So many geniuses in anime! What's wrong with me joining?

"Oh? Talent actually lost, that's rare." Knowing that he, the usual perfect superman, had actually lost for once, Yamada Ryo became even more interested and continued to ask about the details.

"What was the content of the game?"

Sakurakoji Talent wore a troubled expression, and seizing the moment, Yukino Shita Hiyori quickly interjected to explain the specific situation to the group.

"Mr. Talent, you're so nasty." Ichiji Nijika's eyes turned into dots as she looked at him with disdain.

She finally understood why her tsundere sister had such a reaction; wasn't this just rubbing salt into her wounds?

But what she didn't know was that there were actually other reasons for her sister becoming like this...

"Talent, I didn't expect you to be that kind of person." Although she felt it didn't matter, Yamada Ryo chimed in, never one to shy away from stirring up trouble.

"...Is it my fault, then?"

"Right, right~ How nasty~" Seeing Sakurakoji Talent get shut down, Yukino Shita Hiyori was incredibly happy.

"Do you even have the right to say that!" Hiratsuka Shizuka almost couldn't resist punching her again.

How could you, the culprit behind all this, have the nerve to say that?

"Ehehe~" Yukino Shita Hiyori made a bashful, cute face, attempting to charm her way out of it once again.

However, almost no one in the room bought her act, and they all chose to ignore her—perhaps because everyone present was so good-looking.

"So, what's the punishment game?"

"I'll say this first, I won't agree to any perverted requests like taking off clothes, and neither will Shizuka!"

Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, Yukino Shita Hiyori continued the topic on her own, hugging her chest with a blushing face and looking shyly at Sakurakoji Talent, as if he were a lecher who would actually do such a thing.

Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies : Chapter 32 Performing on Stage Together

"Hey! This is the mess you caused, why do I have to be dragged into it too!"

"Are you still saying that at this point? Shizuka." Yukino Shita Hiyori sighed, "It can't be helped, who told us to lose?"

"That was you who lost!"

"But you didn't object before, did you?"

"..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka was speechless. Although it was because she knew there was no way to stop her, she hadn't exactly refused very actively either. She could only grit her teeth, a vein throbbing on her forehead. Damn it, she had been tricked by this person again.

"It's simple." Seeing that Yukino Shita Hiyori was already impatient to receive her punishment, Sakurakoji Talent smiled mysteriously and pointed toward the stage where a Live performance was currently underway.

"Both of you play instruments, right?"

"We do—but how did you know?" Yukino Shita Hiyori looked at him suspiciously, a familiar, ominous premonition rising in her heart; it was the same feeling everyone else had whenever she teased them.

"I guessed. After all, most people who come here are interested in music and Live performances, and your temperament makes it obvious that you're the type who plays instruments."

Sakurakoji Talent didn't even blink as he spouted nonsense with a straight face.

But Yukino Shita Hiyori really couldn't find any fault with that; after all, what he said wasn't entirely unreasonable.

"So, what do you want us to do?"

"I want you to coordinate with our staff here and perform an impromptu set after all the bands finish their performances later. Of course, we'll provide the instruments."

"Huh?!"

Yukino Shita Hiyori's previously relaxed expression vanished, and she stared fixedly at Sakurakoji Talent's profile, confirming whether he was joking.

After a long while, she burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha, you really got me there!"

"That's true! Accepting a punishment in a Livehouse should definitely be done this way!"

"Fine, I accept!"

She wiped the slight tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes, her gaze and expression shifting into competitive confidence as she answered readily.

"However, you'd better pick the song well. If it's not one we're familiar with, we won't be able to go on stage immediately."

"Don't worry about that, just go with what you want. Picking something you're familiar with is fine."

"Oh~ You're quite confident, young man."

"I am a staff member at this Livehouse, after all."

Yukino Shita Hiyori looked him over with a smile, but after staring for a long time, she couldn't discern anything and couldn't help but find it novel: "I'm becoming more and more interested in you now. Tell me, young man, are you really just an ordinary employee?"

"Guaranteed authentic."

Seeing that she couldn't extract any more information, Yukino Shita Hiyori decisively gave up on further exploration for the time being and turned to Hiratsuka Shizuka: "What should we do, Shizuka? Which song should we choose?"

"How should I know? I haven't touched a Bass in a long time. If we make a fool of ourselves later, I won't forgive you."

Hiratsuka Shizuka frowned, feeling like this scene was deja vu, which stirred up some unpleasant memories.

When was the last time she played the Bass?

It seemed like it was also because of this person!

"Well, well, isn't this quite good? Even though it's an accident, I've wanted to perform with you again for a long time."

"This is youth! Youth!"

Yukino Shita Hiyori flashed her signature smile, brushing the matter off with a joke as if it were nothing.

"But since we're performing here, wouldn't it be better to choose a popular song?"

"I suppose so."

Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at the lively atmosphere around them, her expression calming down. Although she had threatened that she wouldn't let Yukino Shita Hiyori off the hook if they made fools of themselves, she had no intention of actually embarrassing herself.

"Then it's decided! How about this one? It's been quite popular lately, and I quite like it too."

"Hmm, I haven't heard it, but it doesn't look too complicated."

"Let's go find them and borrow a small room to practice in later. They should have one here, right?"

After a brief discussion, the two reached an agreement, and Yukino Shita Hiyori walked back to the counter.

"Have you decided?" Sakurakoji Talent asked with a smile.

"Yes! We've decided on this one!" Yukino Shita Hiyori thrust her hand forward, striking a classic pose.

What appeared before Sakurakoji Talent's eyes was a glowing smartphone screen. When he saw the content, he also wore a look of surprise.

"That works, I think it's fine."

"Do you have a rehearsal room here? We need to practice a bit first."

"We do, please follow me."

Just as Sakurakoji Talent was about to lead them to the recording studio in the back, Ichiji Hoshika pulled him aside, her face looking a bit tense.

"Hey, hey, who gave you permission to agree to an extra performance on your own?"

"Is it not allowed?" Sakurakoji Talent tilted his head in confusion.

"Do you even have to ask! This is a business, people paid money to watch the show! What will you do if you mess up the performance!" Despite her heart fluttering at his feigned innocence, causing her face to heat up, she still forced herself to speak sternly.

"That's why I said we'd put it at the very end as an extra surprise."

"You should have told me beforehand! You're being far too impulsive!" Ichiji Hoshika clutched her head, her expression conflicted, not knowing what to do with him.

"Besides, who are you planning to have perform with them? Two people won't be enough to carry the stage."

"I was planning to go up myself, but if Nijika and Ryo are interested, they can join too."

"Eh? Us?"

Ichiji Nijika pointed at herself in surprise. Why was she being dragged into this?

"Yeah, are you interested?" Sakurakoji Talent looked at the two of them, extending an invitation with a hint of enthusiasm.

"Hmm—Ryo, what do you think?" Ichiji Nijika was a bit hesitant and tossed the question to her good friend.

"Isn't this a rare opportunity? It's hard to find people to play with usually, so I think it's fine."

Yamada Ryo struck her signature confident pose, showing no fear of the impromptu performance, full of self-assurance.

"That's true! This is a rare opportunity!"

"Alright then, Mr. Talent! We'll join too!"

Ichiji Nijika clenched her fists in front of her chest, having made up her mind, and looked at Sakurakoji Talent with a firm gaze.

"Then let's do it together; it'll be fun with more people." Sakurakoji Talent curled his lips, feeling a rare sense of excitement, and handed her his phone screen.

"But have you practiced this song before?"

The two moved their heads toward the screen and nodded: "No problem, this one is quite famous, we've learned it before."

"That's good."

"Talent and Nijika are going to prepare for a Live?"

After sending the setlist to PA so she could help with the sound check, and having Ichiji Hoshika coordinate with the band, he was just about to head to the back to prepare when their departure was interrupted once more. He looked at the person who spoke, his expression one of surprise.

"Hmm, what's wrong?" Sakurakoji Talent looked at Kanau, who had been watching the commotion from the sidelines, and had a slight guess in his heart.

Sure enough, the next moment.

"Then I want to participate too!" Kanau's originally soft face became determined as she expressed her thoughts.

"Then—together?" Sakurakoji Talent didn't know what expression to use to face this scene.

What is going on?

It was supposed to be a punishment game, so why is everyone fighting to get on stage?

I think you guys are a bit too "socially terrifying"!

Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies : Chapter 33: So Many Geniuses in the Comprehensive Anime World

"Kanau wants to join too?"

Ichiji Nijika was even more astonished. It was the first time she had seen Kanau so proactive—except when eating a Matcha Parfait.

"Wait, Kanau plays an instrument? This is the first time I've known that."

"Yeah, I play the guitar, but I didn't bring it today."

Kanau's delicate and Cute face wrinkled; the mere thought of not playing her own exclusive treasure made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"It's fine, we're just playing around, so let's just grab any other Guitar to make do for now."

"We don't have much time left, let's hurry over and run through a couple of rehearsals."

After offering a word of comfort, Sakurakoji Talent checked the time and urged them on.

Upon entering the recording studio, Sakurakoji Talent spoke up again: "Let's confirm which instruments everyone is using first."

"The two of us will take the Drum Kit and Bass, no problem, right?" Yukino Shita Hiyori spoke first, tossing a wink at the others as she did so.

"Eh?" Ichiji Nijika and Yamada Ryo exchanged glances, looking at her in bewilderment.

Wait, if you two are playing those, what are we supposed to play?

"Well, I suppose two Drum Kits and a Bass isn't impossible?" Sakurakoji Talent said, sounding a bit uncertain.

But since they were just messing around, it didn't really matter anyway; at worst, he could just turn their volume down later.

"Hm? These two young ladies are also on Drum Kit and Bass?" Taking in their reactions, Yukino Shita Hiyori was also a bit surprised, not expecting such a coincidence.

"I'm on Guitar." Kanau took a Guitar of unknown ownership from the nearby instrument rack and declared.

"Then I'll take the Electronic Keyboard." Sakurakoji Talent walked over to the Electronic Keyboard as if it were the most natural thing in the world and began a simple tuning.

Time was tight, so the group didn't argue much; they communicated about the rhythm of the song and the instruments for each measure while familiarizing themselves with the track and their gear.