Sato quickly changed into his clothes in the changing room downstairs. The peak rush had already passed, so there were hardly any people left inside.
After changing, he met up with everyone downstairs.
He had to admit that after Yamanaka Sawako's alterations, the outfit had become much easier to move around in. There wasn't the slightest feeling of restriction.
"Ui!"
As soon as he reached the first floor, Sato spotted the others. He walked over and waved at Hirasawa Ui, who had carried his guitar downstairs for him.
Everyone's eyes shimmered as they looked at him.
What surprised him, however, was that Hirasawa Ui didn't react at all. She simply stared at him blankly.
"Ui?"
Confused, Sato stepped in front of her and waved a hand in front of her eyes.
What's wrong?
"S-Senpai! Here's your guitar. Let me carry your clothes for you."
Hirasawa Ui suddenly snapped back to her senses. She hurriedly handed him the guitar, then quickly took the clothes he was carrying before lowering her head in flustered embarrassment.
"Hehe."
A mischievous grin spread across Ritsu's face as she sidled up to the bright red Hirasawa Ui.
"Ui, why's your face so red?"
"Huh? I-Is it?"
Hirasawa Ui touched her burning cheeks.
Ritsu chuckled.
"Of course it is. You're so red you look ready to eat. Did you get embarrassed when you saw how Sato looks now?"
As she spoke, she glanced toward Sato.
Following Ritsu's gaze, Hirasawa Ui looked over as well. The moment her eyes met Sato's, she immediately lowered her head in embarrassment.
"N-No way!"
"Hahaha! Ui, stop pretending. There's nothing to be embarrassed about!"
Sato couldn't stand watching anymore. After looking around to see if there was any open space left, he helplessly said to Ritsu,
"Alright, Ritsu, quit teasing Ui. Let's hurry and find a place to set up."
"Fine."
...
By this time, all the good spots beneath the club building had already been claimed by the clubs that arrived earlier. Recruitment booths lined both sides of the walkway, packed tightly together.
At a Private Mixed High School with more than fifty clubs, every new student was a precious resource. There were simply too many clubs competing for too few recruits, and every year several clubs faced disbandment because they couldn't attract enough members.
If Ritsu hadn't inherited the Light Music Club last year, it might have already become history.
"That senpai over there is so handsome!"
"So cute!"
"What club is this? Does our school have a maid club?"
"Why are they all carrying instruments?"
"So what club are they actually from?"
As they walked, their outfits attracted plenty of attention. The surrounding chatter was clearly audible to everyone in the Light Music Club.
Mio lowered her head like an ostrich hiding itself in the crowd, her face crimson as she didn't dare look at anyone around her.
"Sigh, there aren't any good spots left."
After looking around for a while, Ritsu couldn't help sighing.
"We came too late."
Sato frowned as well.
Everywhere he looked was filled with booths from various clubs. The area was packed so tightly there wasn't the slightest bit of open space.
"Nohara!"
Just then, someone suddenly called out to him.
Sato turned around, surprise flashing across his face, but he still greeted the newcomer.
"Long time no see, Hayama."
The person approaching was none other than Hayama Hayato, captain of the Private Mixed High School's soccer club and the blond heartthrob who was popular across every grade.
A whole group followed behind him, all members of his popular social circle. Among them was even Yuigahama Yui, whom Sato hadn't seen for several days.
Without exception, however, they all looked at Sato with expressions of astonishment and disbelief.
"Nohara-kun, you look so handsome today!"
Yuigahama Yui stared blankly at him, offering the compliment without hesitation.
"Thanks."
Sato thanked her politely.
"Oh no! Oh no! Hayato, your title as the school's number one heartthrob is in danger!"
Someone behind Hayama exaggerated dramatically.
Hayama Hayato smiled helplessly and turned around.
"Tobe, don't just make things up. Since when has there ever been a ranking like that?"
After saying that, he turned back to Sato. His eyes swept over the girls standing behind him, a hint of admiration flashing through them before he asked,
"So what are you all doing?"
Although Sato and Hayama Hayato weren't particularly close, they were still acquaintances and had never had any issues with each other.
Since Hayama had asked, Sato shrugged helplessly.
"We're here for club recruitment, of course. But we got here too late, so there aren't any good spots left."
"I see."
Hayama rubbed his chin thoughtfully before his eyes suddenly lit up.
"How about this? You can use our soccer club's spot. We've already recruited quite a few new members this year, and everyone who wanted to join has probably already come. There's not much point in staying here any longer."
Hearing that, Sato couldn't help pausing.
He suddenly remembered Hayama Hayato's reputation as the nicest guy around.
It seemed that while people could get someone's name wrong, they rarely got their nickname wrong.
"Are you sure that's okay?"
"Of course."
Hayama smiled.
"We've been sitting here all day without much to show for it. We might as well let the Light Music Club use the space instead. I still vividly remember your performance last time, and I'd like to see the Light Music Club recruit even more members."
Just listen to that.
What a perfectly worded speech. It was genuinely pleasant to hear.
He really lived up to his reputation.
Sato couldn't help feeling a little impressed.
"In that case, thank you very much."
He didn't bother refusing. The Light Music Club really did need a place like this.
"Then come with me. I'll go let them know. Tobe, you guys wait here for a bit."
"Got it!"
...
"Yumiko, what are you looking at?"
Ebina Hina suddenly leaned over and blocked Miura Yumiko's line of sight, asking curiously.
"N-Nothing."
Miura Yumiko's face reddened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure, once again carrying herself with the calm pride of a queen.
Ebina Hina eyed her suspiciously before turning to look in the direction Yumiko had been staring.
A long, understanding "Ooooh..." immediately escaped her lips.
She then looked at Miura Yumiko with a meaningful smile.
"I get it."
Miura Yumiko's heart skipped a beat.
The next second, Ebina Hina excitedly leaned in close.
"You also think those two look great together, don't you? So who do you think is the top and who's the bottom?! I used to think Hayama was definitely the top, but now I think that Nohara's even more of a top. Hayama should be the bottom. What do you think?!"
Miura Yumiko: "..."