Seeing the suspicious look in Gotoh Hitori's eyes, Kita's face turned even redder. After all, she couldn't exactly say, "I am Kanzaki-san's paying client, and we share a pure relationship consisting only of money and flesh," could she?
"Then what are you nervous about? Why are you blushing?" Bocchi-chan narrowed her eyes and closed in on Kita. "There is definitely a secret between you two!"
Kita felt she was being pushed to her limit. Breathing became difficult, and her brain was on the verge of losing control over her mouth.
"It's... It's Kanzaki-san... he pities me! That's why he's so good to me. I've always been grateful to him! Introducing the band this time is also because he wants to help me make friends."
This excuse was half a desperate fabrication born of wit, and half a humble thought from the depths of her heart.
In Kanzaki Saku's eyes, perhaps she really was just a pitiful worm.
"I... I'm relatively introverted and don't have many friends. Kanzaki-san is a good person; he wants to help me change..."
"Oh—! So that's it! Kanzaki-san really is too gentle! Seeing a classmate being excluded, he wants to extend a helping hand. However!"
She suddenly changed her tone and leaned in even closer.
"Kita-san, I'm warning you! Gratitude is one thing, but you cannot harbor other thoughts! Kanzaki-san has already been reserved by me."
"Don't have any improper thoughts! Just be a good vocalist! Do you understand?"
This warning was essentially Bocchi-chan, that bullying-the-weak-and-fearing-the-strong fellow, finally encountering someone softer than herself and taking the chance to declare her sovereignty.
Kita was made dizzy by Gotoh Hitori's questioning and could only nod mechanically: "I... I understand. I will be a good vocalist."
Seeing Kita being so tactful, Gotoh Hitori was very satisfied. She felt that this Kita was simply a singing genius. Our band needs such talent; it definitely wasn't because she wanted a little lackey.
She patted Kita's shoulder, making Kita stumble.
"Good! Then it's settled! After school, at STARRY Livehouse, I'll take you to meet the other members! Don't worry, with me, the future rock superstar, here, I definitely won't let you suffer!"
Gotoh Hitori was happy because she might no longer be at the bottom of the band's hierarchy, and Kita also recovered from her fear thanks to Bocchi-chan's words.
Because listening to the implication in Gotoh Hitori's words, it seemed she had a crush on Kanzaki Saku.
It wasn't that Kita felt normal romance was bad, but mainly because she rarely surpassed others in certain areas.
Kita suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of superiority over Gotoh Hitori.
The male god you have a crush on and think is out of reach is not like that with me.
This thought itself might not be healthy, perhaps even twisted.
But for Kita, who had always been a gloomy loner, having such a thought made it hard to feel inferior in front of Bocchi-chan.
After all, it is hard to possess both a sports car and an inferiority complex at the same time, and Kanzaki Saku was that "sports car" that gave Kita confidence.
So Kanzaki Saku's confidence training class was correct!
"Let's go! Don't let Kanzaki-san wait too long!" Gotoh Hitori, of course, didn't know what Kita was thinking. She had already decided that the gloomy Kita posed no threat to her whatsoever.
The two walked out of the corner one after another and found Kanzaki Saku waiting nearby.
Seeing them return, Kanzaki Saku spoke first: "How did it go? Kita really has potential. I think your band can give her a chance."
Gotoh Hitori naturally welcomed Kita's joining: "I listened just now, and she indeed has great potential. As the captain, I approve!"
Kanzaki Saku looked at Kita. "Kita, are you willing? Although you are a beginner, Gotoh-san and her teammates shouldn't mind teaching a newcomer."
"I am willing!" Kita almost blurted out.
Joining a band, what did it mean? It meant standing on a shining yet dizzying stage under the gaze of the crowd.
It meant dealing with complex and troublesome interpersonal relationships with teammates, and spending a lot of time and energy practicing.
But...
She tightened her grip on the wallet in her hand.
For that promise of a treat, for the potential extra reward.
She was going for it!
However, aside from it being Kanzaki-san's task, deep down she also wanted to participate in this kind of activity where she could make friends and be popular.
For the next ten minutes, the excited Bocchi-chan talked non-stop about her band dreams, rock philosophy, and future plans.
Kita listened quietly, nodding occasionally, her eyes glancing at Kanzaki Saku from time to time.
He kept smiling, occasionally interjecting a few sentences to praise Bocchi-chan's genius ideas.
But Kita knew his attention wasn't entirely here.
Because his eyes would occasionally drift toward her, that meaningful look seeming to say, "I know what you are thinking."
Her legs started to go weak again.
"Then let's call it a day!" Having talked to her heart's content, Bocchi-chan checked the time. Class was about to start, so she ended the meeting, though still wanting more.
After agreeing to meet Kita for band practice after school, Kanzaki Saku walked back toward the classroom with Gotoh Hitori, who was still immersed in her self-satisfaction.
On the way back, Bocchi-chan was imagining again how the complete band would soar into the sky, and...
How Kanzaki Saku would look at her on stage with adoring eyes.
When they reached the fork connecting the main building and the old school building, Kanzaki Saku paused slightly, as if suddenly remembering something.
"Ah, sorry, Gotoh-san." He suddenly called Bocchi-chan's name.
Bocchi-chan froze and turned to look at him.
Kanzaki Saku said in an anxious tone: "I just remembered, President Shinomiya instructed me to go to the Student Council office after the lunch break. I almost forgot."
"It's fine, it's fine! Kanzaki-san, you go quickly! I'll explain to the teacher for you," Bocchi-chan said without suspecting a thing.
She even felt a little secret delight in her heart. Kanzaki-san had become the Vice President of the Student Council now.
Being so busy yet still finding time to care about her band—he definitely had feelings for her.
Watching the pink figure disappear at the end of the corridor, Kanzaki Saku turned around and retraced his steps.
In that gloomy corner piled with abandoned tables and chairs, Kita Ikuyo was indeed still standing there.
"Kita." Kanzaki Saku came before Kita.
"Yes!" Kita Ikuyo, having been called, stood at attention.
"Did you bring the wallet?" Kanzaki Saku's tone was like asking if she had brought her textbooks.
Kita frantically fished the wallet out of her pocket: "B-Brought it! The money is ready too! Please treat me well this time too!"
Kanzaki Saku took the wallet, which still carried the girl's body warmth, opened it, and glanced briefly.
Inside, a stack of bills was neatly arranged. The denominations were not small, far exceeding the basic tuition fee he had casually mentioned last time.
"So much? Didn't I say one portion was enough?" Kanzaki Saku raised an eyebrow.
"B-Because you didn't come yesterday," Kita whispered. "I thought I had to make up for today."
Kita, you fellow, are you this thirsty? You even want to make up for the missed lessons?
____
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