Social phobia and lonely rock!

Kita Ikuyo walked up to the door of STARRY, stopped, looked at the copper doorknob on the black door, and hesitated.

It was only then that she remembered—she knew absolutely nothing about playing guitar.

She picked up the guitar she had impulsively bought because she was worried that Ryo-senpai might be abducted.

Immediately, she seemed more confident.

She had practiced a lot the night before. If she practiced hard and spent more time improving her skills, she could reach a level where she could play alongside her senpai.

Besides, she had already done something pretty clever.

You can't hesitate over something so minor.

...

"Akane-chan, I found a great dessert shop. Let's go together today."

"Eh… Kita-chan, I'm on shift today."

"Just swap shifts…" Kita Ikuyo said teasingly.

"I know, I know… who should I switch with?"

Akane reluctantly agreed, and after replying, she turned to look at her colleague beside her, checking who she could trade shifts with.

"What about Ishikawa-kun? Seems like he's free."

Already having it all planned, Kita Ikuyo grabbed Akane's hand and pulled her toward Ishikawa Hayabusa, who was just about to leave.

"…No way."

Akane was dragged along by Kita, embarrassed, letting out a helpless sigh.

When they reached Ishikawa Hayabusa, Kita Ikuyo looked adorably shy and clasped her hands together, pleading with him.

"Ishikawa-san, could you please switch shifts with my friend? I'm begging you."

She nudged Akane lightly with her shoulder, trying to get her to chime in.

"Please, Ishikawa-san," Akane said, without much hope.

"No problem. Tanaka will be on duty next Tuesday."

Ishikawa Hayabusa agreed so quickly, it was like he hadn't even thought about it.

Tanaka Akane hadn't expected him to be so straightforward.

She was briefly stunned, then smiled.

"Thank you~"

Later, Kita Ikuyo went for desserts with Tanaka Akane. When it was time for Ryo-senpai and the others to arrive at STARRY, she said goodbye and ran back.

By now, her shift should've ended, so Ishikawa-san wouldn't be around.

She was a little worried Ishikawa Hayabusa might stop her from joining the band because of how he'd spoken yesterday—and judging by his interaction with Ryo-senpai, he might even have feelings for her.

And I stared at him for so long yesterday... maybe he noticed something.

I don't want someone I admire to be taken away by someone else.

So she pulled herself together and headed straight for the band.

I'm really hopeless.

But Kita Ikuyo didn't regret it. She reached out and opened the door to STARRY.

Ryo and Nijika were sitting at a table chatting, while the store manager, Seika, sat at the counter dazed—but when Kita walked in, several people turned to her with puzzled looks.

Amid the confusion, Kita Ikuyo descended the stairs.

Before Seika could say they weren't open yet, she spoke:

"Ryo-senpai, I heard you're recruiting new band members. I listened to your performance yesterday and was really moved. Please let me join."

---

Goto Hitori sat curled up in the corner of the not-so-crowded tram, head down, eyes fixed on the space in front of her feet.

Even though trams were always bustling, almost no one paid attention to what happened around them.

Most people found something to pass the time during the long, boring ride.

That helped Goto Hitori feel a little more at ease.

At the same time, she was lost in thought—just like everyone else.

Looking back on today, one name kept surfacing in her mind more than anything else.

Ishikawa Hayabusa.

Besides meeting in the morning, she had run into him again at noon.

...

During the lunch break, Goto Hitori quietly slipped out of class without anyone noticing.

She quickly walked to the stairwell, looked around, and when she saw no one nearby, she rushed into a corner where desks and chairs were stacked.

Sitting in that narrow, dark space, Goto Hitori let out a small sigh of relief.

Weird… why can't I calm down?

She looked around, puzzled. The abandoned desks and chairs formed a corner hidden from view. A faint light filtered down from the stairwell above. She didn't sit directly under it, but slightly away, avoiding it.

No one should see this.

Goto Hitori had clearly forgotten yesterday's promise, but her body had instinctively come here—nervous nonetheless.

Tap.

A hand slapped the wall, followed by a familiar voice.

"Goto-san, are you here?"

"…Yes."

For some unknown reason, Goto Hitori responded, and the memory of yesterday's lunch suddenly came back to her.

"Can I come find you here again later?"

Ishikawa-san!

He really came again!

I decided this morning to keep my distance…

But since everyone had agreed, Goto Hitori didn't dare run away again.

She sat there, mentally sobbing, lunchbox clenched tightly on her lap, hidden inside her sweatpants, waiting for Ishikawa Hayabusa.

...

He climbed over the piled desks and chairs and stepped into the dark corner, where he found a pretty, pink-haired girl sitting nervously, holding a bento.

"Excuse me."

He smiled and waved.

"Ah… um."

Goto flinched slightly and avoided his gaze, nodding in response.

"Mind if I join you?"

Ishikawa Hayabusa didn't give up just because her reply was weak.

...

Reject! Reject! Reject!!

We all agreed to keep distance!

"Ah… please, go ahead."

Goto Hitori hated herself. She hated how she couldn't bring herself to say no.

As she wallowed in self-pity, she heard Ishikawa Hayabusa speak:

"Goto-san, you're really kind to others—more than to yourself."

He glanced around. It was dark and cramped. Not dirty, but definitely not ideal.

"You obviously came here to eat alone and avoid people, yet you still agreed to let me join you."

Goto Hitori's heart skipped a beat.

No one had ever said that to her before—not even herself.

For a brief moment, it felt like the clouds in her heart had lifted and sunlight was breaking through.

She looked at Ishikawa again. In that dim corner, his eyes were calm and pure, radiating a warm but harmless presence.

Not the kind of person who had blind optimism.

The weight on her heart lessened significantly.

After a few days of contact, she began to feel his intentions were sincere.

Finally, she leaned forward slightly and asked:

"Ishikawa-san, why… why did you ask me to join the band?"

He answered in a very calm tone.

"Because I heard a cry for help."

The hero didn't shine with glory or dazzle, but sat across from her with an approachable demeanor, speaking as if gently offering his hand.

"Goto-san, you really want to change, don't you? You dressed like that on your first day of school because you wanted to make friends and join a band, right?"

"Everyone in my band is super kind. They even accepted someone inexperienced like me. Goto-san brought a guitar to school, so you must be confident in your playing."

"Join us. Let's make amazing memories together."

Looking at Ishikawa Hayabusa's outstretched hand, Goto Hitori hesitated for a long time. She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

Everything she ever wanted seemed to be right in front of her, waiting for her answer—real and obvious.

Like a dream.

Goto still hesitated.

There might never be a second chance like this.

Hitori, come on! Promise yourself!

At last, she unconsciously gripped the hem of her shirt, wiped the sweat from her palms—if there even was any—and held her breath as she mustered the courage to take his hand.

The boy's warm, steady hand grasped hers firmly—then gently let go.

Afterward, Goto Hitori bowed her head, her long bangs covering her eyes.

She trembled, murmuring as if regretting something.

"…Ugh."

Her words left Ishikawa Hayabusa confused.

"Wait… at least give me some time to prepare—"

And that's when the boy revealed his true nature.

"Any time…"

He paused, tone suddenly playful.

"Though I'd love to say that, I'll only give you one month to decide."

Goto Hitori looked up in a panic, eyes wide as she stared at him.

She was shaking like a scared little animal.

"If, after one month, Goto-san still can't decide, if you still look like you want to change but don't have the courage…"

"I'll drag you out myself—in the morning!"

"As for me…" Ishikawa Hayabusa hesitated.

"A self-proclaimed pervert with a good heart."

...