Chapter 39: This Is So Rock ‘n’ Roll
"I already sent Bocchi back first. The practice room shouldn't be left unattended."
"Mm. Thank you, Kita-chan."
Nijika nodded lightly at Kita before shifting her gaze to the Tokyo cityscape before her.
The streets were bustling with traffic, neon lights flickering in the cold air.
She seemed calmer now, though she lowered her eyes in guilt.
"I'm sorry, Kita-chan. I knew that you also…"
"..."
Kita didn't respond.
She simply shook her head, but her grip on Nijika's hand tightened.
"There's nothing to apologize for, Nijika-senpai."
Yeah…
What was the point of apologizing for something they had already known the outcome of?
Even if she had been the one to confess, the answer would have probably been the same, wouldn't it?
Side by side, they leaned against each other in silence.
Beneath the winter-lit Tokyo sky—
"We shouldn't have expected anything."
"Yeah."
"It would've been easier if we never had hope."
Their voices, distant yet accepting, drifted into the night.
[Reality—Inside the Simulation]
"So that's how it is."
Snuggled beneath his blanket, Minami let the memories from the simulation settle in.
At first, he had assumed this playthrough would focus more on career than romance.
But it turned out to be something far more intricate.
The success of Kessoku Band's career had triggered Nijika's confession.
Looking back at every small moment in the career route, it wasn't hard to see—
Each of them, in their own way, had developed feelings for him.
Minami recalled the countless times Nijika had spoken to him about her dream—
To make Kessoku Band famous.
To use that fame to transform Starry into a live house that shone brightly, just like the stars—
So that their mother in heaven could see it too.
And Minami had helped make that dream come true.
So of course, for Nijika—admiration and gratitude naturally blossomed into love.
And it was the same for Kita and Ryo.
Anime heroines might be difficult to win over, but—
Their hearts were delicate.
Offer them kindness, and they would return it.
Now that things had escalated to this point, what would happen to Kessoku Band?
Would the unity they once had begin to crack?
Would their journey be derailed?
Minami thought about it for a moment—
Then shook his head.
There would be no dramatic bad end.
No Nice Boat. No Good End Gone Wrong.
Because Nijika was always caring.
Because Kita was always warm.
Because Ryo was always composed.
Because Bocchi, despite her timid nature, had an inner strength.
None of them would let extreme emotions dictate their choices.
This might shake them for a while—
But they would pick themselves up and keep going.
That's just the kind of people they were.
Minami refocused on the simulation.
[The Simulation Continues]
[Bocchi blamed herself for the situation. You reassured her, telling her not to overthink it.]
[Because if you had simply brushed them off with empty words, it would have hurt them even more in the long run.]
[And besides, you had faith in them. They were strong—always had been.]
[Just as you predicted, Nijika quickly composed herself and returned to Kessoku Band.]
[But maybe it was just your imagination—because sometimes, you caught her looking at you with a gaze softer, warmer than before.]
[Even when you noticed, she didn't look away. Instead, she met your eyes, openly and boldly.]
[She had never truly given up. And perhaps, she never intended to.]
[A Rock Star's Love Life]
During a guest appearance on a popular music program—
The host, full of excitement, turned to the members of Kessoku Band.
"We have a fan-submitted question!"
"Everyone knows that Kessoku Band is made up of young, vibrant girls in their twenties—"
"So! Does anyone here currently have someone they like?"
The microphone was passed to the members.
And to everyone's surprise—
It wasn't just Nijika.
Not just Kita.
Not just Ryo.
Even Bocchi—who could barely handle cameras—admitted that she liked someone.
"Wow, what a surprise!"
The host chuckled but leaned in curiously.
"All four of you have someone you like? Can you share their name with us?"
"Hmm…"
Nijika, Kita, Ryo, and Bocchi exchanged glances.
Then, almost in sync—
Their gazes subtly drifted toward the audience seating—
Where Minami was casually chatting with the staff.
Someone they liked, huh…
Of course, they had someone.
As they thought about it, small smiles crept onto their faces.
[The revelation that all four members of Kessoku Band had someone they liked caused an instant media frenzy!]
[But because Kessoku Band had always positioned themselves as an independent rock band, not an idol group, this revelation barely impacted their popularity.]
[In fact, a certain group of very dedicated fans found it "the most rock 'n' roll thing ever"—and loved them even more.]
[Kessoku Band's Popularity Reaches New Heights]
[As the band's fame skyrocketed, the outside world became increasingly curious—just who were these four girls in love with?]
[But because you rarely showed yourself in public, and only appeared when absolutely necessary, all they could do was speculate.]
[You continued managing Kessoku Band's daily affairs. The once-small band operation had now grown into a legitimate independent music studio—with you as its director.]
[Many people attempted to approach Nijika, trying to persuade her to replace you with a more "professional" manager.]
[But every time, she rejected them outright—sometimes even harshly. The usually kind and patient Nijika never once entertained the idea.]
[Because to her, you were irreplaceable. You always had been.]
[The Closest They Had Ever Been to Their Dream]
[In March of the following year, thanks to your relentless efforts and Kessoku Band's growing fame, you secured a performance at the Budokan.]
[This was the closest they had ever been to achieving their ultimate dream.]
For Kessoku Band, for Minami, for everything they had worked for—
This was the moment they had been waiting for.
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