Chapter 88: Together (Part 1)

On the way back, Hitori no longer intentionally rode close to Ishikawa Hayato as before.

Hayato was right in front of her.

He cared for her immensely, and he was subtly yet meticulously kind to her.

She felt at ease.

After her short daze, the bicycle entered the road.

After hitting a slight bump, Hitori asked, "Hayato, if I mature more, would you accept my confession?"

Ishikawa Hayato's voice drifted from the front. "Of course, but let me state this first, I'm very likely to have a harem."

"It's okay, as long as Hayato is by my side."

Hitori leaned against Ishikawa Hayato's back, wrapping her arms around his waist, a happy expression on her face.

Having received his affirmation, Hitori finally had no worries left.

But after a short while, Hitori suddenly felt Ishikawa Hayato's body tense up a bit.

Ishikawa Hayato said, "Hitori, don't get thrown off this time."

Hitori was startled and peeked her head out to the side.

She saw a traffic policeman not far ahead, leaning against his motorcycle, watching them with a calm expression.

Hakuto Namikaze had been patrolling this road for a whole 30 days. Yes, 30 days. Rain or shine!

Just to erase his past humiliation, he even secretly used nitrous oxide to boost his motorcycle horsepower, all to catch up with that couple and teach them a lesson they’d never forget.

After spending those 30 days patrolling the area, he finally got his chance to redeem himself.

He took a deep drag from the cigarette in his mouth, pinched it between his fingers, threw it to the ground, and stomped it out decisively.

He turned and quickly straddled his motorcycle.

He didn't try to shout and stop them.

He knew a real man wouldn’t let a few words hold him back.

He turned the key, squeezed the clutch, shifted into gear, revved the engine, and released the clutch.

The motorcycle roared in response.

...

Ishikawa Hayato waited for Hitori's answer.

Although Hitori was already hugging him tightly, even feeling something incredibly soft pressing against his back, he wasn't in a hurry.

If he could shake them off once, he could shake them off a second time.

Soon, Hitori's panicked yet happy voice came from behind.

"No... no problem, Hayato, go full speed ahead! Go for it...!”

Hearing Hitori's enthusiastic words, Ishikawa Hayato suddenly felt that she wasn’t quite as well-behaved as he’d thought.

“Go for it?”

His words seemed to startle Hitori.

Hitori hesitated, then slowly said, "Then... slowly?"

"No, I just want to hear Hitori cheer for me."

"Hayato... go for it, shake him off!"

"Good, louder."

"Hayato, faster!"

Hitori also seemed to be getting excited.

Ishikawa Hayato listened to Hitori's excited shouts and cried out, “A new chapter in Hayato Ishikawa’s perverted history is about to begin! Orahhh!”

But in the next second... *Clunk, shhh shhh shhh.*

The bicycle did not accelerate under Ishikawa Hayato's foot.

Instead, it got slower and slower.

And Ishikawa Hayato, hearing the sound from below, broke into a cold sweat.

That was clearly the sound of the bicycle chain breaking.

The excited Hitori also froze instantly.

The police siren rapidly approached and stopped in front of the two.

He got off the car, folded his arms, leaned against his motorcycle, and looked at the two.

The two were lectured for a good while.

Of course, Ishikawa Hayato always protected Hitori behind him, and the traffic policeman didn't mind his small gestures.

Finally, after issuing a ticket and receiving a promise that it wouldn't happen again, he let the two leave.

Hitori hung her head, her face full of guilt.

It was all her fault for urging Ishikawa Hayato to speed up just now.

But when she noticed Ishikawa Hayato's expression, she found him smiling, completely unconcerned about being lectured or the ticket.

Puzzled, Hitori looked at his face and thought for a moment longer.

Finally, she asked, "Hayato, umm..."

Ishikawa Hayato glanced at her, immediately understood her confusion, and explained, "I'm very happy. I saw Hitori's excited side."

Hitori's heart stirred, and she immediately lowered her head.

She touched the back of Ishikawa Hayato's hand with her own, but as soon as she touched it, Ishikawa Hayato grasped her hand.

Held by Ishikawa Hayato's thick hand, his slightly higher temperature instantly transferred to her, making Hitori feel warm all over.

She wanted to reply to Ishikawa Hayato, 'I will understand myself more and find my courage,' but she thought of her current situation and became hesitant to make such a promise.

Indeed, as Hayato said, she now only had him in her heart, and everything else gradually seemed to become irrelevant.

Goals other than Hayato.

Hitori gazed at the clear blue sea reflecting the blue sky.

...

After having lunch with Hayato, she picked up her guitar at home and left to STARRY together.

The final rehearsal before the audition ended.

The five looked at each other with satisfaction, nodded in unison, and walked outside.

On the stage, the lighting had already been set up to simulate the actual performance for the audition. Lights angled from the back of the stage brightly illuminated the performance area.

Seika and PA-san were already sitting in their seats below the stage, waiting.

Under Seika's unwavering gaze, they nervously made their final adjustments.

After tidying up the audio cables, Hitori stood still.

Since morning, she had been thinking about what she truly desired.

Under the stage lights, her memories constantly rewound to the past, gradually recalling her original goal when she first picked up the guitar.

In the past, she saw a band member on TV who looked gloomy and lazy.

He said that even gloomy people could shine in a band.

Inspired by him, with the desire for friends, to shine, and to change, she picked up the guitar.

More than three years had passed since then.

Hitori took a slight, deep breath.

The rehearsal just now was very nerve-wracking. 

The rehearsal just now had been so nerve-wracking, but seeing the joy on Kita, Nijika, Ryo, and Hayato's faces during rehearsal, and their excitement after succeeding with the rehearsal—and now seeing them looking so nervous again—

Everyone really cares about the band.

If Hayato hadn't reminded her, she would have almost overlooked it.

Friends, shining—she was already so close to her goals, and it seemed like there were no further goals.

Moreover, with Hayato's presence, she was now in her happiest state possible.

Unexpectedly, her heart was calm at this moment, as if she could observe and notice every little detail around her.

Behind her, Nijika nervously began the announcement, "We are Kessoku Band."

"Next, we will be playing 'Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet'."

Hitori turned to meet the gazes of the others, then looked straight ahead at the monitor speakers on the stage. The speakers' dark casing, illuminated by the light, revealed a slight textured surface.

Once she had it, the next step is to maintain it—maintain everything she has, and then slowly increase it.

She wanted to continue like this, together with everyone.

With Hayato there, the audition would surely pass, but that wasn't an excuse for her to escape.

To maintain all of this, she also had to find courage.

The courage to change to protect the present!

The cymbals behind her, like a cue, woke Hitori up, but she didn't panic.

Holding the guitar neck with her pick, she calmly raised her hand and strummed the guitar.

The sound played by the five members of the band blended seamlessly for their song, which had been going full speed from the start.

But in just a few seconds, everyone in the venue felt something was off.

The performance had no problems; in fact, it was played quite well, but...

Seika and PA-san were slightly surprised and became more attentive, looking at the stage.

Although Hitori had played well before, this time was remarkably different from previous times.

The guitar sound, which seemed to seep out like a voice, sent a wonderful shiver down their spines the moment they heard it.

She revealed her unique playing habits and techniques for the first time.

Kita was startled and looked at Hitori next to her, almost missing her vocal cue.

It was Ryo who noticed her lost in thought and hummed a couple of notes along with the melody.

Kita then snapped back and quickly began to sing.

"The sudden drizzle makes me sick of myself for not bringing an umbrella."

"What does the sky's mood have to do with me?"

"When the seasons change, what clothes should I wear?"

"Where did spring and autumn go?"

"The suffocating pressure under all the information."

“Where exactly am I in this dizzying spiral?”

...

In the twilight Park, Hitori and Ishikawa Hayato each sat on a swing.

The surrounding buildings and trees, bathed in the sunset, looked as desolate as late autumn.

Everything in the world reflected its light before falling silent.

Hitori looked at the gravel on the ground, head bowed in silence.

A while ago, after qualifying for the performance, they celebrated for a good while.

Later, Hitori said she was a bit tired and wanted to go home and rest.

The others also agreed, saying they would gather again tomorrow.

Ryo also wanted to get the next song ready. One song wasn't enough for a performance, at least two more were needed.

Their group quickly disbanded under Seika's bewildered gaze.

Ishikawa Hayato, sensing that Hitori had something to say, took her to this Park.

Sitting on the swing, Hitori held the chains with both hands, her head bowed in silence for a long time.

Ishikawa Hayato thought she wouldn't speak and was about to suggest going home whenー

Hitori moved her foot, and the gravel scraped against her shoe sole, but she quickly pulled it back in fear, making another faint sound.

After struggling, she spoke in a very troubled, seemingly with a helpless yet calm voice, "Hayato, what exactly do I want now... I still don't understand."

"...Maybe I'll never be able to understand myself and find my courage, as Hayato said."

“But… I want to contribute to everyone’s dreams: Nijika-chan’s dream, Kita-chan’s dream, Ryo-san’s dream, and Hayato’s goal.”

Her words weren't loud, but it was as if she used all her strength, making the swing sway slightly emitting a metallic scraping sound.

She continued despondently, “As for what happens after that, I don’t know either. If… if Hayato could really support me, that would be great…”

“Someone like me…”

“Bocchi is someone who plays the guitar very well, has a great figure, and is very cute.”

Ishikawa Hayato added, affirming her.

Hitori looked up at Ishikawa Hayato, as if checking if he was comforting her.

In the sunset, his eyes held a golden glow, like the last glimmer of hope in a silent world.

Ishikawa Hayato noticed her gaze, saw her uneasy expression, and extended his hand.

"Want to try to see if I'm lying with a bone-conduction test?”

Hitori looked at Ishikawa Hayato’s outstretched hand, hesitated, and then reached out her own.

She deliberated for a long time before carefully cupping his fingers on her palm.

“Can you feel anything?”

Ishikawa Hayato asked.

Hitori shook her head, a hint of relaxed joy amidst her bewilderment.

“I can’t feel anything.”

Ishikawa Hayato didn’t let go of her hand and said with a smile, “That means I’m not lying.”

He also tightened his grip on Hitori’s hand. “Supporting others’ dreams can also be considered a goal, but that’s the most painful kind of goal. Have you made up your mind?”

Hitori thought for a moment, then raised her gaze.

Her eyes didn't shy away.

Her expression was very calm, as if her inner world had opened up.

She spoke, “I want to move forward with everyone in the band. I want to grow more. Even if it’s difficult… I’ll try my best to endure it!”

Seeing Hitori’s resolute conviction, Ishikawa Hayato said no more.