Omnibus Anime: Person in Music Anime, Relaxing and Happy

Bai Qiu finally couldn't hold back and spoke up: "Ryo, this author seems like—no, definitely still alive, right?"

Goto Hitori also looked at the photo with confusion; she knew this author too.

Yamada Ryo swept her gaze over them. "If the works aren't updating anymore, what's the difference from being gone?"

Bai Qiu was left speechless.

"That kind of makes sense."

Ijichi Nijika said reluctantly.

Bai Qiu was deeply shaken. Even Nijika thought that way?

Was he really wrong this time?

No, it wasn't him who was wrong—it was the world.

Next, Yamada Ryo went on to say that this author had several books that stopped after just a few volumes, and the publisher's editor had also announced that the author was in poor health and resting in the hospital.

Bai Qiu thought to himself, Miss Machida, don't just casually check me into the hospital!

"This author does have a few completed works."

Bai Qiu couldn't help defending himself.

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

"But... but those are all depressing works that leave you sad after reading them."

Goto Hitori suddenly spoke up. Already prone to negativity, reading those had made her feel even more hopeless about life.

"Huh? Hitori, you've read them too? Hearing that, this author really is kind of... you know!"

Nijika commented.

Bai Qiu wanted to cry but had no tears.

He wanted to say, it was all just a coincidence!

Back then, he was just thinking about making quick money, and to make quick money, he had to write short stories—the kind suited for adaptation into movies or similar projects.

Also, short works were easier for him to remember clearly and wrap up smoothly.

He really didn't have any intention of hurting readers!

Adjusting his breathing slightly, Bai Qiu continued.

"But those works all received great reviews."

"That's true."

Yamada Ryo didn't argue this time.

Bai Qiu felt a little comforted in his heart.

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

Yamada Ryo somehow pulled out another photo frame from somewhere and handed it to Nijika.

Seeing the person in the frame, Nijika was shocked.

"Don't just kill people off like that!"

Wait, Nijika, that's not what you said earlier.

This time, the person in the frame was a black-and-white photo of Kita Ikuyo.

In the photo, Kita Ikuyo's face still shone with her usual sunny smile.

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

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

Bai Qiu noticed that Kita also had one, and he felt a bit better.

But Kita hadn't seen it yet!

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

Goto Hitori's face turned pale: Ryo is terrifying, just casually sentencing two people to death like that.

To avoid dwelling too much on this topic, Bai Qiu quickly spoke up: "So, Ryo, your music soul died because this author stopped updating?"

Yamada Ryo nodded. "Yes."

Ijichi Nijika's face went pale. To think it was just for a reason like that, affecting the bond between her and Ryo.

She had thought it would be some more legitimate reason.

Nijika couldn't help but feel a trace of curiosity and a little resentment toward this author named "Hehuohuo."

"So, if this author resumes—cough—updates, your music soul can come back to life?" Bai Qiu said.

Yamada Ryo blinked. "Should, maybe, probably?"

"Give a definite answer!" Nijika shouted.

"Anyway, that author can't possibly come back from the dead."

Yamada Ryo wiped away tears that weren't there.

Bai Qiu smiled. "That's not necessarily true."

It seemed that to get Yamada Ryo to pick up her bass again, he'd have to make a comeback himself.

The three of them looked at Bai Qiu curiously.

"As I said earlier, I've been reading that author's books too."

Yamada Ryo nodded, still thinking Bai Qiu was making excuses for that hateful author.

"Anyway, I actually have a friend..."

"This friend's parent works at the publishing house where Teacher Hehuohuo is, so they have some inside info."

"Even though it's inside info, it's almost certainly true—Teacher Hehuohuo will update next month."

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

"Really?" Goto Hitori and Ijichi Nijika lit up with hope.

One was excited to see the next chapters, the other was glad Ryo could play bass again.

Bai Qiu nodded confidently.

But Yamada Ryo said coolly, "What if there's no update?"

Bai Qiu froze. As expected of Ryo, so calm, not taking the bait at all.

His eyes darted, and he added:

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

After all, getting a signature was just a trivial effort for Bai Qiu.

Yamada Ryo's eyes sparkled.

This seemed feasible.

A signed edition was worth a lot on the secondhand market!

Whether the author was still around didn't seem to matter anymore. In fact—

Would it be better if they weren't? That should make the signature even more valuable.

Yamada Ryo quickly replied.

Chapter 17: Merely Born in an Era Without Me...

Yamada Ryo's answer made Ijichi Nijika overjoyed.

Ryo had band experience and had performed on stage many times.

With Ryo on board, tonight's show would surely satisfy the audience.

And surprise her sister.

"That's great, Ryo!"

Ijichi Nijika excitedly spread her arms, and just as Yamada Ryo thought Nijika was going to hug her—

Nijika came before Bai Qiu and bowed deeply.

"Thank you so much, Bai Qiu-kun. Thank you for convincing Ryo. I don't know how to thank you enough."

Nijika blushed as she looked at Bai Qiu, as if asking if there was anything she could do.

"It's nothing." Bai Qiu said calmly.

After all, in a way, he might be the one responsible for Yamada Ryo's Light Novel obsession.

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

Nijika said seriously again.

Bai Qiu nodded.

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

Yamada Ryo went to her room to get it.

Nijika couldn't help but worry—would Bai Qiu end up losing the signed book to Ryo?

If so, maybe she should stop it somehow.

Nijika looked a little awkward.

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

Nijika replied, "Um, Bai Qiu-kun, isn't the signed edition really precious?"

So Nijika was worried about that.

Bai Qiu gave a mysterious smile. "Signed editions? I have quite a few."

"Eh... is that so?"

Nijika was a bit surprised, but she also felt relieved.

Goto Hitori, however, was startled when she heard that.

She accidentally tripped and fell into Ryo's pile of books.

"Ah, oops!"

She wanted a signed copy too.

Goto Hitori made a commotion, and Nijika quickly helped her up.

"Are you okay? Hitori."

"Ah, I'm fine..."

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

Just then, Nijika suddenly thought—Hitori probably didn't have a band, right?

Looking at this kid, so shy and timid.

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

If she had Hitori as a guitarist.

As long as Ryo agreed too, her band would start to take shape!

"Ah... ahh..."

Goto Hitori's instincts almost made her blurt out "Hai" on the spot.

Luckily, she stopped herself in time.

"No need to be so nervous, Hitori."

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