Kita's "love detective" mini-game aside—
The band's ensemble practice wrapped, and—
Nijika had started early at the shop. Around 2:30 the three were practicing when Bocchi finally arrived.
As discussed, after some ensemble work, Aoki did a "Lemon" live. Besides Ryō, Nijika, and Kita—who already knew who he was—Bocchi was utterly stunned.
"Skilled Singing" felt great in practice: breath control, pitch, rhythm—all much better than the first time he'd sung "Lemon."
After ensemble and the quick solo, they practiced till around 8 p.m., then headed home.
Aoki's cooking skills were hopeless, and his tiny rental would fill with grease if he cooked, so he mostly ate discount bentos or outside.
On the way home, he grabbed a fried-chicken bento during markdown time.
Cooked at noon, the crust had gone soggy by the time he ate. But Aoki wasn't picky—if it filled him up and wasn't awful, fine. He cleaned up, then picked up "100 Daily English Quick Sentences."
"God will not let down those who have talent and effort."
He fancied he had passable talent and, if not "tie your hair to the beam, prick your thigh with an awl," had at least seen Shibuya's 4 a.m. sun.
That line made him think of Yukinoshita Yukino's intense confidence. Pride stirred, and he focused harder.
…
By 10 p.m. he was tired. He put the book away, washed up, and slept.
Next day, Sunday.
June's weather swung wildly. Yesterday it was blazing sun; today clouds piled up, promising a downpour.
They'd set the live screening for the band today at STARRY. Though Aoki had asked not to play on stage, he still came to see the results of practice.
The forecast said rain for days. He brought his convenience-store clear umbrella.
Afternoon. The girls arrived before him, screening moved up a bit. When he entered, Nijika and co. were already on stage.
Not wanting to mess with their flow, he didn't go over. He found a stool near Manager Ijichi Seika and sat.
The manager glanced at him, then back to the girls prepping on stage.
But she spoke, eyes still forward.
"Aoki, what do you think of their level? Ready to play live?"
"?"
Aoki blinked, slid his guitar case off, and said,
"You're the manager of STARRY—you're asking me?"
Seika swallowed a retort, paused, then said,
"I'm worried they're under too little pressure, their technique isn't tight enough, and they'll mess up live…"
"New bands always mess up live the first time, right?"
Aoki cut in gently. "A little pressure is fine, but they'll push themselves. If you pile it on, it backfires."
The most important thing in a band is to have fun together—even if you aim to go pro, you need an easy vibe first.
If not for money pressure, Aoki truly believed that.
So even though he had real pressure—if they didn't place, life would be unstable—he didn't want to dump that weight on them.
He added, before Seika could answer,
"Also… you've saved them a slot, haven't you? Saying you 'worry pressure's too low'—you're all sharp tongue, tofu heart…"
Seika froze, shut her mouth, swallowed whatever she'd been about to say, drew a long breath, and changed the subject.
"They're about ready. Let's see where they're at…"
…
After a short wait, they began.
They chose "That Band." Nijika's drums led in, then Bocchi's guitar and Ryō's bass.
Listening, Aoki mentally noted issues.
Kita's guitar still wasn't fluent; some passages were rough.
Nijika's drums sometimes rushed, sometimes lagged—also not ideal.
Bocchi occasionally drifted off the others' rhythm—subtle, but there.
Ryō… was a bit lost in her own world, not syncing perfectly.
Plenty of flaws, but at least it sounded like a band. A casual audience wouldn't notice.
But Seika wasn't casual.
When they finished, Nijika stopped, face pink with exertion. She looked to her sister seated below the stage.
"H-how was it, sis?"
"Gotō isn't meshing with you yet; Kita has small slips; Nijika, same for you; and Ryō's too lost in her own head."
Seika recited exactly what Aoki had thought.
The four tensed.
Then Seika continued,
"But for a new band, it's… passable. I'll count you as having passed."
They'd passed—their work wasn't for nothing.
"Awesome!"
Smiles bloomed; Kita even chirped aloud.
"Congrats," Aoki said, clapping twice.
But he was a bit absentminded—
He couldn't help worrying, thinking of their holes.
There was just over a month left before PVC Records' original band music project deadline.
They were improving, but not enough.
A month… Could he really lead them to place?
Make a choice and then stop wavering; the road will appear—he shook his head, forced his mind back.
-------
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