Omnibus Anime: Person in Music Anime, Relaxing and Happy Chapter 12

Akiyama Mio was equally incredulous. "Wait... Ritsu, this... this doesn't seem right..."

If that were the case, then they weren't exactly acting as righteous heroes anymore!

No way... Bai Qiu felt that if he kept playing along, things would get muddier and muddier, and he'd end up being taken for a real villain.

Besides, if they actually notified Hiratsuka Shizuka, that would be a real hassle!

But then again, why wasn't Goto Hitori waking up yet?

He knew she was prone to fainting from shock, but it shouldn't take this long.

She was faking it, wasn't she!

Bai Qiu felt he'd guessed the truth.

"Goto-san, you wouldn't happen to be awake, would you?"

Bai Qiu asked, his gaze dark and probing.

Tainaka Ritsu also grew suspicious.

And Goto Hitori, who was being held by Akiyama Mio...

Finally, she couldn't keep up the act any longer.

In truth, Goto Hitori's body had been trembling the whole time.

But Akiyama Mio was also shaking and struggling, and since both of them were trembling, Mio hadn't noticed.

"Ah... wait... you've got it wrong..."

Goto Hitori mustered her courage and spoke in a weak voice.

Tainaka Ritsu looked at Goto Hitori in shock and doubt.

Seeing Goto Hitori awake, Bai Qiu let out a light sigh before saying, "I'm friends with Goto-san. What just happened had its reasons. If you don't believe me, ask her."

My only friend!

Goto Hitori nodded repeatedly in shame, "Yes, we're friends. You... you misunderstood."

However, seeing Goto Hitori like this—even more timid and frightened than Akiyama Mio—

Tainaka Ritsu looked at her with suspicion, even wondering if she was being threatened.

"Is that true? Classmate, don't be afraid."

"Ritsu and I will protect you."

Although Akiyama Mio was scared, she nodded firmly.

Bai Qiu's eyes widened in shock, and he looked at Goto Hitori with great helplessness.

"Really, there isn't..."

Even as she said this, Goto Hitori's gaze wavered.

Bai Qiu clutched his chest, feeling a bit disheartened. Had he set his expectations for Hitori too high?

Goto Hitori: I just can't look strangers in the eye o(╥﹏╥)o

In the end, it was all up to Bai Qiu himself—explaining... being misunderstood... clarifying... still being misunderstood... explaining again, clarifying again...

Tainaka Ritsu and Akiyama Mio finally believed him.

But the moment Bai Qiu showed them his chat history with Goto Hitori, Tainaka Ritsu nearly called the police again.

Now the two of them stood with their heads bowed in shame, like children who had done something wrong, being punished to stand in front of Bai Qiu.

"Ah... we're really sorry, Bai Qiu-kun. If only you'd said earlier that you were Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei's student."

Tainaka Ritsu rubbed the back of her head apologetically, then clasped her hands together.

Then she glanced at Goto Hitori, who was shrinking off to the side. This kid... she seemed even shyer than Mio-chan.

Akiyama Mio, her face flushed with even deeper shame, said sincerely, "I'm so sorry! Bai Qiu-kun, we've caused you trouble!"

"Please forgive us!" ×2

The two of them clasped their hands together in perfect unison.

Bai Qiu nodded and accepted the apology readily. What surprised him was that meeting these two had even earned him a Notes reward from the system, so there was really nothing to be angry about.

"Besides, have you ever seen a bad guy as handsome as me?"

The same thought popped into the minds of the three girls.

Not that they denied Bai Qiu's good looks, anyway.

But Goto Hitori still thought that, more often than not, the slightly good-looking normie group leaders in class were exactly the ones who did the bullying.

She didn't dare say it, though.

"It's all Mio's fault for blabbing about School Bullying!"

Tainaka Ritsu tilted her head and muttered under her breath.

"What! Idiot Ritsu, you're the one who suddenly charged in."

Akiyama Mio immediately retorted.

"Ah, that was me being a Good Samaritan!"

"Then you shouldn't have threatened Bai Qiu-kun just now either."

"That was a joke—Bai Qiu-kun clearly doesn't look like a bad guy."

Listening to their exchange, Bai Qiu put on a serious expression and waved his hand.

"Well... at least the misunderstanding is cleared up. Don't argue over me."

Goto Hitori watched everyone getting along harmoniously, feeling out of place.

"Yeah, yeah! In that case, we'll take our leave now. Bai Qiu-kun is really a good person!"

Embarrassed and ashamed, Tainaka Ritsu prepared to slip away.

"Goodbye, Bai Qiu-kun. And Goto-san too."

Akiyama Mio and Tainaka Ritsu gradually faded into the distance, still playfully bickering.

Actually, originally when Tainaka Ritsu saw the guitar, she'd wanted to rope Goto Hitori into joining the Light Music Club as their guitarist.

But after that commotion, in such an awkward situation, she was too embarrassed to bring it up, and besides, she'd simply forgotten.

After the two left, Bai Qiu let out a light laugh, while Goto Hitori grew nervous again.

"Goto-san..."

Bai Qiu slowly turned to look at Goto Hitori.

"I'm sorry!"

Goto Hitori made as if to kneel again.

"Goto-san, don't kneel anymore."

Bai Qiu quickly stopped her. If Goto Hitori kept dropping to her knees so casually, who knew what kind of trouble it would stir up.

"I'm not blaming you, Hitori."

In his haste, Bai Qiu blurted out her given name.

In her dazed state, Goto Hitori's body trembled. "Ah-hai."

"Alright, tell me why you called me to the park."

After that whole scene, Goto Hitori was also feeling guilty.

Then, Goto Hitori began explaining her social anxiety, and how she couldn't show her true ability in front of others.

So that's all it was! Bai Qiu understood in his heart and offered reassurance.

"Alright, I already know all this. Don't worry, I won't give up on you because of it."

How do you know?

Though Goto Hitori was puzzled, hearing Bai Qiu say this, she showed her first smile of the day.

"See, you look nice when you smile."

Bai Qiu praised her. Time to start encouraging Bocchi-chan!

Goto Hitori's face flushed red.

"Wow! A guitar!"

Bai Qiu nearly wept with joy.

No need for Bai Qiu to turn around.

The owner of that voice—the great angel of Shimokitazawa—

had already trotted up to the two of them.

Chapter 12: Ijichi Nijika

Bai Qiu and Goto Hitori were drawn in by the newcomer's presence.

Unlike Goto Hitori's rustic attire, the girl before them wore a pair of red short boots, a blue-green long-sleeved jacket paired with a white skirt.

The red ribbon tied at her neck quivered with her energetic movements.

Her striking golden hair was styled into a long side ponytail.

Most amusingly, a roughly triangular tuft of hair hovered in the air.

She looked small, lively, and adorable.

"Is that a guitar? Can you play it?"

Ijichi Nijika looked at Goto Hitori and asked happily.

Goto Hitori: "..."

Since Goto Hitori didn't answer, Ijichi Nijika blinked in confusion, then turned to Bai Qiu with an apologetic look.

"Sorry, I just ran over. My name's Ijichi Nijika, a second-year at Shimokitazawa High School. What about you two?"

Bai Qiu answered, "My name is Bai Qiu. I'm a first-year at Sakuragaoka Shuwa High School."

Goto Hitori breathed a quiet sigh of relief. At least Bai Qiu was here.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to handle this kind of situation at all.

But then Bai Qiu suddenly turned to Goto Hitori and smiled. "She's the same. Goto, you should greet people properly."

Goto Hitori couldn't meet Ijichi Nijika's eyes. Her gaze darted away as she stared at the ground and said, "Ah, I—I'm Goto Hitori."

"Oh!" Nijika's voice carried a hint of excitement. "Then, Hitori, how good are you at guitar?"

"Ah, I guess I'm okay..."

Goto Hitori's heart jolted. She's calling me by my first name already?!

"Well, actually, I've run into a bit of trouble. It's fine if it's inconvenient, and it's not a big deal, but it's a little troublesome..."

Ijichi Nijika looked at the two of them and lightly rubbed her hands together as she spoke.

Goto Hitori thought, That sounds absolutely troublesome...

Bai Qiu also felt that if it weren't for Hitori, Nijika would definitely have been turned down.

"So, I'll just say it straight. Please, could you fill in as a temporary guitarist for my band?!"

"We have a performance coming up, but the guitarist and lead singer suddenly disappeared. I'm begging you!"

Ijichi Nijika pressed her hands together.

"As long as you can play a little guitar, you'll do fine."