But Mai was, after all, a big star, used to grand occasions. She quickly calmed down, removed her disguise, and said to the group of uniquely styled girls: "Hello, I'm Kael's friend, Sakurajima Mai."
Nijika couldn't help but say: "It really is Sakurajima Mai, the real person."
Even though they already knew she was coming, seeing her in person was still surprising.
She quickly bowed. "Hello, I'm the leader of Kessoku Band, Ichiji Nijika."
Kita Ikuyo said: "I'm the vocalist, Kita Ikuyo."
Yamada Ryo's introduction was simple: "Bassist, Yamada Ryo."
When it was Hitori's turn, she was so nervous she couldn't speak, nearly collapsing. Mai was baffled. What was wrong with this girl?
Nijika quickly explained: "This is Gotō Hitori, we call her Bocchi. She's the guitarist."
Kael added: "Top-level social anxiety, not good at interacting with people."
Mai immediately understood, then looked at Marin.
Marin quickly waved her hands. "I'm not part of the band. I'm the vocalist's cousin, Kitagawa Marin. Nice to meet you, Sakurajima Mai-senpai."
Mai turned to Kael, remembering their first meeting when he seemed to be following this blonde girl.
Kael nodded calmly. "Yes, Marin is my girlfriend. But Bocchi is also my junior high classmate."
Mai gave an acknowledging sound, looked at Marin again, then asked: "So, why did you call me here? What exactly do you want me to do?"
"I already said on the phone."
"Too vague," Mai replied.
Kael pointed at Hitori, Nijika, and the others. "Simply put, this band has talent but poor mentality. On stage, when they see the audience, they get nervous. So they kept making mistakes, and the performance wasn't perfect. I called you here to guide them on how to face the audience."
Mai answered without hesitation: "Just pretend they don't exist."
Nijika gasped.
Mai continued: "I don't know much about bands, but I do know about performing. I debuted as a child star. At first, acting in front of adults made me very nervous. I couldn't cry when needed, laughed at the wrong times. Even though I became popular quickly, people said my acting lacked spirit. But later, when I learned to ignore the audience, I could switch states freely. Gradually, my acting improved."
The band listened, confused. It sounded logical, yet puzzling.
Kael commented: "You should be more specific—how to ignore the audience, calm nerves, enter the state quickly."
Mai thought for a moment and explained her methods. They might not be perfect, but they were useful. Judging by Nijika, Ikuyo, and Ryo's attentive expressions, her advice wasn't wasted.
As for Hitori, such advice was practically useless. For someone with social anxiety, it was impossible.
After some thought, Mai said: "If you're too scared, wear a hood to cover your eyes. Pretend no one exists."
Nijika exclaimed, startling Mai.
Ryo explained: "Actually, Bocchi already does that."
Ikuyo added: "But not a hood—it's a cardboard box."
Mai's face froze in disbelief. A cardboard box… that was absurd.
She sighed. "If even that doesn't work, then Kael has to help."
Everyone grew curious. What did she mean?
Kael took out a jade pendant from his pocket, sealed with a spell. "Here, Hitori, try wearing this."
Gotō nervously glanced at Kael, carefully took the pendant, and put it on. In the next moment, all her fear, unease, and anxiety vanished, replaced by unprecedented calm.
"Ah, Bocchi has changed." Nijika was the first to notice.
Ryo studied her seriously. "The atmosphere has shifted."
Ikuyo also noticed. "She feels different now. Bocchi, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Kita-chan." Hitori nodded, speaking calmly.
Her thoughts were clear, her words concise, her posture straight—no longer timid or uneasy.
"Bocchi seems like a different person." Nijika looked at Kael, hoping for an explanation.
Kael said: "As everyone knows, social anxiety is a neurosis, an irrational fear of certain situations. In short, it's a psychological condition. The pendant I gave Gotō-san calms the mind, blessed by a master, keeping her constantly composed. Now she's in a state of extreme calm, so naturally she won't be socially anxious."
Everyone looked at Hitori.
She nodded, expression steady. "Renjou-kun is right. I'm very calm now. Those troubles feel like lice on my body—harmless. Looking back, I feel foolish for being so afraid of those gazes."
Though criticizing herself, her face showed no emotion. Even when speaking of shameful things, she remained expressionless.
Nijika couldn't help but say: "Hey, hey, isn't this a bit too calm?"