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Chapter 50: Shimokitazawa - The Learning Monster!
🕑 Added 2025-02-04 01:51:20 +0000 UTCDoes true genius exist in this world?
If you asked this question, many people would nod and tell you—
The world has never lacked geniuses.
Some are born with superior physical abilities, able to run faster than others.
Some have an innate talent for art, drawing better than most.
Some can instantly grasp complex math problems at a glance.
But just because they exist doesn't mean they aren't rare.
Since founding the performance hall "STARRY," Ichiji Seika had seen countless gifted rock bands and underground musicians—
The music and arts scene was never short of talent.
But someone like Minami Shouji?
This was the first time she had encountered such a person.
It was hard to believe.
One moment, he was struggling with unfamiliar guitar chords.
The next, he had already adjusted his hand positions perfectly, pressing down each note with ease.
The transitions that had been stiff just seconds ago?
Now, his fingers flowed smoothly, as if they'd already adapted.
The speed of his progress was beyond Ichiji Seika's imagination.
After all, she had just witnessed Minami's previous attempt—
His playing was painfully ordinary, completely unremarkable.
Yet, after just a single run-through and a few pointers from Gotoh Hitori—
When Minami picked up the guitar again,
Every mistake, every imperfection from before had vanished.
The difference was like night and day.
"...A learning monster."
Yamada Ryo's voice was as elegant and indifferent as always, void of emotion—
But the slight tremor in her tone betrayed her feelings.
And the moment she spoke those words, Ichiji Seika and Ichiji Nijika immediately agreed.
If learning ability could be measured on a scale of 1 to 10,
Then Minami was easily at a 7 or higher.
Calling him a "learning monster" was no exaggeration.
While Ichiji Seika, Yamada Ryo, and Ichiji Nijika were shocked from the hallway—
Inside the room, Kita Ikuyo, who was sitting right next to Minami, felt it even more directly.
She had just been playing alongside him.
Just a moment ago, his technique was still clumsy, his fingerwork unrefined.
But now?
As he played through the next round, his fingers moved with precision—
Even she, a beginner, could hear the improvement.
What kind of progress speed was this?
What kind of talent was this?
Honestly, Kita Ikuyo couldn't wrap her head around it.
Meanwhile, Minami, focused on pressing the strings, had no idea what was going through the girls' minds.
He was too absorbed in absorbing knowledge through his LV2 music proficiency.
Only now did he realize the vast difference between learning from online tutorials and receiving hands-on guidance.
With just one playthrough, Gotou Hitori could already see where he was struggling.
She pointed out the problem, he fixed it immediately.
And for someone with LV4 learning ability and an 8-point intelligence stat—
That was never an issue.
With the simulated experience from his LV2 music proficiency,
Minami was never lacking in theory.
What he had been missing was someone like Gotou Hitori—
A real-life mentor who could pinpoint his mistakes.
In his mind, various guitar techniques and finger placements merged together.
With the assistance of his simulated LV2 music talent,
Combined with his own LV4 learning ability and 8 intelligence points—
Minami absorbed knowledge at a terrifying speed.
By the time the practice session ended—
Reluctantly, he lifted his fingers from the electric guitar strings, his fingertips now reddened and sore.
[Your understanding of music has significantly improved. You have now mastered LV2 music proficiency.]
The system notification rang in his mind,
And Minami felt a slight sense of disappointment.
Even with the simulator and his high learning ability,
He had only reached an LV2 proficiency.
LV2... How good was that, really?
Shaking his head, he prepared to continue practicing.
But before he could even start,
He noticed a strange tension in the air.
Curious, he turned around—
And that's when he saw them.
Ichiji Seika, Yamada Ryo, and Ichiji Nijika—
Originally supposed to be at the front desk—
Were now standing behind him, staring at him with an unreadable expression.
…Huh?
What's going on?
Silently, he withdrew his fingers from the guitar strings and started thinking.
There was probably only one reason for this reaction—
They were shocked at how terrible his playing was.
That was what he had expected.
He hadn't heard many other people play,
But with just an LV2 proficiency, he doubted he could impress anyone at "STARRY."
Especially since "Kessoku Band" was set to become a national rock sensation in the future—
Compared to them, his skills were probably unbearable to listen to.
With that thought in mind—
Minami raised his head and apologized sincerely:
"Sorry, my playing must have been awful and disturbed your work."
"For that, I truly apologize. I've only been playing guitar for two days,
So I'm still a complete beginner. If I've caused any trouble,
I hope you can be patient with me."
His words were polite and composed, spoken with clear enunciation.
He believed he had done everything necessary for a proper apology.
However—
The moment he mentioned that he had only been playing for two days—
The expressions on Ichiji Seika and the others became even stranger.
…Huh?
Did he say something wrong?
Did he miss something?
Frowning slightly, Minami pondered the situation.
But before he could figure it out, Ichiji Seika spoke—her voice filled with disbelief.
"You're saying… you've only been playing for two days?"
…Huh?
Minami was confused by her reaction, but he still nodded.
"To be precise, I've only practiced for about two hours at home."
"...Just two hours at home?"
Even the ever-elegant Yamada Ryo seemed slightly flushed as she stared at him.
Just two hours—?
And he could already play like this?
For someone who prided herself as a genius bassist, this was hard to accept.
Ichiji Seika's mouth opened slightly, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Finally, unable to hold back, she reached out and grabbed Minami's hand.
"Let me see your fingers."
Caught off guard by her sudden movement, Minami hesitated for a moment—
But under her firm insistence, he complied and stretched out his hand.
The fresh red marks on his fingertips—clear evidence of pressing down on guitar strings—were visible on the first joint of all five fingers.
"…You really have only practiced for two hours?"
Ichiji Seika murmured in disbelief.
Experienced guitarists developed calluses over time from constant pressure on the strings—
But Minami's fingers were still soft, showing only fresh indentations and redness.
This was proof that he had only just started learning.
Silence filled the room.
Ichiji Seika, Ichiji Nijika, and Yamada Ryo all fell speechless.
They looked at Minami—
Gotou Hitori's friend.
Just what kind of learning monster was he?
