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

Tch, it's hard to meet and communicate when our activity areas are different. He recalled how much effort it took him to arrange a proper meeting with Kasumigaoka Utaha before.

Let's retreat, he thought. Just as the thought crossed his mind, a conversation drifted into his ears from the empty, quiet space of the store.

"Good morning!"

"Yukina, you're here!"

"Hi, I'm so sorry, I'm late."

"No, no, not at all! This time is perfect. I'll leave the customers outside to you then!"

"Okay!"

"..."

Sakurakoji Talent turned his head and saw two employees talking at the entrance to the back room. He had seen one of them earlier, and the other seemed to have just arrived.

The one who firmly caught his eye was the new girl, dressed in unfashionable clothes, wearing an apron, with her hair in braids, and a pair of large, opaque glasses.

He had to admit, judging solely by her outfit, it was a disaster. But this was likely the effect she was going for.

After a brief exchange with her colleague, the girl in glasses casually walked towards the store entrance, not noticing Sakurakoji Talent observing her.

I found her, but how do I approach her?

Should I try to build familiarity through daily greetings like I did with Aoyama Nanami, or use a different method? That's the question.

But she's not a cashier. She's most likely just part of the logistics team responsible for carrying and organizing goods. Even if I came to buy things every day, I probably wouldn't get to say more than a few words to her. Perhaps this was all part of her plan. After all, the reason she dressed like this was specifically so people wouldn't recognize her.

Sakurakoji Talent pondered for a moment and made his decision.

He followed her footsteps outside. When he saw her again, she was already skillfully carrying cardboard boxes.

Her slender, slim body showed no signs of strain from the weight of the boxes, and her expression was unchanged. It was clear this wasn't her first time doing this kind of work.

"Excuse me, are you perhaps Ms. Kogisora?" Sakurakoji Talent decided to be direct.

"Eh?" The figure was startled, and her glasses slipped slightly due to her surprised facial expression.

She turned to look at Sakurakoji Talent. Her eyes first showed a look of astonishment, followed by a hint of confusion.

"Um, excuse me, who are you?" Although she was surprised by Sakurakoji Talent's ridiculously dazzling appearance, she didn't recognize him at all.

How does he know my name? Is he a student from school?

No, no, no. If there was a student of this caliber at our school, they would have been the talk of the town long ago. I would have known.

If not from school, then where else? She couldn't come up with an answer.

"So it really is like this," Sakurakoji Talent said with a look of "just as I suspected."

"Um..."

"Ah, sorry, my name is Sakurakoji Talent... but that probably doesn't matter much either." He chuckled and continued with his prepared explanation.

"Actually, I have an acquaintance who studies at Minejo. It was through her that I happened to learn about you, Ms. Kogisora. And you were also the winner of the Minejo Affiliate Princess for two consecutive years, right? I've seen photos."

"So when I saw you just now, although the contrast was quite significant, I had this suspicion and decided to come over and confirm it."

"Sorry to have bothered you."

The person he came to find today was none other than one of the heroines who attended the same school as Touma Kazusa: Kogisora Yukina.

Last night, when Touma Kazusa came to Starlight, he had been contemplating whether to pull the other heroine into the battlefield. In the end, after a rigorous internal struggle and intense stomach pain—he decided to come and take a look today.

In any case, it can't get any worse than it is now, so what do I have to fear!

"No, not at all, it's fine." Knowing he wasn't a student from her school, she breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest reassuringly, though she didn't completely relax.

"Um, I have something I'd like to ask of you."

"Hm? What is it?" Sakurakoji Talent asked knowingly.

"Could you please not tell your acquaintance that I'm working here?" Kogisora Yukina pleaded cautiously, clasping her hands together.

"...Is there some unspeakable reason?"

"It's not that, it's just..." She seemed hesitant, unable to state her reason.

"I understand. I won't ask then." Not wanting to prolong her embarrassment, Sakurakoji Talent interrupted, "I promise I won't tell a soul that Ms. Kogisora is working here. Is that acceptable?"

"Ah, yes! That's perfect, thank you!" Kogisora Yukina's face bloomed into an incredibly bright smile that even her clear, non-prescription glasses couldn't hide. Her cheerful and cute demeanor almost blinded Sakurakoji Talent.

"Um, if it's okay, could you come back again tonight?" Kogisora Yukina suggested somewhat shyly, perhaps feeling it wasn't secure enough.

"?" Sakurakoji Talent was confused. "I can, but what for?"

It's not like she wants to go sing karaoke, right?

"You'll know when you get here," Kogisora Yukina said with a mischievous smile, sticking out her tongue slightly.

"If it's alright, please come back in about four hours. I'll be off work then too."

Sakurakoji Talent had never encountered such a request before, nor did he have any reason to refuse it. He readily agreed.

"I understand. I'll be here then. So, see you tonight."

"Yes, see you tonight."

"Then I'll be going first. Good luck with your part-time job!" Sakurakoji Talent waved goodbye with a smile.

"Bye-bye." Kogisora Yukina cheerfully returned the gesture.

After leaving the shopping street, Sakurakoji Talent took a train from a nearby station and headed to Shimokitazawa.

Kogisora Yukina had said she had to work and could only meet up at night, but little did she know, he had the same situation.

Although his work hours were longer than hers as a part-time student, as long as he finished his quota of ingredients for the day and passed the most stressful initial phase, he could also leave work early after telling Ichiji Hoshika.

"Talent, Talent." While focused on preparing the meals, Sakurakoji Talent felt his sleeve being tugged.

"Hm?" Sakurakoji Talent looked over and saw Yamada Ryo standing beside him with an expectant look.

"...What is it?" A bad feeling arose in his heart, and it was probably ninety-nine percent accurate.

"I'm a bit short on cash lately and wanted to ask if I could borrow some money. You've been earning quite a lot recently, right?" Yamada Ryo cupped his handsome yet cute face, looking at him with eyes that held a mix of shyness and anticipation.

Image: "Shy Yamada Ryo", Location: "Images/1756297227-100446961-113777032.jpg"

As expected, he knew it!

Sakurakoji Talent covered his face, speechless, not knowing what to say.

"It's only the middle of the month, and you're also working part-time at Starlight. Did you spend all your allowance that quickly?" Sakurakoji Talent looked at her with disappointment, "Besides, have you even paid back the money you borrowed from me the last few times? And you want to borrow more?"

"If this keeps up, I really need to teach you a lesson."

"Gulp, there's no helping it, they tempted me first! It's not my fault!" Yamada Ryo's heart felt attacked, and she defended herself with her head in her hands, unwilling to admit fault.

Author: It's time for stomachaches, everyone come get your medicine!

Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies : Chapter 71: I Want Your Most Precious Thing

"It's not that I'm unwilling to lend it to you, but if this continues, will you really be able to pay it back?" Sakurakoji Talent crossed his arms, his eyes full of doubt.

"Really?! You're willing to lend it to me?" Yamada Ryo's eyes sparkled as she looked at him, full of spirit.

Clearly, she had completely missed the point he was trying to make.

"Haa..." Sakurakoji Talent sighed, giving up on trying to correct her personality. However, his eyes soon flashed, and he had another idea.

"Eh~ I can lend it to you, but if you can't pay it back later, what would be a good way to settle the debt?" Sakurakoji Talent said with a smile, a hint of danger in his gaze.

"At that time, I'll have to take something from you."

"Uh?" Hearing this question, Yamada Ryo's hair stood on end. She blinked her golden pupils, thought for a moment, and then her entire body bristled, looking at him in horror.

"N-No way?! You want that thing?"

"Eh, that's right, I want that thing." Sakurakoji Talent nodded.

"No! That's my treasure! It's my most precious thing! Even if it's you, Talent, I won't give it to you easily!" Yamada Ryo shook her head vigorously, showing extreme resistance.

"Then what can be done? You're emptier than a beggar, and you have nothing else to repay me with." Sakurakoji Talent put on a helpless expression, indicating that this was her own doing.

"C-Can't we exchange it for something else?" Yamada Ryo said unwillingly, trying to bargain.

"Do you have anything else to offer as a replacement?"

"Ugh... Like the daily staff meals, perhaps?" Yamada Ryo asked cautiously.

"I make those too, don't I? They hold no appeal to me." Sakurakoji Talent shook his head, rejecting her unreliable suggestion.

"What's going on? What are you talking about?" Ichiji Nijika noticed the commotion and hopped over to join the fun.

"Nijika! Save me!" Yamada Ryo cried out, hugging her close friend as she sobbed, "Talent, Talent, he wants to take my most precious thing!"

"Eh?" Ichiji Nijika's face stiffened, and then a blush crept onto her cheeks. "What do you mean?"

Yamada Ryo told her about their conversation and accused Sakurakoji Talent, "Even if I can't pay back the money, you can't force me like this!"

"Mr. Talent, is this true?" Ichiji Nijika looked at Sakurakoji Talent in shock, finding it hard to believe he would say something like that.

"Yes, I said it." Sakurakoji Talent nodded generously, his tone helpless. "It's just that this guy really has nothing on her, and I wouldn't want it if there were other options."

Seeing that he confirmed it, Ichiji Nijika couldn't hold back any longer and exclaimed, waving her hands, "E-Even so, you can't use something like that as leverage!"

"That's a treasure that's very important to every girl! How can you say it so casually!"

"That's right! That's right!" Yamada Ryo bent down and hid behind her, nodding in agreement.

"I-If it's really impossible, then I can atone for Ryo and take her place..."

"Eh?" Sakurakoji Talent looked at her in surprise. "This has nothing to do with Nijika, does it?"

"B-Because I'm the band leader, I also have a certain responsibility in this matter!" Ichiji Nijika explained softly, her face red and her heart pounding rapidly.

"Nijika..." Yamada Ryo was so touched she was about to cry, then she hugged her tightly. "You truly are my lifelong best friend!!"

"Gulp, let go of me, I can't breathe..." Ichiji Nijika pushed her away with all her might.

"Haa..." Sakurakoji Talent looked confused. "I don't quite understand, but is the bass really that important to girls?"

"Besides, Nijika, you only have one drum set, right? What will you use if you give it to me?"

"Eh?"

Ichiji Nijika, who had just pushed Yamada Ryo away, stiffened. Her eyes gradually lost their sparkle, but she still asked stubbornly, "What did you just say?"

"I was talking about using Ryo's bass as collateral, what's wrong?" Sakurakoji Talent looked at her in confusion.

"Bass... I see! It's the bass!"

"That's right, of course it's the bass! Hahahaha..."

Ichiji Nijika let out an unnatural laugh, trying to defuse the awkwardness, but the tears welling up in the corners of her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

"What else would you think it is?" Yamada Ryo tilted her head, adding insult to injury from the side.

"...I thought it was the bass too." Ichiji Nijika tearfully agreed.

Fortunately, Yamada Ryo didn't suspect anything and quickly turned her attention back to Sakurakoji Talent.

"I don't have any other treasures besides my bass! They're like my children!"

"So, even Talent! Even Talent! You absolutely can't have it! Only this!" she gritted her teeth, her face a mask of grief and indignation.

"..." Ichiji Nijika felt like her body had turned to ash. It was as if her soul had escaped her mouth. She hunched over and turned to leave, "I'm sorry, it was my fault, I'm a sinner, I'm going to repent over there."

She was so stupid, truly, how could she have believed Yamada Ryo's nonsense, and how could she have thought Mr. Talent would be that kind of person?

"Ah! Don't leave me!" Yamada Ryo reached out to grab at empty air, trying to hold on in vain.

After her attempt failed, she could only tremble as she turned around, facing the smirking Sakurakoji Talent alone.

"So the others are okay then? All of them?" Sakurakoji Talent picked up where she left off and asked.