Chapter 15: Photo

“Then next…”

After Nijika submitted the performance application and composed herself, she returned to continue the Band meeting.

“Practice probably won’t be possible… So what else do other bands do…”

“Disband.”

Ryo interrupted.

“Ryo, don’t speak!”

Nijika seemed to still harbor resentment over the disastrous band naming earlier.

But after she finished speaking, she looked at the other two and relaxed slightly when she saw that they didn't agree with Ryo.

They usually didn't spend much time together, and she wanted to use this opportunity to get to know them better.

What should they do… “How about we go take a group photo of the band?”

As she was thinking, she suddenly heard Ishikawa Hayato suggest this.

“Good idea!”

Kita immediately sparkled with Kita energy again, her gaze fixed on Ryo, instantly lost in happy imaginings.

Everyone easily read Kita Ikuyo’s thoughts.

Nijika sighed, but then smiled. Although there wasn't a single normal person in the band except her, she somehow felt that this was how people who played instruments were supposed to be.

She raised her hand, and the red ribbon on her wrist shook along.

“OK, Let’s go.”

"“Oh~!!”"

…As the group walked onto the main road specially made up of three girls with a boy made Ishikawa Hayato feel as dazzling as a harem king.

He could even feel some normies glaring at him with ‘die, die!’ looks.

“Kita-chan is in the same school and class as Hayato-kun, right?”

“Yes, it's such a coincidence.”

Nijika and Kita walked ahead, chatting, while he and Ryo walked behind.

Seeing the two in front chatting so animatedly, Ishikawa Hayato glanced at Ryo beside him.

She still looked emotionless, her eyes half-hidden by her bangs, gazing straight ahead.

She wore a neutral black shirt and black carrot pants, which gave her a strong sense of independence while also making her appear tall and elegant.

Ishikawa Hayato thought for a moment. Although both of them belonged to the category of strange people, there didn't seem to be any topics they could chat about.

He casually brought up a topic.

“Where does Ryo usually go to hang out?”

Kita, who was ahead, stiffened when she heard this topic.

To directly ask a woman about her whereabouts, what a frivolous man!

Speaking of which, she was a bit curious, Ishikawa Hayato didn't seem particularly familiar with them, how long had he been in the Band?

She then asked Nijika.

“Ijiichi-senpai, how did Ishikawa-kun meet you guys?”

Because it was only two days ago, Nijika remembered it very clearly.

“It was just this Wednesday, Hayato-kun suddenly came to us and said he wanted to join the band.”

“Wednesday was… this week’s?!”

Kita Ikuyo was stunned.

“Mm.”

Nijika nodded affirmatively.

Seeing Nijika nod, a sense of absurdity grew in her heart. After only knowing each other for a few days, he was already calling her by her first name, and not even adding ‘senpai.’

This man definitely harbored ulterior motives!

Ishikawa Hayato’s voice came from behind.

“A second-hand clothing store? I’ve never been there. I usually like to go to deserted places, just like Ryo.”

'Ryo-senpai is in danger!!'

'You can't communicate with such a frivolous person.'

“Is that so? Where do you usually go?” Ryo asked.

“Open spaces, like a seawall by the sea, or flat fields,” Ishikawa Hayato replied.

“Won’t it be boring?”

“It’s very comfortable to relax in a wide-open space.”

After Ishikawa Hayato finished speaking, he naturally invited Ryo, “Do you want to come and experience it?”

'Wh…wh…what is this man saying!'

'This progress is too fast!!'

Kita’s eyes were blank, chaotic colors swirling in them.

'Go to a deserted place to relax, experience something… how could she allow such a thing to happen!'

'Ryo-senpai will be protected by her!'

She was afraid Ryo would be lured by this guy and agree. If she agreed, it would be too late.

Instantly, her gaze scanned around, shops, streets, wire fences, tall buildings, unusually styled houses.

She found it.

“Uh, there’s a nice wall over there.”

She hurriedly interrupted Ishikawa Hayato and Ryo’s conversation, pointing vaguely at a small house decorated in a summer style not far away.

Ishikawa Hayato paused.

He instinctively made an invitation, that was close, that was close.

He used to take people to those places so often, it was almost second nature… The four of them turned their attention to that shop.

Ryo, Kita, and Ishikawa Hayato stood against the side wall of the shop, while Nijika stood a few steps away from them, confirming the angle.

Nijika extended her index finger and thumb, forming a rectangular frame with both hands, aiming it at the three of them.

“Kita-chan is amazing, it perfectly matches our background.”

“No, no, I just happened to see it…”

Kita Ikuyo hadn't expected the random spot she found to be satisfactory. She hoped Ijiichi-senpai wasn't just saying that to go along with the atmosphere, otherwise, she felt her guilt would increase.

“Well then, I’ll go ask if we can take photos here.”

Nijika said, and like a gust of wind, she scurried into the shop, her golden ponytail fluttering with her movements.

“I also…”

Kita hadn't finished speaking when she suddenly remembered Ishikawa Hayato standing next to Ryo.

At this moment, the two were discussing things about performing.

Even a normal conversation gave her an immense sense of crisis.

'I can't leave!' Kita Ikuyo cried inwardly.