Oh dear... I think I overdid it.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru stated that he absolutely did not develop resentment or a desire for revenge against Guitar Hero after watching over a thousand videos of it.
Guitar Hero is Guitar Hero, and Gotou Hitori is Gotou Hitori.
Fortunately, she fainted quickly and woke up just as fast.
A moment later, Gotou Hitori awoke.
Ah... Am I... still alive?
It's truly wonderful to be alive.
Why is it brighter around me?
As her vision gradually cleared, Tsuchigumo Hotaru's unfamiliar face entered Gotou Hitori's sight.
"Ah! Ah..."
Gotou Hitori remembered what had just happened.
Instantly, Gotou Hitori prostrated herself on the ground.
"I... I'm sorry, please forgive my offense... I will immediately get out of your sight."
At the same time, Gotou Hitori continuously prayed in her heart, 'Don't kill me, don't kill me... Let me go, let me go!'
Although she stammered, Gotou Hitori finally managed to utter a complete sentence.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru was startled and stepped aside, thinking, 'Don't perform such a grand gesture!'
"Gotō-san, please get up, I won't hurt you."
Afraid that Gotou Hitori would just run away, Tsuchigumo Hotaru added, "And, and don't roll away either."
"Ah... Really?"
Gotou Hitori's body still trembled uncontrollably.
"Yes, I'm not a bad person."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru nodded solemnly, though Gotou Hitori couldn't see it.
"Please get up."
"Ah... Okay."
Gotou Hitori shakily stood up.
She still kept her head slightly bowed, but she secretly observed Tsuchigumo Hotaru through the gaps in her bangs.
This was a skill she had honed over many years; she was confident she wouldn't be discovered.
A clean and tidy school uniform, a handsome and refined appearance, and faint dark circles under his eyes, which instead exuded a charming aura.
Ah, such dazzling light.
She was going to be purified.
He must be a popular figure at school, an undeniable top-tier normie.
Or... maybe she should just kill him!
Seeing Gotou Hitori act a bit more normally, it seemed she was capable of communication, and Tsuchigumo Hotaru breathed a sigh of relief.
If Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei had seen the situation just now, she would surely have thought he was bullying a classmate.
Then she would have delivered a righteous iron fist as punishment.
Ah, the thought alone sent shivers down his spine, and Tsuchigumo Hotaru shook his head to banish such thoughts.
"Hello, Gotō-san, I'm Tsuchigumo Hotaru from Class 3."
Strange name... Is he a foreign student?
"Ah, you, hello, Tsuchigumo-san."
Gotou Hitori tried her best to reply, "Wait, you know my name?"
Due to her extreme surprise, Gotou Hitori actually spoke that sentence fluently.
At the same time, her heart was filled with surprise, confusion, and even a tiny bit of joy.
The joy came from someone actually knowing her?
Oh no, was her tone just now too harsh, and she didn't use honorifics.
It's over, he must be angry.
She's going to be killed, isn't she?
And Tsuchigumo Hotaru seemed to have already seen through all of Gotou Hitori's thoughts.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru displayed an unprecedented gentle expression, trying to make himself appear harmless, a look he had never even shown in front of a lamp.
"Alright, Gotō-san, you don't have to be so formal."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru continued, "Yes, I know your name. I know you."
"Why?"
Someone as rare and inconspicuous as her, more so than the Shimokitazawa Tail Serpent.
In this school, someone actually knew her.
And someone of this caliber.
Had she become that famous already?
No, no, no, Gotou Hitori felt immense dread.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru was slightly stunned, but quickly understood Gotou Hitori's meaning.
"I just memorized the names of all the students in my grade."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru said nonchalantly.
"Ah..."
So that's how it is! So she wasn't special.
Damn it, what was this feeling of disappointment?! Sob, sob...
Although she didn't know why the other person would do such a strange thing, Gotou Hitori didn't dare to ask, instead...
"So, so impressive."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru gave a slight smile. Showing off in front of Gotou Hitori didn't seem to yield much satisfaction.
Never mind, business first.
"Was that Gotō-san playing the guitar just now?"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru looked at Gotou Hitori's guitar.
It was a Gibson Les Paul Custom, gifted to her by Hitori's father.
It was said to be worth 500,000 Japanese yen.
"Ah, yes..."
Gotou Hitori dared not deny it.
Was it because her guitar playing was too loud, attracting him over?
She was sorry, she would never dare to play the guitar here again.
Gotou Hitori wanted to apologize and make amends again.
"I... I'm sorry..."
"Gotō-san, your guitar skills are very high."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru praised her sincerely. It was just a simple improvisation, yet she played such a difficult piece of music.
"Eh...?"
He wasn't angry? And, she was praised!
Gotou Hitori grinned foolishly, "Hehe... Thank you..."
Indeed, harsh words wound like a winter's chill, while a kind word warms like three autumns.
Praise is the best medicine!
Tsuchigumo Hotaru couldn't help but think that praise was the best way to deal with Gotou Hitori.
However, Tsuchigumo Hotaru's next words wiped the smile off Gotou Hitori's face.
"You play just like Guitar Hero. One could say there's no difference at all. Oh, by the way, Guitar Hero also covered this song last night!"
Guitar Hero?!
"Ah... Is, is that so...?"
Gotou Hitori was momentarily speechless. Looking at Tsuchigumo Hotaru's smile, she felt he was hinting at something.
Say something, explain yourself!
"I'm actually a fan of Guitar Hero."
Phew, what a perfect excuse.
Gotou Hitori breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest hidden beneath her athletic jacket, while admiring herself.
"What a coincidence, I'm actually a fan of Guitar Hero too."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru said excitedly.
"Guitar Hero-sensei, I've watched all 1021 videos over three years, totaling over 4560 minutes of footage."
As Tsuchigumo Hotaru spoke, his eyes gradually became hollow.
So, without realizing it, she had uploaded so many videos?
However, that number was too precise, wasn't it?
It sounded a bit strange.
But she couldn't care less; Gotou Hitori was very excited right now.
She actually had such a loyal fan!
She wanted to play a song to her heart's content, to sing out loud!
"Mmm, Gui, Guitar Hero is amazing..."
With a hint of self-praise, Gotou Hitori could no longer suppress the smile on her face.
But she was still trying to maintain her facade.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru took a deep breath. Was his state just now a bit off?
Gotou Hitori mustered her courage and asked, "Tsuchigumo-san also... plays an instrument?"
The musical atmosphere at this school was quite good.
So, Gotou Hitori carried her instrument and hung band merchandise on her backpack.
She hoped someone would approach her to talk, or even invite her to join a band.
However, no one paid any attention to her.
She clearly saw other students carrying instruments who were very popular.
Why was it different for her?
Now, finally, someone was willing to talk to her.
And it was her fan. To be honest, Gotou Hitori was moved to tears.
Since he liked Guitar Hero so much, Tsuchigumo-san must also play the guitar, right?
Tsuchigumo Hotaru nodded, "Although I really like Guitar Hero, I play the electronic keyboard."
"Ah..."
Gotou Hitori was utterly lost...
Except for the guitar, she knew nothing else.
The hope that had just ignited had now been extinguished.
Tsuchigumo-san would surely think they had nothing in common and part ways with her, wouldn't he?
Reality, burst apart!
Spirit, shatter!
...
"Hey! Gotō-san? Are you there?"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru waved his hand in front of Gotou Hitori. She seemed to have fallen into some special state.
"Yoo-hoo!"
"Moshi moshi~"
"Gotō-san, do you have a band?"
It wasn't until Tsuchigumo Hotaru patted Gotou Hitori's shoulder that she snapped back to reality.
"Ah, no..."
Gotou Hitori replied with a twitch.
How could a creature like her, like a slug, possibly have someone form a band with her?
No, that's right, Tsuchigumo Hotaru smiled faintly.
"Then do you want to form a band with me?"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru extended a sincere and earnest invitation.
If he hadn't considered that he wasn't very familiar with Gotou Hitori yet, and that she was a girl, he would have originally intended to offer a hand, inviting her in such a way.
It would have seemed more sincere, and quite cool, wouldn't it?
A band?!!!
Gotou Hitori heard the words she had longed for.
But her body was completely frozen, unable to move, completely unable to move...
Should she agree? Agree, she must agree!
Besides, did she have the courage to refuse?
He was a boy?! That kind of thing didn't matter at all!
Gotou Hitori's brain was already brainstorming.
But her body clearly couldn't keep up.
Answer, watashi! Answer, watashi!
Seeing Gotou Hitori remain silent, Tsuchigumo Hotaru wondered if something had gone wrong.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru's gaze penetrated Gotou Hitori's bangs, looking at her trembling sapphire-like blue eyes, which were enchanting.
"This might be my only request of you in my entire life, Gotō-san."
Although he knew that the socially anxious Gotou Hitori would be unable to refuse, Tsuchigumo Hotaru decided to give her a little extra push.
"Ah, hi! I want to form a band."
It came out!
She said it.
Gotou Hitori felt her heart racing now.
Her body couldn't help but tremble again, but this time it was from excitement, not fear.
"Ding-a-ling-ling..."
The class bell rang.
Although schools in Japan start late and end early, the lunch break is still relatively short.
It's usually about an hour to an hour and a half.
...
Ah, such, wonderful times are always so fleeting.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru felt a bit regretful. Before leaving, Tsuchigumo Hotaru quickly pulled out his phone, ready to add contact information for future communication.
"By the way, Gotō-san, let's exchange Line IDs."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru.
"Eh...? Eh!"
"What's wrong? Isn't it normal for friends to exchange contact information?"
"Fri, friends?"
Gotou Hitori was both confused and nervous, tentatively repeating the word.
"Yes, Gotō-san, we're going to form a band together, aren't we friends then?"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru asked, puzzled.
"Ah... Yes!"
"Please let me scan yours!"
Gotou Hitori respectfully held up her phone. As far as she knew, the one who scanned was showing a lower posture, a more polite gesture.
How could she let Lord Tsuchigumo do such a thing?
Tsuchigumo Hotaru was stunned for a moment, then adjusted his phone's Line app to the QR code interface.