Tsuchigumo Hotaru and Gotou Hitori were attracted by the newcomer.
Unlike Gotou Hitori's rustic attire, the girl in front of them wore red short boots, a blue-green long-sleeved jacket, and a white short skirt.
The red ribbon tied around her neck trembled with her exaggerated movements.
Her striking golden-yellow hair was styled into a long side ponytail.
Most interestingly, a triangular ahoge floated in the air.
She looked petite, lively, and adorable.
"That's a guitar, right? Can you play it?"
Ijichi Nijika asked Gotou Hitori excitedly.
Gotou Hitori: "…"
Since Gotou Hitori didn't answer, Ijichi Nijika blinked in confusion, then turned to Tsuchigumo Hotaru and apologized, "Sorry for suddenly rushing over. My name is Ijichi Nijika, a second-year student at Shimokitazawa High School. How about you two?"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru replied, "My name is Tsuchigumo Hotaru, a first-year student at Sakuragaoka Shuka High School."
Gotou Hitori secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good thing Tsuchigumo Hotaru was there. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to handle such a situation at all.
However, Tsuchigumo Hotaru suddenly turned to Gotou Hitori and smiled, "She is too, Gotō-san, you should greet people properly."
Gotou Hitori didn't dare to look directly at Ijichi Nijika, her eyes darting to the ground as she spoke, "Ah, I, my name is Gotou Hitori."
"Oh!" Nijika's tone was a little excited, "Then, Hitori, how good are you at playing the guitar?"
"Ah, it should be okay…"
Gotou Hitori was startled. Is she calling me by my first name right away?!
"Um, actually, I've run into a bit of a problem. It's okay if it's inconvenient, it's not serious, but it's a bit troublesome…" Ijichi Nijika said, rubbing her hands together slightly as she looked at the two of them.
Gotou Hitori thought, it sounds absolutely troublesome…
Tsuchigumo Hotaru also felt that if it weren't for Hitori, Nijika would definitely be rejected.
"So, I'll be direct. Please, could you be a temporary guitarist for my band?!"
"We have a performance coming up, but our guitarist and lead singer suddenly disappeared. Please help us!" Ijichi Nijika clasped her hands together.
"You just need to know a little guitar to play it well."
Gotou Hitori wanted to refuse but couldn't speak.
She looked at Tsuchigumo Hotaru for help: "Tsuchi… Tsuchi…"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru smiled gently.
Gotou Hitori thought she was saved, then her face turned ashen.
"No problem at all!"
"Really?! That's great! Thank you both!"
Ijichi Nijika was very happy and pulled Gotou Hitori along.
Of course, Tsuchigumo Hotaru also went with them.
Along the way, Nijika enthusiastically found topics to talk about with them.
"Oh right, just call me Nijika."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru naturally accepted this graciously.
Besides Yui, there was finally another female lead he could call by her first name.
"Speaking of which, Hitori…" Nijika looked at Hitori, then looked at Tsuchigumo Hotaru with an inquiring gaze.
Since earlier, Gotou Hitori had been silent, huddled to the side, with a very strange expression.
Nijika couldn't help but think, as expected, it's still too difficult for her.
Seeing this situation, Tsuchigumo Hotaru explained Gotou Hitori's social anxiety.
However, she might not have too much hope for her guitar skills later.
Nijika didn't mind, saying it was fine, as this performance was just a casual attempt.
Besides, all the audience members were her friends, so it was no problem.
…
"It smells so good."
Walking on the way to Starry, Gotou Hitori suddenly muttered, sniffing at Ijichi Nijika's side ponytail next to her.
Fashionable girls like Nijika must be real band members, unlike her, who probably only smells of mold from the closet.
Wuwu X﹏X…
Tsuchigumo Hotaru heard Hitori's words and nodded slightly, "Hmm."
Nijika was a little confused: "What smells good?"
Gotou Hitori shook her head frantically.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru joked, "Maybe Hitori is hungry."
Gotou Hitori's body twitched, and she looked at Tsuchigumo Hotaru in horror.
"Wait, you two wouldn't possibly!" Nijika suddenly realized something and pulled her side ponytail to the front.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru and Gotou Hitori gave an awkward laugh.
Seeing this, Nijika seemed to understand something.
"You can't do that, not on the main road!" Ijichi Nijika shouted at the two of them, a little embarrassed and angry.
"Sorry!"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru and Gotou Hitori sincerely bowed their heads in apology.
"My… you two really are…" Ijichi Nijika shook her head slightly, a little helpless.
…
I hope she doesn't think she picked the wrong people…
I hope I don't lower Nijika's impression of me…
Did I pick the wrong person…
Three people, three different thoughts.
…
Before long, Ijichi Nijika brought Tsuchigumo Hotaru and Gotou Hitori to a live house called "Starry."
Starry.
"By the way, this is my sister's shop, and I work here too." When mentioning her sister, Nijika's eyes narrowed slightly, looking very happy.
Upon entering, a long staircase led to the basement; Starry was located on the first basement floor.
However, Tsuchigumo Hotaru observed the ground environment; the drainage was very good, so water wouldn't seep in even on rainy days.
"Ma… Magic mirror?" Looking at the door of Starry, Gotou Hitori suddenly spoke.
What is that?
Tsuchigumo Hotaru and Nijika wondered.
Never mind, let's enter Starry.
"How does it feel?" Ijichi Nijika asked the two with a light laugh.
This dimness, and the sense of oppression, it's just like the closet at her house.
A sense of security rose in Gotou Hitori's heart, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
"I'm home!"
Ijichi Nijika blinked and gave an awkward laugh, "This is my home!"
"Eh? I didn't expect Tsuchigumo to be so excited too." Nijika looked at Tsuchigumo Hotaru with some surprise; from the park until just now, Tsuchigumo Hotaru had been mature and steady.
Now, a joyful expression was on his face, and his eyes were bright as he surveyed his surroundings.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru chuckled softly.
He couldn't help it; this was a pilgrimage to a holy site.
"Can I take pictures?" Tsuchigumo Hotaru asked with some anticipation.
"You can." Seeing Tsuchigumo Hotaru like her sister's live house so much, Nijika was also very happy.
"Oh, Nijika actually brought a boy to the shop." A voice suddenly came from the dim viewing area. A mature and cool-looking older sister sat there with narrowed eyes.
Earrings, tongue piercing, lip piercing, a choker around her neck…
Tsuchigumo Hotaru was also stunned and stopped taking pictures.
This is too rock and roll?!
Gotou Hitori suddenly felt this place was too terrifying. Go home, go home, she wanted to go home!
Nijika said with a slight smile, "They're friends I just met. This is the PA-xiaojie of the shop."
PA-xiaojie, her name is unknown.
She is only known as Starry's sound engineer.
"Hitori, you don't need to be so scared." Nijika looked at the disheveled Hitori and quickly said, "Let's go to the practice room!"