A Saiyan's Journey

After lunch, Ikuyo Kita picked up her guitar and managed to play a simple practice tune with some difficulty.

Although Shin and Megumi Kato didn't recognize the piece, the fact that Kita could play it at all demonstrated her progress.

"Isn't this great? Kita-san can now play an entire song from start to finish," Kato said while clapping. She didn't know how to play the guitar, so she genuinely admired Kita's ability to complete a piece, no matter how simple.

"But it's just barely a practice tune…"

The usually energetic Kita sounded a bit discouraged when discussing her progress, clearly dissatisfied with her pace of improvement.

After all, her teacher was none other than Hitori Gotou—a "guitar hero" with a massive online following.

In just two days, Kita had progressed from a complete novice who couldn't even identify guitar parts to someone who could finish a practice song. This was already impressive.

However, comparing herself to Gotou left Kita feeling as if she hadn't made any progress at all.

"Well... actually, Kita-san, you're improving really fast. W-when I first started, it took me several days to finish an entire song…"

Gotou, perhaps trying to comfort Kita, stammered nervously. Her halting speech made it sound like she was about to bite her tongue.

Although Gotou had begun to adapt to their shared lunchtime routines, her social anxiety remained evident.

Maybe after a few more days, Gotou could speak at a normal pace in their four-person group—assuming no one else joined, that is.

"Speaking of which, Shin-san, you haven't been to the LiveHouse in several days," Kita said, her mood improving slightly after Gotou's encouragement. She quickly shifted the topic to Shin.

"Even Ichiji-senpai and Ryo-senpai mentioned it yesterday, saying you haven't visited them recently."

"...I'm not a member of the Kessoku Band. Of course, I can't be at the LiveHouse every day."

Shin responded with an amused yet exasperated smile. Why did these people act as if he were part of the band? He couldn't even play an instrument.

But on second thought, it was probably because they associated him so closely with Gotou. It seemed incomplete to see one without the other.

After all, Shin had accompanied Gotou during her previous visits to the LiveHouse.

"Why don't we drop by the LiveHouse after school today? I'd like to go too," Kato suddenly suggested, her face lighting up with eagerness.

Over the past few lunchtimes, she had heard plenty about the Kessoku Band and its members from Kita and Gotou. However, she had yet to meet them in person.

Curiosity piqued, she wanted to check out the LiveHouse herself—especially since she had no club activities after school.

"Sure, I've mentioned Kato-san to them before, and they're curious about you too," Kita agreed enthusiastically, nodding without hesitation.

Then, realizing Shin hadn't expressed his opinion yet, she quickly turned to him, her eyes sparkling with a pleading look that begged him not to refuse.

Even Gotou looked at him, blinking expectantly.

"Alright, let's go check it out," Shin agreed. Since everyone was so eager, he saw no reason to decline—especially since he had no pressing plans after school.

In fact, this situation worked out for Shin. Their camaraderie meant he didn't need to worry about potential conflicts among them.

…

"Hm?"

After lunch, Shin noticed an unread message on his phone.

Upon opening it, his expression turned slightly peculiar.

"Huh? Shin-kun, aren't you coming?"

Kato had packed up her lunchbox and was ready to leave the rooftop with Gotou and Kita when she noticed Shin still seated.

"Yeah, I've got something to do. You guys go ahead."

Shin smiled at them. Though puzzled, the girls obediently left.

Shin stayed seated for a few more minutes before hearing the creak of the metal rooftop door being pushed open.

The sound was deliberate yet betrayed by the rusted hinges, which let out a loud "squeak."

Moments later, Shin saw Eriri's flushed face peek through the doorway. She scanned the rooftop nervously before spotting him on the bench.

Indeed, the unread message was from Eriri.

Its contents? A request for Shin to wait for her on the rooftop after lunch so she could show him her revised drawings.

To be honest, Shin hadn't expected Eriri to choose their school rooftop at noon for this.

Wasn't she worried about classmates accidentally discovering the drawings in her bag?

"W-why are you looking at me like that with such a weird expression?"

Eriri bristled as she noticed Shin's strange gaze. Her twin tails even quivered slightly in indignation.

Though she had texted Shin to wait for her, now that she thought about it...

A secluded rooftop, just the two of them, and a girl presenting her drawings to a boy—wasn't this straight out of a certain type of... manga?

Eriri, a seasoned consumer of such works, immediately grew flustered. She hadn't considered this when sending the message!

Fortunately, Shin seemed uninterested in any rooftop escapades. Instead, he casually beckoned her over.

"What are you standing there for? Come here."

Eriri hesitated but instinctively obeyed, walking over and sitting beside him on the bench.

Only after sitting down did she realize—why was she listening to him so readily?

"The drawings?"

"Here they are."

Though internally questioning her compliance, Eriri still pulled out the drawings as Shin asked.

After all, he held leverage over her, leaving her with little choice.

Convincing herself of this, Eriri found a reason to justify her actions...

To be continued...

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