Ijichi Nijika mentioned that she and Ryo had to prepare for the monthly exams at the start of the school year.
After all, Shimokitazawa High School placed quite a lot of emphasis on college admissions.
So the band's after-school practices were on hold for now.
The other three replied in turn to say they understood.
Bai Qiu waited eagerly in the group chat, hoping for good news.
Ijichi Nijika was the first to reply.
Ijichi Nijika: Aki-kun, make sure you eat plenty of meat!
Next was Yamada Ryo, who sent a picture too.
It showed some fresh grass she'd just picked that afternoon, still covered in dew. She added a caption:
This is my dinner. Nijika, can I come eat at your place?
Ijichi Nijika: Sorry, Ryo. My sister said she was starving tonight, so we've already eaten and washed the dishes.
Nijika also sent a cute "sorry" sticker.
Yamada Ryo crying.jpg!
At Goto Hitori's house.
Ever since Bai Qiu sent his first message, Goto Hitori had been staring intently at her phone.
The internet was her one and only refuge, after all!
But other than spam texts, she didn't have a single other message.
Her online interactions were limited to chatting with fans through her "Guitar Hero" account.
So whenever her phone made any kind of sound, Goto Hitori paid extra close attention.
A slightly creepy "Heh heh..." came from the closet.
So forming a band hadn't been a dream after all!
Aside from her class group chat, this was the first time Goto Hitori had joined another group chat.
No, this wasn't the time to get lost in her thoughts.
She had to say something, and quickly!
Everyone else had said something. If she stayed silent, wouldn't she stick out like a sore thumb?
Bai Qiu-kun's food looked so good.
Did Ryo-senpai not have anything to eat?
But didn't she live in a mansion? She was supposed to be rich, right?
Goto Hitori was a little confused.
Should she invite Ryo-senpai over for dinner, then?
No, no, no...!
Goto Hitori shook her head frantically, like a bobblehead.
Inviting someone over to her house was way too advanced for her at this stage!
And so, Goto Hitori hesitated as she looked at the two pictures.
Her fingers typed "Looks delicious!" without thinking, and she sent it.
Goto Hitori looked back at the screen.
Her life might as well be over.
How could she say it looked delicious at a time like this? Ryo-senpai would think she was mocking her!
Just then, the group chat fell silent.
Goto Hitori grew flustered. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she racked her brains for every possible way to apologize.
Luckily, Nijika came to the rescue in time.
Ijichi Nijika: Hitori probably meant Aki-kun's food, right? Weeds don't taste good.
Goto Hitori was moved to tears. Nijika, her hero! No, her angel!
Yamada Ryo: @Bai Qiu, you liar!
Ijichi Nijika was a little confused, so...
Ijichi Nijika: Did something happen between you two? And why are you eating grass again, Ryo? Did you buy another new bass?
Bai Qiu: Nothing much. I just ate fried chicken in front of Ryo.
Yamada Ryo: I didn't buy one. I'm planning to.
Ijichi Nijika: Then why...?
Yamada Ryo: To be honest, light novels and merch are pretty expensive too.
At home, Ijichi Nijika sighed and replied, "You reap what you sow."
Bai Qiu: Ryo, take care of yourself.
Bai Qiu wore a smug expression. It seemed Yamada Ryo had spent quite a bit on his light novels and merch.
Though now Ryo might hold a grudge against him.
All right. Bai Qiu put his phone away and set it down on the Band-aid.
He was going to have dinner with Nagasaki Sosei.
Come to think of it, could eating with Nagasaki Sosei earn him Notes too?
Chapter 28: Could This Friend's Name Possibly Be...
Just then, Nagasaki Sosei came over too.
She carried two bowls of steaming, fragrant rice.
Seeing Bai Qiu smiling at his phone, Nagasaki Sosei asked,
"Did something funny happen?"
Bai Qiu put down his phone and looked at Nagasaki Sosei.
"I was chatting with a few friends from my band."
At once, Nagasaki Sosei's hand froze as she picked up on the keyword.
She'd once had a few close friends in a band too.
But now...
She was the only one left in the Crychic group chat.
Was Bai Qiu-kun in a band too?
Just as Nagasaki Sosei was about to ask him about it, Bai Qiu spoke first, sounding grateful.
"Sorry for the trouble, Nagasaki-san."
Looking at the fragrant dishes on the table, Bai Qiu felt his mouth begin to water.
He'd been eating convenience-store bento for the past few days, so these simple home-cooked dishes had him feeling ravenous.
"Don't mention it."
"Besides, I couldn't finish it all by myself."
"Actually, I was supposed to have dinner with my mom tonight, but she had to leave unexpectedly."
Nagasaki Sosei said a little sheepishly, explaining what had happened outside earlier.
So that was it. Bai Qiu nodded.
That meant the career woman he'd run into in the elevator earlier was probably Nagasaki Sosei's mother.
No wonder she'd seemed familiar.
Now that he thought about it, the two of them really did look quite alike.
Oh, right. Her mom's hairstyle was perfectly safe.
The two clever people chose not to dwell on what had happened earlier and began to enjoy their food.
"Let's eat!" ×2
Both of them were highly considerate and had excellent social skills.
So they didn't lack for things to talk about during the meal.
There was no awkward silence.
"Do you usually eat this kind of thing, Bai Qiu-kun?"
Nagasaki Sosei asked suddenly, picking up a piece of fried chicken with her chopsticks.
She remembered how Bai Qiu had bought a lot of instant noodles the other day.
"Eating this kind of thing too often isn't good for you,"
Nagasaki Sosei reminded him softly.
It tasted good, but she still preferred Vegetable Macaroni.
"Not that often."
"I live alone."
"I usually eat out."
Bai Qiu explained.
Rather than cooking for himself, he preferred trying the wide variety of food on the shopping street.
Nagasaki Sosei was a little surprised.
Wasn't that just like her?
So Nagasaki Sosei asked, a little curious,
"What about your parents, Bai Qiu-kun?"
Bai Qiu swallowed his food and answered casually,
"They went somewhere far away."
The smile on Nagasaki Sosei's face froze.
"I'm sorry."
Her gaze toward Bai Qiu held a hint of pity too.
Why was she suddenly apologizing?
Bai Qiu looked up in confusion.
"Uh... I don't mean they passed away. They're just working overseas."
Bai Qiu added awkwardly.
"But I haven't seen them in years."
Bai Qiu added lightly.
"Eh...?"
Nagasaki Sosei's face turned bright red, and she was shocked too.
Years? That was way too long!
How could parents be so irresponsible?
At least her mom came back regularly to visit her and have dinner with her.
Before you continue