After the class ended,
and after a short break, the new student opening ceremony began.
In the auditorium.
The principal gave a speech, the dean gave a speech, a teacher representative spoke, the student council president spoke, the new student representative spoke…
A long, tedious chain of speeches.
Extremely boring, everyone was drifting into sleepiness.
Especially Hirasawa Yui, who was already nodding off.
Bai Qiu worried she might topple over.
He himself wasn't bored—not because the speeches were interesting, of course.
Bai Qiu was simply immersed in his own mental world.
A person with a rich imagination doesn't get bored so easily.
Right, Pochi-chan?
Bai Qiu glanced at Takamatsu Akari standing nearby.
Clearly, Akari was also lost in her own world.
Bai Qiu chuckled lightly. Alright, time to get down to business.
Now that he had Notes, it would be a shame not to spend them in the system store.
Without hesitation, Bai Qiu redeemed the Level 1 piano skill.
His plan: join an endgame band and become their keyboardist.
Although he liked the atmosphere of the Light Music Club, and joining would be as simple as submitting an application.
Five girls of distinct styles to accompany him, plus endless gourmet snacks and tea served.
Just imagining that scene made his heart race.
But Bai Qiu wanted the professional route.
After all, he had a system!
Goal: Budokan!
For the Light Music Club, a professional path was still too early.
Of course, this didn't mean the girls' skills were lacking.
It's just that, at this stage, they played music for fun and kept academics as a priority.
Also, the Light Music Club was already well-equipped.
If his intrusion accidentally pushed someone out, he'd feel guilty.
Obtaining the piano skill made Bai Qiu feel like he had gained something substantial.
But that feeling… couldn't quite be put into words.
Awesome!
He rubbed his long fingers, feeling a tingle of excitement.
Then he glanced at the piano in the corner of the auditorium stage.
An urge rose in his heart to rush over and press the keys.
No, no… resist, resist. Bai Qiu shook his head.
He didn't want to become the school celebrity on the first day.
...
After school.
Hirasawa Yui, alone, had planned to find Bai Qiu—her equally idle partner—to walk home together.
But Bai Qiu had disappeared without a trace.
Setagaya, Tokyo, Shimokitazawa.
Not far from Sakuragaoka Shuuka High School, just a ten-minute walk.
Bai Qiu's destination.
Shimokitazawa, famous for its unique culture and artsy atmosphere, was loved by young people.
It had a variety of shops: bookstores, fashion stores, second-hand clothing stores, instrument stores…
Cafes, bars, old-style izakayas, public eateries… plenty of part-time job opportunities for nearby students.
Of course, Bai Qiu wasn't here to work. No way he'd do a part-time job.
More importantly, Shimokitazawa was a well-known live house district in Tokyo.
Bai Qiu's goal: find bandmates.
Not Ichiji Niji or Yamada Ryo, don't misunderstand.
First, he needed an electronic keyboard.
Strolling along, he arrived at the door of a music store.
The sign read "10GIA."
The store looked luxurious yet elegant, with a wide range of instruments.
Bai Qiu made up his mind: this one.
Inside, he was dazzled.
Guitars, basses, drum sets, keyboards, synthesizers… all sorts of cool, high-end instruments.
After admiring a while, Bai Qiu headed to the keyboard section.
At first, he inspected them with interest.
But after some time, he frowned, feeling conflicted.
To be honest, he hadn't really touched instruments much.
He had no idea which electronic keyboard would suit him best.
Quite a dilemma.
Just then, a soft, gentle voice rang beside him.
"Hello, sir. May I help you with something?"
Toyokawa Shoko noticed Bai Qiu had been staring blankly for a while.
He seemed troubled. Wearing the same school uniform, she assumed he was a fellow student.
Although he didn't look like someone who'd buy expensive instruments, Shoko approached to assist.
Bai Qiu tilted his head, seeing sky-blue twin tails on either side, delicate features, and pale golden eyes.
Was she a store clerk?
If not for the uniform, he might have mistaken her for a wealthy young lady.
Bai Qiu inwardly marveled: high-end stores were truly different.
Also… this clerk, was she a succubus?
Even someone as calm as him felt his heartbeat accelerate.
Shocked by her beauty, he quickly regained composure.
After all, girls in music worlds were naturally beautiful.
Better get used to it.
Calming himself, Bai Qiu answered.
"Ah… do you have an electronic keyboard suitable for beginners?"
Trying to appear calm, he still stammered slightly.
"A beginner, you say… may I ask if you have prior piano experience, or are you learning electronic keyboard directly?"
Shoko thought for a moment before asking.
Bai Qiu recalled redeeming the Level 1 piano skill.
Usually, someone with piano experience picks up electronic keyboards more easily.
There were many similarities between the two.
Of course, if electronic keyboards appeared as a reward option next time, he'd switch immediately.
"I've learned a little piano."
"I see…"
Shoko thought for a moment, then led him to an electronic keyboard.
"If you've learned piano before, I'd recommend this Yamaha PSR-F52."
She introduced it, considering it fit Bai Qiu's budget.
"This model is popular among beginner keyboardists. The price is…"
Bai Qiu approached the keyboard, ready to try it.
But his gaze was drawn to another blue-bodied keyboard nearby.
"Then how about this one?" he asked.
Shoko replied, "This is the PSR-E383. Performance is upgraded and it's more portable.
However, as a custom blue model, it's more expensive—150,000 yen.
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it."
Most keyboards were black. The blue PSR-E383 only cost more due to rarity, not performance.
If it were her before, she wouldn't care.
"However, you can try it," Shoko said with a smile.
Trying it out… it was Bai Qiu's first time. He felt a bit nervous.
Placing his fingers on the keys, though no song came to mind, they moved instinctively.
Not fast—just lightly testing.
Gentle notes sounded, one after another.
Shoko listened carefully while observing his hand movements.
A few small mistakes, but his fundamentals were solid.
Compared to her skill, these few notes were negligible.
For a beginner, it was already very good.
The sound faded.
The feel was nice.
"This one, then."
Bai Qiu made a direct decision.
No reason other than liking the blue color.
"Eh?!"
Shoko froze. So decisive… no haggling?
She thought he'd choose the first one after testing. Many customers did that, just to try their hands.
"Not… considering a bit more?"
She barely spoke the words before regretting them.
Her salary depended on sales performance.
The more Bai Qiu spent, the higher her commission.
But he was a student; she didn't want him to waste money.
Bai Qiu felt her kindness, smiled, and said, "Yes, this one. Thank you for your help.
Next time, I'll be in your care too."
"Mm… okay."
Shoko didn't insist further.
He probably wasn't short on money.
Receipt printed, QR code scanned, payment complete, keyboard bag slung over his shoulder.
Bai Qiu walked out, satisfied.
[Purchased electronic keyboard recommended by Toyokawa Shoko, gained 300 Notes.]
He stopped, instinctively looking back at the store.
Even here… he could meet a system-eligible music girl?
Jackpot.
Well, it made sense—she worked at a music store.
Toyokawa Shoko… nice name.
Seemed familiar somehow.
No matter, home first.
Bai Qiu set off eagerly to play his new keyboard.
Nearby, a girl with short blue hair covering one eye, a tear mole beneath it, emerged from the bookstore.
Yamada Ryo carried a stack of books taller than her head.
Bai Qiu carried his keyboard.
Both were immersed in post-shopping joy.
By rock intuition, Yamada Ryo happened to glance at Bai Qiu… and his keyboard bag.
Rectangular, electronic keyboard.
Not a bass. Good.
The two passed each other.