(Second Update) (Continued)

Iino Miko was stunned. She hurriedly grabbed Fujiwara Chika by the shoulders. "Calm down. We're not just any women!"

"Of course I know that!"

Fujiwara Chika spoke with utmost seriousness. "And I obviously wouldn't just find some random man."

"But haven't you noticed that, because we're so weak in the Inner World... we're no longer as noble as we used to be?"

"Our status and wealth have all been diluted, even shattered, by the appearance of the Inner World..."

"We can lower our standards a little when it comes to choosing our future lives and future partners... We can't just consider whether they're our social equals in the original world anymore..."

The more Fujiwara Chika spoke, the quieter she became, and the less confidence she had.

Though she was rational, she still couldn't accept that reality.

"So you think we should lower ourselves too?!"

Iino Miko clenched her fists and pressed her lips together. "Even though I interact with them a lot in everyday life, if I really have to give myself to some ordinary person for that reason..."

"Sorry, I can't accept that!"

She was furious when she said that to Fujiwara Chika. Not wanting to speak with her any further, she turned and left.

Being able to get along peacefully with ordinary people and willingly marrying an utterly ordinary person were two entirely different things.

The former could simply be polite respect. The latter required truly casting aside all pride. Whether it was her upbringing, her parents' opinions, or her own choice, none of it would allow her to accept that.

"..."

Fujiwara Chika could only stand there and silently watch her leave.

Do I really have to trade my entire life for a chance to survive and develop in the Inner World? Fujiwara Chika touched her chest, her expression dim.

She completely understood why Iino Miko had become angry and lost control of her emotions just now.

Fujiwara Chika herself didn't want to do it either. She couldn't accept it at all.

And when she spoke of lowering herself, she didn't mean she had to find someone from the lowest class.

The middle class... would be acceptable too, as long as the other person was strong enough in the Inner World to protect her.

But to upper-class people like them, was there really any difference between the lower class and the middle class?

Her father was a politician, and her mother was a diplomat. They were an absolute elite family.

Like ranchers herding livestock, they saw the lower class as mere cattle and horses. The middle class were simply wealthier cattle and horses. Both were people to be ruled by them. Their statuses were worlds apart, and marriage between them was impossible!

As for Fujiwara Chika herself, although her grades were only average, if she worked hard, her intelligence could easily put her among the top students in her year. She was also skilled in dance, piano, and other abilities associated with elite education.

But... those things were completely useless in the Inner World!

Her fingers gently touched her cheek.

The only thing of value she possessed was this pretty face. It was the sole bargaining chip she could use to negotiate and trade with others.

That was the cruel reality.

Then, someone suddenly flashed through her mind.

"Tsukikawa Shu..."

That man's voice and smile lingered in her mind... Though she had never met him in person, she could already imagine how terrifying he was.

In Fujiwara Chika's eyes, Tsukikawa Shu's smile in that photograph, which he himself probably considered warm and refreshing, had been given a Snezhnaya filter and turned into the vicious grin of a demon!

He was a Great Demon Lord! He actually wanted to use the various resources he had obtained to threaten and tempt girls!

She had even chatted with him before. Could he have set his sights on her?

Although she hadn't revealed what she looked like, her name couldn't be changed. What if he knew she was a wealthy young lady? Would that give rise to some evil thoughts directed at her?

Fujiwara Chika shuddered.

"No. Besides contacting the other players, I need to investigate that guy thoroughly too. At the very least, I need to know his background first."

For her own safety.

Fujiwara Chika made up her mind!

Goto Hitori carried her newly acquired guitar on her back and headed toward STARRY, Kessoku Band's base.

Humming a little tune, she skipped happily down the street.

Goto Hitori had already rehearsed countless times in her mind how she would show off her new guitar to her friends.

Not only was her guitar of excellent quality, it was also something that couldn't be bought anywhere on the market, because it was an item from the Inner World.

"When they ask about it, how should I say it to make myself sound impressive?"

"I'll say it was a gift from my boyfriend, and that it was custom-made. Mm-hm, that sounds great."

"With this quality and a style they've never seen before, they'll have to believe me."

"Hehehe. Let's see how surprised they'll be."

Still muttering to herself, Goto Hitori arrived at STARRY's entrance.

STARRY was a venue that hosted performances and sold alcohol and coffee. It was run by Ijichi Nijika's older sister, Ijichi Hoshika, and it was also where Kessoku Band usually practiced and performed.

Even though she already had a boyfriend, Goto Hitori hadn't neglected her regular practice.

Probably...

"Bocchi-chan!"

Ijichi Nijika stood with her hands on her hips, clearly unhappy. "Why haven't you been coming to the band lately? Practice for the new song has been delayed for a whole week because of you. If this keeps up, we won't make it in time for the performance."

"S-Sorry..."

Poor Bocchi-chan's voice was as faint as a mosquito's. She dropped into a familiar dogesa, lying prone on the ground with her forehead pressed against it.

All the lines she had prepared to show off had long since vanished from her mind.

The moment she entered, poor Goto Hitori didn't even get the chance to brag about her new guitar before several girls surrounded her.

There was the drummer, Ijichi Nijika, the bassist, Yamada Ryo, and the vocalist and guitarist, Kita Ikuyo.

Because she had been so absorbed in dating Tsukikawa Shu lately, Goto Hitori had no idea how long it had been since she last came to practice. She had completely thrown Kessoku Band's performances to the back of her mind as well.

"Maybe she really got herself a boyfriend."

The shop owner, Ijichi Hoshika—Ijichi Nijika's older sister—sat behind the bar with one hand supporting her cheek, watching the scene with great interest.

"No way, no way. Bocchi-chan can't possibly have a boyfriend."

Ijichi Nijika shook her head repeatedly. "Based on my three years of observing Bocchi-chan, she definitely made this up just to get our attention."

"...I really do have one." Goto Hitori weakly raised her head.

"Ryo, do you believe her?" Ijichi Nijika looked toward Yamada Ryo.

Yamada Ryo, as expressionless as ever, calmly chewed on some grass.

"Bocchi-chan can only be played by women," Yamada Ryo said seriously. "If she can't play women, then she can only be played by women."

"Mm-hm, I get it. If Bocchi-chan got anywhere near the opposite sex, her social anxiety would probably make her faint on the spot." Ijichi Nijika nodded in complete agreement.

"Kita..." Goto Hitori looked toward Kita Ikuyo, who attended the same school as her.

The others didn't know why, but Kita Ikuyo, who went to the same school, should know...

"Eh? Well..."

Kita Ikuyo blinked her sparkling eyes, looking a little awkward for a moment.

To be honest... Kita Ikuyo didn't know much about Goto Hitori's situation either.

Kita Ikuyo and Goto Hitori attended the same school, but they were in different classes. On top of that, Goto Hitori was withdrawn and poor at speaking and socializing. Although they were on good terms, they barely interacted in private.

As for Goto Hitori having a boyfriend... those were only rumors. Kita Ikuyo had never really looked into it.

"Bocchi-chan probably... has a boy she's close to," Kita Ikuyo said, forcing out a shy smile.

"Eh?! Even Kita doesn't know?" This time, it was Goto Hitori who was surprised.

"Because! Bocchi-chan, you always leave the moment school ends. I never get a chance to talk to you!" Kita Ikuyo said aggrievedly.

"My fault... It's because I can't stand there being too many people at school." Goto Hitori looked utterly dejected. "Making it until dismissal is already my limit. I only think about getting home as early as possible..."

"See? Even Kita doesn't know!" Ijichi Nijika said.

"Well, if Hitori really does have a boyfriend, Kessoku Band has a performance in a few days. Why not have him come and watch?" Ijichi Hoshika, who had been observing from the side, suggested.

"Eh? Let Tsukikawa come see the concert?" Goto Hitori froze.

Wouldn't that be too embarrassing...? Goto Hitori's lonely social anxiety began spreading through her again, and she inexplicably felt nervous.

"Alright! Bocchi-chan, bring your boyfriend to the next concert!" Ijichi Nijika agreed enthusiastically, clapping her hands.

Then she leaned close to Goto Hitori, practically pressing against her. Her eyes sparkled like stars. "Bring him, okay? You have to bring him!"

"Uh..." Goto Hitori instinctively leaned back.

Ijichi Nijika was promptly pulled away by her sister.

"Well, it's fine if he doesn't come. This girl just likes new things." Ijichi Hoshika patted her little sister on the head. "After all, she's never had a boyfriend."

"What? You're making it sound like I can't get one!" Ijichi Nijika pouted, very displeased.

After some teasing, everyone returned to their positions and began practicing together.

Compared with when the four of them had first come together, they were now much better at working together.

Although practice for the new song had been delayed, they still played together quite well.

After practice ended, the four of them went home separately.

Goto Hitori and Ijichi Nijika were heading the same way, so they walked side by side.

"When I said you should bring your boyfriend over earlier, I was joking."

Ijichi Nijika suddenly spoke, then looked at Goto Hitori seriously.

"On the day of the performance, don't just find some guy and bring him over, okay?"

"I wouldn't..." Goto Hitori said helplessly.

"If you casually find some man to pretend, I'll worry that something might happen to you." Ijichi Nijika paused. "There are a lot of scumbags these days."

"Mm..."

Goto Hitori thought about it.

Tsukikawa Shu was probably the kind of scumbag Ijichi Nijika meant, but there was nothing she could do about that... Besides, he really was good to her.

Still, just to be safe, she decided not to tell Ijichi Nijika too much.

"It's been so long since the two of us went out together. Where should we eat?" Ijichi Nijika pondered quite seriously.

As they walked, they passed a small shop concealed behind a noren curtain.

Goto Hitori stopped and looked at the sign above it.

"Adult Products"

There was another line in smaller text beside it: Unmanned Sales.

Should I buy some backups?

Remembering the five days she had spent in the Inner World, Goto Hitori blushed.