Chapter 174

Before Nijika could say anything, Liang exclaimed incredulously, "How could anyone be so heartless!"

Nijika ignored Ryo, and looked suspiciously at Ishikawa Hayato, who was actually protecting Ryo, but in the end she let Ryo go.

That's fine.

Back in her seat, Liang, tears welling in her eyes, clutched her share of money and looked at Nijika.

Nijika was already used to her expression and subconsciously ignored it.

After counting the money in front of the girls, Nijika took out a large handbag, put the money that the girls were staring at into it, and took out a ledger to record it.

After zipping up the zipper, she let out a sigh like a busybody.

"I was thinking that if I joined a record company, I wouldn't have to save money for album production... Phew... Now I not only have to produce albums, but I also need to buy a minivan..."

Upon hearing her words, Bocchi had been feeling both happy and uneasy about having so much money that he wouldn't have to work anymore, completely collapsed.

"There are quite a few things that cost money for the band..." Kita sighed.

Ishikawa Hayato glanced at the rather large satchel with the band's funds attached to it, wondering when the band's funds would become part of the Ishikawa family's assets, so he could put his own money in there as well.

However, he felt that day would come much sooner than they could save enough money to buy a car, so he said.

"I'll take care of the commercial vehicle later. I should be able to get one after I get my driver's license."

Nijika looked at Ishikawa Hayato with surprise.

"Huh? Why is it Hayato-kun taking his driving test? Wouldn't Ryo and I be faster?"

She had no doubt that Ishikawa Hayato could get his hands on the car.

Unlike Nijika, who asked the question, Liang preferred to avoid such troublesome matters and quietly watched things unfold.

After listening to Nijika finish speaking, Ishikawa Hayato stared at her intently, making her shiver. Then, without saying a word, he stood up.

Amidst the others' confusion, he went into the storage room, took out several discarded foot pedals, walked to the side of Nijika's chair, and placed them on the ground.

He pointed to the pedal-like object on the ground and said to Nijika.

"Let's assume this is the accelerator and this is the brake. Nijika, put your foot on them now."

For some reason, Nijika had a bad feeling.

But she still listened to Ishikawa Hayato and obediently turned around, moving her perfectly curved, snow-white legs under her short skirt onto the pedal, her small feet encased in canvas shoes stepping onto the pedal.

The other three also came over to see what was happening.

Ishikawa Hayato issued the order.

"Let's speed it up."

Suppressing her unease, she stepped on the gas.

Seeing that Nijika had started sweating profusely after stepping on the gas, Ishikawa Hayato Nijika n't stop. Instead, he opened his phone's media player and lightly touched the screen.

A melody began to play, a melody that Nijika recognized very well—it was their own song, "That Band."

She's been practicing like crazy lately, so much so that she can play it with her eyes closed.

Then, the four of them watched as Nijika, her face filled with terror, couldn't control her feet and frantically slammed on the accelerator and brake.

They all retreated and returned to their seats.

"Nijika absolutely cannot drive," Liang said firmly.

Bocchi and Kita nodded, still shaken.

Although pressing the brake and accelerator pedals like hammer pedals wouldn't cause the car to fly off the road, the visual impact made them feel their lives were threatened.

Embarrassed, Nijika watched with puffed-out cheeks as Ishikawa Hayato put the foot pedal back. Only after he returned did she speak.

"It's cold, is it okay if it's cold..."

I didn't hesitate for even a second.

"No."

Nijika almost forgot that this person was particularly afraid of things that could pose a life-threatening danger.

She then turned to Ishikawa Hayato, who was now shimmering with an unknown color and constantly shifting into strange poses.

After looking at him for a while, she turned her head directly to look at Bocchi.

As she frantically shook her head, she asked Kita beside her.

"Kita- chan, do you want to learn to drive?"

Kita held his phone, his eyes sparkling.

"I'm really interested! I've always wanted to drive to some hard-to-reach scenic spots to take photos and travel!"

I know you mean taking photos, there's no need to hide it.

Nijika thought to herself.

This is also a troublesome situation. I always feel that if they accidentally fall asleep in the car, they will wake up in some strange place and be dragged around to play.

She glanced one last time at Ishikawa Hayato, who was quietly gazing up at the sky. He seemed to know his time was up, and with a sigh, he brushed his hair aside.

"I really miss the summer when I was 14, the roar of engines on Akina Mountain."

Nijika stared at him blankly for a long time before sighing.

"Let's think about it later..."

She moved on to the next topic.

"Then let's make some demo CDs to sell first. If it's just for a quick listen, PA-san can handle it, and we have enough money."

"Um."

The others nodded in agreement with her idea.

Because of this performance, Nijika received many requests from fans to produce and sell CDs as soon as possible. Selling merchandise and the band's further development and maturity were two things that directly excited her.

She was already eager to try.

Seeing that everyone agreed, she eagerly raised her voice and said.

"There's not much time left in summer vacation. Should we start right away, or take a break?"

Looking at her expectant smile, Ishikawa Hayato could tell that she didn't want to wait at all; in fact, if they agreed, she might immediately call and drag PA-san, who was still sleeping, over.

Hmm, that's quite interesting too.

Ishikawa Hayato thought this way, wanting revenge for being harassed.

"Take a few days off."

But he still tried to persuade her.

When Nijika heard Ishikawa Hayato say the same thing, she hesitated for a moment and her excitement quickly subsided. She then looked at the others.

He then explained.

"I've practiced for so long, and we just finished performing yesterday. The tension has only just eased. I'll need to rest for a couple of days to get back into shape before recording the CD. Sharpening your axe before chopping wood is essential, after all."

Bocchi and Kita weren't in a hurry to express their thoughts; they looked at Nijika and waited for her to make a decision.

Only Liang stood up at this moment, and she said stiffly.

"I've been practicing too much lately, I'm tired."

After she finished speaking, she stood up and walked quickly towards the starry sky without stopping.

Nijika turned her head in disbelief to look at her as she slipped out, and let out a scream.

"Huh?"

She clearly hadn't expected Liang to run away so decisively. They had just been talking about their dreams; shouldn't they have used that momentum to push themselves even harder?

Ishikawa Hayato probably felt cool because she thought it was better to rest, and her self-destruction just now might have made her a little embarrassed, so she made an excuse to sneak away.

Seeing that the practice could not continue, Kita stood up embarrassedly.

"Then... me too..."

"Huh...?!"

Nijika looked back at Kita again, surprised that Kita would slack off.

Ishikawa Hayato scratched his head. Kita rather strange that Kita chose to slip away at this time. Was something wrong? She couldn't possibly be going to find Ryo, could she? She probably didn't have the guts.

Seeing that the meeting had been abruptly adjourned, he yawned and stood up.

"I didn't sleep well last night, I want to go back and catch up on some sleep."

Nijika was no longer surprised; she looked at Bocchi one last time.

When Bocchi saw Ishikawa Hayato stand up, she also weakly stood up. Seeing this scene, Nijika complained loudly.

"You guys just don't want to be managed, that's why you don't sign with a record company, right?"

Nijika's words were not wrong to some extent. Ishikawa Hayato gave an awkward laugh twice and then turned and left.

After saying goodbye to Nijika, Bocchi hurriedly chased after her.

143. Dialogue

Emerging from the underground space and gazing at the blinding sunlight, Ishikawa Hayato yawned, thinking that if he went home now, he would have to take a train for almost an hour.

It seems the plan to move to Shimokitazawa needs to be implemented as soon as possible.

He couldn't even calculate how much time he had spent on the tram this summer.

Even as he pondered this, he didn't stop, slowly walking in a direction different from home.

Before he came out of the starry sky, he noticed that Bocchi looked like he had something to say to him.

Although he had found it increasingly difficult to understand Bocchi's thoughts lately, he could still immediately tell what she was planning based on this reaction.

But should I confess my feelings... or give up?

Ishikawa Hayato is not sure either.

It's true that Bocchi likes him for that reason, but will she give up everything else because of that? Will she enjoy the satisfaction of self-growth and take a different path?

He recalled how, during yesterday's performance, Bocchi didn't respond to his greetings but simply turned to look at the audience.

Her figure already showed a hint of determination.

But Ishikawa Hayato is not one to be easily swayed by gains and losses.

He walked for a while, until he was some distance from the starry sky, then stopped by the roadside and looked back at the exit of the starry sky.

As expected, Bocchi quickly ran out of the sunken staircase of the stars.

Ishikawa Hayato watched as she stopped at the intersection. She stared blankly at the route they had taken back, her expression a mixture of surprise, confusion, and disappointment.

But the next moment, she clenched her hands in front of her chest, shook her head vigorously, and her waist-length pink hair bounced with her movements.

After rousing herself, she tensed up and began looking around. Ishikawa Hayato had never seen her so anxious and flustered before.

That wasn't about escaping, but about pursuing.

Seeing this expression on Bocchi still deeply moved Ishikawa Hayato.

When Bocchi saw him, Ishikawa Hayato smiled and waved to her. In an instant, Bocchi's eagerness vanished, replaced by surprise and joy as she ran over.

She was wearing sportswear, her hands protecting her canvas bag, and she ran towards Ishikawa Hayato with a charging momentum that sent a chill down his spine.

As she jogged, the joy on her face gradually gave way to a sense of determination and resolve.

She ran a few steps away from Ishikawa Hayato, gradually slowing her pace, lowering her head, and preparing herself mentally.

Seeing that she was about to drop the important information without even saying hello, Ishikawa Hayato smiled and didn't give her a chance to speak.

Pointing ahead, he said.

"There's a park up ahead, but it never seems very crowded. Shall we go there to talk?"

Bocchi, who had been mentally preparing herself, paused for a moment, looked up, and allowed herself one last delay.