Chapter 240
Another one, Roselia's Riot...
"..."
Our city is a bit of a hassle to navigate...
"..."
Shizuka's Forget Everything, Chives, Lacquer, Slippery Clothes (Eight) Tumor, Little Song...
"..."
The Kessoku Band with loneliness and the Blue Planet...
"..."
"..."
Is get out of class still not over?!
Just as he was about to press the prelude to [321234321][321234321]..., the school bell rang.
[Note: The above are the simplified musical notation numbers for "KASUMIKAGE," with the intro repeating four Rinnegan.]
He breathed a sigh of relief and got up to look out the window.
The once quiet and peaceful campus of the new era immediately became noisy, with small loudspeakers of varying volumes blaring from all over the campus.
A little while later, the door to the music classroom was opened.
"Was that Ogura- senpai playing just now?"
Toyokawa Shoko, carrying a bag, walked in from outside and greeted him when she saw him.
Greetings, Senior Ogura.
After composing herself, and hearing her habitually use that greeting, Ogura Asahi teased, "You really are like a young lady, Toyokawa-kun."
After half a day of self-consolation, he had almost recovered from his morning disappointment.
Even if you don't get over it, it shouldn't affect other important things.
"Ah..."
Toyokawa Shoko realized she had spoken out of turn, looked down and glanced sideways, frozen in place.
"But I think it suits you perfectly, so let's do it the way you like. Here, take what I promised you yesterday."
He took the prepared dessert out of his bag and handed it to her.
He didn't make this this morning; he didn't have time then either, but the leftovers from last time are still in the refrigerator.
"Thanks..."
She took it instinctively, but her expression showed some hesitation.
Is it really okay to accept something for nothing? But I've already accepted it, and it really is delicious...
"Don't mind it, just consider it candy from your senior. Accept it without worry, but try to eat it quickly."
Seeing her hesitation, he closed his eyes and sat down to the side.
"If you feel bad about it, play me a few more songs as payment."
"I see."
Toyokawa Shoko stopped refusing and went straight to the piano keys.
For her now, this is all she has to offer.
"Ogura's technique is really amazing; I was completely absorbed during his lessons. But it seems to be mostly rock and pop music. Do you like rock?"
"I guess so... but you have to pay attention in class."
Well, thankfully I managed to resist playing that song just now.
"That doesn't seem like something someone like you, skipping class to come here and play the piano, should say."
"We've been exposed?"
"After all, even in music class, the teacher wouldn't allow you to play alone for the entire lesson, right?"
"It's okay! My grades and Perfect Attendance are safe!"
Toyokawa Shoko, who wasn't particularly interested in these things, placed her Hands loosely on the piano keys. "Well then, I'll begin."
"Please go ahead~"
After three songs, Toyokawa Shoko stopped what she was doing, turned her head and asked, "What do you think?"
"Very good."
He smiled and clapped his hands.
"Thank you, um,"
Toyokawa Shoko crossed her fingers somewhat awkwardly, "I have other things to do later, so I'll be leaving now."
"Oh, I see. Sorry for keeping you here again."
"No! That's not true! Talking with Ogura- senpai was very easy, but I really do have something to do afterwards..."
"May I ask what it is? Oh, it's okay if you don't want to tell me."
"No, it's nothing serious..."
After a moment's hesitation, she met his gaze with a resolute expression. "It's about working!"
"Hey~ Toyokawa-kun is working a part-time job too?"
"Also? So that means, Ogura- senpai, you also..."
Toyokawa Shoko was stunned.
She had thought that someone as extraordinary as him wouldn't be involved in part-time work.
"Yes, I also do part-time work."
Ogura Asahi smiled and touched her lips with her index finger, "And there's more than one."
"Hey? Studying isn't important? The school rules also..."
"It's okay, it's okay~ As long as you maintain the basic grades, and don't get caught violating school rules -- by the way, if you don't leave soon, isn't it a bit risky in terms of time?"
"Ah, indeed! Well then, please excuse me for being rude today!"
After bowing to Ogura Asahi, Toyokawa Shoko seemed somewhat happy as she put the snack box into her bag and then quickly left.
Ogura Asahi cast his gaze out the window to the building below. After a while, Toyokawa Shoko, having changed into her Mary Jane Shoes, walked out of the school building.
Holding her bags in Hands, she maintained the demeanor of a young lady, only her pace quickened slightly.
After watching her figure disappear from the school, he began to pack his things.
It's almost time for today; he's going to Kawasaki with Kawaragi Momoka Kawara later.
"..."
What kind of expression should I wear when I see her later?
How long had it been since he had felt this fear and resistance in his entire life?
After meeting Kawaragi Momoka at the apartment, they loaded the prepared clothes into the trunk of the car and sat in the back seat.
There are still too many clothes for five people, and each person has more than one set. If we use a regular-sized suitcase, one or two will definitely not be enough.
After getting into the car, the two remained mostly silent throughout the journey.
Even in their occasional conversations, one could sense their awkwardness, tension, and unease.
Unlike yesterday, Kawaragi Momoka was no longer curious and amazed by the car's luxury. She just sat there with a wandering gaze, propping her head up with her arm, and the occasional blush on her face told of her inner turmoil.
She hadn't felt anything when they were outside during the day, but now that they were in the same room again, the overwhelming awkwardness was practically threatening to engulf her!
What's going on? Do all other bands do this when they have one-night stands?
Or is it simply because you're not familiar with the group/flirting/leaving/abandoning/your private tutor/oz, that's why you're acting this way?
No way! You're an adult, Momoka! You need to stand up for yourself in front of him and set a good example as a senior member of society!
You shouldn't be so impulsive and reckless, acting like you're about to die!
Go ahead and tell him it's no big deal! Just continue your relationship as before!
Okay! Let's do it that way!
She patted her fair and smooth androgynous face, then suddenly turned around and looked at Sakurakoji Talent's profile, who was staring blankly at the seat in front of her with a similarly unfocused gaze.
"..."
Puff puff!
She turned her head back, her face burning even hotter, as if it were being boiled.
No, that won't work!
Something must have changed somewhere she wasn't aware of, something that made it impossible for her to go back—she was so sure of it.
After getting off the bus.
A large pile of packages lay on the ground. The two people standing at the villa's entrance finally couldn't avoid exchanging a glance.
"Let me make this clear first, I'm not the kind of person who's casual or irresponsible."
After standing at the door for two minutes, it was Sakurakoji Talent broke the silence first.
"Oh oh."
Kawaragi Momoka's eyes darted around, and she twirled her silver-gray hair in her hands, not even understanding what he was saying.
"Although I can't tell you right now, my life is complicated and the Mirai is uncertain, so I can't give you any guarantees immediately."
He carefully chose his words before speaking.
This scene feels a bit like something out of a romantic soap opera...
"But, if after I've resolved all the problems, you're still willing to accept the person I was back then..."
"What?"
Kawaragi Momoka waited anxiously.
W-what? This atmosphere is like a marriage proposal... She's not ready for this...
Getting married because of an accident? That's so traditional and old-fashioned! It doesn't suit her at all.
"Then I will never let you go... That's what I wanted to say."
Sakurakoji Talent's fair skin, which was easily flushed by her talent, turned hot and discolored, and she kept her eyes closed, not wanting to open them.
Kawaragi Momoka stared at him blankly for a moment, then, trembling, she bent over and cried out, "Pfft!"
"What's that? Hahahaha!"
"Don't laugh!"
He turned to the other side, even more embarrassed.
"Because, because!"
She laughed even more unrestrainedly, and after a long while, she calmed down, stood up with a laugh, and energetically slapped him hard.
"Baka~ You little brat, what are you pretending to be a responsible adult for!"
"This is the consequence of my own actions, and I'll bear the responsibility myself! It has nothing to do with you!"
"I haven't fallen so low that I need someone younger than me to take responsibility for me! Do you understand?"
She cleared her throat with her eyes closed, still looking a little embarrassed. "Although that... it really was unexpected... it's quite normal in a band, you don't need to worry about it!"
"You don't care about Momoka either?"
"Ah~ Of course! I've been out in the game for three years, I've seen it all!"
She crossed her arms, looked up, and nodded confidently.