situation. She nodded slightly, then performed a solo that surprised the audience.
Afterward, Hayato said with a smile, "By the way, she quite likes being called an eccentric."
Then he walked to the center of the stage, pointing his thumb at himself.
"On keyboard, the free-spirited, joyful Pervert—Hayato. Well, no need to say much about a guy."
He smiled, then walked towards the cardboard box that had been shaking since the beginning… It's… it's my turn?
Although Hitori had just been thinking about the thunderous "Hitori! Hitori!" cheers from the audience when she was introduced.
But when it was actually her turn, she started to get scared.
Please, please skip me.
Tap, tap.
The sound of a hand tapping the cardboard box.
Similar to the previous tapping on the wall.
Then came Hayato's lowered voice.
"Gotou-san, it's just the two of us now. Please play for me, something cool."
Lies, we're clearly on stage now.
Hitori hesitated, pressing the strings and holding the pick inside the semi-dark cardboard box.
As she wavered, she heard no urging, but she remembered Hayato's gentle expression during lunch break.
Gradually, she felt as if there was a false, but walkable, path, steadily awaiting her advance.
Nijika-chan, Yamada, Ishikawa-kun.
In such a short time, she had met so many kind and gentle people.
Bocchi tried to deceive herself… The Guitar solo, which had silenced the audience, ended.
Clap, clap, clap.
Hayato clapped, then cheered loudly.
"Guitar! The mysterious unknown girl making a surprise appearance—Bocchi!!"
A round of responsive applause erupted from the audience.
But his introduction wasn't over yet.
"And finally, our idiotic vocalist."
With Nijika and Ryo looking on in surprise, Hayato stretched out his hand, pointing vaguely to a corner of the audience.
"Running around, doing whatever she pleases—Kita!"
Kita was stunned in the audience.
She had snuck in during the lights-out period; how could she have been discovered?
Then she recalled that Ishikawa-kun had just called her by her surname, Kita.
Could it be… Her thoughts immediately exploded, rapidly recalling her interactions with Hayato over the past few days.
Finally, she looked up at Hayato on the stage, wearing that mischievous grin, as if inviting her to join him in embarrassment.
She really had been… tricked.
She looked at the others; Ijiichi-senpai looked at her with surprise, then expectation. Ryo-senpai, after meeting her gaze, nodded.
Finally, she met the eyes of that Pervert, with his awful personality, cunning, strange behavior, and fearlessness.
Under the inviting gazes of the three, she hesitated.
Could she still go back?
She had done such a thing—but they were inviting her.
She couldn't play the Guitar—but he said 'vocalist'.
She… she… Kita lowered her head and weaved through the crowd, taking off her mask, glasses, and hat, then ducked under the barrier and walked to the front of the stage.
Hayato bent halfway and extended his hand.
Kita took it.
Then, with his pull and her stepping on the edge of the stage, she climbed onto the stage, but as her other foot hadn't yet landed, she slipped.
"Eh."
But she didn't fall; instead, the quick-witted Hayato grabbed her hand, put his arm around her back, and pulled her onto the stage.
"Be careful."
Hayato reminded her with a smile, then walked to the center of the stage, picked up the microphone, and ended the announcement with a single sentence.
"Now, the rock that breaks loneliness is about to begin."