“What could it be...?”
As we approached the crowd, four first-year girls in ties were jostling each other, fighting for a glimpse through the small window on the studio door.
Among them, I found a student I knew slightly.
It was Hoshikage Stella-san, a first-year member of the Instrument Club.
During the summer camp, Tsubame-chan had claimed, ‘There’s a girl being bullied by Azuma-san,’ and Hoshikage-san was that supposed victim (though, of course, that wasn’t actually the case).
“Hoshikage-san?”
“Ah...! K-Konuma-senpai...!”
Her voice was as quiet as ever, but I felt a level of heat in her words that hadn’t been there before.
“What happened? Is there some celebrity in the studio?”
I doubted President Ichikawa would even know about it, so could such a thing really be happening?
“It’s... it’s something even more amazing than a celebrity.”
“Even more amazing than a celebrity...?”
While Erina-san and I looked at each other and tilted our heads, the other three looking into the studio let out a high-pitched cheer of “Kyaa...!” Hearing that, Hoshikage-san said, “S-Sorry...!” and returned to the group.
“Hmm? Is it Kenji? Or maybe Tokugawa-kun?”
Listing off names of handsome guys, Erina-san stretched her back to try and peek inside, but she couldn’t see.
“...Could it be IRIA?”
If it was her, it would make sense. Just as I finally reached that conclusion, I heard the sound of footsteps running down the corridor behind us.
I turned around to find an incredibly beautiful girl with black hair (the word ‘beautiful woman’ suited her better than ‘beautiful girl’) standing there with a grim, intense expression, her lips pressed tight.
If I recall, she’s the current president of the Instrument Club, Mano Rinko-san... right?
She was introduced as the next president in the pamphlet for the Instrument Club’s school festival performance, and I had exchanged greetings with her once when I went around the Seven Wonders with Azuma.
“Ah, um, Mano-san.”
She passed right by me as if she didn't see anything and said “Thanks for the message” to the four girls.
“Takuto-kun, how disappointing... should I comfort you?”
“I’m fine...”
Mano-san had the other girls yield the space in front of the small window and took a quick peek inside.
“Whoa...!!”
Then, her eyes widened, filling with tears, and she crouched down, covering her mouth as if she couldn’t contain her emotions.
...I see, so that’s it.
“Azuma-bucho is playing the bass...!”
I understood everything from Mano-san’s words, which were practically a cry of joy.
...All five of them are juniors from the Instrument Club.
Yuri is probably giving Sako a lesson inside.
They likely went to the shop with their basses before practice.
The Instrument Club first-years must have spotted them and followed out of curiosity, and when they saw that Azuma was actually going to play the bass, they sent a LINE message to the current president, Mano-san, who especially admired Azuma.
I shifted my position and stretched a bit to peek over the five of them. As I thought, it looked like amane's bassist and lyricist were practicing inside.
I was truly impressed by how Yuri’s popularity seemed to have no ceiling.
I thought it would be nice to be able to make someone cry just by plucking a string once like that, but this was the result of everything she had built up until now. Even if I were given the same opportunity and time, it would never turn out like that for me.
...Well, since I have business inside, I wonder if it’s okay to push through them and enter.
It wouldn't be too late if I just talked to Sako after school and then went to tell Hirosue— “Excuse meee!!” Wait, Erina-san!?
While I was hesitating, Erina-san boldly pushed the door open without any reservation.
I followed after her while apologizing to the first-years, saying, “Wait, sorry, I’m really sorry...”
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the dejected looks on their faces at that moment...
“Yuri! Sakosh!”
Erina-san waved her hand widely toward the other side of the soundproof door.
She probably couldn't hear the call, but since Erina-san’s movements were so loud, Yuri looked over and widened her eyes in surprise.
She seemed to notice the first-years behind us. Whether she felt awkward or embarrassed to be seen holding a bass, she waved back with a wry smile.
In response, another high-pitched cheer erupted. I see, so this is what they call fan service...
I moved to the side to stay out of the way, leaning against the wall and crossing my arms, trying to blend in as much as possible.
Then, Yuri glanced at me and mouthed, “That’s the ‘boyfriend standing in the back with his arms crossed’ look.”
Wait, I can’t even read lips, so why did I understand that so clearly...?