Chapter 124

"What a great master..."

Before he could finish speaking, Nijika knew from the first part whether Ishikawa Hayato was serious or just joking. She walked to Ishikawa Hayato's side expressionlessly and brought her hand down with a sharp chop, as if executing him.

He smacked Ishikawa Hayato so hard he ducked his head, successfully making him take back what he had said.

Making an example of someone to scare others was very effective. Ryo shut his mouth, Bocchi sat there trembling, and Kita sat up straight Kita.

After finishing, Nijika sat back down in her seat, gently clasped her hands together with a lovely smile, and asked the four people.

"Those who agree to go, please raise your hands."

The well-insulated underground space prevents you from hearing the noisy rain outside, and the quiet and welcoming atmosphere spreads throughout.

After she finished speaking, she saw that Ishikawa Hayato, Ryo, Kita raised their hands in agreement without much hesitation, while Bocchi was a beat slower, but still raised his hand high, albeit unsteadily.

She smiled and finally raised her hand.

108. Kara

Seeing that everyone agreed on this goal, Nijika stood up, pressing her hand on the table.

"Then let's not delay, let's go record the audio for the review now!"

Her vibrant energy and joy were captivating; she was as exuberant as a child.

"Wait, Nijika, explain the details of this event first."

Ishikawa Hayato intervened, and Nijika, having just recovered, realized she had acted impulsively again, and gave an awkward laugh.

"Haha, you're right..."

Nijika sat down and looked at Bocchi and Kita, saying to them.

"Bocchi-chan and Kita- chan probably don't know about this event either."

After all, one of them didn't even know the difference between guitar and bass before joining the band, and the other didn't even dare to enter a livehouse without someone to guide him. She was explaining things to them specifically.

Seeing the two nod and look at them with curiosity, Nijika explained.

"The Circuit Festival is a large-scale event organized by a group of livehouses in the area, like an amusement park, where one ticket allows you to visit all the livehouses."

"This year's event will be held in the Shinjuku area, with a total of 12 stores participating. The performances will begin on August 18th and last for three consecutive days."

Bocchi and Kita dumbfounded.

"Music festival?"

Even someone Kita in the field, knows about music festivals. After that one, is it really okay for him to suddenly go to a place like that?

"Shinjuku ..."

While contemplating the horrors of the music festival, Bocchi couldn't help but shudder at the prospect of unlocking a new area.

Shinjuku is incomparable to Shimokitazawa; it's filled with skyscrapers and teeming with people.

Even the people's temperament is different. If the people on the Shimokitazawa side are dazzling light, then the people on the Shinjuku side are massive mountains.

Someone like her would be like an insect under an elephant's feet, trampled and crushed to death!

The two panicked.

"There will be a lot of people coming this time."

Nijika watched the two with a smile, observing Bocchi's reaction while offering reminders.

Sure enough, those words were like a deadly poison, instantly causing Bocchi to tilt his head back, roll his eyes back, and sit frozen in place, foaming at the mouth.

Before Nijika could ask Ishikawa Hayato for help, she saw Bocchi suddenly shudder and come back to his senses. Then Bocchi looked down at the table.

Nijika ignored Ishikawa Hayato's little tricks and continued talking without worry.

"Because this music festival has a single ticket that can be used to visit all the livehouses, it's a great deal. When it was held here in Shimokitazawa before, there were so many people."

She repeated it again, reminding Bocchi to prepare himself mentally.

Bocchi snapped out of his daze and realized that Nijika was talking to her.

She nodded solemnly, her eyes filled with determination, as if she were prepared to risk her life.

Nijika was a little worried about what she might do, but she couldn't say anything before things started.

She glanced at the group and finished her explanation.

"That's about all the information we have for this music festival. The registration deadline is less than two weeks away, so we need to finish recording our audio and send it over as soon as possible."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Ishikawa Hayato to confirm what she needed to do next.

While Nijika was talking, Ishikawa Hayato quickly browsed the detailed information about the music festival on his phone.

He added after Nijika finished speaking.

"There's another thing to note: last time we were only allowed to play for fifteen minutes because the store manager gave us special treatment, but this time the requirement is half an hour."

"We only have four songs at the moment, which isn't enough time, so we also need to consider covering some songs."

Nijika complained helplessly.

"They're preparing this before registration even starts?"

Ishikawa Hayato glanced at the date on his phone. Although he had only registered less than two weeks ago, the performance was still only a month and a half away.

"Since we've decided to do it, our goal should be to perform on stage. I believe in our abilities."

"That..."

At this moment, Bocchi suddenly spoke, and the other four people all looked at her. She felt as if she could sense their tangible gazes, and her body sank.

She answered calmly, though her voice still sounded somewhat unsure.

"The lyrics for the melody Liang Sang gave me are already finished..."

Kita, sitting diagonally opposite Ishikawa Hayato, blinked. She glanced at Bocchi and Ryo; she hadn't heard of Ryo having composed the piece.

"Hey, when!?"

She was surprised that the two of them would communicate in private.

"Ah... ah..."

Bocchi was a little nervous and hesitated for a moment, so Liang explained it to her instead.

"Last week."

"Last week?" Ishikawa Hayato asked her again to confirm, and seeing that Ryo didn't deny it, he said again.

"Isn't that during exam time? Are you sure you'll be okay taking the exam?"

Liang smiled smugly for no apparent reason. She took out her exam paper from her schoolbag, held it up with one hand and gestured for everyone to see it.

It's as if they achieved some remarkable results in the exam.

But apart from Nijika who lowered her head and sighed without looking, the other three froze on the spot after seeing the distinct oval shape above.

He said with a cold laugh.

"This is a big problem."

Ishikawa Hayato glanced at it; Liang's exam paper had lyrics, melody, and even a few band names written on it, but nothing related to the exam answers.

I wonder how high the teacher's blood pressure was when they saw this test paper.

Nijika pressed her forehead weakly and explained to the three of them.

"Ignore Liang; Liang is the type who only starts working hard when they're on the verge of repeating a grade."

Even Ishikawa Hayato was speechless. Using repeating a grade as a deadline was just too extreme. This kind of rare race shouldn't be able to form a single type.

"If I study, I'll forget all my musical knowledge; I can't learn while playing an instrument."

Liang offered an explanation for her behavior, but this explanation only made her calm face appear somewhat dazed.

"Ryo-senpai!?"

Upon hearing this idiotic self-introduction, Kita cried out in horror.

Her idealized image of Liang shattered once more. He had initially seemed somewhat excessive, yet still wise and virtuous, possessing a captivating aura that appealed to both men and women, and occasionally showing compassion like Tenjin. Now, he was...

She has a terrible personality, isn't very bright, and is always a bit slow-witted. All she has is a pretty face and a good bass playing ability, but she still reaches out to her when she's in trouble. She's still the Ryo-senpai she admires, Ryo-senpai!

She tried her best to protect her longing for Liang.

Seeing Kita's struggle, Nijika helplessly patted Ryo's shoulder, urging her to quickly put the test paper away.

"Let's not mention Ryo, Kita..."

As she spoke, her head shook slightly from the gentle nudge she made, accompanied by a gurgling sound.

Kita hearing this voice, Kita guessed a terrifying possibility that she dared not even contemplate, and her eyes widened in trembling.

Nijika was also surprised. She pushed the cool glass again, and the gurgling sound started up again.

"What is that voice?"

She seemed lost in thought.

Ryo glanced discreetly at Ishikawa Hayato, who was dubbing her with some kind of technique, and she mimicked his blank expression.

Ishikawa Hayato pushed the cool drink away, looking puzzled, and the gurgling sound started again.

He deliberately probed.

"Could it be..."

"Eek!!!" Kita clutched his cheek and let out a sharp, desperate scream, accompanied by the sound of a heart breaking.

"Stop it! Don't ruin Ryo-senpai's image anymore!!"

Seeing Kita's distraught state, Ryo couldn't help but laugh.

109. Score

Nijika also realized that the sound she had just heard was Ishikawa Hayato's doing. Seeing Kita slumped on the table, looking utterly disillusioned, she felt a little sorry for Kita.

Those two are capable of disregarding their own image to have fun.

Nijika herself suffered a lot back then.

She quickly interrupted the two of them and asked Kita and Bocchi.

How did Kita- chan and Bocchi-chan do?

"Hey!"

Kita instantly sat up straight from her dejected state, her face showing embarrassment. She glanced to the side and said something she didn't mean.

"It's alright, I've been practicing my instrument too much lately..."

Seeing that she was trying to avoid the topic, Ishikawa Hayato pretended to suddenly remember something and said...

"By the way, Kita, the teacher said before the holidays that you'd need to retake your exams next semester. Did you not hear that?"

After Ishikawa Hayato finished speaking, Kita stared at him blankly, looking surprised that such a thing had happened.

"No way!" she screamed.

Nijika and Liang silently watched the girl who had just been screaming because Liang's grades were bad.

Ishikawa Hayato smiled and pointed to the backpack next to her.

Look at your own grades.

Kita stared stiffly at her schoolbag, then hesitantly took out the test paper. She didn't hide it, placing the less than thirty-point test paper on the table and covering her face like an ostrich.

Seeing this scene, Nijika felt heavy-hearted. Although they all played music, they were still students in reality.

At the very least, you need to pass so you don't have to repeat a grade.

However, Kita didn't study because she was practicing guitar and playing around. I even saw photos of her having fun with friends on Nijika before.

It's normal to fail in this situation.