Chapter 103: String Performance

After their performance ended, Nijika exhaled, wiping away the fine sweat on her forehead, but then eagerly looked up.

She saw the large audience in front of her, a surprised expression on her face.

Although she already knew that their band was great, seeing so many people genuinely stay to listen because they liked it still filled her with a sense of accomplishment.

And the audience, only then realizing the song had ended, began to applaud one after another after the first clap.

The loud applause reflected their excited mood.

At the same time, some people shouted.

"The singing was amazing!"

"The guitar playing was so cool!"

"It sounds great."

Kita, who was at the front, even heard people discussing.

"I've never heard of this band, but they're really good."

"They're going to be famous, aren't they?"

Hearing that the Band was recognized, Kita smiled happily and couldn't help but glance in the direction of that fan, but unfortunately, the person was no longer visible.

She felt a little regretful that she hadn't been able to make that person stop and appreciate their performance.

However, now was not the time to think about such things.

She quickly attached an announcement for the audience.

"Good evening, everyone. That was 'that band,' an original song by our Kessoku Band. Next, we will cover a few more songs, please enjoy."

Although the sudden start of the performance meant she couldn't use the lines they had rehearsed, improvising lines was a piece of cake for Kita.

She continued to add.

"We will also be performing at the STARRY venue here next week, so if you're interested, please be sure to come."

While Kita was speaking, someone walked up to Ishikawa Hayato and asked if they could film.

Ishikawa Hayato confirmed with Nijika, said it was fine, and also requested to be filmed handsomely.

He received an affirmative answer from that person.

Afterward, their performance continued.

Although the cover songs weren't as perfectly suited to them as their original, they still attracted a large audience.

As the performance progressed, the tickets and merchandise on the stand Nijika had set up at the front dwindled, and the money piled up.

Even a few Kessoku Bands wristbands with signatures were successfully sold.

Even to Ryo's coin box, people threw money into it.

Ryo saw it, her eyes sparkling with gold, and she put down her instrument and ran over to check the money in the coin box.

But then, during the intermission, Nijika hit her, leaving a large bump.

Finally, Kita looked back at the other members of the band, and with their nodding approval.

She looked at the dense crowd in front of her and announced the end of the evening's performance.

"That concludes tonight's performance. Thank you all for watching."

Immediately, the large gathered crowd began to disperse and leave.

They returned satisfied, and some also continued to approach them to buy tickets and any leftover merchandise they had brought along to restock.

Although Nijika had just hit Ryo, at this moment, she herself seemed to have fallen into a money-grubbing frenzy, happily selling merchandise.

Her sales smile gave the impression that selling at a stall was her main profession.

Ishikawa Hayato watched her.

The experience gained from working part-time at her family's business for many years came in handy.

"Thank you for your patronage~"

She smiled brightly as she bid farewell to the last customer who had bought their merchandise, then turned and saw Kita excitedly saying something to Ryo, Ishikawa Hayato, and Hitori.

She walked over.

Although Kita was overjoyed, she wasn't completely lost in herself.

Hearing footsteps, she turned to look.

"Ijiichi-senpai~! Tonight's performance was a great success!"

“Kita, are you going to go around repeating this line to everyone?”

Ishikawa Hayato said with a laugh.

"Mm-hmm, it was great."

Hitori also smiled incredibly happily at this moment.

She was also among those who were ecstatic.

She excitedly clenched her hands, her face full of smiles, almost responding to every word Kita said.

To the right of Ishikawa Hayato, Ryo was diligently counting the money dropped into her coin box.

"Six thousand yen."

She said contentedly, and at the same time opened her wallet.

Just as she was about to stuff the money in, Nijika, who had quickly approached, snatched it away.

"Confiscated! This is everyone's money!"

Ishikawa Hayato saw the aggrieved expression on Ryo's face after her money was taken. 

If he didn't know the full story, he probably would have called Nijika a scrooge.

Kita watched the two of them, her expression stiffening again, but she immediately changed the subject, excitedly pulling out her phone and saying,

"It's our first street performanceーlet's take a group photo!"

Her suggestion received unanimous agreement from Ishikawa Hayato and the others.

She took out a selfie stick and happily walked to the very front of their street performance spot.

For a photo, it's definitely important to choose a good position to best capture their performance location and instrument status tonight.

Ishikawa Hayato smiled, followed by Nijika, Ryo, and Hitori behind him.

However, after just a step, Ishikawa Hayato heard a 'splat' sound.

He turned back and saw Hitori had fallen flat on the ground.

Under the gaze of the four, Hitori, lying on the ground, stiffly raised her head and said with a gloomy, pitiful expression.

"I'm sorry, my... my legs just stopped moving."

“You should’ve just said so.”

Ishikawa Hayato walked over helplessly, helped her up, and put his arm around her as they walked towards the center.

The three were already in position, Kita holding the selfie stick and waiting there.

Ishikawa Hayato supported Hitori as they walked over.

The five stood in place, holding up peace signs to signify the success of tonight's performance, and the phone clicked.

As the sound rang out, Ishikawa Hayato suddenly realized that he, too, felt elated by the successful performance.

He hadn't even noticed that Hitori would fall.

The sound faded.

The light of this moment was captured by the camera lens, transformed into data, and stored in the digital album, as if all the overflowing emotions in his heart were sealed within it.

He felt much calmer now.

At this moment, the cool breeze of a summer night swept by.

Ishikawa Hayato faced the wind and looked forward.

Under the dark night sky, various warm-colored lights adorned the city.

In front were passing pedestrians, beside him were four girls with distinct personalities that appear as if they were reluctant to call it a night. Behind him were the instruments brought for the performance.

It was difficult to describe what he was feeling right now, it was as if he felt a bond had truly united them as a band.

He looked at Kita, happily tapping on her phone, uploading photos, and at Nijika and Ryo, who were heading to the back to dismantle the drum kit to take it back.

And also Hitori, who was still leaning on him.

Ishikawa Hayato felt that this bond will become very precious to him from today.

... 

As the five were about to finish packing up their instruments, a muffled voice sounded from their side, coming straight towards them, getting closer and closer.

"Come on, come on, don't be shy. Everyone must want your opinion."

The five stopped what they were doing and looked over, only to see Hiroi Kikuri holding the hand of that fan, seemingly dragging her over.

The fan looked helpless, and when she saw the five, she immediately averted her gaze, but was still pulled along by Hiroi Kikuri.

After Hiroi Kikuri stopped in front of the five, she said with a smile.

"This child was watching you guys for a long time just now, and I wondered if she had anything to say, so I brought her over."

The five shifted their gaze from Hiroi Kikuri to the fan.

The fan looked up, glanced at the five, hesitated for a moment, then bowed, apologizing while avoiding their gaze, saying,

"Th-then... I'm really sorry. Please let me retract what I said about you not being serious earlier. Your performance was excellent."

She said, hesitating for a moment, seemingly finding it hard to be certain.

"Al... Although it's still not as good as Yamada-san's previous band, I can feel that there's something different about you all. I hope you can keep going. That's all I have to say!"

When Ryo heard her say "keep going," a smile appeared on her face, and at the same time, her gaze shifted slightly to the side, then immediately returned.

After the fan finished her words, she turned and ran.

Ryo raised her voice slightly and said.

"Thank you very much for your feedback. You're welcome to come and enjoy our performances again."

The fan did not reply.

Hiroi Kikuri watched from the side, smiling as she took out her Oni-Goroshi sake, and like drinking a regular beverage, she naturally inserted a straw into the carton, took a sip, and said, "Ah, everyone's performance was wonderful. Are all the tickets sold out?"

"Yes, thanks to you."

Kita also had a slightly improved opinion of this alcoholic.

"That's a real shame, I wanted to go see it too."

Hiroi Kikuri, as if plotting something mischievous, then said to Nijika, "Then next time you perform, just let me in for free."

Instantly, the gratitude the others felt towards her vanished.

With indifferent expressions, they began to pack up their instruments, preparing to leave.

Only at the end, Ishikawa Hayato took out a ticket he had prepared for his family and said to Hiroi Kikuri.

"If you don't drink at the venue next time, I'll give it to you."

"Eh..."

The alcoholic let out a wail.

By the time they finished packing up their instruments and were ready to go back, it was already getting late.

The five walked back together.

Ishikawa Hayato noticed the lingering reluctance on their faces, but he also noticed the thin layer of sweat on their skin. 

He said, “Um, there’s something I need to say.”

All the girls immediately looked at Ishikawa Hayato.

Hayato Ishikawa looked into their eyes—each different, yet all equally radiant with joy—and deliberately sniffed the air before speaking,

“Actually, I’ve been smelling it since just a moment ago. Hmm, everyone smells quite nice even with sweat. Rather, the sweat carries a body scent that’s wafting out.”

For a moment, except for Hitori-chan who still couldn't run, the other three's expressions changed, and they instantly avoided this pervert.

And when Nijika saw Hitori-chan’s expression turn to 6д9, she quickly went up and pulled her out of danger by her arms.

The atmosphere was cold for a while.

Kita looked at Ishikawa Hayato, who was carrying a pile of things without a flushed face or racing heart, sighed, and walked towards him, saying at the same time, “Ishikawa-kun, just focus on carrying the instruments.”

“This is already considered sexual harassment.”

Ryo glanced at Kita, complaining as she walked back.

Nijika also slowly walked over, still grumbling,

“I really can’t stand Hayato-kun. He always does this just when the atmosphere is good.”

“Right.”

Listening to the friendly complaints of the girls beside him, Ishikawa Hayato smiled slightly.