After several days and nights of torrential rain, the skies finally cleared.
The sun was shining brilliantly.
On Enoshima, the sea was calm, and the weather couldn't have been better.
The members of Kessoku Band had gathered there.
"Why did we suddenly decide to come here?"
Bai Qiu asked curiously, turning to Nijika.
In just two days, Ijichi Seika would be evaluating Kessoku Band's ensemble performance.
Whether or not they met her standards would determine if they were allowed to perform live.
At a time like this, shouldn't they be practicing their new songs together?
Especially keeping Kita and Bocchi focused.
Why had they suddenly come out to have fun instead?
According to the original story, they were supposed to visit Enoshima after their first live performance, near the end of summer vacation.
I guess this is the butterfly effect.
"Isn't this nice?" Nijika replied with her warm, comforting smile.
"Look how happy Kita is."
Bai Qiu turned to look at Kita and nodded in agreement.
Today, she seemed to shine even more brightly than usual.
Perhaps being back under the sun had finally broken her seal.
Even Bai Qiu and Nijika couldn't help raising their hands to shield their eyes from the overwhelming radiance she seemed to emit.
"But those two don't look like they're doing so well."
Bai Qiu pointed toward Gotou Hitori and Yamada Ryo, who were leaning weakly against each other.
Kita's brilliance wasn't exactly friendly to them.
"Ah... I'm drying out..."
"I'm being blinded..."
Kita Ikuyo beamed with excitement.
"This is awesome! I've wanted to hang out with everyone for so long!"
"I'm going to take tons of great pictures today and spam them all over social media!"
"And don't forget to update the band's account too," Nijika reminded gently.
"Mission accepted, Nijika-senpai!"
Kita proudly patted her rather modest chest.
A moment later, however, concern crept onto her face.
"But... is it really okay not to practice?"
She honestly believed she was the weakest member of the band.
Nijika simply smiled and shook her head.
"Taking breaks is important too."
"Besides, since Kessoku Band was formed, we've never actually gone out together."
"So today's trip to Enoshima is a very important one."
"As expected of Nijika-senpai!"
Amazing.
Kita's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Since they were already talking about the band, Nijika turned toward the half-asleep Ryo.
"Ryo, how's the composing going?"
Ryo answered without even fully opening her eyes.
"I already finished arranging the two songs Bocchi wrote."
"But last night..."
"Someone suddenly handed me another song."
As she spoke, she casually glanced toward Bai Qiu.
Then she let out another yawn, looking utterly exhausted.
"It made me stay up all night."
"Thanks for your hard work, Ryo."
Nijika praised her sincerely.
"But there wasn't really another choice."
"You're the only one in the band who can compose and arrange music."
Ryo simply nodded.
Seika had set the rehearsal performance to twenty minutes.
That meant they could probably perform three songs.
Bocchi had already written lyrics for two songs and insisted she had completely run out of inspiration.
So Bai Qiu volunteered to write the lyrics for the third song.
As for all the famous songs from his previous life—
Whether they were anime opening themes, ending themes, insert songs, or popular singles—
He had listened to many of them dozens, even hundreds of times on repeat.
He remembered every lyric perfectly.
But...
He wasn't a music student.
He couldn't remember the melodies well enough to recreate them.
Nor did he know how to compose music.
Just looking at professional composition software was enough to discourage him.
Because of that, Bai Qiu had already made up his mind.
His next goal was to exchange points in the system for composition skills.
The system could also directly provide complete songs.
However...
For the songs he already remembered...
Composing them himself would undoubtedly be a much better deal.
Seeing Ryo still glancing at him from time to time, Bai Qiu smiled.
"Lady Ryo..."
"Leave all your expenses to me today."
"Mhm."
Ryo immediately smiled.
She suddenly didn't look sleepy anymore.
"Ryo-senpai!"
"I can pay for you too!"
Kita quickly took out her wallet, unwilling to lose.
Nijika clapped her hands to stop the two.
"Alright, alright."
"No more band talk today."
"Everyone's here to relax."
Then she hesitated for a moment.
"...But."
"Why is everyone carrying their instruments?"
Nijika suddenly protested loudly.
She felt utterly betrayed.
They had clearly agreed that today was supposed to be a fun outing.
So why was everyone carrying their instruments?
What was she supposed to do?
She hadn't brought her drum set—
And even if she wanted to, she couldn't exactly carry it around on her back!
What kind of situation was this?
"Ahem... Well..."
The others exchanged awkward smiles, silently understanding one another.
Bai Qiu answered first.
"I thought we might do some street performances together."
Kita Ikuyo said,
"I brought mine because it'll make the photos look prettier."
Gotou Hitori mumbled,
"...I don't feel safe without my guitar."
Yamada Ryo replied calmly,
"I don't have any money."
"So I brought my bass instead."
"..."
Just what exactly was she treating her bass as?
"Ryo-senpai, please let me pay for you!"
Kita still refused to give up.
"I want salted ice cream... and octopus crackers..."
Kita... when are you ever going to stop seeing Ryo through rose-colored glasses?
Bai Qiu tried comforting Nijika.
"Don't worry about it."
"Besides, didn't you bring your drumsticks?"
Nijika held up the pair of drumsticks in her hand.
"Then..."
"Which one of you wants to trade with me?"
"Uh..."
Silence filled the group.
"No volunteers?"
A faint sense of pressure radiated from Nijika.
Everyone looked at one another.
Then Bai Qiu and Ryo silently pointed at each other in perfect sync.
The two stared.
Then, without another word...
Both of their fingers slowly shifted toward Bocchi.
"Eh... M-me...?"
Gotou Hitori actually began trembling as she reached to take off her guitar.
"You two are not allowed to bully Hitori!"
Seeing this, Nijika hurriedly stepped in and stopped them, hands on her hips as she scolded the pair.
After fooling around for a while, Nijika finally gave up on the idea of swapping instruments with these hopeless bandmates.
Raising her voice, she announced,
"Anyway!"
"Today, let's all make wonderful summer memories together!"
-------------------
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