Chapter 39: Tracking
On his way home from school in the afternoon, Ren glanced at the rearview mirror and saw Satou standing not far away, watching him leave.
Having a car makes things difficult...
Satou felt somewhat regretful. She had wanted to follow Ren to see where he lived, but since Ren drove to and from school, she couldn't keep up without preparation.
In that case, she decided to book a taxi in advance tomorrow and follow him.
Although she didn't have a car, Satou wasn't completely without means to track Ren. She had already prepared an excuse—she would claim it was because the male lead was cheating.
A mere glance from her didn't make Ren think too much about it. After confirming the camping plans, Hitori went to Kessoku Band, while he headed to Shimokitazawa to buy supplies for the trip.
He bought a tent, a mat, and since sleeping bags felt too cramped, he opted for blankets instead—how else could he share a bed with Hitori? Next, he picked up a portable outdoor stove and various other items, ending up with a pile of bags large and small.
"Ren, what are your plans for Golden Week?"
That evening, Anon came over for a visit and asked Ren about his holiday plans.
"I'm going on a camping date with Bocchi-chan. How about you?"
"Camping? That sounds nice. I still have to deal with band matters. Let me tell you, I met this strange girl who plays guitar way better than I do—it even sounds like she might be better than Bocchi-chan. She insists on joining the band no matter what. At this rate, I won't even get to be the lead guitarist! I don't want to end up as an unnoticed side character~"
Anon poured out her frustrations. Her band career wasn't going very smoothly. While the band was finally coming together, the position she wanted seemed to be slipping further away.
To make matters worse, her childhood friend was going on a camping date with his lover. Was she destined to become the ultimate loser?
"Isn't it more about whether you're having fun?"
Ren didn't comment on Anon's musical skills, only wanting to know if she was enjoying her time in the band. If she wasn't having fun, even being able to play and sing would be pointless.
"I guess I'm having fun. Otherwise, I would've quit already. Wait, no—it's not like I can quit that easily. The moment Tomori speaks up, it's like a lifelong commitment. Sometimes it's pretty intimidating."
Anon said helplessly. The more she got involved with the band, the stranger it felt, especially after visiting Kessoku Band and seeing how they operated.
She couldn't shake the feeling that her still-unnamed band was different from others. Even with a motherly figure like Nagasaki Soyo holding them together, there was an indescribable weirdness about it.
A pressure-cooker drummer, a socially anxious vocalist, a lead guitarist who acted like a cat, a motherly bassist, and her perfect Anon-sama.
On paper, they had the potential to be a dream team, but from the very first conversations, there was friction. The tension never let up, day after day.
But overall, she was still enjoying herself—at least she had made many new friends. So, she had no intention of giving up. If she abandoned the first thing she wanted to do after returning from studying abroad, she might end up becoming someone who quits at the first sign of difficulty.
"Then keep at it. As a high school band, you can still enjoy yourselves for a few more years."
"You're right. By the way, Ren, can I come camping with you?"
After beating around the bush for so long, Anon finally revealed her true intention.
"What do you think?"
Ren had no intention of bringing a third wheel along.
"I knew it. Whatever, hope you have fun."
Anon thought about it and found it reasonable, then left dejectedly.
The next day, the final day before the holiday, was largely unchanged from Ren's usual school routine. The only difference was that Satou frequently initiated conversations with him, persistently asking why he had blocked her.
Ren told her the truth: having a girlfriend and not wanting to make friends with the opposite sex shouldn't be hard to understand.
In response, Satou didn't resort to any dramatic kneeling or pleading. She just silently returned to her seat and stared at Hitori, lost in thought.
Hitori, meanwhile, was sweating bullets. That spine-chilling feeling was back—why did she feel like Satou wanted to kill her? Was she interfering with Satou's chance to be friends with Ren? If not for her, maybe Ren and Satou would be friends by now?
Seeing Satou fall silent with an unpleasant expression, Ren grew concerned for Hitori. He wasn't afraid of any retaliation from Satou—after all, she had actively sought his friendship only to be rejected, so pride was likely at stake.
But Hitori was different. She was sensitive and timid, and if it came to a confrontation, she probably wouldn't hold her own.
Still, he stayed by Hitori's side, unafraid of any trouble Satou might stir up. Besides, judging by Satou's usual cheerful and sweet demeanor, could a girl who smiled so brightly really be malicious?
Ren kept a watchful eye, just in case Hitori ended up bullied without him knowing.
Yuno observed it all with a silent smile. She liked Ren, but she was more patient and far-sighted than Satou. Interfering in someone else's relationship was definitely not good, so she waited—for Hitori to crack under pressure, and for Satou to apply that pressure.
Glancing at her phone, which showed intel on Ren's whereabouts ten minutes from now, Yuno quietly strategized. If they were going camping, there might be a chance for a "coincidental" encounter.
After school ended in the afternoon, with Kessoku Band set to get busy starting tomorrow, Hitori still had band practice to attend today. As Ren drove her to Kessoku Band, he noticed something odd behind them—a taxi was tailing him, seemingly following his every move.
This discovery puzzled Ren. Who had nothing better to do than follow him? Or was he overthinking it?
Baffled, Ren arrived in Shimokitazawa. After dropping Hitori off at Kessoku Band, he noticed the taxi was still on his tail.
Seeing this, he got out and walked over, knocking on the taxi's window.
"Ren, good afternoon."
Satou rolled down the window and gave him a sweet smile.
"...Let's talk outside."
Ren felt a mix of respect and unease. Even though he had clearly rejected Satou and blocked her on LINE just that day, she still showed no signs of giving up.
He had to admit it was somewhat admirable, but he'd have preferred if she weren't stalking him.
"Mm-hmm~"
Caught in the act, Satou remained unflustered. After paying the fare, she got out and stood facing Ren on the sidewalk.
"Are you following me?"
Ren decided to get straight to the point.
"What if I said it was all just a coincidence? Would you believe me, Ren?"
"If I said yes, would you believe that? Come on, why are you following me?"
"It's nothing much, just wanted to know where you live and such, Ren~"
"?"
Holy crap, she's doxxing me.
Admittedly, Ren was somewhat surprised by this outcome. What does Satou want with his personal information?
"I won't cause you any trouble, Ren. I just want to eliminate all factors that might affect us being together."
Satou tilted her head and tapped her chin, speaking with an innocent expression. Of course, she wasn't following Ren with bad intentions—at most, she'd just find an opportunity for a nighttime surprise visit. Oh, and also eliminate all the bitches who might get close to Ren.
"Including Bocchi-chan, right? I should have made it clear when I rejected you. Or do you think a man who would betray his current girlfriend to be with you would make a qualified partner? If I betrayed Bocchi-chan, I could just as easily betray you. You should understand that logic."
Ren hadn't yet considered the worst possible meaning behind this "elimination," thinking it was just typical scheming and mudslinging between girls.
So he spoke earnestly, explaining that he hated cheating and didn't want to become some scumbag who'd switch affections at the slightest temptation.
"No, you're different, Ren. I believe you're not that kind of person."
Satou shook her head, refusing to accept Ren's reasoning.
"?"
"If you know I'm not that kind of person, then why won't you give up?"
Ren was confused by her response. If she knew he was different, why wouldn't she let go?
"Even so, I won't give up. Because you're already my last connection to this world. When I say you're my most beloved person in the world, I'm not joking~"
Satou smiled as she spoke these unexpectedly heavy words.
"...You should face reality sooner rather than later."
Remembering her history with suicide attempts, Ren didn't want to be too harsh. After stating his position clearly, he got in his car and left Shimokitazawa.
Unfortunately, this time she got caught.
Satou felt somewhat regretful, but she didn't give up because of Ren's rejection. If this approach didn't work, she could always buy a tracking device.
As for Hitori.
Satou looked toward the entrance of Kessoku Band, her expression shifting between cloudy and clear before she finally turned and left.
She wasn't stupid, and she hadn't forgotten about Yuno watching from the shadows. Since Yuno was holding back, it meant she had some plan to deal with Hitori. If Satou made the first move against Hitori, she'd only earn Ren's dislike and let Yuno benefit.
So it was better to leave Hitori alone for now. She hadn't developed enough to pose a threat to them yet—just applying some pressure to make her doubt herself would be sufficient.
Withdrawing her gaze, Satou took out her phone to purchase a tracking device before leaving Shimokitazawa.