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The performance together failed.
Actually, compared to Kessoku Band's first Live, there had been a lot of improvement. At least Gotō Hitori and Yamada Ryo were no longer playing their own separate parts; they finally had a bit of coordination, and Ijichi Nijika's mistakes were much fewer than before.
Such significant changes in such a short time indicated that they hadn't been lazy and had practiced well—the only one who had been lazy, due to her already high skill level, was currently in a state of complete mental chaos, acting purely on instinct. This, ironically, prevented her from being weakened by her usual anxieties and allowed her to display a portion of her strength within a limited scope.
But Asakura, to be fair, believed they were still not at a level where they could perform on stage.
"Yui-san, what do you think?"
Asakura asked the pink-haired girl sitting beside him.
"I think it's pretty good."
Yuigahama Yui, who had no interest in rock music and had never been to a Livehouse before, naturally felt something when she experienced a live performance up close for the first time—it wasn't that Kessoku Band's performance was particularly good, but simply that live performances always possessed a charm called 'atmosphere' that couldn't be conveyed through a screen.
"While I appreciate Yuigahama-san's compliment, a real live performance is much stronger than what we just played."
Ijichi Nijika said in a clear voice.
"Nijika, by saying that, aren't you implying that we're not skilled enough and that Asakura-kun shouldn't let us on stage?"
Yamada Ryo calmly pointed out the flaw in her best friend's words.
"Ugh, that's true, but more than that, I don't want kids who haven't had much exposure to bands to be misled by our current level and think that band live performances are only this good…"
Ijichi Nijika said, troubled.
"Given the current situation, I really can't promise that you'll perform at the Founders' Festival," Asakura said, scratching his face.
"Is that so…?"
Nijika's shoulders slumped in disappointment, and the cowlick on her head also looked a bit listless.
"I'm sorry! It's all my fault! If I hadn't been lazy and had practiced properly with everyone… Anyway, I'm really, truly sorry!"
Gotō Hitori performed a mighty tiger pounce, prostrating herself to apologize to Nijika.
"Huh? But Bocchi-chan, didn't she practice properly with us?"
Nijika was completely confused.
"Though her guitar skill fluctuated like an electrocardiogram during practice."
Yamada Ryo added a cutting remark from the side.
"Mmm…"
Gotō Hitori's face crumpled into a knot, an expression of being tormented by her conscience and unable to tell the truth, so stressed that she was about to explode.
"But fortunately, there's still some time until the Founders' Festival, so you still have a chance to keep practicing," Asakura comforted her, seeing her reaction. "I'm sure Hitori will be serious about practicing from now on, right, Hitori?"
"Yes! I, Gotō Hitori, will definitely dedicate myself wholeheartedly from now on! If I am still negligent, please, Nijika-senpai, be my kaishakunin!"
"Don't suddenly commit seppuku!"
Ijichi Nijika retorted.
"She didn't retort about the kaishakunin who chops off someone's head, only about the seppuku? As expected of Nijika."
Yamada Ryo wore an exaggerated expression of surprise, nodding her head gravely.
"If I absolutely have to be a kaishakunin for someone in this life, that person would definitely be you, Ryo!"
Ijichi Nijika said, gritting her teeth as she looked at Yamada Ryo.
"I'm sorry, Nijika," Yamada Ryo said, frowning slightly in distress. "I prefer tsundere over yandere."
"That's not the point, hey!"
"In the name of Yamada Ryo, return to your original self, Nijika-chan!"
"This is my original self right now!"
Ijichi Nijika was exasperated.
Asakura looked at the blonde girl, thinking that for her to be best friends with Yamada Ryo for so long, it was hard to say if there wasn't a bit of masochism deep down.
"Ahem."
He cleared his throat, bringing everyone's attention back to him: "So, as I just said, there are still a few days until the Founders' Festival, you can try harder…"
"While I know Asakura-kun, it's good of you to reserve a spot for us, but what if…" Nijika looked at him, hesitatingly saying, "What if, in the end, we can't get our act together? Will it affect your school festival?"
"Don't worry about it. If you can't perform, then the filler act would just be my and Yuigahama's manzai. As long as your performance is more exciting than our manzai, you can go on stage."
Asakura waved his hand dismissively.
"More exciting than Asakura-kun's manzai…"
Ijichi Nijika's expression looked a bit troubled.
"Then we'll just have to give up, Nijika."
Yamada Ryo patted the blonde girl's shoulder consolingly: "I didn't expect the enemy to be so strong…"
"I, I heard that if you're quick when committing seppuku, you won't feel any pain…"
Gotō Hitori lay on the ground, completely pale as if a dying dog, tears of sorrow streaming from her eyes.
"No, wait a minute, you guys."
Why are you acting so despairing, hey! Do you really think I'm such a good comedian for manzai in your eyes!
Seeing their reactions, Asakura couldn't help but crack.
"Asakura-kun and my combination is invincible!"
For some reason, Yuigahama Yui also showed a triumphant expression.
"Hey, you over there, don't keep fanning the flames!"
So why are you so confident in me, specifically when it comes to manzai!
Today's joint practice ended in such a gloomy atmosphere.
"Yuigahama and I will take Hitori home; she needs to take the train anyway, and it's on our way," Asakura told Ijichi Nijika and the others when they were breaking up.
The latter didn't suspect anything. After waving goodbye to them, she grabbed Yamada Ryo by the back of her collar, who was trying to slip away with them, and made her stay behind to clean up the practice room together.
After walking some distance away from STARRY, and with no pedestrians around, Yuigahama Yui, who had been unable to contain herself, eagerly asked, "Is Hitori-chan also a witch?"
"Huh?"
Gotō Hitori was startled: "A, a witch?"
"Isn't she?"
Yuigahama Yui was also stunned, then looked at Asakura in a panic, with an expression that said, 'Oh no, I've messed up.'
"It's okay. Although Hitori isn't a witch, she has already come into contact with some things from our side…" Asakura comforted her, while also showing a meaningful smile: "Rather, in some sense, the current Hitori is a similar existence to you, Yuigahama."
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