Kotou Ichirī felt like she was starting to understand Yan Xi’s personality.
Yan Xi, although a kind person, occasionally had a darker side that troubled her.
“I’ll listen to Yan Xi!”
Kotou Ichirī gave what she thought was a perfect answer.
But if she said that and Yan Xi continued to nag, it would make her seem petty.
This was also a way to put someone on the spot.
Yan Xi thought, with her personality, she’d probably be targeted in the complex work environment of Japan.
“Forget it, don’t be so impulsive next time,” Yan Xi said magnanimously.
He was also a magnanimous person; even if he was unhappy, he would keep it in his heart and settle the score by playing a prank later.
Seeing the tension ease, Ijichi Honoka sighed in relief.
She noticed the guitar case on Akiyama Mio’s back and curiously asked, “Are you guys a band too?”
“Hum hum hum~” Tainaka Ritsu let out a triumphant sound.
“First-year student of Sakuragaoka High, Light Music Club president, Tainaka Ritsu is the one and only!”
“First-year student of Sakuragaoka High, Light Music Club member, Hirasawa Yui reporting!”
Tainaka Ritsu and Hirasawa Yui, these two jokers, struck a shameful pose, introducing themselves like samurai from the Warring States period.
“Ugh!”
Akiyama Mio couldn’t bear to look, her shame overwhelming her, and she squatted on the ground, covering her face.
琴吹 紬 was eager to join in.
“Tsumugi, you can’t be influenced by them!” Akiyama Mio quickly stopped her, preventing 琴吹 紬 from falling into the abyss.
“Hey, it looked really fun,” 琴吹 紬 said with regret.
Akiyama Mio quickly said, “I’m Akiyama Mio, from the same club, and this is 琴吹 紬.”
“Haha, nice to meet you,” Ijichi Honoka awkwardly laughed to break the tension.
“By the way, since you guys all play music, how about checking out the sound room?” Ijichi Honoka couldn't resist promoting her shop, with the attitude of, “I’ll try to get as many people in as possible.”
“So, you’re a musician too?” Tainaka Ritsu asked.
“Yeah, I’m a drummer,” Ijichi Honoka nodded.
“Ah, comrade!” Tainaka Ritsu suddenly became excited, grabbing Ijichi Honoka’s hand and not letting go.
Ijichi Honoka’s triangular hair antennae twitched, instantly feeling a kinship.
“Could it be that, Little Ritsu, you also…”
Calling her by name right after meeting her? That’s so you!
Kotou Ichirī felt a little hurt. She was also addressed by name by Ijichi Honoka right after meeting her, and had the expectation that ‘maybe I’m special.’
“Yup, yup, I’m also a drummer!”
The two held hands tightly, their souls resonating.
This is the so-called pain that only drummers understand!
For example, in a band, everyone else can take photos with their guitars and basses, while drummers can only hold drumsticks.
Another example is that everyone else’s instruments are easy to carry, while drummers have a lot of trouble setting up and dismantling.
“And another thing, guitars and basses can have cool stickers and accessories, but drums can’t!”
“Should we stick them on the drumsticks?!”
“Exactly, those manufacturers should think more about us drummers!” Tainaka Ritsu was full of resentment.
“Right!” Ijichi Honoka chimed in.
Akiyama Mio saw the two who had only known each other for a few minutes become so intimate, and her hand clenched, feeling a strange sensation in her heart.
That day, Akiyama Mio finally realized her feelings for Tainaka Ritsu…
“Don’t add some weird narration!” Akiyama Mio shouted at Yan Xi.
“You’re getting flustered?”
“I’m not!”
Akiyama Mio and Tainaka Ritsu, just their names are funny.
Romeo and Juliet… *snort*…
“What are you laughing at?” Akiyama Mio looked at Yan Xi strangely, feeling like he was thinking something bad.
Yan Xi suppressed his smile and said, “Nothing, I just thought of something funny.”
Akiyama Mio didn’t believe him.
On the other side, Tainaka Ritsu and Ijichi Honoka were chatting enthusiastically. Ijichi Honoka suddenly slapped her forehead and said, “I almost forgot to introduce myself. I’m Ijichi Honoka, and I formed a band with my friends called ‘Tie’.”
“This is our team member, Pochi-chan, real name Kotou Ichirī-chan. This is our friend, Yan Xi.”
Kotou Ichirī lowered her head and said quietly, “Nice to meet you.”
It was really hard for a socially anxious person to introduce themselves. If Kotou Ichirī had to do it herself, she probably wouldn’t even be able to speak.
After introductions, Ijichi Honoka invited Tainaka Ritsu and the others to the sound room, for free.
Akiyama Mio whispered, “Ritsu, is it really okay to go to a place like this.”
For a good girl like Akiyama Mio, a sound room located in a basement is basically the same as an internet cafe or bar, a hangout for delinquent kids.
This is also the common thinking of most people.
Ijichi Honoka smiled and said, “Don’t worry, our sound room is very reputable, and we don’t have any delinquent kids.”
Akiyama Mio’s eyes darted to Yan Xi, thinking that he was already pretty delinquent, having just bullied the poor girl, ‘Pochi-chan.’
Also, maybe the insulting nickname ‘Pochi’ was given to her by him!
That’s too mean!
“Akiyama-san, your stare is really rude,” Yan Xi said.
“Ah, sorry!”
Akiyama Mio, like a startled rabbit, hid behind Tainaka Ritsu.
Tainaka Ritsu said helplessly, “Mio’s always been like that, she’s too timid.”
Tainaka Ritsu’s tone was full of indulgence, the kind of indulgence where she clearly wanted to go to the sound room, but would give up her own enjoyment for Akiyama Mio.
“Ritsu…” Akiyama Mio looked at Tainaka Ritsu with gratitude.
“Alright, let’s go in!” Tainaka Ritsu said carelessly.
Akiyama Mio: “??”
Where’s the indulgence you promised?!
Hirasawa Yui and 琴吹 紬 also agreed to go to the sound room.
Hirasawa Yui was more absent-minded, thinking that she should follow the crowd. While 琴吹 紬 was simply interested.
“Um… can I go home first?” Pochi-chan quietly offered her opinion.
She… really didn’t want to work.
Unfortunately, Pochi-chan’s voice was too small, no one heard her, and she was taken away by Ijichi Honoka.
Tainaka Ritsu and the others entered the sound room.
It was close to opening time, and there were already bands getting ready inside.
Tainaka Ritsu looked at the stage in the middle, her face full of longing.
“I’m going to be on that stage someday!”
“You don’t need to wait, you can do it now.”
Yan Xi handed her a broom.
Tainaka Ritsu: “…”
…………
PS: Today’s the first chapter. I’ll say it again, updates are going to start speeding up, doge.