Ishikawa Hayato fell into thought, then glanced around the cramped space. He hugged his chest fearfully and said nervously, "I don't like being forced..."
Seika couldn't take it anymore. Veins bulged on her forehead as she shouted angrily.
"Shut up!"
54. Star
The final performance had also come to an end.
By the time the fans who had stayed behind specifically to talk to the musicians had left, the shop had entered its closing preparations.
Cleaning the venue, taking inventory.
The girls moved quickly.
Not to mention Nijika and Ryo, who often helped out here to begin with.
Kita was naturally efficient, while Bocchi, thinking that she could finally go home, burst out with incredible energy. She worked hard with a worryingly cheerful smile, and with Ishikawa Hayato helping out as well, the shop was cleaned up in almost no time.
When they began cleaning, Seika went into the prep room to settle accounts with the bands that had performed that night.
But when she came out with the musicians and saw the five of them leaning against the bar and chatting, along with the spotless hall, she was completely dumbfounded.
Bocchi absentmindedly watched the musicians as they left.
Among them were people as cheerful and sunny as Hayato, Nijika, and Kita, pulling their teammates along and laughing loudly with their heads thrown back. But there were also people like Ryo—awkward with words and quiet.
Still, she wondered if there was anyone like her among them.
Could someone like her really stay here?
She looked to the side. Ishikawa Hayato was on her right, bickering with Ryo.
Ishikawa Hayato: "Weren't we accomplices? Why did you abandon me?!"
Ryo: "That was the manager's arrangement."
Ishikawa Hayato: "Shouldn't you hang up a sign too, saying..."
Ryo cut him off.
"No. That's