Inside the live house Starry.
Toru looked at the girls in front of him with complicated feelings.
His fictional wives/heroines were gathered together.
One was the lonely, socially anxious girl he had once abandoned.
Another was the icy beauty who died young, unable to spend her life with him.
And the last was his beloved wife of three years, separated from him by fate and death.
Toru composed himself and gave a small nod to these girls, who in reality he barely knew, but in the simulation he had come to know inside and out. Because the band was about to take the stage, he did not go up to greet them.
He kept things very clear in his heart.
The simulation was the simulation. Reality was reality.
Soon, the moment arrived for Kessoku Band to perform. Because of the storm, only a handful of guests were scattered inside Starry. The atmosphere was a little empty.
But the girls were full of fighting spirit.
Ryo Yamada and Nijika Ijichi were already seasoned veterans thanks to countless simulated battles.
Even Hitori Gotoh, after her one street performance, had gained a measure of confidence.
Still, simulations were only simulations. In reality, nerves got the better of them, and small but harmless mistakes slipped in.
The first song ended.
Ikuyo Kita caught her breath for a few seconds, held onto the mic, and announced, "Next is our second song! Guitar, Loneliness, and the Blue Planet."
The audience responded with scattered applause.
Hitori Gotoh secretly opened her right eye and stole a glance at Toru.
After more than a month of band practice, she still did not really understand what growth meant…
But now she could sneak a peek at Toru with one eye!
She quickly shut it again, thinking that maybe this was growth.
Next time, she would use both eyes.
"Why isn't the guitarist looking at anyone? So arrogant…"
"Maybe she's blind."
"Ah, so that's why her bangs are so long."
Listening to the audience whisper around him, Toru turned his face away and quietly chuckled.
Hitori Gotoh might not make the best girlfriend.
But as a friend? She was simply too entertaining.
"…The blue planet, all alone…"
As Kita sang, she glanced at Hitori Gotoh. Beneath her long bangs, Bocchi's eyes were tightly shut, showing no intention of opening.
Was it really possible to play guitar like that? Kita couldn't help but wonder.
But her performance was flawless.
Hitori rejoiced in her heart, grateful for her first simulation choice, perfect pitch.
For someone with social anxiety, this skill was a blessing. She could shut off sight, shut off touch, shut off everything except hearing and the strings beneath her fingers.
Ludwig van Beethoven, you must have been the same, right? Social anxiety made you awaken that power. I understand you!
At the back, Nijika didn't notice anything unusual. She only felt everyone had improved a lot.
Ryo did notice. Nijika's drumming had advanced significantly. Still only at Level 3, but already halfway to the next stage.
After a moment of surprise, Ryo joined in and harmonized with Kita.
The second song ended quickly.
Panting lightly, Kita spoke again. For their first live, Seika had only allotted them three songs.
"The next one, please listen to... That Band."
Below the stage, Toru watched the girls throw themselves into the music, and memories surged.
The last simulation, the Tokyo Dome, tens of thousands of voices roaring together.
He was convinced: if they kept striving, their future would be limitless.
Darkness and hardship didn't matter.
Dreams would always turn into stars that shone on the path forward.
A few minutes later.
After brief silence, the audience erupted into applause. It was their first time hearing Kessoku Band, and they were instantly captivated.
The aloof guitarist who refused to look at the crowd, her skill was superb.
The bassist immersed in her own world, her passion for music overflowing.
The drummer, gentle as flowing water yet burning with warmth.
And the red-haired vocalist, perhaps the weakest stage presence, but her voice perfectly matched the band's arrangements.
A hidden treasure.
That was what every listener thought.
—
The performance ended.
Toru noticed Ryo Yamada walking toward him.
Feigning casualness, she asked, "So, what did you think?"
Toru smiled and answered with a fair evaluation. "The future looks bright. For a high school band, your level is very high."
Far from professional, but as high as a high school band could go.
Not everyone was Jimi Hendrix, who became the God of Guitar just four years after debut.
Ryo, like a maiden in spring, lowered her voice. "Thank you for coming."
"No need for thanks. I'll come often to support you."
Toru too wanted to witness this band's rise with his own eyes.
While they spoke, Hitori Gotoh hid in a corner, sneaking peeks with her right eye.
Kitahara-kun is so handsome!
Ikuyo Kita, on the other hand, was curious about her cool senior's relationship with this handsome stranger. But not knowing enough, she held back.
Nijika wanted to step forward. She raised her head slightly…
And their eyes met.
Toru paused, then gave her a gentle smile.
Nijika blinked blankly, then quickly realized and covered her face, lowering her head as her cheeks bloomed pink like cherry blossoms in April.
She hadn't meant to be noticed.
The more she thought, the hotter her face grew.
"Ijichi-san, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm sorry."
Toru straightened, bowed slightly. "I'm Toru, in the same class as Gotoh-san. It's a pleasure to meet you."
A little formal, but perfectly fitting for a first meeting.
Nijika was satisfied.
She returned the greeting. "Please take care of me."
Wait…
Before he transferred schools, Kitahara-kun was in the same class as Bocchi?
Nijika had never heard that.
She looked toward Hitori Gotoh, trembling in the corner.
How could Bocchi be even shyer than me? And you were even classmates!
No wonder Bocchi-chan ended up alone in the simulation. At this rate, she'll be single forever in reality too!
"Hello, I'm…"
"Ikuyo Kita? I know you. The boys in class often talk about you, how cute and kind and pretty the girl from Class G is."
Kita froze like a statue. She hated hearing her full name.
Kita (means "came"), Ikuyo (means "went"). Together it sounded like a bad joke. Her eternal black history.
"That's not me. I don't know who you're talking about…"
Turning her head, voice trembling, she muttered, "You've got the wrong person. My full name is Kita Kita."
"Kita Kita-san, nice to meet you."
Relieved, she answered, "Nice to meet you."
This man… not to be underestimated.
Watching her reaction, Toru found it amusing.
Another source of fun had just been added.