Why play in a band if not for life?

She sighed, returned to Kita's side, and offered her a hand. "Want a snack? My treat today, as a special occasion."

A while later, Kita and Ryo were sitting at a wooden table, with Lisa joining them to eat freshly baked cake.

"'My treat,' she says, but it's still Imai-senpai who made it..." Kita thought as she licked the cream.

[Erosion Level... 75%]

Ryo finished first. She put down her fork and looked at Kita. "We all know what's on Ikuyo's mind." Although she hadn't personally witnessed what happened between Ichiri and Shiko, seeing the recent changes in Kita's relationship with those two was enough to guess.

"Mhm," Kita nodded dejectedly. She thought for a moment before speaking, "I... haven't adjusted yet."

"There, there," Lisa cut another small plate of cake for Kita. "Relationships are tricky. I wouldn't be much better off if Yukina did something similar. Ryo, if Nijika said, 'Shiko is more important than you, Ryo,' you wouldn't feel great either, would you?"

Ryo answered without hesitation, "Then I'll just steal Shiko away. Womanizing is a must-have skill for band members."

"Pfft." Though quiet, both of them heard Kita's laugh. They looked over. Kita lowered the hand covering her mouth, her expression significantly softer. "I should... be over it in a few days. Thank you."

"If you keep this up, you'll become a gloomy person, Ikuyo," Ryo said, resting her chin on her hand.

"Ehh~ Then there will only be Ijichi-senpai left in the band, and I absolutely don't want that~" Kita chuckled as usual, but the sadness in her eyes was hard to hide.

In the distance, the quartet, towels around their necks, walked towards them.

"Haaah... I feel like I've worked on a construction site all day," Nijika said, enjoying the evening breeze. The feeling of freedom after a hard day's work was somewhat addictive.

"Weren't we... basically working on a construction site?" Ako was so tired she started swaying.

Shiko and Ichiri followed behind them, silent. They were usually like this, so the two in front didn't pay much attention. Just then, Shiko spotted Kita sitting by the table.

She stopped.

"What's wrong?" Ichiri looked at her curiously. Nijika happened to be blocking her view. Nijika and Ako heard her and also stopped, turning around.

"There's something I need to confirm. You guys go ahead," Shiko waved to the three and quickly walked towards the airship.

Ichiri seemed to sense something and looked back, her eyes meeting Kita's. Kita immediately averted her gaze. Ichiri looked at Kita, then at Shiko, who was escaping towards the airship.

She stood there, lost, unsure where to go.

Chapter 4: Willing to Do Anything

That evening, Shiko and Nijika returned with expressions of relief, as if saying, "Finally done."

"We finished!" they announced. Everyone put down their bowls and cheered. During the break, they had already explored the surroundings, and the unchanging scenery had gradually lost its appeal. Being able to move on was definitely cause for celebration.

"Where are the others?" Lisa noticed a few people were missing. Besides Ryo and Yukina, who were guarding the airship, Ako, who had been involved in the construction, hadn't returned either.

"Ako said she wants to do some decorating inside the airship," Shiko replied. "She'll probably be up all night." Having a certain awareness of her own design taste, she had entrusted the decoration work entirely to Ako. Ako had responded with commensurate enthusiasm, asking Shiko for plenty of materials before locking herself in the cabin.

"Imai-senpai said that today everyone should put their luggage next to the airship, and we'll officially move in and depart tomorrow," Nijika added.

"Okay~" Everyone responded, speeding up their eating. Lisa brought out two plates of food from by the stove. "Eat up, I kept them warm."

"I'm eating." The two lowered their heads and ate ravenously, without any grace. They had been eating like this for the past two days of construction work.

They both finished at the same time as everyone else.

After dinner, everyone went to move boxes. Shiko and Nijika were about to help when Sayo stopped them. "You two have worked hard these past two days. Let us handle the rest." Hearing this, the two gladly accepted and sat down to rest.

"Haa... Let me lie down for a bit." Nijika lay down under a coconut tree. As soon as she lay down, she saw a coconut hanging precariously above her head. She quickly got up, patted her skirt, and said to Shiko, "I'll go pick some fruit nearby." Shiko nodded, her gaze following Nijika as she disappeared into the dense forest.

The evening after work was exceptionally pleasant. The wind rustled through the bushes, making a sound that tickled the heart. Shiko sat in place, gazing at the sky in a daze. After a while, Kita walked over alone, carrying a box and wearing a backpack. Seeing her, Kita's expression shifted, but she eventually nodded and slowly walked away.

Kita's arms were a bit sore. Carrying a heavy box and a backpack, and not having much [physical body] to begin with, she quickly felt the strain. Fortunately, the airship was already in sight. The airship was entirely white, with a simple yet beautiful streamlined design. Its wings were painted with the logos of Kessoku Band and Roselia, giving it a modern feel completely different from the raft and hot air balloon before.

A person stood below the airship, appearing like a tiny ant in comparison. As Kita approached, she saw it was Yukina. Ryo was on the other side. A box was already placed next to Yukina.

"Put it here," Yukina pointed to the box beside her.

"Okay." Kita put down the box and bag, let out a long breath, and wiped the sweat from her brow. "There isn't much left."

"Mhm," Yukina nodded. "You've worked hard."

Kita hurried back. With the burden lifted, Kita's steps became much lighter. She gradually walked deeper into the dense forest, where there was no one around. Using the markers she had made over the past two days, she headed towards her usual residence.

Suddenly, she stopped, her face turned cold, and she suddenly turned around, sparks beginning to ignite around her.

The forest was silent. But Kita didn't let her guard down at all. Suddenly, several vines shot out from the darkness, heading straight for Kita! Flames instantly burned them away, and then followed the vines towards their source—

"Wait, wait, just kidding, just kidding," Shiko jumped out from the bushes, covered in dirt.

Seeing her, Kita was slightly stunned, but quickly regained her indifferent expression, though it softened slightly. She remained silent, only extinguishing the flames on her body. Seeing Kita's reaction, Shiko hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Uh... I came... to talk about something." She tried to take a step closer.

Kita didn't move. "Mhm, what is it?"

"It's... about Ichiri."

Kita closed her eyes. "...There's nothing to talk about. I never had any hope from the start." She turned away, seemingly having lost interest.

[Erosion Level... 80%]

"Wait!" Shiko shouted. Kita stopped. Shiko wanted to speak, but for a moment, she couldn't find the words. What could she say? Kita liked Ichiri, and Ichiri liked her. Was she supposed to say something like, "I won't steal Ichiri away"? That would be a grave insult to both Ichiri and Kita. However, even so, while she did have feelings for Ichiri beyond friendship and admiration, regarding Kita—"I, I don't want to lose Kita."

Shiko walked behind Kita. "If this were reality, Kita would have already left the band, right? I... can't imagine Kessoku Band without Kita."

Kita, with her back to Shiko, shook her head. "No. Even if I returned to reality, I wouldn't leave the band. Even if I have to keep my distance from Gotou-san forever, I don't want to leave her."

"Even so, I don't want to grow distant from Kita!" Shiko felt like she was almost pleading with Kita. She didn't know what else to do, so she could only lay her feelings bare to Kita, hoping for her understanding. "I like Ichiri, but I like Kita just as much! I like Nijika! I like Ryo! I like everyone! I don't want to become awkward with anyone because of someone else—What should I do! If there's anything I can do, I'll do anything!" She moved closer and closer to Kita, grabbing Kita's hand.

Kita paused for a moment, turned around, and gently stroked Shiko's face. A hint of sadness appeared on her features. "I've never disliked Wu-san, and Wu-san doesn't owe me anything. No matter what I do, it's useless. Gotou-san chose you from the beginning, and I was just late, that's all."

She lowered her hand, turned back, and slowly withdrew her other hand from Shiko's side, starting to walk away. "I still consider Wu-san my friend, one of my best friends. I'm the one who's become distant."

"Maybe I'm really turning into a shut-in."

[Erosion Level...90%]

Kita's figure disappeared into the night.

"I..." Shiko wanted to chase after Kita, but her feet wouldn't move.

The forest was pitch black, surrounded by terrifying shadows. The wind howled mournfully through the trees.

In the distance, the faint sound of two people talking could be heard.

"Ah, it's about to fall... Thanks, Sayo."

"It's fine. It's still a bit difficult to carry two boxes at once."

"Yeah. But it's much easier with someone around."

The next day, everyone found Shiko wearing a yellowish-orange wig and a headband, dressed in a school uniform, early in the morning. Ryo said it was Sayori's outfit from the Doki Doki Literature Club. When asked why, she didn't answer, only speaking and acting like Sayori, energetic and a bit ditzy, showing no hint of her true thoughts. Kita, on the other hand, chatted with people as usual and maintained a comfortable distance from Ichiri. Compared to a few days ago, she seemed much better.

"The sun is shining, the breeze is gentle, today, let us gather here... Ah, forget it, I won't read anymore!" Shiko threw down the script in her hand. "Let's directly announce the start of the relocation ceremony! Applause, applause!"

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience. Shiko stood on the newly erected podium, behind which was a cleared open space, and an immense airship that almost completely filled it. Apart from this meaningless ceremony, the only remaining task was to move their luggage—just a few boxes of instruments.

"Let's all go inside and take a look!" Shiko waved to everyone, raised her right hand, and knocked on the hull. On the side of the cabin, a sealed door slowly opened, and a series of stairs slowly lowered from within, stopping right at the ground.

Ako stood behind the door in a chuunibyou pose. "'Eternal Night', Seien Sie herzlich willkommen."

Lisa tilted her head. "What does that mean?"

Ako slumped. "A warm welcome..."

It seemed that staying up all night had no impact on her energy.

Shiko energetically led the others into the spotless cabin, introducing each room and facility one by one.

The cabin was divided into two floors: the first floor housed a recording studio, a dining room, and an entertainment room; the second floor had 30 deluxe guest rooms, noble and luxurious, fulfilling all of Shiko's beautiful fantasies of high-society life. Of course, she hadn't neglected safety; emergency escape devices were visible everywhere in the cabin, all rooms were interconnected, and the windows in the cabin walls could be opened by screws at any time for combat.

"Everything is fine, but... isn't it a bit too dark?" Kita said. Every few steps, there was an oil lamp embedded in the wall, the only source of light in the place. The meager flames could only illuminate a small area, leaving most of the space shrouded in darkness.

"Well... I did try to set up a power system, but that thing is wind-powered and won't work until the 'Kyuushuu-go' takes flight." Shiko waved her hand, pulled out a golden jade slip, and lit it, illuminating an area.

"Eek!" Kita and Nijika immediately huddled together. The surrounding decorations were mostly skulls and demons, not in a Halloween style, but more like something from a Western horror film. Although they had seen plenty of stranger and more terrifying monsters, they were startled to see such decorations so abruptly in this place.

Shiko immediately looked at Ako. Ako proudly raised her head. When Ako had asked for so many dark decorations last night, she already had a bad feeling, which was now confirmed: Ako had stayed up all night and successfully turned their future residence into a Demon Lord's Castle.

And, when you think about it, the name 'Kyuushuu-go' sounds cooler, doesn't it?

"This is..." Ryo, unaffected by the decorations, walked to the wall and pressed a raised button. Instantly, a piercing alarm blared throughout the space. Everyone quickly covered their ears. Shiko waved her hand, and the alarm stopped.

This time, it was Ako's turn to explain. "When the button is pressed, the surface of the enchanted material generates a signal, which is transmitted to a device and used as an alarm. In this state, the enchantment magic also automatically reacts, sacrificing duration to maximize the reinforcement of the airship's structure."

They reached the command center at the front of the airship, "Polaris." It was about the size of a conference room, with a ship's wheel, various screens, and control consoles with knobs and levers, in addition to the portholes. "It looks like this place needs at least a dozen people to operate," Yukina said.

Ako quickly explained, "No, no, no, all these control consoles are just for show, they just look cool."

"Was this all... Wu-san's idea?" Rinko walked over to the control console and noticed that there were indeed no labels next to the buttons.

"Yeah." Ako looked at Shiko and saw that she was expressionless, staring intently at Kita. "Shiko-san?" she prompted.

"Ah, yes." Shiko snapped back to attention, regaining her energetic and lively demeanor, and continued her role as leader. "Alright, next up, follow me!"

"Shiko?" Yukina sensed something, but Shiko didn't respond.

Ryo followed at the back of the group. There was something she hadn't mentioned before:

Sayori had severe depression.

Chapter 5: Even So

Star Picking

Countless times I've looked up at the starry sky

Colorful like a rainbow

Each one etched in my heart

One day, like a child

I tried to touch the stars

But accidentally hurt another

A star is crying, a sorrowful song

Bumping into each other, a chaotic mess

What should I do?

Tell me.

When Ichiri woke up, she found a poem by Shiko's pillow. She didn't want to peek, but she couldn't resist and secretly picked it up.

Ichiri silently followed Shiko, and they toured each room in semi-darkness.

"Well then, everyone go bring up the luggage now!" Shiko returned to the exit and was about to walk out.

"Wait!" Ichiri, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly grabbed Shiko's hem.

"?" Shiko turned back. Everyone was looking at Ichiri. Ichiri lowered her head and said timidly, "Kita-classmate too... wait a moment, can you?"

"Eh?" Kita clutched her chest.

Seeing this, Yukina walked around Shiko and went to the front. "Then we'll go bring things up first." Everyone understood and filed out. Soon, only Ichiri, Shiko, and Kita were left in the cabin.

"Is... something the matter? Gotou-san." Kita tried to force a smile, but it didn't quite work.

Ichiri turned around and suddenly bowed deeply to Kita. "I'm sorry! Kita-classmate!"

"Eh...? What's this all of a sudden..."

"After that day, I never properly talked to you, Kita-classmate."

Kita's pupils trembled, and her face fell. "There's no need to talk anymore."

[Erosion Level... 95%]

"We need to talk!" Ichiri suddenly shouted, blocking all of Kita's responses. "Because of my selfishness, everyone got hurt, and that's not right!"

"..." Both Kita and Shiko fell silent.

Ichiri took a step forward and grabbed Kita's hand. "I said it, Shiko is my sun."

"The sun is warm and great, but I don't only have the sun."

"I don't regret at all accepting Nijika's invitation, joining the band, and then meeting you, Kita-classmate."

"The first time I saw you, Kita-classmate, I didn't dare talk to you at all. Because you seemed so bright, a creature like me would turn to ash just by getting close."

"At times like this, what can I say..." Kita didn't want to recall the past.