Surrounded by a Group of Gals

"Hey!"

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

"Why not come sing karaoke with us?"

"Please!"

After school, Chihaya Rei sat at his desk, wondering what he should eat for dinner after earning so many points today.

But before he could even get up, three faux gals appeared in front of him, surrounding him and enthusiastically inviting him along.

They made no effort to hide what they were doing, and quite a few students still in the classroom noticed.

Kanji Ike and Yamauchi Haruki, in particular, shot him looks full of envy and resentment.

It was one thing for Kushida Kikyo to come find him two or three times a day, but now even three pretty gals wanted to hang out with him!

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

"Why don't we buy a guitar and a bass to mess around with once we get next month's points?"

"Great idea! Then cute girls will definitely come talk to us."

After whispering to each other, the two boys quickly lost themselves in their fantasies.

Chihaya Rei looked up at the three girls before him.

Karuizawa Kei had honey-colored hair tied in a smooth, high ponytail and a cute smile.

Sato Maya looked outgoing and lively.

To fit their gal image, the two had tied their school uniform jackets around their waists, showing off their fair arms.

The other girl, Matsushita Chiaki, hadn't done the same. She had long brown hair and soft, lovely features, giving her the air of a refined young lady.

Up until today, he hadn't really interacted with Karuizawa Kei or the other two.

Based on what he knew about them, Chihaya Rei judged that this wasn't just a casual invitation to karaoke. They must have had some other motive.

But while they had their eyes on him, he had his eyes on them, too.

Chihaya Rei turned his gaze to Karuizawa Kei and smiled faintly. "Sure. I've been a little bored after school these past few days."

"I like karaoke, too."

That was the truth.

At his answer, Karuizawa Kei's face lit up with delight, and her voice carried a hint of excitement. "Then let's go!"

"The drinks at the karaoke place are free refills!"

"Chihaya, aren't you in a club?"

"I wanted to join the light music club, but the school doesn't have one."

And so, chatting as they went, Chihaya Rei and the trio of gals packed up their bags and left the classroom.

Their neighbor, Sakura Airi, stared wide-eyed as she watched them go. Sitting frozen in her seat, she looked just like a helpless wife.

Inside a karaoke place at Keyaki Mall.

It was clear that Karuizawa Kei and the others had been there before. They'd booked a room on their phones on the way over, and once they arrived, they led Chihaya Rei to a small private room with practiced ease.

Matsushita Chiaki and Sato Maya entered first. They exchanged a glance, then sat together on the sofa to one side.

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

Chihaya Rei pretended not to notice.

A little while later, after a knock, a server came in with several beautifully arranged fruit platters and a few drinks.

Worried that Chihaya Rei might not know them well enough, the three girls introduced themselves again.

Once they realized he was as easy to get along with as they'd expected, the mood gradually warmed up.

"Chihaya, can we find your band's songs on the karaoke system?"

Karuizawa Kei lightly poked Chihaya Rei's arm with a finger and asked curiously.

"No."

Chihaya Rei shook his head with a rueful smile. "Our band's songs are all original. We're not good enough to get them added to a chain karaoke place yet."

Karuizawa Kei nodded in understanding and smiled. "Maybe someday."

Matsushita Chiaki held out the tablet with a smile. "Chihaya, you're a pro. Could you sing one for us first?"

"We'll definitely sing later, too, but don't laugh at us if we're bad."

Karuizawa Kei and Sato Maya nodded along, gazing at Chihaya Rei expectantly.

"Sure."

Chihaya Rei agreed, but didn't take the tablet.

The three girls looked a little puzzled, but then Chihaya Rei smiled and explained:

"They don't have any of our songs here, but I can play the backing track on my phone and sing for you."

Chihaya Rei quickly picked Kasumikage, the song he was best at, then picked up the microphone and began to sing.

Although he was the band's drummer and keyboardist, he'd trained at singing, too. After all, everyone besides the lead singer had to do backing vocals.

"From now on, please never let go. Forever, forever, never let go again."

A few minutes later, Chihaya Rei finished the song. The way Karuizawa Kei and the others looked at him had changed; they seemed both excited and impressed.

"That was amazing... No wonder you're a pro."

"I think I like this song now, too."

"Chihaya, sing it again!"

For the rest of the time, Karuizawa Kei, Matsushita Chiaki, and Sato Maya all took turns singing.

The girls had lovely voices, too.

Chihaya Rei even thought Karuizawa Kei had the potential to be a lead singer and guitarist.

Just as Karuizawa Kei finished a song and was using the tablet to pick the next one, Sato Maya suddenly spoke up:

"Um, sorry, everyone. Something's come up..."

Chihaya Rei and the other two looked at her in confusion.

"What's wrong, Maya?"

"Do you need to go to the bathroom?"

"No..."

Sato Maya sat up straight and shook her head like a rattle, then explained with some embarrassment:

"A treadmill I ordered yesterday has arrived. The delivery person is downstairs at the dorm, but I have to go sign for it myself..."

"Huh?"

Karuizawa Kei let out a surprised little sound, then said helplessly, "Well, there's nothing we can do about that. Why don't you head back right away, Maya?"

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

Sato Maya answered with an apologetic look, then hurriedly stood up.

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

"I'll go with you to check on it. I'd feel a little uneasy leaving you to go alone."

Matsushita Chiaki spoke softly beside her, picking up her own bag and standing as well.

Chihaya Rei blinked.

He had a feeling this was one of their planned scenarios.

He decided to play along and waved them off. "Sure, I don't mind. You two go ahead."

"So that leaves just Karuizawa and me, right?"

Chihaya Rei tilted his head and glanced at Karuizawa Kei.

Karuizawa Kei nodded emphatically, her face blooming into a bright smile.

"Yeah! Let's keep singing for a while, Chihaya! There's still lots of fruit left, too."

She pointed at the fruit platter on the table.

"Please look after Kei for us, Chihaya."

Matsushita Chiaki and Sato Maya said together, then hurried out of the room.

P.S. In case you've forgotten what they look like, here's Matsushita and Kamuro.

Matsushita Chiaki

Kamuro Masumi