454: First Commercial Performance (2)

"Um... I'm sorry..."

Hitori's first reaction to Chisato's sigh-laced words was to apologize.

Ryo, on the other hand, seemed completely indifferent.

"Does it really matter? It's like taking a daily dump. Sooner or later you have to do it, might as well get it over with early and save yourself the trouble."

Nijika nearly spat out her drink at that odd metaphor.

"What the hell are you saying, you idiot? I'm drinking milk over here!"

"..."

Chisato gave the bickering pair a cat-eyed stare and let out a helpless sigh, resting his hand against his forehead.

He slowly turned his gaze to the other person in the room.

It wasn't just them—Seika, who was in charge of driving them to the venue today, was in unusually high spirits for some reason and had even dressed in a yukata.

One had to admit that the store manager, being more mature than high school girls whose figures hadn't fully developed, exuded an indescribable charm even in a yukata, which typically doesn't accentuate the body.

There really are times when older women have the upper hand.

"Well, what's the harm? Wearing it now is the same... Look, isn't Bocchi-chan really cute like this?"

Seika smiled and placed a hand on Hitori's shoulder, presenting her to Chisato.

"...Gulp."

Hitori, feeling the weight of Chisato's gaze, nervously swallowed.

It was indeed as the manager said—Hitori had always been cute, and now dressed in a yukata, even though she looked very unsure of herself, that only made her more appealing. 

It stirred an intense urge to scoop her up and tease her relentlessly.

"Yeah... she's definitely cute..."

Chisato only thought about it. He didn't actually act on any of those over-the-top impulses.

He gently took Hitori's hand, and with his other hand, he patted her head, calming her. 

That strange giggle—"guhihi"—escaped her lips. Chisato was already used to it.

Still, every time he heard that laugh, his thoughts would inevitably drift elsewhere.

Like, what if later, when they actually got intimate, she let out that same laugh... What kind of scene would that be?

Would he also laugh, and would they just sit there grinning like idiots at each other?

Chisato shook off the strange thoughts.

No more of that. The more he thought about it, the harder it became to feel any excitement.

Time to focus on something else—like how soft Hitori's chest is, how plush her tummy feels, how cute her little mouth and hands are...

"Hitori, bite my finger."

"O-okay."

Though she didn't know why, Hitori obediently followed his instruction.

Nom...

Yeah... that felt right. Back on track...

Watching from the side, Nijika's cheeks flushed red and she quickly looked away.

Ryo poked her cheek and stated calmly,

"Nijika, why is your face red?"

"Classified information!"

Smack—Chisato was suddenly struck on the head. The culprit was Seika.

"Read the room, you idiot!"

Chisato lifted his head, rubbing the back of it, and imitated Ryo's earlier tone,

"Manager, why is your face red?"

"Because of you!"

A small interruption, over.

"From my perspective, I don't really mind you guys wearing your performance yukata early, but won't it make moving around harder?"

Chisato sat on the sofa in the recording lounge. Hitori, seated beside him, was dutifully massaging his legs.

"What's inconvenient about it?"

Seika, who couldn't drink like usual since she had to drive later, was sipping on a bottle of soda instead.

"First off, the shoes." Following his gesture, Seika instinctively looked down.

"What about them?"

"Can you drive wearing geta sandals?"

Chisato went straight to the heart of the problem.

"I-I'll change before I drive..."

Maybe it was being called out by someone younger, but Seika turned her head away awkwardly, biting her lip.

"And then..."

Chisato shifted his gaze to the others and patted his bare thigh, exposed because he was wearing shorts.

"Nijika, Ryo, do you know what today's high temperature is?"

"What is it?"

"Over thirty degrees Celsius."

"Ugh..."

Nijika grimaced, clearly realizing the issue.

"Even though the actual performance is at night, we'll have a simple pre-show rehearsal at the outdoor venue. 

If you really think a full-body yukata isn't going to be a problem, then sure, head out in it."

"W-we'll go upstairs and change into regular clothes for now. We can switch back before the show."

"Huh? I don't think it's a big deal. I'm not that sensitive to heat..."

"What the hell are you saying, idiot?! You got heat stroke during the last PE test, remember?"

"I told you that wasn't heatstroke—I just skipped lunch and passed out from hunger."

"Enough talk! Come with me, you idiot!"

Ryo was dragged off by Nijika to the upstairs apartment to change.

Seeing Chisato's gaze turn toward her, Seika pouted stubbornly.

"I'm not changing. I don't need to rehearse. Once I drop you guys off, I'll just find a bar nearby to drink."

"Better stick to soda. You still have to drive us back later."

Seika rolled her eyes.

"You… you're just my employee, but lately you're bossing me around more and more."

"Don't be so distant. In my heart, whether it's the band or you, Seika-san, you're already an irreplaceable family."

"W-what the hell kind of dumb thing are you saying?!"

Seika, her face flushed red, stormed out of the recording lounge just like her younger sister.

"What's up with the manager?"

"Who knows?"

Chisato shrugged.

Now that they were alone in the recording lounge, Chisato recalled the sensation of Hitori's lips on his fingertip.

Lately, both Utaha and Eriri had been avoiding him, so his mind wandered a bit.

He easily lifted the petite Hitori into his arms. As her lips trembled in surprise, he leaned in to kiss her.

Then—the door suddenly burst open.

"Oh right, Bocchi-chan, come change with us—ah, ah..."

Nijika stood there, staring at the two who quickly separated from their intimate position on the sofa.

In her mind, she kept replaying the image of the faint string of saliva that had connected their lips in that brief moment.

Spring had made its way into her heart.

"S-sorry!" She fled in panic.

Forgot to even close the door.

Hitori jumped off Chisato's lap, pressing her palms to his thighs for support, then covered her face with both hands.

"I-I'm going to change too."

"Alright, go ahead."

Only after hearing his permission did Hitori walk out in small, rapid steps.

Chisato let out a deep sigh.

He had wanted to cuddle and cool off a little, but now the fire in him was burning even hotter.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he got up and splashed cold water on his face in the restroom.

Back in the main hall of the Stardust building, he sat at the bar and checked his phone.

A little past eight—plenty of time. Everything was pretty much ready.

Once Ikuyo arrived, they could head out.

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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