If there was anything in this simulation that differed slightly from the original timeline, it was probably the little boy from the neighboring house that Bocchi-chan suddenly recalled from a forgotten corner of her memories.
A talkative, energetic boy who acted on his own initiative, always wearing a carefree expression as he casually tore down her social defenses, chatting happily with her about music—the one topic they both genuinely loved.
Compared to the span of more than ten years of life, that time was short, but it left a deep impression on Bocchi.
After all, it had been the very first time in her life that she'd ever spoken to someone outside her family.
In her memories, he had been a bright, gentle boy—someone who would smile and encourage her no matter how flustered she got, dragging her along with boundless enthusiasm to explore the whole world—
No matter how you look at it, he's nothing like the sour-faced guy sitting in front of me now, right?!
Gotō Hitori shrank into the seat furthest from everyone else, her trembling gaze fixed on the curly-haired boy sitting beside Ijichi Seika, eating his meal with his head down and an expressionless face.
If there'd been a cardboard box nearby, she would've stuffed herself into it without hesitation.
Does he remember me? When we ran into each other backstage earlier, he looked at me like I was a complete stranger—and so scary… He wouldn't have completely forgotten me, would he? Well… it has been a long time, and someone like me getting forgotten is totally normal, so I shouldn't feel sad at all #&%?…
Bocchi—who looked calm on the surface (but really wasn't)—kept darting her eyes left and right, desperately trying to minimize her presence at what was supposed to be a cheerful post-show gathering.
What she didn't know was that the boy whose thoughts she was overanalyzing was currently thinking something completely unhinged.
If Hikigaya and Hayama are playing in bands in this world… doesn't that mean I can dream of a "future" where Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui debut together in an all-girls high school idol group?
This time, the system offered no response.
Apparently, even it thought that was too ridiculous.
"Today's performance still had a few mistakes, but overall it was better than every time before!"
Ijichi Seika's younger sister—Nijika—downed her drink in one go, while the energetic red-haired girl beside her happily raised her glass.
"Yes, Ijichi-senpai! I have a feeling we can do even better next time. Let's keep it up…!"
She was the only unfamiliar face to Narumi, so he casually took advantage of lifting his beer to subtly observe her out of the corner of his eye—
Only to be immediately noticed by Ijichi Seika sitting right next to him.
"Hey, you. You're still a minor, aren't you? Why are you drinking alcohol already?"
Ah… actually, I've been used to drinking since way back—that was what Narumi had almost answered honestly.
But when the words reached his lips, an inexplicable discomfort ran through him, and his reply came out completely differently.
"Mind your own business… being a busybody just makes you age faster."
That definitely drops affection points, you rude little brat…!
Even Narumi couldn't help but roast himself internally.
But synchronization was going up, so he had no choice but to commit.
As expected, Ijichi Seika's eyes were already filled with murderous intent.
"I swear, you damn puberty-brained kids… Talking like that is just asking to get on people's bad side. If you can't say anything nice, then shut your mouth!"
Thankfully, the boss was kind-hearted, so she didn't explode in rage despite being offended.
If it were a certain teacher named Hiratsuka Shizuka, she probably would've already delivered a righteous iron fist.
Narumi decided to behave and stop courting death—but just as he tucked his tail between his legs and prepared to quietly focus on his food—he realized that the soft-boiled egg and seaweed from his teriyaki noodles had mysteriously vanished.
"?"
His gaze slowly lifted.
Across from him, a blue-haired girl sat calmly, staring out the window as if pondering the meaning of life.
If not for her cheeks puffed up like a hoarding hamster, visibly moving as she chewed, she might've passed for completely innocent.
May I ask what the hell is going on…?
"Hey. That was my egg, wasn't it?"
Narumi spoke with clear annoyance.
"Hm?"
The blue-haired girl turned her head with an innocent look. From the front, her stuffed cheeks made her look even more like a hamster.
Don't try to get away with this by being cute.
"No proof, buddy. Why don't you call its name and see if it answers?"
As expected…!
Only someone this scummy could be Yamada Ryō!
Narumi twitched the corner of his mouth, unsure whether running into familiar faces in this simulation was something to be happy or worried about.
Yamada Ryō—the eccentric bassist of Kessoku Band.
In the real world, she was also someone Narumi knew.
But here, just like the other members of Kessoku Band, her attitude toward him was distant and neutral.
Did that mean the Yamada in this simulation didn't know him?
Narumi tried searching his memories for anything related to Yamada Ryō—only to come up empty.
It seemed today really was the first time he'd met her in this simulation.
Despite her mouth already being stuffed full, Yamada kept scavenging for food on the table (mostly from Bocchi's plate). When she noticed Narumi's unwavering stare, she turned to him again.
She blinked, then suddenly looked like she'd realized something—and immediately turned her head away, her cheeks flushing red.
"I mean, I get that people might fall in love with me at first sight, but having someone stare so intensely on our first meeting is still kind of embarrassing…"
Don't blush like that, you idiot!!
Narumi turned away, refusing to engage further—only to meet the gaze of the pink-haired girl shrinking into the corner, looking in his direction.
"Ah."
This was the second time their eyes met—but it no longer carried the warmth and familiarity of years ago.
For a brief moment, Narumi's expression turned into one reserved for a stranger, and Gotō Hitori instinctively felt like retreating. The tiny movement she made to avert her gaze was caught precisely by Narumi, stirring an inexplicable irritation in his chest.
That pathetic posture.
That timid, shrinking demeanor.
Despite possessing guitar skills far beyond the average person, she still acted like a pushover.
What irritated him most was this—they'd been close friends once, hadn't they? So why was she looking at him with such wariness and caution?
It was seriously unpleasant.
"Hey. You there—the pink caterpillar."
Narumi's cold voice instantly dropped the temperature around the table.
"No one ever tell you that staring at people like that is rude?"