"Pervert…"
Bocchi didn't understand why someone as pure and sincere as Ishikawa-kun would call himself a Pervert.
She couldn't determine her feelings for Hayato at that moment, and instead tried to understand Hayato as a person.
After returning home, she opened her computer in confusion to search.
The definition and explanation of a Pervert.
Finally, among the overwhelming number of negative explanations, she found one.
"To change from one's original form into an abnormal state."
"Change… state, Pervert?"
She blinked uncertainly…
After Hayato arrived at STARRY, he saw three people chatting happily at a table, and PA-san and Manager Hoshika busy working.
People's joys and sorrows are not interconnected; they laughed, they were busy.
Manager Hoshika was working overtime, looking pitiful, her gaze frequently turning towards Nijika, who was happily chatting at the table.
Noticing her sister's gaze, but feeling too awkward to abandon the new member, Nijika could only clasp her hands together at her waist, out of Kita's sight, and desperately plead.
Seika stopped several times, wanting Nijika to start working, but because of Nijika's pleas, she continued to work hard with her head down.
What a particularly interesting scene to observe.
Hayato had an urge to take a picture of this scene.
But if he did that, Manager Hoshika would definitely make him die a rhythmic death.
After a short while.
Hayato saw that no one had noticed his arrival, and as a Pervert, how could he tolerate such a thing?
He unhesitatingly leaped down from the seven steps, landing like Iron Man.
"The Pervert has arrived!"
Nijika heard the long-awaited savior's voice, looked over in surprise, and then stood up very naturally.
"Ah, Hayato-kun, you're just in time; Kita-chan also plans to join our Band."
Kita, sitting in her seat, heard the familiar voice behind her, lowered her head and flinched, then immediately turned around and greeted Hayato with some embarrassment.
"Ishikawa-kun, hello."
"Mm, welcome."
Hayato smiled, showing his attitude, but he didn't appear overly intimate. He then spoke to Ryo, who seemed bored next to him.
"Ryo-senpai! Look at my growth today."
Seeing him like this, Kita immediately breathed a sigh of relief, after all, what she had done before was a bit too obvious.
Seeing that he either didn't care or didn't notice, she immediately relaxed and felt at ease.
But hearing Hayato directly call out Ryo-senpai as soon as he arrived, she became a little nervous, her gaze shifting between the two of them.
"Okay."
Ryo perked up a bit.
"I, I want to watch too."
Kita quickly followed up, then stood up, afraid the two would sneak away.
"Great, then I'll go help my sister, and then we can play."
Nijika clapped her hands in relief, then awkwardly took a few steps back with her hands behind her back, before immediately turning and running towards Seika.
"Then, let's go."
Hayato said, pulling out a synthesizer from somewhere.
Eh, eh, eh!
Where did that come from!?
Kita was dumbfounded; she hadn't seen Hayato carrying his keyboard at all just now.
Kita, doubting her life, looked to the side and saw Ryo with a serious expression.
"That's truly remarkable."
Hearing that Ryo's direction of surprise was completely different from hers, and even having an expression as if this were normal in the world, Kita was stunned.
Noticing Kita's expression, Ryo's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then she explained.
"This is the state of a master performer, where the person and instrument become one. Most excellent performers can achieve it, but it's very difficult. Even I can only do it when my emotions are strong."
Hmm?
Kita, who had lived for 15 years, had doubts about the world. Is this a normal world?
But… Ryo-senpai actually said so much!
Today is too wonderful!
Since Ryo-senpai said it, it must be true. This world has magic!
Kita updated her worldview without hesitation.
Following the two into the rehearsal room, Kita observed everything with great interest.
On the shelf were tuners whose use she couldn't discern, various brands and models of amplifiers piled in the corner, music stands thrown in a corner, and a large drum kit.
The walls looked fuzzy, were they made of some special material? They seemed a bit like movie theater walls.
Is this a Band? It feels so professional.
She kept her mouth tightly shut, not letting out a hint of surprise, while slowly surveying her surroundings, appearing as if she were giving a critique.
Ryo-senpai only paid attention to her for a moment before her gaze shifted to Hayato, who was getting ready.
He plugged in all the power amplifiers and then turned on the synthesizer.
"MUSIC ON."
..."Then, Big Sister, I'm going to check on Ryo-senpai and the others."
After spending a long time finishing her tasks, Nijika noticed that Hayato and the others still hadn't come out of the rehearsal room, and she couldn't help but worry.
She waved to Manager Hoshika and hurried towards the rehearsal room.
"Ticket sales will start soon."
Manager Hoshika reminded her.
"I know!"
Nijika said without turning around, her steps unwavering.
Despite Ryo-senpai's seemingly lazy demeanor, when she teaches seriously, she is incredibly merciless. Hayato-kun is also straightforward and will likely listen to whatever is said. Kita's personality is still unknown, but she seems to greatly admire Ryo-senpai.
In other words, the rehearsal room at this moment was Ryo-senpai's domain.
She prepared herself mentally before entering.
She opened the door.
She saw Hayato playing the keyboard, and two people leaning against the wall with their arms crossed, trying to look cool.
Alright, it wasn't too scary.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
It's just... wasn't Hayato-kun's keyboard playing even more noticeably amazing?
Ryo-senpai, leaning against the wall, heard a discordant sound in the room. She slowly opened her eyes and looked towards the doorway.
Seeing Nijika stunned at the door in surprise, she walked over.
She patted Nijika's shoulder.
"This kid is a genius, no, a Pervert."
Having received Ryo-senpai's endorsement of his skill, Hayato gave a thumbs-up with a brilliant smile, but the movements of his other hand instantly became demonic, flashing across the keyboard like afterimages... "The liberation of humanity will bring about physical and spiritual transcendence. Every advancement in human society is based on the liberation of the human heart."
"In other words, as an existence with completely liberated thoughts, a Pervert is invincible."
"The ultimate form of humanity is a Pervert! There is no doubt about it!"
Hayato, like a preacher, spread his arms wide and, with a sacred expression, propagated his Pervert philosophy to the three girls and two adult women.
However, it was clear that no one understood him.
Everyone wore an awkward expression that said, 'What you're saying sounds impressive, but I won't go down that evil path.'
"Uh, ah, um! We understand why Hayato-kun is so amazing, please sit down."
Nijika pondered for a moment, then reorganized her thoughts and invited Hayato to sit back down.
Hayato returned to his seat. He looked at the others; Ryo-senpai and Kita-chan were deep in thought, while Nijika seemed quite happy.
Nijika clapped her hands softly, reminding the two to snap out of it, then said,
"Now that Hayato-kun has the skill to perform on stage, Ryo-senpai and I are also fine, and Kita-chan is an experienced Guitarist..."
With an expression of long-awaited anticipation, she excitedly pressed down on the table and leaned forward.
"I'll go ask Big Sister to let us perform on stage!"
Kita, who hadn't yet recovered from Hayato's incredible skill and his nonsensical reasoning, subconsciously agreed.
"Hmm."
Hmm?
What did she just agree to?
Perform?
When?
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!!!
"I have no problem."
Ryo-senpai still had a calm, unruffled expression, but a slight quickening in her voice suggested a hint of interest.
Ryo-senpai!!
Kita was about to cry. Even she knew that learning the Guitar wasn't something one could master in a short time; she couldn't possibly go on stage so soon.
Someone save her, she'd do anything! A god, please!
But the last member of the Band completely disregarded Kita's inner turmoil and spoke with a smile.
"Let's go, Pervert!"
Kita's heart had already died.
"Then I'll go ask Big Sister."
Nijika stood up with a radiant smile, her happy expression, like someone walking on the path of their dreams, was healing just to witness.
But it couldn't save the person who was about to break down.
"That... that..."
Kita wanted to quickly explain... explain... After she spoke, everyone's gaze turned to her.
More than anyone else, Kita was most concerned about the gaze of Ryo-senpai, who sat opposite her. That calm, expressionless look made her nervous.
She imagined what Ryo-senpai's expression would be if she said she couldn't play the Guitar at all.
No, more than her expression, her impression with Ryo-senpai would be ruined first, and she would never be looked at directly again.
A piece of trash who lies about music — Ryo-senpai would look down on her with piercing, condescending eyes.
"Kita-chan, what's wrong?"
Nijika asked, puzzled.
And even a social butterfly has things they fear, words they dare not speak.
"That, um, it's nothing."
Kita lowered her head, her expression one of being crushed by guilt.
Hayato looked at Kita, who said nothing, and sighed.