"So, where are we going now?"
Tanaka Masao cast his gaze towards Goto Hitori.
Goto Hitori shook her head.
"I don't know. Nijika just told me to wait for her in front of the station. She said she'd come over once she finished with school matters."
"Oh, Nijika, you're already calling her so intimately even though you just met."
Tanaka Masao raised an eyebrow, teasing her.
Goto Hitori, who hadn't felt anything before, inexplicably felt a sense of shame upon hearing Tanaka Masao's words. Her face turned bright red, and she stammered in defense.
"It's… it's not that intimate. It's… it's just a very common way to address someone."
"A common way to address someone? Then Bocchi-chan, why don't you just call me Masao…?"
Tanaka Masao's words were cut short as he felt a gaze that was like looking at trash.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood with her arms crossed, her eyes filled with considerable disdain, as if to say:
"Tanaka-kin, is bullying poor, weak, and helpless girls really that fun?"
Tanaka Masao: Of course it's fun.
Because there were other people present, and for the sake of his "honest and kind," "pure and flawless" image, Tanaka Masao decided to rein himself in and stop teasing Goto Hitori.
When there were no other people, and the two of them were alone, that would be his time to do as he pleased.
He cleared his throat, covering his embarrassment, and asked,
"Bocchi-chan, have you contacted Ijichi and them?"
Goto Hitori shook her head.
Tanaka Masao pinched his chin, saying with some uncertainty,
"You didn't just come straight here without even replying to her invitation, did you?"
Goto Hitori tugged at the strap of her shoulder bag, complaining with some displeasure,
"Tanaka, really! Even though I'm not very smart and not good at socializing, I still understand such simple things. Of course, I agreed before coming."
The actual situation was that after Ijichi Nijika sent the message, Goto Hitori's brain temporarily froze, and she didn't know how to reply.
The other party, not receiving a reply, did not give up, but instead repeatedly pleaded.
Seeing the other party's persistence, Goto Hitori, in her haste, had no choice but to send a "Okay" as a reply.
"But no matter what, I did agree before coming. I'm not a useless person who can't even reply."
Tanaka Masao nodded.
"It's fine if you replied. Now you can send her a message to say you've arrived."
"Ah, okay."
Goto Hitori took out her phone and started editing a message. In real life, she was timid, but online, she was a fierce fighter, so sending a message wasn't a big problem for her.
After she sent the message, the other party replied almost instantly.
"Nijika said she was delayed a bit and is already on the train. She'll be here in one more stop."
After speaking, Goto Hitori fell silent again, not knowing what to say.
However, her gaze kept subtly glancing at Yukinoshita Yukino.
Goto Hitori thought she was being very discreet, but in reality, any normal person could notice her furtive behavior.
Yukinoshita Yukino felt a bit helpless. If it were Tanaka Masao, she would have directly used her sharp tongue.
But the other person was a somewhat timid girl, and after thinking about it, if she pointed it out in public, the other party would surely be quite embarrassed. She decided to pretend she saw nothing.
But this sense of déjà vu…
"No wonder the two of them can be friends. They really do have some similarities in certain aspects."
The group only waited a few minutes when a figure with a golden ponytail rushed out of the station.
"Sorry, Bocchi-chan, I made you wait."
"No… it wasn't a very long wait."
"As expected, Nijika is a bit too enthusiastic. I can't handle it."
Ijichi Nijika now noticed the others and greeted them.
"Hello, Tanaka-kun. And these two are?"
Tanaka Masao acted as an intermediary again, introducing them to each other.
"Hello, Hiratsuka-sensei, Yukinoshita Classmate!"
Compared to the introverted Goto Hitori, Ijichi Nijika was much more enthusiastic, actively greeting and asking questions.
"Do you two like Music? Do you play any instruments, and would you like to join the band I formed?"
Tanaka Masao: Hmm, why does Nijika invite everyone she meets? She didn't invite me, though. Damn it, is she trying to start a harem right in front of me? I won't allow it. It won't do without me.
Hiratsuka Shizuka: Oh, it's been a long time since I've met such an enthusiastic and sunny student. Students should be like this. The Yangino and Yukino I meet are completely abnormal.
Yukinoshita Yukino: She has an enthusiastic and outgoing personality. I'm not very good at dealing with that.
Goto Hitori: Huh, so for Nijika, I'm not special? Anyone can join the band? Nijika, you're too much, you're playing with my feelings, you scumbag, boo hoo hoo…
Ijichi Nijika: Bocchi-chan, don't say that. I'm not a scumbag. I'm just enthusiastic towards everyone. Like the sun, I have to shine on everyone.