"Hello, this is Naoki Gotoh speaking."
"Good evening, Mr. Gotoh. My name is Ren Suzuki. I'm your daughter Hitori's classmate. She probably mentioned I'd be contacting you tonight."
"Ah "
That name it was the boy who sent Hitori that 'See you tomorrow' message!
Thank goodness… so he really does exist and isn't just a figment of her imagination.
But more importantly, this kid's way of speaking sounds so mature, and his voice is really pleasant too! According to Hitori, he's also the most popular boy in their class…
For a boy like that to actually take an interest in my daughter maybe we really do need to cook celebratory red bean rice after all!
"Um… Mr. Gotoh? May I "
"Ah, yes, she did mention it to me."
Realizing he'd zoned out for a moment, Naoki Gotoh quickly regained his composure. While answering, he glanced over at his daughter, who was nervously curled up on the living room sofa, her anxious eyes fixed on him.
"She said that you wanted to discuss her joining a band…"
"Yes, that's correct."
Ren confirmed directly.
"I just felt that Gotoh-san herself wouldn't be able to explain the situation properly, so I thought it would be better if I explained it on her behalf."
"I see."
Naoki chuckled softly.
"My daughter can be a little tongue-tied sometimes… Alright then, please go ahead and explain."
"Thank you."
…One Hour Earlier…
"Eh?! Seriously?!"
Nijika Ijichi practically shouted in surprise.
"You really know that Guitar Hero?!"
"Yeah, I do. No question about it."
Seeing Nijika's sparkling eyes, filled with excitement and curiosity, Ren Suzuki let out a small sigh.
"But the real Guitar Hero… might be a little different from what you're imagining."
"Eh? What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, well… she's actually "
Ren began explaining Hitori Gotoh's level of social anxiety and her rather lonely school life.
As Nijika listened, her expression gradually shifted from shock to thoughtful contemplation.
"So, you're saying… even though she's really good at guitar and honestly quite cute, she completely fails to recognize her own strengths, and even thinks of herself as worthless?"
"Pretty weird, right?"
"Yeah, pretty weird."
Even as a fan, Nijika couldn't help but say that.
"But more importantly, Suzuki-kun, the fact you're suddenly bringing her up… you probably have another reason, right?"
"Yeah."
Ren nodded.
"The truth is, Guitar Hero really wants to join a band. But like I just told you, her social anxiety is so bad that she has no chance of meeting other musicians. So I was wondering if you'd be open to letting her join your all-girls high school band "
"I agree!"
"…I wasn't even finished explaining yet."
Ren was slightly taken aback by how fast she jumped to agree.
"Well, anyway, I'll take that as your official answer. I'll confirm everything after I've spoken to her parents."
"Sounds good!"
Nijika nodded with a bright smile, but soon, another question bubbled up in her mind.
"By the way, Suzuki-kun, what's your relationship with Guitar Hero?"
"Hmm… let me think."
Ren paused for a moment, then answered.
"We're classmates who, due to a few coincidences, have gradually become closer."
"Eh? There's no way it's that simple."
Nijika waved her hand dismissively.
"If you were just regular classmates, you wouldn't go this far to connect her to a band, let alone speak directly to her parents."
"…Well, you've got a point."
Realizing 'classmates' wouldn't cut it, Ren thought for a second before saying:
"I guess you could say… I'm just someone who can't stop worrying about her and ends up sticking my nose into her business."
"Even if you call it 'sticking your nose in'… Hmm "
Nijika didn't seem entirely satisfied with that phrasing.
From her perspective, everything Ren was doing for Guitar Hero already went far beyond what an ordinary friend would do.
Wait a second… could it be…
"Ah? Ahhhh?"
As if she'd suddenly realized something, Nijika's eyes widened in understanding. She immediately turned her gaze back to Ren, this time looking at him with a knowing, teasing expression.
"Okay, I get it. In any case, I totally agree to let Guitar Hero join our band. When you talk to her later, you can say it was all thanks to your strong recommendation, okay?"
"…Why?"
"Wouldn't that make it seem like you went the extra mile for her?"
"I feel like I've already gone pretty far as it is…"
"Meeting her parents is a big deal! You need to show even more effort!"
"I really don't think that's necessary…"
"Of course it is! First impressions are super important, Suzuki-kun! Even someone as handsome as you has to be extra careful when meeting the girl's parents!"
"…"
…Present Time…
"Well, that's basically the situation."
Recalling Nijika's overly enthusiastic reaction, Ren discreetly wiped a bit of cold sweat from his forehead.
"The band was recently formed by second-year students from Shimokitazawa High. They've got a drummer, a bassist, and a guitarist. Their practice space is at the STARRY Livehouse in Shimokitazawa. Since they haven't done much rehearsal yet, I can't fully vouch for their skill level, but either way, I think it's a valuable opportunity for Gotoh-san to try something new."
"I see."
Now that he understood the band's details, Naoki Gotoh's initial bewilderment faded, replaced by serious consideration.
"So what you're hoping for is to give Hitori the chance to fulfill her dream of joining a band, and help her grow past her self-isolation?"
"Exactly."
Ren answered firmly.
"From my perspective, Hitori-san has both the potential and the charm to be well-liked. All she really needs is an opportunity to recognize and prove her own worth. And I think this all-girl high school band is the best opportunity I could find for her."
"…"
Naoki Gotoh's feelings were perfectly aligned with Ren's.
In truth, both he and his wife had always believed their daughter was cute and talented. But she never believed it herself. And as family, there was only so much they could do to provide the objective environment she needed to realize it.
Now, Ren Suzuki had placed this perfect opportunity right in front of them. As a father, he genuinely wanted to accept immediately and offer his full support for his daughter's band activities.
But before he could do that, there was one thing he absolutely had to confirm.
After a brief pause, Naoki moved the phone slightly to the side and turned to his daughter on the sofa.
"Hitori, what do you want to do?"
"I I'll do whatever you and Suzuki-kun think is best…"
"That's not an acceptable answer."
Naoki shook his head.
"You're the one who would be joining this band not me, and not Suzuki-kun. You have to really think about this and answer for yourself."
"…"
This was the first time anyone had ever asked Hitori Gotoh about her own intentions.
For a girl who had spent all her free time since middle school practicing guitar, she'd rarely encountered moments where she needed to make an actual decision.
With her fragile mindset and undeveloped sense of self, she still subconsciously believed she hadn't graduated middle school at all.
But now, facing her father's serious gaze, and the silent attention from Ren on the other end of the line…
Aside from the nervousness and the overwhelming sense of pressure, this was the first time she truly felt that she was now a high school student.
"I… I want to join… the band Suzuki-kun told me about."
"I see."
Hearing his daughter's answer halting but without a trace of hesitation Naoki Gotoh smiled softly.
"Understood. In that case, Suzuki-kun, please let Hitori join the band."
"…Got it."
Receiving Naoki Gotoh's final approval, Ren finally relaxed.
"I'll let them know right away."
"Thank you for everything."
With Hitori Gotoh's own decision, the matter was settled.
And just like that, the once self-isolating, painfully shy Hitori Gotoh officially became a soon-to-be band member.