Asakura originally intended to hold the study session at Rabbit House. After all, it was common knowledge that the booths there were just for show—the drinks had such a catastrophic taste that almost no customers chose to dine in; they usually just bought Rabbit Dango or their favorite desserts and left with a takeout bag.
However, considering that a dessert shop didn't seem quite suitable for a study session, he settled for the next best thing and chose Wagnaria as the location.
When Asakura arrived at the family restaurant with the members of the Magic Club, the members of Kessoku Band seemed to have arrived long ago. At that moment, Kita was happily waving toward their group.
"Won't such a large group of people rushing in at once cause trouble for Wagnaria..." Yuigahama whispered from behind Asakura.
"Don't worry about it; it's not like we aren't paying..." Asakura replied, completely unbothered.
After all, back when he first arrived in this world penniless on a winter night, he often frequented 24-hour shops like KFC to leech off the heating while sleeping. By comparison, using a spot in a family restaurant after paying for the drink bar was perfectly normal.
In fact, if one looked closely, they would see that they weren't the only students in Wagnaria cramming for exams at the last minute...
Wagnaria didn't have large round tables, so the group from the Magic Club simply sat in the booths across the aisle from the Kessoku Band members, getting as physically close as possible.
Since the two groups had already met during the School Festival, the only one who actually needed an introduction was the new member, Kita Ikuyo.
Fortunately, Kita Ikuyo was the least stage-frightened member of Kessoku Band and introduced herself gracefully: "Hello everyone, I'm the lead vocal and rhythm guitarist of Kessoku Band. You can just call me Kita".
"Lead vocalist?" Chihaya Anon, who had sensed a kindred spirit in Kita and intended to go over and talk to her, stopped in her tracks.
She looked incredulously at Hitori, who was curled up in the farthest corner of the booth trying to turn herself into an inconspicuous pink slug: "Um, isn't the lead singer of your band Gotoh-san?"
"Ah, because Bocchi-chan can't sing as she pleases for some special reasons, we let Kita take over as lead vocal, though Bocchi-chan still handles the backing vocals..." Nijika explained.
"Does that mean Kita-chan is an exceptionally good singer?" Chihaya Anon followed up hurriedly.
"Mhm, quite outstanding..."
Although Kessoku Band hadn't performed live again since Kita Ikuyo joined, they had had several ensemble rehearsals.
Setting aside her guitar skills for a moment, Kita's singing was much better than the "KTV singer" level she claimed; she was more than capable of being the lead vocal for a girl band.
Chihaya Anon muttered, "But I was here first..." and sat back down, looking completely dejected.
Asakura glanced at the pitiful pink-haired girl.
Speaking of which, during the Sobu High School Festival, she seemed to have entertained the idea of becoming Kessoku Band's lead singer. However, after Hitori gave an all-out performance on the rooftop, she seemed to have been won over by the other's vocal power and abandoned the thought.
Even with the attenuation caused by [Scale], Hitori's [Song] possessed a heart-shaking power—that was why she was called the "Siren Girl" after her brief, stunning appearance at the Founder's Festival. Having been hit by Hitori's "Ultimate" at point-blank range, Anon had naturally suffered a crushing defeat and lost her will to compete.
But because of this, even though Hitori always acted timidly and tremulously, Anon still considered her an unsurpassable lead singer in her heart.
Now, hearing that someone who popped out of nowhere had surpassed the Hitori she held in such high regard to become the lead singer, her sense of loss was understandable.
Asakura wasn't sure how to comfort her in this situation and could only hope the girl would cheer up on her own.
"Hitori, have you ever been to a family restaurant?" Asakura suddenly asked.
"Eh?" The pink slug, startled by the sudden mention of her name, gave a jolt and replied in an ultra-tiny voice: "I-I've been to one before..."
"I don't mean coming to eat with family, but just ordering from the drink bar and killing time in a place like this on your own?" Asakura asked again.
"N-No!"
Just imagining the scene Asakura described made Hitori's face turn pale at a visible rate. She shook her head frantically, her eyes shimmering with tears: "For me, the difficulty is too high..."
"Then come with me..."
Asakura pulled her up from her seat. Ignoring the pleading looks she cast toward the other members of Kessoku Band, he dragged her toward the drink dispensers.
Nijika followed with her cup, a helpless, bitter smile on her face.
One could tell from this who played the "mother role" in Kessoku Band.
"S-So many..."
Looking at the dazzling array of dispensers in the drink area, Hitori felt dizzy: "I can't drink them all, there's no way to drink them all..."
"Anyway, start with this lactic acid-flavored drink as a base..." Asakura commanded skillfully. "Then add some of this carbonated drink to enhance the mouthfeel, and finally pour in some fruit juice to make it more palatable..."
"Oh, okay." Hitori hurriedly followed Asakura's instructions and mixed a drink with a rather peculiar color.
"...And it becomes catastrophically unpalatable..."
"Pugh?!"
"You should have said that before Bocchi-chan drank it!" Nijika complained loudly, slapping her forehead.
"'Collapse'!"
"Don't give something so foul-tasting a name like it's some fancy special blend!"
"'Black Hole'!"
"There's actually a follow-up?!"
"'Nirvana'!"
"The end of the universe?! It's just a nasty drink, don't look over here with that 'How was that!' proud expression! Go save Bocchi-chan instead!"
The "Bugle" (Tongari Corn) cowlick on the blonde girl's head wobbled incessantly.
That said, as long as you don't sprinkle salt on her, a slug won't be defeated that easily.
"I feel like... I just had a very unpleasant dream..." Hitori, having regained consciousness, rubbed her temples and muttered to herself.
"Mixing drinks is still too early for Bocchi..." Yamada Ryo said, patting the seat next to her. "Bocchi should just stay over here".
"Ryo-senpai..." Hitori cast a grateful look toward Yamada Ryo.
C-Could it be that her usual coldness is just an act, and she's actually a kind senior who deeply cares about her band members? the girl thought to herself.
"Now, hand over the potato wedges you ordered".
"..."
As expected, I thought too much of her. (π__π)