Goto Hitori looked at Bai Qiu and explained, embarrassed to face Nijika.
"Eh! So that's how it is..."
Nijika was disappointed at first, but then grew surprised.
"Huh! Bai Qiu-kun, you're in a band too?"
Come to think of it, she hadn't asked him sooner.
Ijichi Nijika scratched her head sheepishly.
But with so much happening between them since they first met, it was no wonder.
"What instrument do you play, Bai Qiu-kun?"
Nijika asked curiously.
"I'm learning the electronic keyboard," Bai Qiu replied.
"I don't think I've ever seen Bai Qiu-kun bring an instrument to school."
Goto Hitori asked curiously as well.
"Ahem... It's because I don't really get a chance to practice at school."
Bai Qiu explained, and the two believed him without question.
That wasn't actually the reason. Bai Qiu simply felt that...
Having to carry an electronic keyboard on the train every day would be quite a hassle.
Besides, an electronic keyboard case wasn't as distinctive as a guitar or bass case.
It was just a long, wide rectangle, and carrying it didn't have the same cool, stylish feel as carrying a guitar bag.
A layperson might not even know it held an electronic keyboard.
People on a crowded morning train might just silently grumble about one person taking up so much space.
So Bai Qiu, who preferred to travel light, simply left it at home.
As a result, he still hadn't brought his instrument to school.
"How many members are there in your band, Bai Qiu-kun?"
Nijika asked, unable to keep a glimmer of hope from rising in her heart.
She hadn't expected Bai Qiu-kun to be a rare keyboardist.
Keyboardists were highly sought-after and in short supply in bands.
Ryo's old band hadn't had a keyboardist, either.
"Just Hitori and me for now."
Bai Qiu replied, and Goto Hitori nodded mechanically.
"If you're interested..."
Bai Qiu and Ijichi Nijika spoke at the same time.
"Would you like to start a band together?"
They asked in unison, perfectly in sync.
Bai Qiu and Ijichi Nijika both smiled.
Their intentions were clear.
"What do you think, Hitori?"
Bai Qiu asked deliberately.
Goto Hitori was naturally all for it.
Starting a band with people she already knew was far better than having to meet new people.
Just then, Yamada Ryo...
walked over with her bass slung over her shoulder.
Nijika said excitedly, "Ryo, I've already started a band with Bai Qiu-kun and Hitori! Why don't you join us too? What do you say?"
"Then our band will be complete."
All three of them looked at Yamada Ryo.
Yamada Ryo glanced at each of them, then curled her lips into a smile.
Ijichi Nijika waited hopefully.
"I see... I'll think about it."
"Ryo, Bai Qiu-kun is a..."
"Keyboardist."
Yamada Ryo said flatly.
"How did you know?" Nijika asked, surprised.
Had she heard them just now? Bai Qiu was surprised too.
Or did he just naturally have the air of a keyboardist?
Yamada Ryo caught Goto Hitori's admiring gaze and said smugly,
"Then, Ryo, you should think..."
"Fine, I'm in."
"...about it."
Nijika had been about to give Ryo some time to decide, but Ryo immediately agreed.
Ijichi Nijika: "Wait, Ryo, what's gotten into you?!"
Yamada Ryo asked smugly, "Am I the last one to join? Doesn't that make me the most impressive?"
Nijika looked a little exasperated, realizing Ryo had played a trick on her again.
"Then let's head back and practice..."
Nijika had just started speaking when she was interrupted again.
"Want to give the keyboard a try?"
Yamada Ryo suddenly looked at Bai Qiu and asked.
Bai Qiu looked puzzled, then nodded.
Yamada Ryo seemed to want to test Bai Qiu's skill.
So Yamada Ryo led them to a room.
The room was clean, spacious, and tidy.
There was only one grand piano, which stood out.
It was Yamada Ryo's mother's piano. Her mother was a piano enthusiast.
Though Yamada Ryo herself preferred the bass.
"Wait, Ryo, isn't that a piano?"
What happened to the keyboard? Nijika asked, confused. Was Ryo about to pull another prank?
"They're pretty much the same."
Yamada Ryo replied casually.
Bai Qiu's eyes lit up, and he confidently said it was no problem.
Since he said so...
The three watched from the side, all eager to see just how good Bai Qiu was.
Bai Qiu approached the piano, which looked very expensive.
He bent his knees and sat upright, stretched out his forearms, curled his fingers slightly, and closed his eyes.
Bai Qiu couldn't help feeling a little excited. This would be his first time playing the piano.
As it happened...
The skill he'd exchanged for was Piano Lv. 2.
Now he could show off his full ability.
Bai Qiu opened his eyes, and a glint seemed to flash within them.
His fingers pressed the contrasting black and white keys in quick succession.
The notes flowed beneath his moving fingers and reached the three listeners nearby.
Bai Qiu played the familiar "Ode to Joy."
The piano melody flowed gracefully and lingered like a stream, captivating everyone. The dancing notes drifted around the room, gently tugging at the heartstrings of the three girls, their moods rising and falling with the tune.
"Th-that's amazing!"
Ijichi Nijika exclaimed, her mouth hanging open in surprise.
Yamada Ryo and Goto Hitori nodded furiously.
Wasn't this almost professional-level playing?
All the girls there had a good grasp of music. Even though Bai Qiu had only played a simple piece, they could already tell his piano skills were extraordinary.
And this was on a piano. Surely Bai Qiu-kun's keyboard playing would come even more naturally to him.
As they felt grateful to have a teammate like him, they couldn't help wondering if they could keep up.
As for Bai Qiu, he was immersed in the world of music.
Right now, he felt like he was the "strongest"!
Beethoven, Mozart?
They were merely mortals born in an era without me!
Of course, that was just how Bai Qiu saw it.
The chapter took me nearly three hours to write. I'm losing it...
The First Live Performance of Kessoku Band ### When the piece ended, Bai Qiu still felt a little reluctant to stop.
But Ijichi Nijika, Goto Hitori, and Yamada Ryo had already begun applauding in unison.
So Bai Qiu gave up on the idea of playing another piece.
Nijika smiled and praised Bai Qiu, which made him wonder...
Should he just go out and buy a piano, too?
It wouldn't cost much for him, anyway.
"By the way... Ryo, do you still remember how to play the bass?"
After chatting with Bai Qiu, Nijika suddenly turned her gaze to Yamada Ryo.
Yamada Ryo seemed a little stunned, and a bit of cold sweat appeared on her back.
But a moment later, Yamada Ryo confidently replied, "No problem!"
"That's good."
Nijika relaxed at the response and smiled.
"Well, it's about time. Let's hurry back to Starry and practice!"
Bai Qiu and Yamada Ryo drew out their replies.
Before you continue