"Hooray!"
Kita made a fist with her right hand and cheered happily:
"Kitahara-kun agreed! Let's form a band for the rest of our lives!"
Form a band for the rest of our lives?
Sorry.
My only goal is the prize money for winning first place.
"Wait a moment." Having agreed to join the band on an impulse, Kitahara quickly regretted it. "You're an all-girls band, right? Is it really okay for a guy to join?"
"Of course it's no problem at all." Nijika held her hands behind her back, her golden side-ponytail swaying gently, her voice sweet and lovely. "It's not just girls who like playing rock music; there are actually even more guys."
"That's right." Kita nodded in agreement. "Music doesn't have gender limits. Plenty of famous bands are mixed-gender. Kitahara-kun joining the band is completely fine."
Of course, Kita kept the second half of her thought to herself.
The only guy allowed to join the band was Kitahara—other guys shouldn't even think about it; not a chance.
"I was being impulsive just now." Kitahara spoke with a hesitant tone. "I don't know how to play anything. Joining the band will only hold everyone back, won't it?"
"If you don't know, you can learn!" Kita placed her hands on her hips, raised her chin, her eyes sparkling. "We believe in Kitahara-kun's ability."
"Everyone's talent varies. Even though Kitahara-kun hasn't been exposed to music before, he might turn out to be a genius." Nijika's voice was crisp and pleasant. "Anyway, let's just try it first. There's still some time before the competition."
"..."
As they spoke, each girl's eyes sparkled brightly.
Kitahara had an odd premonition that even if he refused, the four girls in front of him would try every possible way to make him join the band.
"Well, working in isolation behind closed doors definitely won't do. Having a skilled master to guide you can save Kitahara from taking a lot of unnecessary detours." The cheeky Ryo tilted her head over, the corners of her pink, moist lips curving upward slightly as she suggested, "So, how about everyone goes to Kitahara's house tonight for a sleepover and guides Kitahara in his training?"
Kitahara: "..."
Running over to a boy's house in the middle of the night for a sleepover—even if you agree, the others wouldn't agree, right!
"Hooray!"
Kita's eyes lit up, and she pumped her fist happily:
"I'll message my mom right away to tell her I'm staying overnight at a classmate's place tonight and won't be coming home."
Learned something new—as expected of the detective Ryo! To think it could be played like this: not only reasonably inviting boyfriend-kun to join the band, but now even openly going over to boyfriend-kun's home to hang out.
"Wait, you actually agreed?"
Kitahara looked over in shock.
Even if you're classmates at the same school, you should still have a bit of vigilance!
You've only known each other for two days, and you agree to sleep over at a guy's house? If you drink something weird, crying won't do any good!
"Girls need to protect themselves when they're out. Don't casually stay overnight at a stranger's home." Kitahara couldn't help reminding her. "That kind of thing is very dangerous."
"It's not casual at all." Kita wrinkled her nose. "Besides Kitahara-kun's place, I definitely wouldn't stay overnight at anyone else's house."
"Hm?"
Kitahara raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Ahem..." Kita covered her mouth with her hand and coughed twice. "I mean, Kitahara-kun clearly looks like an upright person. You definitely wouldn't do anything strange to us."
The corner of Kitahara's mouth twitched slightly: "You shouldn't trust a guy's character too much, or it'll be too late for regrets."
"That's true. Going to Kitahara-kun's house for a sleepover today is indeed a bit too rushed." Although Nijika was tempted, she restrained herself. "Let's not cause trouble for Kitahara-kun."
Hearing this, Kitahara looked over with relief.
As expected, there are still normal people in Kessoku Band. Nijika's words are what a normal girl should think.
The very next second, however, he heard Nijika continue:
"How about everyone gets prepared tonight first, and we go to Kitahara-kun's house for the sleepover tomorrow?"
Kitahara: "..."
Alright.
I take back what I just said.
It seems Nijika isn't a normal girl either.
For the sake of the potential 1,000,000 yen prize money, Kitahara ultimately agreed to tomorrow night's sleepover. After all, a person has to have dreams—what if they hack their way through all obstacles, make it onto the Budokan stage, and win the hefty prize money?
"Kitahara-kun, hurry up and let's exchange contact info~"
Kita could hardly wait as she pulled out her phone, looking over with eyes full of anticipation, as if exchanging contact information was something super precious.
"Me too."
The cheeky Ryo maintained a calm expression as she pulled out her phone as well.
"I... I want to, too..."
Hitori, who had been quiet all this time, also raised her small face, her peach-blossom eyes looking over expectantly.
A moment later.
Four more girls' contact details were added to Kitahara's phone.
"Operation a massive success!"
Looking at the contact info on her phone, Kita cheered happily.
"What do you mean by 'operation'?"
Kitahara looked over curiously.
"It's just a catchphrase." Kita quickly withdrew her smile, her eyes darting around. "No more talking, no more talking. Everyone, hurry up and get to work."
"..."
As the customers entered one after another, Kitahara and the girls all began working.
To be fair, there weren't many customers. Aside from a brief rush when people first entered, the rest of the time was quite relaxed. Customers mainly came to watch the performance; food and drinks were secondary. When the four girls of Kessoku Band went on stage to perform, Kitahara could handle things entirely on his own.
"The performance seems like a huge success..."
Kitahara stood behind the counter serving customers. He didn't have time to watch the performance, but he could clearly hear the thunderous cheers and applause.
Evidently,
Kessoku Band's debut performance was a massive success.
And indeed it was.
In their past life, when Kessoku Band performed on stage for the first time, Kita hadn't returned to the team yet, and Hitori was hiding inside a battered cardboard box, afraid to see anyone; the scene could only be described as disastrous.
After restarting life, everything was entirely different.
Whether it was team chemistry or stage experience, everything was several levels higher than before, so naturally, they became an instant hit.
The performance ended.
"Kitahara, come over with me for a moment."
Seika, who had been sitting behind the counter like a fortune cat all this time, suddenly walked up in front of Kitahara, crossed her arms over her chest, and gave him an assignment:
"The delivery supplier is here. Go unload the goods."
"Okay."
Kitahara readily agreed.
For a wage of 5,000 yen an hour, moving stuff was no problem at all.
Following Seika out of the underground live house, Kitahara felt his ears instantly become quiet.
The live house was located underground. To reach the surface, one had to go up a flight of stairs. Seika walked in front while Kitahara followed behind, his gaze involuntarily drawn to a certain rounded curve.
Most Japanese girls like wearing skirts, but Seika was an exception; she seemed to really like wearing jeans.
At this moment, as Seika walked above him, she was wearing a pair of form-fitting jeans. Her splendid curves made one's heart beat faster, completely on display. From the front, she looked like a flat-chested person that made people sigh with regret, but looking from behind, it was undeniably extra seductive.
As a normal guy, Kitahara naturally couldn't help staring for a couple of seconds before shifting his eyes away.
"...Perverted brat!"
Seika had always been sensitive to other people's gazes. Naturally, she felt Kitahara's eyes on her. Her pretty face flushed slightly as she turned around to glare at Kitahara:
"You walk in front!"
It's easier to change rivers and mountains than a person's nature—that saying really wasn't wrong. This brat's perverted nature was already exposed now!
"Yes, Manager-san."
Kitahara coughed lightly and walked ahead guiltily.
The two quickly reached the surface.
A small delivery truck was parked by the roadside. The driver, an older man, had already stepped out and was waiting beside the vehicle. Seeing Seika approach, he hurriedly bowed in apology:
"I'm very sorry! Just now, to avoid an elementary school student who ran across the street, some of the cargo tipped over..."
Hearing this, Seika frowned slightly and stepped forward to inspect it. Finding that the damage to the cargo wasn't severe—only a few bottles of alcohol had cracked—she quickly waved her hand:
"It's no big deal, no need to replace the goods. Let's just leave it at that... Kitahara, come over and carry the stuff."
"Okay."
Kitahara stepped forward and began moving the goods.
It was mostly alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, which weren't heavy at all, making them easy to carry.
Just as he was about to enter the live house, Kitahara suddenly noticed Manager-san picking up the box of damaged liquor, so he couldn't help saying:
"Manager, don't move, let me do it."
"Hmph~"
Seika gave a soft hmph upon hearing him:
"Do you know how to process these alcoholic beverages?"
"...No."
"Then what are you talking about? I'll handle it."
"..."
The two entered the live house one after another. Kitahara put the drinks in their designated location and went back out to keep moving items, while Seika stayed behind to handle the damaged alcohol.
Twenty minutes later.
All the items had been unloaded and moved.
Kitahara came to the restroom to quickly wash his hands and face.
Clack.
The room door was suddenly pushed open.
"Manager?"
Hearing the noise, Kitahara turned his head to look over, only to see Seika standing outside the door, her pretty face flushed red, her eyes staring straight at him.
"The cargo has all been moved to the designated spots. Is there anything else?"
"..."
Seika didn't speak. Instead, she staggered inside.
Hey, hey, you saw someone was in the restroom, so why did you come in?
Bang.
The door was shut behind her by Seika.
Wait a second, what's with closing the door after coming in!
Kitahara raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling a bad premonition surge in his heart. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly smelled a strong wave of alcohol.
"Manager, did you drink?"
"Hic..." Seika stared straight at him. "Just now, a bottle of alcohol was about to leak, so I could only drink it ahead of time."
"How much did you drink?"
"Stupid kid, of course I drank it all..."
No wonder you're staggering when you walk and barging into the restroom for no reason—you're clearly drunk!
"Do you feel like throwing up?"
The first thought that came to Kitahara was that Manager-san wanted to throw up the alcohol, so he turned to walk outside:
"I'll go call Nijika-senpai over to take care of you."
A drunk person needs someone to look after them, but he was clearly unsuitable; logically and reasonably, he should call Nijika over.
Just as they passed each other, Seika suddenly reached out both hands and pressed them against Kitahara's chest.
"Manager?"
Question marks popped up above Kitahara's head.
Bang.
Exerting force with both arms, Seika slammed Kitahara directly against the wall, then slapped her right hand against the wall right beside Kitahara's ear with a thwack.
Kitahara: "..."
Wait, isn't this position a bit off?
No matter how you look at it, this is the legendary wall-slam (kabedon)!
Although many people undergo a dramatic personality shift after getting drunk, for an unbothered store manager who usually looks full of disdain to suddenly wall-slam her employee after getting drunk—isn't this personality change way too exaggerated?!
"Nijika, Nijika..." Seika's breath reeked of alcohol, her tone full of grievance. "You brat, is Nijika the only person in your eyes?"
Kitahara: "..."
"Why won't you give me even a few looks?"
Kitahara: "..."
"I waited for so long today... and in the end, you only said one sentence to me!"
Kitahara: "..."
What do these words mean?
Could Manager-san be jealous?
We clearly have the most ordinary employee-and-store-manager relationship. There's zero reason for you to be jealous, okay!
"Manager-san, you must have had too much to drink and mistaken me for someone else."
Kitahara thought back and forth and could only think of this single reason.
"Brat, I'd recognize you even if you turned to dust. How could I mistake you for someone else?"
Seika suddenly stood on tiptoe, her bright eyes leaning right in front of Kitahara's face.
The distance between them was reduced to just a fist's width. As they breathed the same air, they could even clearly hear each other's heartbeats.
Smelling the subtle fragrance mixed with alcohol on Seika, Kitahara's heart rate quietly accelerated:
"Manager-san, you're really drunk. Let go of me first, I'll go call Nijika-senpai over..."
"Even when you're with me, you're still thinking about Nijika!"
The small canine teeth at the corner of Seika's mouth gleamed coldly as she suddenly bit down.
Lips touched.
Feeling the softness and cool touch on his lips, Kitahara opened his eyes wide in disbelief.
What's going on?
She actually just kissed me like that?
Am I encountering legendary workplace unwritten rules?
Just as Kitahara was about to push Manager-san away, his body froze instantly.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, what on earth is the store manager doing?!
A simple touch could still be treated as if nothing happened, but you're actually defiling my purity—this level is already considered a crime!
Who knows how much time passed before Kitahara hazily came back to his senses.
"Should I push the store manager away?"
Then again, it doesn't seem like I'm losing out...
In his conflict, accompanied by a muffled groan of distress, Seika suddenly retreated half a step. She raised her hand to cover her lips, glaring over with a scalding red face:
"Perverted kid, you bit my tongue!"
Kitahara really didn't know what to say and could only raise both hands:
"Sorry."
Seika let out a soft hmph: "If apologies worked, what would we need the police for?"
Kitahara was completely speechless: "Didn't it seem like Manager-san was forcing herself on me just now?"
Seika: "..."
Seeing murderous intent surging in Manager-san's eyes, Kitahara decisively decided to stay far away from this place of trouble:
"Manager-san, wait a moment, I'll go call Nijika-senpai over."
"No need to call, I'm already sobered up." Seika gasped lightly, her pretty face as crimson as fire. The combination of the wall-slam and the deep kiss had cleared up most of her consciousness under the intense stimulation. "Perverted kid, you are not allowed to tell anyone about what just happened!"
"...Understood."
Looking at the unusually obedient and submissive Kitahara, Seika's heart thudded uncontrollably, a hard-to-describe impulse surging into her mind.
In the past, she was always the one getting taken advantage of and teased. Now that life has restarted, is she going to walk the old path again?
No way!
Of course she has to take advantage of him back!
For an adult like herself, bullying a working high school student is totally normal, right?
Once the thought took root, it spread rapidly like a wildfire.
Coincidentally, since the alcohol hadn't completely worn off yet, Seika was much more impulsive than usual. She actually wall-slammed Kitahara once again:
"Brat, you don't want to lose your job, do you?"
"..."