Kita Ikuyo finally understood—some things can't be done well just because you want them to be.
She really had been practicing hard, diligently playing bass while also trying to study guitar using tutorials she found online.
But no matter how similar bass and guitar might look at first glance, the two were still completely different instruments.
And this was the very first time she had ever held a guitar.
Forcing herself through a short passage she had often practiced on bass, she nervously raised her head and looked at everyone, hesitantly asking in a small voice:
"...How was that?"
Seeing how anxious she looked, Nijika was taken aback for a moment before saying,"For a beginner, that was really good!"
"Really?!" Kita's face immediately brightened with a smile.
"A-ah, y-yeah…" Bocchi nodded timidly as well.
It was true—she could tell Kita had been practicing hard, and for a beginner, being able to play through an entire passage was impressive.
But right after speaking, she quickly glanced at Ryo and Ishikawa Hayabusa.
Hayabusa she wasn't too worried about—his teasing might be indirect, but he never said anything that would genuinely hurt someone.
Ryo, though… she would probably be harsh.
But to Bocchi's surprise, Ryo simply said, in a calm and objective tone:"You're still a long way from performance level. But…"
She paused, then gave a small, satisfied smile."Not bad."
"Ryo-senpai! I'll practice so hard—I swear I won't let the guitar you lent me be shamed!"
Kita's entire body seemed to glow with renewed motivation.
Hayabusa glanced at Bocchi, who was silently wailing in despair at Kita's blinding radiance. Seeing everyone else satisfied with Kita's effort, he decided to be the contrarian.
"Ryo literally just said you're nowhere near ready to perform."
But even that cold splash of water couldn't put out Kita Ikuyo's fire—if anything, it just made her more determined.
And with Ryo-senpai's approval still fresh in her mind, Kita felt like she had already stepped one foot into invincibility itself!
Pointing dramatically at Hayabusa, she declared,"Ishikawa-kun, I'll catch up to you in no time!"
Hayabusa froze for a moment, then narrowed his eyes like a sly fox."Oh? Want to make a bet on that?"
"Kita-chan! Don't you dare!" Nijika yelped, frantically trying to stop her—she knew just how twisted Hayabusa could be.
…
Afterward, the five of them decided to keep using the practice room, dragging over a few chairs and sitting in a circle to discuss their plans moving forward.
"Eh… Bocchi-chan's going to teach Kita-chan guitar? That's great!" Nijika said with a smile.
Her gaze then slid from Kita's beaming face to Bocchi, who had her head lowered gloomily.
But when even Bocchi gave the faintest nod of agreement, Nijika asked gently,"Bocchi-chan, won't that be too much for you to handle? Maybe we should have Hayabusa-kun write the lyrics instead?"
Lyrics!
Bocchi's head shot up in shock. She had completely forgotten about them—yesterday's "date" had made her toss that responsibility right out of her mind.
Wh-what should she do? Would they find out? Were they going to punish her?!
Hayabusa, save me!
"Bocchi-chan?" Nijika asked again, noticing Bocchi's sudden cold sweat.
Just then, Ishikawa Hayabusa casually started humming:
"Pure hope lies just ahead, I chase it without restraint~"
"Growing into a pervert~~ feels so…"
Nijika's eyes widened at first, impressed by Hayabusa's ability to improvise lyrics and melody on the spot.
But as soon as that last line came out, her face went blank.
The entire vibe of the song had just been completely defiled.
Like a flower suddenly drenched in toxic sludge, it could no longer be appreciated.
Covering her face in despair, Nijika looked as though she regretted ever suggesting this.
"I get it, I get it! Hayabusa-kun, shut your mouth!"
Hayabusa chuckled and stopped singing, then turned to Bocchi.
"So, Bocchi—have you decided?"
All eyes turned back to the now-calmer Bocchi. She timidly raised her head, peeking out from behind her bangs.
"Uh… i-it's fine…" she whispered.
Seeing Bocchi's small but genuine change, Nijika couldn't help but glance at Hayabusa, who was sitting there looking completely at ease.
Somehow, she found herself respecting him a little.
Whether it was Kita or Bocchi, he seemed to be able to see straight into their hearts and steer the situation with ease—making everything feel strangely relaxed and fun when he was around.
Hayabusa-kun really is amazing, she thought. He hasn't even known Kita and Bocchi that long, has he?
Just as that thought crossed her mind, Hayabusa turned to her with a dazzling grin and gave her a thumbs-up.
Nijika: !!!
No way!
No, no, no—there's no way!
Hayabusa, seeing her frozen expression, took the opportunity to guide the conversation again.
"So our next step is writing our own original song. As for our next performance—should we wait until Kita's guitar skills are stage-ready?" he asked, looking at Nijika.
She quickly snapped out of her daze, glanced at Kita, and said cheerfully,"Of course! We're the Ending Band, after all."
"I'll work hard!" Kita nodded earnestly.
Hayabusa teased Nijika with a grin."You were so against that band name before."
"Shut up!" Nijika's face flushed red as she glared at him. Then she turned to look at the real culprit—the one responsible for that ridiculous band name.
Ryo was smirking, the corner of her eye glittering like a star, clearly waiting for praise.
"Not happening!"
"Ugh! You two!" Nijika shouted, furious at the combination of Hayabusa's teasing and Ryo's smug expression.
…
Now that they had a clear goal again, they didn't waste time on aimless practice. Instead, they left the practice room space for the band's two guitarists, so Bocchi could focus entirely on teaching Kita.
Nijika, Ryo, and Hayabusa stepped out of the room.
Hayabusa followed behind Ryo, noticing how Nijika seemed to be walking a little slower than usual.
He spoke softly, as if guessing her thoughts out loud:"So worried about Bocchi-chan…"
The moment the words left his mouth, Nijika's ahoge (cowlick) shot straight up. She spun around stiffly to glare at the two behind her.
Ryo, completely expressionless, simply pointed straight at Hayabusa—mercilessly selling him out.
Realizing the words had come from Hayabusa, Nijika's face turned scarlet as she shouted,"Ishikawa-kun!"
Then she puffed out her cheeks, her bright red eyes glaring at him with a mix of shyness and anger.
"Sorry, sorry!" Hayabusa laughed, bowing in apology several times.
At the same time, he made a mental note—Okay, can't tease Nijika like that. Need a new approach.
…
Soon, it was just Ryo and Hayabusa left.
The two stared at each other in silence.
As for Nijika, after being teased just now, she declared that since Bocchi and Kita were doing individual practice, she might as well go do her own—and then bolted out of there.
She ran fast. Really fast.
"Nijika ran away," Ryo stated flatly.
Hayabusa couldn't tell if her tone was expressing disapproval or just stating a fact.
"So, what now?" he asked casually.
Ryo looked him straight in the eye."That song you were humming earlier gave me an idea. Come to my place."
"Sure." Hayabusa nodded.
At the same time, he found himself wondering what kind of reaction Nijika would have once the song was actually finished.
"Let's go," Ryo said, turning around and leading the way.
Their calm, matter-of-fact exchange left Hoshino at the counter, who had been secretly eavesdropping, wide-eyed and horrified.
But the two completely ignored her, walking one after the other out of STARRY.
Hoshino froze for a moment, then immediately grabbed her phone and sent Nijika a message at lightning speed.