Chapter 119
Although it's a cliché, he still wants to say: Only by losing something once do you realize its value.
The car stopped on the side of the street in Shimokitazawa. Sakurakoji Talent greeted him and got out of the car.
The slightly glaring sunlight of a spring afternoon made him instinctively raise his hand to shield his eyes as he got out of the car. The exhaust fumes from abandoned cars, so different from those in the countryside, gave him a sense of being in another world.
A white butterfly flew from the sparse green belt to his side, fluttering its wings gently and vigorously. Just this scene alone made him feel that he could squat there and watch it for an hour without getting tired of it—if he didn't have anything important to do later.
Because he had something to do later, he only squatted down and watched for half an hour today.
He took one last, lingering glance at the swarm of butterflies that had grown from one to three or five, before walking towards the Starry ground below.
Efforts to attract attention will always be rewarded.
Like a butterfly frantically flapping its wings to attract the attention of its companions, or a man who has been squatting here for half a day doing nothing, yet still attracts more and more attention from passersby—the two seem completely opposite, but are dialectically unified.
Life is sometimes so strange, isn't it?
Of course, you could also say that this is all due to the base instincts hidden within living beings—the subconscious attraction to beautiful things.
However, while he attracts human attention, it is the butterflies that draw his eye.
On one side are powerful and rational humans, and on the other are weak but natural insects.
If they have anything in common, it's that they're both alive under the same sky at this very moment.
Oh no, there might be another point: a shorter lifespan compared to other creatures around them.
He doesn't think butterflies and other wild animals are freer than himself, but he does envy the fact that they might enjoy more sunshine and air than he does.
Nothing is more important than living itself, nothing is more sublime than the act of living, and nothing is more worthy of respect than the effort put into living.
There's no need for a reason to live; you just need to live.
Colleague, friend, classmate, older brother, master, junior, companion, object of admiration, older sister, meddlesome troublemaker, lover... what their identities are is completely unimportant.
Regardless of which one it is, it is simply the natural result of his most instinctive desire and motivation.
So, all of these are the same to him.
So no matter what anyone says, or how indignant or critical they are of his behavior, he will continue on this path in a consistent manner, regardless of what outcome it may lead to.
On Monday, March 31, in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, during that leisurely half hour squeezed out of his recent busy schedule, Sakurakoji Talent once again solidified this resolve.
To resolve one's physical problems at all costs, and then—to live until death.
He doesn't expect to die of old age, but he hopes to at least live longer than usual, right?
Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Chapter 158 -The Kessoku Band's Epic Enhancement
"My legs... my legs are so numb..."
After overcoming countless difficulties, he finally arrived at the entrance to the Starry sky. Leaning against the wall, Sakurakoji Talent looked pale and weak (similar to Bocchi-chan's pale face).
Having squatted by the roadside for too long, I immediately developed severe anemia symptoms as soon as I stood up. On the way here, I was unsteady on my feet and almost fell countless times.
Even now, there is still some.
Although it can't compare to when a physical ailment flares up, that's how the human body is; it will hurt when it's supposed to hurt, and it will feel numb when it's supposed to feel numb.
The human body has its limits; even he would find it difficult to perform normal actions while under debuffs.
You can't expect to defy the laws of physics simply by willpower, can you?
He glanced at the dark staircase ahead, and to avoid slipping and falling, which could prematurely end his somewhat sinful life, he decided to lean against it for a while until he recovered.
With his head tilted back and resting against the transparent glass of the first-floor exterior wall, he couldn't help but wonder, when did Sakurakoji Talent become such a comedic character, just like Gotou Hitori?
He shouldn't have this kind of persona.
"Oh, isn't this Mr. Talent? What's wrong? Why are you leaning here all by yourself? Aren't you going to get down?"
Sakurakoji Talent looked down at the sound and saw Ichiji Nijika and Yamada Ryo walking happily together from afar.
Ichiji Nijika was carrying a yellow schoolbag, and it looked like she had just come back from Shimokitazawa High School.
He looked at Yamada Ryo... "Where's your schoolbag?"
Never mind, I won't ask anymore.
Many schools start the new semester on Mondays, which is not uncommon.
"Um, something came up, I'll go down later." He forced a smile as he answered Ichiji Nijika's question.
"I see, okay then!" Ichiji Nijika nodded cheerfully without thinking much about it, but soon another question arose in her mind.
"Did Mr. Talent go to school today too? How was it?"
"Were you bullied?" Yamada Ryo asked in a low voice.
"How could I possibly be bullied!" He tapped her head slightly with force, and Yamada Ryo painfully rubbed her short, light blue silk hair.
Ignoring her, he turned to Ichiji Nijika: "Not bad, you've successfully made... a friend."
His expression was a little strange when he answered that question.
What is this strange feeling? It's like, "It's my first day in the outside world, and with my mom's concern, I guess I haven't suffered too much."
Are you really Nijika's mother?
Image: "Nijika's Mom - Just kidding", Location: "Images/1760018277-100446961-113950579. jpg"
No—don't think about it, it's bad for your mental health.
Although Ichiji Nijika is indeed a warm, kind, cheerful, and caring little Angel, he is not prepared to be like some people outside the screen who shamelessly and casually claim mothers.
His only mother in this life was that 145cm tall loli with red eyes White Hair.
"And what about you guys? With the new semester starting, haven't you tried looking for new teammates among the first-year students?" He flicked his red eyes and looked down at Ichiji Nijika.
"Ah... that..." Ichiji Nijika gave a wry smile.
"I suggested that Nijika stand at the school gate and recruit people by shouting, but she refused," Yamada Ryo explained calmly.
"Of course!" Ichiji Nijika's eyes turned into cat eyes, and she raised an eyebrow to complain to her, "If you did that on the first day, the first-year students would definitely think you're weird, right? It would be difficult to find them later!"
"However, we'll just put the recruitment posters we drew in advance on the club bulletin board for now. Hopefully, someone will be interested."
The following sentence is directed at Sakurakoji Talent.
Yamada Ryo then delivered a precise blow. "But we're not a club, so I just hope the poster doesn't get torn down."
"Don't say such realistic and pessimistic things!" Ichiji Nijika went around behind her and playfully punched her shoulder with her little fists.
"If they're really interested in music, someone will probably bring an instrument to school later, right?" Sakurakoji Talent asked.
"Well, but compared to bands with uncertain futures and who seem unfamiliar and suspicious, most people would probably prefer to join a club..." Ichiji Nijika awkwardly explained the situation.
Realistically speaking, forming a band is indeed not an easy thing.
Where are there so many high school students willing to put aside their studies and youth to participate in such a highly competitive rock band with a dark undertone?
When it comes to rock music, aren't the stereotypes just a group of people screaming wildly in the dark, or weirdos holding guitars and making all sorts of indecent gestures on stage, or a bunch of young men and women getting together for gang rape?
Just hearing about it is enough to inspire fear.
Although, as mentioned, this is just a stereotype, and specifically a stereotype about that place across the ocean.
However, prejudice in people's hearts is a formidable mountain... not to be underestimated.
"But isn't the Great Girl Band Era all the rage lately? I bet a lot of kids want to join, right?" He thought of the few culprits in his school who started this trend.
"Ah, yes, I've heard of them." Ichiji Nijika nodded, her expression somewhat excited. "Those Girl Band are really amazing! Like Poppin'Party, or Roselia and RAS, etc..."
"Those band members aren't that much older than us, right? Yet they've all participated in Budokan and gone on to become professionals!"
"Maki we can be like them someday, ideally finding our partners during high school, right, Liang?"
She nudged Yamada Ryo who was next to her.
"Yes, their music is not bad, it's very unique and worth learning from." Yamada Ryo nodded in agreement, a smile appearing on his face.
"Poppin'Party may be slightly less skilled than them, but it sounds very comfortable and enjoyable."
"The other two bands are not only highly skilled, but their respective musical styles are also very unique, making their music refreshing to listen to."
Rather than focusing on technical skill, she seemed to value the unique characteristics inherent in their music more.
And... when we're not talking about money and just music, she's actually quite aloof, which is normal, right? Sakurakoji Talent gave her a meaningful look.
"Seriously~" Ichiji Nijika shrugged helplessly, "It's not that they're 'not bad,' okay? They're all accomplished seniors, dark horses who emerged from countless bands!"
"Compared to them, we haven't even found all our members yet."
Sakurakoji Talent leaned against the wall with his Hands crossed, nodding as he listened.
Compared to the gifted prodigies in the three schools who can become professionals after just one year of forming a band, the bands led by Ichiji Nijika and Inoseri Nina, which are just starting out and struggling to find members with no idea what the Mirai holds, are closer to normal—though they can't be considered ordinary either.
"So how many more team members are you planning to recruit?" he asked, addressing the question that was currently of greatest concern to him.
Because he brought Kanau over beforehand, the Kessoku Band now has three members. And with Kanau's talent and ability, she is fully capable of carrying the whole band on her own.
In other words... this team can function even without "Guitar Hero" Bocchi-chan.
If things continue like this, will Gotou Hitori be unable to make friends in high school, and after graduation, will she be unable to work due to excessive Social Anxiety Disorder and end up relying on her parents for financial support?
Did she ultimately die alone, silently fading away in that dark room?
Gotou Hitori's life... has already ended prematurely.
No, no, no! How can that be? Since it was his mistake, he has to make amends for it. The pink-haired girl didn't do anything wrong, did she?
He looked expectantly at Captain Ichiji Nijika.
"Hmm--We already have a guitarist, Bass, and drummer, so all we need is a lead singer, right?" Ichiji Nijika listed them off one by one on her fingers.
"As long as we can get a lead singer, we can start band activities no matter what."
"No! But look!" Sakurakoji Talent objected, sweating profusely. "Other bands usually have five members, right? You only have four, isn't that a bit too few? You've already lost in terms of sheer presence!"
"Mr. Talent, what you said makes sense... but finding another one is already very difficult for us."
"I'll help you find one too! Didn't I promise you?"
"Really? Is that okay?!" Ichiji Nijika leaned forward, her triangular Ahoge sticking up) bobbing happily.
"Of course, leave it to me!" he assured confidently.
"Thank you!" Ichiji Nijika was overjoyed.
"But if we form a five-person band, what instrument should the last member play?" Yamada Ryo interrupted the two, asking his own question.
"Ideally, Keyboardist and a DJ; if that's not possible, a guitarist would be fine too, right?"
"Yes, that's true." Seeing that his opinion had not been refuted, Sakurakoji Talent breathed a sigh of relief.
"With two guitarists, one can handle lead guitar and the other rhythm guitar; it's not a big problem."
In any case, Bocchi-chan's life has been saved.
As for sending Bocchi-chan to MyGO to replace Kanau, or even worse, sending her to Mujica... he's not Satan, he's still a human being, he wouldn't do such a thing.
Otherwise, he feared that if he actually sent her there, he would receive the devastating news of Gotou Hitori's death a few days later.
Rather than this, it would be better to let her live out her days alone in her room...
"Then it's decided. Let's go down." Having finished chatting, Ichiji Nijika took the lead and walked down the steps into the darkness.
Sakurakoji Talent's leg had almost fully recovered, and he followed behind her.
The only task now is to recruit Kita Ikuyo and Gotou Hitori before Ichiji Nijika gathers the fourth and fifth members, right?
While it's unlikely that Yamada Ryo and her friends will find new teammates so quickly, it's hard to say, given that things have changed.
Especially for Kanau, if she later says, "Then go to my family's livehouse, there are lots of bands there..." then I'll just send it to her!!!
Ichiji Nijika isn't the quiet, Kanau only makes noise when others are drinking tea. With her sunny and easygoing personality, wouldn't she just invite anyone she sees to enlist?
The plan to find the pink duo and bring them on board is now urgent!
But if they actually succeed, with Guitar Hero and Kanau... wouldn't that be an epic power-up for Kessoku Band?
P. S.: I did a test with a sample today. What did you guys think of the way people addressed each other at school in the first chapter? I think it's quite convenient. At least when I see "he," I can recognize that it's the main character. Before, when it was all "she," did you sometimes feel like you didn't know who I was talking about?