Chapter 446

He pursed his lips hesitantly, Shiina Rikki gritting his teeth and repeating, as if ants were crawling all over him, "I said, my current band is short one person, do you want to join?"

"OK."

"If you disagree, you disagree. It's not like you're the one who... what did you say?"

He was halfway through his sentence when Shiina Rikki looked up at him in astonishment, unable to believe his ears.

Ogura Asahi chuckled and repeated, "I said yes, if it's you, Rikki..."

"Wait! Don't be so ambiguous!"

Shiina Rikki blushed, tossed her head and turned to the side, glancing over every now and then.

He narrowed his eyes playfully. Who says a tsundere can't be cute? You just don't know how to play the game. Look at this...

"However, I have a question: why me? Weren't your teammates contacting old acquaintances? Haven't they gotten through yet?"

In the past, he would have been very conflicted when faced with this option.

After all, he's very busy and doesn't have time to play this kind of "Ikkyu-ni" (lifetime) game. Daily practice, gatherings, performances, and so on also take up a lot of time...

With that extra money, its cost-effectiveness should be even higher in other places.

But the situation is different now. If he can replicate Kanau's niche—simply put, the free cat life of "coming and going as he pleases"—and with his current abilities, he should be able to manage.

Not to mention that an even more convenient one will be unlocked later, the more important thing now is to reserve the spot first to prevent Little Shoko from returning.

Alas~ Ms. Soyo, today is the day you plan your bankruptcy!

--Speaking of which, it's been so long, and he still hasn't seen Ms. Nagasaki Sōse even once, yet he's been complaining about it for ages...

I wonder if they're having a get-together today. If they are, then I can see them.

Although his carefully cultivated "senior" persona was about to crumble, the thought of the others discovering that he knew three of the team members was... kind of interesting.

"But she still hasn't made an appointment, and we can't keep waiting indefinitely. Besides, I don't really want that person to..."

She clicked her tongue, scratched her hair, and didn't continue.

"But how did you know our teammates were recruiting old acquaintances? Did Kairin tell you?"

By May, their relationship had visibly improved, and aside from him who spent less than half of his time in class, they were now arguably the best-connected duo in the class.

You two, you really were secretly using QQ Space behind my back, weren't you...?

"Well, that's about right. You'll see later."

He replied dismissively, "So, what position do you want me to hold?"

"..."

Shiina Rikki looked at him with a puzzled and conflicted expression, then temporarily put the question aside. "Well, I haven't thought about that yet... You said you can play multiple instruments, right?"

"That's right! So I can handle both Keyboard and guitars! And if needed, I can play the violin too... I get it, you want me to be a freelancer, right!"

He tapped his palms, his expression suddenly enlightened, and with a mischievous grin, nudged her with his shoulder. "You really struck gold to have found such a multi-talented all-rounder like me, Rikki-chan ~"

"!"

Shiina Rikki glared at him, shoved him aside in annoyance, and continued walking forward, "Don't call me 'chan'! If you don't want to, I'll go find someone else!"

"Hey~ wait a minute, I didn't say I didn't want to. Your tsundere personality is really hard to deal with, even though you have such a cute face..."

"... I don't feel happy at all to hear you say my face is cute."

"How could that be?! Isn't it said that only being praised for one's beauty by a beautiful woman brings joy? Do you prefer being praised for your beauty by an ugly woman?"

"..."

Ten minutes later, the two arrived in front of a familiar building.

"This is RiNG? Oh right, you're scheduled to work today, right?"

"Who told you that?"

Shiina Rikki rolled her eyes at him listlessly.

How does this guy maintain such an optimistic and energetic demeanor when he's clearly unwell...? Thinking of this, her impatient and disdainful gaze softened a bit.

This guy is really amazing...

If it were her, she wouldn't have the confidence to do what he did.

Let alone achieving the same level of hard work, even maintaining her mindset would be an insurmountable challenge for her.

"I heard it from Kasumi-senpai. She also said they're not scheduled for work today."

"You still get along with everyone as easily as ever. Come with me."

Leaving those words behind, she walked straight towards the glass door.

Gazing at her stubborn yet slender back, Ogura Asahi thoughtfully stroked her chin.

They're telling me to come in, which means there's a rally today?

Maki they can hurry up, I want to go work as a receptionist like you... Unlike Toyama Kasumi's hard work during Golden Week, he's already been slacking off for several nights.

If he doesn't go now, Ichiji Hoshika will fire him.

Oh well, at worst we'll just open the restaurant a little later tonight.

He shook his head and followed.

"Ah~ Little Rikki, you've come!"

"Good morning."

Upon arriving at the cafe on the second floor, Shiina Rikki greeted Ririko had spotted her.

Ogura Asahi found a seat and called out to Shiina Rikki, who was heading towards the back lounge, "Before changing, could you please prepare a cup of Darjeeling Black tea for me, Ms. Rikki, waiter?"

"Ha?"

Shiina Rikki turned around and gave him a deep, meaningful look.

"What, what are you doing? Didn't you call me here? You won't even buy me a cup of Black tea?"

He shrugged, shook his head in resignation, and said, "Fine, fine, I know you're stingy, I'll just pay for it myself..."

Seeing his self-centered attitude, Shiina Rikki clenched her fists.

It's hardened! The fist has hardened!

This guy is just as annoying as that pink-haired girl!

Am I really going to team up with two such troublesome guys from now on?

For a moment, Shiina Rikki felt a pang of regret for her decision.

"Snort!"

After placing the prepared Black tea firmly on the table in front of him, she glided around smoothly and went to the back to change her clothes.

"What a terrible attitude!"

After expressing the same sentiment as the Pink Milk Dragon, he picked up his teacup and blew on it.

"Listen to me, listen to me~ Tomori-chan! My guitar skills have improved by leaps and bounds lately! Praise me, praise me!"

"Wow, Aine-chan is amazing~"

"Hehe~ Actually, it's all thanks to that senior colleague! She's been giving me guidance every night lately!"

"What kind of senior?"

"Hmm~ Let me think... white hair, beautiful, tall, like Elf, plays many musical instruments—in short, she's a perfect third-year senior!"

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's just that I suddenly thought of someone..."

"..."

Along with their conversation, footsteps and sounds pushed open the glass door of the coffee shop.

"Rikki-chan ~ We're here~"

"Rikki-chan might not be here yet."

[Note: Chihaya Aine's nickname for Shiina Rikki is Riki, but the correct pronunciation and spelling is Taki.]

"Let's wait a bit longer. Are we going to the practice room later? I want to show you how much I've improved these past few days!"

"Hmm, if Aine-chan wants to..."

"Hehe... Huh?"

As she was talking, she suddenly noticed the conspicuous figure.

That's the downside of having overly beautiful and eye-catching hair; even if the other person doesn't see his face, they can't help but be drawn to that glimpse of bright white hair out of the corner of their eye, and take a second look.

"That's... Senior Asahi?"

"Huh?"

Takamatsu Akari was stunned. Following her gaze, she saw her already pitiful penguin face become even more stunned.

Chihaya Aine ran up to the table where Ogura Asahi was sitting and exclaimed in surprise, "Asahi- senpai! What are you doing here?! Thank you so much for everything these past few days... But senpai... why are you wearing Rikki-chan's school uniform?"

She stared at Ogura Asahi, who was still wearing the Hanasakigawa school uniform and hadn't changed, her face full of questions.

Aren't you from Haneoka? Why are you wearing brown clothes instead of gray?

"..."

Ogura Asahi, who was well-prepared, wasn't stumped by the question. She simply chuckled and said, "Hmm~ Have you heard of cosplay?"

"Cosplay? I've heard of it! It's wearing a character's costume and acting out the role, right?"

Chihaya Aine, who could chime in on most topics, quickly picked up the conversation and then asked with interest:

"So, you're cosplaying as Hanasakigawa's student now? Hmm~ But I can understand, since Hanasakigawa's school uniform is actually quite cute!"

"Just assume that for now, you'll see in a bit... But I'd like to ask you something first."

He glanced Kokoro at the staff area, then covered his mouth with his hand and whispered:

"Aine-chan, no matter what, I'll always be your senior, right?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask that? Isn't that obvious?"

Chihaya Aine tilted her head, her preconceived notions preventing her from noticing anything amiss.

"Ah!"

A thought suddenly struck her, "Could it be that you didn't bring any money today? Then I'll treat you!"

"No, someone else has already paid for today, thank you... With you saying that, I can rest assured, 'senior'."

Ogura Asahi raised an eyebrow and smiled meaningfully at the person behind her, then raised her hand in greeting:

"Yo~ Long time no Tomorou-chan ~"

"Okay, it's been a long time, Ogura- senpai."

Takamatsu Akari nodded shyly in greeting.

"Hey? Do you two know each other?"

Chihaya Aine's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them.

"We only met once; I saw Little Tomori when I visited the Astronomy Club."

He gave a hasty explanation, then, anticipating little time, quickly stepped forward and grasped Takamatsu Akari's small hands with both of Hands, gazing earnestly into her eyes as he said:

"Tomorou-chan! You'll always be my junior, right!"

"Eh, eh?! This, this..."

When his Hands were suddenly grasped by someone he didn't know very well, steam began to rise from Takamatsu Akari's face, and his thoughts became fragmented.