Mio Akiyama was really scared and started to cry.
She had always hated ghosts and horror stories.
Ryo Yamada appeared silently behind her, eerily similar to those horror stories.
Coupled with the dark underground setting, Mio Akiyama's nerves were on edge, making her easily frightened.
"Sorry, did I scare you?" Ryo Yamada apologized.
Even while apologizing, she had no expression on her face.
Mio Akiyama squeezed out two tears, trying to calm herself down.
She wasn't really that easily moved to tears, it was just a reflex, her tear glands triggering passively.
"It's okay," Mio Akiyama said.
She took out "Elizabeth" from her guitar case.
Of course, it wasn't called Elizabeth yet.
Naming instruments was a "bad habit" started by Yui Hirasawa, but Yui Hirasawa hadn't even bought "Gita" yet.
"Here, please..." Mio Akiyama handed the bass to Ryo Yamada.
Come to think of it, does "please" sound a bit weird here?
"The finish is well-maintained, and the strings seem to have been replaced regularly... It's a good bass," Ryo Yamada said after carefully inspecting it.
Don't look at Ryo Yamada always with a blank expression, appearing calm and collected, she actually gets quite happy when praised and loves to show off.
Like now...
"Can I try it?" Ryo Yamada asked.
"Please," Mio Akiyama politely replied.
"Thank you." Ryo Yamada sat down, hugging the bass, her fingers resting on the strings.
Then came a series of high-speed riffs that even non-musicians like Yui Hirasawa and Kotobuki Hanazono could appreciate and say "Wow, that's amazing."
Without a doubt, Ryo Yamada was showing off.
After finishing her performance, sweat was dripping from her forehead, yet she acted as if she had just played "casually."
"Wow, you're so amazing, Senior Ryo!"
Ryo Yamada's goal was achieved, Ritsu Tainaka's eyes were shining, praising her without end.
"W-well... whew, I was just playing casually... but, I can feel that this is a good bass."
Stop it, you're even gasping for breath when you speak!
"Thank you..." Mio Akiyama was so touched that she shed tears.
Why were there always tears in her eyes? Because she was recognized by someone like Ryo Yamada, a talented peer.
No matter what, Ryo Yamada had a playing level far beyond that of an ordinary high school student, there's no doubt about it.
Suddenly, Rinko Iida had a flash of inspiration and suggested, "You guys, why don't you practice together sometime?"
This was purely a sudden whim, probably as casual as a girl asking if another wants to go to the bathroom during class.
Rinko Iida wanted to get along with a band that was also all girls.
It would be even better if they could learn from each other and improve their skills!
If the Band-Maid and Houkago Tea Time were to combine... the picture is too much to imagine.
The Band-Maid might be assimilated into a lazy gathering place!
"Ah, us?" Ritsu Tainaka looked surprised.
To be honest, after seeing Ryo Yamada's skill, she thought everyone in Band-Maid was this good.
Practicing with someone this good would definitely help them improve quickly, but... what about the tea and snacks left in the activity room!
"Sorry, we usually practice in our activity room, so..." Ritsu Tainaka said embarrassedly.
Rinko Iida waved her hand, smiling, "No, no, it's not like I'm imposing anything on you. I'm sorry for suddenly suggesting to practice together."
Yui Hirasawa tilted her head in confusion, they practiced? Maybe it was while she was away!?
It's very possible, since she didn't have an instrument yet!
Seeing Yui Hirasawa's face, as if realizing something with a fist bump to her palm, Mio Akiyama didn't know what she realized.
"Rinko-chan is so nice!" Ritsu Tainaka said with a touch of admiration, holding Rinko Iida's hand.
"You guys don't know, Rinko is the famous 'Angel of Shimokitazawa'," Kotobuki Hanazono interjected.
"Eh, she's a celebrity?" Ritsu Tainaka was stunned.
"A-A, don't call me that embarrassing nickname!" Rinko Iida lightly punched Kotobuki Hanazono in the chest.
Kotobuki Hanazono immediately raised his hands in surrender.
Rinko Iida pouted and lightly snorted, letting him off the hook.
She asked Ritsu Tainaka, "How do you guys usually practice?"
"How we practice..." Ritsu Tainaka's mouth twitched.
The usual practice content is leisurely drinking tea and eating snacks... she couldn't say that out loud!
Yui Hirasawa said naively, "We usually drink... uh!"
Ritsu Tainaka immediately covered Yui Hirasawa's mouth, preventing her from revealing the truth.
Look, the illogical moment that defies common sense in the 2D world is here!
Ritsu Tainaka and Yui Hirasawa were separated by Mio Akiyama, yet she was able to immediately move and cover her mouth!
Therefore, it's logical that Kotobuki Hanazono casually uses time-stop!
Ritsu Tainaka was still thinking about how to make amends, but she heard Rinko Iida say, "Ah, is the training content confidential? Sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
Ritsu Tainaka: "..."
If she were to continue to deceive her with lies, her conscience would hurt.
"Ah, really, just say it!" Ritsu Tainaka yelled, giving in and confessing.
...
"What? You spend every day drinking tea and eating snacks in the activity room!?" Rinko Iida was shocked.
How is it different from the image she had of a music club?
Ryo Yamada knelt on one knee, bowing before Ritsu Tainaka.
"Tainaka... No, President, please let me join!"
"Eh eh eh?" Ritsu Tainaka was at a loss.
"Don't betray us!" Rinko Iida tried to pull Ryo Yamada up.
Ryo Yamada said firmly, "I finally understand, what I've always wanted to do is... light music!"
Rinko Iida mercilessly exposed her, "No, you just want to freeload!"
"A-A, come help!"
Rinko Iida underestimated Ryo Yamada's dedication to freeloading, she couldn't pull her alone.
"It's not good, we should respect Senior Ryo's choice," Kotobuki Hanazono said.
"You just want to see the fun!"
Rinko Iida was desperate, are there no normal people around her?
What, you mean there's also Pochi-chan?
That's the most abnormal one, for crying out loud!
Rinko Iida used all her might to suppress Ryo Yamada.
After all, she's a drummer, her strength is stronger than someone who plays bass.
"President, I'll find a chance to return to the organization!"
Ryo Yamada, suppressed by Rinko Iida, stretched out her hand to Ritsu Tainaka from afar.
Ritsu Tainaka felt incredibly guilty at this point, she almost caused the band to disband on the spot!
…………
PS: This is the first chapter today. I received a lot of votes, so I have to grind it out!