The party raged in the studio all night. Bocchi trembled under her covers all night. At lunch the next day, she still couldn't look them in the eye, terrified she'd be dragged into the next "session."
But everyone was used to Bocchi's shrinking behavior. Rin, however, almost laughed out loud when he saw the long string of unread messages from Ryo.
After lunch, wearing sunglasses, Rin sat under a parasol, enjoying the sea breeze and a cold drink before finally checking his phone. It had been vibrating all night, but he'd ignored Ryo until now.
Rin Ito: [I know you're anxious, but calm down.] Rin Ito: [Did you finish the tally? If you're short, I won't lend you more.]
Ryo: [It's done. Total debt is 2.1 million yen.]
Ryo replied almost instantly. Seeing Rin's message, she breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God I over-reported. Now I won't have to eat grass for lunch.
In reality, Ryo owed the professional lenders about 1.9 million. Adding in the scattered debts to classmates and fans, it was about 2 million. She told Rin 2.1 million so she'd have some walking-around money. She couldn't buy a new instrument, but she could eat like a human.
Ryo: [Is that okay?]
Rin could imagine her expectant gaze. 2.1 million yen was about six months' salary for a regular salaryman. If not for the massive amount of money Mashiro had given him, he really wouldn't have been able to provide it.
Rin Ito: [It's fine. I'm with Bocchi right now. I'll give it to you when I get back. You'll need to sign a promissory note.]
Ryo: [No problem! b(￣▽￣)d]
Rin didn't dare give her the cash directly. If she took it and bought a new bass instead of paying the debt, he'd be in trouble. After chatting with Ryo, he informed Nijika of the amount.
Rin Ito: [She owes 2.1 million. I'm worried she'll buy a bass if I give her the cash. When I get back, I'll watch her pay it off.] Rin Ito: [You said we shouldn't make it too easy for her. Any ideas? I just told her she needs to sign a note.]
Nijika: [I... I don't know. But a note isn't enough.]
Rin Ito: [I've seen news about lenders requiring photos with student IDs. I can't actually make Ryo do that, though.]
Rin didn't have actual experience as a loan shark, but he'd read the news. He'd heard of "naked loans" (borrowing against nude photos), but he couldn't do that. He could only scare her.
He knew plenty of "manga methods" where indebted girls had to work off their debt in the adult industry, but it didn't feel right for him to suggest those. So...
Rin Ito: [Eriri seems to be an expert on this. You should ask her.]
Nijika: [Eriri? Does she borrow a lot of money? Or does she lend it?]
Rin Ito: [The artist Eriri likes, Eri Kashiwagi, draws a lot of those themes. She should be familiar with how it works.]
It was better if the "smut manga" ideas came from Eriri. To Nijika, Eriri wasn't a smut artist; she was just a fan of one.
Of course, Rin didn't plan to actually treat Ryo like a character in a hentai. He just wanted to scare her enough to make her learn her lesson.
Nijika: [Okay, I'll ask Eriri.]
Nijika didn't hesitate. Rin and Bocchi would be back in two days. They had to decide before then.
Nijika: [Are you there?] Eriri: [?] Eriri: [What's up?]
Nijika explained Ryo's situation. Even though Rin hadn't coordinated with her, Eriri knew exactly what was going on the moment she heard Rin's name. Plot scenarios immediately filled her head.
A rich girl whose family goes bankrupt and is sold into debt-slavery? She hadn't just read it; she'd drawn it. Though Ryo's case was slightly different, the theme of "paying with your body" was a classic.
Nijika: [The President said you read a lot of manga and might have a way... what do you think?]
Eriri: [Oh, I know this one! Want to teach her a lesson? Easy.] Eriri: [To make her learn, you don't necessarily have to make Rin do something to her. He can do something to those close to her... like you, Bocchi, or the new girl, Kita.]
Nijika: [Wait, what!?]
Eriri: [Not for real. Just a performance to make her realize the consequences of being in debt.]
If a simple act could make Ryo truly understand her mistake... then Nijika was in!
...
After a quick talk with Eriri, Nijika started a group chat. Everyone in the band was there except Ryo. Eriri and Rin were added as well.
Kita-chan: [Where's Ryo-senpai? Did Nijika forget her? Should I add her?]
Nijika: [This isn't a work group. Don't add Ryo.]
Not for work? And excluding Ryo? Kita posted a confused emoji. Was this... bullying? Like one of those "Big party and only one person isn't invited" things?
Kita-chan: [What did Ryo-senpai do?]
Nijika explained the situation. Finally, Kita understood why Ryo was excluded.
[Kita-chan changed the group name to 'Operation: Save Ryo-senpai']
Kita-chan: [I thought she only borrowed from me. I didn't know she owed so many others.]
As Ryo's #1 fan girl, Kita didn't feel let down. Instead, a sense of responsibility to save her idol welled up in her heart.
Kita-chan: [Don't worry! I'll do whatever it takes for Ryo-senpai!] Kita-chan: [Bocchi-chan too, right?]
Bocchi: [Mhm...]
Eriri: [Whatever it takes? Good to hear.]
The light of the phone screen reflected Eriri's mischievous grin.
Eriri: [I'll give Ryo a lesson she'll feel in her bones! She'll never touch a loan again!]