Inside Starry.
Everyone sat around a table.
On the table were colorful tie-dye shirts made by Nijika.
Hitori curiously swung one around.
Ryo was trying hard to sign them, her eyes turning into money symbols.
"Unsigned ones sell for 500 yen, signed ones for 650 yen."
Ikuyo excitedly took out her wallet, "I want one! I want one!"
Hotaru couldn't help but say, "Is your signature only worth 150 yen...?"
Ryo held her chin, deep in thought...
Just then, Nijika brought over drinks.
After what just happened, Nijika decided not to practice today.
This was also for the End Band to go further.
"Although daily practice is important, occasionally sitting down to chat and deepen our understanding of each other shouldn't be overlooked either!"
Nijika's face was beaming with a smile, trying to liven up the atmosphere.
"This is what we need to play now."
Ryo suddenly brought out an extra-large die.
The die had various chat topics written on it.
"Great!"
Ikuyo was in high spirits.
Chatting together was her specialty, and it was a good opportunity to get to know Ryo-senpai better.
Hotaru, who had never played such a game, was also very interested in the big die.
So, the two of them clapped their hands enthusiastically.
Hitori responded weakly; this kind of situation was clearly not her forte.
However, Hotaru, already curious, rolled the die.
"Oh! It's about our favorite music!"
The die stopped, and Nijika explained.
Ryo: "Simply put, music talk."
Nijika: "Since Aki-kun rolled it, Aki-kun should go first."
As expected of Ryo, her words were concise.
After a brief thought, Hotaru said,
"My tastes are quite varied, like blues, classical, folk... Recently, I've also been listening to Guitar Hero's covers of pop songs."
"Eh?! Guitar Hero, I listen to it too!"
Nijika excitedly chimed in,
"By the way, I like melodic hardcore, which is usually referred to as Japanese punk!"
Upon hearing "Guitar Hero," Hitori's body shivered.
But when she heard the praise, she couldn't help but show a smug expression.
"Speaking of which, Guitar Hero hasn't updated in a long time."
Hotaru said with a smile.
Hitori's face gradually changed color.
However, Hotaru had no intention of revealing "Guitar Hero's" identity at this moment.
"It's been over half a month."
Ryo suddenly spoke.
"Does Ryo-senpai listen to it too? I'll definitely listen tonight when I get back."
Ikuyo said excitedly.
Hotaru added, "That's a good idea, it'll help you with your guitar studies too."
"Cough... cough!"
Hitori vigorously thumped her chest.
Update! I'll update tonight when I get back!
Since forming the band, she had almost forgotten about her account.
Sorry! She had gotten too carried away!!
"Oh, a gorilla."
"Bocchi-chan, what's wrong?"
...
"For me, I listen to pop songs more, because I often go to KTV with my classmates to sing."
Ikuyo said, slightly embarrassed.
Everyone nodded in agreement; this fit Ikuyo's popular and outgoing image.
Then, Ryo also spoke with her eyes closed,
"I like techno-pop, and recently I've been into the Saudi Arabian hot list..."
"Stop talking nonsense."
Nijika interrupted her.
"I'm serious."
Ryo opened her eyes.
Nijika clearly didn't quite believe her.
"Ryo should be for composing, right?"
Hotaru said.
To compose, she would come into contact with various types of music.
"Mm."
Ryo nodded heavily, looking at Hotaru.
"Ryo-senpai can even compose, how amazing!"
"Eh? So I misunderstood Ryo?"
Nijika looked at Ryo in surprise.
Finally, it was Hitori's turn.
"I... as long as it's not songs with stimulating youth themes, it's fine."
Hitori said in a low voice.
"Youth themes?"
Nijika didn't quite understand.
So Hotaru explained,
"It's those that praise summer's blue seas and fireworks, and faint romances."
"Often using lyrics completely unrelated to a lonely school life."
"Or sparkling, refreshing tunes."
Hotaru looked at Ikuyo, her eyes lighting up.
"Hmm... it feels like something Ikuyo would like."
Ikuyo smiled shyly.
"Hmm... hearing that just makes me depressed."
Hitori said sadly, then began to retreat into her own world.
"In that case, the task of writing lyrics for our original song will be given to Bocchi-chan!"
Nijika said to Hitori after thinking.
Hitori woke up with a start, her face changing dramatically.
"Me? Lyrics?!"
Had she, who had consistently gone to the library from elementary to middle school, finally found her purpose?
But she was very scared of such an important task.
Nijika added, "Yes, Ryo can compose, which will help avoid the words Hitori is sensitive to."
Hotaru patted Hitori's shoulder encouragingly,
"Don't worry, Bocchi-chan, I can help too."
Ikuyo also spoke up,
"Gotō-san, what a cool task!"
Encouraged by the two, Hitori was invigorated.
"I will definitely write lyrics that everyone will be satisfied with!"
Nijika smiled, making a fist and encouraging her,
"Once our original song is well-rehearsed, I hope we can perform on stage next month."
"I'll go ask my sister for permission."
"Haven't you told the manager yet?"
Ikuyo asked, puzzled.
"No problem, right? Sister."
Nijika raised her voice, confidently looking at Seika who was sitting in the stands.
"I never said I'd let you perform."
However, after a brief glance at Nijika, Seika replied expressionlessly.
"Eh? Why?"
Nijika stood up anxiously and ran to her sister.
"Oh, right, if we don't meet the ticket sales target due to not enough customers, we'll make up the difference."
Nijika pulled out several envelopes, which contained the wages they had just received today.
"It's not about money."
Seika said calmly.
"It's about the performance level."
"But didn't you let us perform last time?"
Nijika asked, not understanding.
"That was a special permission to allow you to create beautiful memories."
"Create beautiful memories?"
"Normally, I have to audition and review band demos, you know that, right?"
"So I'm sorry, if your level is still the same as last time, I won't allow you to perform."
"Eh? No performing, then our band..."
Nijika cried out anxiously.
Seeing that Nijika and the manager were about to argue, Hotaru also walked over.
"The manager's meaning is actually that as long as we pass the pre-show, we can perform, right?"
Nijika, being anxious, hadn't considered the meaning behind Seika's words.
In reality, Starry was not a formal live house.
Starry was ostensibly a restaurant, and its license was only a restaurant license.
People just came here for a drink and happened to catch a free performance.
However, although it wasn't a formal live house, this didn't mean that Seika wasn't strict about the bands performing on stage.
On the contrary, Seika was very strict.
Allowing the End Band to perform last time could be considered pulling strings.
However, this time it was not allowed.
"That's right."
Seika said faintly.
Finally, someone understood what she meant.
She did this hoping that the End Band members could make real progress.
After hearing this, Nijika breathed a sigh of relief and smiled again.
"So that's it, sister should have said so earlier!"
Ryo: "Did you forget that the manager is a tsundere?"
"Ah! That's right!"
Nijika suddenly realized.
"Oh, Hotaru-jun is understanding the manager more and more!"
Miss Pa suddenly appeared and said.
"Maybe soon, I won't be needed for translation."
Miss Pa seemingly sadly wiped her eyes, then covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Hotaru just felt that Miss Pa was also quite the drama queen.
"I'll tell you another secret, actually, the manager secretly reserves your performance time every day."
"Really?!"
After hearing this, everyone in the End Band looked at Seika with surprise and emotion.
Seika blushed deeply and slammed her hand down on the mouse.
"That's not true!"
"Now go practice!"
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