Chapter 489

"And they were even in close proximity, sitting in the front and back seats."

Ogura Asahi made a quiet gesture, but added something that wasn't quiet at all.

"Who's being affectionate with you!"

"At least not as close as you and Kairin, right?"

"Kairin and I are just ordinary friends!"

"Is that so? I don't believe it."

"You..."

"Teammates shouldn't argue!"

Toyama Kasumi rebuked loudly, hands on her hips, displaying the authority befitting a senior.

Although, he didn't sense any authority from him at all.

"Yes, I'm sorry..."

But it still works well for Shiina Rikki.

"Good boy~ Good boy~"

She giggled and patted Shiina Rikki's head, ignoring her resistance and comforting her.

After everything calmed down, she learned the whole story.

"So, Little Asahi was singing 'Returns' just now?"

"Sigh~ I wanted to help Aine-chan gain more confidence in her guitar, so I played a duet with her."

"Oh, I see~ That makes sense! 'Returns' was composed by Otae, so it's perfect for the guitar!"

"That's what I think too."

"So, Little Asahi, what's your position in the band? Could it be—you're the lead singer?! Please take care of me from now on!!!"

She grasped his Hands, enveloping them in her palms, her sparkling purple eyes gleaming with starlight—truly Kirakira!

Soft, warm, and very comfortable... No wonder it was made by the Great Ancestor!

There was no time for a detailed handshake exchange. He shook his head and denied it. "No, my position hasn't been decided yet, but the lead singer is Tomori (the original pronunciation of 'lamp,' and 'Tomori' is Aine's nickname)."

"I'm so sorry, I'm the lead singer..."

A faint, soft sound rang out from under the Takamatsu Akari.

Everyone stared at her cowering penguin-like posture, speechless for a moment.

"Oh, I see... But why hasn't the location been determined yet?"

Yamabuki Saya provided timely floor heating.

"Because I'm too perfect!"

"Huh?"

"It means being versatile and capable of handling any position, so I don't know where to assign them."

"Oh, speaking of which, you said you could play many musical instruments."

Yamabuki Saya understood.

"That sounds great! It must be so much fun! I want to be like Little Asahi too!"

Toyama Kasumi stared intently at him, her face so close she was almost kissing him, her mouth watering.

"Guitar and lead vocals aren't enough for you anymore?"

"That's not enough! I want to switch places with Arisa!"

How many black keys and white keys are there on the Keyboard?

"Yes, how much is it...?"

"You..."

Hehe~

Toyama Kasumi had one hand behind her back and the other hand scratching her hair awkwardly.

Ogura Asahi gazed warmly at the scene, handing her one of his bags, which contained his "companion" (a type of personal item).

"Here, I know you guys have shifts today, Kasumi-senpai, this is for you!"

"Ah! Could it be that...!"

"That's right~ that's right!"

"Great! Thank you! My snacks for practice tonight are sorted! Mmm~"

She hugged the bag tightly, her face beaming with happiness.

"I'm sorry, Ogura-kun, I always accept your help."

Yamabuki Saya apologized to him on her behalf, but didn't ask her to return it—because she also wanted to eat it.

"It's okay, I always end up making too much. I'm happy as long as my seniors like it."

What's today's content?

Toyama Kasumi cast a curious, bright glance at her.

Pumpkin pudding, cream pancakes, peach blossom custard, and Longjing mille-feuille cake.

"Oh~ these are all new products! They sound delicious!!!"

"As expected of Ogura-kun... she's still the Perfect Superhuman."

Yamabuki Saya could only manage a wry smile.

"Senior Asahi ~ What about mine~"

"Okay, okay, yours are over here."

"That's great! I love you, Senior Asahi!"

Chihaya Aine blinked at him and made a heart shape with her Hands.

Yay! (Image)

Okay~ okay~

Chapter 448 The cross-dressing was discovered!

"Still as delicious as ever~ Paired with this wonderful Black tea -- it's pure bliss~"

Chihaya Aine tilted her head back, her expression relaxed as she sighed.

If she could have these kinds of snacks every day, even if she practiced hard every day, even if she had to call the other person "senior" for a lifetime—it doesn't seem impossible!

Toyama Kasumi and Yamabuki Saya didn't stay with them; they left after exchanging a few words to get busy.

If they stayed any longer, they were afraid they would be tempted to eat their teammates' portions first.

Nagasaki Sōse observed the several exquisitely crafted pastries on the table with a strange look in her eyes.

Although I don't know how it tastes, just looking at its elegant appearance, it certainly seems quite impressive.

She glanced at him furtively, her thoughts racing. She hadn't expected him to be so familiar with so many senior band members, and their relationships seemed quite close—he was practically a social butterfly!

She was completely different from the girl who had to hide her feelings and try hard to fit in...

As she pondered this, she unconsciously followed behind the group and started using her fork.

Absolutely delicious...

The complex flavors, so rich they seemed to overwhelm everything, filled her thoughts, squeezing out all her previous reflections.

Her gesture froze. She glanced at the other three and noticed that they all wore expressions of obvious happiness.

What's going on? Why are their reactions so neutral when the flavor is so wonderful?

Was this not their first time eating it?

"..."

After taking a few more bites, she had to admit her teammate's cooking skills. "Asahi-chan's cooking is really amazing!"

"Thank you for the compliment."

Faced with his frank and unarrogant response, Nagasaki Sōse felt utterly defeated.

Academic performance, cooking, music, fashion, beauty, family background, interpersonal relationships... This is no longer about Feminine Charm or not!!!

Faced with such an opponent, how exactly can she oust him and replace him with Mu and the others?

She frowned, her head throbbing. More than the sweet bliss on her taste buds, an indescribable bitterness permeated her chest.

Ogura Asahi focused solely on drinking his tea, ignoring the pastries on the table—he had already eaten enough for the evening.

Shiina Rikki wouldn't let him leave, so he could only stay with them and see what they were up to next.

He glanced at Takamatsu Akari, who was currently enjoying the sweetness of the dessert and seemed to have no intention of saying anything like "I don't want to hold a live performance" for the time being.

As for Chihaya Aine, after her performance just now, she seems to have gained a lot of confidence—let's just hope she doesn't become arrogant.

Shiina Rikki had always wanted to put on a live show, as for Nagasaki Sōse —he blinked, sizing up this seemingly two-faced, secretly scheming modern woman, and remained silent.

A heart ailment requires a heart remedy. Even if he said now that he would be in a band with them for life, so he could forget about Little Shoko and the others... they probably wouldn't believe him.

Oh well, let's take it one step at a time. No matter what happens, there's always a way to solve it!

After thinking for a while, he decided to leave it alone.

The troubles of adolescence are the most troublesome thing, and he's too lazy to interfere in every step of the way. He'll just step in to help at crucial moments.

He yawned. Since he didn't have to go to work tonight, he could go home early and take care of other things.

Speaking of which, what kind of gift should I prepare for my aunt? This is such a hassle.

It's said to be related to ability, but with his current abilities, there's nothing he can prepare for her—and right after that is Okura Rumin's birthday, which is really...

He leaned back in his chair, feeling a headache coming on.

Since they were mostly enjoying the food, there wasn't much conversation among them, but they had finished discussing the important matters, and he figured they could leave once they finished eating—that was what he had thought earlier.

The meeting time was arranged quite late, so they were the only ones in the shop at the moment. In the quiet coffee shop, they suddenly heard faint voices approaching from outside.

Ogura Asahi, who hadn't paid much attention at first, felt a sudden alarm bell ring in her heart when the voice became clearer and she could even see the figure pushing open the door.

How could it be them?!

Among the group who had not yet stepped into the coffee shop:

Why come to a coffee shop?

"After practice, we need to replenish our sugar levels! I heard from Rakuna- chan that they sell Matcha Parfait here!"

"Can't we go to Starry then?"

"It's a day off today, and Mr. Talent isn't working either. Besides, it's getting late, so Rakuna- chan and Kita- chan will probably head straight home soon, right?"

Yes! Where's Gotoh-san?

"Ah, me too, I need to catch the tram..."

"Poor Bocchi, he has to sit in the car for so long every day."

"Really? Aren't you bored?"

"By the way! Gotoh-san, doesn't he seem to be in much better shape today than before?"

"Ah, that's not true... Compared to Rakuna- chan, I still prefer..."

"..."

A group of people, chatting about everyday topics in a pleasant atmosphere, pushed open the glass door and walked in.

The healthy, energetic, and loving aura, like the sun, made the five gloomy, irritable, disunited, and scheming individuals inside feel somewhat out of place.

The stillness, almost damp and chilly, that had just been maintained was instantly crushed into a corner—around their table—by an invisible force.

"Excuse me, can I order now?"

Ichiji Nijika took the lead, waving her small hand and shouting loudly with a smile.