With the current skill level of the Band-Maid, talking about metrics is too far off. They don't even have the opportunity to perform on stage.
Even so, making band merchandise, uniforms, and such is a significant expense for high school students.
So they still have to work part-time.
“That's how it is, so let's go get part-time jobs!” said Ijichi Honoka.
She and Yamada Ryou had been helping out at the store, so she was primarily speaking to Pochi-chan.
“Pa-Part-time job!!” Pochi-chan exclaimed in terror, letting out a groundhog's shriek.
She pulled out a piggy bank from somewhere and said with tears in her eyes, “This is the money my mom saved up for me to get married. Please take it. Don't make me work part-time…”
Yamada Ryou naturally took it, saying, “Understood, we'll use it with gratitude.”
“You can't use such important money!” Ijichi Honoka quickly stopped their antics.
Because in their situation, it might not be a joke!
“Axi, you tell them too!” Ijichi Honoka said to Yanshi who was watching the scene.
Yanshi nodded seriously and said, “I think it's better if I keep this important money.”
“…Enough with that!”
Ijichi Honoka had finally persuaded Pochi-chan and comforted her, saying, “Don't worry, it's just working here. It's simple. Ryou and I will help you.”
Since they had gone this far, if Gotou Ichirou didn't agree, it would be too rude.
Pochi-chan agreed on the surface, but in her heart, she was already kneeling down and kowtowing to apologize to Ijichi Honoka.
Only working part-time… only working part-time is not acceptable!
Even if she had to soak in ice water for half an hour at night, she absolutely had to get sick on the day she had to work!
Besides activity funds, Band-Maid also needed to find a suitable vocalist. Since there was no suitable candidate, it was put on hold for now.
……
……
On Saturday, Yanshi got up on time.
Sakurajima Mai had specially called to confirm the night before, threatening that if Yanshi was late, even if he was just one minute late, she would turn around and go home without hesitation.
Yanshi was puzzled. Did he look like someone who wouldn't keep his word?
But after Sakurajima Mai said that, he kind of wanted to hide in the shadows and watch the bunny girl senpai look impatient but also couldn't help but wait for him.
However, Sakurajima Mai had his contact information, so he would definitely be bombarded with messages later.
At 10:10 AM, Fujisawa Station, where Yanshi and Sakurajima Mai first met, a place of significance.
“So slow!”
Sakurajima Mai, dressed in ordinary clothes, crossed her arms and had a frustrated and impatient expression.
Sakurajima Mai was very unhappy. Waiting was one thing, but the main point was that she was slapped in the face by her own words yesterday.
“Didn't I contact you beforehand? The train was delayed.” Yanshi said confidently.
Train delays were quite common in Japan, just a matter of waiting a few minutes.
This was an act of God, and Sakurajima Mai knew it.
But last night she had made a big deal about it, and Yanshi was late today, yet he was still waiting obediently, as if she was looking forward to today's date!
Humph, just a mere Yanshi!
“Being prepared for unforeseen events beforehand, that's what being mature is all about.” Sakurajima Mai tried to teach him a lesson and get back at him.
“Sorry.”
Yanshi suddenly apologized, which instead made Sakurajima Mai confused.
Sakurajima Mai's expression was unnatural, and she said, “Actually, it's not a big deal. Next time…”
“No, I wasn't apologizing for that.” Yanshi said.
“Actually, I arrived a long time ago. I just hid in the corner watching Ms. Mai wait for me and cry and whine, oh so pitiful.”
Sakurajima Mai: “…”
The word “annoying” suddenly became clear in Sakurajima Mai's mind.
“I was fooled by your disguise before.” Sakurajima Mai glared at him and said, “I finally understand how much of a prankster you are!”
“The part about arriving early was a lie.”
“…I know.”
Then, Yanshi received Sakurajima Mai's ‘reward’.
The two took the train to the end of the line, Kamakura, a place Yanshi had always wanted to go.
Sakurajima Mai had done her research beforehand, because she had promised to be his guide.
Near Kamakura High School, there were stalls selling crêpes. Yanshi dragged Sakurajima Mai there.
Yanshi bought two, one strawberry and the other also strawberry.
Taking the crêpe Yanshi handed her, Sakurajima Mai asked, “Do you like sweets?”
“I guess I don't dislike them.” Yanshi said.
He didn't have any particular favorite foods, anything tasty would do.
“Is that so.” Sakurajima Mai took a bite of the crêpe, and some cream stuck to her face.
She didn't like sweets. Actors had to pay attention to body management.
For food like crêpes, when shooting commercials, they would even deliberately put cream on the corners of their mouths, because it was cuter that way.
Yanshi handed her a tissue. He heard that these small details scored extra points with girls.
There were quite a few tourists there on the weekend. The famous road crossing where people waited for the train was also surrounded by people.
“Let's go to another place.” Yanshi said.
Sakurajima Mai asked, “Shouldn't we take a commemorative photo before we go?”
Yanshi said, “I don't like taking commemorative photos, it's like I won't come back again.”
“There are too many people on the weekend, it's better to come on a weekday.”
Sakurajima Mai said impatiently, “Go to school obediently on weekdays!”
Sakurajima Mai was seriously acting as a tour guide. She had specifically checked out the guide, and she took Yanshi to the so-called “check-in points.”
Even though she wasn't part of the anime fandom, she still went to this extent, and Yanshi was quite touched.
But as Oosawa-sensei had said, ‘A kind person is kind to everyone, while I thought she was only kind to me.’
Sakurajima Mai's seriousness and responsibility were her life attitude, and Yanshi didn't have any strange illusions.
“Take me to a place later.”
Back on the beach at Shichirigahama, Sakurajima Mai walked on the sand barefoot.
The sea breeze blew up the bangs on the girl's forehead, and Yanshi's favorite black long straight hair also fluttered in the wind.
He, who didn't have a habit of taking photos to remember, pressed the shutter at this moment.
“Taking pictures without permission is illegal.” Sakurajima Mai reminded him.
“Don't worry, it's for my own use.” Yanshi said.
Sakurajima Mai blushed and glared at him, thinking he was being lewd.
Yanshi felt wronged. He was just keeping it for his own collection, at most he would use it as a phone wallpaper.
“You haven't answered my question yet!”
Yanshi said, “I have no problem, as long as it's not too far away.”
…………
PS: This is the first chapter today. Please give me some flowers, rewards, and votes.