Surrounded by a Spicy Girl Squad

"Hey!"

"Chihaya-kun, do you have any plans after school?"

"Why don't you come to karaoke with us?"

"Onegai!"

After school, Chihaya Rei sat at his desk, calculating how many points he had earned today and pondering what he should eat for dinner.

But before he could even rise from his seat, three pseudo-gyarus appeared before him, surrounding him and extending an invitation with enthusiastic expressions.

The trio made no attempt to hide their actions, and many of the students still lingering in the classroom noticed the scene.

Ike Koji and Yamauchi Haruki, in particular, cast gazes filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

It was one thing for Kushida Kikyo to seek him out two or three times a day, but why were three attractive gyarus also interested in hanging out with him?

"Damn it, is being in a band really that popular?"

"How about when the points come in next month, we buy a guitar and a bass and try it out ourselves?"

"Good idea! I'm sure cute girls will come looking for us then."

After a brief mutter, the two quickly drifted into their own fantasies.

Chihaya Rei raised his eyes to look at the three girls before him.

There was Karuizawa Kei, with her honey-colored hair tied into a sleek high ponytail and a cute smile on her face.

Beside her was Sato Maya, who looked outgoing and lively.

To fit the gyaru aesthetic, both had tied their school blazer jackets around their waists, exposing their fair arms.

The third, Matsushita Chiaki, had not followed suit; she wore her brown hair long, and with her soft, elegant features, she carried the air of a young lady from a good family.

Up until today, he hadn't really interacted with Karuizawa Kei and her friends.

Based on his unilateral understanding of the three, Chihaya Rei judged that this was no simple karaoke invitation; there had to be an ulterior motive behind it.

However, just as they had set their sights on him, he had set his sights on them.

Chihaya Rei fixed his gaze on Karuizawa Kei, a faint smile appearing on his face: "Sure, I've been a bit bored after school these past few days anyway."

"Besides, I quite like KTV."

That much was the truth.

Upon hearing this, Karuizawa Kei's cheeks lit up with a joyful smile, her voice tinged with excitement, "Then let's go!"

"The drinks at the KTV have free refills, you know!"

"Chihaya-kun, didn't you join any clubs?"

"I wanted to join the Light Music Club, but the school doesn't have one."

Just like that, Chihaya Rei chatted idly with the gyaru trio as he packed his bag and left the classroom.

Sakura Airi, sitting at the desk next to Chihaya, widened her eyes as she watched the scene unfold, sitting frozen in her seat like a helpless wife.

Inside a KTV at Keyaki Mall.

It was clearly not the first time for Karuizawa Kei and her friends; they had used their phones to reserve a room on the way over, and upon arrival, they led Chihaya Rei to a small private room with practiced ease.

Matsushita Chiaki and Sato Maya entered the room first, exchanged a knowing glance, and sat together on the side sofa.

They left the long sofa in the center for Chihaya Rei and Karuizawa Kei.

Chihaya Rei acted as if he hadn't noticed.

A short while later, after a knock at the door, a waiter brought in several beautifully arranged fruit platters and a few drinks.

Fearing that Chihaya Rei might not be familiar enough with them, the three girls introduced themselves once more.

Finding that Chihaya Rei was just as easy to get along with as they had hoped, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

"Chihaya-kun, can we find your band's songs on the KTV machine?"

Karuizawa Kei reached out to poke Chihaya Rei's arm, asking with a hint of curiosity.

"No."

Chihaya Rei shook his head with a slightly regretful smile, "Our band's songs are all original compositions; we aren't talented enough to be included in chain KTVs yet."

Karuizawa Kei nodded in understanding, smiling as she said, "Well, maybe there will be a chance in the future."

Matsushita Chiaki smiled and handed over the tablet: "Chihaya-kun, you're the professional here, could you sing one for us first?"

"Of course, we'll definitely sing later too, but please don't laugh at us if we aren't very good."

Karuizawa Kei and Sato Maya nodded along, looking at Chihaya Rei with anticipation.

"Of course, no problem."

Chihaya Rei replied, but he didn't take the tablet.

This left the three of them feeling a bit puzzled, but they immediately heard Chihaya Rei explain with a smile:

"Although there aren't any of our band's songs here, I can play the backing track on my phone and sing for you all."

Soon, Chihaya Rei selected his best song, Kasumikage, and picked up the microphone on the table to start singing.

Although he was the band's drummer and keyboardist, he had also undergone vocal training; after all, besides the lead singer, the other members were required to provide backing vocals.

"Please, from this moment on, never let go, forever, forever, never let go again."

A few minutes later, Chihaya Rei finished the song, and the looks in the eyes of Karuizawa Kei and the other two changed, filled with excitement and admiration.

"So amazing... truly professional."

"I think I've started to like this song, too."

"Chihaya-kun, do it one more time."

In the time that followed, Karuizawa, Matsushita, and Sato all took their turns.

The voices of the girls were quite impressive as well.

Chihaya Rei even felt that Karuizawa Kei had the potential to be a lead vocalist and guitarist.

Just then, as Karuizawa Kei finished a song and was operating the tablet to switch tracks, Sato Maya suddenly spoke up:

"Um, sorry everyone, something has suddenly come up..."

Chihaya Rei and the other two cast puzzled glances at her.

"What's wrong, Maya?"

"Do you need to go to the restroom?"

"No..."

Sato Maya sat up straight, shaking her head like a rattle to deny it, and explained with a hint of embarrassment:

"A treadmill I ordered yesterday arrived, and the delivery person is downstairs at the dormitory, but I need to be there in person to sign for it..."

"Eh?"

Karuizawa Kei let out a sound of surprise, then said with a helpless shrug:

"Well, that can't be helped. Why don't you hurry back and take care of it, Maya?"

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I shouldn't keep the delivery person waiting too long."

Sato Maya replied, wearing a look of guilt before hurriedly standing up.

"Sorry everyone, I'll head back now."

"I'll go with you to take a look. It's a bit worrying if you go alone."

Matsushita Chiaki, sitting beside her, spoke softly and stood up, grabbing her bag as well.

Chihaya Rei blinked.

He felt this was likely part of their script.

Deciding to play along, he waved his hand and said, "It's fine, I don't mind. You two go ahead."

"So, it's just me and Karuizawa-san left?"

Chihaya Rei tilted his head to look at Karuizawa Kei.

Karuizawa Kei nodded vigorously, a brilliant smile blooming on her face.

"Yeah, Chihaya-kun, let's sing a bit more! Plus, there's still plenty of fruit left."

She pointed her finger toward the fruit platter on the table.

"I'll leave Kei in your care, Chihaya-kun."

Matsushita Chiaki and Sato Maya said in unison before hurrying out of the private room.

PS: In case you all forgot, here are Matsushita and Kamuro.

Matsushita Chiaki

Kamuro Masumi