"Uh…"
Gotoh-san Gotoh heard Fumiya Jin's call. Her body, curled up inside the combustible trash can, straightened up a little. She cautiously peeked her head out and looked at Fumiya Jin.
"Y-You said…"
"I wasn't wrong just now, was I?" Fumiya Jin looked gently into her eyes. "You really have been practicing for a very long time, haven't you?"
Gotoh-san Gotoh didn't really dare to admit it.
But facing Fumiya Jin's gaze, she didn't dare to lie either.
So, after a moment's hesitation, she said softly, "Yes… I've been practicing for a while… I-I'm so sorry for playing so badly…"
"I'm not blaming you," Fumiya Jin shook his head. "I wanted to say, to keep practicing for so long, you must have… worked very, very hard, right? To practice so diligently, you must have been hoping that one day, your performance would be seen and heard by others, right?"
Gotoh-san Gotoh froze.
Many memories, countless daydreams… suddenly flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.
The tip of her nose suddenly tingled.
Her eyes suddenly felt hot and quickly started to well up.
She quickly buried her head.
"But… but I still can't play well… I'm sorry, when someone was finally… finally willing…" Her voice was choked with sobs.
Fumiya Jin raised his hand, reached into the can, and gently patted her little pink-haired head. "That's not true. It's your first time joining a band, and we're making you perform on stage right away. We were the ones asking too much. It'd be weirder if you could actually play perfectly with everyone from the get-go."
Just then, Nijika also came closer and said softly, "That's right, for pushing you so hard… we're the ones who should be apologizing. Gotoh-san-chan, you don't have to think so much about it. Just daring to get on stage is already a victory. If it's not good this time, there's always the next time, and the time after that. As long as you play a little better each time, isn't that enough?"
Gotoh-san Gotoh froze.
She slowly raised her head, her tear-filled eyes staring blankly at Nijika.
A glimmer of light suddenly appeared in her eyes.
"There… can be a next time…"
After Gotoh-san had cheered up a bit, the three of them started rehearsing again.
One time…
Two times…
Three times.
After the third time, the result was still rather chaotic.
But Nijika still flashed a sunny smile and said to Gotoh-san, "You've already improved a lot compared to before. Let's take a break for now. I'll go get you guys some drinks."
Gotoh-san, slightly infected by the archangel's smile, felt quite soothed and nodded obediently.
But after Nijika left the practice room and closed the door, she didn't immediately head for the main hall. Instead, she went to a corner, faced the wall, let out a small sigh, and revealed a troubled expression.
Even though just being able to finish the performance was good enough.
But to have specially invited Fumiya Jin to watch, only to show him such a messy performance… she wasn't happy.
"Huu…"
"Huu…"
"Huu…"
Nijika closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, pushing these worries back down into her heart.
Gotoh-san-chan had nothing to do with this, but she was willing to endure her social anxiety to help. She was already their savior.
I can't put extra pressure on Gotoh-san-chan just because of my silly desire to show off in front of the person I care about.
Yes, absolutely not!
Da da… Footsteps suddenly sounded from behind her.
The next second, a pair of hands reached out from behind, wrapped around her from both sides, and pulled her into a warm, firm, and not-so-unfamiliar embrace.
Caught by surprise, Nijika was startled and almost cried out.
But the familiarity of the embrace stopped her from actually screaming…
It was Fumiya Jin.
He was hugging her from behind.
"What are you doing?"
After realizing she wasn't being ambushed by some other man, Nijika let out a small sigh of relief.
But feelings of shyness and nervousness quickly welled up. "This is my family's live house! My sister and PA-san could come by at any moment!"
"It's fine. Other people can't see me, because I'm a genie who grants wishes, summoned by Miss Nijika's troubles," Fumiya Jin said with a slight smile. "You can tell me any wish you have."
Nijika turned her head and shot him a look. "I don't have any troubles… Just being able to finish the performance is already great."
Fumiya Jin, holding her soft, slender waist, lowered his head to look straight into her eyes. "Really?"
Nijika mustered the courage to meet his gaze.
But she could only hold it for a few seconds.
She lowered her head guiltily. "Alright, just… a little bit…"
"Tell me?"
Nijika bit her lip and mumbled softly:
"I want… to perform a little better, I want… to shine for you—" She couldn't bring herself to say that last part.
Just then, Fumiya Jin saw her hesitation.
He suddenly bent down, tilted his head, and gently touched his forehead to hers.
Nijika thought he was leaning in for a kiss and froze, startled like a frightened little rabbit.
But after a few seconds, she realized that wasn't it… By the time she came to her senses, Fumiya Jin had already lifted his head.
"Alright, I've heard your wish," Fumiya Jin said, his gaze warm and earnest. "Now, I'll help you grant it."
"Uh—"
Nijika was slightly taken aback.
She was actually a little… charmed by him.
This guy, why does he really feel like a god… He's just Fumiya-san!
After staring blankly for two seconds, Nijika snapped back to her senses, pouting. "How are you going to grant it? Can you conjure up another amazing, experienced guitarist for me? Or can you make Gotoh-san-chan overcome her stage fright in just an hour or two?"
Fumiya Jin gave a faint smile. "What if I just play?"
"You?"
Nijika was stunned for a moment, then gave Fumiya Jin a huge eye-roll. "Now's not the time for jokes! If you really knew how to play guitar, why would we have needed to find Gotoh-san? You could have just done it yourself!"
"I didn't know how before, but if Nijika needs me to, then I do," Fumiya Jin smiled.
Nijika pouted, grabbed one of his hands that was wrapped around her, and squeezed his fingertips. Then she said peevishly, "Could you please get at least a few calluses before trying to fool me with such nonsense? Really, you're not even trying."
"How about we make a bet?" Fumiya Jin raised an eyebrow. "If I really play and help you finish the performance, I want Nijika to wear bunny pajamas for me."
Nijika paused, her cheeks flushing red. "What kind of nonsense is that… Who would bet on something like that with you… You big pervert."
"Scared?"
"Of course not. It's just… what if you lose?"
"If I lose… then I'll wear bunny pajamas for you."
"Pfft… What the heck!" Nijika found the mere thought of it bizarre.
So weird!
But…
She kind of wanted to see it…
"So, is it a bet?"
"Mmm… Deal!" Nijika pouted. "It's not like you can play anyway."
______
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