Whispers kept spreading.
Ryo heard them, but she didn't care.
She just looked ahead calmly, a faint smile on her lips. The kind of smile that never would've been there before.
She walked into the classroom and took her seat.
A few familiar classmates immediately rushed over.
"Ryo! You're finally back!" a short-haired girl said excitedly.
"Are you okay, Ryo?" another girl asked with concern. "We heard about your family..."
Ryo shook her head lightly. "Some things happened. But they're resolved now."
"Really?!"
"That's great!"
Her classmates let out sighs of relief, genuine smiles spreading across their faces.
"Ryo, you look so much better!" the short-haired girl said.
"Yeah! You seem like a completely different person!"
"Right… how do I put it…" Another girl tilted her head, thinking. "It feels like you… came back to life?"
Ryo smiled but said nothing.
Came back to life…
Yeah. That's exactly it.
...
...
Noon. The school rooftop.
Shimokitazawa High allowed students on the rooftop. The view was wide open, overlooking the entire campus.
Ryo and Nijika sat side by side on a bench, eating their lunches.
Nijika had brought her homemade fried chicken bento. Ryo's was a deluxe bento from a restaurant.
Ryo…
Nijika bit into her chicken, stealing a sidelong glance at her.
Thinking about how Ryo had bounced back—by relying on that rich teacher who had several other women—left her feelings… complicated.
As a friend, she was obviously happy for Ryo. At least the debt was gone. The hospital was back.
But as an ordinary high school girl, she also thought… this kind of solution was just too awkward to even talk about.
Nijika sighed.
Whatever.
She wasn't the type to dwell on things.
As long as Ryo was doing this willingly, that was enough.
"By the way!" Nijika suddenly remembered something. "After school today, wanna practice at STARRY?"
"Yeah." Ryo nodded. "I've got a shift anyway."
Huh?
Nijika froze. You still have to work?
Fujiwara-sensei's loaded, and he's still too cheap to give you an allowance?
But Ryo said seriously, "I'm a loyal employee of STARRY."
"Uh…" Nijika hesitated.
Given Ryo's situation now, she shouldn't be short on money, right?
Ryo saw her confusion and smiled faintly. "Nijika, I'm not planning to change how I live."
"Eh?"
Working, practicing, playing music with you guys…
Ryo gazed at the sky, her smile soft.
She liked this life just fine.
"Really? That's great!" Nijika beamed.
She'd been worried that she and Ryo might drift apart. But it seemed they could still be close friends.
...
...
Evening.
"Ryo, let's go!" Nijika jogged over with her drum bag, full of energy.
"Mm." Ryo nodded, stuffing her textbooks into her bag.
The two walked out of school together, heading toward the station.
"It's been so long since we went to STARRY together!" Nijika bounced along. "My sister's gonna be so surprised! She probably thought you weren't coming back!"
Ryo nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
They soon arrived at the STARRY live house.
Nijika pushed the door open.
Inside, only a few dim yellow lights were on. Behind the bar, Seika Ijichi was organizing the ledger. Miss PA sat nearby, playing on her phone.
"Sis, I'm here—" Nijika called out habitually.
"Mm, welcome back…" Seika replied without looking up, still writing something.
Just then—
"Evening, Manager. PA-san."
A familiar voice rang out.
Seika's pen stopped mid-stroke.
Miss PA put down her phone.
Both of them looked up at the same time, staring at the door in shock.
Ryo stood there, bass bag slung over her shoulder, expression calm, as if it were just another day.
"Ryo… Ryo?!" Seika shot to her feet.
Miss PA's eyes went wide.
"I'm back." Ryo gave a small nod, then walked toward the practice room as if nothing had happened.
"Gonna put my stuff down first." She opened the door and stepped inside.
Seika and Miss PA exchanged glances, both wearing expressions of disbelief.
"Nijika—" Seika immediately rushed over, grabbing her sister's arm. "What's going on? Why is she suddenly here?"
Miss PA hurried over as well, full of curiosity. "Yeah! I thought she…"
Nijika stumbled as her sister yanked her. She looked helpless.
"Um… Ryo's situation got temporarily resolved, so naturally she came back," Nijika said vaguely.
"Temporarily resolved?" Seika frowned. "What do you mean, temporarily?"
"It's just… I mean…" Nijika stammered. "Anyway… she's fine now!"
Her eyes darted everywhere except her sister's face.
Seika stared at her.
Miss PA stared at her too.
Three seconds.
Five seconds.
Sweat started beading on Nijika's forehead.
Seika suddenly let go, her expression turning complicated.
"Got it." Her voice was low.
"Huh?" Nijika blinked.
Seika turned and walked back to the bar, her face blank.
"Sis?" Nijika looked confused.
Miss PA sighed and patted Nijika's shoulder. "Your sister already figured it out."
"Figured out?" Nijika was even more lost.
"There were those news reports, remember…" Miss PA lowered her voice. "About how that Fujiwara-sensei helped Ryo get the hospital back. We thought it was just some business deal at first… but now…"
She gave Nijika a meaningful look.
Nijika's expression shifted slightly. She'd been trying to keep it secret for Ryo, but her sister and PA had guessed it immediately.
She quickly glanced at the bar.
Her sister sat on a high stool, hands braced on the counter, head down, silent.
Nijika felt at a loss.
"It's fine. Go practice. I'll handle Seika," Miss PA reassured her.
"But…"
"Leave it to me." Miss PA winked.
Nijika bit her lip. In the end, she said nothing and headed toward the practice room.
Miss PA shook her head and walked over to Seika.
Before she could say anything—
"I know what you're going to say." Seika looked up, pulling a can of lemon soda from the fridge and popping it open with a sharp crack.
"Then why are you so upset?" Miss PA asked with amusement.
"I'm not upset." Seika took a long swig.
"You sure don't look like it."
Seika went quiet for a moment, then suddenly slammed the can down on the counter.
"Fine, I am upset!" she said through gritted teeth. "That kid is only sixteen!"
Her voice rose. "Sixteen! She should be studying, playing music, enjoying her youth! Not… not…"
She couldn't finish.
Miss PA let out a soft sigh. "But if she didn't do this, she might've been crushed by that debt already."
"I know!" Seika rubbed her forehead in frustration. "But still…"
"Alright, alright. If you understand the situation, don't take it out on Nijika." Miss PA said gently.
"I'm not taking it out on Nijika." Seika's voice sounded a bit hurt.
"Then just now…"
Seika sighed. "I just think I'm awful. I know this is the best outcome for Ryo, but I still can't let it go…"
Miss PA burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?!" Seika snapped, flustered.
"Nothing." Miss PA was grinning. "Just that… you really are like a kid who never grew up, Seika."
Seika's face darkened.
"Mind your own business," she muttered, taking another drink.
Miss PA shook her head, poured herself a drink, and sat beside her at the bar.
...
...
9 PM. Outside STARRY.
Shift over.
"I'm heading out." Ryo slung her bass bag over her shoulder and said goodbye to Seika and Miss PA.
"Mm… be safe out there." Seika's tone was calm again.
"Bye, Ryo." Miss PA waved with a smile.
"Bye."
Ryo walked out, her figure disappearing into the night.
Seika stood at the door, watching the direction Ryo had gone, silent for a long time.
Miss PA walked up beside her. "You noticed, right?"
"Yeah." Seika nodded. "She's definitely more cheerful."
"See?" Miss PA smiled. "Even if that guy's a scumbag, for Ryo, it might not be such a bad thing."
Seika said nothing.
She turned and walked back inside. Her gaze suddenly fell on a newspaper lying on the bar.
It was a few days old—Asahi Shimbun. The front page featured a photo of Seiji and an interview.
The headline read: "Genius Author's New Chapter."
When Seika had seen this article before, she'd been impressed. This guy really is a genius.
But now…
She frowned.
Men are all the same. She muttered through clenched teeth. Womanizers, players…
She grabbed the newspaper and tore it in half.
Scumbag!
Then she tore it into quarters.
Big scumbag!
Then eighths.
Super scumbag!
Finally, she threw the shredded pieces into the trash.
Miss PA stared, dumbfounded. "That's a bit much… the newspaper didn't do anything wrong…"
"Seeing scumbags makes me mad!" Seika huffed. "I'm not just tearing up the paper—I'm throwing out his book when I get home too!"
Miss PA blinked. "You bought his book?"
"I bought it before!" Seika got even angrier. "I thought he was this genius author, but now… hmph!"
Miss PA couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?!"
"Nothing." Miss PA waved it off. "Just that… you're adorable, Seika."
Seika glared at her, about to say something—
"Sis?"
Nijika had come back after seeing Ryo off. She walked in just in time to see her sister tearing up the newspaper.
She froze. "Sis… what are you doing?"
"Nothing." Seika turned away.
Nijika looked at Miss PA.
Miss PA smiled and explained. "Your sister hates scumbags and sugar daddies, so she's venting… but don't worry, she's not mad at you."
Nijika paused.
Miss PA walked over and patted her shoulder. "It's fine, Nijika. This kind of thing is common in the rock scene. For Ryo… it might even be a good fit."
Nijika froze for a moment, then remembered Ryo had said something similar.
She gave a complicated smile. "Yeah… I guess so."
...
...
9:30 PM. The Yamada residence.
The living room was brightly lit.
Seiji sat on the sofa, holding Genesis Music's legal documents, a satisfied smile on his face.
Sakaguchi had done excellent work.
Company registration, copyright filings, trademark applications… every step handled perfectly.
Just then—
"I'm home."
The sound of a key turning came from the entryway.
Ryo pushed the door open, set down her bass bag, and changed into slippers.
"Welcome back." Seiji looked up with a smile.
Ryo walked into the living room and naturally settled into his lap.
Seiji just as naturally wrapped his arms around the girl, feeling her soft, slender body, his hands starting to wander without hesitation.
Ryo's expression didn't change, though her cheeks flushed slightly.
She was used to this by now. In fact, if Seiji didn't grope her one day, she'd probably worry something was wrong with him.
"What are you looking at?" she asked.
"Prepared a gift for you." Seiji smiled and handed her the documents.
Ryo blinked, accepting them.
Genesis Music… subsidiary brand… She read the words on the page. This is…
"A music label," Seiji explained. "Under the Genesis umbrella. For you to play music with."
Ryo's hands trembled slightly.
She kept reading—
Brand Philosophy: Pursue individuality. Release your true self.
Signed artists have complete creative freedom.
No mandatory commercial activities.
…and so on.
Ryo's eyes widened in surprise. "This… this is for me?"
"Do you like it?" Seiji asked gently.
Ryo nodded hard.
This label…
It was exactly what she'd always wanted.
Pursue individuality…
Wasn't that the kind of music she'd always been searching for?
"And…" Seiji continued, "you can bring Nijika and your band in too. Just enjoy making music together. Contracts, pay, all that—don't worry about any of it."
Ryo couldn't hold back anymore.
She turned around, cupped his face in both hands, and kissed him.
Her slender legs wrapped tightly around his waist, as if trying to merge herself completely into him.
Seiji kissed her back, tongue sliding between her lips, tasting her gratitude and need.
Her hands moved to his shirt, fingers fumbling with buttons until she gave up and just yanked it open.
"Bedroom," she breathed against his mouth.
He stood, lifting her easily. Her legs stayed locked around him as he carried her down the hall.
The moment they crossed the threshold, she was pulling at his belt, his pants, anything she could reach.
"Ryo..."
"Shut up." She kissed him harder, biting his lower lip. "You gave me everything. Now I want you."
He dropped her onto the bed. She pulled her shirt over her head, no bra underneath. Her small breasts and stiff nipples caught the dim light.
Seiji knelt between her legs, hands sliding up her thighs. He peeled off her jeans and panties in one motion.
She lay there, completely bare, watching him with those sharp blue eyes.
"Come here," she said.
He leaned down. She pulled him into another kiss, slower this time, savoring it. Her hands traced down his chest, nails dragging lightly over his skin.
When she wrapped her fingers around his cock, he groaned into her mouth.
"I want to try something," she murmured.
"What?"
She pushed him back until he was sitting against the headboard. Then she crawled down his body, kissing his chest, his stomach, working her way lower.
When she took him in her mouth, Seiji's head fell back.
Ryo wasn't skilled, not yet, but what she lacked in technique she made up for in enthusiasm. She worked him with her tongue, lips sliding down his length, taking him deeper each time until she gagged slightly.
She pulled back, caught her breath, tried again.
She hummed around him, the vibration making him twitch in her mouth.
Her hand worked the base while she sucked, messy and eager, saliva dripping down her chin. She looked up at him through her lashes, and the sight nearly undid him. Those cool eyes filled with heat.
He pulled her up before he came.
"Not yet." He flipped their positions, settling between her thighs.
"Wait!" She started to protest, but then his mouth was on her.
He licked a long stripe through her folds, tasting how wet she already was. She gasped, hips jerking up.
He pinned her thighs down and got to work. Tongue circling her clit, then dipping inside, then back up. Finding the rhythm that made her squirm.
"Seiji... oh fuck..."
Her hands fisted in the sheets. He slid two fingers inside her while his mouth focused on her clit, sucking and flicking until her thighs started trembling.
"Don't stop! Please don't!"
He didn't. He kept the same pace, same pressure, driving her higher until she came with a sharp cry, pussy clenching around his fingers.
Before she'd fully recovered, she was reaching for the nightstand drawer.
"What are you..."
She pulled out a small vibrator. His eyebrows rose.
"When did you get that?"
"Ordered it online." Her cheeks flushed, but her voice stayed steady. "I... wanted to see what it was like."
Seiji smiled slowly. "Show me."
She turned it on. A low buzz filled the room. She brought it between her legs. The moment it touched her clit, still sensitive from his mouth, she whimpered.
"Keep going," he said, watching intently.
Ryo worked the toy over herself, breath quickening, eyes fluttering closed. Her free hand moved to her breast, pinching her nipple.
Seiji stroked himself while he watched, the sight almost too much.
When she was close again, trembling and gasping, he grabbed her wrist.
"My turn."
He took the vibrator and pressed it firmly against her clit while sliding three fingers inside her.
"Ah! Too much!"
"You can take it."
He fucked her with his fingers, hard and fast, the vibrator making her shake. She came again within seconds, harder this time, back arching off the bed.
He tossed the toy aside and pushed inside her while she was still coming, her pussy fluttering around him.
"Yes!" She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper.
He fucked her slow at first, savoring how tight and wet she was, how her body welcomed him.
Then her nails raked down his back.
"Harder."
He gave her what she wanted. Deep, powerful thrusts that made the bed creak, made her gasp and moan with each one.
"More," she demanded breathlessly. "I want... the other one..."
"Which one?"
She reached into the drawer again, fumbling until she found a small plug.
Seiji paused. "You sure?"
"I want to feel everything." Her eyes met his, completely serious. "I want to try it all with you."
He slowed his thrusts to a crawl, reaching for the lube in the drawer. His cock was still buried inside her as he worked the plug into her ass, slow and careful.
Ryo's breathing went ragged. "Oh... oh fuck..."
"Too much?"
"No. Don't stop."
When it was fully seated, he started moving again. The added pressure made everything tighter, more intense.
"How does it feel?"
"Full." Her voice was strangled. "So full. Move! Please move!"
He did. Building back up to that hard, fast pace, watching her fall apart beneath him.
She came again, screaming this time, not caring who might hear. Her whole body seized up, clamping around him so hard he couldn't hold back.
He buried himself deep and came, pulsing inside her, filling her completely.
They stayed locked together, both panting, sweat-slicked and spent.
Eventually he pulled out carefully, removing the plug and setting it aside. Ryo lay there, utterly wrecked, a satisfied smile on her face.
"We're doing that again," she mumbled.
Seiji laughed. "Give me ten minutes."
She rolled into him, pressing her face against his chest. "Thank you. For the label. For everything."
He kissed the top of her head. "You're mine now. Of course I'm going to take care of you."
"Mm." Her hand slid down his stomach. "Ten minutes?"
"Ryo..."
"I want to try one more thing before bed."
He groaned, but he was already getting hard again.
It was going to be a long night.
Nothing more to say about the rest of that night.
...
...
The next morning. Seiji's place. Master bedroom.
Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
The room was a mess.
Clothes scattered everywhere.
Sheets bunched into a heap.
And various… toys, tossed carelessly beside the bed.
Seiji opened his eyes and instinctively checked the time—6:30 AM.
He looked down.
In his arms, Ryo was still asleep.
The girl's body was curled against him, her smooth back still marked with traces from last night.
Seiji reached out, lightly stroking her back.
His fingers traced down her spine, feeling the delicate, silky texture.
The soft, warm body in his arms felt like it had always belonged there.
He closed his eyes, thinking quietly.
By now, he'd conquered three beautiful girls—Utaha Kasumigaoka, Eriri Sawamura, and Ryo Yamada.
"They all have their own charm," Seiji murmured.
Ryo was the most unique.
Her acceptance of different… activities was shockingly high.
No, it wasn't just acceptance.
It was more like she was eager to try.
Every time he suggested something new, Ryo was even more enthusiastic than he was, her eyes shining with curiosity and excitement.
"Seiji, wanna try this?"
"This one… looks interesting…"
"That one… we could do that too…"
Sometimes, Seiji even felt like—
Ryo was more proactive than him.
Maybe it had to do with her personality.
Cold on the surface. Burning underneath.
...
As for Utaha…
Seiji thought of her and couldn't help but smile.
"Can you think about literally anything else?"
"Even a monkey in heat isn't this excited!"
She always acted disdainful on the surface.
But no matter what he asked for, Utaha would do it.
And over time, she'd gotten better at reading his intentions, matching his preferences without being told.
Only when he made especially outrageous requests…
Would Utaha roll her eyes in annoyance.
"Can you calm down for once?"
"You're a pervert beyond all reason!"
But she'd still do it anyway.
That gap between her sharp tongue and her obedient body…
It was just too entertaining. Seiji never got tired of it.
...
As for Eriri, she was fun in a different way.
====
You can read up to chapter 130 on patreon.com/NiaXD.