"Um…"
Lin's words had just fallen when Hirasawa Yui was still hesitating. At that moment, Kotobuki Tsumugi's expression shifted slightly, and she smiled as she spoke up:
"Wait for me a bit."
"Tsumugi?"
Tainaka Ritsu, Hirasawa Yui, and Akiyama Mio all looked puzzled upon hearing this.
Only Lin watched her, the corner of his mouth curving up ever so slightly, imperceptibly.
He had done it on purpose just now.
Since the young lady Kotobuki Tsumugi wanted to try haggling, he would seize the chance to fulfill her wish ahead of time.
Without rushing to answer Tainaka Ritsu and the others' confusion, Kotobuki Tsumugi smiled at the four of them and turned to leave.
Watching her walk away, aside from the all-knowing Lin, Tainaka Ritsu and the other two grew even more puzzled.
They had no idea what she was up to.
About three minutes later.
Kotobuki Tsumugi returned to Lin and the others' side, her face beaming with a satisfied, joyful smile, hands carrying her schoolbag.
She looked at everyone with a smile and said:
"They said these two guitars can be sold to Yui and Shiro for 100,000 yen and 200,000 yen respectively."
"Eh!!??"
Tainaka Ritsu, Akiyama Mio, and Hirasawa Yui were all stunned upon hearing Kotobuki Tsumugi's words.
Tainaka Ritsu looked shocked and curious:
"Tsumugi, what did you do? Why is it so much cheaper?"
Hirasawa Yui's guitar had dropped from 300,000 yen straight to 100,000.
Lin's 450,000 yen one became 200,000—a reduction of 250,000 yen.
Together, that was a total discount of 450,000 yen, enough to buy Lin's guitar at full price.
Akiyama Mio and Hirasawa Yui also stared at her in shock and curiosity.
Unable to fathom what Kotobuki Tsumugi had done.
Lin looked at Kotobuki Tsumugi, feigning some surprise and confusion as well.
He couldn't stand out too much.
Kotobuki Tsumugi looked at the four of them with a smile and explained:
"Actually, this store is part of my family's chain."
"Eh!!!"
Tainaka Ritsu and the other two froze upon hearing this.
Shocked into momentary silence.
Though from their time together, they could tell Kotobuki Tsumugi's family background was unimaginably affluent.
But without a concrete reference, they hadn't grasped just how wealthy.
Now, knowing that the renowned 10GIA was part of Kotobuki Tsumugi's family chain made it crystal clear.
It was like someone offering a million yen—cash versus check.
Same amount, but cash hits harder and feels more real.
"Won't this be a bit bad?"
Though thrilled at getting the guitar for 100,000 yen, Hirasawa Yui still hesitated slightly.
After all, the discount was massive.
Even if Kotobuki Tsumugi's family was rich, she couldn't accept it with a clear conscience.
Seeing this, Kotobuki Tsumugi smiled and said:
"It's fine. This is for the Light Music Club too. The sooner Yui learns guitar, the sooner we can play together."
"Okay…"
Hearing Kotobuki Tsumugi say this, Hirasawa Yui nodded.
She looked at her with a smile and added:
"Thanks, Tsumugi. But for the money saved on the guitar, I'll pay you back bit by bit later."
Kotobuki Tsumugi smiled without replying.
Though she had briefly considered gifting the two guitars to Lin and Hirasawa Yui outright, it was just a passing thought.
After all, neither would accept a direct gift.
So she used the haggling experience as a chance to sell them the guitars at a low price.
After this time together, Lin and Hirasawa Yui had become friends she truly recognized.
That's why she chose to do this.
Seeing Hirasawa Yui and Kotobuki Tsumugi finish chatting for now, Lin, holding his guitar, smiled at Kotobuki Tsumugi and said:
"Tsumugi, I have enough money on me. I'll accept your kindness, but let's buy at full price."
Kotobuki Tsumugi shook her head slightly:
"No need, I've already arranged it. Shiro, you and Yui just pay the discounted prices."
"…Alright, as you say."
Lin paused briefly, then smiled and nodded at her.
Neither of them lacked the money.
This kind of thing, just keep it in mind and return the favor later.
Kotobuki Tsumugi then turned to Tainaka Ritsu and Akiyama Mio with a smile:
"Mio, Ritsu, do you two want anything?"
She wasn't neglecting them.
After all, they were all good friends.
"No, thanks, Tsumugi."
Tainaka Ritsu and Akiyama Mio were momentarily stunned, a flicker of temptation in their hearts, but they shook their heads.
"Alright then."
Seeing Tainaka Ritsu and Akiyama Mio shake their heads, Kotobuki Tsumugi's eyes flickered, but she smiled and nodded without pressing.
Next, Lin and Hirasawa Yui took their guitars and headed to the counter with Tainaka Ritsu and the others.
After paying and getting the receipt.
The store gifted guitar bags, stands, picks, and such.
Lin and the group of five left the 10GIA Head Store Building with smiles, heading toward the station.
Especially Hirasawa Yui—her smile never faded.
Near the station, Hirasawa Yui suddenly remembered something and looked at Lin and the other three with a smile:
"Thanks for accompanying me to buy the guitar today, especially Tsumugi."
"To learn guitar sooner and play with everyone, I'll practice every day from now on."
"…"
Everyone was slightly stunned hearing Hirasawa Yui say this, then smiles appeared on their faces.
Practice every day, huh.
They had all been like that once.
Thinking they could practice daily too.
But ultimately, they hadn't.
Now, only Lin knew the weight of Hirasawa Yui's words.
"Take care on the way. See you tomorrow."
A few minutes later, Lin parted ways with Tainaka Ritsu and the other three at the station.
They were taking different trains.
On the train to Nerima Ward, Lin took Bluetooth earbuds from his pocket, put them on, and a message popped up.
It was from Machida Sonoko.
Machida Sonoko: "Shiro, what exactly did you mean before about stepping into the new world?"
"Hm?"
Seeing Machida Sonoko suddenly ask about this, Lin narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of doubt in them.
After all, she had previously suppressed her curiosity.
Without some special reason, she shouldn't be asking about this so soon.
Lin: "Sonoko, why do you suddenly want to know?"
Machida Sonoko: "I saw some blurry black shadows today."
"At first, I thought I was seeing things, but I saw them several more times later and realized it wasn't that."
"I seem to be able to see things I couldn't before, but only sometimes."
Blurry black shadows—evil spirits?
Reading Machida Sonoko's description, Lin's eyes shifted, and he instantly guessed the reason.
It must be because of his vital essence.
As the saying goes, one drop equals ten drops of blood.
After completing the grand symphony of life with Machida Sonoko, though he had reduced the energy within to a negligible amount.
It was still greatly nourishing for an ordinary person.
After being nourished, Machida Sonoko's body was clearly undergoing subtle transformation, gradually differing from ordinary humans.
Thus, she could now occasionally glimpse fleeting shadows of evil spirits.
If they completed the grand symphony a few more times for more nourishment, Machida Sonoko could truly see evil spirits.
Of course, only the weaker ones.
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