---
Just as Nijika expected, Ryo was late—and was scolded by her the moment she arrived. But Kita Ikuyo didn't care one bit. Instead, she spoke up enthusiastically.
"You don't follow the rules and do whatever you want. That's so cool. You're really worthy of being Ryo-senpai, a true band girl!"
Her words immediately startled Nijika, who had just been lecturing Ryo.
She looked at Kita Ikuyo in disbelief.
Even her gentle, bright red eyes now revealed the despair of questioning reality.
The four of them sat around the table and began the band meeting.
Still remembering Kita Ikuyo's hesitant look the day before, Nijika impatiently asked:
"Kita-chan, what's bothering you?"
"It's just…"
How could Kita Ikuyo bring herself to admit she didn't know how to play guitar? That day, when senior Ijichi heard she could play and that she was an experienced guitarist, he had been overjoyed.
Senior Ryo too...
"Ikuyo injured her hand."
Ishikawa Hayabusa very "kindly" found an excuse for her.
Although Kita quickly pulled her hand away the moment he said it, Nijika still saw.
"Oh no, really?"
Nijika was shocked.
Though she was a bit confused about how she didn't notice the injury yesterday, she still quickly apologized.
She lowered her head and hid her face between her clasped palms.
"Sorry, I didn't realize."
Kita Ikuyo let out a breath of relief and silently thanked Ishikawa Hayabusa in her heart, though she hadn't voiced her gratitude yet.
"But it doesn't look like a serious injury. It should heal in about a week and won't affect your performance much."
That brutal stab in the back from Ishikawa Hayabusa nearly made Kita Ikuyo cough up blood.
Then he twisted the knife again and asked Nijika:
"I'm already looking forward to performing."
"Eh…"
Nijika raised her head awkwardly, but her eyes betrayed her true feelings. It was obvious she had been thinking about performing for a while.
She looked at Kita with anticipation and confusion.
"Let's hold off a little. It still needs some practice."
Seeing how impatient the two of them were being, Ryo couldn't help but chime in to stop them.
She also addressed Kita Ikuyo directly:
"An artist's hands are very important. You should take good care of them."
Senior Ryo told me to be careful with my hands!!
From now on, these hands are more precious than my life!
"Hmmmm!!"
All hesitation disappeared from Kita Ikuyo's face, and she nodded eagerly.
Seeing her expression, Nijika, who thought the issue had been resolved, let out a sigh of relief and said to everyone:
"Then I'll go ask my sister for help."
She cheerfully ran over to Seika, who was sitting at the counter.
Speaking of which, when Seika had arrived, she came rushing in with a confused and panicked look, startling the three of them.
But when she saw them all sitting obediently in their seats, she ignored her sweaty appearance and walked over to the bar with a stern expression.
As for why she was like this—Hayabusa understood very well.
That was her charm.
"Siiister~"
Nijika clung to her sister affectionately at the bar but didn't say anything.
Seika, flipping through her notebook, had already understood the situation. She casually checked her planner and said indifferently:
"Turns out the opening band can't make it in two weeks due to special circumstances, so you'll have to take their slot."
Hearing that completely indifferent tone, Nijika pouted and leaned away.
"Sis, you're so mean!"
But she knew that was just how her sister was—arrogant, smug, and spoiled.
So she ignored her.
Still, the angry expression vanished the moment she turned around, replaced by a bright smile and a V-for-victory sign aimed at the table.
Hayabusa and Ryo smiled slightly, happy that their new band had taken its first step forward.
But Kita Ikuyo's face darkened. She nearly fainted.
Two weeks…
She clutched her aching chest.
From this moment on, I am Yudai, the Sleepless.
That damn Ishikawa Hayabusa must've deliberately set her up after finding out she didn't know how to play guitar—but she would never give up!
She couldn't help but curse Hayabusa, who had betrayed her again and again.
"By the way, what's the name of your band?"
Just before Nijika returned to the table, Seika's confused voice called out behind her.
At that moment…
The four members turned to Seika, clearly stunned by the question.
Then the three people at the table looked at Nijika again, and she looked back at them.
The four of them blinked at each other.
Nijika's eyes looked especially innocent and confused.
Seika immediately understood the situation and said helplessly:
"You'll need to decide soon..."
---
The four of them sat at the table. Nijika folded her arms, closed her eyes, and thought deeply.
"The band name is really important."
"Anything's fine."
That's what Ryo said while resting her head on her hands and half-closing her eyes, looking drowsy. She sounded completely disinterested and about ready to fall asleep.
Hearing that nonsense, Nijika objected loudly and energetically:
"How can you say something like that!?"
Ishikawa Hayabusa was curious about what name the band would end up with, wondering if it might change due to the butterfly effect of his presence.
He quietly watched the others with interest.
When the topic shifted away from performing, Kita Ikuyo regained her composure. She touched her chin thoughtfully and tilted her head in concentration.
Unable to bear Nijika's fuss any longer, Ryo squinted and glanced around at everyone's thinking faces.
Feeling restless, she glanced around the venue and spotted an armband tied to an electric cable in the corner.
It was like a jolt of electricity hit her brain.
"Break the band, break the band."
Her eyes sparkled, and a mischievous pride appeared on her face.
Nijika: ???
"Break... like break up? It symbolizes unity, right? Ryo-senpai, that's amazing!"
The cheerful acolyte Kita Ikuyo immediately gave Ryo full marks, as if the answer sheet came after the score.
"No, no, no—that was a joke."
Nijika quickly waved her hands to remind Kita Ikuyo.
She didn't want the band's precious name turning into a joke.
"Ah, I see! It's a joke~ That's even better!"
Kita Ikuyo said with a dazzling, radiant smile.
Kita!
The Magical Girl Kita is shining!
Even though they were both bright and cheerful girls, Nijika still couldn't compete with Kita's overwhelming energy.
"Kita-chan, stop it already!"
Nijika groaned and struggled to block the energy with her hands.
After enduring that much, her clothes were a mess and tears welled up in her eyes. She turned desperately to Ishikawa Hayabusa — the only one who might save her.
Seeing Nijika's pitiful expression, Hayabusa opened his mouth several times, but couldn't say anything.
But as a pervert, Ishikawa Hayabusa's heart was as tough as steel, and not even her sad little face could shake him.
He said it shamelessly, just for fun:
"It's a beautiful name."
Under the weight of everyone's approval, even Nijika had to admit it.
In the end, she walked over to her sister with tears in her eyes and muttered in a choked voice:
"Break the Band… that's the name."
Seika stiffened her expression and barely held back her laughter.
---