"Finally, we've reached the last topic!"
Nijika seemed a little excited.
"Actually, this isn't anything super important."
"I just wanted to ask Hotaru and Hitori if they're interested in a part-time job."
"Currently, Ryo and I are both working at Starry."
"A part-time job?!"
Hitori made the loudest sound she had all day.
"What's wrong, Hitori?"
Upon hearing 'part-time job,' Hitori's mind immediately conjured images of her making all sorts of mistakes during work.
Eventually, she would be put on trial.
So, only this.
She absolutely, absolutely, absolutely had to refuse!
Hitori asked, confused,
"Why do we need to work part-time?"
"Because being in a band actually costs a lot of money. A portion of the earnings from part-time jobs can be used for band expenses."
"Also, for future performances, we'll need to cover a portion of the ticket quotas ourselves."
Nijika explained patiently and thoroughly.
A part-time job, huh!
Although working with a few girls sounded like it would be a lot of fun.
But Hotaru currently had no intention of working part-time.
Besides, she occasionally needed to go to the Astronomy Club and the Light Music Club.
Also, she wasn't short on money right now.
So, Hotaru said,
"I won't be working part-time."
"That's a bit of a shame."
Hearing this, Nijika felt a little disappointed.
She secretly hoped everyone could work together, as that would mean more time to spend together.
It would be beneficial for the band members to build rapport.
Hotaru nodded, "I'm not really short on money right now, so band expenses and quotas aren't an issue."
"But it would be great if I could occasionally come in for a part-time shift."
"Eh, really?"
Nijika was pleasantly surprised.
Not really short on money?
This statement caught Ryo's attention.
"In that case, it's fine if you don't pay me."
"No, you must be paid."
"Hotaru's salary can be given to me."
"No, Ryo, you wish."
Seeing Hotaru successfully refuse the part-time job.
Hitori looked envious, as she had easily done something Hitori didn't dare to do.
"Ah, that..."
Everyone's gaze turned to her.
The words Hitori was about to say got stuck in her throat.
"..."
"This is my wedding fund that Mom saved for me, please don't make me work part-time!"
Hitori nimbly pulled out a piggy bank.
"Ah, Hitori! You don't have to do this."
Nijika was startled.
"Thank you, then I'll gladly accept."
Ryo didn't expect someone would actually offer money.
"Ryo, stop!"
Nijika shouted.
"Hotaru, please, quickly get it back for Hitori."
Hearing it was such an important item, how could Nijika let that money fall into Ryo's hands!
Hotaru swiftly snatched the piggy bank with quick reflexes.
"Phew..."
Ryo looked at her empty hands, a hint of regret in her eyes.
Then she gave Hotaru a subtle look.
Hotaru-san always seems to be at odds with her!
Nijika sighed in relief.
"Hitori, we won't force you to work part-time."
Nijika comforted her.
"Really?"
Just as Nijika was about to speak, Hotaru interjected,
"I think it's better for Hitori to work part-time."
"Ah!"
Hitori clutched her heart, her face filled with disbelief.
She never expected that the person who would say such cruel words would be Hotaru.
And, she said such terrifying words with a gentle expression.
"Hitori, have you forgotten? You need to work hard to overcome your social anxiety!"
"Working part-time is the best way to practice."
"That's right!"
Nijika thought that made a lot of sense, and looked at Hitori with renewed expectation.
"Can you do it, Hitori?"
"Hitori, I believe in you!"
Nijika felt like she had heard that before.
"A small thing like a part-time job won't stop you."
"Okay, I'll work part-time!"
...
After calming down, Hitori crawled under the table, where Ryo was poking her with a twig.
Why was there a twig?
Because she had eaten the leaves.
Hitori was troubled in her heart.
Why had she agreed so impulsively just now?
She was clearly going to refuse!
So, Nijika and Hotaru started chatting.
"Speaking of which, Hotaru, have you joined any clubs?"
Hotaru paused, a sudden, inexplicable sense of guilt welling up inside her.
"Ah... I joined the Astronomy Club... and..."
"The Astronomy Club!"
Hearing 'Astronomy Club,' Nijika became interested.
"Hotaru, do you like stars?"
"Then Hotaru might have something in common with my sister."
Nijika said that Seika also quite liked looking at the night sky.
That's why the shop was named "Starry."
Did she just get away with it like that?
Hotaru was stunned, looking at Nijika in surprise.
She had been wondering how best to explain it.
Since that's the case,
Nijika, it's not that I wasn't honest.
It's that you interrupted me!
Yes, that's how it is.
Right, clubs are clubs.
Bands are bands.
So,
Joining the Light Music Club doesn't count as betrayal, does it?
Thinking this, Hotaru's level of guilt significantly decreased.
"I see, then I'll get along well with the manager."
"Mm-hmm!"
........
The result was that.
The afternoon was spent playing and chatting.
There was no practice at all.
But there was no rush for now.
...
As they parted ways, Hotaru suddenly remembered.
She recalled that in the story, Hitori had planned to feign illness.
Hotaru felt she should remind her.
"By the way, Hitori."
"Huh? What is it?"
Hitori jumped, looking guilty as if caught red-handed.
"You wouldn't do something shameful like pretending to be sick to avoid a part-time job, would you?"
"No... no, I wouldn't."
Hitori cried in her heart.
Why did she know what I was thinking?
"That's good then, I believe in you."
Hotaru smiled.
"Mm..."
........
That night.
Hitori changed into a school swimsuit.
Her figure?
Couldn't see it!
Because she was fully immersed in the bathtub, which was filled with cold water and many floating ice cubes.
Hitori's teeth chattered from the cold.
And, Hotaru's voice kept echoing in her mind.
Shameful behavior, shameful behavior, shameful, shameful... shameful...
So, as long as she was genuinely sick, it would be fine.
Then it wouldn't be shameful.
She couldn't let Hotaru down!
"Hehehe... so cold..."
"Big sister is broken again."
A tender voice.
Beside the bathroom door stood a small girl who resembled Hitori, but was a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times more cheerful than her.
She was Hitori's younger sister,
Futari.
Futari was already used to her sister's strange behavior.
Little Futari took out her diary and slowly jotted it down.
After an unknown amount of time...
"Mom, something's wrong!"
"Big sister fainted in the bath!"
Futari shouted downstairs!
...
Hitori woke up in her room.
"Achoo!"
"Achoo!"
She sneezed twice, and her nose ran.
She felt it wasn't enough.
So, she sat in front of a fan on its highest setting all night.
She had to be truly sick!
Shameful behavior...
Cannot betray trust!