“On the day of the closing ceremony, the multi-purpose room can’t be used…?”
“Yeah, that’s what they said…!”
Ichikawa-buchou, who had come out of the staff room with her shoulders slumped, told me the news while grabbing the hem of my school uniform with eyes like a discarded puppy. “Konuma-kun, listen…”
“Are you serious? Why?”
“Apparently, they’re replacing the floorboards. Considering the year-end and New Year holidays, they have to start the construction from the day of the closing ceremony or they won’t finish in time.”
“Ehh, is that so… What about other classrooms?”
In response to Azuma’s question, Ichikawa shook her head side to side.
“It seems like all the large classrooms are undergoing similar construction. The gymnasium is difficult because the audio equipment is too small for a performance there…”
“Wait, then does that mean we can’t do Lock-on?”
“That’s right. What should we do…?”
I flinched as Ichikawa looked up at me with those pleading eyes. I mean, don’t look at me with such cute eyes.
“How much is left in the club budget?”
“Club budget? Why?”
Ichikawa tilted her head at Sako’s question.
“Well, if we can’t do it inside the school, we have no choice but to do it at a live house.”
“…I see!”
At that suggestion, the sparkle in her tear-brimmed eyes changed to something positive.
“You’re right! We should just do it at a live house!”
“Yeah, well, as long as we have the budget for it.”
“I wonder how much it costs to rent a live house?”
“Who knows…”
At the same time we all crossed our arms.
“I have heard the situation!”
Hearing a citrus-colored voice, I turned around to see our small animal-like underclassman, Tsubame Taira, standing there with her arms crossed and chest puffed out.
“Wow, Tsubame-chan, it’s been a while!”
“Ah, it has been a long time…!”
Taira-chan bowed repeatedly. She seemed so confident just a second ago. Also, what do you mean by 'a long time'?
…Well, I guess it has been a while. When you go to the same school, if you don’t see someone for a week, saying 'it’s been a while' is a total extrovert move. I get it, Taku-to. I totally get it.
No, more importantly.
“Taira-chan, why are you here?”
“I was following you!”
“Following?”
Following what? Pickles? Noodles?
“Amane-buchou, of course!”
She gave a bright smile, but I genuinely didn't understand her meaning.
“This person isn't Azuma, you know?”
“I-I am well aware of that!? Did you think I was that much of an idiot?”
“I knew you were Azuma's stalker, but were you doing it to Ichikawa too?”
“Stalker!? I am not a stalker! I am a disciple! Besides, I also respect Amane-buchou!”
“Wow, thank you!”
Wait, you’re acting all peaceful, but she just admitted to stalking you, okay?
“So, why were you stalking her?”
“I told you, I was just ‘following’ her! Um, um, Amane-buchou was just called over the school intercom, right? I thought the possibility of Amane-buchou being called for something bad was zero. So, I deduced it must be about the Rock Club. That’s why I, the one aiming for the position of the next president of the Rock Club, decided to rush to the scene!”
“Heh…” “Hmph…”
I don't really get it, but listening to Taira-chan chirp away makes everything else feel trivial. Also, Azuma looks like she’s sulking, is she okay?
“Furthermore, since internet searching is my specialty, I have already investigated the prices of live houses!”
“In this very instant!?”
“Yes!”
“That really is a special skill…!”
Wait, isn't that impossible with normal internet speeds? Taira-chan, are you the type of person whose body receives 5G signals…? (That sounds a bit dangerous for the plot).
“Tsubame-chan, thank you! So, about how much is it?”
“Yes! For example, at the live house ‘Planetary System’ where the seniors gave that wonderful performance the other day, renting it out from 2 PM to 10 PM on a Saturday costs 180,000 yen!”
“O-One hundred and eighty thousand…!?” “Oh, I see.”
My eyes widened in shock while Ichikawa responded blankly as if thinking ‘Is that all?’
“Wait, it’s 180,000, you know…?”
As I looked at her with eyes shocked by both the rental fee and Ichikawa’s sense of money, she made an ‘Oh, crap’ face and quickly added.
“O-One hundred and eighty thousand yen is a lot, I think! I really think so! P-Please rest assured that there isn't a huge gap in my sense of money!”
Wait, what am I supposed to be assured about?
“It is certainly a staggering amount, but it’s not something the club budget can’t cover! We’ve been saving a decent amount just in case instruments or amps get damaged!”
“You’re well-informed, Taira-chan…”
“Yes! I looked it up!”
She’s a dedicated junior. She could probably become the president right now.
“Wait? But then, what if an instrument breaks this year?”
“Let’s use them carefully!”
She said something obvious with a bright smile. In short, if they break, there’s no money left for repairs…
But, well.
“If that’s the case, isn't it fine? Doing Lock-on at a live house.”
“Yeah, you're right! Man, for a moment I wondered what would happen…”
“Ah, but.”
A worry crossed my mind.
“If that happens, running Lock-on will take more effort than usual, so it’s going to be busier than we talked about at noon…”
“Konuma-kun, do you intend to help with the operations too?”
At my words, Ichikawa peered into my face while smiling happily.
“What do you think I am…?”
“A surprisingly kind person, maybe?”
No, I’m always kind.
“That said, I have no idea how to manage a live show at a live house…”
“That’s true…”
“There’s a limit to what I can find by just searching…!”
Just as we started groaning again.
“I’ve heard the story!”
A senior with slanted eyes and a ponytail was suddenly standing there with her arms crossed and chest puffed out.
“Kanno-san…!? Why are you at our high school…!?”