Chapter 42 — Was She Doing It on Purpose?

Nijika blinked curiously, reminded of her older sister, who preferred soft drinks over alcohol and didn't act at all like a thirty-year-old adult.

Nijika herself didn't usually drink soda, and thought the tastes were about the same, but her sister clearly favored Pepsi.

She also often overheard classmates saying that Coca-Cola tasted awful.

"It's just what I'm used to drinking~"

Kazami Haru smiled and swirled the bottle in his hand. Coca-Cola, the drink for all occasions.

Why is Coca-Cola the GOAT?

Because the first cold sip hits your brain like a million roaring sea tigers. Then, it's like Saitama gives your scalp a serious massage, and finally Cirno's "Freeze" spell chills your entire body to perfection!

"Alright! Let's toast again!"

"To celebrate our new guitarist and keyboardist in Kessoku Band! It's the first step toward becoming a popular band! Clap clap clap!"

Nijika smiled brightly and raised her drink again, her cheerful clapping and adorable energy were healing just to watch.

But just as she was about to clink glasses with Kazami Haru, Ryo acted faster.

"Pokémon, get da ze~"

Yamada Ryo casually clinked her glass with Kazami's and then took a bold gulp of her cola.

The faint sweetness made her stick out her small pink tongue and lick her lips. With the beauty mark near her eye and her gently narrowed eyes, she gave off an oddly alluring vibe.

"Question!"

Suddenly, Kazami Haru raised his hand.

"Yes! Haru-san, go ahead!"

"Who's the vocalist?"

This offhand question made Nijika tilt her head cutely in confusion, then look at the expressionless Ryo.

Then the two of them seemed to confirm something silently, and simultaneously pointed their index fingers at Kazami Haru.

"I mean…"

"You two haven't even heard me sing before, have you?"

Seeing both of them unanimously designate him as the vocalist, the one standing at the very front, Kazami Haru's expression turned a bit awkward.

He wasn't like Chihaya Anon, he wasn't the type who enjoyed standing in the spotlight.

While he had some confidence in his music theory and piano, when it came to singing, that was a whole different story. In the simulator, his "singing" wasn't even considered a level 1 skill.

A skill not even level 1, what kind of value is that?

"Ahaha~ No problem, no problem! Even if Haru-san sings like Conan, we still trust you!"

"Nijika, I think that comment was kind of hurtful…"

…

The welcome party for Kessoku Band wrapped up quickly. In the end, the question of who would be the vocalist still wasn't settled.

Of course, Kazami Haru knew he should try to persuade the red-haired passerby girl to be the vocalist. As long as Ryo-san the living succubus was around, Kita-san probably wouldn't run away again.

But making him the vocalist? That was just too difficult.

"Well then, Haru-san, can I ask you to take Bocchi-chan home? She still seems totally out of it."

Ijichi Nijika looked worriedly at Gotoh Hitori, who still stood there with her mouth slightly open and a blank expression on her face.

That child's mental state was really concerning. Nijika even began to doubt whether Bocchi could make it home safely by herself.

Ryo might not be reliable, but if Haru-san was there, It'd probably be fine, right?

"I'll make sure she gets on the train safely. Don't worry."

With a fry still dangling from his mouth, Kazami Haru casually raised his right hand in an OK gesture. Ryo-san nodded beside him.

Their laid-back attitude only made Nijika feel even more uneasy.

Even after the three figures walked away, Nijika remained standing, watching them disappear into the distance.

The golden-haired angel of Shimokitazawa folded her hands behind her back and let out a joyful laugh over everything that had happened today. She lightly spun halfway in place on her toes.

But then, as if remembering something, she looked up and muttered thoughtfully in the direction the group had left:

"Come to think of it, Ryo doesn't live in that direction, does she?"

—Meanwhile—

Dusk was setting in, and following Kazami Haru, Bocchi seemed to gradually come back to her senses.

Wh-What just happened?

Where am I? Why am I here?

As her brain cooled down and returned to normal, on the outside Bocchi still kept her head down.

Because of her social anxiety, she couldn't bring herself to visit a hair salon, so her bangs had grown long enough to cover most of her face. Combined with the dim lighting, even though she had regained her senses, neither of the others noticed.

Oh, right!

I just finished the welcome party and I'm on my way home!

Gotoh Hitori sneaked a glance at Yamada Ryo with the corner of her eye, subtly quickening her steps from half a body's distance behind to walking side-by-side with Kazami Haru.

Eh? What's Ryo-senpai doing?

"Haru, give me your phone number."

Yamada-san suddenly spoke without warning, slightly turning her body and reaching out to Haru with her right hand, asking for his number.

Her expression and tone were so flat and emotionless, it felt like she was just mentioning something trivial.

But her words carried a strangely serious, even forceful tone.

"Didn't I already add Nijika on LINE? And I joined the Kessoku Band group chat too. Why are you asking me directly for my number?"

Kazami Haru raised an eyebrow, suddenly feeling a bit cautious.

If Ryo-san wanted his number, why didn't she ask while Nijika was still there? Why wait until they were "alone" to bring it up now?

Faced with his questioning, the blue-haired girl remained expressionless.

"I want it."

EHHHH?! Ryo-senpai's so blunt!!

Gotoh Hitori's blue eyes widened in shock. This kind of line, rarely seen even in shojo manga, actually existed in real life?

And coming from someone like Ryo-senpai, who didn't seem the least bit interested in romance?

She was still standing right here, yet somehow she had turned into air…

"You're not giving it to me?"

PIC: Ryo

The moonlight, pale as frost, shone softly on Yamada Ryo's fair, delicate face. Her smooth blue hair gleamed, and she intentionally brushed it aside to reveal her flawless ear. Her cold aura and mature demeanor made her seem far older than her age.

As if feeling a little warm, Ryo-san gently tugged at her collar.

The fair, delicate swan-like neck peeked out from the collar of her kimono-style jacket. Paired with a slightly coquettish tone and a face that had captivated countless women, her natural allure was instantly brought to the extreme.

Was she doing this on purpose?