Chapter 83: Birthday

After a couple of movements, she realized something was wrong, but Ishikawa Hayato hadn't told her to stop, so she dared not stop, her expression only growing worse.

"Alright, alright, stop when you realize you're being pranked."

Ishikawa Hayato said helplessly, just as he was about to go and pull Hitori, Kita walked in from outside the door, carrying both of their school bags and personal belongings.

"Gotou-san, how are you?"

She asked with a worried expression after opening the door, but her eyes immediately landed on Hitori, who was earnestly dancing the mudskipper dance, and she instantly froze, dumbfounded, at the doorway.

Then, looking at the scene, she immediately realized it was Ishikawa Hayato's doing and cried out in annoyance,

"Ishikawa-kun! How can you still prank Gotou-san at a time like this!"

Hitori was startled and hid to the side. When she saw that the person shouting was Kita, she worried the two would argue and waved her hands, saying,

"No, no, it's fine if it's Hayato."

Feeling that he would be branded with a bad name if he didn't explain, Ishikawa quickly said,

"I just wanted to see how her body was recovering, you idiot."

Kita froze, her momentum instantly weakening.

"Oh."

She didn't apologize. Perhaps she would need to for others, but apologizing to Ishikawa Hayato, she always felt he would take advantage of it.

She returned their belongings to them.

"Then let's go to STARRY."

Ishikawa Hayato said, and Hitori nodded eagerly.

...

The three walked along the road.

Ishikawa Hayato noticed that Hitori was still a bit nervous, a different kind of nervousness than usual.

He asked, "Bocchi, are you really going? Nijika's birthday party is tonight."

Hitori's steps paused.

"Yes, I want to go."

"Then how about staying by my side all night?"

After Ishikawa Hayato finished speaking, he suddenly felt something was off.

He looked back at Hitori, who had fallen behind.

Hitori raised her head. Against the backdrop of the constantly flowing crowd behind her, her expression was free of tension and unease, as if all distracting thoughts had been screened out.

Her bright, clear eyes looked steadily at Ishikawa Hayato over her bangs, carrying something indescribable, breathtakingly beautiful.

She spoke softly, her voice steady as it reached Ishikawa Hayato.

"Okay."

Ishikawa Hayato suddenly felt as if he had made her misunderstand something, and the piercing gaze from Kita beside him was terrifying.

Her eyes were like those of someone looking at a scumbag who preys on a girl when her heart is wounded.

"Just at the store, though. But I'll walk you home tonight."

Ishikawa Hayato explained helplessly. After he finished speaking, he extended his hand.

Hitori froze, then lowered her head. Feeling no disappointment, she quickened her pace toward him and extended her wrist.

But Ishikawa Hayato directly took her hand.

She paused, slowly blinked, and moved her steps closer to Ishikawa Hayato.

Kita, who was always the one throwing the flash bombs, was blinded by someone else's for the first time.

It was also the first time in her life she had been blinded by the sight of a couple. No, these two probably hadn't confessed yet.

She inexplicably felt that Ishikawa Hayato beside her had become detestable.

Just as she was about to find an excuse to escape, Ishikawa Hayato looked at Hitori, who was quietly leaning by his side, her steps constantly trying to match his, and then at Kita-san, who was looking around as if searching for something.

"Speaking of which, you uncooperative idiot, what are you going to do now?"

Kita-san froze, and instantly developed immense admiration for this scumbag beside her.

Holding the hand of a girl who had just expressed complete admiration for him, and now he was striking up a conversation with her? And about that topic no less?

However, thinking that this person even talked about having a harem, she wasn't surprised anymore.

She looked at Hitori and found that Hitori was also looking at her, but there was only curiosity in her eyes, no vigilance or rejection. She quickly retracted her gaze in a panic.

She thought for a moment and still said,

"I guess I'll just have to continue like this."

She sighed, her greenish-yellow eyes lingering on the signs of various shops.

"Causing such a fuss again isn't good for the heart. Anyway, I don't plan on finding a boyfriend for now, so let's just keep it this way."

After she finished speaking, as if to prevent someone from getting carried away and Hitori from misunderstanding, she hurriedly warned,

"Let me be clear, I'm only accepting being mistaken for your girlfriend at school. If you dare to do anything strange to me, I won't hesitate to call the police!"

"I understand, Kita who likes the rooftop."

Ishikawa Hayato's single sentence instantly shattered her stern expression.

Her greenish-yellow eyes, filled with murderous intent and shame, glared fiercely at Ishikawa Hayato, but constrained by Hitori's presence, she glared for a long time without daring to act out.

However, while she was glaring at Ishikawa Hayato, Hitori's gaze lingered on her face for a long time, but she said nothing, only leaning closer to Ishikawa Hayato.

...

They arrived at the store.

The three, who came directly after school, were certainly able to arrive earlier than Nijika and Ryo.

Before entering the store, they saw that the usual spot for announcing performing bands at the entrance now read 'Closed Tonight'.

The three pushed open the door and entered the store.

Inside the store, Seika, with a rare smile on her face, was diligently tying balloons to the streamers hung in the store today, and PA-san was also helping out.

Ishikawa Hayato looked at the scene, first cleared his throat, and began to prepare some witty remarks.

His voice made Seika's hand tremble. She put down the balloon and turned to look.

Noticing Ishikawa Hayato's refreshed look, as if he was about to launch into a long speech,

She preemptively said, "Help me, there's a salary. Say anything other than 'yes', and I'll deduct money."

"Yes."

Ishikawa Hayato said, then shut his mouth, indicating that he was capable and not one for many words, and quickly went forward to pick up balloons and start working.

Behind him, Kita and Hitori looked at the festive scene and Ishikawa Hayato's smiling response. Their previous gloomy mood quickly dissipated, and after putting down their bags, they also hurried to help decorate the store.

After Ishikawa Hayato, with his Pervert-like skill, joined, the store's decoration progress instantly accelerated, jumping from 70% completion to 97% in an instant.

Ishikawa Hayato, who had been busy at high speed for half a day, looked at the live house, which was now thoroughly decorated.

This dark underground space was adorned with various pink, blue, red, golden ribbons, balloons, and other decorations, giving it a bright, cute, and colorful image.

Two older women, along with Kita and Hitori, were arranging the drinks and snacks that had just been delivered on a table.

He sat down beside them, relaxed, and watched with enjoyment.

Indeed, compared to all that messy nonsense, this kind of time was the best.

Seika glanced at him, didn't mind his laziness, and continued working.

Not long after, some light, cluttered footsteps came down from upstairs, and Nijika's voice rang out from that direction.

"Don't be shy, this is practically my home, so make yourselves comfortable."

Ishikawa Hayato knew it was time to make an appearance. He took out the angel-themed birthday crown he had secretly made earlier and ran towards Nijika, who was coming down the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, he exaggeratedly bowed and presented the special crown to Nijika.

"Please, our angel, wear this birthday crown."

Nijika's naturally smiling expression instantly faltered. She stomped her foot in annoyance.

"Hayato-kun!"

But their exchange caused a burst of laughter among Nijika's friends.

Many of those who came to Nijika's birthday party were friends who had attended her first performance.

In this place, they immediately remembered Ishikawa Hayato's identity.

A girl smiled and said, "I remember now, you're in Nijika's band..."

"The keyboardist, Ishikawa Hayato." Ishikawa Hayato replied with a smile, then greeted them like the owner of the place, "Please come in, please come in."

Inside, Seika watched him expressionlessly, while PA-san, looking at the scene, covered her mouth with her long-sleeved hand, secretly chuckling.

As soon as Nijika came down the stairs, Kita jumped out from behind the bar and congratulated her,

"Ijiichi-senpai, Happy Birthday!"

After speaking, she pulled the string of the paper party popper, and with a pop, confetti burst out.

Startled by Kita's unexpected attack, Nijika paused, then laughed happily.

"Thank you, Kita-chan." Then she immediately noticed someone was missing and asked in confusion,

"Where's Bocchi-chan?"

At this moment, hearing Nijika call her, Hitori stood up from a slightly more secluded spot.

She was wearing star-shaped party glasses, and two sashes were draped diagonally across her body. One read 'World's Best Birthday Party Ambassador.'

The other read 'The Best Birthday Party for Angel Nijika.'

Hitori saw Ishikawa Hayato in the back guiding Nijika's friends into the venue.

Seeing so many people, she said a little nervously,

"N-Nijika-chan... Happy Birthday."

Nijika, looking at her attire, her bright red eyes showed a dumbfounded expression, and she cried out in anger,

"Ishikawa-kun!!"

"Coming!"

Ishikawa Hayato ran over like lightning. He had just finished guiding Nijika's friends and Ryo, who was the last to arrive, to their seats.

He was also carrying drinks.

As soon as he stopped, he asked, "Would you like coconut juice or milk, or the store's 53% best-selling orange juice!"

Nijika gave him a blank look, clearly unable to do anything about him, and could only say to Hitori,

"Bocchi-chan, don't let Hayato-kun prank you, take it off quickly."

Hitori reluctantly shrank back. She said, "It's okay, this is fine."

"That's right, this is the best kind of equipment you'll ever see."

Ishikawa Hayato said, and after speaking, he went behind Kita and Nijika and pushed the two of them.

“Go on, the protagonist can’t be standing here.”

Nijika glanced at Hitori, then at Ishikawa Hayato, and after understanding the situation, sshe gave a resigned chuckle, left the matter behind, walking towards the crowd.

Ishikawa Hayato, on the other hand, walked in the opposite direction, towards the bar where Hitori was.

The unlit bar was pitch black inside, but the light streaming in from outside was bright enough.

Hitori was in this semi-dark place, wearing sunglasses, but she wasn't scared at all.

He reached out his hand and said to Hitori.

“Stay with me for a while.”

Hitori, wearing star-shaped sunglasses, nodded.

Her large frames obscured any expression on her face.

Only her sweet, soft voice could be heard in response.

“Mm.”