Finally done with his self-introduction, Ishikawa Hayabusa let out a breath and smiled faintly.
"By the way, did I interrupt your meal, Goto-san? Sorry if I startled you."
Goto Hitori desperately wanted to nod. Her stomach was already hurting from nerves, but in a mosquito-like voice, she still forced out:"N-No, not at all."
That's what she said aloud—but in her heart she'd already decided: This place is no longer safe. I'll have to find another hiding spot.
"That's good to hear. Actually, I came here on purpose to find you, Goto-san. It took me quite a bit of time."
That bright, cheerful voice didn't put her at ease. If anything, Goto Hitori fell into even deeper panic.
Came here just for me!!?
It was like she could see all the little green dots marking her "safe zones" inside the school suddenly vanishing one after another.No, no, no! Stop that!
"Wh-What is it…?"
Her face crumbled in despair, but Ishikawa Hayabusa could faintly read it: Please don't look at me like that.
Realizing he'd pushed her nerves too far, Ishikawa reined in the playful edge to his tone.
"Actually, I saw you carrying a guitar yesterday… It just so happens my band is short one guitarist. Would you like to join, Goto-san? Aside from me, everyone else is a girl."
Band… a band!!
Goto Hitori snapped her head up.Someone actually invited me!?
This wasn't a dream, was it?
She sneaked a glance at Ishikawa, then immediately turned her eyes away.He… he looks like a decent person. A little scary, but… maybe I should just say yes…
"I-I'll think about it."
With that, she ducked her head again.
I want to die…Why did I say that…
But deep down, she knew the truth.
She wanted to join a band—but for her, meeting new people was simply too difficult. Just the thought of having to greet strangers was enough to freeze her in place.
"Well, if you decide to join, come find me."
Ishikawa looked at the small girl, now bowing her head so low she seemed to shrink even more. She looked so wilted and pitiful that he had to resist the urge to pat her head. Instead, he simply added:
"So this is where you usually eat, huh? It's a bit gloomy, but not bad. I'll come find you here again, okay?"
Seeing her give the tiniest nod, Ishikawa smiled, waved casually, and walked back toward the classroom.
Watching him leave, Goto Hitori realized something with dreadful clarity.
Oh no. Escape is no longer possible.
Her eyes went blank with hopeless despair, like a dead fish floating belly-up.
When classes ended for the day, Ishikawa Hayabusa carried his 35 kilograms of training weights, mulling over how best to reveal to the rest of the band—naturally, of course—that he was a total pervert.
Being a pervert wasn't easy.
Still troubled, he made his way toward Starry.
The warm sunlight bathed everything in gold, the streets glowing with a gentle, youthful energy. Every sound around him brimmed with vitality—it was the kind of moment one never forgot in a lifetime.
In the midst of it, Ishikawa noticed that the chatter among students seemed even livelier than before.
As he absentmindedly looked around, his phone buzzed with a LINE notification.
It was from Ryo.
"Are you coming today?"
Ishikawa unleashed his godlike hand speed and replied instantly:
"You'll see me in front of Starry in exactly 4 minutes 12 seconds."
Perhaps taken aback by his lightning reply, or maybe just surprised by the precision, it took a few seconds before Ryo sent another message.
"No need to rush. Don't wear yourself out."
An… angel. A real angel!!
Ishikawa was moved to tears—though a nagging thought followed. Wait, is Ryo really that considerate?
With a head full of question marks, he quickened his pace toward Starry.
Of course, Ishikawa soon realized he'd gotten emotional way too early.
"It's time you repaid your debt."
Ryo stood there in casual clothes, bass slung across her back, hefting a speaker as she addressed him flatly.
Flash back to ten minutes earlier.
When Ishikawa had arrived at Starry, only Nijika's older sister—the manager—was behind the counter. The other two girls were nowhere in sight.
Strange. Just earlier, Ryo had sounded like she was urging him to hurry over.
Placing his keyboard on a table, Ishikawa asked the manager, Ijichi Seika:"Manager, Nijika and Ryo aren't here yet?"
Seika shot him a glance, her expression frosty—clearly unimpressed with a guy sniffing around her little sister.
"They'll be a bit late."
That was all she offered before turning back to clean the machines with a rag. Then, in an offhand tone, she tossed out another question:"How's your studying going?"
Studying?
Obviously, she wasn't asking about his grades. She meant the keyboard.
As a pervert, Ishikawa could never allow himself to lack confidence.
"I'm very satisfied," he declared proudly.
Even as a beginner, he showed not a shred of humility.
That answer froze Seika for a second before she turned back with a strange little smile, tinged with mockery."Oh? Then show me."
Ishikawa inhaled deeply, puffed out his chest.This is what I was waiting for!
Wait, no. Just one audience member? That wasn't enough to stun a whole room with his brilliance.
Still, Ishikawa would never back down here and let Seika look down on him. Even in an empty space, he would drag passing plankton over just to listen.
"Then please excuse me for borrowing the stage."
Polite words delivered with confidence. He unzipped the keyboard bag, carried it to the stage, and clambered up.
Seika briskly switched on the stage's power supply, deliberately not warning him to use the backstage entrance.
Once the equipment was set, she sat back at a table, chin in hand, watching with amused detachment as Ishikawa fumbled around the stage.
"The spare amp is on the left. Yeah, just plug it in there."
He bumbled about, showing off his inexperience in full view—yet Ishikawa displayed not a hint of embarrassment. Calm as ever, he looked back at her.
"For my performance today, I'll play a piano piece. I put in a lot of work on this yesterday—this is currently my best. Please listen to The Town Where the Wind Dwells."
Seika nodded with indifference. She was mildly curious to see how far a beginner could go, and also a little eager to watch that smug look crumble.
Seeing his lone audience acknowledge him, Ishikawa closed his eyes, centered himself, and gently placed his long fingers on the keys.
The crisp sound of piano echoed from the keyboard, filling the dark, rock-tinged live house with a breeze-like melody.
It was a song Ishikawa had always loved. He'd listened to it countless times before. So the moment he learned how to play, he chose it without hesitation.
The performance wasn't smooth. The melody stumbled here and there, like the wind tripping as it wandered the streets—but Ishikawa didn't mind at all. He pressed forward without hesitation.
He showed no fear, no doubt, no faltering. If anything, it felt as though the piece was meant to be played this way.
Seika slowly sat up straight.
Music carried emotion. A live performance revealed the performer's heart.
Even flawed playing could convey conviction.
At first, she was startled—this was a level that usually took a month or two to reach. But then she remembered he had a younger sister who played piano. Maybe his household had a strong musical background. That would explain it.
But then she noticed something else.
Every note he played carried an unshakable determination. Even when he slipped up, his hands never wavered.
That kind of iron will didn't come from years of practice. It came from within.
This guy's inner strength was abnormal.
When he finished, Ishikawa smiled and gave a little bow. Then, before Seika could stop him, he yanked the plug out of the amp.
"Wait—!"
"Huh?" Ishikawa blinked as he pulled the cable free.
BOOM!!
A thunderous crack exploded right in front of him.
By the time Nijika arrived, the sight that greeted her was Ishikawa sitting miserably at a back table, clutching his ringing ears—while her sister stifled laughter behind the counter.
What on earth happened here?
But Nijika didn't dwell on it. She beamed and greeted him cheerfully.
"Hayabusa-kun, ready?"
Still dazed from the ringing, Ishikawa looked up in confusion at the two girls in casual clothes."Ready for what?"
Nijika blinked, then turned to Ryo, but Ryo just walked past calmly, placing the amp in front of Ishikawa.
"It's time you repaid your debt."
"…???"
Seeing Ishikawa's utterly clueless face, along with Ryo's sly grin, Nijika quickly pieced it together. Now she understood why Ryo had volunteered to notify him herself.
"Hayabusa-kun, show me the message Ryo sent you just now."
Obligingly, Ishikawa took out his phone—but Ryo stopped him with a firm hand."No."
With that, and a glance at the amp on the floor, Ishikawa realized the truth.
Yep. He'd been tricked into hauling equipment.
Nijika narrowed her eyes at Ryo, looking fierce—but Ryo wasn't fazed at all. Finally, Nijika drooped her head in frustration, clearly unable to win against her.
She turned to Ishikawa in a rush to explain."Today we wanted you to see what our band is like, so Ryo and I are doing a little street performance. You should watch too!"
"And you'll carry the gear," Ryo added.
"I'll carry my own stuff!"
Nijika snapped, stomping over to snatch the amp back and shove it angrily into Ryo's arms.
They're putting on a special performance… just for me?
Wife material!!
Ishikawa shot to his feet, standing tall and resolute like a steel tower."Ishikawa Hayabusa, maximum load 73.2 kg, capable of sustained operation for 156 minutes—reporting for duty!"
"Good work," Ryo replied, giving him a satisfied thumbs-up.
"Hayabusa-kun, don't just go along with her!!"
Nijika nearly burst into tears, shouting in protest. Seeing Ishikawa stand there completely unmoved, she whirled on Ryo instead."Ryo, cut it out already!!"
She shook Ryo by the shoulders desperately, but Ryo only smirked, letting herself be rocked back and forth.
From behind the counter, Seika could only stare dumbfounded at the scene—at the straight-backed figure of Ishikawa standing proudly beside them.
Human?
Pervert Intensity: 50%