Chapter 55: Star

The last performance also came to an end.

The store entered its closing preparations once the fans who had stayed behind to chat with the band members had left.

Cleaning the venue, inventorying supplies.

The girls moved quickly.

Not to mention Nijika and Ryo, who regularly helped out here, Kita has always been efficient, and Hitori, thinking she could finally go home, burst with motivation, working hard with a worrying smile on her face, aided by Ishikawa Hayato’s help.

The store was almost spotless in no time.

While they started cleaning, Seika went to the dressing room to settle accounts with the band that performed tonight.

But when she came out with the band members and saw the five of them casually chatting by the bar and the sparkling clean hall, she was dumbfounded.

...

Hitori watched the departing band members in a daze.

Among them were cheerful and sunny people like Hayato, Nijika, and Kita, who pulled their teammates and spoke loudly, but there were also quiet and reserved people like Ryo.

She just didn’t know if there was anyone like her.

Could someone like her stay here?

She looked to her side.

Ishikawa Hayato was arguing with Ryo to her right.

Ishikawa Hayato: “Aren’t we accomplices? Why did you abandon me!”

Ryo: “That’s the manager’s arrangement.”

Ishikawa Hayato: “Shouldn’t you also hang a sign that says…”

Ryo interrupted him.

“No, that’s your job.”

Hitori looked over again, her gaze inadvertently meeting Nijika’s gaze.

Nijika smiled, then turned back to chat with Kita.

But in less than two seconds, she looked over again.

As if her red eyes had noticed something.

She finished her conversation with Kita, stepped out of the group, and turned around with a satisfied smile, saying to the four of them.

“That concludes today’s part-time work. Everyone did very well, thank you for your hard work.”

The four responded one after another.

Afterward, the three began to pack their things. Once finished, they were about to leave together when Kita noticed Ryo still standing there without her belongings.

“Ryo-senpai, aren’t you going home?”

Ryo replied.

“Hmm, I’ll stay a bit longer.”

“I see.”

Kita responded with a little less enthusiasm.

Nijika noticed her expression, not quite understanding what had happened. Her smile faded, but then her gaze was drawn to Ishikawa Hayato, who was gently waving beside her.

Seeing Ishikawa Hayato’s reassuring smile, Kita smiled back, her smile as bright and lovely as spring sunshine.

Nijika and Ryo saw the three out to the store’s entrance.

Under the dark, somewhat blue night sky, the three emerged from STARRY, bathed in warm yellow light.

As they were about to head up, the three happened to spot Seika, who had sent the band off to their celebration party and returned early.

She walked down the steps and calmly said to the three.

“Be careful on your way home.”

Hitori: “Ah… mm.”

Kita: “Thank you for your care.”

Ishikawa Hayato: “That wasn’t meant for me, was it?”

Ishikawa Hayato’s words drew a light chuckle from Seika. Then she walked past the three and continued down.

As the three prepared to move forward again, Nijika looked at the timid Hitori, who was about to leave, and after some hesitation, called out.

“Bocchi-chan.”

Hitori took a moment to react, then turned around in a fluster, responding.

“Ah, yes.”

Nijika smiled, meeting Hitori’s gaze.

She remembered Hitori’s appearance when she first found her at their meeting spot.

At that time, she was like a child walking alone in the world after being betrayed, becoming nervous and scared at the slightest disturbance.

But seeing her now, though still timid, daring to meet others’ gazes, Nijika unconsciously smiled.

“See you.”

Hitori responded stiffly.

“Ah, yes…”

She avoided Nijika’s gaze, quickly thought for a moment, and gathered a little courage to say.

“See you tomorrow.”

With Ryo’s wave, she turned around, saw Ishikawa Hayato and Kita looking back at her ahead, paused, and then hurried to catch up.

Under the streetlights, the three walked home together.

...

Round, blurry streetlight shadows, patches of light spilling from houses.

It was the first time Hitori, Ishikawa Hayato, and Kita had left STARRY together so late.

They walked along the dimly lit street amidst the myriad of household lights.

Kita tilted her head and looked at Ishikawa Hayato and Hitori beside her.

They had been walking for almost a minute, but these two hadn’t said a word, completely different from their lively conversation at noon.

Was she being a third wheel?

Just as she was thinking of an excuse to leave, Ishikawa Hayato suddenly said to her.

“Oh, Kita, that thing you mentioned earlier…”

That thing?

Kita immediately reacted, glanced at the bewildered Hitori, and quickly waved her hands repeatedly.

“Idiot! How can you talk about that now!”

“It’s not as complicated as Kita thinks.”

Ishikawa Hayato’s tone was very casual, and at the same time, he inexplicably grabbed Kita’s arm.

Kita looked down at Ishikawa Hayato’s hand gripping her arm, then looked at Ishikawa Hayato in confusion.

Ishikawa Hayato said with a grin.

“To prevent the runaway lady from running away.”

“You’re such a terrible person! This is illegal detention!”

Kita immediately complained loudly, but even as she said so, she made no attempt to struggle.

“Good, this is another meal on my path as a pervert. Illegally detaining a beautiful girl feels pretty good.”

Ishikawa Hayato said casually, and amidst Kita’s blushing cries of “Hey!”, he looked to his side.

He looked at the puzzled Hitori and explained to her.

“This idiot has been down since this afternoon because a bunch of classmates asked if she was dating me, and she answered yes.”

“Wait, how can you tell Gotou-san about this!”

Kita’s voice couldn’t cover Ishikawa Hayato’s words. Seeing Hitori hear Ishikawa Hayato’s words completely.

She regretted letting Ishikawa Hayato handle this matter. This wasn’t solving it. It was adding fuel to the fire.

She wanted to slip away but found her arm firmly held by Ishikawa Hayato.

Feeling betrayed, she waited for Hitori’s judgment.

“Oh…”

But Hitori only responded very calmly.

Not hearing the various sounds of dissatisfaction she had imagined, Kita turned to look, only to see a hint of sympathy in Hitori’s gaze towards her.

As if a strong resonance had occurred.

Kita: ???

After hesitating, she asked Hitori.

“Gotou-san, aren’t you angry?”

Hitori blinked in confusion.

“Um, I… don’t understand.”

And upon hearing Kita’s words, Ishikawa Hayato, who had long guessed the situation, said to Hitori.

“It seems Kita misunderstood and thought we were a couple.”

Suddenly, Hitori stopped. Her facial features instantly became distorted.

Her mouth jumped to the left side of her cheek, trembling as she said.

“C-C-Couple?”

Her appearance startled Kita, who exclaimed.

“Gotou-san!”

Ishikawa Hayato, however, was very calm in the face of this scene. He let go of Kita’s hand, turned around, and said to Hitori.

“Bocchi, it’s time for a correction.”

“Ah… ah ah.”

Hitori let out a trembling sound.

The next moment, Ishikawa Hayato clapped his hands together, rubbed them, then slapped Hitori’s face with a *slap*, instantly restoring her facial features to their proper place.

But she still looked like she hadn’t fully recovered.

Ishikawa Hayato grabbed her wrist, and with his other hand, he naturally took Kita's arm, continuing forward amidst the surprised gazes of passersby.

As Kita walked, she looked down at her grabbed hand, then at Ishikawa Hayato's face.

"Ishikawa-kun?"

"I'm addicted to restraining people," Ishikawa Hayato replied flatly.

"Let go!"

Kita, her face flushed, struggled lightly but couldn't break free.

Then she saw the surprised looks of passersby directed at them and lowered her head slightly.

Because the problem was resolved too easily, her emotions, which hadn't fully brewed, were quickly dispersed, leaving only a faint trace deep within her heart.

Ishikawa Hayato looked at the two beautiful girls he was holding with each hand and inexplicably felt that if he were to turn into some strange shop, these two would probably obediently follow him in.

However, Kita would probably react and run away.

Hmm, it's a bit interesting, but she'd become wary later, so he wouldn't tease them like that for now.