Chapter 62: Aggressive Progress (Part 2)

...

While at her part-time job, Hitori, with a slightly distant look in her eyes, handed a drink to a customer.

Her calm demeanor startled Nijika, who was nearby, making her think Hitori had super-evolved.

But in reality, she was deep in thought.

She gazed at Hayato and Ryo, who were guiding customers on the inner side of the venue, and her mind was racing.

No one in the band seemed to care at all about the harem Hayato had mentioned.

But it was strange how everyone was so surprised at first, yet no one said a word.

'What were the others thinking?'

Moreover, she wondered if it was just her imagination.

Maybe Hayato didn’t actually intend to find a girlfriend, which is why he rejected people in this way.

Maybe it was just her imagination.

...

After their part-time job ended, they cleaned the venue and then went to the rehearsal room for a short practice session.

Kita was really working hard.

She didn't leave herself any time to rest.

She practiced so desperately that it made her seem like she wasn’t making any progress at all.

...

On the way home after practice.

Kita suddenly started chatting casually with Hayato as usual, and then Hayato teased her.

Just as Hayato said, Kita looked very cute when she was pouting—unlike her usual self, she had a very girlish vibe.

Although she was a little worried they would suddenly hold hands and leave her behind.

After Kita waved goodbye, it was just her and Hayato again.

Hayato, as always, chatted happily with Kita, and then chatted with her.

She didn’t mind it so much, but she was still a little uneasy.

Hayato had said that he couldn't find a wife, which was why he could support her, but what if he did?

What would happen?

Before they parted ways, Hitori hung her head, not daring to look at Ishikawa Hayato, and tugged at his sleeve.

“Um…”

Ishikawa Hayato immediately understood her intention and, without forcing her, directly said,

“You want a hug, right?”

Hitori blushed and nodded slightly.

Then Ishikawa Hayato bent down and hugged her cleanly.

This time, she lightly rested both hands on Ishikawa Hayato’s waist.

Mmm… this was it, such a blissful feeling, as if all worries disappeared, and her body completely relaxed.

If it could be like this every day, she really wouldn’t be afraid of anything.

“Bocchi did very well today too.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

So happy, she wanted to be together forever.

Then, Hitori’s eyes widened with realization.

On the train, she sat with a heavy expression.

Hayato said everyone was his harem, and she… was included.

Then she just needed to confess!

But the next moment, PA-san’s tragedy resurfaced in her mind.

No, no.

But if she didn’t confess, what if there was no place for her in the future?

She still had to confess!

By the time Hitori came to her senses, it was already almost 11 PM.

'Oh no, the lyrics!'

...

And then daybreak, school, fully prepared to confess, met Ishikawa Hayato on the way, but too many classmates, no confession.

Lunchtime, too dark under the stairs, no confession.

Afternoon, Kita was there, no confession.

Evening, the store was always busy, no confession.

Going home, wanted to hug Ishikawa Hayato, no confession.

Weekend, wanted to ask Ishikawa Hayato out to confess, but she stared at her phone all day, by the time she snapped out of it, it was already evening, she had to quickly write lyrics, so no... I didn’t confess.

The world, the world was against her.

At night, Hitori lay on her desk, crying and struggling to write lyrics.

...

Meanwhile.

Kita replied with difficulty to her friend's Line invitation to hang out.

[ Sorry, I have to practice guitar today. ] 

Friend: [ Is that so? Kita-chan has been practicing guitar a lot lately and hasn’t been coming out to play. Besides practicing guitar, you should go out more. ]

Kita’s expression stiffened.

Indeed, she had been busy with band matters lately, and for a while, her mind was filled with that Pervert.

She had spent far less time with friends than usual.

If this continued…

Kita quickly replied.

[ You’re right, I’ll get ready right away. ]

Friend: [ Then it’s a date. ]

Kita nodded silently, tears in her eyes.

“Okay.”

Then she looked mournfully at the guitar Ryo had lent her in the corner.

I’m sorry, senpai, I still can’t put my whole heart into practicing.

...

Nijika’s side.

While doing housework, she checked the status of the others on her phone.

“Ah, Kita-chan has something today, Bocchi-chan too… then never mind.”

“I’ll notify Ryo and Hayato-kun then.”

She clicked on Ryo’s Line avatar, which was a cactus monster, and sent a message.

“Ryo, everyone has something today, so no gathering.”

Ryo: “Okay, I understand.”

Then she switched to Ishikawa Hayato’s chat and repeated the same message.

However, Ishikawa Hayato’s reply was a bit slower.

“Oh, perfect, something just came up.”

Nijika felt something was off. She stared at her phone for a while, then suddenly thought.

Why do these three suddenly all have something? Although Hitori said she was writing lyrics, it somehow felt like that wasn’t the case.

Nijika’s eyes lit up, as if she had found the answer.

'Could it be those three...!'

…

Half an hour later.

Ishikawa Hayato arrived at Ryo’s doorstep.

He opened LINE and messaged Ryo.

[ I’m here. ]

The messages above this one was:

Ryo: [ Are you free today? ]

Hayato: [ Not really. ]

Ryo: [ Then come to my house. Do you still remember the way? ] 

Hayato: [ How can a pervert forget a woman’s home address! ]

Ryo: [ … ]

Soon, Ryo’s latest message pushed the previous ones up.

[ The door is unlocked, push it open and come in. ]

Ishikawa Hayato deleted the inappropriate message he was about to send and simply sent one word.

[ Okay. ]

He had a feeling that if he had sent any ominous messages just now, what awaited him wouldn’t be Ryo’s ‘come in,’ but the gradually approaching wailing of a police car.

Passing through the solemnly styled gate and the exquisitely comfortable courtyard, Ishikawa Hayato saw Ryo at the villa entrance.

She leaned against the door, wearing a long black shirt with frog buttons and a light grey a-line skirt today, holding a book about edible plants, and eating grass.

The visual impact was strong.

A somewhat cool and somewhat cute girl, leaning against a modern villa, pitifully eating grass.

It could be considered performance art.

Ishikawa Hayato raised his hand to greet her.

“Yo, weirdo.”

Ryo heard Ishikawa Hayato’s greeting, looked up, and a faint smile played on her lips, as if she was quite happy.

“You’re here, pervert.”

Ishikawa Hayato suddenly felt like he could understand Ryo’s feelings. It was as if two kindred spirits were calling out to each other from afar.

However, he was still quite curious as to why Ryo had called him over.

He walked closer quickly and asked,

“Ryo, why did you call me here?”

“Come up and we’ll talk.”

Ryo turned around and walked inside.

Ishikawa Hayato was quite surprised. This girl actually greeted him at the door. 

Wasn't she just supposed to give him a heads-up and let him go up by himself?