It was a new week.
Monday.
Morning.
A message popped up in the End Band group chat on Hotaru's phone.
Bocchi: I have a fever and took sick leave from school, so for my part-time job at Starry these next few days, I think…
Ryo-san: I don't believe it.
Nijika-chan: Bocchi, lying isn't being a good child!
Hotaru-kun: Bocchi, just rest at home with peace of mind!
Gotou Hitori, lying in bed with a pale face and a wet towel on her forehead, saw everyone's replies and couldn't help but burst into a fit of coughing.
Right after that,
Bocchi's eyes welled up with tears.
In the end, the only person who was willing to believe her — was still Hotaru-kun.
Then, thinking that her current state was all her own doing,
she just felt… she deserved to die, ugh…
"Cough… cough cough!"
Bocchi coughed a few more times, then shakily typed with her finger.
Bocchi: It's true… Hotaru-kun, thank you! For believing me, I will repay you.
Ryo-san: I don't believe it.
Hotaru-kun: I believe it. Ryo-san, want to make a bet?
Ryo-san: Oh?
Hotaru-kun: Let's bet on whether Bocchi actually has a fever.
Ryo-san: What's the stake?
Hotaru-kun: A week's worth of your salary.
Ryo-san: Heh! Deal.
Elsewhere, Ryo-san, slacking at her desk in class, curved her lips into a grin when she saw the messages.
About Bocchi's illness…
she didn't buy it one bit.
Just two days ago Bocchi was full of energy. How could she suddenly fall sick?
So, in her analysis, Bocchi was faking it to avoid work.
She herself had done the same thing once — and the manager had deducted her entire paycheck.
While Hotaru and Ryo-san were discussing their bet, Nijika-chan had already started a video call with Bocchi.
Although Nijika suspected Bocchi might be faking…
she still wanted to confirm.
Unexpectedly — Bocchi really was sick?!
Nijika felt a pang of guilt.
Bocchi, on the other hand, only felt more flustered and guilty.
After hanging up, Nijika's expression darkened slightly as she typed in the group chat.
Nijika-chan: You two idiots! Don't bet on things like this. And also — Hitori is really sick.
Hotaru and Ryo-san immediately sent apology emojis in perfect sync.
Then the two switched to private chat.
Ryo-san: Since Nijika said so, the bet's off. I can't help it.
Hotaru-kun: …Alright.
He didn't really care; he was just joking around with Ryo-san.
But Ryo-san, on the other end, froze. Could it be a trick?
In the end, Bocchi's part-time shifts were canceled, and End Band's practices were postponed a bit.
"Cough… hehe… cough cough, hehehe…"
Bocchi coughed and laughed.
She had decided to take the whole week off. That way she wouldn't have to work — and she could also dodge the monthly exams.
"Big sis, you're broken again!" said Niri, sitting beside her.
"Woof!" barked Jimihen.
Meanwhile, at Sakuragaoka Academy, Hotaru, just arriving at his classroom, felt a little down.
For some reason, Tomori seemed to be giving off a heavy, oppressive aura.
Melancholy, lost, withdrawn…
Hotaru didn't really like this kind of atmosphere.
It didn't fit the cheerful, relaxed world of Houbun at all.
Who was it?
What had they done?
In just one weekend,
they turned cute Tomori into gloomy Tomori?!
Sigh…
With a soft sigh,
Hotaru walked over and gently asked:
"Tomori, what's wrong?"
Seeing it was Hotaru-kun, Tomori managed to show a flicker of emotion and shook her head slightly. "…No, nothing."
But it didn't look like nothing at all.
And when she glanced at Hotaru's guitar case, Tomori's eyes dimmed even further.
"Ah, Hotaru-kun, did you bully Tomori-chan?"
At that moment, Yui-chan walked in carrying her guitar case and asked when she saw the scene.
If you looked closely, her face still had faint string marks — she had clearly slept with her guitar again last night.
Hotaru quickly shook his head. "I didn't."
But still… Tomori did seem sadder after seeing him. What was going on?
"Yui-san, Hotaru-kun didn't bully me."
Hearing Yui-chan's voice, Tomori hurried to explain, afraid she'd misunderstand.
"Eh… then why does Tomori-chan look so sad?"
"Is… is that so?"
Timidly, Tomori lifted her gaze, softly glancing at Yui-chan and Hotaru.
Both nodded.
Her eyes drooped again.
Seeing this, Yui-chan looked to Hotaru. "What should we do, Hotaru-kun?"
"I don't know either."
Hotaru spread his hands helplessly.
Still — even if he didn't know, he had to try.
[Stimulate Takamatsu Tomori's memories about the band, Notes +100]
The system's prompt suddenly appeared, giving Hotaru inspiration.
So Tomori's sadness was related to the band.
Why not just bring up music? Maybe she'd open up.
"Tomori, can you play the keyboard?"
She shook her head.
"What about guitar?" Yui-chan asked this time.
Another shake of the head. "…I, I can't play any instruments."
Her amber eyes completely lost their light.
Perhaps because she couldn't play, couldn't sing, couldn't do anything well…
That was why back then, Xiangzi had left crychic.
When she met Xiangzi again, she didn't even have the courage to apologize.
Hotaru and Yui-chan exchanged worried glances.
The situation was getting worse.
They wanted to say something more to comfort her—
but the class bell rang first.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
If you guys wanna check it out.