The moment Kanzaki Saku finished speaking, Gotoh Hitori's mind immediately conjured up a massive concert.
She was clad in a cool, studded leather stage outfit, standing center stage under a spotlight. Her fingertips danced wildly across the strings, and a heart-pounding guitar solo instantly ignited the entire venue!
Below the stage was a surging crowd, a sea of waving light sticks, and frenzied cheers that nearly blew the roof off.
And in the center of this boiling, Kanzaki Saku stood in the very front row, looking up at her, his eyes filled with awe and adoration...
"Th-then it's a deal!" Bocchi-chan felt her voice waver from the sheer intensity of her fantasy, as if the highlight of her life was within reach.
"Mm, I'm looking forward to it."
Kanzaki Saku showed just the right amount of curiosity: "But, Gotoh-san, you said the member info is still a secret? Can you not even reveal the band's name? I'm a little curious what kind of band could attract such an excellent guitarist like you."
"N-name..." Gotoh Hitori froze. Ijichi Nijika had only invited her yesterday; the band hadn't even been formally assembled. How could it have a name?
But she had already made the boast, and now, under Kanzaki Saku's "sincere" gaze, her brain went into overdrive.
'Dammit, move! My brain!'
She had to think of a name cool enough, rock enough, worthy of a future superstar, and worthy of her current persona!
"It's called 'Gotoh Tokyo'!" The name came to her in a flash of inspiration, and she blurted it out. The moment she said it, she cringed so hard her toes curled, but she maintained her composure on the surface.
"Right! It's 'Gotoh Tokyo'! It means my name will echo throughout Tokyo!"
"'Gotoh Tokyo'... a very powerful name." Kanzaki Saku was about to burst out laughing internally, but his face showed nothing but sincere appreciation.
Watching Gotoh Hitori stray further and further down the path of no return towards social suicide, propelled by his every word of flattery, his wicked sense of humor was immensely satisfied.
"Of course!" Having received affirmation, Gotoh Hitori continued to build herself up.
"Our lead singer, um... her voice is ethereal yet explosive, a once-in-a-generation talent! The drummer is experienced, gentle, and easy to get along with! The bassist..."
She racked her brain to invent non-existent teammates, trying to piece together an image that matched her boasts, "...is steady and reliable, the cornerstone of the band!"
With every sentence she spoke, Kanzaki Saku would nod along with a very serious expression.
Kanzaki Saku had heard the lead singer Kita's voice yesterday, and it was certainly impressive.
As for the drummer, Ijichi Nijika, and the bassist, Yamada Ryo, Kanzaki Saku had not yet met their reversed-world versions and would reserve judgment for now.
"I see, with such a professional lineup, it's no wonder," Kanzaki Saku remarked with emotion, then changed the subject.
"But, Gotoh-san, joining such an amazing band must come with a lot of pressure, right? I've heard that even in many famous bands, the internal competition is fierce, and the requirements for members are very strict."
"Eh? P-pressure?" Gotoh Hitori, who had been floating on cloud nine, was suddenly pulled back to reality, stunned for a moment.
Competition? Strict requirements? She had only been fantasizing about the glorious performance and her future life with Kanzaki Saku; she hadn't considered any of this.
"Yes," Kanzaki Saku's tone was filled with concern.
"For example, does the band have regular evaluations? Or require members to reach a certain level of performance within a short time? Although your skills are superb, Gotoh-san, it always takes time to adapt to a new environment, doesn't it?"
Evaluations? Standards? Adapting?
Gotoh Hitori's face paled instantly. That person from yesterday seemed really strict. What if, even though she was invited, she failed to meet the requirements during practice and was mercilessly kicked out of the band?
Her so-called "superb skills" were mostly the result of practicing like crazy at home; there was still a slight gap between that and the version of herself she was boasting about.
But her greatest fear was that if she got kicked out of the band, she wouldn't have time to find a new one, and then Kanzaki Saku would find out she was lying.
As everyone knows, what a show-off fears most is having their bluff called and their boasting exposed, especially in front of a member of the opposite sex they have a crush on.
That would be worse than death.
"O-of course there are requirements!" she said stubbornly, but her voice unconsciously grew softer.
"B-but that's not a problem for me! The soul of rock is to break through your limits!" Despite her words, the cold sweat trickling down her forehead betrayed her inner panic.
Kanzaki Saku took in her subtle changes, knowing the time was ripe. Any more, and Bocchi-chan might actually start to cry.
He offered an encouraging smile: "That's true. With your passion for music and talent, Gotoh-san, you'll surely handle any challenge with ease."
Kanzaki Saku ended their ordinary morning chat with one final sentence: "Well then, I'll be eagerly awaiting news of 'Gotoh Tokyo's' performance. Good luck, Gotoh-san."
With that, he turned around and took out his textbook for the first class.
Gotoh Hitori, of course, maintained her rock singer persona, ending the conversation by staring up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, but inside, her heart was in turmoil, like a stormy sea.
'I'm screwed, I'm screwed, I'm screwed! What the hell was I babbling about?! What is 'Gotoh Tokyo'?!'
Originally, the band invitation was just a talking point for her to show off, but now she had blown it up into a monumental boast that had to be realized, one that concerned her future boyfriend.
'So as not to disappoint Kanzaki-kun, and to protect my cool rock guitarist persona, I must... I must join her band!' Gotoh Hitori clenched her fists tightly.
Ignoring that class had already started, Bocchi-chan took out her phone, found the LINE account for Ijichi Nijika she had added yesterday, and sent a message.
Guitar Hero: "That band! I'm in! When do we practice!"
A moment later, a reply came.
AAA STARRY Music: "Eh? Why so certain all of a sudden? Don't you want to come and check out the band's skill level first?"
The teacher had already begun the lesson, but Gotoh Hitori's attention was entirely on her phone.
'Check it out? What's there to check! If I wait any longer, not only will the band be gone, but my love life will fly away with it!'
Guitar Hero: "No need! I trust your professionalism!"
Guitar Hero: "Please, tell me the soonest we can rehearse! Is after school today okay?!"
AAA STARRY Music: "Ah, after school today? Let me check the schedule."
AAA STARRY Music: "It's fine! Then let's meet at 5:30 at 'STARRY'? I sent you the address before."
____
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