When the song ended, Hotaru still felt a little unsatisfied.
However, Nijika, Hitori, and Ryo all clapped in unison.
So, Hotaru gave up the idea of playing another song.
Nijika smiled and praised Hotaru, which made Hotaru wonder...
Should he just buy another piano?
After all, it wouldn't be expensive for him.
"By the way... Ryo, do you still remember how to play the bass?"
After talking with Hotaru, Nijika suddenly looked at Ryo.
Ryo seemed a bit stunned, and felt a slight cold sweat break out on her back.
But in a flash, Ryo confidently replied, "No problem!"
"That's good."
Nijika breathed a sigh of relief and smiled sweetly.
"Well, time's almost up. Let's hurry back to Starry to practice!"
"Oh, wow~"
Hotaru and Ryo drew out their voices in response.
Hitori, a beat slower, didn't react and looked at Hotaru and Ryo in a panic.
The two looked back at her, as if to say, "What are you doing?"
"Ah... oh... oh..."
"Hitori, you don't have to force yourself..." Nijika couldn't help but advise.
...
Back at Starry.
In the practice room.
Nijika, Ryo, Hitori.
The three were having their first ensemble practice.
Because the song Nijika had prepared initially didn't have a keyboard part.
Plus, Hotaru hadn't brought his keyboard.
So, Hotaru had to be a temporary audience member.
... ... The song ended.
The three girls looked at each other.
Soon, under Nijika's subtle gaze, Ryo and Hitori both gave in.
Hitori hung her head in shame, while Ryo pretended nothing was wrong and whistled.
Nijika shook her head helplessly and looked at Hotaru, the only audience member.
Nijika spoke with some difficulty, "Hotaru-san, what did you think of our performance just now?"
Hotaru looked hesitant and blinked, "Do you really want to know?"
"Uh-huh!"
Nijika nodded as if she had made up her mind.
"It was super terrible..."
Regarding the performance of the three just now, even Hotaru, a newcomer, could clearly see that their coordination was very poor, and there was no chemistry at all.
Ryo seemed to have forgotten how to play the bass, her pick sweeping wildly across the strings.
Hitori's movements, on the other hand, looked quite professional and standard.
But she kept her head down the whole time, never looking at her bandmates, and her guitar sound was naturally self-absorbed from beginning to end.
Nijika initially played the drums normally, driving the rhythm, but under the influence of her two bandmates, her drumming also became chaotic.
In short, it was hard to describe.
Hotaru really couldn't bring himself to lie and say something against his true feelings.
Nijika gave a strained smile, "Ah, yes... you're right..."
"Hotaru-san, did you perhaps get what you said and what you thought in your heart reversed?"
Ryo looked at Hotaru, still not giving up.
Her words reignited hope in Hitori and Nijika.
"Absolutely not."
Hotaru affirmed.
The three girls sighed, looking a little disappointed.
Then they all turned their gaze to Hotaru, as if asking, "What should we do then?"
Hotaru thought for a moment and comforted them, "Hey, but this is normal... After all, it's everyone's first time. As long as you practice together, you'll definitely improve."
The positive Nijika cheered up after hearing this and echoed:
"Yes, Hotaru-san is right. Also, Ryo, isn't your bass playing a bit strange?"
Nijika recalled Ryo constantly sweeping the strings with her pick, making strange noises, and felt a bit puzzled.
"Oh, really? I think I played pretty well."
"You didn't completely forget, did you!"
Seeing Ryo still being stubborn, Nijika didn't hold back and exposed her.
"It's okay, the audience can't hear the bass anyway."
For the first time, Ryo thought it was a good thing that the bass sound was covered up.
Nijika was stunned, "That actually makes sense..."
Ryo then said playfully, "The guitar, though, that's another story."
"Oh, I'm sorry! It's all my fault."
The sound came, but where was the person?
"Eh? Hitori, where are you?"
"There." Ryo pointed.
Hotaru moved the combustible trash can that was originally in the corner.
Hitori was crouching inside, her hands clutching her head, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Ah!" Nijika was startled.
"Hitori, why did you go into the trash can? Come out, the trash can isn't clean."
"I'm sorry, having made such a big mistake, someone like me should indeed stay in the trash can."
"It's okay! We won't blame you, right? Hotaru-san, Ryo."
However, Ryo said, "Combustible trash, huh? Bocchi-chan, you got into the wrong trash can. You should be in this one."
Ryo brought over the non-recyclable trash can.
Hitori popped her head out strangely.
Nijika was stunned and subconsciously asked, "Why?"
A light bulb went off in Hotaru's mind, "Perhaps she's afraid Bocchi-chan will release toxic gases if she burns?"
After Hitori heard that, she turned to stone.
She actually climbed out of the combustible trash can and was about to enter the non-recyclable trash can.
Ryo clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
"What are you two doing?! I told you to comfort Hitori, and what's with this 'Bocchi' nickname?!"
Nijika angrily looked at the two mischievous people.
Ryo was one thing, but how did Hotaru become so unreliable!
"Hitori, don't go into the trash can anymore!"
Hitori, who had just climbed out, was stopped by Nijika in time. Then, to get justice for Hitori, Nijika gave Ryo and Hotaru each a chop to the head.
Hotaru and Ryo bowed their heads in apology.
Ryo then said, "But Nijika, you also asked why..."
Hotaru looked surprised.
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