Everyone Goes Home, and a New Neighbor

He wasn't mad? And she'd been complimented!

Goto Hitori wore a silly grin. "Hehe... thank you..."

As expected, harsh words could chill someone to the bone even in summer, while a kind word could warm them through three winters.

Praise was the best medicine!

Bai Qiu couldn't help thinking that praise was the best way to handle Goto Hitori.

But Bai Qiu's next words wiped the smile right off her face.

"You play just like Guitar Hero. I wouldn't say there's no connection—you're exactly the same. Oh, right, I think Guitar Hero covered this very song last night, too!"

Guitar Hero?!

"Ah... i-is that so..."

Goto Hitori was at a loss for words. Looking at Bai Qiu's smile, she couldn't help feeling that he was hinting at something.

Say something to explain yourself!

"I... I'm actually a fan of Guitar Hero."

Phew, what a perfect excuse.

Goto Hitori relaxed, proud of herself, and patted her chest beneath her tracksuit.

"What a coincidence! I'm a fan of Guitar Hero, too," Bai Qiu said excitedly.

"Teacher Guitar Hero has uploaded 1,021 videos over the past three years, totaling more than 4,560 minutes. I've watched every single one."

As Bai Qiu spoke, his eyes gradually went blank.

So, without even realizing it, he'd uploaded that many videos.

But wasn't that number a little too precise?

It sounded kind of weird.

But never mind that. Goto Hitori was excited now.

She actually had such a devoted fan!

She wanted to play to her heart's content and sing at the top of her lungs!

"Mm, G-Guitar Hero is really amazing..."

There was something self-congratulatory about it, and Goto Hitori couldn't stop smiling.

Still, she tried her best to keep up the act.

Bai Qiu took a deep breath. Had he been acting a little strangely just now?

Goto Hitori gathered her courage. "Does Bai Qiu-kun... play an instrument, too?"

The atmosphere around music at this school was pretty good.

So Goto Hitori carried her instrument on her back and hung band merchandise from her schoolbag.

She'd hoped someone would approach her and strike up a conversation, or even invite her to join a band.

But nobody paid her any attention.

She'd clearly seen other students carrying instruments who were popular.

Why was it different for her?

Now, at last, someone was willing to talk to her.

And he was a fan of hers, too. Honestly, Goto Hitori was so touched she could cry.

If he liked Guitar Hero that much, Bai Qiu-kun probably played guitar, too.

Bai Qiu nodded. "Though I really like Guitar Hero, I'm learning the electronic keyboard."

Goto Hitori: 6д9...

Other than guitar, she didn't know a thing about anything.

The hope that had just flared up had already been snuffed out.

Bai Qiu-kun would surely decide they had nothing in common and go their separate ways.

Reality, shatter!

Spirit, crumble!

"Hey! Goto-san? Are you there?"

Bai Qiu waved a hand in front of Goto Hitori's face. She seemed to have entered some kind of strange state.

"Yahallo!"

"Moshi moshi~"

"Goto-san, do you have a band?"

Only when Bai Qiu patted Goto Hitori on the shoulder did she come back to her senses.

"Ah, no..."

Goto Hitori answered with a twitch.

How could a slug-like creature like her possibly find anyone to start a band with?

Good, then. Bai Qiu smiled faintly.

"Then, do you want to start a band with me?"

Bai Qiu made the invitation with sincerity and earnestness.

If he hadn't considered that he and Goto Hitori weren't very close yet, and that she was a girl,

he'd originally planned to offer her his hand as he invited her.

It would've seemed more sincere, and looked cool, wouldn't it?

A band?!!!

Goto Hitori had heard the words she'd dreamed of.

But her body had gone completely stiff. She couldn't move at all...

Should she accept? Of course she should! She absolutely had to!

Besides, did she even have the courage to turn him down?

He was a boy, sure!? Who cared about that!?

Goto Hitori's mind had already begun racing.

But her body clearly couldn't keep up.

Answer him, Watashi! Answer him!

When Goto Hitori didn't say anything, Bai Qiu wondered if something had gone wrong.

Through Goto Hitori's bangs, Bai Qiu looked into her trembling blue eyes, as enchanting as sapphires.

"This might be the only thing I ever ask of you in my life, Goto-san."

Though he knew that the socially anxious Goto Hitori couldn't refuse,

Bai Qiu still decided to give her an extra push.

"Ah-yes! I'll start a band."

She'd said it.

Goto Hitori felt her heart beating incredibly fast.

Her body couldn't help trembling again, but this time it was from excitement, not fear.

"Ding-a-ling..."

The bell signaling the start of class rang.

Though school in Japan started late and ended early,

the lunch break was still rather short.

Usually, it was only about an hour to an hour and a half.

Ah, well. Wonderful moments were always so fleeting.

Bai Qiu felt a little regretful. Before leaving, he hurriedly took out his phone to exchange contact information so they could keep in touch.

"By the way, Goto-san, let's add each other on Line."

"Huh...? E-eh!"

"What's wrong? Isn't it normal for friends to exchange contact information?"

"F-friends?"

Goto Hitori repeated the word tentatively, both confused and nervous.

"Yeah, Goto-san. We're going to start a band together. Doesn't that make us friends?"

Bai Qiu asked, puzzled.

"Ah... yes!"

"Please let me scan yours!"

Goto Hitori held up her phone respectfully. As far as she knew, the person scanning the code was showing humility and good manners.

How could she let Lord Bai Qiu do something like that?

Bai Qiu paused, then brought up his Line QR code.

Everyone Goes Home, and a New Neighbor

One second before the bell signaling the start of class finished ringing, Bai Qiu calmly entered the classroom through the back door and made it to his seat.

Bai Qiu let out a soft breath.

At the front of the classroom, Hiratsuka Shizuka had already arrived.

She glanced at him but said nothing.

He'd cut it close, but he was still on time.

As if sensing something, Bai Qiu looked toward Hiratsuka Shizuka. So it was Japanese class.

Good thing he'd made it back in time.

Cute Shizuka, look, I'm a good student!

However, to Hiratsuka Shizuka, Bai Qiu's look and smile seemed almost like a provocation.

Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fist. Heh, that brat had some nerve...

"Little Qiu, where'd you go to have fun?" Yui Hirasawa asked curiously.

Bai Qiu said, "Pay attention in class."

"Come on, tell me!"

Yui Hirasawa reached over and shook Bai Qiu.

"Class is in session, Yui!"

Bai Qiu reminded her quietly, while a sense of foreboding welled up within him.

"So what if it is?"

Yui Hirasawa clearly didn't know how scary Teacher Hiratsuka Shizuka was.

"Bai Qiu-kun, could you answer this question? What state of mind does the underlined sentence express for the heroine?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka's voice rang out, carrying a hint of authority.