Chapter 194

"But why tell us this?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted you to know."

Sakurakoji Talent's expression was gentle, and a slight smile played at the corners of her lips. "Is this what a pilgrimage to a sacred site feels like? Not bad."

"I'm a little hungry, Hachiman. Could you buy me some croquettes (fried meat patties) from that butcher shop?"

"Sure, but I didn't expect you to eat street food like this, Ogura-kun." She blinked quickly twice. "I thought you'd prefer upscale restaurants."

"What do you take me for? Do you think I wouldn't eat this kind of junk fried food sold outside?"

Well, that's roughly the impression I got.

"This is a misunderstanding! Come on, let's not waste time. Let's hurry. I want to go back to that bakery later to buy two Chocolate swirl bread to take home. If we have enough time, we can also grab a coffee at that Cafe..."

"Hey!"

Shiina Rikki let out a soft cry for no apparent reason, which made the man who was watching her chuckle.

He did it on purpose because Hazawa Tsugumi, the daughter of the Hazawa Coffee Shop, is a member of the band Afterglow. And Shiina Rikki's favorite band is Afterglow.

Nevertheless, she doesn't like to get too close to the other members, perhaps because she doesn't want to shatter her own ideals (the idea that distance makes the heart grow fonder).

Such rational fans are rare these days, Sakurakoji Talent couldn't help but sigh.

These days, there are extreme fans who are always ready to resort to violence, sending razor blades and stinky mandarin fish, which is really giving idols a headache.

In the end, to spare Shiina Rikki's feelings, he didn't insist on going to Cafe, but suggested they go somewhere else for tea.

In the bakery where the owners were present, they each took a few loaves of bread, paid for by Hachiman Kairin, and then left the shopping street.

"I didn't expect that bakery to be doing so well, but the aroma is indeed very tempting," Hachiman Kairin said with surprise as she walked out of the shop.

There were quite a few customers inside, many of whom were students from the neighborhood like them.

"Yes," he nodded in agreement.

Come to think of it, the landlady's health has improved enough to work again. No wonder Yamabuki Saya has time to go out and work.

"Even the bosses, who have seen countless people, were shocked the moment they saw Ogura-kun. As expected of you!"

"Don't be like that. It's just that the three of us appearing together creates a 1+2>3 effect. Besides, Hachiman and Classmate Shiina are both top-notch beauties, so it's normal for the boss and his wife to be surprised."

He tasted the legendary Chocolate swirl bread, and then, to be frank, the taste was just so-so, nowhere near as good as what he made himself.

"It feels a little strange to be praised as a beauty by you..."

"Same feeling."

Taking a bite of the still-warm pineapple bun she had just bought, Hachiman Kairin asked, "Where to next?"

The sweet, fragrant, and soft texture traveled through countless cells in her mouth to her brain, making her eyes light up slightly. This is not bad; no wonder so many people are buying it.

"I heard a new livehouse recently opened around here, and I'm thinking of checking it out. What do you guys think?"

"I don't care," Shiina Rikki replied Donut, a donut still in her mouth.

"Me too, but who told you that, Ogura-kun? You hardly ever go to school and you usually take the bus, so how come you seem to know more about this area than I do?"

"...That's not important," he casually changed the subject. "Let's go, target: RiNG!"

He had inquired and found out that because Starry was on holiday today, Ichiji Nijika had gathered her teammates and headed there for intensive training in the recording studio—during the holiday, they could use the unused recording studio for free.

In other words, there's no risk of encountering the 'stray white cat' Kanau you go to RiNG today!

After walking for a while, the three arrived at the foot of a building with two rows of illuminated signs on its front.

The first line reads in slightly smaller font: LIVE HOUSE

The second line is the store name: RiNG

"Wow~" Hachiman Kairin stared at the building in surprise, her usually expressionless handsome face showing some shock. "Isn't this a bit too big for a livehouse? It's practically a commercial complex!"

"This is the first time I've ever seen such a big livehouse," Shiina Rikki said, feeling a sense of awe.

"It's said that it not only has multiple studios, but also offers rental services for recording studios, musical instruments, and accessories. There also seems to be recording studios and cafes."

"Ah, I see. You wanted to come here for tea."

"That's right! Come on, let's go in." He led the way inside.

Before pushing open the door and going inside, Shiina Rikki's gaze was drawn to the black writing board propped up by the door.

She quickly read through the text: New store opening, hiring service staff, preferably young women, with a strong interest and passion for bands and music, and experience playing musical instruments. Part-time or full-time positions available, salary negotiable.

"..."

Upon entering the lobby on the first floor, he quickly glanced at the area next to him where musical instruments were rented and sold, but did not spot his target.

Could it be the Cafe up there?

"Let's find Cafe first, and then go sit over there?" He turned around to ask the two people behind him for their opinion.

Perhaps because they had walked quite a distance and were both a bit tired, they agreed without saying anything.

After searching around, they finally found the coffee shop on the upper floor.

Before he even went inside, he saw two—no, three—familiar figures through the glass door.

Like a hawk spotting its prey, his snow-white eyelashes lowered and the corners of his lips turned up.

I've found you, Your Great-Ancestor!

It was worth the time he spent outside, worried that they wouldn't be at work yet.

This is a double operation that happens without anyone noticing, and neither side will know his true purpose.

"Excuse me, we'd like to take your order here!"

After finding a place to sit with the two of them, he couldn't wait to raise his hand and call for a waiter.

"Hi!" A lively voice rang out in the coffee shop, followed by a figure jogging over. Her black shirt uniform with blue trim and buttons identified her as a waitress.

Seriously, why is the uniform here just a shirt, and such a simple and ugly one at that? That's so stingy, isn't it, Mr. Tsuzuki Shifune (Kanau's grandma)?

And the designer they hired was... well, let's just say his skills were questionable. Look what they did to my great-grandfather's image! Where's the youthful energy?!

If you really can't design, just hire me, it's free.

The newcomer's distinctive two-star hairstyle (cat ears? or rice dumpling?), along with her lively and adorable appearance and voice, all clearly indicated her identity.

It was none other than Toyama Kasumi, one of the third-year Senpai he had seen backstage at the opening ceremony, the source of all evil in Hanasakigawa, the leader of the Poppin'Party band, and an undeniable Toyama Kasumi Bang Dream.

Chapter 247 Forced Hug by the Boss

Speaking of which, as he gazed at Toyama Kasumi before him, amidst his emotions of being moved and surprised, a question inevitably arose in his mind.

That is—you're all members of powerful and well-known bands at the Budokan, so why aren't you focusing on playing in the band and practicing composition? Why are you working part-time? Is it for fun or to experience life?

What would you like to order?

Toyama Kasumi approached the three of them, holding a small notebook, and asked loudly with a bright smile.

Unlike other waitresses who murmured questions, she seemed to be born with an aura of familiarity and purification. Just by standing there and watching her movements and expressions, all negative emotions could be washed away.

As expected of the leader of Hanasakigawa, his aura is truly terrifying. He inwardly broke out in a cold sweat.

At this moment, Toyama Kasumi, noticing that they were wearing the same Hanasakigawa school uniform, was slightly surprised, then leaned forward even more enthusiastically. "You're from Hanasakigawa too? What grade are you in?! Me too!"

"Toyama Kasumi, a third-year student! Currently working part-time and enjoying band activities!"

She struck a pose, revealing a cute expression, and then approached them one by one. "Since you're here, are you also interested in the band? Would you like me to show you around?"

Her figure suddenly magnified in his eyes, startling Sakurakoji Talent's pupils to shrink, and he almost instinctively leaned back.

Only after the radiance and loveliness of her face faded did he relax and breathe a sigh of relief.

I almost forgot, this seemingly reckless and adorable mascot is actually a Social Anxiety Disorder person.

Unlike Gotou Hitori's social anxiety, she is a complete social terrorist!

"Shabu-chan" is not enough to describe it; it has surpassed Kita Ikuyo and lively positive character. It is the type that can isolate the whole class as if nothing is wrong!

At the very least, an average performer wouldn't dare to linger at a performance and, without ever having been on stage before, awkwardly sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in front of the audience, right?

She's the kind of person who, when slightly mocked by classmates during her self-introduction, becomes even more enthusiastic and expresses her views with even more passionate descriptions (as long as I'm not embarrassed, it's others who are).

He dares to hug and rub his face against anyone he meets, dares to go to the house of someone he's only known for a day to freeload breakfast, dares to say he'll hold a concert even though he doesn't know chords, and managed to completely charm a blonde, arrogant, twin-tailed heiress who's always skipping classes (hey, who's that over there? Come here and take a beating, learn from her!) in just a few days, making her willingly go to his classes, even providing her with free practice space to invite her to his house for dinner, and giving her a guitar worth 300,000 yen as a dowry (not really)...

In short, as long as you can learn even a trick or two from her, becoming a beloved Queen of All Females shouldn't be a problem, but growing a few more pairs of wings shouldn't be an issue.

"Oh, you are...?"

As he was thinking about her in his heart, Toyama Kasumi seemed to remember something and looked at him with her round, purple eyes again, almost making him think he had spoken his thoughts aloud.

Speaking of which, I've seen several pairs of such rare purple eyes today.

"You are... you are... hmm? Sniff!" She stopped mid-sentence, her expression changing as she began to carefully sniff his body.

"What a wonderful smell! It smells so familiar! This is... the smell of Yamabuki Bakery! The Chocolate swirl bread has the strongest flavor!"

"Eh, eh--" Sakurakoji Talent, who was a little embarrassed by her, was stunned for a moment when he heard her accurate judgment.

No, sis, you've opened a shop!

Just from that, I can tell you're not a cat, but a hunting dog, right?

"Wrong?" Toyama Kasumi her head in confusion.

"... That's right."

"Great! I guessed right!" She jumped up happily.

"Wow, what an amazing Senpai!" Hachiman Kairin and Shiina Rikki, sitting opposite her, were also dumbfounded.

"Hehe~ Let me guess what kind of bread you two ate!" She bent her Hands and approached them with a mischievous grin.

"Ugh!" The two trembled, feeling an urge to flee immediately.

"Kasumi (ksm)! What are you doing again? It's so noisy!" Hearing the commotion, Yamabuki Saya, the drummer of Poppin'Party, Toyama Kasumi's personal caretaker, and her teammate who works here with her, walked over with a helpless expression.

"Sa~ya! Listen to me, listen to me! These junior girls from Hanasakigawa smell like your family's bakery!" Toyama Kasumi showed no shame after being caught red-handed, and instead explained to her with exaggerated gestures.

"Really? But you're a staff member now, you should do your job first, right? Do you want to cause trouble for Ririko-san?" Yamabuki Saya sighed, arms crossed, both used to and helpless about her behavior, and apologized to the three of them:

"Sorry, she was too noisy."

"Hehehe~~" Toyama Kasumi chuckled and scratched the back of her head, somewhat aware of her excitement.

"No, it's alright. Kasumi- Senpai should be this lively!" Sakurakoji Talent shook his head with a light smile.

"Oh, you know Kasumi?" Yamabuki Saya looked at him in surprise, first taken aback by his good looks, then narrowed her eyes and frowned. "You are... could it be someone from the opening ceremony?"

"Ogura Asahi desu, nice to meet you, Saya-senpai."

"Calling me by my name right off the bat?" Yamabuki Saya gave a troubled wry smile, but didn't say anything else. Her gaze was somewhat nostalgic. "You and Kasumi are really alike, aren't you? First-year students who want 'kirakira, dokidoki' (sparkling, heart-fluttering)."

"Ah, right, right!" Toyama Kasumi remembered too, and affectionately stepped forward to shake his hand. "You said this at the entrance ceremony, right? You wanted to be kirakira, dokidoki!"

"Actually, that's what I thought before! And then, I found it! The way to make this wish come true is..."

"Ka, su, mi!" Yamabuki Saya calmly pulled her back with her eyes closed. "Don't get so excited, what if you scare your junior?"

Toyama Kasumi shifted her gaze from her to his face, her expression pitiful. "Were you scared?"

"No, rather, Kasumi- Senpai's hands feel very comfortable to touch." He rested his chin on his hand, chuckling as he spoke his true thoughts, making no attempt to hide his true feelings.

"Great!" Toyama Kasumi jumped up happily again.

"Hmm..." Yamabuki Saya poked her forehead with her fingertip, looking exasperated. "Does this mean Kasumi's team is getting a new member again?"

After agonizing for a while, she realized there was no point in dwelling on it any longer, and looked at him. "By the way, you seem to know us?"

Sakurakoji Talent nodded. "Because I'm a fan of many bands, Poppin'Party is one of them, so I know a bit about Kasumi- Senpai and Saaya- Senpai. The lines I said at the entrance ceremony were imitations of Kasumi-senpai."

After some thought, he decided to stop pretending and say that it was his own idea, since it was just too coincidental, and he had even copied Tsurumaki Kokoro's lines.

Why not rediscover yourself and use Sakurakoji Talent -based strategy formula: the fan-based approach.

"Ah~ I see. I was wondering what a coincidence it was." Yamabuki Saya nodded in understanding, her doubts resolved.

She said it was such a coincidence that a second creature like Kasumi would appear in such a short time.