It's Just That I Was Born in an Era Without Me...

Bai Qiu finally couldn't hold back and spoke. "Ryo, this author seems to—no, they're definitely still alive, right?"

Goto Hitori also looked at the photo in confusion. She knew this author too.

Yamada Ryo glanced over. "They've stopped updating their works. What difference does it make if they're gone?"

Bai Qiu was speechless.

"That kind of makes sense," Ijichi Nijika said reluctantly.

Bai Qiu was devastated. Even Nijika thought that way?

Had he really been wrong for once?

No, he wasn't the one who was wrong. It was the world.

Ryo went on to explain that several of this author's books had stopped updating after only a few volumes, and that the publisher's editor had even issued a statement saying the author was in poor health and had been hospitalized to rest.

Bai Qiu thought to himself, Miss Machida, don't just go around saying I've been hospitalized!

"This author does have a few completed works."

Bai Qiu couldn't help trying to set the record straight.

"Like Your Name, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, and Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day..."

"B-but those are all depressing works that leave people heartbroken."

Goto Hitori suddenly spoke. She was already so pessimistic, and after reading those, she felt like life held even less hope.

"Eh? Hitori, you read them too? Now that you mention it, this author really is kind of... you know!" Nijika remarked.

Bai Qiu was on the verge of tears.

He wanted to say it had all really been a coincidence!

Back then, he'd just wanted to make quick money. And if you wanted to make quick money, of course you wrote short stories—the kind that were suited to being adapted into movies.

Besides, he remembered short works better, and could finish them easily.

He really hadn't meant to emotionally devastate anyone!

After taking a moment to steady his breathing, Bai Qiu continued.

"But these works all received great reviews."

"That's true," Ryo conceded this time.

Bai Qiu finally felt a little comforted.

"Oh, right, Nijika. This is for you."

Bai Qiu had no idea where Ryo had produced another framed memorial portrait, but she handed it to Nijika.

Nijika was horrified when she saw the person in the frame.

"Don't just go around killing people!"

Wait, Nijika, that wasn't what you'd said just now.

This time, the framed photo was a black-and-white portrait of Kita Ikuyo.

Kita's sunny smile still shone from the picture.

"I heard from the manager that your guitarist and lead singer disappeared, so I made one for you too."

Nijika looked utterly helpless, then covered the frame and put it away.

Bai Qiu felt a little better when he saw that Kita had one too.

But Kita hadn't seen it yet!

He had to find a chance to make sure she saw it with her own eyes!

Hitori's face went pale. Ryo, you're terrifying. You sentenced two people to death just like that.

To keep the conversation from getting bogged down on this topic, Bai Qiu hurriedly spoke up. "So, Ryo, your musical soul died because this author stopped updating?"

Ryo nodded. "Yes."

Nijika's face turned pale. She couldn't believe something like that had affected the bond between her and Ryo.

She'd thought there would be some other, more legitimate reason.

Nijika couldn't help feeling curious about this author called "Hehuohuo," along with a touch of resentment.

"So, if this author comes back—cough, starts updating again—your musical soul will come back too?" Bai Qiu asked.

Ryo blinked. "Probably? Maybe? I guess?"

"Give me a definite answer!" Nijika shouted.

"Anyway, there's no way that author could come back to life."

Ryo wiped away nonexistent tears.

Bai Qiu smiled. "You never know."

It seemed that if he wanted Ryo to pick up her bass again, he'd have to return to the scene himself.

All three of them looked at Bai Qiu curiously.

"Like I said, I'm also reading this author's books."

Ryo nodded. She still thought Bai Qiu was making excuses for the detestable author.

"And, well, actually, I have a friend..."

"This friend's parent works at the publishing house where Hehuohuo works, so they have access to some inside information."

"It's inside information, but it's practically certain to be true. Hehuohuo will start updating again next month."

"So, Ryo, can you come play bass later?"

Hope lit up in Hitori and Nijika's eyes.

One was excited at the thought of being able to read the next chapters; the other was excited because Ryo might play bass again.

Bai Qiu nodded confidently.

Ryo, however, remained calm. "What if there's no update?"

Bai Qiu paused. As expected of Ryo—she was so levelheaded, she wouldn't fall for that.

He rolled his eyes and continued:

"If there's no update, I'll give you a signed copy of one of Hehuohuo's books."

For Bai Qiu, signing a book was practically no trouble at all.

Ryo's eyes lit up.

That sounded like a good deal.

Signed editions could fetch quite a bit on the secondhand market!

Whether this author was still around didn't seem important anymore. If anything...

Wouldn't it be better if they weren't? The signed copy would probably be worth more.

Ryo answered at once.

Chapter 17: It Was Only That I Was Born in an Era Without Me...

Ryo's answer delighted Nijika.

Ryo had played in bands before and had performed onstage many times.

With Ryo on board, tonight's performance would definitely satisfy the audience.

And it would make her older sister's jaw drop.

"That's great, Ryo!"

Nijika excitedly opened her arms, and just as Ryo thought she was about to hug her, Nijika instead went over to Bai Qiu and bowed deeply.

"Thank you so much, Bai Qiu-kun. Thank you for convincing Ryo. I don't even know how I could ever repay you."

Nijika looked at Bai Qiu with a blush, as if asking if there was anything she could do for him.

"It's fine," Bai Qiu said calmly.

After all, in a way, he might well have been the one who'd gotten Ryo hooked on light novels in the first place.

"If there's anything you need help with, be sure to tell me," Nijika said earnestly.

Bai Qiu nodded.

Only then did Nijika look at Ryo. "By the way, where's your bass?"

Ryo went back to her room to get it.

Nijika couldn't help worrying that Bai Qiu might lose the signed book to Ryo later.

If that happened, should she try to stop them?

Nijika looked a little bashful.

Seeing this, Bai Qiu asked, "What's wrong, Nijika?"

Nijika replied, "Um, Bai Qiu-kun, are signed editions really valuable?"

So that was what Nijika was worried about.

Bai Qiu gave her a mysterious smile. "I have quite a few signed editions."

"Eh... really?"

Nijika was a little surprised, but also relieved.

When Hitori heard that, she was startled.

She accidentally stumbled into Ryo's pile of books.

"Ah—!"

She wanted a signed copy too.

Hitori's commotion caught Nijika's attention, and she hurried over to help her up.

"Are you okay, Hitori?"

"Ah, I'm fine..."

Nijika helped Hitori up, then picked up her Guitar Bag for her.

That was when Nijika suddenly realized that Hitori probably wasn't in a band.

Just look at how shy this girl was.

"By the way, Hitori, would you like to join my band?"

With Hitori as their guitarist, all they needed was for Ryo to agree, and her band would already have the beginnings of a lineup!

"Ah... ah..."

Hitori's body almost made her blurt out "Yes!" on instinct.

Luckily, she stopped herself in time.

"You don't have to be so nervous, Hitori."

"Ah, no, it's just that I've already agreed to form a band with Bai Qiu-kun."