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Chapter 13: This is bullying!
🕑 Added 2025-02-03 12:36:43 +0000 UTC"Eh?... Bocchi,"
The blonde-haired girl with a side ponytail, sitting by the drum kit and holding drumsticks, looked up in shock after hearing Gotoh Hitori's dejected words, incredulously saying, "Isn't this bullying?"
Her name was Nijika Ijichi.
She was the drummer for the "Kessoku Band" band that Minami encountered earlier, the heart of the rock band.
Unlike the self-deprecating and gloomy Gotoh Hitori, Nijika was passionate and outgoing.
Perhaps it was because of this that, in the simulation, she could get close to Gotoh Hitori and become friends with her.
So when she heard that Gotoh Hitori's guitar had been taken by a boy from the same school, she immediately stood up, her fair hand raised, signaling her bandmates to come over and discuss countermeasures.
"Her guitar was taken by a boy from the same school?"
Nearby, the short-haired girl who had been tightening the strings on her bass lifted her head, her androgynous, delicate face now revealed. She first glanced at Gotoh Hitori, her supposed bandmate, with no emotion, then covered her mouth and let out a snicker.
Though they were supposed to be teammates, this woman immediately came to mock her.
No wonder her name was Yamada Ryo (Ryo meaning "cold wind").
[TL: When written in kanji, her first name can have a variety of different meanings including: "cool" (涼 ryō) and "clear" (亮 ryō). In mainland China and Taiwan, It is written as "涼" (cool).]
"Ryo, stop standing there and making those indifferent remarks. If we don't get Bocchi's guitar back, we won't be able to practice the new songs," Nijika Ijichi said, slapping the back of Yamada Ryo's head.
"Why don't we just buy Bocchi a new guitar?" Yamada Ryo tilted her head, seemingly surprised at Nijika Ijichi's big reaction.
Her family ran a hospital in Japan, and from the dozens of bass guitars at home, one could tell she came from a wealthy background.
But—
"No, no," Nijika Ijichi shook her head. "Bocchi doesn't have that much money. If this continues, we really won't be able to practice the new songs. Not everyone has it as easy as you, Ryo."
"What?! That's indeed a big problem!"
When Yamada Ryo heard this, her previously emotionless face showed a hint of concern.
Rehearsing new songs and performing on stage were the most basic and important activities for any rock band.
If Gotoh Hitori's guitar couldn't be recovered... Forget performing on stage, they might not even be able to rehearse the new songs.
Yamada Ryo seriously looked at Gotoh Hitori and, with an urgent and justified tone, asked, "Bocchi, why didn't you say earlier that you didn't have this much money?"
If a teammate had a problem, they'd find a way to help. After all, perfect Ryo would never have any problems.
Gotoh Hitori didn't answer, her eyes completely lifeless. She suddenly felt that maybe this was good enough.
At least she had found her place in this little trash can.
It felt so good... It would be nice to just be buried here...
"Isn't Shuka High School famous for its strict school rules? Would something like bullying really happen there? Isn't Kita-chan from the same school as Bocchi? Is this phenomenon frequent?"
Nijika Ijichi hugged the reality-escaping Gotoh Hitori out of the trash can, while ignoring Yamada Ryo, who was mumbling, "Maybe I should lend Bocchi one of my extra basses to practice."
Then, she pulled out her phone from her pocket: "Speaking of which, Kita-chan seems to be from the same school as Bocchi, right? I'll call and ask her about it."
"Mm."
Seeing that Nijika Ijichi wasn't following her plan, Yamada Ryo gave up the half-finished topic about "a suspicious website selling human kidneys" she had just discovered online.
Let's talk about the "Kessoku Band" band members.
The "Kessoku Band" band was a classic traditional rock band.
Its lineup was very simple: lead guitarist (Gotoh Hitori), bassist (Yamada Ryo), drummer (Nijika Ijichi), and rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist (Kita Ikuyo).
And the Kita-chan they referred to was Kita Ikuyo, the rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist who was absent from today's activity due to prior engagements.
After a few minutes of explaining the situation, Nijika Ijichi called Kita Ikuyo.
"What?! Gotoh-san was bullied?" Kita Ikuyo's surprised voice came from the other Kessoku Band of the line.
"Yes. They even took her guitar. So we wanted to ask if Kita-chan had any ideas."
"Ah, this should be fine. I have many friends at Shuka High School. Let's show the bullies our momentum... They'll probably stop bothering Gotoh-chan."
Kita Ikuyo thought for a moment and asked, "So who's the one bullying Gotoh-san?"
Who was it...
Nijika Ijichi recalled the name Gotoh Hitori had mentioned earlier, uncertainly saying, "I think it was Minami Shouji... Second-year class one at Shuka High School."
"Cough, cough, cough!!!"
On the other Kessoku Band of the phone, hurried coughing could be heard.
"Kita-chan? Are you okay?!"
Nijika Ijichi was a little shocked.
"D-Don't mind it! Ijichi-senpai, who did you say again?"
"Uh... Minami Shouji from Class 2, Year 1 of Shuka High School."
"..."
On the other end of the phone, there was a long silence.
After a while, it sounded like Kita Ikuyo had gulped some water to calm herself down.
"Minami... Senior?"
"What's wrong, Kita-chan?"
Nijika's side ponytail shook a little, surprised by the rare reaction of the always sunny Kita Ikuyo.
Unable to hold back, she asked, "Is Minami Shouji famous at your school?"
"He's not the type to be 'famous or not,' Ichi Chi-senpai. You should ask me, who in our school doesn't know him?"
Compared to the often withdrawn Gotou Hitori, Kita Ikuyo, who had many friends, clearly knew more about Minami Shouji.
She started listing one by one, ticking them off on her fingers.
"He's been number one in the grade for two years in a row. Some people say that even if he doesn't pay attention in class, he can still easily get full marks in the subject. Even when he's napping during class, the teacher still acknowledges him. Do you know his rank in the national deviation test?"
"First!"
She asked and then answered.
"That kind of person is a real genius. I once overheard when I was delivering materials to the teacher, that even with his eyes closed, Minami Shouji from Year 2 could still get into Tokyo University."
"Oh—so amazing!"
Even Yamada Ryo, who usually had a blank expression and rarely praised others, couldn't help but blink her big eyes and compliment him.
After all, she always regarded Tokyo University as her goal.
"If Gotou-san is really being bullied by him... even if we tell the teacher and discuss it with them... the teacher would probably only believe him, not us."
Kita Ikuyo's tone became uncertain, losing her earlier confidence.
"But... but..."
Nijika was completely stunned, her mind in a jumble as she muttered to herself, "But why would someone so amazing bully someone like Bocchi?"
Shouldn't these two people be parallel lines?
At this moment, everyone's gaze turned toward Gotoh Hitori, who was preparing to crawl back into the trash can, looking lonely and pitiful.
