Let's act on stage together!

　　Not long after, Shinichi returned to his normal state and walked towards the stage where Ichika said he would come.

　　But it seems he was too late. The gathered crowd slowly dispersed.

　　"She is indeed the best student at Seisho Music Academy."

　　This is the most frequently heard sentence.

　　As he approached the stage and absorbed the information around him, Shinichi looked around with some worry.

　　Of course, the first performance on this stage was challenged by the students of Seisho Music Academy, and the performance met expectations and amazed the audience.

　　Therefore, he was worried that after seeing such a performance, Ichika would feel that her abilities were not as good as others. After all, when she left, Shinichi saw her confidence growing, but now he didn't hear her name being praised by everyone.

　　Soon, he saw Ichika's figure beside the stage steps.

　　When he was about to step forward to say hello, he discovered that she was surrounded by three girls in Western-style school uniforms. No, from that position, it seemed like Ichika took the initiative to speak, and the two of them started talking.

　　"Ichika, are you done here?"

　　With doubts in his heart, Shinichi stepped forward and attracted everyone's attention. At the same time, he also looked at the three girls

　　Seisho Music Academy, 99th class of students, Tendo Maya, Saijo Claudina, Daiba Nana.

　　"Shinichi-kun, welcome back!" Her smile bloomed like a flower. Ichika happily ran towards him, and she lightly scratched her cheek and said a little embarrassed.

　　"For the challenge… Sorry, I haven't appeared on stage yet."

　　Shinichi was a little surprised: "What happened?"

　　"Okay, before that let me introduce you to them." Ichika tugged at Shinichi's sleeve, winking at him.

　　"He is the head student of Shuchi'in Academy this time, Asada Shinichi. You know his name, right? He is a very smart and reliable kid!"

　　"I have a good relationship with Nakano-san."

　　The girl with long brown hair in the middle smiled faintly, and said exactly what Ichika wanted to hear, making her smile brighter as her face turned red.

　　The girl with yellow hair tied into banana-shaped twintails on the left looked at him curiously: "You were very eye-catching during the pre-conference match. It feels like you've completely memorized everyone's information. Absolutely amazing."

　　The girl on the right with flaxen hair and mixed-race facial features raised her wavy hair with her fingers, and said indifferently:

　　"So what if you memorize it? At this stage, only we are the most dazzling existence. N'est-ce pas? (French: Isn't that so)"

　　Hearing these provocative words, Ichika said to Shinichi:

　　"They are participants of the Seisho Music Academy. Shinichi-kun must remember the specific information clearly, so I won't explain it in detail."

　　"Um."

　　Shinichi nodded calmly in greeting. After all, there was one person among them who didn't seem to be paying much attention, so he didn't bother being friendly. He just wanted to ask Ichika something.

　　But before that, a small hand stretched out in front of him, accompanied by a friendly un sound.

　　"I am Tendo Maya, head student of Seisho Music Academy. Nice to meet you, Asada-san."

　　Shinichi looked at the girl with long brown hair, then stretched out his hand, and it happened instantly with one touch.

　　"I have admired you for a long time. Asada Shinichi, a 2nd year student at Shuchi'in Academy. Pleased to meet you."

　　"Um, since Maya has done this…" The flaxen-haired girl who looked arrogant earlier muttered several times, as if refusing to admit defeat, she stretched out her hand stiffly.

　　"Saijo Claudina, half Japanese and French, please give me some advice."

　　"…Please give me further advice." Shinichi could feel that the moment his hand was raised, the other person's body became stiff as a rock, and her ears were slightly red.

　　Not good at dealing with men?

　　"Then I'm the only one left~" The girl with yellow hair and double banana tails smiled and raised her hand, and said slowly, "Ordinary student of the 99th batch, Daiba Nana. Asada-san, do you want to eat Banana Muffins?"

　　"…Sorry, no need."

　　Being rejected in a cold tone, Nana smiled even happier and lifted the banana ponytails on both sides:

　　"Indeed, you should not eat food given by strangers. BANANICE!"

　　"…"

　　Shinichi looked at Ichika speechlessly, communicating with his eyes.

　　(What's the point of telling me about them?)

Just knowing the other person's information and knowing each other's name formally shows that the relationship has changed.

　　And the other party are quite beautiful girls.

　　Taking the initiative to introduce girls to him, what was Ichika really thinking now...

　　"For the sake of acting."

　　Ichika seemed to understand the look in his eyes, and laughed softly.

　　"The thing that makes me most fortunate right now is that I'm not competing with them on the same stage now. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn't want to lose now."

　　"However, it is useless no matter how hard I try. I can't fake that kind of tension in a show. And according to information, there are many people in Seisho Music Academy who are at the same level as them."

　　"My self-esteem suddenly crumbled. The 'powerful high school actor' that was rumored outside was nothing. I couldn't give off that surprising appearance at all. I have to say this wholeheartedly, I think, Tendo-san, Saijo-san, Daiba-san, each of them should be able to replace me and act in the film well."

　　"Geez, you thought you were a little more mature, but in the end you just sit back and look at the sky? How ridiculous."

　　Ichika said self-deprecatingly, but the three girls across from her didn't show any strange expressions. She must have said the same thing to them earlier.

　　"I see. So, what are your plans now?"

Shinichi thought it was good for Ichika to show a relieved expression, to save him from unfounded worries.

　　But instead of immediately signing up to participate in this challenge, she instead showed up to chat with them. What is she planning?

　　She couldn't possibly want him to meet more girls, right?

　　"My current plan is..."

　　Ichika looked at Shinichi and held his hand, and showed a bright smile.

　　"Let's go on stage and act together, Shinichi-kun!"

　　"...What?"