In the cheerful, relaxed atmosphere, the three girls who were about to form a band quickly became familiar with each other.
Meanwhile, Ren Suzuki quietly gathered some useful information by eavesdropping on their conversation.
The blue-haired girl's name was Ryou Yamada, a second-year student at Shimokitazawa High School, the same school and grade as Nijika Ijichi, and the bassist of their soon-to-be-formed band.
Along with Nijika Ijichi as the drummer and Ikuyo Kita as the guitarist, the core members of the band were already assembled.
As for the musical style they wanted to pursue, and who would handle vocals, those were matters they would have to discuss later.
However, just as Nijika Ijichi suggested they head to the second-floor studio for their first practice session
"Sorry! I promised my mom I'd come home a bit early today!"
Ikuyo Kita suddenly spoke with an apologetic look on her face.
"Let's practice together next time, okay?"
"Ah, no worries at all! It's really my fault for being so abrupt. Sorry!"
Nijika Ijichi waved it off easily.
"Then, let's practice together next time, Kita-san!"
"Y-Yes! Ryou-senpai! Please make sure to contact me again!"
"Eh? Ah, yeah."
The blue-haired girl, casually sipping her drink, simply nodded and gave a flat response.
"See you next time."
"Yes, Ryou-senpai!"
Even such a brief response made Kita's face light up with pure happiness.
Judging from the way she'd enthusiastically introduced herself when she first arrived... it seemed she really admired Ryou-senpai.
Still... that excuse she just used to leave? Ren Suzuki knew that one all too well.
"..."
Ren quietly watched Kita Ikuyo.
That adorable face still wore a bright, cheerful smile, but… those pretty greenish-yellow eyes never once met Nijika Ijichi's gaze, which was full of hopeful anticipation.
Could it be…?
"Ren-kun, see you at school sometime!"
"Yeah, see you."
It was just a guess. After all, forming a band was their own business.
Rather than saying something irresponsible, he figured it was best to simply wish them good luck.
Watching Kita's bouncing, carefree steps as she left, Ren shrugged and chose to stay silent.
…
After Kita left, Ryou Yamada and Nijika Ijichi sat down at a nearby table.
Soon, with nothing else to distract her, Ryou turned her attention to the unfamiliar boy Ren Suzuki.
"…?"
Noticing Ryou's gaze, Ren returned a friendly look.
But her next words instantly made his expression freeze in disbelief
"You, can you sing?"
"Wow, that's a sudden question."
Not just her looks even the way she spoke was completely her own pace.
She was rock through and through.
"Well, even if I could sing decently, I really have no intention of joining a band. Sorry."
"Figures. The 'handsome part-timer turns out to be a secret vocalist' storyline is just too much of an otome game cliché."
"Funny, I heard the same line earlier today."
He hadn't expected to receive two invitations to join the same band in such a short span of time.
If this were his old world, maybe he really would've considered it.
But… this wasn't his real world.
Even if everything mirrored his original life even if every experience here felt painfully real Ren Suzuki could never fully immerse himself in this world.
His only purpose here was to "capture" Hitori Gotoh.
Everything else was irrelevant.
"Whoa! The 'Guitar Hero' just posted a new video!"
Nijika suddenly exclaimed while looking at her phone.
"Hey, Ryou, want to check it out together?"
"What song this time?"
"'Can't Stop' by Red Hot Chili Peppers! A total classic!"
"Oh? Let me hear it."
With her failed recruitment attempt behind her, Ryou Yamada quickly settled next to Nijika and the two began watching the video together.
Ren had no intention of joining them.
Still… 'Guitar Hero', huh? It sounded like the kind of cringey username a middle school boy might think was cool.
If this were really an otome-style story, this 'Guitar Hero' should probably be the charming, mysterious guitarist who would appear out of nowhere to sweep them off their feet.
Unfortunately, real life rarely allowed for such conveniently dramatic coincidences.
And even if it did happen, the ending wouldn't necessarily turn out as sweet and perfect as in those stories.
…
"…Whatever, I should stop thinking about this."
Ever since coming to this world, he found himself dwelling on the past more and more.
Was it because he no longer had the crushing pressure of university entrance exams? Or maybe it was because his teenage hormones were making him all sentimental again?
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Ren focused on quietly waiting for the evening's performance to begin.
…
[STARRY]'s business really was just as Seika Ijichi described. Though the venue was small, the number of customers and the lively atmosphere were more than enough to call it a success.
Aside from the manager Seika Ijichi, a punk-styled female DJ, and Nijika Ijichi, there were no other employees.
Watching Nijika constantly busy at the counter, sometimes even running around to clean up, Ren couldn't help but shake his head.
"Yeah, this place definitely needs another server."
Aside from being understaffed for the volume of customers, there were no other issues.
The live bands and DJ performances were high quality even someone like Ren, who wasn't particularly into rock, could thoroughly enjoy it.
Most of the patrons were local high schoolers. There were a few adults who came to drink, but they made up only a small portion of the crowd.
From the atmosphere, the setting, to the way the place was run it all matched exactly what Ren was looking for.
If that's the case
"I'd like to work here."
Ren approached the counter and spoke to Seika Ijichi.
"The pay and shifts are fine as you described. I just ask to have some guaranteed days off each month."
"Of course. I offer daily pay precisely to accommodate that."
Seika readily agreed to the reasonable request.
"Alright then, you can come in tomorrow night to sign the contract and start work. Oh, by the way it's not mandatory, but I'd recommend bringing a set of casual clothes for your shifts. With your 'looks,' if you keep wearing your school uniform, some dangerous older ladies might start eyeing you."
"…Duly noted."
Ren chuckled and nodded, then grabbed his bag, ready to leave.
"Ren-kun."
Just as he was about to step out the door, Nijika Ijichi suddenly called out to him from behind.
"…See you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
For Ren Suzuki, this strange, déjà vu-filled life in another world originally revolving solely around "the capture" seemed to be gradually offering him something else to look forward to.