260: Best Actor Award Goes To..

Chisato brought Kazusa to the recording studio. He pointed at the equipment inside and briefly explained the tasks she needed to complete next.

"The floor, the central tabletop, and the gaps under the sofa all need to be cleaned. After that, the recording console should be carefully wiped down with disinfectant wipes."

"Is that all?"

Kazusa understood; this was similar to the regular cleaning activities held in school. 

It was mainly about tidying up the indoor space, not difficult as long as there was patience and care.

"Yes, that's everything."

Chisato nodded.

It would take more than half an hour to complete all these tasks. By that time, the crisis would definitely be over, and there would be nothing to worry about.

However, just to be safe, he needed to add one last precaution to ensure that Kazusa wouldn't get sidetracked by other things in the meantime.

"Time is a bit tight. The band will be here soon, so you need to hurry."

Chisato displayed a sense of urgency and glanced at the clock.

"Don't worry. You go ahead and do your work; I'll take care of this," Kazusa replied as she picked up the broom from the corner and started cleaning.

"I might not have time to check on you later, but while it's still quiet, do you need me to show you where the bathroom is?"

"No, just come back in twenty minutes to check on the progress."

Kazusa turned around, a slight smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.

"Thank you, and good luck."

After Chisato offered the same encouraging gesture as before, he walked out of the recording studio and gently closed the door behind him.

He returned to his job at the bar, serving customers while occasionally glancing toward the entrance.

Three minutes later, a familiar figure came into view.

A blonde girl with twin ponytails strode in confidently, followed by a girl with long black hair, who was panting and holding onto the handrail of the stairs.

Chisato waved to them.

As they reached the stage, the two noticed that Chisato was acting normally, without any injuries, and they breathed a sigh of relief simultaneously.

Considering the ticking time bomb he had tricked into cleaning the recording studio, Chisato didn't bother with pleasantries and spoke directly to them.

"Eriri, Utaha, I can't leave the store right now, so I need to ask you for a favor."

He expressed his concern clearly, effectively conveying his emotions, which easily resonated with the two.

"What's going on? Tell us."

"You need to come into the bar through here."

"Okay."

Once inside the bar, the sharp-eyed Eriri spotted the Dark Wings immediately without waiting for Chisato's cue.

At that moment, it looked listless, its body curled up, head hunched, and eyes closed.

As if responding to Eriri's voice, the Dark Wings slowly raised its head, opened its eyes just a slit, and slightly opened its beak, but no sound came out.

This series of small movements vividly demonstrated its weakness.

After Eriri and Utaha took in the scene and braced themselves mentally, Chisato added worriedly, 

"Since this afternoon, Dark Wing has been sluggish. At first, I thought it was just hungry or sleepy and needed rest, but it seems like it's actually a bit unwell."

"How could this happen? It was fine last night," Eriri said, lifting the jet-black wings with distress and caution. 

Her feelings for this bird were as strong as Chisato's.

After all, the Dark Wings had been with her in her dreams for so many years; it felt like family.

"Did it eat something strange outside?" Utaha guessed, frowning.

"That might be the case, but it doesn't matter right now. I need you to take it to the vet. Who knows how much worse it could get if this continues?"

As soon as Chisato finished speaking, the jet-black wings in Eriri's hands lost their balance and fell to the side. 

A small pool of white liquid trickled from its beak, and its little body trembled as if shocked by electric currents.

It seemed like the situation was extremely critical, and it could die at any moment.

Is this bird regurgitating its food?

If the Dark Wings hadn't been alive and kicking just a few minutes ago, Chisato might have believed it was truly sick.

The vomiting was an unexpected improvisation, not part of the original plan.

But as long as the results met expectations...

"Hang in there, Dark Wings! You don't even have any chicks yet!" Eriri said, her anxiety palpable, on the verge of tears.

She didn't even have time to greet Chisato before turning and running toward the store door.

"Make sure to stay safe on the road and keep in touch at all times!" Chisato called after Utaha.

Utaha also recognized the urgency and nodded before chasing after Eriri.

Once they left, Chisato glanced at the time.

From the moment they walked in to when they left, it took less than five minutes.

There are very few pet hospitals with avian care licenses, so Eriri and Utaha would likely have to search for a while.

And once they found a suitable hospital, the Dark Wings would likely recover on its own in a natural way.

Everything had been planned, so there was no need for concern on that front. When the Dark Wings got better, it would certainly be very late by the time everything wrapped up.

When the time came, he could simply call them and arrange to meet at home.

As for Kazusa, who was currently cleaning the recording studio, there wouldn't be any issues, as she wouldn't run into Eriri or Utaha.

Crisis averted.

Chisato let out a huge sigh of relief, a smile of contentment spreading across his face.

Thanks to the Dark Wings, he would make sure to give it more food later!

"Let's talk first. I don't have any good wine here, so don't expect too much."

"Hahaha, it's fine. I mainly just want to chat with you. I haven't seen you in so long! I didn't expect you to open an exhibition hall; it really suits you!"

"It's quite annoying. Stop talking about the past all the time... Ah, thank you for your hard work, Suzumiya. This is my friend Hiratsuka, and this is her student."

Starry's store manager, Ijichi Seika, stepped into the store, leading two people to the bar and introducing them to Chisato, who was smiling stiffly.

"A former student," corrected a handsome woman of similar age to the store manager, dressed in a black jacket, shirt, and men's tie.

What made Chisato uneasy was the younger, beautiful woman with a devilish smile who felt extremely familiar.

"This little brother, what a coincidence! I feel like we have a special fate~" Yukino said, placing her hands behind her back and leaning forward slightly, as if she were extremely interested. 

The corners of her mouth lifted, revealing a bright smile.

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