Omnibus Anime: In a Music Anime, Relaxed and Happy

A message popped up in the Kessoku Band group chat on Bai Qiu's phone.

Goto Hitori: I have a fever and took sick leave from school, so for the shifts at Starlight these next few days, I was thinking...

Nijika: Bocchi, lying isn't something a good girl does!

Bai Qiu: Bocchi, just rest at home and don't worry about it!

Lying in bed at this moment, her face looking somewhat pale with a wet towel draped over her forehead, Goto Hitori couldn't help but let out a violent fit of coughing as she read everyone's replies.

Goto Hitori couldn't hold back tears of gratitude.

In the end, the only person willing to believe her was Bai Qiu.

Thinking back on how she ended up in this state, she knew it was all her own fault.

Hitori just felt... she really deserved to die, wuaa...

"Cough... cough cough!"

Goto Hitori coughed a few more times before continuing to tap out a message on her screen with her finger.

Goto Hitori: It's true... Aki-kun, thank you! For being willing to believe me, I will repay you.

Bai Qiu: I believe you. Ryo, want to make a bet?

Bai Qiu: Let's bet on whether Bocchi actually has a fever or not.

Ryo: What's the stake?

Bai Qiu: Let's bet a week of your wages.

Ryo: Heh! Deal.

On the other side, Yamada Ryo, who was slacking off while slumped over her desk in the classroom, couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips upon seeing the message.

As for the matter of Bocchi being sick.

She didn't believe it for a second.

She was full of life just two days ago, so how could she have suddenly fallen ill?

Therefore, according to her analysis, Bocchi was definitely faking an illness to avoid working.

She had done the same thing before, and the result was the Manager deducting her entire paycheck.

While Bai Qiu and Yamada Ryo were discussing the bet, Ijichi Nijika had already invited Goto Hitori to a video call.

Although Nijika also felt in her heart that Hitori might be faking her illness to skip work.

Still, it was necessary to double-check.

Unexpectedly, Hitori was actually sick!

Nijika felt a pang of guilt.

Hitori, on the other hand, felt even more guilty and conscience-stricken.

After ending the call, Nijika's expression darkened slightly as she looked back at the group chat.

Nijika: You two idiots! Don't make bets on things like this. Also, Hitori is actually sick.

Bai Qiu and Ryo Yamada sent apology stickers in perfect sync this time.

Then, the two switched to a private chat.

Ryo: Since Nijika said so, I guess the bet has to be canceled. Can't be helped.

Bai Qiu couldn't help but chuckle: ...Sure.

He didn't really care about such things; he was just joking around with Ryo Yamada.

On the other end, Ryo Yamada was a bit stunned to see Bai Qiu agree so easily. Could there be a trap?

In the end, Goto Hitori's part-time job was temporarily canceled, and the Kessoku Band practice was slightly postponed.

"Cough... hehe... cough cough, hehehe..."

Goto Hitori was coughing and laughing at the same time.

She had already decided to take the entire week off. This way, not only would she avoid working, but she could also dodge the Monthly Exam.

"Big sister is broken again!" Nili, who was nearby, couldn't help but speak up.

"Woof!" That was Jimmy.

Meanwhile, at Sakuragaoka Academy, Bai Qiu felt a bit depressed the moment he arrived in the classroom.

Because for some reason, Takamatsu Tomo seemed to be radiating a low-pressure aura.

Melancholy, dejected, withdrawn...

He didn't really like this atmosphere...

Bai Qiu couldn't help but feel that Takamatsu-san didn't quite fit the lighthearted and cheerful vibe of the Houbun World.

Just a single weekend.

Was enough to turn cute Akari into a little shut-in lamp?!

After letting out a soft sigh, Bai Qiu walked up to Little Tomo and asked in a low voice, "Tomo, what's wrong?"

Seeing that it was Bai Qiu, Takamatsu Tomo managed to muster a little bit of energy and shook her head slightly. "...No, it's nothing."

That didn't look like "nothing" at all.

And when she saw Bai Qiu's guitar case, Takamatsu Tomo's eyes dimmed once more.

"Ah, Little Qiu, did you bully Akari-chan?"

Yui Hirasawa walked into the classroom carrying her guitar bag just then. Seeing this scene, she couldn't help but ask.

If one looked closely, there was even an imprint of guitar strings on Yui's face; it seemed she had slept with her guitar last night.

Bai Qiu shook his head at Yui. "I certainly didn't."

However, it was true that Tomo had seemed even more dejected when she saw him just now. What was that about?

"Yui-san, Qiu didn't bully me."

Hearing Yui Hirasawa's voice, Takamatsu Tomo couldn't help but explain in a bit of a rush, afraid that Yui Hirasawa would misunderstand Bai Qiu.

"Eh... then why does Akari-chan look so sad?"

"Is... is that so?"

Takamatsu Tomo raised her head timidly and took a quick glance at Bai Qiu and Yui Hirasawa.

She saw the two of them nod in tacit agreement.

Takamatsu Tomo's eyes drooped slightly.

Seeing this, Yui Hirasawa couldn't help but look at Bai Qiu. "What should we do, Little Qiu?"

"I don't know what to do either."

Bai Qiu spread his hands with a hint of helplessness.

Although he didn't know what to do, he still had to try and think of a solution.

[Triggered Takamatsu Tomo's memories regarding the band, Notes +100]

The sound of the system notification indicating that he had gained Notes suddenly arrived, which immediately gave Bai Qiu some inspiration.

So, Takamatsu Tomo's dejection was likely related to the band.

Why not just have her join the Light Music Club?

Let's chat a bit about music and see if we can figure anything out.

So, Bai Qiu asked:

"Akari, can you play the electronic keyboard?"

Takamatsu Tomo shook her head.

"How about the guitar?"

This time, it was Yui Hirasawa who asked.

Takamatsu Tomo shook her head again and said in a low voice:

"...I, I don't play any instruments."

Then, her amber eyes dimmed completely, losing all their luster.

Perhaps it was because she couldn't play any instruments, couldn't sing well, and couldn't do anything right.

That was why, back then...

That was why Sako left Crychic...

When she ran into Sako, she didn't even have the courage to go up and apologize.

Bai Qiu and Yui Hirasawa exchanged glances.

The situation seemed to have gotten worse.

The two of them had originally intended to say something more to comfort Takamatsu Tomo.

However, the school bell for class rang first.

Blue and White Bowl

Kessoku Band didn't need to practice recently, so Bai Qiu came to the Light Music Club.

Naturally, the girls of the Light Music Club welcomed him warmly.

However, it didn't look like the Light Music Club had any intention of practicing, either.

With the comfortable environment, plus the cups of hot black tea served by Kotobuki Ojou-sama, and the high-end looking Matcha Cake, everyone started enjoying themselves before they even realized it.

"Ah! This is so comfortable!"

Tainaka Ritsu leaned back in her chair, resting the back of her head against her clasped hands, leisurely enjoying the air conditioner.

Because of the school merger, the classrooms had been renovated and were now equipped with air conditioning.

Therefore, even when next summer arrived, it was unlikely that the scene from the original story—where everyone was so unbearably hot that they changed into swimsuits right in the classroom—would ever happen.

"Working a part-time job is just so exhausting."

Everyone nodded in agreement, except for Kotsumugi.

"I really admire those people who work part-time every day."

Bai Qiu sighed. As expected, writing light novels at home was the best!

"Speaking of which, hasn't our club budget been issued yet, Ritsu?"

Akiyama Mio looked at Tainaka Ritsu and asked with a puzzled expression. She had heard that all the other clubs had already received their funding.

Logically speaking, the Light Music Club should have received theirs as well.

Because they hadn't received the funds for so long, it was one of the reasons why everyone in the Light Music Club had decided to take on part-time jobs.

"Ah, about that! Maybe it's because our budget is so large that it's taking a bit longer to process."

Captain Ritsu waved her small hand, appearing indifferent, yet somewhat smug.

After all, she was the one who had invited Bai Qiu to join the club, which had secured them an extra portion of funding.

"But I heard that the Wind Instrument Club has already received their budget."

Akiyama Mio raised her index finger to her chin as she explained. If it came down to headcount, the Wind Instrument Club clearly had more members.

"Eh? Is that so?"

Captain Ritsu was slightly taken aback.

"So, you should really go and ask about it, Ritsu."