Takamatsu Tomori's expression changed in a way that didn't feel natural—at least, not to Kazami Haru.
Logically speaking, it made sense that Takamatsu would be afraid of live performances. After all, her previous band, CRYCHIC, had disbanded at lightning speed right after their first live show.
Maybe the real culprit was that spiky little hedgehog, Sakiko-san.
Ever since then, Takamatsu had believed that CRYCHIC's breakup was her own fault. She kept spiraling into a pit of guilt and self-bla.
After Haru beca her friend, providing her with safety and warmth, perhaps her closed-off heart had opened up a little, but her emotional scars likely remained.
So when she looked sad just now, why did she instinctively look at him first?
Haru suddenly had a strange feeling.
The real Takamatsu Tomori and the version from the simulation, who depended on him like crazy, seed a bit too similar.
Could it be that from this point in the tiline, she was already starting to rely on him?
Or was it...
Had the simulator caused so kind of subconscious effect without him realizing it?
[Simulation content is based solely on textual mory and virtual reality. It has no effect on real life or personality.]
"Yeah, right..."
Haru still had his doubts. Maybe he was just being overly sensitive.
"Alright! Since we've ford the band, let's head to the live house together!"
"Go! Go!"
Chihaya Anon bead with excitent, her cute little fang sparkling in the sunlight.
Right after forming the band, she imdiately launched into action, having already planned the next step, checking out the RING venue they researched the night before, and finding more mbers.
"I'll pass. I've got work soon."
Haru glanced at the ti on his phone and decisively turned her down.
"Work? Are you broke or sothing, Harumi~?"
"...What the hell kind of cringe nickna is that?"
He felt goosebumps from her sudden change in tone. Wasn't she just calling him "Kazami-kun" like a normal person?
Now she's calling him so cheesy nickna?
"Well, we're in the sa band now, so of course I need to call you sothing more affectionate!"
"Because 'Haru' sounds too serious. 'Harumi' is way cuter, don't you think? Like 'Kurumi'~"
Haru inhaled deeply, suppressing the discomfort. Expressionless, he muttered:
"If you're using that logic, then it'd be 'Haruki' from the kanji for 'Haru,' right?"
"Don't sweat the details! Guys who nitpick don't get girls!"
Chihaya earnestly explained her reasoning behind the nickna. The more she talked, the more Kazami's face darkened.
He'd never t a woman this difficult to deal with.
He regretted not choosing her route during the simulation and teaching her a lesson.
"Anyway, I'm going to work. You and Takamatsu can go without ."
"If you're really short on cash, I could help you out a little, you know. Harumi~"
"I told you, don't call that."
Looking at Chihaya, whose shalessness could rival the Walls of Maria, Haru resisted the urge to squish her soft cheeks. He picked up his bag, said goodbye to Takamatsu, and turned to leave.
Chihaya stood in place, pouting with her hands on her hips.
"Geez~ tsunderes are such a pain."
"Anon, what's a 'tsundere'?"
"Don't worry about it, Tomori. Just know that they're a pain!"
...
In the blink of an eye, Chihaya had dragged Tomori to RING.
Tomori's mouth parted slightly as she looked up at the massive white building. The word Livehouse was displayed prominently. The entire place gave off an overwhelming air of comrcialism, completely different from the vibe of STARRY in Shimokitazawa.
"This is my first ti at a live house. Is this how they usually are?"
"Let's head inside first, Tomori!"
Chihaya, practically bouncing with excitent, tugged her in.
The white interior with Western-style decor was surprisingly charming. Everywhere she looked were girls carrying instrunt cases, many wearing familiar uniforms from Yujigaoka.
At the recruitnt board, where bands posted flyers for new mbers, there were only a few scraps of paper.
Looking closely, almost all of them were looking for bassists and keyboardists. Chihaya raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Not a single one was recruiting a guitarist?
"Say, Tomori, what instrunt does Harumi play again?"
"...He's a keyboardist and a composer."
When Chihaya heard the words keyboardist and composer, her eyes shot back to the flyers.
Several ntioned they were looking for keyboardists. But nearly 80% were looking for composers.
"Whoa, that's impressive. Everyone's looking for composers..."
"He's that talented, huh~"
She couldn't help but marvel.
Although she didn't know much about music, even she could tell composing must be difficult, especially if the demand was this high.
Then it struck her.
Had she accidentally recruited a genius without even realizing it?
She imagined bragging about it at school, how she got Kazami Haru to be their keyboardist and that he even composed their original songs. She could already picture the envy in everyone's eyes.
Oh man, just imagining it gets hyped!
"Alright! Let's make our own recruitnt flyer too!"
"Custors! If you need paper and pens, there's a free supply upstairs in the lounge! You can even relax with a coffee while writing!"
A black-haired girl suddenly popped up beside Chihaya, startling her. The girl wore a cara around her neck, the RING staff uniform, and an employee badge on her chest.
Shaimaru?
What a strange surna.
"Thank you! C'mon, Tomori, let's go upstairs and get started!"
Chihaya politely thanked the staffer, then eagerly pulled Tomori, who was still counting the ceiling lights, toward the second-floor lounge.
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