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V3 Chapter 33: Do You Really Want to Be in a Band Forever?
🕑 Added 2025-05-25 08:31:09 +0000 UTCSo that ex-wife wannabe dares to say something like that?!
Sure, in the simulation version Ryo's "combat ability" was off the charts, but simulations and reality were two very different things. If it really came to that, Kazami Haru had full confidence he could make her beg for mercy through tears.
...Of course, that was just wishful thinking.
If he actually let her lead the tempo, who knows? Maybe tonight he really wouldn't be going home.
You could never be too sure, but when it came to Yamada Ryo, you definitely couldn't.
"Ryo, seriously, stop saying… stuff like that, it's way too ambiguous! You're a girl, for crying out loud! Haru-san, don't listen to this idiot. She's just spouting nonsense!"
"I'm not—!"
Ryo's playful, borderline-provocative retort was cut short as Ijichi Nijika, bright red in the face, dragged her away. Ryo had her collar yanked and mouth covered before she could say another word.
Kita Ikuyo was stunned.
The usually unstoppable Ryo-senpai—who could dominate even her and Anon—had just been effortlessly silenced by kind, sunny Nijika-senpai?
Incredible. Nijika-senpai's strength was real!
This sudden power dynamic shift gave Kita a new line of thinking.
Nijika-senpai might actually be the safest person in this room. Bocchi-chan was a "comrade," sure, but she was prone to unexpected "accidents" that made her occasionally unsafe.
Ryo-senpai? Don't even mention it. Easily the most dangerous woman in the entire band.
If she got her chance, she'd drag Haru straight to a hotel that same night.
But if such a dangerous boss-level threat like Ryo-senpai could be neutralized by Nijika-senpai, and Nijika could keep her from "attacking"—
Then who would be left to stop her?
Wouldn't that mean… Kita would have free rein?
"I'll go check on Anon and the others. I'll be back later."
Before Kita could put her plan into motion, Haru had already stepped out of the backstage area.
Watching him walk away, a flicker of obvious disappointment crossed her amber-green eyes but she didn't let it get to her. After all, the afterparty tonight was the real opportunity!
Still… maybe she needed a partner in crime.
"Hm?"
As a top-tier introvert, Bocchi had hypersensitive awareness of stares.
Still hugging her guitar and giggling to herself, Hitori Gotoh suddenly felt a piercing, invasive look from nearby.
It was Kita Ikuyo, eyes locked on her with a terrifyingly intense gaze.
What… what's happening?
Why is Kita-chan looking at me like that?
Could it be, she found out I'd been talking to Haru-san in secret? That I'd been held by him multiple times?
Is she going to punish me for being a two-faced "car burglar"?!
Nooo! I don't want that!
…
Meanwhile, Kazami Haru had no idea what Kita was plotting.
He had walked out into STARRY's main space, and immediately saw Chihaya Anon chatting excitedly with Takamatsu Tomori, while Shiina Taki looked somewhat anxious. Only Nagasaki Soyo noticed him right away and waved with a gentle smile.
He couldn't help but feel a chill as he remembered the ominous message she'd sent him yesterday.
"Thank you all so much for coming, especially in this weather."
Haru opened with a heartfelt thanks.
He'd honestly thought it would've been better if no one showed up in this rain. Yet somehow, all of MyGO!!!!! had come, even the ever-standoffish Taki.
"…Didn't expect you to say something like that."
Used to Haru's usual abrasive personality, Taki looked a little thrown off by the sudden gratitude. But she, the queen of tsunderes, would never admit she came of her own volition.
With a scoff, she said coldly, "I only came because Tomori insisted. I wouldn't let her come out alone in this rain."
"Ehh~ But wasn't Taki-chan the first one to message us today?"
Soyo added innocently, wearing a puzzled smile as she casually dismantled Taki's facade.
"Ha? I did not."
The moment those words left Soyo's mouth, Taki's cheeks flushed red. She glared daggers at Haru, hoping her 150cm frame could somehow intimidate him into not believing Soyo.
Haru nearly laughed aloud.
"So? How was my performance?"
"…A lot better than what you usually play."
Taki paused a second before answering, her eyes flicking off to the side. Clearly, she wasn't being honest about what she really thought.
That half-hearted response visibly annoyed Chihaya Anon.
She put one hand on her hip and leaned in, narrowing her eyes, speaking one syllable at a time in a smug, teasing tone:
"That's~ not~ true~ right? Haru was amazing up there! Totally super cool, don't you think?"
With her little chin tilted up proudly, she looked like she was the one who killed it on stage, not Haru.
"Tch…"
"One month from now is our own Live. We'd better start practicing more."
Taki clicked her tongue and redirected the conversation with a cold edge.
"Eh?! Rikki, you definitely just clicked your tongue!"
"Tch!"
Watching the bickering unfold beside him, Haru turned his gaze to Takamatsu Tomori. The little penguin wore a bright smile, tilting her head slightly.
"That Live… was great!"
"Haru, you were really amazing!"
Hearing such an earnest compliment from Tomori made Haru feel unexpectedly shy.
Even if Anon or Taki praised him, it'd only bring a smug little grin.
But when sweet, innocent Tomori said it? Her words had devastating power, an emotional critical hit.
"I… I'll work hard too…"
Tomori nodded firmly, but her amber eyes flickered with hidden anxiety.
Everyone in Kessoku Band was incredibly skilled.
Especially Hitori Gotoh, the lead guitar. To keep up with Haru's keyboard under that pressure, those rapid strums and constant chord changes weren't something an "amateur" could pull off. Even Renna, the so-called genius, might've struggled with that.
And Kita Ikuyo, the vocalist, was equally amazing. Her first-ever performance, and she held such poise. Even after losing the beat, she pulled it together.
As a fellow vocalist, Tomori couldn't help feeling a little insecure.
Would she really be able to stand on stage again?
What if… she messed it up?
Would Haru—
"Don't worry."
Haru gently stroked Tomori's soft, ash-gray hair. Like a small animal being comforted, she immediately relaxed under his touch.
His kindness calmed her storm a little… but only a little.
The anxiety was still there.
But Takamatsu Tomori would no longer freeze in fear just because of her insecurities.
"Yeah! I want to be with Haru forever… in a band!"
Tomori nodded firmly again, her little fists clenched tightly, a silent vow blooming in her heart.
"..."
Shiina Taki, still trading snark with Anon, suddenly paused.
She turned and saw the intimate moment between Haru and Tomori. Her sharp violet eyes glinted.
Her brows furrowed.
She shot Haru a look, not quite hostile, but clearly disapproving.
This time, though, she didn't step in.
Even she had to admit, Tomori depended on Haru more than she ever could.
"I'm heading back."
Suddenly restless, Taki announced coldly.
First it was Togawa Sakiko, her former keyboardist, and now it was Kazami Haru, both slowly slipping out of reach.
They were still near her, but it felt like they had already left her behind.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't catch up.
"Huh? You're leaving already?"
Anon looked bewildered, clearly caught off guard by the sudden exit.
"Haru's Live is over, and the rain's let up. It's a good time."
There was a trace of anxiety in Taki's tone.
Nagasaki Soyo quietly caught on.
"…Taki, are you going back to train?"
"Yes. Our Live is in a month."
She didn't deny it.
Taki knew Haru was pulling ahead and that realization filled her with frustration and restlessness.
If she didn't throw herself into practice, she wouldn't even be able to look herself in the mirror.
"I-I'm going home too…"
Perhaps it was hearing Taki mention "the Live" that jolted Takamatsu Tomori back to reality.
Knowing full well her skill still wasn't there yet, she reluctantly stepped away from Kazami Haru. She had already decided to give it her all to become a worthy vocalist who could stay in a band with Haru for life!
Next month's debut Live was her top priority now!
"Eh?! That's way too sudden!" Chihaya Anon looked between Tomori and Taki in disbelief. Both had suddenly decided to leave, leaving her flustered.
She had planned to use today as an opportunity to get closer to Haru, celebrate his performance and subtly close the distance. Maybe even ask about his relationship with Nagasaki Soyo and that Toyokawa Shoko.
And now everyone was leaving…
How could she make a move if the mood was already gone?
"Anon-chan, Haru-san might still be going to the afterparty with the others from Kessoku Band."
Nagasaki Soyo leaned in and whispered gently, and Anon immediately pouted, displeased.
True enough.
As frustrating as it was, if the others were leaving, she couldn't very well stay alone. And besides, if Kessoku really did hold an afterparty, she didn't belong, she wasn't part of the band.
"Ugh… fine. I'll just go home and practice guitar then."
Watching Tomori and Taki step out of STARRY with umbrellas in hand, Anon had no choice but to follow. Only Nagasaki Soyo remained behind.
Once the others were gone, she finally turned her gentle gaze toward Kazami Haru.
"Haru-san, about yesterday… I really wanted to apologize in person."
She bowed slightly, her tone soft but deeply sincere, as if her apology held weight you could feel.
"One apology is enough. Any more would just make things feel stiff between us."
"And like I said yesterday—I understand where you were coming from."
Haru's words carried no resentment, which left Soyo momentarily speechless.
Her clear blue eyes softened, her fingers absently fidgeting as she spoke with a touch of melancholy.
"You're right…"
If Haru had been part of CRYCHIC back then…
"If I ever run into trouble… could I rely on you, Haru-san?"
Why did her gaze suddenly feel a bit… unsettling?
"Just don't make everything my problem, and we'll be fine."
Haru rolled his eyes with a sigh, making Soyo chuckle.
"Of course not… but since you've offered, if you ever need help, feel free to rely on me too~"
She suddenly gave off a kind, maternal air—
Was this what made her the "heart" of MyGO!? So generous. So noble.
"Anything?"
"Not anything ridiculous!" Soyo replied, half amused and half exasperated.
But she was used to Haru's personality by now. After saying goodbye with a smile, she left STARRY as well.
Once the MyGO girls had all left, Haru finally exhaled.
But as he turned around, he found Ijichi Seika standing there, arms crossed and watching him with a meaningful expression.
Even Renna, seated beside her, was glancing over with a subtle look.
Their combined stares made Haru feel a little uneasy.
"So," Seika began, her sharp eyes gleaming with suspicion, "which one's your girlfriend?"
"None of them," Haru deadpanned with tired, sleepy eyes and he wasn't lying.
Seika clicked her tongue, clearly unimpressed. She wasn't buying it for a second.
She was nearly thirty and had never been in a relationship, but even she could tell, those girls weren't just "bandmates." They were something more.
And from what she'd heard, they were from another band entirely. That made it even more suspicious.
If Haru only had musical talent, it'd be one thing, but the guy had a good-looking face, and ever since he'd started wearing that earring… even she found herself glancing over sometimes.
"Wait a second…"
Was this punk trying to run a band harem?
Absolutely not. She had to keep Nijika away from this dangerous guy!
Honestly, Haru would be better off as a bassist than a keyboardist…
…
With Kessoku Band's performance over, the torrential rain outside had calmed to a soft drizzle. Puddles stretched across the ground, reflecting the blue sky above, as faint raindrops still danced upon their surface.
The clouds had started to part, and sunlight poured down gently, casting rainbow-like reflections across the puddles. The world felt bright and tender again.
"Stop playing dumb~ Rikki, just admit it, Haru was super cool, wasn't he? You were totally entranced~!"
As the girls walked, water splashed gently under their feet, sparkling like pearls beneath the sun.
"Shut up, you pink-haired gremlin!"
"Ha?"
Chihaya Anon blinked, stunned. Her cute face immediately twisted into an offended pout.
"Who are you calling a gremlin?! Your nickname game sucks, Rikki!"
"I don't need you criticizing me."
Shiina Taki's eye twitched. She felt like this pink-haired menace would someday drive her to an early grave.
"What do you think, Soyo? Taki's naming sense is pretty awful, right?"
"Um…"
Following behind them, Takamatsu Tomori smiled quietly.
She watched as Anon and Taki bickered again, and couldn't help but smile at how genuine their expressions were. Her mind flashed to a memory she'd seen in a dream.
Anon-chan loves Haru, too.
That was undeniable.
In that dream, Tomori had rejected Haru's confession out of concern for Anon's feelings, an act that led to a regret she would carry her whole life.
No one ended up happy.
Tomori still didn't quite understand love, but she knew she loved spending time with Haru. She wanted to be with him forever and that feeling was real.
But Anon's feelings were just as true. No less sincere.
Tomori didn't want to live through that outcome again.
Yet if it came down to choosing between the two, someone would inevitably be hurt. The whole band could even fall apart.
That was the last thing Tomori wanted.
She didn't want to see a single smile disappear.
If they really were going to be in a band together forever, then… what should she—
