A compact space.
Various posters, drawings, and decorations filled this livehouse, giving it a special sense of layering and fashion amidst the clutter.
That seemingly messy arrangement also provided a sense of free security.
It was Hayato's first time in such a place, and his gaze couldn't help but linger in various spots for a while.
Hmm, the underground space felt warm and small, and the surrounding decorations were dark, giving it a strong sense of a safe haven.
Behind the counter, the woman Hayato had met earlier, who bore some resemblance to Nijika, looked up and paid extra attention to Hayato for a while.
"Don't be shy, this is my sister's shop. Relax a little."
Nijika noticed Hayato's expression and confirmed that he was indeed a genuine outsider.
But she didn't mind at all, greeting him with a cheerful smile.
Are you sure you want me to relax?
Hayato silently grumbled to himself. He was already thinking of running wild in the shop.
As they walked down the stairs, Nijika casually waved to her sister behind the counter.
"Sister, I'll start my part-time job a bit later."
"Oh."
Ijichi Seika replied nonchalantly, wiping the table with a rag, but her gaze lingered on the male beside her sister for a long time.
The three sat down at a table and chairs placed in the corner of the livehouse.
Ryo wasn't a very talkative person, and Hayato was considering how to appear somewhat normal.
For a moment, a dull atmosphere gradually emerged.
But before it could spread, Nijika nipped it in the bud. She spoke first.
"Let's introduce ourselves first. My name is Nijika, a second-year student at Shimokitazawa High School, and I play the drums. This is..."
Ryo unhurriedly took over the conversation.
"Ryo, also a second-year student at Shimokitazawa High School, bass."
After their introductions, it was Hayato's turn. Facing the two beautiful girls, he remained calm and composed.
"Ah, then I can call you both'senpai' in various respects. I'm Hayato, a first-year student at Shūka High School."
"Hayato-kun, why do you want to join a Band?"
Nijika naturally called Hayato by his first name.
Pervert outbreak value: 15%.
It was Hayato's first time meeting such a friendly and gentle girl, and one so beautiful and radiant at that; his heart wavered for a moment.
But he still maintained a normal expression and calmly stated his goal.
"I want to create music that makes people feel relaxed and at ease. I want others to listen to such music with me, to relax together, to enjoy together."
Ryo's gaze shifted slightly, her posture changing from propping her chin with disinterest to sitting up a bit straighter.
She confirmed again.
"That's a very easy yet very difficult path. Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Hayato nodded, then, as if to prove it, took out his phone.
"Actually, although I don't know much about music, my sister is very good at piano. I can go to her to learn first, and I've already chosen books to buy, and I've also chosen a synthesizer."
He handed his phone to them to look at.
"'Synthesizer Self-Study Growth Tutorial,' Prophet XL..."
The two looked at the Amazon shopping cart on the phone and fell silent for a while.
Nijika said awkwardly and hesitantly,
"Hayato-kun, are you perhaps rich...?"
Hayato knew why she asked that, after all, the items in the shopping cart added up to over a million yen.
"Actually, not really..."
He put away his phone, smiling awkwardly.
"Because I used to write novels all the time, I saved some money. If I borrow some from home, it should be enough..."
"It's just that I'll have to get my allowance from home for a long time from now on..."
Hayato sighed to the heavens in his heart. He was probably the most embarrassing transmigrator.
"But, I want to learn seriously, and I think it's very important to buy an instrument that will last a long time and allow the user a lot of room for growth. Don't look at me like this, but I'm a very fast learner."
Hayato wasn't lying. Since transmigrating, he felt his thoughts flowed extremely smoothly, and his memory was so exaggerated that he wondered if he had absolute memory. His learning ability was several times stronger than before.
If he hadn't wanted to hold back and be a free-spirited person, he would probably be studying in a gifted class right now.
"I see." Ryo nodded, then, from the perspective of an experienced person, reminded him,
"However, you can buy textbooks at a second-hand bookstore, and instruments will be slightly cheaper at a specialty store."
"Thank you! It's really great to find a Band first."
Hayato finished speaking, then added with a touch of apology.
"But... I don't know much about these things, the detailed address..."
Nijika stood up and said very considerately,
"Then Ryo and I will take you there."
"Hey."
Seika, who had been watching from a distance, warned him with an unfriendly tone.
"Sister~ we'll be right back after we're done looking!"
Nijika looked at her sister, calling out in a half-coaxing, half-stubborn way.
A moment later, perhaps noticing the subtle changes on Seika's calm face, she said to the two of them,
"Let's go!"
Hayato noticed that Nijika used the word 'look' and not the definitive 'buy.' Was this subtle gentleness the Archangel of Shimokitazawa?
A girl like her would surely make for a very comforting wife.
Ryo didn't say much and also stood up… "By the way, what does a Band usually do?"
Hayato asked curiously.
At this moment, the three of them were walking on the way to the used bookstore, Ryo on the left, Nijika in the middle, and Hayato on the right.
Even in Shimokitazawa, such a combination of handsome men and beautiful women was rare, successfully attracting many gazes.
"Hmm… making music, live shows, practice?"
Nijika tentatively offered a few answers, then, as if embarrassed by her amateurishness, she scratched the back of her head and chuckled.
"Sorry, this is my first time in a Band too, so I don't really know much about it. But Ryo has been in a Band before, you know."
She slowed her pace, allowing Hayato to directly see Ryo.
And Ryo's answer was incredibly concise.
"There's only one goal: to play."
Nijika hadn't expected Ryo to answer like that and was momentarily stunned.
"Answer me seriously!"
Her loud shout drew everyone's attention.
"That is a serious answer."
Ryo's tone was calm, as if she truly was answering seriously, and she explained,
"Music is born from playing. Music made for work has no soul at all."
"Don't completely negate music producers!"
Nijika transformed into a tsukkomi, endlessly retorting. She finally sighed and said to Hayato,
"Ryo is someone who can lie without batting an eye, so don't trust her too much."
"Hmm, but I feel like Ryo… can I call her by her first name directly?"
Hayato asked Nijika, looking worriedly at Ryo beside her.
"It's fine." Ryo responded directly, not caring at all.
"Hmm, I feel like Ryo is right. Music is inherently born from entertainment. To make music without the idea of playing, that's the wrong path!"
"Well said."
As Ryo spoke, she gave him full affirmation with her eyes, a proud and smug expression on her face.
The two of them, singing and harmonizing, instantly formed a united front, leaving the dumbfounded Nijika in the middle.
"Eh… eh… eh~~"
Nijika dazedly looked left and right, turning her head to watch the two of them, feeling for a moment that she had become the odd one out.