The amusement park, the central plaza, in front of the fountain.
Bai Qiu and the girls from the Light Music Club were doing their promotional work here.
At first, everyone was full of fighting spirit.
But soon, the group gradually felt that something wasn't quite right.
"Um..."
"I... I feel... like... I'm... getting... hotter?"
"How about you, Bai Qiu?"
Hirasawa Yui, who was the most sensitive to temperature, said in a broken manner. She already wanted to take off her head covering.
"I'm a bit sweaty too."
"My face is drenched."
Akiyama Mio and Tainaka Ritsu echoed the sentiment.
This part-time job was much harder than the one they did in Shimokitazawa a while ago!
"Of course, it is. The head covers are so thick. We couldn't breathe in there at all."
Bai Qiu explained, panting slightly.
"And the sun seems to be getting stronger."
Although they had anticipated it, it was much hotter than they had imagined.
At this moment, Bai Qiu suddenly thought.
The part-time job at Starry was really enjoyable.
A cool basement, free air conditioning, a free drink, and a free live performance to watch.
Nijika had said that originally, the drinks were unlimited, since, after all, drinks didn't cost much.
But considering Yamada Ryo's excessive drinking, and even occasionally taking extra-large bottles home.
Iizuka Seika had to issue this decree.
However, Nijika also said that it was actually okay to drink more.
This decree mainly targeted Yamada Ryo.
But, it's not a good idea to drink too many carbonated drinks!
Nijika, I miss you!
"I can't take it anymore!"
Tainaka Ritsu took off her head covering first.
Hirasawa Yui followed suit.
"You idiots, you'll be found out," Akiyama Mio warned.
"They'll dock our pay," she added.
Bai Qiu added.
Hearing about the deductions, Ritsu and Yui quickly pulled their hoods over their heads.
Yui's hood was even on backwards.
"Speaking of which, Tsumugi hasn't said a word since earlier," Bai Qiu suddenly said.
As soon as he spoke, everyone immediately turned to look at Kotobuki Tsumugi.
"Could she have passed out from the heat in there?" Ritsu speculated.
"Awoo woo, Tsumugi, don't die!"
Hirasawa Yui wailed.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Bai Qiu knocked on Yui's head through the mascot costume.
Akiyama Mio asked worriedly, "Tsumugi, are you alright?"
"..."
Kotobuki Tsumugi didn't move.
"Th-that… Tsumugi, don't scare me…"
Akiyama Mio was a little scared.
Bai Qiu stepped forward and removed Kotobuki Tsumugi's hood.
Kotobuki Tsumugi blinked her big, adorable eyes.
"Wow!"
"Wow?"
Everyone looked at her in confusion.
"Tsumugi, are you alright?"
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
Kotobuki Tsumugi explained,
"I was trying to scare you all."
"But it seems I failed."
"..."
Hirasawa Yui spoke up, "Tsumugi, aren't you hot?"
Kotobuki Tsumugi thought for a moment, "Not really. It's dark in here, it's quite interesting."
Everyone looked at her cheeks and realized there wasn't a single bead of sweat. They couldn't help but feel envious.
Bai Qiu couldn't help but wonder if the system could exchange for a body that was warm in winter and cool in summer.
...
Finally, it was break time.
Everyone quickly took off their headgear.
The heat that had gathered on their heads quickly dissipated, and they could finally feel a bit of coolness.
Except for Kotobuki Tsumugi, the girls were all drenched in sweat.
Everyone took out tissues and wiped the fine sweat from their foreheads.
"My head… is about to start smoking…"
"Yeah…"
Clearly, everyone was too exhausted to speak.
Bai Qiu spotted a vending machine and said,
"What do you guys want to drink? My treat."
Ritsu's eyes lit up. "Bai Qiu! I knew I wasn't wrong about you."
Ahem, Bai Qiu was a little embarrassed.
On the one hand, they definitely needed a cold drink to cool down.
On the other hand, he felt that treating everyone to drinks would probably earn him a system reward.
Yui: "Coke!"
Ritsu: "I'll have a Coke too."
Tsumugi hesitated for a moment, "Me too."
Eight eyes turned to Mio.
Akiyama Mio's face was slightly flushed, she didn't know if it was from the heat or something else.
"I... just water is fine, thank you..."
"OK!"
Bai Qiu walked over to the vending machine.
Kotobuki Tsumugi watched from afar, very curious. She also wanted to go and take a look at that big machine.
Bai Qiu picked out the drinks everyone wanted, then bought a few extra bottles of water for the afternoon.
Also, Bai Qiu was pleasantly surprised to find that the drinks in the amusement park were the same price as in the convenience store.
Toyokawa Satoko realized that it was becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable part-time jobs in Shimokitazawa.
According to the owner of a part-time job shop,
Some female students had recently been coming to Shimokitazawa in groups to take on a lot of work.
Fortunately, this weekend,
she found a satisfactory part-time job.
This was about wearing a mascot costume in the amusement park to help attract customers.
The job was pretty tough, but the hourly wage was much higher than most part-time jobs.
Under the shade of a tree, Toyokawa Satoko sat alone, looking lonely.
The people nearby all seemed to have companions.
Satoko pressed her fingers together, fanning her cheeks.
However, it seemed to get hotter the more she fanned.
The wind she fanned out was hot, and her arms ached more and more from the motion.
But she didn't stop.
Perhaps it's because fanning myself like this provides some psychological comfort.
Suddenly, Toyokawa Satoko noticed the girls from the Light Music Club under the shade of a tree across from her.
Lively, that's what they were...
Satoko had seen the girls from the Light Music Club at school before, because they always walked together, carrying instruments.
They must be in the same band.
Suddenly, Toyokawa Satoko seemed to understand something.
Those part-time girls she'd seen in Shimokitazawa, they were probably them!
The girl with the golden-yellow hair in particular caught Toyokawa Satoko's attention.
Kotobuki Tsumugi, the sole heiress of the Kotobuki family.
Toyokawa Satoko knew her.
A long time ago, Satoko had seen her at a banquet.
However, the other girl probably didn't recognize her, so Toyokawa Satoko was relatively at ease.
She heard that this girl was very well-protected by the Kotobuki family.
She wasn't involved in any family affairs, was beloved by her family, and was like a pearl held in the palm of their hands.
Consequently, her personality was very simple.
But,
Why would she be working in a place like this?
Toyokawa Satoko was puzzled.
Could she be down on her luck like me?
Watching Kotobuki Tsumugi and her companions chatting from afar, a genuine and happy smile on her face.
Toyokawa Satoko was even more confused.
Even though it was such hot weather, doing such tiring work.
How could she be so happy?
Why couldn't she smile at all?
Suddenly, Toyokawa Satoko's pupils constricted, and her expression became tense.
"I'm back!"
Bai Qiu returned to the girls, carrying the drinks.
He'd already started drinking his.
"We're saved!!" ×2
Yui and Ritsu were the quickest to react.
Next was Tsumugi, and Mio was last.
Suddenly, Bai Qiu scanned his surroundings, noticing something.
After saying a few words to the girls, and under their puzzled gazes, Bai Qiu walked in a certain direction.
Toyokawa Satoko quickly lowered her head, her eyebrows trembling.
Seeing Bai Qiu here today, she felt that surprise far outweighed joy.
If she could help it, she didn't want anyone she knew to see her working part-time.
For someone as proud as she was, it felt like a punishment.
The only thing that gave Toyokawa Satoko a little peace of mind now was that the other person was also working part-time.
However, she really didn't want to be seen in this state.
Because she had been wearing the mascot costume earlier, she had sweated quite a bit, and her back was still a little damp.
Toyokawa Satoko didn't know what kind of scent she was giving off right now.
But she felt that it definitely wasn't pleasant.
Please!
I beg you!
Don't come any closer!
Bai Qiu-kun.
Just pretend you didn't see me, okay?
Toyokawa Satoko kept praying in her heart.
Right, the hood!
If she just put on the hood and pretended to be working, she wouldn't be recognized.
Toyokawa Satoko's face lit up with joy, and she immediately acted.
"Toyokawa-san."
Argh!
Satoko sighed inwardly.
Why, why did you have to appear when I'm such a mess!
"Stupid Bai Qiu, can't you pick a better time!"
Of course, that was just what she was thinking.
Toyokawa Satoko wasn't actually angry.
"Ah, Bai Qiu... what a coincidence..."
Toyokawa Satoko forced a smile.
"Want a drink?"
Bai Qiu offered her water, "It's just mineral water, though."
"Ah, no... I'm good."
Toyokawa Satoko wanted to refuse, but a cold sensation had already spread through her hand.
Bai Qiu had already placed a water bottle in her hand.
"You don't want me carrying all these drinks, do you?"
Bai Qiu gestured towards the extra drinks in his hand. "My arms are getting tired."
"Alright… thank you."
The familiar words instinctively brought Toyokawa Satoko back to the scene from last night, and she tightened her grip on the water bottle.
"Oh, right!"
"How about we just consider this an apology for last night? You can't bring it up again, Toyokawa-san."
Bai Qiu suddenly said jokingly.
"No need to pay... wait, no!"
Toyokawa Satoko turned her face away, "You're the one who made me fall and get hurt..."
She wasn't going to let him just get away with a bottle of water. Absolutely not.
"But you said last night I didn't have to apologize."
"Last night was last night, and now is now," Toyokawa Satoko retorted.
"Eh..."
Seeing Bai Qiu deflated, Toyokawa Satoko was actually a little pleased.
At this moment, the girls from the Light Music Club waved and called out to Bai Qiu. Their break time was ending, and it was time to get back to work.
So, Bai Qiu could only say,
"Toyokawa-san, I'll go over there first."
"Okay."
Toyokawa Satoko nodded.
Looking at the Light Music Club members again, Toyokawa Satoko's mood was inevitably a little complicated.
You... don't you have a few too many girls over there?
The somewhat spacey Hirasawa Yui immediately noticed Toyokawa Satoko's gaze.
Her smile widened, and she waved her arms even more enthusiastically.
If it weren't so hot, she might have run over to make friends with Satoko.
Toyokawa Satoko nodded in a slightly awkward greeting, not sure if Hirasawa Yui could even see her.
I don't know how much time passed.
The morning shift finally ended.
At noon, the amusement park provided boxed lunches, which tasted alright.
Afternoon, continued the tiring part-time job.
Evening, got off work.
The sun also clocked out, and the weather cooled down accordingly.
Finally, the free play session everyone had been looking forward to arrived.
However, everyone was already exhausted.
As a result, after casually trying out a few game projects, Bai Qiu and the girls, using Akiyama Mio's camera, took a group photo on the Ferris wheel.
The day ended just like that.
It felt as though they'd been played by the amusement park.
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