The one who stood up with a glass of juice in hand was none other than Ijichi Nijika, her golden side ponytail swaying as she suddenly made her announcement. At once, she drew everyone's attention, and the first to react was Shiina Taki, who was sitting beside her.
"A concert? In Shimokitazawa?"
"Nope~ We've already played in Shimokitazawa many times. This time, we were invited to perform at another LiveHouse. It's going to be a proper solo show!"
Scratching her head, Nijika spoke a little sheepishly, but when she got to the latter half of her explanation, her face brightened with pride. The girls around her couldn't help showing surprise.
"So, not in Tokyo?"
"The location is Suwa City in Nagano Prefecture. That's why… we're planning to turn this Live into a training camp trip too. We'll take advantage of the break and probably be away for two or three days."
Haru nodded quietly to himself.
The band that had debuted at STARRY, Kessoku Band, was far more famous than most people realized.
Not only had they become one of the iconic bands of Shimokitazawa, they had also shared the stage with pro bands at the Summer Festival Live. With promotion through MVs and other activities, and with Haru himself making some connections with record companies, their CD album had even gone on sale.
So, being officially invited to perform solo at a LiveHouse was no longer just an idle joke for them.
"That's amazing!"
"What's so amazing about it?! They debuted at the same time as us! Have you thought about what that means?!"
"Huh? They've been working really hard too, you know!"
Chihaya Anon had barely finished her words of admiration before Taki splashed cold water all over her excitement. After all, the three bands present had all debuted around the same time, but only MyGO was still stuck without much attention.
Not to mention Ave Mujica had already played at Budokan, standing as one of the most popular bands in the eyes of the media.
From her seat not far away, Nagasaki Soyo's eyes glimmered faintly. Among all of them, only her careful mind sensed something unusual. She snuck a glance toward her beloved husband, then feigned nonchalance as she asked,
"Nijika, why suddenly bring this up to everyone now?"
Her shimmering golden ponytail swayed slightly as Nijika lowered her gaze. Those bright ruby-like eyes flickered with unease, and to ease her nerves she fiddled with the hem of her skirt.
"B-because the concert is in collaboration with another band, Haru has to go as their manager… which means he'll probably need to leave here for a few days. I thought it was necessary to let everyone know beforehand."
At that, nearly every gaze turned toward Haru.
Now at the center of attention, Haru cleared his throat softly. He only shrugged before explaining, "Nijika's right. I still need to meet with the LiveHouse staff and work out the details, so of course I have to go with them."
"I'll probably be out of Tokyo for a few days. If anything comes up, you can reach out to me. As long as it's not extremely urgent, I should still be able to handle things remotely."
The girls' expressions shifted at once.
"That makes sense. You're always so busy with work, Haru. Taking advantage of the band's trip to relax for a couple days sounds nice."
Misumi Uika was the first to respond, her face blooming with a gentle smile. She didn't hesitate to back him up. Of course, not being able to stay close to Haru for a few days was a little disappointing, but she wasn't the type to cause trouble over something like that.
"I heard Suwa is famous for its hot springs. They should be great for relieving fatigue."
"I agree… Haru deserves a few days to rest."
Seeing that the girlfriends around him had no objections, Haru let out a small sigh of relief. Lifting his gaze slightly, he glanced to his right. There, Soyo sat with her head lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
But when she felt Haru's eyes on her, Soyo's contemplative expression softened into a tender smile.
Naturally, Soyo had no objection.
This trip already had the legitimate excuse of band work. Even if it were just a training camp, from her perspective she had no grounds to protest.
After all, last time MyGO had a training camp, she had used that very reason to pull her husband back home for a few days.
Still… being beaten to it left her feeling a little envious.
Yahata Umiri kept her expression completely neutral, offering no comment. Instead, she locked eyes with Ryo, who gave her a subtle look of amusement. That alone was enough for Umiri to understand, and she nodded quietly in thought.
"Eh?"
Only Anon wore her panic openly.
She had been planning to make her move in the coming days, determined to finally pin her little boyfriend beneath her skirt, but now everything had been ruined! She couldn't help but cast a jealous glance at Ikuyo beside her. As one of the insiders, could only return an apologetic look.
There was no helping it. couldn't intervene this time.
Even if Anon tried to whine, "Can I come too?" Taki would surely shut her down at once, saying, "This is for another band," leaving no chance at all for her to join their trip.
Anon felt like crying.
Maybe if she joined Kessoku Band instead, she could go to training camps too?
…
The celebration eventually wound down, and once she was done cleaning up, Nijika bid everyone farewell and left.
The bustling streets of Ikebukuro had somehow grown familiar over time. As members of Kessoku Band walked away from the Kazami household, none of them said much. It was as if they had all silently agreed to keep things subdued.
Only after they had fully left the commercial district did Ikuyo suddenly lift her head.
"Nijika-senpai, you're incredible! You did what we could never do, it's inspiring, really awe-inspiring!"
The red-haired girl's cheeks flushed pink as she clenched her little fists, praising Nijika with boundless enthusiasm. Her sincere admiration made Nijika, who already had thin skin, avert her eyes shyly.
Ryo pressed her palms together reverently, muttering something like "Nijika the goddess has descended."
"N-no, it's not like that!"
"Honestly, I was so nervous I nearly fainted back there!"
To Haru, it might have only been about a band trip and a concert. But to the girls, Nijika's words carried a very different weight.
Saying such a thing in front of so many of Haru's girlfriends was practically a direct challenge to them all. But since Ryo had dragged her into this, Nijika had no way out. As the leader, she was the most fitting one to speak up.
"It's alright. Nijika, you already did your best."
"As thanks, I'll let you go first."
Ryo raised a thumb, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Y-y-you idiot, Ryo! How can you say something like that out in public?!"
Nijika's face went crimson at once, her hands flailing wildly like she was unleashing a Sandstorm. Her scarlet eyes spun in circles from panic, and even her cute golden head seemed to be steaming.
Ryo, however, remained calm, her voice slow and composed. "Hmm? All I said was confession. When the time comes, I'll let you confess to Haru first. Unless… you thought I meant something else?"
"N-no, of course not…"
Nijika's eyes flickered nervously as she scrambled to explain.
"A confession doesn't have to come from me first. I still don't feel ready yet…"
"Nijika, don't tell me you're thinking of backing out now?"
Ryo's voice was steady and flat. She glanced meaningfully toward Ikuyo and Hitori .
In the blink of an eye, the two of them crept up behind Nijika and grabbed her arms from either side.
"Sorry, Nijika-senpai! At this point I can't turn back anymore!"
"…I, I was forced into this by Ryo-senpai too."
Ikuyo and Hitori held her like guards flanking the Pirate King Roger, leaving Nijika, her face burning red, with no chance of escape. Surrounded and betrayed, she looked utterly helpless.
Betrayed? Had they really cut her off like this?
"F-fine, I'll do it!"
Cornered, Nijika could only shout in shame and frustration. From the moment she spoke up at the celebration, she had been tied to Ryo's pirate ship, and just as Ryo had said, there was no getting off now.
"See, wasn't that easier?"
Ryo arched her brows with satisfaction, then snapped her fingers to signal Bocchi and to release her.
"There's an old saying, 'Those who recognize the times are wise.' In this situation, Nijika, resistance is pointless. You might as well work with us. Of course, we'll make sure you're rewarded."
"Besides, you've liked Haru for a long time, haven't you?"
Ryo's words pierced straight through Nijika's last excuse. The feelings she had buried deep inside were mercilessly dragged into the open. And to keep her from running away, the other three would make sure to drag her to Haru for a confession.
For a pure-hearted girl with no experience in romance, being forced into a confession like this was far too reckless.
But Ryo never intended to give her time to hesitate. With Nijika's personality, if someone didn't push her, she might bottle up a simple confession for another year, maybe even longer.
Ryo had no patience for that.
"…Actually, I think Ryo-senpai is right."
"None of us would ever hold it against you, Nijika-senpai. I… I don't want to see you sad either. Some things are too important to keep bottled up."
After a long silence, Hitori spoke earnestly. Her heartfelt words brought a flicker of apology to Nijika's eyes. At last, the tension and conflict within her softened into a helpless smile.
"Thank you, Bocchi."
"You're right. Besides, everyone already knows I like him…"
Seeing the toughest barrier finally give way, Ryo wore a look of smug triumph and exchanged a secret high-five with .
With this three-day trip for the concert, their carefully constructed plan had to succeed.
Ryo's expression turned serious as she continued, "Ikuyo, for the sake of the plan you'll need to keep your mouth shut. Haru can't know anything yet, or we'll waste this chance."
"Eh? I wouldn't say anything!"
Ikuyo puffed out her cheeks in protest. Why was Ryo making her sound like the traitor waiting to sell them out?
"If Haru so much as breathed in your ear, you'd spill everything on the spot."
"…T-that's not true!"
But her flushed cheeks and shifty eyes betrayed her. She couldn't even muster the firmness to make her denial sound convincing, let alone resist if such a situation actually happened.
This one was guaranteed to slip up.
Ryo knew too well. She could already picture her blushing and confessing everything in the most humiliating way possible.
Clicking her tongue at the thought, Ryo turned to Bocchi with a cold tone. "Bocchi, I need you to watch Ikuyo twenty-four hours a day. Until our plan starts, don't let her be alone with Haru."
"W-what? That's unfair!"
Ignoring 's whine, Nijika suddenly froze. With growing unease, she looked at the three of them, a bad premonition rising in her chest.
"Wait, wasn't this just about me and Ryo confessing?"
"Besides that, what else are you planning?"
At her question, Ryo was silent for two seconds. Then, after exchanging a look with , she spoke with complete certainty. "Of course, we'll use this opportunity to do everything that needs to be done."
The air went still.
"Eh? Y-you're planning to do that too?!"
The shocked cry burst from Nijika's lips.
She wasn't completely naïve. At once, her mind flashed to scenes she'd seen in certain manga, and her little head felt like it was on fire. Her words stammered incoherently.
"That's only natural. This trip lasts three whole days. Nijika, you're not naïve enough to think a simple confession, holding hands with Haru, would be enough, are you?"
"You know, someone has already gone further."
Indeed, they all knew.
Ikuyo had learned the details from Anon, and Bocchi, being close to Tomori Takamatsu, had known for some time. Even Nijika, who hadn't known the truth, could sense from the strange atmosphere that something was off.
Someone had already broken their old unspoken rule.
"You understand, don't you, Nijika?"
Ryo's tone was calm, almost casual, as if she were discussing something trivial. Yet the thing she was suggesting was so outrageous it made one question the very structure of her brain.
Nijika felt her mind buzzing, too shocked to form words.
"Bocchi, Ikuyo… don't tell me you two…"
"Nijika-senpai, I'm doing this of my own will!"
Ikuyo's eyes burned with unwavering conviction, like a loyal soldier under General Ryo. Rebellious by nature, she didn't reject the idea at all. In fact, she found it strangely thrilling.
Beside her, Hitori lowered her head, mouth opening and closing as if she wanted to say something. In the end, she blushed and stayed silent, which was answer enough for Nijika.
Bocchi was clearly being pushed along by Ryo and .
"T-this… this is way too much, I'm not prepared at all!"
Nijika clapped her hands over her flushed face, peeking only with her bright red eyes between her fingers. But this desperate attempt to hide herself, like a puppy's weak bark, had no effect. It only made Ryo smirk.
"Don't forget, Nijika, you're one of us now. No matter how the plan develops, you've already agreed to see it through to the end."
"Besides, you don't want to watch the three of us run wild, do you?"
Nijika's eyes trembled. She knew Ryo wasn't joking.
Even if she resisted with all her might, Ryo would never stop for her sake. And with Ikuyo's impulsiveness, once her adrenaline spiked she would dare to do anything without thinking of the consequences.
That was Ikuyo's biggest flaw.
"…Th-this is way too fast."
Her words were weak, but it was clear she was wavering.
Among Kessoku Band, aside from Haru, none of them could really be called reliable. If Nijika, as the leader, abandoned them now, Bocchi's passive nature would never allow her to step up.
"I-I get it."
Nijika couldn't let the three of them run wild.
"Then it's decided."
Ryo narrowed her golden eyes, as if she had already predicted Nijika's surrender.
"Uu…"
Clutching her burning face, Nijika was at a complete loss. As her thoughts cooled, she suddenly realized what she had agreed to. It was absurd, something she never could have imagined herself accepting.
How did things turn out like this?