One week later.
Saturday evening.
Even though Bai Qiu's arrival had allowed Kessoku Band to perform earlier than originally planned...
Even though the weather forecast had promised clear skies with scattered clouds...
That day...
A torrential downpour still fell from the sky.
Rain hammered against the ground.
Inside STARRY, the live house located underground...
The atmosphere felt far more oppressive than usual.
Braving the wind and rain, PA-san finally arrived.
After hanging up her umbrella and raincoat to dry, she took out a towel and wiped the rainwater from her hair.
Nearby, Ijichi Seika lay slumped over the bar counter without any energy.
PA-san glanced at the teru teru bōzu (sunny-day doll) hanging above the counter.
Without even lifting her head, Seika spoke as if she had eyes on the back of her neck.
"Nijika and the others made it."
"But those little dolls don't really work."
PA-san nodded and sighed.
"With weather this awful..."
"If this keeps up, even the people who bought tickets might not come."
"I just hope the girls won't feel too disappointed because hardly anyone shows up."
"They practiced so hard..."
"I really feel sorry for them."
Still resting her head on the counter, Seika replied quietly,
"If you choose to play in a band..."
"You're bound to run into all kinds of terrible things."
"No matter what difficulties you face, you have to adjust your mindset and overcome them."
PA-san smiled gently.
"I have a handkerchief if you need one."
She could hear the slight tremble in Seika's voice.
Was the manager... crying?
"Get lost!"
Seika snapped stubbornly.
At that moment...
She blamed herself.
Hidden beneath her folded arms, her face was filled with worry and guilt.
She had been the one who arranged for Kessoku Band to perform first.
Her good intentions had backfired.
Originally...
She had expected tonight to have the largest audience.
She wanted Kessoku Band to gain as much exposure as possible, so she placed them first as the opening act.
But because of this rain...
Being first had become a disadvantage.
There were barely any customers in the venue.
If they had performed later...
Perhaps the rain would have stopped by then.
Unfortunately...
Changing the performance order now would be unfair to the other bands.
Even if she favored Kessoku Band...
Seika would never do something like that.
She looked toward the group gathered around a table in the corner.
I just hope...
This won't discourage them too badly.
At the table...
Aside from Bai Qiu...
The girls all looked somewhat dejected and anxious.
Even Nijika could only barely maintain her smile as she encouraged everyone.
Ryo lay face-down on the table.
"Maybe we should just start a livestream."
"Treat it like a live show with no audience."
Nijika forced a smile.
"We can't..."
"There are still a few customers here already."
Then there was Hitori Gotoh.
Already gloomy by nature...
Although fewer audience members meant fewer eyes focused on her—
Which was actually good news for Bocchi—
It wasn't good news for everything Kessoku Band had worked so hard toward.
Finally, Bai Qiu looked at Kita and sighed.
Even the normally radiant Kita has been affected...
Kita pouted.
"My friends all said they aren't coming."
Nijika nodded.
"Same here."
"Relax."
Bai Qiu spoke calmly.
"Our rehearsal went really well, didn't it?"
"Hitori."
"You've already survived street performances."
"Nijika and Ryo just need to keep playing together."
"Kita, focus on your singing."
"As for the audience..."
"If there are fewer people, then there are fewer people."
His words had some effect.
A little light gradually returned to the girls' eyes.
Yet...
At times like this...
The person who looked the calmest...
Was often the one everyone assumed was forcing himself to stay composed.
Even Bocchi couldn't help saying,
"B-Bai Qiu-kun..."
"You should relax too..."
"Qiu-kun, you don't have to force yourself!"
Nijika added comfortingly.
Even Seika thought the same.
"Just perform normally."
She looked at Bai Qiu.
"I really am relaxed."
Bai Qiu smiled helplessly.
There might be twists and turns during tonight's performance.
But...
He was certain of one thing.
The ending would be a complete victory.
"Okay, okay."
"We know you're not nervous."
Nijika kindly handed him a cup of water, almost as if she were comforting a child.
"Qiu-kun."
"Drink some water and calm down."
Bai Qiu blinked.
Instinctively...
He accepted the cup.
What kind of situation is this...?
In the end...
He simply gave up trying to explain.
He would just wait quietly until it was time to go on stage.
Just then...
Bai Qiu received a message from the Light Music Club group chat.
Kotobuki Tsumugi had asked her family's driver to bring everyone over.
They were almost at STARRY.
Under Seika's curious gaze...
Bai Qiu led the four girls from the Light Music Club into the venue.
Although the weather outside was miserable...
The girls were still smiling brightly.
Their arrival immediately dispelled much of the gloomy atmosphere.
Hirasawa Yui looked around STARRY with sparkling eyes.
"So this is what a live house looks like, Qiu!"
"I want to perform on a stage like this too!"
"You'll get the chance."
Bai Qiu smiled.
Tsumugi blinked curiously as she looked around.
So... this is where ordinary people come to watch live performances.
Unlike Yui and Mugi...
Mio and Ritsu had visited live houses before, so they remained much calmer.
A moment later...
Bai Qiu found seats for the Light Music Club members.
Seika looked at him strangely.
"Don't tell me..."
"You don't have any male friends?"
"Ahem!"
Bai Qiu coughed awkwardly.
"Manager..."
"What kind of question is that?"
"Wow..."
"The rain's really heavy..."
"Bocchi-chan, I'm here!"
A carefree voice drifted down the staircase.
Arriving thoroughly drunk...
Hiroi Kikuri entered the battlefield.
Bocchi's eyes widened happily.
"Big Sis Drunkard..."
"You're here..."
"Did you come to watch Bocchi perform?"
Seika asked while holding a broom.
"Yep!"
Kikuri flashed a peace sign.
Then she bounded down the stairs, wrapped an arm around Seika's neck...
And refused to let go.
"Senpai!"
"There's going to be a celebration party after the performance, right?"
"Let go of me!"
"Have you picked the bar yet?"
"You reek of alcohol!"
"I know a really nice new place!"
"You're soaking wet!"
At that moment...
More people came down the stairs.
"Hitori."
"We're here to watch your performance."
It was Bocchi's two university student fans.
Fan No. 1.
Fan No. 2.
"Y-You..."
"You really came!"
Bocchi was so surprised that tears nearly filled her eyes.
Fan No. 1 smiled.
"Of course."
"We're your fans."
Fan No. 2 grinned.
"We're looking forward to your performance blowing away this rain."
Even Bocchi had fans who came to support her.
Kita and Nijika both felt slightly discouraged.
Especially Kita.
Are all my best friends made of plastic or something?!
Still...
The arrival of these supporters greatly lifted Kessoku Band's spirits.
Meanwhile...
At Nagasaki Soyo's home.
Soyo looked out the window at the rain.
I really hate this weather...
Even though it was pouring...
The gloom she'd carried over the past few days had disappeared.
Instead...
She felt relaxed.
And quietly excited.
The rain wasn't enough to stop her from going out.
After several days of rest...
She had completely recovered.
That brief evening spent together with Bai Qiu and Mutsumi had allowed her to experience something that had felt like...
Home.
Because of that...
She had been in a wonderful mood these past few days.
She had already changed into her outfit.
Applied light makeup.
Shouldered her small handbag.
Her eyes drifted toward the bass guitar resting in the corner.
I'm only going to watch the performance...
No need to bring my bass.
Looking once more at the rain outside, which showed no signs of weakening...
She murmured,
"I'll just take a taxi."
She walked to the entrance.
Today...
She decided not to wear socks.
Rainy days made them too easy to soak.
Instead...
She slipped into a pair of white strappy high heels.
Her fair jade-like toes and softly pink heels were left beautifully exposed.
Once everything was ready...
A gentle smile curved across her lips.
Then—
The doorbell rang.
At the same time...
She heard movement outside.
And...
Her mother's voice?
"Soyo."
"Mom's home."
"Could you open the door for me?"
"...Mom?"
Soyo whispered to herself.
She stood frozen for several seconds before hurrying to open the front door.
Seeing the familiar face she'd missed for so long...
She puffed out her cheeks.
"Mom..."
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?"
Despite her complaint...
Her face was overflowing with joy.
"Because I didn't come home last week."
"I wanted today to be a surprise."
At this moment...
Mrs. Nagasaki looked nothing like the powerful businesswoman she was at work.
She appeared gentle and affectionate.
Then she noticed her daughter's outfit.
"Hm?"
"Were you about to go out?"
Soyo nodded.
"I was planning to watch a live concert."
"In weather like this?"
"...Mm."
"A live..."
Mrs. Nagasaki nodded thoughtfully.
It had been quite a long time since Soyo had mentioned her previous band.
Did they disband after entering high school?
Well... that couldn't really be helped.
It was rare for her daughter to show interest in music again.
With a warm smile, she said,
"How about Mom drives you there?"
"Eh..."
Listening to the rain outside...
Soyo hesitated.
Mom works so hard...
She finally came home.
I shouldn't trouble her.
Then another thought surfaced.
Maybe...
I should just stay home with Mom today.
Bai Qiu-kun...
He'll understand.
I'll definitely apologize afterward.
I can even invite him over for dinner every day to make it up to him.
But right now...
Mom is more important.
Having made up her mind...
Soyo smiled.
"Mom."
"I suddenly don't feel like going anymore."
"I'll stay home today."
"Hm?"
Mrs. Nagasaki was briefly surprised.
Soon, she understood exactly what her thoughtful daughter was thinking.
"You don't have to worry about me."
Soyo hugged her mother's arm and gently pulled her into the house.
"I'd rather stay home with you today."
"Are you sure?"
Soyo nodded.
"It's okay."
"It's only one live performance."
"I can always watch another one."
"I'll just tell my friend."
"He won't be angry."
She said it with complete certainty.
"...He?"
Mrs. Nagasaki looked at her daughter with a teasing smile.
"So..."
"Our Soyo is at that age already?"
A blush instantly spread across Soyo's cheeks.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Well..."
"It is a boy..."
"But we're just friends."
"Don't misunderstand."
"Soyo..."
"Why don't I drive you there anyway?"
Now that she knew it was a boy's invitation...
Mrs. Nagasaki became unexpectedly curious.
Although her own marriage hadn't been a happy one...
She had never intended to forbid her daughter from falling in love.
Still...
She would definitely keep a close eye on anyone who approached her daughter.
"No, Mom."
"I'm really not going."
"I think we should go."
For some reason...
Mrs. Nagasaki had a vague feeling.
If Soyo skipped today's performance...
She might regret it later.
But Soyo kept pulling her farther into the house, taking her briefcase away.
"Mom!"
"Go take a shower and change your clothes."
"I'll make something delicious!"
"Ah, Soyo..."
"Don't push me."
"Let Mom drive you there."
"I'd like to watch the live performance too."
The more considerate her mother was...
The more determined Soyo became to spend the day with her instead.
"We'll go together next time, Mom."