Nijika and Ryo-senpai weren't foolish; they naturally noticed Kita's conflicted expression.
But Kita's immediate response earlier made them not think she didn't want to perform.
Noticing her secretly glancing at Ryo-senpai, they assumed she was worried about coordinating with Ryo-senpai, or minor issues like performance style.
"It's okay, we'll practice together before we go on stage, and it's just covering popular songs, right, Ryo-senpai?"
Nijika finished speaking and asked Ryo-senpai for confirmation.
And despite Ryo-senpai's occasional sarcastic remarks, she still cared deeply about her companions.
"Hmm, a relaxed performance."
"Yes..."
Kita hadn't even finished speaking when Manager Hoshika's voice called out to Nijika.
"A customer has arrived."
"Okay~"
Nijika responded loudly and sweetly, then said to the others,
"Then let's talk about it tomorrow. Everyone worked hard."
"Hmm."
Hayato nodded and then stood up.
"Then I'm going home too."
"Bye bye." Ryo-senpai waved her hand.
"Me too."
Kita, looking determined, slung her Guitar over her back and followed Hayato towards the livehouse exit.
"Kita-chan, be careful on your way!"
Nijika stood at the counter, calling out from afar to Kita, who was standing on the steps.
But Hayato, who was a few steps ahead of Kita, paused when he heard this, his mind filled with questions.
He knew Nijika was reminding Kita not to overthink things and to stay focused on her way back, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off... Leaving STARRY, walking down the sunken stairs to the ground level, the city's hustle and bustle and the lonely wind ruffled Hayato's school uniform, but Hayato stood motionless like an iron tower.
He looked up at the sky, which was a fiery orange-blue.
Another beautiful day.
But today had a negative mark.
He turned around, looked at the dejected Kita, and stopped, waiting for her to catch up.
During this time, one or two laughing customers, preparing to go to the livehouse, passed by him, chatting happily, full of anticipation.
Kita, head down, reached the top step. Feeling a presence beside her, she looked up.
Hayato stood still, as if deliberately waiting for her.
Kita forced a smile and then asked Hayato,
"Ishikawa-kun, what's wrong?"
"When you encounter troublesome things, you need to be decisive. Running away isn't always a bad thing."
Hayato hinted, reminding her.
Kita thought for a moment, then was startled. Had he seen through her?
Seen that she couldn't play the Guitar?
"That... Ishikawa-kun..."
She hesitated, trying to explain, but then heard Hayato say calmly, in a tone different from his usual excited one,
"Since we're in the same Band, you can just call me by my name. Also, I look forward to your performance."
What did he mean?
Kita was confused.
First, he told her to escape, then he said he looked forward to her performance; she was utterly bewildered.
But feeling the concern in Hayato's words, Kita still smiled and nodded.
"Hmm, I'll do my best."
...The next day, Hayato sat on the train, holding the synthesizer's instruction manual, leaning lazily against the train seat, reading the tutorial.
He didn't have school today, so he was wearing a three-quarter-sleeved jacket over a white T-shirt, with dark casual pants. His sling bag was tossed beside his seat.
His simple, clean attire, paired with his handsome and gentle face, perfectly showcased his youthful charm.
Two JK students not far from his seat frequently glanced in his direction.
It could be said that his appearance was very deceptive.
Of course, to those who knew him, this slight deceptiveness was completely insignificant in the face of his strange personality.
After arriving at the station, Hayato stuffed his book into his satchel, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and walked directly towards STARRY.
He reached the shop door, pushed it, and found it unlocked.
He had arrived much earlier than the agreed time, yet Nijika was already there.
Walking into the brightly lit underground space, Hayato saw Nijika sitting on a chair, a smile of anticipation on her face, constantly looking in his direction.
"Good morning~"
As soon as Hayato entered, Nijika excitedly greeted him, waving her hand, tied with a red ribbon, high in the air.
"Morning, Nijika."
Hayato looked around; it seemed there was no one else.
"Are the others not here yet?"
"Ryo won't be that punctual," Nijika said with a smile.
After speaking, as if prepared for a long wait, she propped her chin on her hand, her beautiful red eyes looking directly at Hayato.
Wait, it's just him and Nijika right now?
God, I'm thinking greedy thoughts right now.
Hayato walked down the stairs and sat opposite Nijika.
"Hayato-kun arrived very early, oh, that's right." Nijika stood up and walked towards the bar. "What drink would Hayato-kun like?"
"Orange juice is fine."
Hayato didn't stand on ceremony; he had no reason to.
Speaking of which, if Ryo was usually late, then Nijika must have simply opened the door for him and Kita, and quite early at that.
He wondered how long she had been waiting.
His gaze lingered on Nijika, who was preparing drinks behind the bar. In no time, she finished two glasses of orange juice, wrote something on the bar counter, then walked over and placed the drinks in front of Hayato.
"Speaking of which, Hayato-kun is really amazing. You learned the keyboard so quickly."
She sat back in her original seat, her voice filled with admiration.
Then, with a somewhat playful tone and a teasing expression, she said,
"Actually, you already knew how to play the piano before, didn't you?"
Hearing her cute tone, Hayato couldn't help but smile.
"I don't lie. This is the strength of a Pervert."
His unexpected words made Nijika pause, then she asked with interest,
"Why does Hayato-kun call himself a Pervert?"
Nijika didn't believe that Hayato was someone who would engage in those terrible, lewd, or vulgar behaviors.
She had thought so ever since their street performance that day.
Hayato, who never lied, naturally answered honestly.
"Although it has several layers of meaning, the most fundamental one is to give myself courage, because as a Pervert, I can…"
Before he finished speaking, the main door opened.
Kita walked down from the doorway. Seeing that two people were already inside, she apologized shyly.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"No, the agreed time hasn't even arrived yet. Really, Kita-chan, you don't have to act like it's a date."
Nijika greeted Kita and stood up at the same time.
"What drink would Kita-chan like?"
"Do you have yogurt here?"
After Kita walked down the stairs, she curiously approached the bar.
"We do," Nijika said with pride.
Kita watched Nijika retrieve yogurt from the cabinet. She then glanced at the price list on the counter and began to take out money.
After Nijika brought out the drink, she saw the money on the table and immediately started arguing with Kita over it.
However, Hayato's gaze remained on Kita's continuously bent left hand.
After a long observation, he could confirm that three of her five slender fingers were wrapped with a Band-aid.
What a shame, she didn't give up.
Is this guy also an idiot?