Chapter 217

"Team leader, coordinate today's temporary workers!"

Yes, yes.

Nijika responded with a helpless smile.

Even though she was the team leader and was in charge of the store's temporary workers, after Ishikawa Hayato said that, Nijika felt like he was in charge of everything.

After the group disbanded, Seika, who had finally confirmed today's performance, breathed a sigh of relief.

But I kept recalling that lingering doubt in my mind.

She didn't realize it until night fell and the Kessoku Band came on stage.

She initially gave them the performance opportunity because of her sister, meaning the sisters were on the same side. But doesn't Ishikawa Hayato's statement make it seem like Nijika is more biased towards their band than the sisters?

And then there's what he just said about repaying the favor...

It's as if to say, "We (including Nijika) don't owe you anything anymore."

It was as if they wanted to take Nijika away with them.

Seika looked at the stage with murderous intent, while Ishikawa Hayato smiled and waved to her.

Beside him, after confirming that everyone was ready for the performance, Kita looked at the packed audience below the stage.

Unlike last time, everyone in the room was filled with anticipation and enthusiasm, and she could spot many familiar faces at a glance.

Fans Number One through Number Three, Ms. Hongo, a fan of the Ryoujiu band, Hiroi Kikuri...

They only posted information about their performance on the band's account temporarily, and so many people came.

Although I had been complaining in my heart that I had been practicing all summer and had no free time at all.

But seeing this scene reminded her that the music festival performance was the best memory of her summer vacation.

And that unforgettable sweetness on the corner of my lips.

She let her emotions flow freely, laughing as she shouted to the audience.

"Everyone, let's create some wonderful memories as this summer comes to an end!"

This is the third time that Nijika has officially performed on this stage.

Their first performance was basically a disaster; their second performance started off badly; and this time...

As Kita finished speaking, the audience, who had filled the hall, cheered, their voices seemingly drowning out the music that hadn't even started yet.

This was exactly the scene she had been hoping for.

After exchanging glances with her friend to make sure they were both ready, Nijika swung her drumsticks.

As the music grew increasingly beautiful, she couldn't help but marvel at her good fortune to have met someone who shared her dreams, offered her support, and was so exceptional.

He's a complete scumbag when it comes to emotions.

Just like the previous times, I believe he can do well this time.

She made up her mind.

The exuberant performance on stage conveyed the enthusiasm to the music lovers below. In the not-so-large venue, everyone was immersed in the joyful atmosphere, releasing their emotions and relaxing with the music.

The story unfolds slowly in a joyful and wonderful time.

172. The commotion before the school festival (1)

On the last night before the start of the school term, Ishikawa Hayato and Nijika talked on the phone about important matters.

Today, only he and Hitori are at home. Liang moved his luggage over that day and said he would stay here often, but he hasn't stayed overnight yet.

I have no idea what she's thinking.

But Ishikawa Hayato didn't pay attention. He sat in his chair, leaning back relaxed, and spoke into his phone.

"Don't worry about that. I know someone at a courier company. I'll just print out the list of people who pre-ordered the CDs and their addresses, and give it to them. They'll take care of packing them."

The response from the other end of the phone was swift, with Nijika's voice following Ishikawa Hayato Jun's words.

"Hey, isn't packing it up pretty casual? We can just pack it ourselves... Besides, I'd like to make it look nicer."

Sitting quietly and relaxed in the chair, listening to Nijika's voice, I could almost see her thoughtful expression and smile as she spoke.

Her words made Ishikawa Hayato hesitate for a moment. He reconsidered and changed his mind.

"Hmm... that's true. If every step is done so meticulously, it wouldn't be right to just rush through the packaging..."

He then changed the subject, saying, "But packaging thousands of CDs would take several hours even if five people worked together."

"A few hours isn't anything special... By the way, what does 'even if' mean, Hayato-kun..."

"Could you bring Liang over and make her work harder?"

"Hmm..."

Ishikawa Hayato chuckled softly upon hearing Nijika's deep voice.

"Let's ask everyone. If no one objects, we'll buy the packing materials tomorrow and pack it ourselves."

No sooner had Ishikawa Hayato finished speaking than there was a knock on his door.

After Nijika responded with "okay," he said to Nijika.

"That's it then, bye."

"Um."

After hanging up the phone, he got up and walked towards the door.

He's already quite used to his new home and is so satisfied with it that he's already Hitori negotiated with the homeowner to buy the house.

As he opened the door, unsurprisingly, standing there was his lovely, pink-haired fiancée, Gotou Hitori.

She was dressed in loose-fitting home clothes as usual, but today, she clasped her hands together in front of her, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, and her gaze darted away, making her seem somewhat uneasy.

Seeing her like this, Ishikawa Hayato hesitated slightly.

"Hitori, what's wrong?"

He asked.

His fiancée suffered from social anxiety, but with his help, she has improved considerably.

It's unclear whether she hopes he can possess her sooner to give her a sense of security, or if it's simply because she likes him, but occasionally she comes to him with the intention of having sex.

But every time she comes excitedly, she faints on the spot after playing for a while, which is very regrettable.

Ishikawa Hayato could not accept continuing the coming-of-age ceremony while he was in a coma.

Moreover, because of the threat from a certain older sister who would most likely come knocking on his door in a few days, he didn't dare to do anything at this time.

In a relationship built on trust, deception and betrayal are the most unforgivable things.

But the thing that troubled Hitori was different from what he had thought. Her pure eyes, hidden beneath her bangs, held a hint of hesitation as she looked up at him and asked.

"Falcon, could you cut my hair again?"

Because her words were different from what he had imagined, Ishikawa Hayato was taken aback. He reached out and brushed Hitori his rather long bangs.

Hitori stood still and let him do as he pleased.

But as he brushed Hitori his long bangs, her clear blue eyes, brimming with unease and a touch of shyness, glanced at him before looking away.

The girl's eyes, which seemed to hold a worry in them, were so clear and bright, as if they were filled with light, that they were almost too beautiful.

"Hmm, how should it be cut?"

Ishikawa Hayato readily agreed to such a small matter; in fact, he found it quite amusing. He smiled, let down her bangs, and casually smoothed them down for her.

He patted her head and then went to his table to get the scissors.

"Ah... Falcon, I think a normal girl's appearance is fine."

Hearing the sound behind him, Ishikawa Hayato took out a pair of scissors from the drawer, turned around, and said...

"Although there's no such thing as a 'normal' haircut, since Hitori has put it that way, I'll reluctantly give you a normal haircut."

"Um!"

Hitori nodded happily.

Having spent a lot of time with Ishikawa Hayato, she was no longer the silly Ishikawa Hayato who would rush to agree to anything he said without thinking. She could now properly understand his intentions.

When Ishikawa Hayato went to the study to get a plastic stool, Hitori went to find the disposable raincoat he hadn't thrown away last time. After making sure it was clean, he put it on, clipped the collar shut, and went back to the living room.

Upon entering the living room, she saw two chairs in the middle of the room, and Ishikawa Hayato sitting in one of them, holding scissors and waiting for her.

He didn't ask any further questions, but simply looked at her happily.

She quickened her pace and sat down in another chair.

"Falcon, thank you for your help..."

Hitori pressed his knees and bowed slightly as he spoke.

Ishikawa Hayato moved the scissors, testing whether the blades fit properly, and was eager to demonstrate his art within ordinary limits when he heard her say that.

He glanced at her and then sighed, feigning surprise.

"Hitori, we're already this close, a simple thank you is too boring. Let's do something a little more cheesy, that'll make us happier."

Yili hesitated for Hitori moment, and a blush gradually crept onto her bewildered face.

"That... falcon."

"Hmm?" Ishikawa Hayato had barely uttered a sound when she was attacked by him standing up.

Only after touching the light, fleeting kiss on his cheek did Ishikawa Hayato finally smile.

"Very good!"

His words dispelled the unease that followed Hitori bold act.

In the quiet living room, the two sat facing each other on chairs, smiling and joking.

"Then let's begin."

Ishikawa Hayato reminded Hitori, noticing his upright posture.

"Um."

"But I'll remind you again, please don't sneeze, and don't be shy and look away all of a sudden. I don't want to shave Hitori hair back to how it looked in elementary school."

"No, no way!"

Seeing Hitori's embarrassed expression after being teased, Ishikawa Hayato smiled and straightened her overly long bangs, holding them between his hands.

"Should I cut it?"

"Okay, please!"

Because her bangs were straightened, Hitori's face was covered up quite a bit, but you could still feel her determination and unwavering resolve.

Ishikawa Hayato gestured, then slowly cut the scissors at the right spot.

A few strands of slightly long pink hair slowly fell to the ground, easily removing the barriers that had concealed her in her own world.

This time, it was Hitori who requested it, unlike last time when it was just a minor repair.

Perhaps because she had just been reminded not to be shy, Hitori now calmly looked at Ishikawa Hayato, who was staring at her.

Her bangs were pulled long, completely blocking her vision, but with the cuts of the scissors, the focused look of the person she loved most was gradually revealed.

Although the thought of facing other people's gazes after cutting her bangs was frightening, she wasn't worried about anything if Hayabusa was there.

The next day.

Today is the first day of school.

Although all you have to do is go to school to register, attend a class meeting, and have half a day of classes before school is over.

However, students still have to attend school according to the usual schedule, so they all have to recover from the relaxation of the holidays.