After returning home, Shin saw Megumi Kato searching for something on her computer in the room.
He leaned in for a closer look and realized she was browsing electric pianos—the kind used by keyboardists in bands.
Though Megumi often hung out with Kessoku Band after school, this was the first time Shin had seen her actively researching an instrument.
And notably, it was an instrument their current lineup didn't have.
Right now, Kessoku Band was still a four-member group:
- Gotou Hitori on lead guitar,
- Yamada Ryou on bass,
- Ijichi Nijika on drums,
- Kita Ikuyo on rhythm guitar and vocals.
So, there genuinely wasn't a spot for a keyboardist—not strictly necessary for a small amateur band, anyway.
Yet here was Megumi, looking up electric pianos…
"Could she finally be deciding to join Kessoku Band?"
"Megumi, have you made up your mind to join them?"
Perhaps because Shin had teleported back without deactivating his Passive Presence Concealment, Megumi hadn't noticed his approach.
Despite her own natural low-profile ability, it didn't seem to enhance her observational skills—Shin's stealth still worked on her.
But the moment he spoke, the concealment faded, and Megumi jolted in surprise, finally noticing him behind her.
She shuddered slightly before turning to him, a faint hint of complaint in her voice:
"Shin… don't suddenly talk like that. It's scary."
Then, she turned back to the electric piano listings on her screen, furrowing her brows slightly in frustration.
"I have been thinking about it, but I'm not sure which model to pick… My budget's limited, so I can't afford to make a mistake."
Since moving out, Megumi's parents had been giving her a separate allowance for living expenses.
Though staying at Shin's place meant no rent, saving money was still a priority—and a good electric piano was a major expense. She wasn't even sure if she had enough.
On top of that, her knowledge of bands was mostly secondhand from Kessoku Band, making it easy to pick the wrong instrument.
Just look at Kita Ikuyo's mistake—her poor choice had left Yamada Ryou, despite coming from a well-off family, relying on Shin's meals for survival for a long time.
"Money isn't an issue. It's just one instrument."
Shin chuckled. He wasn't short on funds—if Megumi was serious about joining, he could cover the cost without a second thought.
"But are you sure you want to join Kessoku Band? Learning an instrument takes time—it's not something you master in a few days."
Musical practice wasn't a quick process, especially for a complete beginner like Megumi.
Sure, Kita Ikuyo had seemingly learned guitar in under a month, but that was rhythm guitar, not lead like Gotou Hitori's role.
At the end of the day, Ikuyo's main job was vocals. As she put it, the guitar was just "something to do during rehearsal so I'm not awkwardly standing around."
So, she only needed to learn basic chord progressions—the heavy lifting was left to Gotou Hitori, the "Guitar Hero."
"Mm. I've decided. I do want to join them."
Despite Shin's warning, Megumi nodded firmly—she'd clearly thought this through already.
It made sense. In the original timeline, Megumi had jumped into game development with zero experience but quickly learned and contributed.
This time, though, she was choosing a completely different path: joining a band.
Perhaps Shin's encouragement had fired her up—that night, Megumi was noticeably more proactive than usual during their private time.
Unfortunately, against Shin's monstrous stamina, she—like all the other girls—was still hopelessly outmatched, soon succumbing to exhaustion.
After the battle ended, Shin lay in bed, watching as the others drifted into deep sleep before closing his eyes and immersing himself in the dream world.
Soon, the familiar mission selection interface appeared before him.
A quick glance confirmed that Dragon Ball and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure were still locked, so he casually refreshed the Special Mission Worlds tab.
[Respected Zuke, please select your mission world:
Dragon Ball (Main Quest generating…) JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (Main Quest generating…) Fate/Stay Night (Time not adjusted)]
[Respected Zuke, your Special Mission Worlds are:
School Days One Punch Man (Daily refreshes remaining: 0)]
[Respected Dogeater, your remaining play attempts today: 3]
"…Still not getting anything useful, huh?"
Seeing yet another slice-of-life world pop up, Shin couldn't help but sigh.
And this one was especially heavy—whether the original game or its anime adaptation, School Days was legendary in every sense.
He was half-tempted to dive in just for fun—after all, in the real world, he avoided reckless behavior, but mission worlds? No such reservations.
"But I should finish my main quests first."
Though the idea intrigued him, Shin shelved it for later.
Right now, his priority was completing the Fate/Stay Night and One Punch Man missions to see what rewards he could obtain.
Beyond that, he also planned to claim a faction in Fate/Stay Night for his "King's Army"—ensuring he could revisit that world anytime.
The most suitable candidate?
The Mage's Association.
Sure, they had a few hidden powerhouses, but their upper limits were still well within Shin's grasp.
Aside from a handful of exceptional individuals who might escape, the rest would be utterly helpless against him.
And once he subjugated them, folding the Mage's Association into his King's Army, even those elites would have no choice but to obey his orders.
{Transitioning to Zuke}
To be continued…