Nijika held up her drumsticks and clicked them once, the crisp sound drawing everyone's attention to her.
"Before we start practice, let's decide on the stage banter for the performance."
Stage banter was also a part of the performance, used to liven up the atmosphere and keep the audience enthusiastic.
"How about we introduce the members and the songs, and then each say a few words about our impressions?" Kita Ikuyo chose the most conventional approach: introducing the band members when announcing the next track after a song ends, sharing a sentence or two of thoughts, and then moving on to the next song. This was also the method they used during their first performance at STARRY.
"I-I think that's good." Hitori Gotoh thought about how there were only three songs in this performance. If they placed her last, it wouldn't even be her turn to speak her impressions. She hurriedly agreed with Kita Ikuyo's suggestion.
"Oh my~" Nijika lowered her eyebrows in a troubled manner and gave a dry laugh. "That is indeed not bad for now, but I want to be like those popular bands and use interesting stage banter to get the atmosphere going ahead of time."
"No band's stage banter is interesting," Ryo threw a bucket of cold water directly onto the heated atmosphere in the recording studio. "The fans just smile along to save the band they like from an awkward atmosphere."
"Your way of thinking is way too extreme! Just how much psychological trauma did that performance leave you with?!"
"As long as the band is popular enough, the audience will laugh even if the banter is dog shit, so don't worry."
"Are you trying to comfort me or mock me?"
Nijika and Ryo refused to yield to each other. Nijika believed that even a band without much popularity should put their heart into the stage banter so the performance would feel better to the audience. Ryo, on the other hand, believed that rather than investing energy into unforeseeable audience reactions, it was better to put all their energy into the performance itself; as long as they moved the audience, ordinary banter could still heat up the atmosphere.
Seeing the tension rising between the two, Hitori Gotoh anxiously hugged her guitar, wearing a panicked expression that screamed "The band is facing a dissolution crisis!" Kita Ikuyo clapped her hands to stop them from continuing their quarrel.
"Alright! No fighting!"
"And you, Jhin-san, why didn't you step in to stop the two seniors?"
Jhin put down the half-drunk cola in his hand. Facing Kita Ikuyo's complaint, he spread his hands innocently. "Occasional arguments are also beneficial for improving friendship between friends, you know."
"Then what if you and Bocchi-chan fought?"
"Ah." Hearing this, Hitori Gotoh turned her head to look at Jhin pitifully.
"Of course, it would be my fault." Jhin answered instantly without even blinking. "Bocchi-chan is so cute, how could she ever be wrong? Besides, our relationship is great; it's impossible for us to fight."
"Ugh... Jh-Jhin..." Hitori Gotoh covered her flushed cheeks, shyly squeezing into her boyfriend's embrace while constantly muttering his name in a low voice.
"Bocchi-chan really has been completely wrapped around your finger..." Kita Ikuyo could somewhat understand those girls who chose to share Jhin. Facing this kind of pampering that had almost no bottom line, even a stone would be moved.
While smoothing Hitori Gotoh's hair, Jhin raised his head proudly. "Hmph, I can say that no one in this world understands Bocchi-chan better than I do."
"Yes, yes, yes... we know your relationship is good." Nijika took out three pairs of sunglasses. She put one pair on herself and handed the remaining two to Ryo and Kita Ikuyo. These were prepared specifically to prevent their eyes from being blinded by this couple.
"So, which method do you think is better for the stage banter?" Ryo was still thinking about that matter.
"I think what both of you said is quite good," Jhin offered a small suggestion. "Why not consider merging your two ideas together?"
"Decide the subsequent stage banter based on the reaction to the first song. If the audience's reaction is good, then use Nijika's method. If the reaction is average, then use Ryo's method. These things can be flexible, right?"
"What you say makes sense. What does everyone think?"
"I have no problem."
"I agree too."
"Mm, Bocchi-chan definitely won't deny Jhin's words, so it's passed unanimously." Nijika nodded approvingly. "As expected of the hidden fifth member of our Kessoku Band, very reliable. Then let's practice one last time!"
...
The impassioned music faded. This final practice session gave them all an indescribable sense of exhilaration. Perhaps this was the first time since the band's formation that everyone's condition had reached its peak.
Kita's guitar skills... seem to have improved a lot...
Hitori Gotoh was a little surprised, but in her heart, she felt more happy for the improvement in Kita Ikuyo's level.
"Good work, everyone. I borrowed Nijika's kitchen to make an apple pie. Let's eat before going back." Jhin walked into the recording studio carrying the scent of butter, giving the girls a small surprise.
"Alright! Bocchi-chan, let's hurry out. You only ate one piece of the cake last time; you have to eat more this time!" Nijika pulled Hitori Gotoh and rushed out of the recording studio to prevent her sister from eating most of the apple pie before they got there.
Ryo had already sneaked away unknowingly the moment Jhin walked in covered in a delicious aroma.
Only Jhin and Kita Ikuyo were left in the recording studio. He walked to Kita Ikuyo's side. "Kita, let me see your hand."
Did Jhin notice?
"Eh?" Kita Ikuyo turned her head away, nervously hiding her hand behind her back. "Th... That's not good, is it?"
"None of you let people stop worrying. It's not something shameful, why are you all hiding and tucking it away?" Jhin forcefully grabbed Kita Ikuyo's left hand.
Her fair wrist showed an abnormal pale redness, and her slender, delicate fingers were trembling slightly. It was obvious that Kita Ikuyo had been practicing guitar with great intensity during this period, leading to excessive wrist fatigue.
"You weren't thinking of secretly practicing at home after practice ended today, were you?"
"I... My foundation was already worse than everyone else's. If I didn't practice hard, I would only drag everyone down."
"Sigh~" Jhin let out a long sigh and gently massaged Kita Ikuyo's wrist. "You're overdoing it. If you hurt your body trying to keep up, they won't agree with it, and neither will I. Understand?"
"Mm..." The wrist that was originally sore and painful felt much more comfortable under Jhin's exquisite massage technique. Kita Ikuyo really wanted to pour out her distress to Jhin about not being understood by her parents at home, but reason told her that once she started this topic, she might very well do something sorry to Hitori Gotoh. She couldn't do that.
Jhin used the "Massage (Lv4)" skill he had trained with Kazami Kazuki to eliminate most of the soreness in Kita Ikuyo's wrist. Seeing the unnatural pale redness dissipate, he let go of her hand and subconsciously patted Kita Ikuyo's head. "Don't make me worry too much."
"Okay." Kita Ikuyo stroked the spot where she had been patted, biting her lip tightly.
Me and him... it's better to just stay friends.
____
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