"So, how's that band you're trying to form coming along?"
"Uh…"
"Still can't find a guitarist?"
"Yeah…"
...
Sitting at an empty table, Ren Suzuki scrolled through his phone while casually listening to the Ijichi sisters chatting nearby.
There wasn't much context, but from their conversation, it was easy to infer that Nijika Ijichi had a dream of forming a band, and her older sister, Seika, seemed supportive.
The problem, however, was with the very first step: finding band members specifically, a guitarist.
"Oh, right!"
Mid-conversation, Nijika suddenly turned to Ren, who was quietly eavesdropping.
"Ren, have you ever played any instruments? Like guitar?"
"Not at all."
Ren shook his head.
Though he had briefly entertained the idea back in high school, he ultimately chose to focus on academics.
"Yeah, figures. It'd be way too convenient if the handsome new part-timer just happened to be a secret guitar prodigy right out of an otome game."
Nijika laughed wryly, as if she'd expected as much.
"I wonder how Ryou is doing "
"I'm back."
Before Nijika could finish, a languid female voice echoed alongside the sound of the door opening.
"And I brought exactly what we need."
Right after that lazy voice, another voice chimed in bright and cheerful.
"Yup! I'm exactly what Ryou-senpai needs!"
...
The exchange was so unexpectedly bold that even the usually calm Ren Suzuki whipped his head toward the entrance in disbelief.
Standing there were two beautiful girls who could easily rival Nijika's charm.
Leading the way was a girl with short, ear-length blue hair, ear piercings, and wired earphones, exuding a cool, laid-back vibe.
Her long bangs covered her right eye, and the left eye visible beneath her fringe carried an unmistakable look of apathy.
Just looking at her screamed "rock."
...
Behind her stood another girl wearing the same school uniform as Ren, with long, flowing red hair.
Unlike the rocker girl, the redhead's style was much more demure. Aside from the slightly curled tips of her hair and the pink plush charm hanging from her bag, she wore no extra accessories.
Yet despite her simplicity, her delicate features and natural, charming gestures made her cuteness shine effortlessly.
...
Wait, now that he looked closer Ren realized he knew her.
"Ah !"
At the same time, the red-haired girl noticed Ren sitting inside the store.
"Good afternoon, Ren!"
"Oh, good afternoon, Kita."
Ren smiled as he returned the wave from the cheerful girl.
"What a coincidence running into you here."
"Yeah! I totally didn't expect to see you here either!"
"Are you here to listen to some live music?"
"Actually, I'm here to check out the job. I'm thinking of working part-time as a server. Today's just to get a feel for the place. If all goes well, I'll probably start tomorrow."
"Oh, that's perfect! You're handsome, polite, and super mature you're basically made for this job!"
"Thanks for the compliment."
The two popular first-years casually chatted as if no one else existed.
Meanwhile, the blue-haired girl had walked down the stairs and joined Nijika.
"...The brightness in here just shot up a few levels. Any idea why?"
"Yeah… when two sunshine-types meet, things just get like this."
Nijika sighed in resignation.
"So, is she the guitarist you found?"
"Yup."
The blue-haired girl nodded.
"Her name's Ikuyo Kita, a first-year at Shuuka High."
"Oh no wonder she knows Ren. They're classmates."
Nijika looked satisfied with the connection, then turned her gaze to the small stage inside the Livehouse.
"But now that we have a guitarist, we can finally take our first real step as a band!"
"Well, time for proper introductions. Hey, Kita!"
The blue-haired girl called out to Ikuyo Kita.
"This is Nijika, the one I told you about. Go say hi."
"Right!"
At the call, Kita immediately snapped to attention and quickly ran over to introduce herself to Nijika.
"...They're shining so brightly."
Watching the three girls standing together, Ren couldn't help but marvel.
"Three people coming together just for the love of music… regardless of the outcome, this moment alone is pure youth."
Compared to them, Hitori Gotoh's school life seemed utterly colorless.
She didn't have friends, nor anyone to talk to.
Even if Ren ignored the whole 'capture' and 'saving the world' mission, as an adult, he genuinely wanted to do something for that lonely girl.
"How can I help her enjoy her youth the way they do..."
"Hey, what's with the deep thinking, you're just a high schooler."
Seika Ijichi passed him a glass of orange juice with a smirk.
"But seriously, seeing these three together, you're pretty tempted to stay, aren't you?"
"I'll admit, I am."
Ren answered frankly, not at all bothered by her teasing.
"Just looking at them is already refreshing. But eye candy isn't everything I still need to actually try working here before I decide."
"Wow, not even three beautiful girls can sway you?" Seika looked genuinely disappointed.
"Fine, enjoy yourself tonight as a guest. I'll be at the counter. Come talk to me anytime if you make up your mind."
"Got it."
Ren nodded, glanced once more at the three girls deep in conversation, then looked back at his phone to research more about Livehouses.
...
"Finally... home."
Back at her house, Hitori Gotoh curled up inside her closet and turned on her recording computer.
The glow from the screen lit up the tiny, enclosed space her personal sanctuary where she felt most at peace.
Here, with the door closed and her headphones on, she could block out the entire world.
[So this place is our shared hiding spot now, huh?]
The words Ren Suzuki had said at lunch replayed in her mind.
Just remembering the gentle expression on his face when he said that made her heart feel like it was electrified.
If they had that conversation here, in this very space
"Ugh?! This spot it's way too cramped for Ren to fit, right?!"
[It makes me really happy. I hope we can continue meeting here, Gotoh-san.]
"Ah?! If it's you, Ren, then I..."
...
"No, no, no! I'm just constantly daydreaming about him now!"
Hitori groaned and grabbed her hair in frustration.
"He's good-looking, his voice is soothing, and he talks to me up close… I can't stop. I literally can't stop!"
God help her a girl who had never even made friends before had zero defense against the opposite sex.
Especially when the one showing her kindness was a top-tier handsome guy she wouldn't even dare to dream about.
How was she supposed to stay calm?
"I feel like I need to vent I need to let it all out!"
Driven by the storm of emotions, Hitori grabbed her guitar and furiously booted up her recording software.
"Today I'll record this one!"
...One hour later...
Just as Nijika was chatting with her bandmates, her phone buzzed with a notification.
[Your followed creator 'Guitar Hero' just posted a new video: 'Can't Stop - Red Hot Chili Peppers']