After spring break ended.
The new semester officially began.
In early April, the temperature had not risen much yet. Toru observed the clothing of the students nearby and noticed that most of them were still wearing winter styles.
The girls' uniform at Shuka High School was a white and gray sailor outfit.
At Shimokitazawa High School, where Nijika and the others attended, the uniform was a suit.
Not far away.
Kita was standing on her tiptoes, checking this year's class assignments. Several close friends she usually hung out with were by her side.
It seemed she had found her assigned class. Kita first showed a happy expression, then after a while, her mood fell. The girls beside her began to comfort her, saying things like, "Even if we are not in the same class, Kita-chan is still our friend," "Being in the same class as Kitahara-kun means Kita-chan is really lucky," and "Let's take care of each other this coming year."
As the publicly acknowledged idol of Shuka High School.
Her popularity was obvious.
More than once, Toru had thought that compared to becoming a rock musician, Kita might be more suited to becoming an actress. She naturally carried a star-like aura that drew attention from everyone around her. However, her tendency to speak without thinking made her seem out of place in the acting world.
He casually glanced at his own class assignment.
Then Toru headed toward the school building.
Since he saw Kita almost every day in private, there was no need to go over and greet her. Doing so would only add unnecessary trouble to her otherwise peaceful high school life.
...
"Classmate Tachibana, can we add each other's contact info? We just created a class group chat. Kitahara-kun and Kita-chan are already in it."
"Sure."
Tachibana Kanade nodded lightly and added her on Line.
A week earlier, after her condition improved, Tachibana Kanade had completed her discharge procedures. At her request, her parents agreed to let her enroll at Shuka High School. The atmosphere here was more lively, and there had never been any bullying incidents, making it a good place for recovery.
Toru sat by the window, watching this scene, then quickly withdrew his gaze.
He took out his phone and checked the YouTube subscriber count for Kessoku Band.
Seventy thousand. It was growing quite fast. After successfully appearing on the music festival stage this summer, their popularity would probably see a second surge.
After reading fan comments for more than ten minutes, Toru stood up and prepared to attend the opening ceremony. He was responsible for giving a speech today, so he needed to arrive early to make preparations.
Gotoh Hitori had not arrived at school yet.
No idea if she had overslept again.
...
On the other side.
Shimokitazawa High School.
"Ah, I am in the same class as Ryo again this year..."
After seeing the class list, Nijika felt completely drained.
"Dear Lady Nijika, please allow me to continue parasitizing you."
Ryo looked humble, like a devout missionary.
"Sir, may I take a moment of your time?"
"Do you have time to talk about our Lord and Savior, Saint Nijika..."
The Nijika-tany.
"Sigh, I really can't do anything about you. But you still have to wash your own clothes, and you can't just sleep during class..."
Nijika was simply too soft-hearted. Otherwise, how could she let this trash woman cling to her?
Listening to the little angel's reminders, Yamada Ryo nodded repeatedly.
Completely understood.
Understood.
Understood her mistake.
But had no intention of changing.
"Ryo, you are just brushing me off again. At least listen to me properly."
Nijika truly felt like she was playing the lute to a cow, and this was not the first time she had done something so foolish.
No wonder people say history repeats itself.
The lesson humanity learns from history is that humanity never learns its lesson.
"I am listening."
"If you keep bullying people, you will get punished someday."
Nijika reminded her.
"What kind of punishment?"
"Bad kids get eaten by the big bad wolf," Nijika said meaningfully.
Who did the big bad wolf refer to in this sentence?
Those who understood, understood.
As the band's only remaining survivor, Yamada Ryo's judgment day was not far off.
"The opening ceremony is about to start. Let's go."
Ryo did not quite understand what she meant, so she changed the topic.
"Right, it is almost time."
The two walked together toward the gymnasium.
On the way, Yamada Ryo glanced slightly at Nijika's profile and began to think.
"Lately, the atmosphere in the band feels a bit strange..."
How should she put it?
Everyone seemed to have grown much closer to Toru. Yamada Ryo felt as if she was being left behind.
No, maybe it was not an illusion.
Those women had a wild party without inviting her.
"After the music festival selection ends in two weeks, I will ask them about the simulator. It is time for the truth to come out."
Ryo was still completely in the dark, with no awareness at all. She was currently the slowest progressing member of the band.
But even if she knew, she probably would not care.
After all, everything that should have been done, and should not have been done, had already been done in the simulation.
At this point, arguing over who came first or later had no real meaning.
"The selection competition is only two weeks away. I am really nervous," Nijika said, lacking confidence.
Just because the band could advance in the simulation did not mean they could perfectly replicate it in reality. Although everyone's improvement over the past year was obvious, Nijika honestly could not say for sure.
In short.
The chance of things going wrong still existed.
"The main force is Bocchi and Ikuyo. We can just lie flat," Yamada Ryo comforted her.
"Ryo, you are putting too much pressure on Bocchi-chan. The new songs are full of guitar solo parts..."
Nijika felt that Yamada Ryo could be quite excessive sometimes, showing no consideration for other people's feelings at all.
"Bocchi is the kind of woman who will respond as long as you place expectations on her. No need to worry," Yamada Ryo explained casually.
Nijika was too gentle in some aspects. She was not as rational as Ryo.
She lacked decisiveness when it came to making decisions. In that regard, she was not even as bold as Gotoh Hitori. At least Bocchi-chan could be very brave at certain moments.
To give a not-so-appropriate example.
Nijika was more like the wife who stayed through hardships, capable of giving her husband endless tenderness, but not very good at creating surprises in daily life. Over time, it was inevitable to feel bored.
In comparison.
Ryo was like a wild flower outside, blooming proudly, beautiful on her own, needing no other flowers to set her off. She was full of individuality and constantly brought surprises.
If you wanted a stable life, you would choose Nijika. If you wanted excitement and encounters, you would choose Ryo.
"By the way, Bocchi-chan should be at school by now, right?"
It was already close to nine o'clock. If she was still asleep, that would be a real problem.
Nijika had just sent a message in the group chat, but Bocchi-chan had not responded.
...
"Big sister, hurry up and wake up."
"W-what time is it?"
Gotoh Hitori groggily sat up and rubbed the corners of her eyes.
"It is nine o'clock."
"?"
I am doomed.
Being late on the very first day of the new semester, please no.