After parking the car, the two walked into the shop together.
The two were friends of Ijichi Nijika, and Yukinoshita Yukino had even performed on stage, so they could be considered acquaintances.
Ijichi Hoshika, who was at the front desk, saw Tanaka Masao arrive and raised an eyebrow at him, her expression teasing.
She then glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino beside him, her face showing unconcealed schadenfreude.
"Oh, if it isn't Masao. Long time no see."
"Sister Hoshika, long time no see. How's business lately?"
"My business is still the same, but you, kid…"
Ijichi Hoshika had now come over to Tanaka Masao and lightly patted him on the shoulder.
"You've been living quite well lately."
Tanaka Masao felt that she was implying something, but he couldn't quite figure out what she meant at the moment, so he could only nod in agreement.
"It's alright, it's alright."
"Keep it up, I'm rooting for you."
Ijichi Hoshika gave Tanaka Masao a thumbs-up, and then she quietly leaned in close to his ear and whispered.
"But you still need to be a little careful."
After speaking, she waved to the two of them.
"Alright, Nijika and Bocchi-chan are practicing songs in the training room. You can go find them directly."
Tanaka Masao was completely bewildered by Ijichi Hoshika's actions.
What "be careful," "rooting for me," "practicing songs"...
He put these words together and suddenly had an idea. Could it be…
[The four of them are changing clothes in the room right now. If I go over and push the door open, I might trigger a bonus.
Sister Hoshika, you're too good to me. I almost want to offer myself to you.]
Thinking this, Tanaka Masao nodded at Ijichi Hoshika, showed a grateful expression, and then eagerly rushed towards the practice room.
Ijichi Hoshika sat at the bar, chin in hand, the amused smile never leaving her face.
She watched Tanaka Masao's hurried back as he walked towards the performance room, then glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino who was following beside him, and couldn't help but think to herself.
[Masao is really something. Not only does he have such a beautiful girl like Yukinoshita by his side, but now he's also won over Bocchi-chan.
Is he that popular with girls?
But being too much of a playboy isn't good. I just hope he can handle this well and not affect the band or the relationships between them.
Speaking of which, should I subtly remind Nijika not to get too close to Masao, otherwise she might also fall for him?
However, Nijika is a child I watched grow up. I know her well, so there shouldn't be any problems.]
As Ijichi Hoshika thought, her gaze unconsciously fell on the lyrics placed on the table.
It was the song Goto Hitori had written. As the owner of the shop and half a mentor to End Band, she naturally received the band's new song.
She also learned about the song's creative background from Ijichi Nijika.
The moment she saw the lyrics, anyone with eyes could tell what kind of emotions the author was expressing.
[The feelings of a girl in love, huh? When I was young…
It seems I didn't have such feelings. Damn it, why are the younger generation all starting to fall in love, and I can't even meet a good man?
Call Shizuka for a drink.]
...
Tanaka Masao arrived at the door of the performance room and, without any hesitation, pushed it open.
One of the rules of opening doors.
When you know there are beautiful women inside, as long as the door isn't locked, you must push it open without hesitation. There's a chance to trigger a hidden bonus.
Opportunity always goes to the decisive. Hesitation leads to defeat.
Only this time, Lady Luck was clearly not on Tanaka Masao's side.
He pushed the door open but didn't see the scene he wanted. Instead, he felt the atmosphere in the performance room was somewhat strange.
This strange atmosphere intensified quite a bit after he pushed the door open and the people inside focused their gazes on him.
And when Yukinoshita Yukino came in behind him, the strange atmosphere reached its peak.
Tanaka Masao scratched his head, feeling a bit puzzled.
[What's going on? The atmosphere is so strange. Did someone die?]
"Yo, long time no see, everyone. Why don't I see Bocchi-chan? Has she not arrived yet?"
As Tanaka Masao's words fell, the nearby trash can trembled.
...
Time rewound a few minutes.
Goto Hitori eagerly asked everyone for their opinion on her new song and if they were willing to perform it.
Ijichi Nijika and Yamada Ryo, who knew the inside story, both gave noncommittal answers, saying it was very good.
But they forgot to remind Kita Ikuyo, who had joined later and didn't know Tanaka Masao.
And she was a straightforward person, almost immediately speaking up the moment she saw the lyrics.
"Wow, such sweet lyrics! Did Bocchi-chan really write this? Who is this a confession song for?"
"Confession song?"
Hearing Kita Ikuyo's reminder, Goto Hitori finally reacted with a belated understanding.
"That's right! Any normal person would recognize these lyrics as a love confession, wouldn't they?
Say, Bocchi-chan, do you have a crush on a guy, or do you already have a boyfriend?
I never thought that Bocchi-chan, who seems so introverted, would be so bold in love."
As Kita Ikuyo's words came out, it was as if a veil was torn for Goto Hitori, making her brain instantly clear.
She recalled what had happened these past two days.
She had written a song that sounded like a confession, not only showing it to Tanaka Masao himself but also publicizing it everywhere.
How was this any different from announcing to the whole world that she liked Tanaka Masao?
[No wonder I thought everyone's reactions were a bit strange. At the time, I was completely swept away, thinking they were surprised that I could write such a good song.
Now it seems that they weren't surprised by the song, but by my boldness and shamelessness.]
If she could, Goto Hitori would rather not know the truth and continue living under people's strange gazes.
But now, having been exposed and having understood the situation, she completely wished she could die.
Indeed, sometimes being a little clueless isn't a bad thing.
For example, ignoring the hat on your head can avoid many conflicts.
Goto Hitori immediately hid in the trash can, muttering continuously.
"I can't face anyone anymore. I'd rather die."
She was now twisting, deforming, and collapsing. She truly couldn't face anyone.
Seeing her like this, Kita Ikuyo realized she had said the wrong thing.
"Hey, Hitori, what's wrong? Don't scare me."
She cast a pleading look at the other two, but received only helpless shakes of their heads.
Ijichi Nijika and the other person also couldn't do anything about this matter.
Moreover, this couldn't be entirely blamed on Kita Ikuyo, as this matter couldn't be kept a secret forever.
Even if they didn't expose it, Goto Hitori herself would eventually calm down and realize what a shameful thing she had done.
This was just a difference between dying sooner and dying later.
In the end, it all came down to Tanaka Masao's fault.
If he didn't exist, such a troublesome thing wouldn't have happened.