"Cheers~!"
Inside the warm, orange-lit Shiba Seki Ramen shop, the members of Kessoku Band clinked their glasses together. The fizzy crackle of cola bubbled from their drinks, complementing the eye-popping lineup of sushi dishes covering the table.
From the long list of items on the receipt, it was clear that all the ticket sales from their Live had gone into this meal, courtesy of Seika. For Kazami Haru, who wasn't exactly flush with cash, her generosity was nothing short of divine.
"This place is great, eat as much as you want!"
Ijichi Seika's lips curled up into a satisfied smile. Maybe it was the success of her little sister's Live, but the doting big sis was clearly in a great mood.
This place happened to be one of Haru's regular spots, Shiba Seki Ramen.
Even though it was a bit out of the way, its flavor had earned it a solid reputation among those in the know. The fact that Seika had chosen to bring everyone here said everything about the quality.
"Since it's on me tonight, order whatever you want, Haru!"
Seika pushed the menu toward him with a proud grin.
But Haru, holding the menu, just stared blankly—overwhelmed.
"What's wrong? If you don't know what to get, just pick something that looks good. Everything here's delicious."
"Then I guess I'll just pick by instinct…"
Of course Haru knew what was good here.
He'd been coming to Shiba Seki for years. Back when he had a bit of cash, he'd treat himself to a feast here. He'd even gotten friendly with the chef, who sometimes tossed in freebies when he came by.
But lately, the chef had been looking at him oddly, like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
And especially today, when Haru walked in with the four Kessoku girls and three older women, the chef behind the counter looked like he'd just seen a ghost. When Haru met his eyes, the man immediately averted his gaze like nothing happened.
Definitely a misunderstanding.
"Since we're here, I have to order some of this amazing shōchū!"
Seated beside Seika was a petite woman in a pale green spaghetti-strap dress.
Her deep purple braided hair resembled lavender, and her overall look—outfit, posture, expression—oozed a loose, breezy vibe.
She squinted with languid, seductive eyes, her cheeks flushed bright red from drink. The moment she got her hands on a beer, she gleefully lifted the glass and chugged a third of it in one go.
"Who's this lady…?" Kita Ikuyo asked, eyes wide with curiosity. This was clearly her first time seeing this rather… interesting woman.
"She was my junior back in college. We used to come here and drink together," Seika explained, her tone a little tired, clearly used to this drunkard's antics.
"Hi hi~ I'm Hiroi Kikuri~!"
Kikuri's face was flushed with that classic drinker's glow as she let out a hearty burp and cheerfully introduced herself, right before downing another huge gulp and letting out a strange, uncle-like "Aaahhh!"
Haru silently watched this wild woman pound drinks one after another… only for her eyes to suddenly zero in on him.
Like a cat spotting something amusing, her lips curled as she spoke with delight, "Hey there, kid~ I saw your performance earlier!"
"Your keyboard playing was seriously impressive! Way beyond what someone your age should be capable of."
As she said that, her narrowed eyes opened just a bit, revealing a deep violet gleam full of curiosity.
Both Seika and Kikuri could instantly tell just how absurd Haru's performance had been. Those spiraling arpeggios he unleashed on stage had shocked even them. His level was above that of many professionals.
If she hadn't known Haru was just a 16-year-old high schooler, Kikuri would've suspected he was some legendary keyboardist kicked out of a pro band and now training in exile to take back his throne.
"It was just a lucky day. I happened to be in good form."
Haru didn't think he was anything special, especially since his performance had been thanks to that "Daughter's Skill Trial Card." Without it, he doubted he could've pulled off even half as well. Maybe he would've even slipped up somewhere.
"Oh, come on~ Take the praise already!"
Kikuri grinned, tossing out compliments without hesitation.
"But y'know, for a guy, what really matters is guts! How about a spin of the Spiral of Happiness, eh?"
She lifted a bottle of strong shōchū, the heavy aroma making everyone in the room slightly dizzy.
"Kikuri-senpai, I'm underage."
Haru leaned on his hand, tone flat with a hint of resignation.
"Underage, so what?"
"Just because you're not 18 yet, does that mean you don't hook up?"
Pffft!
That one line nearly made Kita spray her drink. She choked on her cola so hard her eyes teared up.
Haru silently handed her a handkerchief to help wipe her mouth.
"She's got a point. We are a rock band, after all."
Yamada Ryo nodded solemnly, strangely enough echoing Kikuri's sentiment.
"'Rock' means smoking, drinking, and partying with women! If Haru can't smoke or drink, then he should at least—"
"I told you rock isn't that kind of convenient lifestyle brand!"
Ijichi Nijika, her face red as a tomato, rushed to clamp her hands over Yamada Ryo's mouth before she could finish that sentence. God only knew where this would've gone if she'd let her keep talking!
There was no denying it—Hiroi Kikuri, whose performance style was drunken rock, was too rock 'n' roll. That genre, when it really leaned hard, bordered on the chaotic madness of heavy metal. If she smashed her bass to pieces mid-performance, Haru wouldn't have even been surprised.
"Kikuri-senpai, you're a bassist, right? I don't see your bass here?"
"Oh~ you mean my Super Ultra Drunken Oni EX? I forgot where I left it while I was drinking~"
Kita Ikuyo immediately regretted asking.
This senpai… seemed extremely unreliable.
Just then, a server arrived with grilled oysters and roasted garlic chives. Haru blinked in confusion and glanced over at the server, who pointed toward the counter, toward the chef.
Haru instantly got the message.
"I don't think we ordered these, did we? The server said they're complimentary?"
Nijika tilted her head curiously, inspecting the food. Seika's face lit up as if everything had clicked, and she smiled smugly. "Probably because I'm a regular here."
"Wow, that's so cool, Sis!"
Watching the Ijichi sisters smiling side by side, Haru said nothing, but inside, he was sighing.
Of all dishes to send, why these two? Wasn't that a little too on the nose?
Maybe it was the post-debut high, but everyone seemed more excited than usual tonight.
Even Seika, who was usually cool and distant, had a rare smile on her face. The tension Nijika had been carrying seemed to finally lift.
In that dream, her debut Live had ended in failure and everything crumbled afterward.
It was exactly because she'd experienced that kind of dream that today's Live meant so much to her.
Thanks to Haru on the keyboard and Bocchi on guitar, they'd turned what could've been a disaster into a triumph.
She was deeply grateful to Haru. In fact, she found it hard to take her eyes off him.
Nijika looked over at him with a soft smile. He was lightly biting his straw, the curve of his face sharp and serene. Even she had to admit it—his side profile was dangerously attractive. She couldn't stare too long.
Dreams were just dreams. Reality was completely different.
At most, this just proved that somewhere deep inside, she had a bit of a crush on Haru, something just slightly beyond friendship.
Blushing faintly, Nijika quietly exhaled.
No matter when her feelings for Haru had started, she couldn't afford to act on them. Everyone in the band was working so hard right now, and as the leader, she couldn't afford to get distracted by romance.
More importantly—
Both her best friend Yamada Ryo and Kita-chan seemed to have feelings for Haru, too.
Nijika had no intention of competing with them, especially if it risked breaking their friendship.
Even if she recognized her own feelings, she'd rather keep them buried deep in her heart.
"Haru-san, could you pass me the fried chicken?"
Nijika smiled as she asked. Haru casually reached out using his left hand and placed the plate in front of her.
Her smile faltered just slightly.
Eh?
Did Haru just use his left hand?
Nijika hadn't noticed it before but ever since that dream, she hadn't been able to forget this detail.
Even though the plate was closer to his right hand, he instinctively reached with his left.
That kind of subconscious action didn't lie.
Unless… Haru really was left-handed?
Realizing this possibility, Nijika rubbed her temples in confusion.
She'd never really paid attention to which hand he favored. But the memory of that dream, where Haru had been a painter and used his left hand, still stuck with her vividly.
It had to be her imagination.
But still… was Haru actually left-handed?
"Nijika? Something wrong?"
Haru noticed her odd expression and leaned in slightly, his voice laced with concern.
But the faint floral scent coming off him hit her like a wave. Her golden side-ponytail trembled gently, her pale earlobes flushed scarlet, and her already delicate face lit up in a cherry-pink blush as she lowered her head.
She looked like an angel. Pure, shy, and heart-meltingly cute.
Seeing her like that, Haru couldn't help but recall the simulated dream version of her.
Too cute. It was like being seduced by a literal angel.
"N-No, it's nothing!"
"Ahaha~ I think it's just a little stuffy in here! I'll go get some fresh air…"
In a desperate attempt to hide her flushed face, Nijika dabbed at imaginary sweat with a napkin and quickly stood up, rushing out of the shop. Haru stayed seated, looking puzzled.
Seika, watching her sister "escape," turned to Haru with an increasingly suspicious gaze.
Crap. Looks like Nijika really did fall for that kid.
Now what?
That punk Haru had beautiful girls hanging off him left and right, and he still wasn't dating anyone. Nijika, being soft-spoken in love, wasn't the type to make a move.
Kita Ikuyo, watching from across the table where Ryo was currently being cornered by Kikuri, realized: this was her chance.
Her original plan had been for Bocchi to run interference while she invited Haru for a "walk." She'd casually bring up the Live, ease him into conversation, then gently slip in a few playful, ambiguous comments to test the waters.
Even if she didn't succeed tonight, it'd bring them much closer.
"Okay!"
She clenched her tiny fists and began moving toward Haru.
But before she could say a word, the black-haired boy next to her stood up.
"I'm going to get some fresh air."
Haru was still concerned about Nijika. Her behavior had been strange all day. He figured he should check on her and talk a bit, just in case something was bothering her.
"Eh…?"
Kita Ikuyo was left dumbfounded.
…
Sliding open the wooden door of Shiba Seki Ramen—
The darkened night had already blanketed the world, but the warmth of the day still lingered in the air. The wind murmured softly through the streets, and distant neon lights gave the night a subtle vibrancy.
Haru exhaled deeply and let his gaze wander—
Until he spotted a shimmer of golden light under the dark sky.
Cool, pale light from the heavens bathed the girl in gold, her side ponytail trailing behind her like a streak of sunlight. Her crimson eyes shone like stars as she quietly stood, the image of purity and grace.
She was like a living work of art.
"What are you looking at?"
"Haru-san? Why did you come out too?"
Nijika, hands behind her back and gazing up at the sky, turned around. Her surprise at seeing him was clear and with it, came a sudden surge of flustered confusion.
What was she even thinking?
She knew that had just been a dream but now, when something reminded her of it, her heart started acting up.
Seeing Haru appear so suddenly threw her off. Her heartbeat quickened. Her breath hitched.
Still, she tried to act as normal as possible.
"Nijika, want something to drink?"
Haru casually pulled out a coin and headed toward a vending machine. Nijika panicked, quickly darting over to stop him. She puffed out her cheeks in mock protest.
"No! I'm treating you today, okay?!"
"What kind of guy lets a girl treat him?"
They went back and forth, and finally, Nijika won.
By some strange coincidence, she ended up picking Haru's favorite—MAX Coffee.
Leaning against the vending machine, can in hand, Haru looked at her awkward smile. Just as he was about to say something, she beat him to it:
"Sometimes, I feel like I'm just really lucky~"
"If I hadn't run into you and Bocchi that day… maybe the band would've ended right there. It was pure luck we brought back someone as amazing as you."
"Actually, I think it's because I met you that we've come this far."
"I've always wanted to properly thank you, Haru."
She cradled her juice in both hands, her gentle smile radiating warmth like the softest spring sunshine. The white glow on her shoulders seemed to form wings, pure and angelic.
"Not necessarily."
In Haru's eyes, she was the core of Kessoku Band.
With her energy and optimism, she held everyone together. If Nijika hadn't been there, Kessoku wouldn't have survived.
"With your personality, you'd have found a way to form a band anyway, even if you hadn't met me."
"Even if the debut Live had flopped, you'd still be the one smiling, telling everyone it's okay. You've always been the one patiently guiding Bocchi through her insecurities. She didn't stand up today just because I gave her a push."
Haru chuckled and lifted his can of MAX Coffee, tone playful:
"As for your thank you, I already got it."
Looks like Nijika was okay now. Aside from the blush, she didn't seem in distress anymore. Haru, visibly relieved, waved casually in her direction and turned to head back inside.
Leaving the golden-haired girl standing alone in the night.
Nijika lowered her head slightly. The crimson blush crept from her neck to her ears. She cradled the juice in both hands, its warmth still lingering—
And suddenly squatted down, burying her face in her palms.
"What the heck am I supposed to do…?!"
—End of Volume 3
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