"So, it's only the first day of school. What could possibly be so urgent?"
Sato walked over to his usual seat and sat down. After placing his school bag on the table, he looked at Ritsu in confusion.
"Hehe!"
Ritsu scratched her head with a grin. Looking at him expectantly with bright eyes, she asked,
"It's nothing... I just wanted to ask how that game you mentioned is coming along."
"The game..."
Sato immediately understood. Stroking his chin, he thought for a moment before saying,
"Most of the work is basically finished now. All that's left is the voice acting and the soundtrack."
"Once those are done, it'll pretty much be ready to go on sale."
Bang!
Yui suddenly slammed both hands onto the table and leaned toward Sato. Her lips trembled, and her eyes looked as though they were filling with tears.
"D... Does that mean our performance got rejected?!"
"Huh? No! That's not the reason."
Seeing her reaction, Sato froze for a moment before smiling and shaking his head.
"The music we recorded before was only a demo. If we want to complete the actual finished product, we'll have to record it in a professional studio."
Hearing that, Yui immediately patted her chest in relief before scratching her head with her usual goofy smile.
"Hehe, so that's how it is!"
You're seriously amazing.
Sato looked at Yui in amazement.
Her ability to change expressions was truly something to behold.
The others also let out sighs of relief. Then Mio looked up at Sato and asked,
"Then... when are we going to record?"
"Anytime is fine. Since we've already brought it up, let's do it this weekend. I'll book a recording studio in Chiba. Just make sure everyone's prepared and don't forget."
"Okay!"
Everyone nodded, their faces full of anticipation.
Just then, the young lady who had been busy the whole time nearby walked over with a tray, smiling brightly.
"Here we go! Tea for everyone!"
"Yes! We get to drink Mugi-Mugi's tea again! And there are cookies too!"
Ritsu rolled up her sleeves eagerly, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the snacks on the tray.
Yui raised both hands excitedly.
"I want cookies!"
"You guys, honestly..."
Seeing this, Mio rubbed her forehead with a headache. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the somewhat bewildered look on Sato's face.
"Sato, what's wrong?" she asked softly, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"I mean..."
Sato looked at the cup of black tea in front of him with a complicated expression, as though he wanted to say something but was hesitant.
Meeting everyone's curious gazes, he slowly raised his head.
"Don't you all think you've forgotten something?"
"Huh? Forgotten what? I don't think so. Yui, do you know?"
"Mmph... N-no idea..."
Yui still had her mouth stuffed full of cookies, her muffled voice barely understandable.
Seeing that, Sato's lips twitched. He turned to Mio instead.
"Mio, do you know?"
Mio frowned as she thought for a moment before looking at Sato with a confused expression.
"Here's a hint. Today is the beginning of the new school year."
The new school year...
All of a sudden, Mio seemed to realize something. She abruptly looked up, her entire face turning blank as she muttered,
"The new school year... new students... recruiting?!"
"..."
In an instant, everyone sitting around the table froze.
The next second, they all turned in unison to stare at Ritsu.
Feeling everyone's eyes on her, Ritsu swallowed hard before saying awkwardly,
"W... Why are you all looking at me?"
Mio spoke quietly.
"Ritsu, you're the president of the Light Music Club."
"Ritsu really is unreliable."
"Mhm! Maybe we really should elect a new club president."
"Then let's replace her. Mugi-Mugi, how about you?"
"Huh? I can't do it. Let Sato do it instead!"
"Sato, what do you think?"
"Well..."
Bang!
Ritsu suddenly slammed both hands onto the table. Baring her teeth with an arrogant look, she declared,
"Hey, hey! I'm still the president of the Light Music Club right now! Are you guys planning to betray me?!"
The perfect straight man, Yui, stepped forward with her arms crossed and snorted.
"Hmph! You're only a mere Ritsu. The new president could suppress you with just one hand!"
"Oh?"
Ritsu turned to Sato with an unconvinced expression, raising an eyebrow provocatively.
"Oh? Is that true?"
Sato took a sip of tea. As he set the cup down, he calmly glanced at Ritsu.
"You can come and find out."
"Hmph."
Someone let out a cold laugh. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes as she slowly took a step forward...
Whoosh!
In the very next second, Ritsu suddenly threw herself at Sato's feet with lightning speed, hugging his leg tightly. Looking up at him with tearful eyes, she burst into loud sobs.
"Waaah! Please don't! Don't take my president's position away!"
"It's the only thing I have left now!"
"If I lose this position, how am I supposed to tease Mio anymore?!"
"I'm begging you, please don't take it!"
"Waaah..."
Setting aside Ritsu's dramatic crying for the moment, several things she had just blurted out caught everyone else's attention.
Mio, whose face had already darkened, slowly stood up from her seat and walked behind Ritsu. The eyes hidden beneath her bangs seemed to glow red, making her look like a vengeful spirit.
"Ritsu..."
Her quiet voice sounded like the call of a ghost.
Ritsu instantly sprang upright like a coiled spring. Trembling all over, she looked at Mio and swallowed nervously.
"M... Mio, what's wrong?!"
"Heh."
A chilling laugh echoed through the room.
Then Mio suddenly raised her head, revealing her beautiful face from beneath her dark hair. Gritting her teeth, she glared at Ritsu.
"It seems you just revealed quite a few interesting things."