Chapter 126

Her head swayed with her body, and Nijika glanced at the others before raising her head and making a suggestion to Ishikawa Hayato in a slightly weak voice.

"Hmm... then tomorrow...?"

Now, it seems that Nijika always consults Ishikawa Hayato's opinion on such serious matters.

"It's been an afternoon already, that's enough! This is just the preliminary round, right? We'll check everyone's level during the rehearsals later. There's no point in getting hung up on this."

Ishikawa Hayato addressed the four girls who were looking at him, his voice heavy.

His words did not satisfy Nijika, whose cheeks seemed to puff out slightly in dissatisfaction as she muttered.

"Hmm... that's true, but it's always good to have a better chance. If it doesn't pass, Hayato-kun will have to take responsibility."

Ishikawa Hayato smiled as he listened to her somewhat dependent, yet slightly coquettish, tone.

"No problem. Even if we don't get selected, whether we cheat or I pay for it myself, I'll find everyone a performance opportunity."

"That doesn't need to go that far..."

As Nijika spoke, she realized that her tone was a bit off, so she quickly changed her tone and hurriedly said...

"That's settled then! What do you all think?"

"Um..."

The three of them simply responded.

Sensing something was wrong, Nijika quickly buried herself in her work on the computer.

Her slender, fair fingers typed rapidly on the keyboard as she spoke.

"I already knew that this year's event allows registration via email, which makes things much more convenient."

As she spoke, she quickly typed a very formulaic application form into the email's content field.

But when she wasn't looking, the three people next to her turned around and looked at Ishikawa Hayato with strange expressions.

They were all amazed at how he managed to win over this busy man who was always occupied with work, school, practice, and housework.

Ishikawa Hayato smiled slightly as he looked at them.

Kita and Ryo exchanged glances, but Kita quickly looked away as soon as their eyes met.

She flinched for a moment, then immediately turned towards the computer, exclaiming in amazement at what Nijika had typed on the screen.

"Ijichi-senpai's writing is so formal."

"This is the result of hard work!"

Nijika said happily.

"Is this all the result of my studies? It's truly disheartening."

Liang's calm gaze seemed to be fixed on an incredibly distant future.

When Nijika heard Liang say something strange again, she dragged the mouse to click the send button, turned her head and showed her cat-like eyes to complain.

"You're just making excuses not to study, aren't you?"

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Ishikawa Hayato interrupted.

"So the registration is complete?"

Nijika responded with a relaxed smile.

"Um."

But that smile didn't last long.

High school summer vacation is a wonderful time to unleash your youth and sweat.

At the peak of our energy, with our best partners, with different goals, we strive in the same direction.

The refreshing morning sun, the scorching midday sun, and the desolate sunset with its lingering charm—all bear witness to everything.

Every morning, the five of them would gather at Fanxing and then happily head to the rehearsal room.

They practiced, played music, and joked around.

It's the same for one day, two days, three days, and a week.

Amidst the merriment, a lingering unease grew stronger with the weariness.

Could I participate in the performance?

The girls were worried.

Will there be any problems? Is it possible to improve further?

They were thinking.

Meanwhile, Ishikawa Hayato quietly watched the four people gradually become engrossed in their instruments, almost losing touch with their friends, and the four people who had been laughing less and less lately.

Compared to the four who were on the verge of collapse, Ishikawa Hayato was the first to erupt.

"I can't take it anymore! I can't take it anymore!"

As the practice was nearing its end, he suddenly covered his head and lay down on the ground, rolling around like a child throwing a tantrum.

The four girls stared at him in astonishment.

"Falcon!?" Bocchi exclaimed, running over anxiously without even putting down his guitar.

"Bocchi-chan, don't worry so much, it'll be fine."

Nijika sighed, but she also stood up from her chair and walked over.

Whether it's a mental illness or a physical problem, it wouldn't cause Ishikawa Hayato to react like this, so she wasn't worried at all.

Kita reacted similarly to her, sighed, and accompanied Ryo to the side of Ishikawa Hayato was lying on the ground.

"Hayabusa... Ishikawa-kun, hurry up and start practicing!"

She crouched down and nudged Ishikawa Hayato.

Ishikawa Hayato looked up and saw Kita's secretly relieved face, then glanced at the other girls and saw that they looked worried.

He turned around, sat cross-legged on the ground, and said with his arms crossed.

"Abnormal beings are creatures that can't live without feeling uncomfortable. Lately, everyone seems too heavy-hearted, so this kind of exercise won't be effective."

The four people, who were too embarrassed to say it aloud, had their expressions immediately turn to awkwardness and embarrassment after he pointed it out.

Nijika had actually noticed the problem, but she thought it would be fine once the results came out.

"But all we can do now is practice..."

Ishikawa Hayato stood up and put his hand on Nijika's shoulder.

"Reforming your mindset is very important, whether it's taking a break, going out to play, or going on a training camp."

Nijika had been seriously considering his idea.

But when I heard about the final training camp, I felt like this guy's true colors were finally revealed.

She looked up at Ishikawa Hayato with her cat-like eyes peeking out.

"Hayato-kun, you just want to see everyone in their swimsuits, don't you?"

Ishikawa Hayato looked at her with deep affection, his gaze pure and earnest, and he answered crisply.

"Yes."

He showed no remorse whatsoever and continued speaking.

"However, my heart and actions are pure; I just want everyone to rest a bit, and incidentally, let me see your swimsuits."

"Having the intention to see swimsuits already means you can't be said to be completely free of filth."

Liang complained.

Nijika carefully considered Ishikawa Hayato's suggestion.

It's true that everyone has been under a lot of pressure lately, and it won't be a problem for just a day or two. Taking a break and changing your mood is definitely the right thing to do.

She glanced at the others.

"Let's vote. Raise your hand if you agree on taking a break."

As soon as she finished speaking, Liang raised her hand.

Her face remained expressionless.

"If you stretch it too tight, the string will break."

Seeing that Ryo had agreed, and Nijika also looked interested, Kita happily raised his hand.

"Me too, it's been so long since I've gone out with everyone."

Seeing that she finally had a chance to go out and have fun, Kita's long-suppressed radiance instantly burst forth. Her joyful, sunny smile was like a small sun rising in the rehearsal room.

The light sent Bocchi, who was slowly raising her hand, flying. Fortunately, Ishikawa Hayato had anticipated this and caught her in time.

Bocchi looked at Kita, still shaken.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Ishikawa Hayato patted the head of Bocchi, who was nestled motionless in his arms, and said...

"After that, I'll go find a place for a training camp. Please give the pervert an hour to search for a location."

"What does 'that' mean..." Nijika complained.

She only agreed to rest, but didn't mention anything about staying overnight together.

"Ah... I can just pick up a seaside villa."

Ryo suddenly spoke, but as she spoke, she glanced at Ishikawa Hayato's lower body, or rather, his pocket.

"However, there will be a reservation fee. Falcon, show me how much money you have."

Although Ishikawa Hayato was puzzled as to why the reservation fee required checking his wallet first, he was touched by Ryo's cooperation and took out his wallet.

Before he could even walk over, Nijika grabbed his hand that was holding his wallet.

Nijika held Ishikawa Hayato's hand and looked at Ryo with disdain.

"Liang, I remember your family owns a villa by the sea, right?"

Liang slowly shifted her gaze, speaking lightly without changing her expression.

"Forgot."

Nijika sighed, and seeing that everyone seemed to agree, Nijika didn't object anymore.

She said.

"Let's all decide when to go."

111. Three or two

"Um, Ijichi-senpai, let's take a day off tomorrow."

At that moment, Kita suddenly made a suggestion.

Nijika was a little confused as to why Kita used "we," as if it were an excuse for everyone to take a break tomorrow.

After Kita made some winks and gestures, she finally Daigo what he meant and responded.

"That's true... then let's take a day off tomorrow."

After getting Nijika's consent, Kita smiled and said to Bocchi.

"Gotou-san, are you free to hang out with me tomorrow?"

"Huh!"

Bocchi gasped. Although she didn't know what was going to happen, she felt it would be dangerous to be alone with Kita.

She lowered her head, intending to refuse.

When I hesitated for a while while thinking about how to refuse, I missed my only chance to say no.

As Kita slowly approached, his eyes sparkling, Bocchi Kita turned his beautiful blue eyes to the side, unable to utter a word of refusal.

"Ah... okay..."