"Oh, Onee-san—!?"
The moment she saw Ijichi Seika, Ijichi Nijika shuddered as if a mouse had spotted a cat, instinctively taking a defensive step backward. Her expression was a picture of guilt.
How could she not feel guilty? She had made all sorts of promises and even performed physical labor to secure this opportunity to perform on stage. Yet now, just as the show was about to start, a crucial band member had abandoned ship! Ijichi Nijika truly lacked the confidence to face her older sister at this moment.
"I am this young lady's older sister." Ijichi Seika handed the shopping bag she was carrying to a staff member who had approached, then gestured with her thumb toward Ijichi Nijika. Turning her gaze to Kasumigaoka Touji, she continued in a firm, businesslike tone, "The program list has already been finalized and cannot be altered. We must maintain a sense of responsibility toward the guests who have come specifically to support us, don't you agree?"
"No problem." Kasumigaoka Touji offered a light shrug. If the manager herself wouldn't permit a shortcut, there was nothing more to be said. After all, this was her establishment, and her word was final.
Ijichi Seika was visibly satisfied with Kasumigaoka Touji's reasonable attitude.
She placed a hand on her hip and turned her attention back to her flustered younger sister. "Nijika, if you want to perform on stage, you need to actually form a functional band. Otherwise, I will have no choice but to revoke your performance eligibility… However, even if your eligibility is revoked, you will still be responsible for completing the agreed-upon household chores. Is that understood?"
"What?! Revoking my slot and still making me do the chores… Isn't that just pure exploitation?" Ijichi Nijika protested, grumbling discontentedly as she shook her small fists in the air.
Ijichi Seika regarded her with a calm, unflinching gaze. "Our original agreement was that you would take on one month's worth of household chores in exchange for me providing your band with a performance opportunity, correct? I upheld my end of the bargain and gave you the opportunity. That you were unable to capitalize on it due to your own circumstances is hardly my fault."
"…That does seem to be the case," Yamada Ryo mumbled under her breath from the side.
Ijichi Nijika immediately whirled on her. "Ryo! Whose side are you on?!"
Yamada Ryo promptly fell silent.
"…In any case, changing the song at this stage is truly impossible! How about this—next time, we'll accompany you and perform your song. How does that sound?" After a moment of visible internal struggle, Ijichi Nijika turned her hopeful, pleading eyes back toward Kasumigaoka Touji.
The most pressing priority now was simply to ensure the band could perform at all. Promising to play his song on a future occasion seemed like a fair compromise. It was the best 'compensation' she could offer under the circumstances…
"Since you've put it that way…" Kasumigaoka Touji decided to give it a try. He stood up from his chair and formally accepted Ijichi Nijika's request. "I'll act as the lead vocalist. Gotou-san will be the guitarist. And I'll need to borrow a guitar… Is that acceptable?"
"No problem at all! We are incredibly, incredibly grateful!" Ijichi Nijika's face instantly lit up with excitement as she looked at Kasumigaoka Touji.
Saved! The performance slot was saved!
"Onee-san, can we borrow a guitar from the shop's inventory?" Ijichi Nijika looked toward Ijichi Seika.
The manager gave a slight, upward tilt of her chin. "Go get it yourself." She then added, a hint of formality entering her voice, "And address me as 'Manager' while we're on the premises."
"Got it, Onee— I mean, Manager! Hitori-chan, let's go."
"Then, I'll head over first." Kasumigaoka Touji glanced at Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kato Megumi.
"Go ahead."
Kasumigaoka Utaha replied, an expression of keen interest coloring her features. She was clearly looking forward to his upcoming performance.
"Kasumigaoka-san, good luck!" Kato Megumi gently clenched a fist in a subtle cheer. Her voice was soft and gentle, like a soothing spring breeze.
Kasumigaoka Touji gave an 'OK' gesture to the two of them, said, "Just watch my performance," and then followed Ijichi Nijika toward 'STARRY's' equipment storage—a small, cramped room.
"Sorry, we only have some… fairly basic equipment here." Ijichi Nijika retrieved a guitar from a wall mount and handed it to Kasumigaoka Touji.
"It's fine. As long as it's functional." Kasumigaoka Touji took the instrument and immediately began tuning it. His swift, practiced movements elicited subtle, approving nods from both Ijichi Nijika and Yamada Ryo—He looks like a seasoned player!
The group then proceeded to the practice room.
Although Gotou Hitori followed them in, the moment she picked up her own guitar to begin practicing, her courage failed her once more. Hesitation and doubt clouded her features.
"Maybe… maybe I really shouldn't? I think going on stage is still too soon for me… I don't believe I can withstand the collective gaze of an audience…"
She began to voice her retreat.
"If you're scared, would you like to hide inside this box?" Yamada Ryo, ever the pragmatist, picked up a nearby cardboard box labeled 'Ripe Mango' and offered it as a solution.
Gotou Hitori blinked, her expression indicating she was willing to give it a try.
Then—
"Ah! Now it feels just like the environment I usually play guitar in!"
A surprised, almost delighted voice emanated from within the box.
Hearing this, Ijichi Nijika couldn't help but retort, "What kind of place do you usually live in!?"
"A… a very ordinary single-family house…"
That's a lie! No ordinary house is like this!
"Alright everyone, let's make Shimokitazawa lively! Oh oh—!"
"She does seem a bit more motivated now."
Yamada Ryo crossed her arms, her free hand coming up to pinch her chin contemplatively as she observed the gently shaking 'Ripe Mango' box, a faint, smug expression on her face.
"Indeed…"
Ijichi Nijika agreed, momentarily stunned, before clapping her hands together to gather everyone's focus. "Anyway, let's start practicing! Time is running out!"
No matter what, they just had to give it their all!
"Okay!"
Kasumigaoka Touji and Yamada Ryo responded, taking their positions. Gotou Hitori, still hugging her guitar, remained securely inside her mango box sanctuary.
The music began—
And in that instant, the world before Ijichi Nijika and Yamada Ryo's eyes seemed to burst into vivid, vibrant color. Their eyes widened in unison as they stared in awe at the young man standing beside the 'Ripe Mango' box, his eyes closed in concentration as he played and sang.
So captivating…!
Whether it was his voice or the sound of his guitar… it was all profoundly captivating!
The music seemed imbued with a life of its own, becoming something vibrant and dynamic…
The young man before them was no longer just the casual acquaintance they had met minutes ago. He had transformed into a leader, a guiding force…
Although this was their very first time playing together, both Ijichi Nijika and Yamada Ryo, who should have been focusing on coordinating with each other, found themselves instinctively synchronizing with Kasumigaoka Touji's rhythm instead.
As for Gotou Hitori, hidden within her mango box—perhaps because of the familiar, enclosed environment, or because she had already practiced the piece once and was aware of her own shortcomings—she, too, remained remarkably calm. She consciously focused on cooperating with the others' tempo.
The song reached its conclusion, the final notes lingering in the air…
Naturally, during the performance, there were minor mistakes—the girls' technical skills weren't flawless, and unexpected hiccups occurred. However, overall, these imperfections did little to diminish the sheer brilliance of what they had just created.
Ijichi Nijika and Yamada Ryo, who had practiced with Gotou Hitori just once before, found it momentarily hard to believe that the cohesive, powerful music they had just produced came from their hastily assembled, temporary band.
"S-Sugoi!"
Ijichi Nijika was both shocked and amazed, her expression resembling that of an awestruck fan as she stared at Kasumigaoka Touji with sparkling eyes.
Too strong!
Too intense!
Far more incredible than she had ever imagined!
Professional…?
No, not just professional… This was the level of a master vocalist and guitarist!
But how had she never heard of someone like him before?
Wait…
That voice… it did sound somewhat familiar. She was sure she had heard it somewhere before. Where was it?
Ijichi Nijika unconsciously began to search her memory, a puzzled frown creasing her brow.