The process and outcome weren't perfect, but Aoki did manage to join the Service Club in name.
Though Hiratsuka had said "with Aoki it'll be easier to handle requests," once Yukino agreed, she still negotiated further—just as promised: no need to come Mon–Wed; show up Thu–Fri and only stay ~30 minutes.
With that settled, Hiratsuka left.
Aoki also didn't linger; he said a few words to Yukino and headed out.
He took the train—not straight home, but to the bar "morke."
He explained his plans to the owner, apologized, collected this month's pay, and then caught a train home.
With that, he quit both jobs.
Impulsive? Maybe. But he felt instantly lighter—and anyway, earning via music seemed to have a far wider horizon now.
He had about 400,000 yen left. With no income, that would cover roughly two months of living. The clock started ticking.
But not too tight yet.
Unlocking his door, the room felt extra damp in this pre-rainy-season air.
He didn't mind; after changing out of his uniform, he took out his phone.
If he was set on entering PVC Records' "Be original / Rock Band Project," he couldn't dither like yesterday. Decision made, he laid out a plan.
Step one—most important—join Kessoku Band.
He'd sworn a few days ago he wouldn't consider joining, but given his situation, and since they were the only musicians he knew, he had to eat his words.
Step two: after joining, raise the girls' level, build chemistry, improve the band's ensemble.
Submissions opened in a month; after that, there'd be a full month of submissions/review/scoring. You could submit anytime in those two months—enough time for the girls to level up.
Step three: pick a song that suits them and has a strong shot at winning.
No need to rush that. Two months would be plenty to hand-pick.
Having thought it through, he acted.
He only had Yamada Ryō's contact, so he messaged her.
They'd chatted a couple times since their late-night talk. Not super close, but friends.
"Yamada-san, do you think I still have a chance?"
Assuming she was working at STARRY, he sent the vague line.
To his surprise it was read instantly. A sticker of "Skasuke" tilting his head popped up.
He typed again:
"If I want to join Kessoku Band, Yamada-san—do I still have a chance?"
The "weird bassist" didn't reply immediately.
A few seconds later:
[Weird Bassist: No chance, suki-san. I refused for everyone. If you want in, you have to pay a 2,000-yen entry fee.]
Then another:
[Weird Bassist: I'll handle it.]
"…"
After a beat, Aoki replied:
"Seriously, if the live schedule gets in the way, I can skip appearing. I can also offer some guitar pointers, maybe help with arrangements."
[Weird Bassist: If you want to join, just tell Nijika at the livehouse. But that 2,000-yen entry fee…]
The sentence seemed unfinished, then silence.
He frowned slightly. After a moment:
[Weird Bassist: The manager caught me chatting on shift. Docked a bunch of pay. suki-san, reimburse me when you come to the livehouse later.]
[Weird Bassist: Back to work.]
Reading her messages, he pictured Ryō's blank face overlaid with the faintest grudge. Aoki couldn't help but smile.
He fired back the "geisha LOL" sticker she'd sent him days ago. No reply; read receipt lit up.
He pocketed the phone and looked outside.
It was early; the sun hadn't set. He could make it to STARRY easily.
Ryō was right: if he wanted to join, he should just go and tell Nijika.
He could even have Ryō pass along the message.
But it felt better to do it properly, so he passed on the lazy option.
He packed up and left his apartment.
Around 4:30. Not rush hour, but some nine-to-fivers with cushy jobs were already done.
Tokyo bustles, and Shibuya especially: even outside peak, the streets flowed with people.
At the station, watching the crowd, Aoki felt oddly moved.
Even just yesterday at this time, he would've been staggering home from the convenience store. One day later, and suddenly he felt… free.
"Free" wasn't exactly right. If he failed to lead Kessoku to results in two months, he'd likely be dirt poor after. The pressure was still there.
But way lighter than when he first arrived in Tokyo.
He took a long breath and cut off his thoughts.
Two months—tight, but not suffocating.
He boarded a train to Shimokitazawa.
...
He pushed the door open. No live yet; STARRY was empty.
Hearing the door, Ijichi Seika looked up from the laptop behind the bar.
Seeing Aoki, she blinked, then looked back down.
Typing resumed. "Aoki-guitarist, what brings you here?"
Ryō was sweeping, Nijika was rearranging tables, Kita-chan and Bocchi-chan were busy with their own tasks.
They'd all noticed the door.
Aoki opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a pale blue HUD popped up in front of his eyes.
[Ijichi Seika asks you a question. You think for a moment and answer.]
[Option 1: Ask if she deducted Yamada Ryō's wages; after she confirms, negotiate with Ryō and reimburse her "friend fee," entry fee, and docked pay. (Reward: 200 points, Proficient-level Vocal Technique)]
[Option 2: Explain PVC's project and your idea. (Reward: 200 points, Proficient-level Composition)]
[Option 3: Explain seriously that you want to join Kessoku Band. (Reward: 200 points; choose two: Beginner-level Drawing/Cooking/Driving)]
Skasuke looks like this
——-----------------------------------------------------------------
Su Nian transmigrated to a parallel world and found himself in a live creative competition show.
Contestants created to prompts.
When the prompt was "Regret," others wrote small love, daily life, youth—chasing empathy.
Su Nian took a different route and gave viewers a lil miHoYo shock.
Created "Elysium," telling of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers…
(omitted ad insert)
-------
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