Early summer in Tokyo wasn't too hot yet. A light breeze could even feel cool.
After finding the address, Kai headed for the station.
STARRY wasn't exactly far, but walking would waste time; he spent a few hundred yen to take the train.
Ticket, a short wait, a five-minute ride—he got off at the nearest stop to STARRY.
Following the map, he reached STARRY, which had no customers yet.
"Excuse me."
He knocked politely, then pushed the door open without waiting for a reply.
It wasn't business hours, so the place was dead quiet.
Compared to a normal bar, the vibe was muted. But as a live house, STARRY had a thick stage atmosphere.
He took a quick look from the entrance, but before stepping in further, a lazy female voice reached his ears.
"We're not open yet. Come back in half an hour."
He paused.
Looking toward the voice, he saw, behind the counter opposite the door, a blonde beauty who resembled Nijika but was clearly older.
He blinked, then placed her.
STARRY's manager, Ijichi Hoshina—Nijika's big sister.
Since they weren't open, she'd told him to leave.
Kai turned to explain—
But before he could speak, a figure popped out from the other side of the room and cut him off.
"Sis, he's the temp guitarist I asked to help—not a customer!"
The voice was familiar, and so was the figure he'd met in the park.
Ijichi Nijika tugged along a short-haired, deep-blue-haired girl with a blank face, peeking out from a side room.
"Aoki-san, you made it! This is STARRY I mentioned. The one who tried to kick you out is my sister and the manager. And… this is my friend and our band's bassist, Yamada Ryō."
Having popped out, she introduced everyone.
"Mm…" Kai's gaze moved over them, and he nodded. "Hello. I'm Aoki Kai, the temp guitarist who agreed to help."
Ryō's expression didn't change. She gave a tiny nod and stayed expressionless behind Nijika.
Behind the counter, Hoshina looked… puzzled.
A temp guitarist… without a guitar?
Her eyes swept him head to toe, one brow quirking.
Before she could ask, Nijika voiced it first.
"Um, Aoki-san…" she said in a slightly odd tone after his introduction, "did you… forget your guitar?"
…
With about five hours of sleep a night and the rest spent working just to scrape by, Kai had never had spare cash for a guitar.
So, no—he hadn't "forgotten" it.
He hesitated—he'd already lied once to Nijika and felt a bit guilty—then told the truth.
"I don't own one. Guitars are expensive. I can't afford it."
"…?"
Nijika's smile stiffened.
A guitarist without a guitar… barely more reliable than the runaway Kita…
Seeing her worry, Kai cleared his throat and reassured her. "Don't worry. I don't have a guitar, but my playing is fine."
A beat later, he added—mindful that he hadn't actually tested his new skill yet—"A-approximately."
"…."
Her worried smile deepened.
Silence hovered. After a few seconds, Nijika forced a laugh to dispel the awkwardness.
"Ahahaha… Guitars are pricey these days. We have a spare. I-it'll be fine…"
She paused, then, perhaps worried his level was low and wanting to comfort him in advance, added, "Also, uh, Ryō aside, my drumming isn't very good. We're still amateurs. No pressure, Aoki-san…"
Kai blinked. He knew she'd misunderstood, but explaining would be awkward now…
After a few seconds' thought, he let it be and simply nodded.
Seeing him respond, Nijika hurried to break the tension. "Sis, can you grab the spare guitar from storage? I'll show Aoki-san around. This way, Aoki-san."
…
STARRY wasn't big, but it had everything it needed.
Following Nijika's lead, Kai got a quick layout tour.
By the time they finished and the manager returned from storage, she had a spare guitar—dusty from long disuse.
"This one isn't great. The nicer one's gone missing… but this will do for now."
She handed it to him.
Kai wasn't picky. Any guitar would do.
He took it. "Quality's fine. As long as it makes sound."
Hoshina didn't answer. As she passed it over, Kai's index fingertip brushed the back of her hand—and it struck her:
His fingertips were smooth.
Anyone who practiced guitar, even a little, wouldn't have fingers this smooth. Maybe not blisters and calluses, but at least a bit rough.
Puzzled, she gave Kai a longer look.
By every tell so far, he didn't look like someone who could play…
She glanced at him, then at Ryō and Nijika behind her.
After a moment's hesitation she voiced it gently: "How's your level, really? Want to try a little on this one?"
-------
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