Kita, who was in the same class as Hayato, didn't recover until after class.
That declaration, far more independent than a declaration of independence, had already surpassed independence, and was like surpassing humanity and then beginning to reject humanity.
This handsome boy practically had the words'Self' written all over his face.
And as she expected, after class, not a single student dared to approach Hayato.
During this period most suitable for socializing with classmates, Hayato didn't care about being alone, propping his chin and thinking in his notebook, occasionally writing something down.
Behind him was a dazzling blue sky outside the window; under the bright sky, everyone's figures were blurred, but only his presence was not obscured by the light.
His tall stature, with his long legs stretched forward, looked incredibly focused in thought, not even his eyelashes moved, and his long, clearly jointed hands idly rubbed his forelock when not writing.
"Kita-chan, Kita-chan."
A friend leaning over beside her roused Kita's consciousness.
Kita was startled for a moment, then immediately smiled and said to her friend.
"Sorry, I zoned out."
"It's that really bad person, isn't it? Could it be that Kita-chan is the type who only looks at appearances?"
The stylish JK sitting at Kita's desk teased.
And another JK, holding her phone and constantly tapping on the screen, said with some surprise and disbelief.
"But I heard that person is a student the school went to great lengths to invite, top ten in the national exams, and even won a gold medal in the junior high track and field competition, look."
She showed her phone to the two of them.
Kita and the stylish JK leaned in. As she said, in the phone, a male holding a medal with a calm smile on his face was indeed Hayato.
"Eh... Do smart people all have something wrong with their brains?"
The stylish JK couldn't help but complain.
Kita playfully waved her hand, joking.
"That's so mean, you should apologize to other smart people."
...It wasn't until the class was clearly divided into several groups that Hayato noticed Kita, who was smiling and radiating light at the center of one group.
But at this time, he didn't plan to have any interaction with Kita. With such a terrible first impression, he only needed to be himself and be excellent enough.
Moreover, he still had to consider the Band matters.
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, bass, Drummer.
He had just gotten a slight understanding of the Band's composition; besides that, it seemed a keyboard could also be added. Speaking of which, why didn't Kessoku Band have one?
He looked around; a keyboard seemed capable of simulating other sounds, even replacing other instruments.
Although one person couldn't form an army, it was still a very interesting instrument.
He felt a bit intrigued.
He would go ask after school to see if they would let someone with no experience join.
Didn't the Band already have a novice who couldn't even tell the difference between a bass and a Guitar?
Surely, he wouldn't be too much of an addition.
He wouldn't be so foolish as to not be able to distinguish between a Guitar and a bass; no matter how similar those two things looked, he could tell them apart.
Because...
He would ask a shop assistant.
Soon, with the school bells ringing throughout, the first day of high school came to an end.
Students of the same age quickly formed small groups based on common interests, creating their safe zones, and happily headed to various entertainment venues.
Yet, until the very end, no one dared to speak to Hayato, who called himself a Pervert, but this suited him just fine.
He picked up his bag, ready to head to Shimokitazawa, to see if he could meet other members of Kessoku Band.
"Hayato-kun, please come to the staff room."
At this moment, the teacher, who had been struggling all day, waved with a strained expression at the classroom door, calling for Hayato.
Hayato walked over unhurriedly.
"I'm very sorry, Teacher, but I have something to do later. Can we talk about whatever you need to say during tomorrow's lunch break?"
Although his tone carried an apology, his expression showed no sign of it; instead, he appeared unhurried.
"Ah... okay, no problem."
The teacher, completely suppressed by Hayato, nodded timidly and then hurried away.
Hayato watched the teacher's retreating back, his gaze lingering for a moment.
He remembered this teacher's name was Ishida Yuu.
A male teacher who had only graduated a few years ago.
Shimokitazawa, a place full of individuality and freshness, where antiques, second-hand clothing stores, and various unique shops flourished.
After entering, Hayato felt that he was seeing more and more people carrying instruments and dressed in extremely artistic attire.
At the same time, due to school dismissal, a considerable number of students also came.
And this scene was extremely torturous for Hayato.
Hold it in, my inner Pervert! I'm about to meet a few girls for the first time; if I explode here, it's all over!
Just past this alley, walk through here...
And I'll reach that place!
Before coming, Hayato had already checked the location of the shop named Starry. This livehouse, which had been open for five or six years and could be considered an old establishment, had many good reviews, giving people the impression that it was run with considerable care.
Exiting the alley, he turned and saw a sunken staircase next to a tall building.
Hayato did not go down; he knew the shop's official opening time was 5 PM, and it was still a little before 4 PM.
He walked to the roadside, leaned against the wall, and browsed Band-related knowledge on his phone, waiting for the two, or one, person who would inevitably pass by.
The early spring wind still carried a chill, but the crisp air was filled with the distant sound of a Guitar, the laughter of young people, and a slight coolness.
Not too long after, a female with blonde hair and red eyes, wearing a black undershirt and striped pants, walked over. She glanced at Hayato indifferently, didn't pay much attention, and then turned and descended the stairs.
Not much later...
"Later, I'll ask my sister to put up the flyers... I feel so excited! What kind of people will join?"
"Hmm, I'm sure some interesting people will come."
Hayato looked up.
Not far in front of him, a blonde girl with a radiant smile held a flyer, happily chatting with a same-age girl beside her who had shoulder-length hair and a somewhat neutral beauty.
Interesting?
Hayato pondered for a moment, silently nodding to himself.
There was no one more interesting in the world than him, in terms of being a Pervert.
They had finally arrived; his youth story could finally begin, he supposed.
Hayato straightened up, patted his back slightly, then walked directly towards the two girls.
"Hello, I just heard you were planning to recruit members..."
Hayato said, then suddenly realized that these two hadn't specified what kind of members they were recruiting. He glanced at the bass carried by the blue-haired, shoulder-length-haired girl and corrected himself.
"You're recruiting Band members, right?"
"So fast!"
Ijichi Nijika couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. She hadn't even put up the flyer yet.
She quickly glanced at Ryo beside her, who looked at Hayato with a calm gaze.
"Guitarist?"
Hayato immediately understood. He smiled and waved his hand.
"I'm a complete outsider. I want to aim to be a keyboardist and currently plan to join a Band to experience and understand the Band's atmosphere more deeply."
"Keyboardist... that's very difficult without a foundation."
Ryo shook her head slightly, but she didn't explicitly refuse.
Nijika saw that Ryo didn't seem to object, so she smiled and clapped her hands gently, saying,
"Well, don't just stand there, let's go inside Starry to talk."