"My house is also in Kichijoji, you know?"
"...Eh?"
A few seconds of silence drifted through the school studio.
Ichikawa, as usual, had a feverish look in her eyes as she tilted her head slightly.
"Uh... but normally, your parents are there, right?"
"Why are you asking if my parents are there?"
"..................Eh?"
...What is this?
No, of course I’d ask if your parents are there.
I mean, that suggestion just now was that, right? It was like saying, 'You can take a nap at my place,' right? Am I supposed to go to a house where the parents are and say, "Pardon the intrusion! I'm going to sleep now!"? Isn't that weird?
"Isn't it strange to go borrow a bed where someone's parents are...?"
"Did you ask that when it was Sako-san's house?"
"Ah, no, well, that's..."
...Hmm, maybe I didn't ask.
But isn't that a slightly different story? After all, Sakohasu-papa and Sakohasu-mama already know me. No, is it actually not different, and I'm just the only one who thinks so? If you include the fact that it's a female classmate's house, is it the same thing?
Just as I was about to fall into a swamp of overthinking—
"Good work~ Man, carrying a bass after a long time makes you realize how heavy it is."
Azuma entered the studio with a bass on her back.
"...Wait, what's with this atmosphere?"
As expected of the master of reading the room. She seemed to pick up on the remnants of our distorted exchange in an instant.
"Nothing, it's nothing? What's up, Yuri?"
"Ah, yeah... I can tell it's not 'nothing,' but I'll leave it alone..."
"What's up, Yuri?"
As if Azuma's extra comment never happened, Ichikawa tilted her head with the same plastered-on smile. Scary...
"Uwaa... Ah, well, I'm going to teach Sakohasu the bass after club activities today. Since I have time, I thought I'd play a bit now."
"Starting today already...!"
"Yep. Sakohasu said she wanted to start immediately. I understand the feeling of not wanting to waste even a single day."
As expected, both Sako and Azuma act fast.
'Since our destination and goals are set, there's nothing to do but move forward. Not advancing when you know which way is forward is just a lack of ambition. Even a single day is a waste. Just try everything you can, and if you hit the mark even once, that's enough.'
I remember those words Azuma said before we visited Ariga-san's company.
"By the way, what happened with Konuma? ...Ah, sorry, never mind."
The room-reader fell silent, her expression saying, 'Sorry, sorry, that topic is what made the air in the studio so weird, right? I mean, if it's individual lessons, it's one-on-one and hands-on... Maika-buchou is technically a girl after all. Well, not just technically, she's actually a super beauty. And Amane is insanely jealous. It's tough for you, Konuma, even though you just want to get better. ...Wait, huh? That face looks like you guys fought after that. You okay?' Her silence was incredibly talkative.
When I put my hands together in a 'sorry...' gesture, she replied with a look that said, 'Don't worry about it.'
"Yuri, are you guys going to the studio in Kichijoji after club activities today? What about dinner?"
Vainly ignoring Azuma's consideration, Ichikawa tried to bring the conversation back to the previous topic. Why are you so worried about dinner?
"Dinner...? Ah, we're not doing Kichijoji today; we decided to do it at Sakohasu's house."
"Sako's house?"
"Yeah, a sleepover. ...Though I think it's going to be pretty severe."
Certainly, since they're doing intensive training and considering Sako's resolve in asking Azuma, I can predict it won't be a 'pajama party girls' night out☆'.
"But does Sako's house have two bass amps?"
"No, but she said there's one small one. It would be better to have two, but it's a bit much for me to bring mine from home. Well, since we're starting at night, we won't be able to make noise for that long anyway."
"That house has simple soundproofing equipment."
"Eh, really?"
I nodded back to the puzzled Azuma.
"Well, it's not specifically for playing instruments. I heard Sako's dad is an audio geek, so the walls have strong soundproofing so he can listen to music at high volumes at home."
"Heh... Then it really would be better to have another amp."
"Should I bring the one from my house? It's a guitar amp, not a bass amp, but it's better than nothing."
"Seriously? That helps. I mean, Konuma, you and Sakohasu really are neighbors, huh? Childhood friends...! I'm feeling a mysterious sense of excitement...!"
"Why now..."
While Azuma and I were getting excited—
"...Heh."
I heard a low-toned voice from beside us.
""Hie...!?""
We both jumped and looked over to see Ichikawa puffing out her cheeks.
"...So today, everyone except me is in Ichika-cho?"
Both of us felt our shoulders twitch.
"I-It's for practice, okay!?"
"Besides, I'm not going to Sako's house!"
"That's right, Konuma will be practicing at his own house! Right, Konuma?"
"O-Of course! I can't touch the drums, but I'll be doing thorough basic training!"
"See, it's for the sake of the band!"
After listening to Azuma and I frantically pile on excuses with slightly wide eyes, Ichikawa's cheeks turned red.
"I-I know that...! Don't both of you try to soothe me like that, like you're dealing with a 'disobedient child who started acting selfish'...!"
""O-Oh...""
...Azuma and I nodded in unison at her remarkably apt self-analysis.
"I just got a little jealous..."
Ichikawa sniffled and turned away.
"amane-sama is insanely cute...!"
"...Hey, believer. You're reverting. And you're adding a new character trait to her."