Inside Starry.
Everyone was sitting around a table.
On the table were colorful wristbands made by Nijika Ijichi.
Hitori Gotoh curiously shook one.
Ryo Yamada was diligently signing them, her eyes turning into money symbols.
"Unsigned ones sell for 500 yen, signed ones for 650 yen."
Ikuyo Kita excitedly took out her wallet, "I want one! I want one!"
Hakushu couldn't help but say, "Is your signature really worth 150 yen...?"
Ryo Yamada held her chin, deep in thought…
At that moment, Nijika Ijichi brought over some drinks.
After what had just happened, Nijika decided they wouldn't practice today.
This was also for the long-term success of Bocchi the Rock!.
"Although daily practice is important, we can't ignore the importance of sitting down and chatting to get to know each other better!"
Nijika's face was beaming, trying to liven the mood.
"We should play this at a time like this."
Ryo Yamada suddenly produced an extra-large die.
The dice were inscribed with various conversation topics.
"Great!"
Ikuyo Kita was enthusiastic.
She was best at chatting while sitting together, and this was a good opportunity to get to know Ryo-senpai better.
Hakushu, who had never played this kind of game, was also very interested in the large dice.
So, the two of them clapped their hands enthusiastically.
Hitori Gotoh responded listlessly; this kind of situation was obviously not her forte.
However, Hakushu had already curiously rolled the dice.
"Oh! It's about favorite music topics!"
The dice stopped, and Nijika explained.
Ryo Yamada: "Music Talk, for short."
Nijika: "Since Hakushu rolled, why don't you start, Hakushu?"
As expected of Ryo, she's concise.
After a moment's thought, Hakushu said,
"I like quite a variety, like blues, classical, folk... Recently, I've also been listening to Guitar Hero's covers of pop songs."
"Eh?! Guitar Hero? I listen to them too!"
Nijika perked up excitedly,
"By the way, I like melodic hardcore, you know, the Japanese punk genre!"
Hearing "Guitar Hero," Hitori Gotoh's body stiffened.
But when she heard the praise, she couldn't help but look smug.
"Speaking of which, Guitar Hero hasn't been updated in ages."
Hakushu said with a smile.
Hitori Gotoh's expression gradually changed.
However, Hakushu didn't intend to reveal "Guitar Hero"'s identity at this moment.
"It's been over half a month," Ryo Yamada suddenly said.
"Ryo-senpai, you listen too? I'll definitely listen when I get back tonight," Ikuyo Kita said excitedly.
Hakushu added, "That's a good idea. It'll help you learn guitar too."
"Cough...cough!"
Hitori Gotoh pounded on her chest forcefully.
Update! I'll update it tonight when I get back!
Ever since she formed the band, she almost forgot about her account.
I'm so sorry! She got carried away!!
"Oh, Gorilla."
"Bocchi-chan, what's wrong?"
"As for me, I listen to pop songs more, because I often go to karaoke with my classmates."
Ikuyo Kita said, feeling a little embarrassed.
Everyone nodded in agreement; it fit Ikuyo Kita's "life of leisure" persona perfectly.
Then, Ryo Yamada closed her eyes and began,
"I like techno ballads, recently the trending topics in Saudi Arabia..."
"Stop rambling."
Nijika interrupted.
"I'm serious."
Ryo opened her eyes.
Nijika clearly didn't believe her.
"Ryo, you must be doing it for songwriting, right?"
Hakushu said.
"Because I compose, I'll listen to all kinds of music."
"Mm."
Ryo Yamada nodded seriously, looking at Hakushu.
"Ryo-senpai can compose too, that's amazing!"
"Huh? So I misunderstood Ryo?"
Nijika looked at Ryo in surprise.
Finally, there was Hitori Gotoh.
"I… as long as it's not those kinds of songs with stimulating youthful themes."
Hitori Gotoh said in a low voice.
"Youthful themes?"
Nijika wasn't quite sure what that meant.
So Hakushu explained,
"You know, the ones that sing praises of summer, the blue sea, and fireworks, along with faint romances."
"They often use lyrics that have nothing to do with a solitary school life."
"Or the ones that are all shiny and give people a refreshing feeling."
Hakushu looked at Ikuyo Kita, his eyes lighting up.
"Hmm... I feel like Ikuyo Kita would like this."
Ikuyo Kita smiled shyly.
"Ugh... I get depressed just hearing that."
Hitori Gotoh said sadly, then began to drift off into her own world.
"In that case, we'll leave the task of writing lyrics for the original song to Bocchi-chan!"
Nijika Ijichi said to Hitori after thinking it over.
Hitori woke with a start, her face changing drastically.
"Me? Lyrics?!"
Having persisted in going to the library from elementary to junior high, was she finally going to be useful?
But this was such an important task, she was terrified.
Nijika added, "Yeah, Ryo can compose the music, which also avoids the words that Hitori is sensitive to."
Hakushu patted Hitori's shoulder encouragingly,
"Don't worry, Bocchi-chan, I can help too."
Ikuyo also spoke up,
"Gotoh-san, what a cool task!"
Encouraged by the two of them, Hitori was pumped up.
"I'll definitely write lyrics that will satisfy everyone!"
Nijika smiled, clenching her fist in encouragement.
"Once we've practiced the original songs, I hope we can perform on stage next month."
"I'll go ask my sister."
"You haven't told the manager yet?"
Ikuyo asked, puzzled.
"It'll be fine, right? Seika."
Nijika raised her voice, looking confidently at Seika Ijichi, who was sitting in the stands.
"I didn't say you could go on stage."
However, Seika Ijichi glanced at Nijika indifferently and replied with a blank expression.
"Eh? Why?"
Nijika stood up anxiously and ran to her sister.
"Oh right, we'll make up for the ticket sales if we don't meet the target because of not enough customers."
Nijika took out several envelopes, which contained the salaries the group had just received today.
"It's not about the money."
Seika spoke calmly.
"It's a problem with the performance level."
"But didn't they let us perform last time?"
Nijika asked, puzzled.
"That was a special allowance so you could have good memories."
"Good memories?"
"Normally, I have to audition and review the band's demo. You know that, right?"
"So, I'm sorry, but if your performance is still at the same level as last time, I won't allow you to go on stage."
"Huh? We can't go on stage? What about our band…?"
Nijika exclaimed anxiously.
Seeing that Nijika and the shop manager were about to get into an argument, Hakushu also walked over.
"What the shop manager means is, as long as we pass the audition, we can go on stage, right?"
Because Nijika was anxious, she hadn't considered the meaning behind Seika's words.
In fact, Starry wasn't a formal livehouse.
Starry was ostensibly a restaurant, and the permit it possessed was only a food service permit.
Everyone was just here to have a drink, and happened to catch a free performance.
However, even though it wasn't a formal livehouse, that didn't mean Seika Ijichi wasn't strict about the bands that performed on stage.
On the contrary, Seika Ijichi was very strict.
The last time she let Bocchi the Rock! perform could be considered going through the back door.
But, this time it wasn't allowed.
"That's right."
Seika Ijichi said calmly.
Finally, someone understood what she meant.
She did this, also hoping that the members of Bocchi the Rock! could make real progress.
After hearing that, Nijika Ijichi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled again.
"So that's how it is! My sister should have just said so earlier!"
Ryo Yamada: "Did you forget the manager is a tsundere?"
"Ah! Right!"
Nijika suddenly realized.
"Ara, Hakushu-kun is getting to know the manager better and better!"
PA-san suddenly appeared and said.
"Maybe it won't be long before I'm not needed to translate anymore."
PA-san looked like she was wiping away tears, but then she covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Hakushu thought, PA-san, you're quite the drama queen.
"I'll let you in on another secret. Actually, the manager secretly reserves your performance time every day."
"Really?!"
Bocchi the Rock! looked at Seika Ijichi, surprised and touched.
Seika Ijichi's face flushed red, and she slammed her hand down on the mouse.
"That's not true!"
"Now, hurry up and practice!"