Ijichi Nijika gently bit her lip, considering how to compensate Tanaka Masao, when she suddenly felt movement beside her.
She turned her head and saw Yamada Ryo, who was tiptoeing, trying to leave.
"Ryo, what are you doing?"
"I've been discovered!"
Yamada Ryo's first reaction upon being discovered wasn't shame, but to run away.
However, as a long-time friend, Ijichi Nijika clearly understood her well and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
"Ryo~"
Losing her ability to resist, Yamada Ryo could only lower her head in resignation and said, somewhat helplessly, "It feels like it's going to be a lot of trouble, so…"
"So you were just going to abandon me and run away? Come on, take responsibility with me!"
Ijichi Nijika was a little angry at Yamada Ryo's disloyalty; after all, it seemed her misunderstanding was due to Ryo's guidance.
A slightly angry Ijichi Nijika reached directly into Yamada Ryo's pocket and, under Ryo's horrified gaze, pulled out her wallet.
"Nijika, what are you doing? Stop it, stop it now!"
With her wallet taken, Yamada Ryo visibly panicked; taking her money was worse than taking her life.
"Here, take it back."
Ijichi Nijika took all the money out of the wallet, then ruthlessly threw the empty wallet back.
"No! No! My little money!"
Yamada Ryo held her now-flat wallet, utterly devastated.
But Ijichi Nijika didn't have time for her now; she also took out all the money from her own wallet.
"This is all the compensation I can offer. If it's still not enough, you can find me at LiveHouse [STARRY] in Shimokitazawa; I work there."
"Well… that's not necessary. You… you just need to…"
Tanaka Masao originally wanted to gain some benefits for himself, but he really couldn't control his emotions.
[It seems I'm still too naive, not very good at deceiving people.
Quick, think of something sad…]
The more Tanaka Masao forced himself to think of sad things, the more he couldn't stop himself from thinking of happy things.
[Just thinking about how I can use Nijika's guilt, I can do this and that, I just…]
"Cough, cough, haha… I'm… I'm sorry, I choked. Shall we start over?"
Looking at Tanaka Masao's endearing (lewd and evil) smile and clear, innocent eyes (sorry, the lens reflection obscured his eyes).
Ijichi Nijika also realized that she had been tricked, but she wasn't angry; instead, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Because someone who dares to joke about their own appearance is usually easy to get along with.
Yamada Ryo also complained, "Seriously, you made me so worried, I thought I had done something unforgivable."
"Exactly, you almost made my money leave my wallet."
She said this while taking the money from Ijichi Nijika's hand, a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes.
"Ryo, you took too much; some of that is mine."
"Oh, we're good friends. Why be so clear about what's yours and what's mine?"
"Of course we need to be clear."
Ijichi Nijika took the money back and pulled out a few banknotes.
"Here, this is yours."
Yamada Ryo took her money with some regret, not having managed to earn a little more from Ijichi Nijika.
Tanaka Masao scratched his head and said, a little embarrassed, "Hehe, I've wanted to try the power of this trick for a long time. It seems quite effective now, but this trick only works on kind-hearted people."
This sentence completely dispelled the slight resentment the two women felt about being played.
There was nothing they could do; after all, he praised them for being beautiful and kind. Since he said that, what else could they do but choose to forgive him?
Tanaka Masao: I only said kind-hearted. When did I say beautiful?
Ijichi Nijika & Yamada Ryo: Aren't those two words always put together? Saying one means saying both.
The atmosphere between them became more relaxed. Ijichi Nijika, being an outgoing and enthusiastic person, was the first to introduce herself.
"I'm Ijichi Nijika, a second-year student at Shimokitazawa University. I love Music and I'm a drummer."
As she spoke, she made a drumming motion.
Putting the money back in her wallet, Yamada Ryo reverted to her cool demeanor.
"Yamada Ryo, a second-year student at Shimokitazawa University, bassist."
"Tanaka Masao, a first-year student at Sobu University. I like drawing."
Hearing Tanaka Masao's introduction, Ijichi Nijika was a little surprised.
"Oh, you like drawing? I saw a guitar next to you, so I thought you were a guitarist."
"The guitar isn't mine; it's hers."
Tanaka Masao pointed to Goto Hitori, who was hiding behind him.
Being watched by the three, suddenly becoming the center of attention, Goto Hitori was a little nervous. She slightly turned her head away, avoiding their gaze, and said in a low voice, "Goto Hitori, a first-year student at Shuka University, good at playing the guitar."
Hearing that Goto Hitori was good at playing the guitar, Ijichi Nijika's eyes instantly lit up.
"Hitori, have you joined any bands?"
[Oh, is the conversation still going to be about me?]
Goto Hitori could only brace herself and continue, "Not yet."
Hearing that Goto Hitori hadn't joined a band yet, Ijichi Nijika's eyes grew even more excited.
"Well, actually, I'm currently forming a band. The current members are me as the drummer, Ryo as the bassist, and one person as the vocalist and guitarist.
If you don't mind, would you like to join our band?"
[So dazzling.]
Facing Ijichi Nijika's band invitation, Goto Hitori felt as if she was bathed in sunlight, feeling a little happy.
[Ah, finally, have I finally waited for this day? Accepting an invitation, joining a band, and from now on, becoming dazzling.]
However, whether it was because she was too happy or because she had been socially anxious for too long, Goto Hitori didn't respond immediately.
At this moment, Yamada Ryo, who was beside her, reminded, "We're almost at the station."
Their two homes were very close to the school, only two train stops away, and they were almost there.
Seeing Goto Hitori hesitate, Ijichi Nijika had no choice but to say, "Alright then, Hitori, let's exchange contact information. Tanaka-kun, you too."
After a short while exchanging contact information, the train arrived at the station. Ijichi Nijika and her friend got off and waved goodbye to the two.
"Goodbye! Hitori, if you agree to join, contact me!"
"Goodbye."
"Good…bye…"