It was a new week.
This week was also the last week of September.
Monday.
Up until today, Hotaru-san had fortunately not caught a cold or fever.
It seemed his physique and luck had perfectly played their part.
Everyone in End Band was also mostly recovered.
In the morning, he arrived at school.
When Hotaru-san saw that vibrant red, he suddenly remembered something he had forgotten.
Kita, Kita!
Last week, he had been too preoccupied with Crychic's matters.
He was surprised that Akira had actually been a band's vocalist.
You couldn't tell, you really couldn't tell.
But he had always been with End Band!
The most urgent task was still to get their own vocalist back first.
After all, a vocalist was the soul of a band.
Moreover, this was a task Nijika-mama had entrusted him with, and he had to complete it perfectly!
Just then, a pink, hunched figure appeared in Hotaru-san's line of sight.
Hotaru-san's eyes lit up, and he quickly chased after her.
Lightly patting Bocchi-chan's shoulder, Hotaru-san greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Bocchi-chan."
"Ah! Goo... goo... goo-goo-goo-goo-good!!!"
Gotou Hitori reacted violently; she was in the middle of contemplating life!
Someone at school actually said good morning to her.
This was her first time!
"Hitori, there's no need to be so agitated, it's me."
Hotaru-san said, suppressing a smile.
After catching her breath and realizing it was Hotaru-san, Gotou Hitori calmed down a bit.
"I... I thought after a week, I would have been forgotten."
Hitori said sadly, tears welling up in her eyes.
Because of her fever and to avoid exams, she had taken a whole week off!
How bold!
Although she really didn't want to go to school, if she didn't come to school for too long, she might be completely forgotten by her classmates and teachers!
No matter what, this was not what Hitori wanted to see.
Hotaru-san wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead, then smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, I'll probably never forget you."
"Really?!"
Gotou Hitori was both surprised and delighted.
"Mm-hmm!"
Hotaru-san nodded affirmingly, adding in his heart, I've known you since my last life.
[Received Gotou Hitori's move, Music Note +300]
"I, I'll never forget Aki-kun either!"
Gotou Hitori glanced at Hotaru-san, also saying something that could easily be misunderstood.
But it seemed that due to her excitement, she forgot her shyness.
"Then let's go find Kita now."
Hotaru-san said straightforwardly.
"Eh?!"
"N-now?"
Gotou Hitori became nervous again; did she have to do something so stimulating first thing in the morning?!
She didn't want to see two suns so early!
"Yes!" Hotaru-san explained, "Since everyone was sick last week, we can't delay any longer this week."
His goal was Budokan, after all! That wasn't just talk.
Hotaru-san thought that getting Kita back wouldn't be difficult.
Just talk it out.
As long as he told her that Nijika didn't blame her, and with Ryo-senpai's presence, Kita would be easy to win over.
"Ah, yes!"
...
"Kita-chan, someone's looking for you at the door!"
In Kita's Class 1.
A female classmate spoke to Kita; she was relaying Hotaru-san's message.
As expected of Kita, even a handsome guy from the next class came to find her. Could it be a confession? Hehe!
"Eh? Okay."
Kita looked up curiously, gazing at the figure outside the classroom.
It was Hotaru-san from the next class, but she didn't seem to have much interaction with him.
However, since he came looking for her, she should still go out and see.
"Excuse me everyone, I'll step out for a moment."
Kita smiled at the many female classmates chatting with her.
"No problem, no problem, go quickly!"
"Ehh—could it be a confession?"
"How many has it been since school started?"
"Everyone count!"
The female classmates near Kita Ikuyo kept smirking and winking at her.
"Go for it!"
"Don't hide the results from us later, Kita."
Kita's face turned red from their teasing.
"It's not that! It's definitely not!"
"I won't say anymore, I'm going out now, talk to you later!"
Kita quickly jogged out of the classroom.
Honestly, these guys.
Stepping out of the classroom, Kita showed a sunny smile, "Good morning, Hotaru-san."
"Is there something you need to see me about?"
Kita Ikuyo looked at Hotaru-san with a puzzled expression.
"Morning, Kita-san."
Hotaru-san was about to explain, "I'm sorry to suddenly disturb you..."
Beside him, Gotou Hitori's body trembled as Kita approached, and she secretly retreated behind Hotaru-san.
"Gotou...-san?"
Kita blinked, looking strangely at the oddly dressed Gotou Hitori.
As a popular student, Kita Ikuyo naturally knew the names of all the slightly distinctive students in her grade.
This was a required course.
"Ah, yes!"
Gotou Hitori immediately stood at attention.
"Say good morning, Bocchi-chan."
Hotaru-san reminded her.
"Ah, yes! Morning!"
Gotou Hitori replied mechanically like a robot.
"Bocchi-chan?"
Kita repeated, somewhat puzzled.
"How about we go talk on the rooftop, is that okay?"
Hotaru-san suggested after thinking for a moment.
There were more students in the hallway, and many people were watching them.
The next topic would be better discussed in private.
The key was that Bocchi-chan beside him was already unable to bear the pressure.
Kita nodded.
Rooftop?!
Hearing this, Gotou Hitori trembled even more violently.
Could a creature like her really go to a popular place like the rooftop?!
...
Rooftop.
Gotou Hitori curiously peeked at her surroundings; this was her first time on the rooftop.
She didn't expect to have the chance to set foot in such a mysterious area!
Ehhehehe... Hotaru-san is really nice.
Hotaru-san, on the other hand, was looking at Kita, organizing his words.
He had to admit, Kita Ikuyo was truly the best choice for a vocalist.
Vibrant red hair, a sunny and cheerful disposition, a cute, slightly round face.
A living, breathing center of attention.
She could unconsciously attract everyone's gaze.
When she stood on stage, combined with her singing, she would surely easily capture the audience's attention.
However, Hotaru-san's gaze, instead, made Kita Ikuyo nervous.
Kita inexplicably felt her heart race.
Hotaru-san...
Could it be... he was really going to confess?
No, no! Kita shook her head.
Who would bring another girl when confessing?!
But Kita still couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Strange!
It wasn't her first time facing a confession scene.
Before, she would always handle it with ease.
Will he confess?
Kita glanced at Hotaru-san; although she was attracted to good looks, it was true!
However, she already had Ryo-senpai in her heart.
Ryo-senpai came first.
So,
"No!"
"I, I won't look anymore."
Bocchi-chan was startled and hid behind Hotaru-san again.
"Eh?"
Glancing at Bocchi-chan, Hotaru-san asked, "What's 'no'?"
"Ah, it's nothing, nothing..."
Kita awkwardly covered her mouth; she had accidentally blurted it out.
Hotaru-san nodded, not paying it much mind.
"Actually, Nijika asked us to come find you."
"Nijika-senpai!"
Kita Ikuyo also trembled in her limbs, just like Gotou Hitori.
"She... she came to hold me accountable..."
Kita murmured.
Actually, Kita had been worried and guilty about running away for some time now...
The dark circles under her eyes were the best proof.
However, to maintain her image, she had covered them with makeup.
"It's not to hold you accountable!"
Hotaru-san chuckled and said directly, "Nijika doesn't blame you either."
"Eh?!"
"Eh eh eh!"
"She doesn't blame me? How is that possible?!"
Kita Ikuyo suddenly became agitated.
Hotaru-san and Gotou Hitori couldn't help but cover their ears.
She certainly had the potential to be a vocalist.
That high note was too sharp!
"Really! I clearly did such a thing!"
Due to her excitement, Kita unconsciously came in front of Hotaru-san and looked up at him.
Hotaru-san nodded, then pointed to the ground, where Gotou Hitori was melting.
"Kita, calm down, or Hitori will be scared to death by you."
"I'm sorry, Gotou-san, are you okay?"
Kita nervously tried to pick up Gotou Hitori.
However, this only accelerated Hitori's melting.
"What! What's going on?"
"She'll be back to normal in a moment."
Hotaru-san sighed slightly helplessly, motioned for Kita to relax, and then explained, "After you ran..."
"After you left, we met Nijika, and Hitori helped complete that live show."
Hotaru-san thought for a moment and decided not to say 'ran away' to avoid irritating Kita again.
"So, nothing bad happened."
Hearing this, Kita felt a little relieved, "Thank you!"
"Then Nijika-senpai..."
"Nijika was very worried that something might have happened to you."
"I, nothing happened to me at all..."
Hearing this, tears began to well up in Kita's eyes, her face became downcast, and her red hair seemed to dim as a result.
She was like this, and Nijika-senpai was still worried about her.
Kita looked up at Hotaru-san, "Could... could I trouble Hotaru-san to apologize to Nijika-senpai for me?"
"Just say that I deceived her, that I actually can't play guitar at all, I... shamelessly ran away..."
Hotaru-san shook his head and said with some regret, "I'm sorry, Kita."
"I'm not a messenger."
My purpose is to make you the vocalist! Not to relay an apology.
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry, Hotaru-san, to suddenly trouble you with such a thing."
Kita's lips curved into a self-deprecating smile as she understood.
She was truly too despicable.
"An apology always needs to be given in person to be sincere."
"But... but I don't have the face to see Nijika-senpai anymore..."
Kita hung her head in despair, unsure of what to do.
"That's not it, Kita."
Hotaru-san gently held Kita's shoulders, "Although I can't relay your apology, I'm here to invite you to become the vocalist of End Band!"
"This is also Nijika's wish."
"I, Hitori, Nijika, and your Ryo-senpai, everyone is here."
Because of the overwhelming amount of information, Kita Ikuyo's CPU was overloaded, and her eyes even turned into spirals.
Ryo-senpai is here too!
And they want me to be the vocalist!
Can someone like her really do it?
"But I ran away!"
Kita accused herself in a low voice.
"Running away and losing contact was indeed excessive."
Hotaru-san thought for a moment.
Kita hung her head again, feeling guilty.
"But the person involved doesn't blame you, and of course, I believe you will still apologize to Nijika. Moreover, you've been reflecting well, haven't you?"
Hotaru-san retorted.
"Me, reflecting?"
Kita barely managed to stop her tears, her face showing confusion.
"Your eyes."
Hotaru-san pointed to Kita Ikuyo's currently somewhat red and swollen eyes, and the dark circles that were exposed because her makeup had been washed away by tears.
"And the wounds on your hands, aren't they the best proof?"
Hotaru-san looked at Kita's ten fingers.
Goodness!
Ms. Kita, how did you practice?
You practiced so much that all ten of your fingers have bandages on them.
Ten fingers are connected to the heart!
That's too harsh.
"These..."
Kita covered her fingers, still wanting to say self-deprecating things.
Hotaru-san directly interrupted her, "So, give yourself a chance."
"And give us a chance."
"Let's go to Starry after school!"
"It's not too late to make a decision then."
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