End of performance
Kita belted, "Impulsive emotions, roar! Play, this thunder."
Music faded; the show ended.
[Live show with End Band, Notes +10800]
Hotaru, surprised, noted the generous reward. Daily live shows?
With enough Notes, he redeemed [lv3 Keyboard] for 30,000, reaching professional level.
He reflected: Hitori, a young Guitar Hero, and masters like Yamato Love Nika, Kairin, and Mutsumi outshone peers. He had to excel too.
Backstage
End Band beamed, faces flushed, sweaty, smiling.
Ikuyo teared up, emotional.
"Success, right?" Nijika asked, unsure.
"Great success!" Ikuyo nearly pounced on Hitori. "Everyone applauded, sad it ended!"
Hotaru nodded. "Few came, skeptical at first, but we won them over."
They calmed, resuming part-time work at Starry.
Another band took the stage, Kairin as bassist, in her usual performance outfit.
Hotaru admired her time management, juggling dozens of bands flawlessly. Learn from her.
As their set ended, Hotaru approached Starry's bulletin board, replacing his old recruitment poster.
A tap on his shoulder. He turned, "Was just looking for you."
Kairin, puzzled, "Looking for me?"
She'd seen End Band's solid performance and came to greet.
Hotaru smiled, "Enjoy part-time gigs?"
Kairin nodded, "Not bad. Income, time."
"Ever want a stable band?"
Kairin looked surprised. What's he mean?
Hotaru pointed to the new poster. "How about this?"
"Form a band for life" caught her eye. Stable.
"Interesting poster," she said, arms folded.
"Two classmates, need bassist, drummer. Vocalist's a lyrical genius. Interested?" Hotaru asked.
Kairin pondered.
Hotaru pointed to Yamato Love Nika, teasing Hitori. "She's interested, great guitarist."
To attract Kairin, a skilled mercenary, Hotaru emphasized Nika and the vocalist's talent.
Kairin nodded, "Know her."
She was intrigued, not just by Nika but Hotaru and Myamu's potential involvement.
If Hotaru believes in this band, maybe it's different?
"Interested? I'll arrange a meeting," Hotaru offered. "Try as a substitute first, join if it fits."
Kairin nodded, agreeing.
"Happily decided," Hotaru clapped.
After a brief chat, Kairin left for her next gig.
Hotaru checked his phone, finding Soyo's message, sent pre-show:
"Soyo: Sorry, can't make it, mom's home. Wish you a smooth show, I'll come next time."
Hotaru wasn't upset. Post-cold, rain risked her health. No cooking for her again.
With her mom back, Soyo deserved family time.
Hotaru replied: "It's okay, show went great!"
He messaged Chihaya Anon about Kairin's interest.
Anon: "Really!? Awesome!"
Hotaru: "Don't get too excited. She's interested, plus the guitarist I mentioned. Let's set a meeting."
Anon: "Okay! RiNG tomorrow?"
Hotaru: "Fine by me. I'll ask them, set a time."
Before leaving, Hotaru glanced at the poster—now unnecessary.
He approached Nika, eating snacks, to confirm her interest and ask about her ignored friend request.
"Little Rana, why no friend add? Didn't check your phone?"
"I did," Nika said.
"Then why not accept?" Hotaru asked, taking her unlocked phone.
Apps overflowed with 99+ notifications.
Hotaru's OCD flared; he wanted to clear them.
His Line request had expired.
"You didn't look!" he said.
Nika's innocent eyes: "Phone, don't know how to use."
Hotaru sighed, re-added her, and cleared her notifications.
------------------------------
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