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Chapter 18: Nijika: Eh? Ehhh—?!
🕑 Added 2025-07-30 20:18:01 +0000 UTCCompared to blindly chasing trends, Ryo Yamada valued individuality far more.
To her, giving up her identity just to chase popularity was no different than death.
So when she heard Bocchi-chan mention, “I tried imitating the trending pop songs lately,” and then Nijika add, “Studying other people’s styles might be a good idea,” she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
She thought the discussion would just keep drifting in that direction, so she had planned to stay quiet and maybe speak up later when there was a better opening.
But just as she spaced out again, a voice cut through the chatter—
“Rather than blindly chasing others, finding your own style is what a new band should be doing.”
Her wandering thoughts snapped back into place.
Ryo blinked.
What Aoki Kei had said about individuality, and about style was exactly what had been on her mind just seconds earlier.
As she listened to him continue sharing his thoughts, Ryo lifted her eyes and looked across the table.
Her face still didn’t show much, but in her eyes, something lit up.
Kessoku Band could forge its own path.
Each member could find their own voice…
And this strange guitar prodigy someone that she barely knew, who didn’t even have her contact info, yet lent her money without hesitation was thinking the same way she was.
Looking at Aoki Kei, the slightest hint of curiosity found its way onto Ryo’s otherwise expressionless face.
Aoki Kei had no idea what Ryo was thinking.
After finishing his thoughts, he went quiet again.
“Finding our own sound... feels kind of hard for Kessoku Band right now... but even if it's hard, it’s worth trying!” Nijika said after a short pause, nodding in agreement.
After learning Aoki Kei was that "Suki-san," someone she'd already admired, Nijika had grown to trust his judgment almost instinctively.
She didn’t hesitate to support his perspective.
Meanwhile, Hitori Gotoh (aka Bocchi) looked a little troubled.
“U-um... finding our own style... I’ve tried writing lyrics that felt more natural to me, but... they always come out kind of... dark.”
“Sometimes you just have to try things,” Aoki Kei said gently. “A band is a group effort, and it takes time for everyone to mesh together.
Those lyrics you’re worried about might actually work well. And besides... Kessoku Band’s just getting started. It’s too early to rule anything out.”
Bocchi seemed to consider his words, while Kita Ikuyo tilted her head curiously and asked, “You really know a lot about this, Aoki-senpai! Have you been in a band before?”
“A band?” Kei shook his head. “I’ve never tried it.”
“Huh? Never?” Ikuyo was surprised.
Then suddenly, with a bright smile, she offered, “Then... why don’t you join our band—Kessoku Band?”
There was a brief silence.
As soon as Ikuyo said those words, every pair of eyes at the round table locked onto Aoki Kei.
Bocchi, who still hadn’t had the courage to properly thank him, was hoping if he joined the band, she’d have more chances to find the right words.
Nijika, who already admired his songwriting talent and was burning with curiosity about the person who wrote Lemon, also wanted him to be part of the band.
And Ryo—well, Ryo was also curious about this strange guitarist who seemed to share so many of her thoughts.
So now, four girls were all staring intently at Aoki Kei.
He took a quiet breath.
In terms of guitar skill, there was no question—he could easily keep up with them.
But... that wasn’t the problem.
As much as he liked the carefree vibe of Kessoku Band, as much as he genuinely enjoyed being around these four charming girls, the reality was harsher.
His time was limited. His finances were also tight.
Aoki Kei had his sights set on something else: becoming the top student at Shuchiin High and securing a scholarship so massive it sounded almost unreal.
If he had any spare time, he’d rather spend it sleeping than going to band practice.
Joining Kessoku Band now without being able to commit would only be irresponsible.
So, he shook his head.
“I think I’ll pass on joining the band.”
He didn’t give any reasons. Just a quiet, simple refusal.
Nijika’s heart sank.
She’d always had a hunch about Aoki Kei’s situation.
Maybe something happened in his past—something serious.
She figured there had to be a story behind how someone so talented at guitar didn’t even own one... behind how someone could write a song like Lemon.
So when he gave that quiet “no,” without even offering a reason, she panicked a little.
She didn’t want Ikuyo or the others asking something that might touch a nerve.
“Ahaha... well, that’s fine! If Aoki-senpai doesn’t want to join, that’s totally okay... I mean, you’ve got your own things to deal with, right? So—so! Let’s move on to the next topic!”
She forced the conversation forward in a flustered rush.
The others exchanged puzzled glances, a bit confused by Nijika’s sudden subject change, but seeing her expression, they decided not to press it.
After wrapping up the discussion on original music, the group briefly shifted to chatting about potential band merchandise.
It wasn’t until around 4:50 p.m. that Ijichi Seika emerged from the storage room and assigned everyone tasks to help tidy up the livehouse, signaling the end of the impromptu meeting.
While the others busied themselves cleaning up STARRY, Gotou Hitori, after hesitating for what felt like ages and mentally rehearsing her words countless times, finally mustered the courage to stop Aoki Kei before he left.
She couldn’t shake the thought that if she let him go now, she might never get another chance to see him again.
Despite her fear, she pushed herself forward, her voice nervous and rushed:
“Um... um, Aoki-senpai...”
Her words stumbled awkwardly out, full of panic and hesitation.
Aoki Kei, who had been sitting and talking with the bar’s owner to formally ask for time off, looked up when he heard Bocchi-chan call his name.
Seeing his attention turn to her, Gotou Hitori panicked even more and blurted out before he could say anything:
“Th-the other day... when you brought me to STARRY... a-and when you asked Nijika-chan to look after me...”
“I-I still don’t know how you knew about me, Aoki-senpai... b-but... thank you so much!”
Finishing her flustered thanks, she bowed deeply in front of him.
At the same time, a system prompt quietly sounded in Kei’s ears: “Choice successfully completed.”
But Aoki Kei didn’t immediately check the reward. Instead, he found himself dwelling on something Gotou Hitori had said: “I still don’t know how you knew about me...”
Considering he had never met Gotou before their first encounter, and couldn’t exactly explain how he knew so much about her personality, Kei figured it was best to say nothing.
Since she didn’t push for an explanation, he wouldn’t offer one.
Shaking his head slightly, he tried to steer the conversation away and offered some encouragement to the still-nervous Bocchi-chan.
“You’re the one who made the decision. You’re the one who earned the band’s acceptance.
There’s no need to thank me for that... I believe in you and I believe in Kessoku Band.”
‘He believes in me?!’
Hearing Aoki Kei’s sincere words, Gotou Hitori practically floated on air.
Especially that last part—“I believe in you”—it hit her like a beam of heavenly light.
She felt like she might actually melt on the spot.
‘I knew it—I just knew it! Aoki-senpai really is a super kind and amazing person!’
As if her whole body was dissolving in happiness, she drifted straight into her own little dream world.
Watching the dazed look on her face, Kei blinked.
He tried calling her name several times, but she was completely out of it.
Eventually, with a helpless sigh, he gave up and let her be.
With the choice completed, and having already asked for time off, Kei had no reason to stick around.
Wanting to get back to his apartment early and rest, he waved to Nijika who was still wiping down tables and let her know he was heading out.
But just as he slung his bag over his shoulder and reached the door of STARRY, hand on the knob, a voice suddenly called out behind him:
“Suki-san, wait a moment.”
He froze.
Turning around, puzzled, Kei saw it was Yamada Ryo who had spoken.
And standing beside her, Nijika looked just as surprised—no, more like shocked.
‘Eh? Su—Suki-san?’
‘Wait, how does Ryo know Aoki-senpai’s YouTube alias?! A-and... why isn’t Aoki-senpai even a little surprised to hear it?!’
