Why play in a band if not for life?

The two pretended to look at the list of bands performing today, and had been doing so for five minutes.

"Roselia, Magnolie, Guinevern, WOLF, wow, they all sound so artistic--" Shiko stretched out her tone, reading mechanically.

The two had deliberately arrived early so there wouldn't be too many people. But with fewer people, CiRCLE inexplicably had a more exclusive, high-class atmosphere. Even with "OPEN" hanging at the entrance, they hesitated to walk in so casually.

"Are you two here for the live show?"

Suddenly being addressed!

According to the Introvert Association's statistics, "being suddenly addressed" ranked in the top five of "Most Unwanted Occurrences"!

Hitori immediately bowed, "Sorry, we're in the wrong place. We'll leave now."

Apologize, retreat, run – all in one go. A true hero among introverts.

Shiko grabbed her arm.

Seeing who it was, Shiko actually relaxed. She pulled Hitori inside.

Upon entering, they found a spacious lobby. A few simple tables and chairs were placed in the center, with a red sofa against a black wall, on which hung a giant CiRCLE poster, the only decoration. In contrast, the front counter was much more complex. Besides what they'd already seen, a display screen and speakers hung above the counter, and promotional flyers were neatly arranged. The person who had addressed them stood behind the counter.

It was a young woman wearing a blue jacket and jeans, with shoulder-length brown hair and reddish-brown irises. She exuded a gentle and approachable aura.

Marina—the representative of CiRCLE—stood at the counter and greeted them, "Which band are you two here for?"

"Roselia. Thanks." Shiko held up her pink sphere in one hand and bought two tickets with the other.

Wow, these tickets look exactly like the ones in games. I should collect them later.

With a flick of Shiko's right hand, the pink sphere transformed back into human form and trembled like a small animal, sticking close to Shiko. In front of so many people, Shiko was still a bit unaccustomed, but she could only stiffly walk towards the entrance.

She heard someone else enter the venue.

Shiko turned her head and found familiar faces again.

Seeing Shiko freeze, Hitori asked curiously, "You know them?"

"Yeah, they're Roselia."

Roselia is a band in Bang Dream, primarily known for their gothic rock style. Their members are vocalist Yukina Minato, guitarist Sayo Hikawa, bassist Risa Imai, drummer Ako Udagawa, and keyboardist Rinko Shirokane. They are striving to perform at Future World Fes.

Noticing their gaze, Yukina Minato glanced over. Her expression remained that of an ice queen with an aura of pressure. She gave a slight nod.

Shiko looked entrilled, "Worth the ticket price..."

Hitori looked ashen, "The show today was great, I'm leaving now..."

"The show hasn't started yet."

Miss Marina chuckled at that and went to greet the members of Roselia.

Because they had arrived early, the two secured good spots in the crowd. All the preceding bands were excellent, but in terms of skill or emotion, they were just ordinary high school bands. After standing in the crowd for a long time, Hitori was already a bit tired.

"(Next up is Roselia)"

Hitori looked at Shiko beside her, only to find Shiko staring at the stage like a fervent devotee, an expression she had never seen before.

The stage lights went dark. Hitori felt the crowd behind them pushing forward. How many more people had arrived?

It was their singing that broke her thoughts.

"No matter how high the sky is..."

In the darkness, that proud and powerful voice—

So powerful. Hitori was instantly captivated by Roselia's charm.

Was it because of...? Their incredible skill?

"We will not stop singing until we become strong"

Was it their infectious songs?

Let's spread our wings... towards the dream of the summit

Or was it—

"Everything for Roselia..." she heard Shiko whisper, her voice trembling with excitement.

The rapid and passionate drum beats, the elegant and noble keyboard, the precise guitar, the bass that warmly supported everyone, and the vocalist as proud and solitary as a blue rose—everyone, together, becoming a star—

Indeed, bands... are the best.

The next day, Shiko saw Hitori fully geared up.

A canvas bag covered in band merchandise. A long-sleeved shirt with a heavy metal style.

She was also wearing so many wristbands. So, she was a descendant of the Hong Family Iron Wire Fist.

Seeing Shiko's expression, Hitori became serious, rolled up a book, and struck a strange pose.

"Huh? Kung fu?"

"Goro Bagua Staff, Wu Shiko." Shiko remained serious, though the corners of her mouth began to twitch.

"Ah... Hey? Hah?" Hitori still didn't know what Shiko was trying to do.

Shiko finally couldn't hold back, put down the book, and dragged Hitori outside.

When she returned, Hitori looked no different on the outside than usual.

"Please, I understand you really want bandmates, but seriously, don't do this. It won't attract anyone..."

"(It also reminds me of myself in middle school, constantly mumbling 'nanana' and adding 'desu' to everything, always pulling out anime merchandise.)"

For the first time, Shiko didn't want to get close to Hitori.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and Hitori still hadn't found bandmates.

Two sad people were in the park in the evening. The afterglow of the sunset illuminated two lonely figures leaning on each other.

"Still can't find anyone..." Although it was early spring, Hitori seemed to see withered yellow leaves. She huddled tighter, as if feeling the chilly autumn wind...

"Ah, my guitar cover video just got 2,000 views so quickly! That's almost twice as fast as usual!" She was browsing a video site. Guitar Hero's success was growing day by day, bringing Hitori one of her few moments of happiness.

Wu Shiko, who had just gained 1,000 views: "..."

"I'm sorry."

"Huh? Why are you apologizing?"

"I'm sorry."

"So, why are you apologizing?"

"Ah! Guitar—" A crisp cry interrupted Hitori.

A girl with blonde hair ran over from a distance.

"This is a guitar, right? Can you play it?" The girl suddenly leaned in, her big eyes fixed on Hitori as she asked.

"Ah—" Hitori screamed and hid behind Shiko.

Shiko forced a smile and looked at the newcomer. After dealing with Hitori, she could now handle familiar people like this with relative normalcy.

"Sorry for suddenly talking to you, I'm Nijika Ijichi, a second-year student at Shimokitazawa High School!" She was Kessoku Band's drummer, Nijika.

"Wu Shiko, first-year student at Shuka High School," Shiko said, dragging Hitori out.

"Hitori Goto, first-year student at Shuka High School," Hitori mumbled, her voice barely audible.

But Nijika didn't seem to mind her slight rudeness and eagerly leaned in.

"By the way, Bocchi, how well do you play the guitar?"

Hitori averted her gaze. "Ah... I guess it's okay..."

"Really?" Nijika breathed a sigh of relief. "Um, I'm in a bit of a bind right now... It's okay if you can't... but it's also kind of a problem if you can't..." Her voice trailed off.

"I'll just say it!" she said, mustering her courage. "Please! Just for today, can you help out my band as a guitarist!"

A band?

"We're about to go on stage, and our guitarist suddenly backed out..."

Hitori felt dizzy. Was her chance to join a band finally here?

"The place is called starry, it's just a short walk away..."

Going on stage immediately?

It was terrifying... Invisible pressure weighed heavily on Hitori. She desperately wanted to, but couldn't speak: "No..."

Nijika, in her haste, assumed Hitori had agreed and grabbed her hand. "Thank you, then let's go to the live house now!"

"Bocchi, you should come too!" Nijika didn't forget Shiko, who was standing nearby.

"Sure," Shiko replied with a brilliant smile.

On this day, an angel-like girl pulled the Tsuchinoko of Shimokitazawa towards her dream. Shiko witnessed this day from the closest vantage point.

"My dream has finally taken a step forward," Nijika believed.

Somehow, Nijika believed that the child she was holding now could definitely--

"That was terrible," Nijika and Ryo (the bassist) offered their sharp critiques after rehearsal.

Hitori, who couldn't coordinate at all, coupled with her social anxiety debuff, even if she was strong in solo performances, her ensemble skill was--zero.

Of course, Hitori herself didn't know the reason for this.

"(Ah, this is where I should be.)" The trash can was so warm and comforting...

"Wait, wait, we're going on stage soon—" Nijika, on the verge of tears, shook the trash can, trying to coax the guitarist out.

"Actually, I'm pretty terrible too~ And everyone listening is my friend, so a normal high school girl wouldn't be able to tell the difference~"

"I can do it," Ryo, with her short blue hair, stated calmly.

"(Shiko can too...)" Hitori thought.

Ah, Shiko.

Outside, Shiko was still waiting for me with anticipation. She was my first friend.

And even someone like me, these two were willing to play with me. This was the first band that accepted me.

She seemed to hear FIRE BIRD again, which she had heard that day at CiRCLE.

Under their expectant gazes, Ichiri slowly stood up.

Below the stage, Shiko stood in a corner. Ichiri saw her smile, a smile of genuine joy for her. Although for some reason, her eyes seemed a little strange...

Even though I couldn't perform at my full strength, I've at least taken a solid step forward.

"Guitarist—Bocchi!" It was Nijika's MC.

I even got my first nickname...

"We are Kessoku Band!"

"(Today, I,)" Ichiri stared intently at the strings, "(am standing at the peak of my life...)"

"That was terrible..." In the lounge, Ichiri retreated back into the trash can. Ah, this lounge is actually quite fancy if you look closely, but the cramped trash can suits me better...

"(My life is probably over...)" Ichiri returned to the darkness.

"This is already huge progress, Ichiri."

"Yeah, I'll do my best next time, Shiko!"

She recovered instantly!

Then Ichiri realized something was wrong.

"Eh? When did you get here?" Why was Shiko in the lounge?

Shiko smiled slightly, "Of course, I asked the manager and came right over~"

The PA lady peeked her head in from outside the door, "This kid was wandering around outside for a long time until the manager couldn't stand it anymore..."

Shiko had already vanished.

"(Teleportation?)" Nijika suppressed the urge to retort, "Bocchi, if you're not in a hurry, we'll have a welcome party for Bocchi and a live performance review!"

"I-I'm sorry, my social energy for today is already depleted..." Ichiri also vanished.

"I'm sleepy." Ryo yawned.