Chapter 73: Rendezvous

That night, Hitori reminisced about the excitement of being praised by everyone at the venue earlier, while standing by the printer, watching sheet after sheet of paper emerge.

Everyone in the band was truly wonderful.

She quietly recalled first meeting Hayato, and agreeing to Kita's request for support at the performance, and couldn't help but smile knowingly.

It was truly great to have met everyone.

Although there were difficult things, the many happy moments completely drowned out those small difficulties.

Hitori taped the printed papers to their appropriate spots, then lay on her made bed, gazing at the ceiling.

If only things could continue like this forever.

And then, take many more different photos with everyone.

It would be so wonderful if it could be like that.

Hitori smiled.

On the ceiling directly above her, a multitude of photos of Ishikawa Hayato, with his head slightly tilted back and a proud expression, covered the entire surface.

Around her, the four walls were similarly covered with group photos of the five members of the Band.

In the dim room, countless photos were like a hellish scene.

Amidst this, Hitori let out a perverted chuckle.

“Hehehe... hehehe...”

...

The days, in Hitori’s agonizing wait, finally passed... five days.

It was Saturday.

There was still one week until the date.

Watching the slow progress of time on her phone.

Hitori felt so distressed she couldn't calm down.

Her mind constantly thought about the day of the date arriving soon.

To calm herself, she opened a science video.

“The universe has a beginning, but no end—it is infinite.”

Yes, her heart now was also like the universe, it was infinite.

Wait, this is just weird!

She didn't even feel like watching the video anymore.

She threw her phone aside, saw the cabinet next to her, and rolled over.

"Thump, thump, thump."

Her head hit the table a few times.

Her thoughts slightly calmer, she stared blankly at Ishikawa Hayato's photo on the ceiling.

Although her mother had asked her to tear down the photos in other parts of the room, after seeing the photos on the ceiling, her mother thought for a moment, and with a strange smile, said,

“I’ll leave this one up to you, Hitori.”

So only the photos on the ceiling remained.

What was Hayato doing now?

Hitori's clear eyes quietly gazed at the ceiling.

Suddenly, an idea came to her.

How about... asking Hayato out?

She reached out, picked up her phone, opened Line, and her gaze lingered on the interface.

For a long time.

“Hitori, time for lunch~”

Her mother's voice came from downstairs. Her eyes seemed to lose their color, and she stood up, swaying.

'Two hours had passed without her noticing!'

She finally realized.

How could someone with social anxiety have the courage to ask someone out? If she had that courage, she wouldn't be socially anxious. Inviting someone out when you can't even see them, that's too terrifying.

...

After lunch, she put on her Guitar and headed to STARRY.

Sitting on the train, her gaze rested on a small corner in front of her.

Although she had changed a lot recently, in reality, she still hadn't made any progress.

Working, serving customers, all of it was only possible with Nijika and the others' company. Without them, she would probably still be the same water flea-like Gotou Hitori.

Progress... and Hayato-kun's hope for her efforts, what exactly would count?

At this moment, the sky outside the train was like her mood.

Overcast clouds covered the sunlight; the world still looked bright, but not warm.

A cold palette, an uneasy environment, as if trying to steal away all the warmth from a person.

Hitori sat on the side of the train where the light was even weaker. This girl with long pink hair reaching her waist and bangs covering her eyes, seemed to have a wall separating her from everyone else.

*Ding-dong.*

The girl, hunched over with her head down, paused, then pulled out her phone from her pocket.

Recently, she had been communicating frequently with everyone on Line, and Hitori no longer took a long time to realize her phone was ringing like before.

It was a message from Ishikawa Hayato.

[ Bocchi should be on the train about now, right? ]

After hesitating, she replied.

[ Yes, still 40 minutes until I arrive. ]

[ 40 minutes? What a coincidence, I'm about the same. I was just thinking Bocchi was probably spacing out on the train again, so I came to chat with you. You were spacing out just now, weren't you? ]

Hitori was a little surprised.

Was Hayato also on the train?

Feeling as if she had company, she quickly typed on her phone.

[ How did Hayato know? ]

Ishikawa Hayato's reply was a voice message.

Hitori glanced around; the train was very quiet with few people.

She adjusted the volume, picked up her phone, and after pressing play, brought it close to her ear.

Ishikawa Hayato's exaggerated and laughing voice came through.

[ All things in the world are within my sight! ]

Hitori paused, then smiled faintly.

A lovely smile appeared on her face.

She put her phone on her lap, and as she was thinking about how to reply, Ishikawa Hayato sent another message.

[ Speaking of which, the others in the band don't know that Bocchi is Guitar Hero, do they? Do you want to tell them? ]

[ Um, maybe not. The strength I can currently display is still… ]

[ Mm-hmm, then I'll be the only one in the band who knows Bocchi's true identity. If Bocchi doesn't want me to expose her, please bribe me. ]

...

After getting off the train, she arrived at the exit.

After the crowd in front dispersed, Hitori saw a young man standing by the wall, hands in his pockets, looking up at the sky.

Under that gloomy sky, which showed no trace of warmth, his figure carried no hint of dejection

Instead, he seemed to be full of anticipation for something.

Soon, he noticed her gaze and turned his head.

Seeing Hitori, he smiled and raised his hand in greeting.

“Let's go, Bocchi.”

...

Inside STARRY, the five of them sat around a table, chatting.

They had originally planned to start practicing as soon as they gathered, but a certain pervert seemed to be plotting something. Just as they were about to enter the practice room, he suddenly said,

“Nijika's birthday is in two days.”

Nijika, who was cheerfully stepping towards the practice room, was startled by the sudden announcement. She turned her head and exclaimed,

“Wait... what are you suddenly talking about?”

“It’s Ijiichi-senpai's birthday, isn’t it? I’ll make sure to prepare well for it.”

Kita didn't hesitate at all, smiling as she joined the conversation.

Her smile made Nijika helplessly release her grip on Ryo's hand.

She sighed.

“I didn't want to say it so early…”

“Why?” Ishikawa Hayato asked, puzzled, “If everyone only finds out too late, they won't be able to buy presents in time.”

Ryo's ears perked up at the mention of presents, revealing her true intention. She earnestly instructed the three younger boys and girls, who were a year younger than her, saying,

“Please buy food as gifts, or a bass and easily sellable luxury items.”

“Ryo, you be quiet!”

Nijika yelled at Ryo, then noticed something and looked worriedly to the side.

The other three also followed the gaze of the birthday girl-to-be, only to see Hitori, who was lagging behind, had already melted into a sticky blob.

The four were already accustomed to this sight.

The three girls looked at Ishikawa Hayato, and he, without hesitation, walked over.

He walked behind Hitori, clapped his hands together, stretched them out forcefully, and shouted,

“Ha!”

Instantly, Hitori returned to normal, but still looked dazed.

A moment later, she suddenly snapped back to reality and apologized profusely.

“I-I-I'm so sorry, I've never attended a friend's birthday party before.”

Hearing these moving words, Nijika and Kita's expressions changed slightly, as if they were about to cry for her.

“Then you must come to the birthday party in two days.”

Ryo, as if she were the one having the birthday, invited very naturally, and at the same time reminded again,

“You must bring a gift.”

"That's right," Ishikawa Hayato said, raising his index finger in a solemn warning.

"Remember, Hitori-chan, it's gifts other than food, a bass, and luxury items."

Ryo's gaze quickly turned to Ishikawa Hayato, her eyes seeming to hold a hint of sharpness and a trace of 'What about our agreement as accomplices?'

Ishikawa Hayato showed no fear, meeting her gaze squarely.

Nijika, seeing the scene, also let go of her concerns and smiled, inviting the three to come to STARRY in two days for a birthday party.

The five of them weren't in a hurry to practice for now, so they sat in the hall chatting about topics related to the birthday party.