For example, a person's appetite is limited, they can't eat too much delicious food, but everyone can each eat different delicious food and share their experiences together.
"Oh…"
Finding out she couldn't freeload off the Ijichi family's meals for free, Yamada Ryou was a little disappointed. She lowered her head and tried to take off the empathy collar on her neck, but discovered that the collar Nijika had just put on her so easily was completely round with no gaps at all, no buckle or knot-like thing to be found.
"Give it up, this thing seems to use magic, it can't be taken off by normal means. But Ryou, don't worry, the empathy function can be turned off by yourself. Except for when playing music, you just need to keep it off," Ijichi Nijika shook her head with an experienced expression, advising her.
If the empathy wristbands on their wrists couldn't be taken off, then even less so the empathy collar on the neck.
This was also why when she heard Marin had put on the collar, she thought it was bad news, it would be hard to remove later.
But now that Marin and Ryou had both put it on, then next time Yumiko should put on the empathy collar too.
As long as everyone wears it, it's basically the same as nobody wearing it.
'Marin, this is as far as I can help you.'
Ijichi Nijika silently chanted in her heart for the mistake-making Kitagawa Marin, then pulled herself together, lifted the drumsticks in her hands, and helped the sitting Yamada Ryou up.
"Now that Ryou is also wearing the empathy collar, let's test the ensemble effect!"
"Hachiman, you come sit here at the drum set, sit in the middle and conduct me, Bocchi-chan, and Ryou."
"Right, Hachiman, later when you're holding me you can't be touching all over like you are now."
As she spoke, Ijichi Nijika looked at Hachiman, who was still holding Gotou Hitori, both his hands placed on her pale thighs, her face stiffening.
The reason for making Hachiman hold her instead of Bocchi-chan during the performance was precisely to prevent Hachiman from "accidentally" touching places he shouldn't.
If Hachiman held Bocchi-chan, then no matter what Hachiman did to Bocchi-chan, both she and Ryou would feel it.
Although she could feel it too if Hachiman held her, her relationship with Hachiman wasn't as intimate as with Bocchi-chan. If she disagreed, Hachiman definitely wouldn't mess around with her.
Sitting on Hachiman's lap would make her a little embarrassed, and she'd feel a little sorry for Yumiko, but to avoid Ryou "accidentally" experiencing Bocchi-chan's sensations, this was the only way.
"So now I can keep touching?"
"Still not now! Don't tease Bocchi-chan, hurry and come over here and sit!"
Blushing, Ijichi Nijika pulled Hachiman's hands off Gotou Hitori's soft white legs, pushed him over to the drum set, and made him sit down.
Why do you think she deliberately said not to touch later?
Now Ryou was wearing a one-sided empathy collar, her empathy target chosen as Nijika, so if Hachiman didn't touch Nijika, she wouldn't feel anything, that was normal.
But Nijika's empathy target was Bocchi-chan. The kind that couldn't be switched or turned off.
She had already noticed something was wrong the moment she put on the silver shared wristband, but hadn't expected Hachiman to still be touching.
Hadn't they said after the performance they'd find a chance together with Yumiko and Marin to repay and reward Hachiman? If it kept going like this, she wouldn't help anymore with Yumiko and Marin.
———
Ijichi Nijika, Gotou Hitori, and Yamada Ryou put on the shared wristbands and empathy collars, and together with Hachiman began rehearsing in the recording studio.
Outside, Livehouse STARRY gradually welcomed tonight's customers.
"So this is the place where underground bands perform?"
"Why so few people? I saw the reviews online were pretty good, the business should be great."
New member, the pink-haired bun-head Yuigahama Yui, followed by the long black straight-haired Yukinoshita Yukino, both wearing simple, slim casual clothes, came to the entrance of the store. Together they went down the stairs, turned the corner, and saw the dim lights and sparse figures inside, surprise flashing across their faces.
"There's still some time before the official performance, and Ijichi-san's band just formed, completely unknown, just singing a few songs at the start to warm up. Nobody coming early is normal."
Yukinoshita Yukino glanced around at the shop's setup and calmly answered Yuigahama Yui's question.
Although it was her first time here too, she had done some homework beforehand, so she naturally knew the process of underground band performances at a livehouse.
In larger livehouses, when popular bands perform, many fans come early to grab front-row spots, since there are no seats, everyone stands, and getting there early lets you watch the performance up close.
Clearly, Ijichi Nijika's newly formed band was at zero fame level, with only classmates and friends supporting. Most people would only come after their performance began.
She figured that with this small space, the bands coming later probably weren't famous either, and the fans present likely wouldn't even be as many as the Service Club members here to support.
But because this livehouse didn't hold many fans, and since most of the audience for this performance were familiar classmates and friends, it was just right for complete newbies like Nijika's group, with no heavy psychological burden.
"I see~ Yukinon you're amazing, I didn't notice any of that!"
Yuigahama Yui, enlightened by Yukinoshita Yukino's analysis, looked at her with admiration.
Ijichi Nijika's request had been handled by the president and Gotou Hitori, even the vice-president Yukinon hadn't taken part, so Yui was simply treating tonight as a club group activity without overthinking.
At most she'd looked up the shop's location and reviews, and seeing the good reputation, followed along reassured.
"Hello, two drinks, and add two more tickets for the band's performance."
Yukinoshita Yukino ignored Yui's awkward flattery, walked gracefully to the bar, and ordered from Ijichi Seika, who was wearing a hat behind the counter as staff.
Performance tickets were all the same price, no seating differences. Yukino mentioned the band specifically because the part of the ticket fee exceeding the base cost would be split between the livehouse and the band being supported.
Simply put, band performances were like live movies: the livehouse scheduled bands, and after the show, they split the "box office."
But usually the box office was very low, small bands couldn't support themselves, just playing for love, while only popular bands could really live off fans.
At the time, Nijika hadn't had enough tickets or known exactly how many Service Club members would come, so she let them buy extras at the venue.
"Welcome… today's ticket price is 1000 yen each, drinks 500 yen each, total 3000 yen for two people."
Manager Ijichi Seika looked at the cold-faced black-haired girl and the pink-haired bun-head girl, registered them, then handed over two tickets. The PA behind her set two drinks on the bar.
"1500 yen each? Wait a sec."
Yuigahama Yui was about to pay, but Yukinoshita Yukino had already handed over prepared cash.
"No need for you to pay, Yuigahama. That guy Hikigaya said today's a club activity, so we can use the newly approved club funds."
"Eh? Th-that can be used? What if the student council audits us later?"
Hearing the Service Club openly using club funds for personal fun, Yuigahama Yui was shocked, stammering at Yukinoshita Yukino.
Some clubs might pocket kickbacks when buying equipment, but their club had basically no necessary expenses, right?
Buying some cheap disposable props for requests was maybe excusable, but the whole club going to watch a band performance… supporting Nijika's band… writing that in the expense records wouldn't fly, right? Unless they faked the records.
"That was personally approved by Student Council President Kaede, Hikigaya's childhood friend. You think she'd check?", Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at Yui, then carried the drinks and tickets to an empty table.
"Uh… then definitely not…", Yui choked, unsure whether to admire the president's powerful connections or denounce this misuse of funds. After all, Yukinon didn't seem to get along with the president.
And nobody had told her beforehand! Was she also being fed the president's "sugar-coated bullets"?
If even the vice-president Yukinon had accepted it, could she, a new member, refuse?
Still torn over public funds, Yuigahama Yui quickly followed, picking up her drink and ticket to sit beside Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Of course, Yuigahama, you don't need to worry too much. The Rurikawa family donated money to Sobu High recently, and only after that did the student council allocate club funds to us."
Once Yui nervously sat, Yukino sipped her drink before continuing.
"Rurikawa family? Student council vice-president Rurikawa?"
Yui froze, then realized why Yukinon would agree to "misuse funds."
According to rumors, Student Council President Kaede was Hikigaya's childhood friend, but Vice-president Rurikawa Tsubaki also liked him, and there had even been a love-triangle incident one afternoon that ended with both skipping classes in the infirmary.
So this money was basically Rurikawa Tsubaki's contribution, only transferred through the student council. The club funds they could use were nothing compared to her donation.
"The Rurikawa family's money could be said to be for Sobu High, or said to be for the Elf Princess. Their ties are very close now," Yukino looked at the dim stage, speaking softly.
If Hikigaya had misused public funds to seek benefits for club members, she would never have agreed.
But clearly this money didn't come from government education funds, it was a donation from the Rurikawa family to curry favor with the Elf Princess in the club.
And it wasn't just them, the Ichinose family also donated money to help with transferring students from the Advanced Nurturing High School.
Even her own mother had wanted to contribute money and effort, but hadn't found a suitable opportunity or reason. Sending money blindly would have backfired.
After all, there were plenty of politicians and foundations wanting to give money to the Elf Princess. Why should she accept yours?
Sometimes even giving benefits required connections.
Thinking of her mother, Yukino's brows furrowed slightly.
The Rurikawa daughter Rurikawa Tsubaki was close to President Kaede and Hikigaya;
The Ichinose family not only had Ichinose Ayano join the club but even arranged for distant relative Ichinose Honami to transfer into Hikigaya's class;
And the Yukinoshita family wanted ties with the Elf Princess too, so if they didn't find another way, naturally they'd push her, already in the club, to strengthen ties with Hikigaya.
But… not only did she not want to interact with such motives, she also happened to have the worst relationship with Hikigaya in the whole club.
Yuigahama Yui, sensing the mood, realized Yukinoshita Yukino didn't want to talk, so she quietly sipped her drink and pulled out her phone, opening the group chat to ask when the others would arrive.
After officially joining, she'd quickly been added to the chat, and whenever free, she tried to talk there to blend in.
Though usually not many chatted in the group.
There were quite a few members now: several Elf Princesses, mermaid idols, and even a fierce-looking dragon, but the only demi-human who showed up often was the supposedly youngest Elf Princess, Lumilia.
The only regular human members showing up were Hayase Saki, Sakurase Shino, Gotou Hitori, and now herself.
Even from just her texts you could feel Gotou Hitori's social anxiety. Sakurase Shino always said so little it was hard to tell her mood. Hayase Saki was enthusiastic, though in real life she completely lacked that energy, especially around Yukino, she became nervous and stuttery, even meeker than Yui.
Mm… this club had lots of strange things, but overall it wasn't bad. Most of the time people weren't around, and those who were were socially awkward girls chatting and eating together. Once you got used to it, it was more relaxing than being in class.
Of course, it'd be better if Yukino didn't always keep a cold face and joined in their fun conversations.
Yui regretfully glanced at Yukino, who seemed lost in thought, then typed in the group asking Hayase Saki and the others how long until they arrived.
Alone, she couldn't quite handle Yukino's aura, but facing her together with Saki and Shino wouldn't be as nerve-racking.
Meanwhile, Queen Gyaru Yumi, Miura Yumiko, clacking her long boots, appeared at the stairway corner.
Coming down, she glanced around, spotting Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui at a table, but no one she recognized.
Neither Marin nor Hikigaya were here.
So Miura Yumiko went to the bar, handed over her concert ticket and a guitar-pick-like drink token, and greeted Ijichi Seika.
"Good evening, sis. I'd like a grape juice. Is Nijika still rehearsing?"
As Nijika's close friend, of course she'd gotten her ticket early. But everyone still had to buy a drink, since STARRY's license was as a restaurant, and each guest had to purchase one.
The drink fee wasn't included in the ticket, but was effectively part of the cost, 500 yen a drink was expensive.
"Mm, they're still practicing in the studio, but it's almost showtime, they should be about ready. You can knock and go in," Ijichi Seika nodded, took the ticket and voucher, started making the juice, and reminded her.
She'd seen Marin and Yumiko in class before, Nijika's close friends, but didn't know them well. Since they weren't into rock or music, they rarely came here.
"Then I'll just wait outside. Let them practice a little longer."
Miura Yumiko shook her head. She wasn't into bands, but could tell Nijika loved it. For her first performance, better let her prepare more and give it her best.
Mm… though she was already ready to comfort Nijika, since her band had lost a vocalist, just found a guitarist two days ago, and Nijika herself wasn't that skilled.
For such a makeshift band to even get on stage together was already something. Expecting more was unrealistic.
"Then go have a seat over there. Not many guests today, no need to grab a front-row spot. Your juice is ready."
"Oh, right, sis, have you seen Hikigaya? Nijika said he'd come help today."
Looking at the grape juice set in front of her, Miura Yumiko hesitated, then asked.
"Hikigaya? Nijika's been in the studio, I haven't seen anyone go in."
Ijichi Seika hadn't expected Nijika's friend to bring up Hikigaya, so she blinked, then shook her head.
She'd been sitting at the counter the whole time, and hadn't noticed anyone entering the studio.
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