Chapter 45: Accomplice

Nijika walked into the yard and casually closed the gate.

She still trusted Hayato-kun very much.

Although Hayato-kun loved to play pranks, he was very reliable.

But trust was one thing, and worry was another.

Thinking of Ishikawa Hayato's usual remarks always made her feel uneasy.

Entering the villa, she skillfully took out slippers from the shoe cabinet and changed into them. The sound of the slippers hitting the ground quickly passed through the entrance hall, and the sound stopped in front of the metal grille on the side of the house.

She suddenly felt a little curious whether Ishikawa Hayato's free and easy demeanor would become restrained because of Yamada Ryo's family background.

Speaking of which, this should still be Yamada Ryo's first time bringing someone to her home besides her, right?

'It couldn't be!'

Yamada Ryo and Hayato-kun usually seemed to get along very well. Could it be that they had developed that kind of relationship at some point?!

Nijika suddenly let her imagination run wild and quickly walked towards Ryo's room.

When she reached the room, Nijika paused, and she told herself,

“Hmm, I’m just listening to see if they’re in the middle of a lively conversation and if it’s appropriate to interrupt right now. I’m definitely not thinking anything strange.”

She nodded affirmately, her arms crossed, with such force that her dress swayed.

“Mm!”

Then, the girl immediately showed a pair of sly, cat-like eyes, pressed herself against the door, and eavesdropped inside.

“Take off your clothes!”

Amidst the passionate music, Ishikawa Hayato sang out like a chant.

Nijika: ???

'What are these two doing?!'

But she still suppressed her suddenly uneasy heart and continued to press against the door, listening to the sounds inside.

“Show your most primitive self, form wings from filth, and fly~”

Ryo’s seemingly reluctant singing voice followed.

It’s a song.

Nijika knew she had misunderstood earlier. She breathed a sigh of relief, glad she hadn't rushed in impulsively, or she would have been greatly embarrassed.

'But why was Ryo’s voice so reluctant?'

'It sounded like she was being held hostage.'

'Could Hayato-kun be forcing her to sing?'

Nijika’s expression turned serious. Even if it wasn't the case, just the fact that they were singing such a strange song meant she had to intervene.

With that thought, she pushed open the door without another word and walked in.

“Hayato-kun, Ryo, we’re not going to sing this song…”

Nijika stood by the door, holding the doorknob. Before she could finish her sentence, she saw Ishikawa Hayato holding his phone, recording a video of Ryo, who looked pitifully wronged.

Nijika looked at the scene, her mind unable to process it, and she called out in a daze,

“What… what are you two doing?!”

...

A dozen seconds before Nijika pushed open the door.

Inside Ryo’s room.

Ryo heard Ishikawa Hayato’s threatening tone and saw his smiling face.

The taciturn, somewhat cool girl leaned back in her office chair. She crossed her legs, and her loose pants vaguely revealed the curves of her legs.

“Shouldn’t accomplices control each other’s weaknesses?”

At this moment, the 16 year old girl already possessed some of the taciturn, aloof, and arrogant aura of a future mature woman.

“Oh, then what will Ryo do?”

Ishikawa Hayato sat back in his chair, curiously looking at the girl he still couldn’t quite figure out.

Ryo leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, her body slightly hunched. She wore a gentle smile, happily spinning her office chair slightly.

“Nijika will be up soon, if we do this…”

...

Back to the present.

“What… what are you two doing?!”

Hearing Nijika’s voice, Ryo looked at Nijika with teary eyes, appearing as if she had been bullied by Ishikawa Hayato.

“Nijika…”

She reached out to Nijika with a choked sob.

Nijika rushed over, turning to shield Ryo with her own body.

“Hayato-kun, don’t bully Ryo!”

She cried out in annoyance.

“Well, Ryo was willing too.”

Ishikawa Hayato smiled, seemingly unconcerned about making Nijika angry. He poked his head out and smiled at Ryo, who was behind Nijika.

Ryo glanced at Nijika, whose gaze had turned to her, and showed an expression that said, “What are you talking about?”

After Nijika looked away, as if sensing something was amiss, she looked at Ishikawa Hayato with a puzzled expression.

Meanwhile, Ryo secretly gave Ishikawa Hayato a faint smile.

Seeing Ryo’s triumphant smile, Ishikawa Hayato was helpless.

Why did this fellow come up with this trick? It was as if she wanted Nijika to dislike him.

Could this still be considered controlling each other’s weaknesses?

He stood up, not wanting to delve deeper into it here, and walked towards Nijika with a beaming smile.

“Eh, Hayato-kun, what are you doing?!”

Nijika, who had been in a protective stance, immediately cowered as Ishikawa Hayato approached, showing some fear and backing away.

“It’s nothing bad.”

Ishikawa Hayato smiled slyly, his eyes narrowing.

He quickly approached Nijika, placed his hands on her shoulders, and, amidst her flustered expression, pushed her towards the computer.

“Come listen to the song we made.”

Nijika’s expression relaxed a little upon hearing that. She grumbled,

“You’re trying to gloss over it, aren’t you?… Fine, but if the song is too weird, I won’t agree to sing it, okay?”

But she still obediently let Ishikawa Hayato push her into the office chair and took the headphones he offered.

Watching Nijika put on the headphones, Ishikawa Hayato put on an adorably awkward smile in front of her and said,

“Nijika is truly an angel~”

Nijika’s gaze turned much colder, and she sighed.

“Hayato-kun, are you taking me for a fool?”

Although she said that, she had an expression that showed she didn’t intend to pursue the matter further, and she put on the headphones.

After watching Nijika click play on the song on the computer, Ishikawa Hayato gave a thumbs-up to Ryo while showing a “mission accomplished” smile, while Ryo inexplicably had a exasperated expression behind him.

“Nijika is so easy to deal with…”

Ryo said this, but didn’t notice Nijika’s ears twitching slightly.

Ishikawa Hayato noticed that Nijika wasn’t fully focused on the headphones, but he didn’t say anything.

He wore a relaxed expression, as if his task was complete, and said to Ryo with a smile,

“So, from today on, we are accomplices.”

“Mm.”

Ryo nodded calmly. She looked at the man in front of her.

And then, she gradually understood the deeper meaning behind his actions…

“Let’s make the band weird together. Don’t just run away inexplicably disappointed one day, okay?”

“You’re younger than me, but you sure are bold to say that.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, my dear ccomplice.”

Secretly adjusting the headphone volume, Nijika listened to their calm and harmonious conversation behind her, and she finally relaxed.

Afterward, she stopped caring what the two were saying, listened to the song, and picked up the timed lyrics on the table to glance at them.

But only for a moment.

Nijika’s gaze froze, then she blinked several times in disbelief.

Behind her, the two noticed her movement and looked at her curiously.

Nijika suddenly took off her headphones and stood up abruptly, her face tense as if she couldn't bear it anymore, her fists clenched, and she shouted with full force,

“Seal this song away!!”

Ishikawa Hayato, mischievously, feigned a pitiful expression and pleaded loudly,

“No!”

Nijika, who usually compromised a bit, now firmly shouted without giving an inch,

“It absolutely must be sealed! Kessoku Band is not a band that sings such songs!”

“Pfft.”

Ryo watched Ishikawa Hayato, who clearly knew the song couldn’t be sung but deliberately teased Nijika and kept pleading, and she let out a small laugh.

Just then, Nijika’s pocket rang. She stopped arguing and took out her phone in surprise.

Ishikawa Hayato also stopped his playful teasing at the opportune moment.

Nijika looked at the caller ID, puzzled, “Sister?”

It was then that she suddenly remembered she hadn’t replied to the two messages her sister had sent. She was about to quickly answer when

Ishikawa Hayato suddenly grabbed her hand, preventing her from answering the call.

Nijika looked at him, utterly bewildered.

Ishikawa Hayato pulled her arm and led her to the window, looking out from a discreet angle.

They saw a breathless Seika standing at Ryo’s doorstep, her phone pressed to her ear, listening intently and anxiously.

Ryo, who had also quietly made her way over, showed an amused smile upon seeing Seika.

“Truly sisters.”

Nijika froze, then stomped her foot hard as if furious.

“You two have such terrible personalities!”