Chapter 274

In that case, it should be ready this week, right?

"Well, all in all, you've worked hard. Keep up the good work for the next two or three days!"

Sakurakoji Talent handed the delivered milk tea to the collapsed Kogisora Yukina Setsuna, saying, "Here, have some sugar to replenish your energy."

"Thanks!"

She accepted it with a smile, took a big gulp, and exclaimed, "Pfft~ Two or three more days? Just thinking about it makes me tired..."

"But I'm also really looking forward to receiving my first album soon!"

"Humph, look forward to it... By the way, uncle and aunt, they have 200 million (three) ducks and umbrellas Q*U -N. What do you say? They should have a lot of opinions on me, right?"

Not to mention Touma Kazusa, she's constantly taking leave with her, practically challenging the Kogisora Family rules.

"You care a lot?"

Kogisora Yukina looked over slyly.

"Of course—it's not that I don't care at all."

He feigned a slightly worried expression, "It would be so awkward if they wouldn't let me in next time I visit."

"Haha! No way!"

Kogisora Yukina smiled and waved her hands repeatedly, "Your mom and dad both love you so much, they won't stop you from coming in!"

"It's just... I'm a little worried about my studies and grades lately..."

"So, you didn't tell them that my grades are very good? Next time your grades drop, I'll tutor you."

"In that case, they'll like you even more, but then again..."

Her bright, watery eyes gazed at him tenderly. "If my grades drop, Talent-kun, you'll have to take responsibility, okay?"

"... I will try my best."

"Um!"

The quiet, strange atmosphere between the two was interrupted by a humming sound from Touma Kazusa beside them.

"... I almost forgot, there's someone here who needs tutoring even more."

"Hmph~"

"If I ever open a tutoring class next time, you should come along... Ugh, just thinking about it makes me tired."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Touma Kazusa and muttered under her breath, "Who wants you to tutor them, you arrogant guy?"

I stayed there for a while longer.

Sakurakoji Talent said to the two of them, "By the way, Yukina, why don't you and Kazusa stay here a little longer until they get off work? I have to go now."

"Ah, Talent-kun has to go to work, right?"

"Well, not really. It's a friend's birthday today, and I have to go and congratulate them."

"I understand! You go ahead then, I'll try my best!"

"Okay! Keep it up!"

"Fight!"

"Kazusa, I'm leaving Yukina in your care."

"Okay, go ahead."

"..."

Evening, Starry.

The group sat around a table with a cake decorated with a dozen or so candles.

"One, two!"

Ichiji Nijika shouted the starting slogan.

"Happy birthday!"

X N.

A small but resounding round of applause erupted as everyone celebrated the day's protagonist.

"Thank you everyone!!!"

Kita Ikuyo moved, her already radiant expression now flushed with a mixture of joy and surprise.

"They even prepared a cake for me... I'm just a newcomer in the band, thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Mr. Talent bought the cake, so let's thank him."

"Talent-senpai?! Thank you so much! Talent-senpai!"

"You're such a kind Talent-senpai! I love you!"

Kita Ikuyo cupped her cheeks, her olive-green eyes sparkling as she shyly stole glances at him.

"..."

Um?

Looking into Kita Ikuyo Sakurakoji Talent blinked. Could it be that this child also has great potential?

I wonder if she'll let me kiss her now, to test my feelings—but I'd better not, it might backfire.

When feelings truly reach a certain point, they won't even need him to take the initiative; they'll kiss themselves on their own... Yes, just like those three despicable and hateful women.

Thinking of those three, he couldn't help but grind his teeth, wanting to punish them again.

"Don't worry about it, it's what I should do, after all, you've already called me senior."

Today's birthday star is none other than Kita Ikuyo.

Two weeks after celebrating Hachiman Kairin's birthday last time, someone else is having a birthday party.

Actually, someone else is having a birthday this week... He's already feeling mentally exhausted.

As he gets to know more and more people, will he really be able to participate in all of these events?

Next month too... In short, it's very complicated.

PAPAPAPA...

"Alright! Now it's time for the gift-giving! Everyone! Bring out your gifts!"

After Kita Ikuyo blew out the candles, Ichiji Nijika, who was in charge of hosting the ceremony, announced the next activity.

Yamada Ryo went up first, took out a cable tie, and handed it to Kita Ikuyo: "Sorry, I've run out of living expenses recently, this is all I have left."

"Ryo-senpai's cable tie! I'll carry it with me as a talisman from now on!"

Kita Ikuyo didn't show any disgust; instead, her eyes lit up as she gratefully accepted it.

"Smack!"

Ichiji Nijika's chop landed heavily on Yamada Ryo's head.

"Ouch~ That hurts~"

"You still feel pain? What are you giving Kita?! Get me something else right now!"

"But, Kita himself..."

Yamada Ryo covered his head, his eyes brimming with tears as he looked at his butler.

"That won't do! If you don't have one, then give her one of your guitars Bass!"

"How could you do this?! Those are all my treasures!"

"Yes, yes! Ijichi- senpai! That's fine!"

"Look at him, what a wonderful child he is."

Ichiji Nijika mercilessly tore at Yamada Ryo's mouth, her eyes dark as she threatened, "Get me another one later, understand?"

"Hey, hi..."

Gotou Hitori walked forward tremblingly and took out his gift box.

"Ah, well... this is a new CD I bought outside, I don't know if you'll like it..."

"Wow~ Gotoh-san's gift! Thank you!"

Hehe~ You're welcome~

Small flowers swirled around Gotou Hitori, which secretly pleased her.

"By the way, what type of record is it?"

Sakurakoji Talent sensed something unusual.

"Ah, that, yes, it's a whole bunch of heavy metals."

"..."

X N.

"Next one, next one!"

Ichiji Nijika clapped her hands, deciding to quickly skip the topic.

The petite Kanau skipped and hopped forward, extending a hand to grasp hers tightly.

Kita Ikuyo opened her Hands in confusion and took it. A green pick with words on it fell into her palm.

"SPACE's pick."

Kanau explained.

"... Rakuna, Kita- chan doesn't play the guitar...?"

"Um?"

Kanau tilted her head. "If I don't play it, can't I give it away?"

"It's not that it's impossible... never mind..."

Ichiji Nijika covered her Hands in anguish.

What kind of bizarre teammates are these?!

Oh no! Kita- chan is definitely going to be disappointed in her teammates and decide to leave!

The Kessoku Band, this is really the end...

"Is it my turn next?"

Sakurakoji Talent pointed to herself; although Ichiji Nijika hadn't given her a gift yet, it seemed she was going to host first.

"Well, they're all the same, so here, take this one."

He took out a beautifully packaged small square box from behind him and handed it to Kita Ikuyo.

"What's this?"

The person asking the question wasn't the protagonist, but rather Ichiji Hoshika sitting next to him. She teased, "It's not one of those strange things, is it?"

Sakurakoji Talent shook her head in denial. "How could that be? I can't come up with those gift ideas that require a lot of imagination—it's just a regular high-end face mask."

"Oh! This is it!!"

Ichiji Nijika was almost moved to tears, pointing excitedly at him and the gift.

Now, has there finally been a normal person among us?!

Great! The band doesn't have to break up!!!

"No, even if you say that, high-end face masks can't be considered simple..."

Ichiji Hoshika trembled, feeling somewhat embarrassed about her gift.

"There's no way around it, Kita- chan is too young to use expensive perfumes. It's not that she can't use them, but compared to those external adornments, it's better to maintain her essentials like this."

"I did not mean that..."