Let's Buy an Electronic Keyboard First

But what was she doing here?

Was she about to recruit him into the Service Club?

No, please, Cute Shizuka. I'm a good student who excels both academically and morally!

Bai Qiu was a little surprised, but he didn't panic.

After all, Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't at this school.

At least, she wasn't on the list of incoming students he'd seen.

Besides, wasn't the Light Music Club a better choice than the Service Club?

Hmph. His heart belonged to the band girls.

"Ahem! Ahem!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka cleared her throat, successfully drawing everyone's attention as well.

Looking at the new students below, Hiratsuka Shizuka felt a rush of emotion.

She'd been a teacher in Chiba, but she'd quit last year.

Then she'd started traveling around the country and, while she was at it, visited Tokyo to see a college friend she hadn't seen in ages.

Like her, this friend was still single.

And then, for some reason, her family had asked her to take a job at this school...

So she'd come.

Was she destined to be a teacher after all?!

But since she was here,

she'd take responsibility and be a good teacher.

She looked at the energetic students and smiled.

As expected, she still liked this carefree atmosphere.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm your homeroom teacher, as well as your Japanese Literature Teacher—Hiratsuka Shizuka."

Hiratsuka Shizuka announced, writing her full name on the blackboard.

The students broke into enthusiastic applause.

Bai Qiu clapped along halfheartedly with the crowd. Yui Hirasawa clapped with gusto, while Takamatsu Tomo clapped slowly.

Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand, signaling that everyone could quiet down.

Then she said they would take turns introducing themselves.

The introductions went smoothly.

When it was Bai Qiu's turn, he drew a few curious looks.

Because of his unusual name, everyone guessed he was an international student from the Celestial Dynasty.

Bai Qiu explained that he was indeed from the Celestial Dynasty, but had lived here since he was little.

Hiratsuka Shizuka also kept her gaze on Bai Qiu a little longer than usual.

Another reason was that the seat in front of Bai Qiu happened to be empty, making it stand out a bit.

Then came the selection of class officers.

It had to be said, everyone in this Music Anime was pretty enthusiastic.

There were volunteers for every position.

When they got to class representative, Yui Hirasawa looked delighted and whispered to Bai Qiu:

"So Kazu's in this class too! That's great!"

Bai Qiu rolled his eyes.

You just noticed? And you've been childhood friends for over ten years.

The class representative was Manabe Kazu.

She was Yui Hirasawa's neighbor and childhood friend.

She was hardworking and responsible, and always looked after Yui Hirasawa.

Of course, thanks to Yui, Bai Qiu knew her too.

The class ended perfectly.

Hiratsuka Shizuka wore a satisfied smile.

It looked like there weren't any problem students.

She'd go back to the staff room and celebrate with a cigarette.

Chapter 4: Let's Buy an Electronic Keyboard First

After class ended,

they had a short break, then it was time for the classic new-student opening ceremony.

Inside the school auditorium,

the principal spoke first, followed by the head of academic affairs, a teacher representative, the Student Council President, a new-student representative, and various others...

One long, tedious speech after another dragged on.

The whole thing was incredibly boring, and both students and teachers were starting to doze off.

Yui Hirasawa, for example, was already nodding off.

Bai Qiu was a little worried she might fall onto the floor.

He wasn't all that bored, though that certainly wasn't because he found the speeches interesting.

Bai Qiu had simply gotten lost in his own thoughts.

People with vivid imaginations didn't get bored easily.

Right, Bocchi-chan?

Bai Qiu glanced to the side again at Takamatsu Tomo, standing on his other side.

It was obvious that Tomo was a girl lost in her own world, too.

A faint smile tugged at Bai Qiu's lips. Then he pulled himself together. All right, time to get down to business.

He already had Notes. It would be a waste not to exchange them for something in the System Mall.

Without hesitation, Bai Qiu first exchanged for a Lv. 1 Piano Skill.

His plan was to join Kessoku Band and become their keyboardist.

The Light Music Club's relaxed and happy atmosphere was appealing, and all he'd need to join was a Club Application Form. It couldn't be easier.

The club also had five girls with wildly different personalities, and Kotobuki Tsumugi would provide all the high-end food and tea snacks they could eat.

Just imagining the scene was enough to make anyone's heart flutter.

But Bai Qiu wanted to pursue a professional career.

He was a man with a system, after all.

He'd start with a small goal: the Budokan!

For the Light Music Club, it was still a little too early to go professional.

That wasn't because the girls in the Light Music Club lacked skill.

It was just that, at this stage, their studies came first and music was secondary.

Besides, the Light Music Club already had a full lineup.

If his barging in accidentally pushed someone out, he'd feel guilty.

Now that he had a Lv. 1 Piano Skill, Bai Qiu could feel as though something had suddenly settled into his body.

But he couldn't quite put the sensation into words.

In the end, he could only sum it up with one word: "Awesome."

Bai Qiu unconsciously rubbed his fingers together a few times. His long, slender fingers, each joint clearly defined, seemed eager to try something out.

As his gaze shifted, he couldn't help noticing the piano in the corner of the auditorium stage.

An urge to rush up and play a tune suddenly rose in his heart.

But he couldn't... He had to hold back. Bai Qiu shook his head.

He didn't want to become the school celebrity who disrupted the opening ceremony on the very first day.

After school,

Yui Hirasawa, who was alone, had planned to go home with Bai Qiu, her fellow aimless companion.

But she found his seat empty.

Setagaya Ward, Tokyo Metropolis—Shimokitazawa.

It wasn't far from Sakuragaoka Shuka Academy. It took just over ten minutes to walk there.

It was also Bai Qiu's destination.

Shimokitazawa was famous for its distinctive culture and artistic atmosphere, and young people loved it.

The area had all kinds of shops: bookstores, fashion stores, secondhand clothing shops, music stores...

There were also cafés, bars, long-established Japanese pubs, casual diners, and other places to eat.

As a result, there were quite a few part-time job opportunities for students nearby.

Bai Qiu certainly hadn't come looking for work. There was no way he'd get a part-time job.

Aside from what he'd already mentioned, the most important thing was that Shimokitazawa was also one of Tokyo's best-known live house districts, with plenty of live houses and music stores.

Bai Qiu had come to find bandmates.

Don't get the wrong idea—he wasn't looking for Ijichi Nijika or Yamada Ryo.

What he needed first was an electronic keyboard of his own.

He strolled around casually and eventually arrived at the entrance of a music store that caught his eye.

The sign above the storefront read "10GIA." He remembered that it was owned by Kotobuki Tsumugi's company.

The storefront looked quite elegant, and it seemed to have a wide variety of instruments.

Bai Qiu decided to buy an electronic keyboard here.

But once he stepped inside, he was dazzled.

There were all kinds of guitars, Bass guitars, Drum Kits, electronic keyboards, and synthesizers whose brand names he didn't recognize...

They all looked cool and impressive.

After admiring them for a little while, Bai Qiu turned his attention to the electronic keyboard section.

He looked around for a while.

Before long, he frowned slightly, unsure what to do.

To be honest, he hadn't had much experience with musical instruments.

For a moment, he really didn't know how to choose an electronic keyboard that suited him.

This was a bit of a problem...

Just as Bai Qiu was feeling troubled,

a gentle voice spoke beside him.

"Hello, sir. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Toyokawa Shoko had noticed Bai Qiu standing there for a while.