“Alright, let’s do this!”
With that command, the loading work began. Just as I was gathering the cables in the studio (broadcasting room) to head toward the bus—
“Excuse me, Konuma-senpai!”
An unfamiliar voice called out to me in the hallway.
“Y-Yes...?”
Turning around, I saw a petite girl with a chestnut-colored bob and curly hair, the type that makes you want to protect her.
...Have I seen her somewhere before?
Since she called me senpai, she must be a first-year, but I didn't think I was in a timeline where I’d have such a cute kouhai.
I mean, I joined the Rock Club even later than Erina-san...
“Um, um, my name is Taira Tsubame from the first-year Rock Club! The Rock On event the other day was so, so emotional and wonderful...!”
“Ah, yes, thank you very much...”
As I gave a stiff, formal reply, I remembered. This is that girl. The one I met at Yo-Chika (Ito-Yokado basement).
I recalled that Rock On performance. I see, so there are people who remember that live show...
“It was so, so good! The encore song was amazing, I’ve never seen music like that before!”
“Oh, I see...”
I’ve never seen music like that before, huh. That’s quite a compliment. You’re being praised, amane-sama.
“And, and, the way Konuma-senpai was playing the drums while crying, and playing while shouting!”
“Ooooooooooooooooooooooh! Stop ittttttttttt!”
Fire, no, flames, no, a blaze, no, magma starts erupting from my face. Burnish!
“It really, really came across how much you love that song!”
“Please stop it alreadyyyyyy!”
As this beautiful kouhai, Taira-san, enthusiastically lectured me with sparkling eyes, I was completely overwhelmed by having my fresh black history picked apart.
“Ah, but, but,”
“Y-Yes?”
She tilted her head and asked me as my face stayed bright red from embarrassment.
“Since when did amane-san return to activities?”
“...Eh?”
That one sentence brought me back to my senses.
What was the nuance of that 'amane' just now...?
“Ah, back when amane-san went on an indefinite hiatus, I was a middle school student in the brass band club. But I admired amane-san's music so much that I started composing and writing lyrics, so I was incredibly moved...”
“...Hah!?”
That amane girl, she's totally been found out! She’s way too exposed! What, how many more people are going to come out saying they actually knew!?
“But, but, I didn't know the first song very well! That song is amane-san's new track, right? I thought the style was a bit different, though.”
“Ah, yeah, right, exactly!”
I was already at a loss for how to dodge the subject and became pointlessly flustered.
“I admire amane-san, but I don't have any friends so I can't form a band. I do home recording by myself... but I rely on programmed drums, so I was wondering if Konuma-senpai would be willing to play for me...”
She cast several sidelong glances toward me.
“Eh, you do home recording!?”
We’re comrades! I desperately swallowed the words that were about to burst from my throat.
“Yes, yes! By any chance, do you do it too, senpai?”
“Hm? No? I don't?”
Guh, I want to say it! I want to tell her, but I can't! I feel like if I tell this girl, she’ll figure everything out one after another!
“I see! It’s very, very fun! Home recording! The feeling of your own sounds layering up into a song is the best!”
“Heh, that’s a nice hobby.”
I know! In fact, the reason we started is even the same!
“Actually, I wanted to tell you this much sooner, so I looked for your name in the LINE group, but you weren't in it, senpai...”
There it is, the LINE group.
By the way, Ichikawa still hasn't added me. Why?
“I thought you might be the aloof genius type who doesn't get involved in that kind of socializing, but I asked President Amane just in case—”
Hm, Ichikawa?
Just as I was about to speak—
“Ah, there you are, Konuma!”
I heard Azuma's voice from behind Taira-san.
Then, for some reason.
The atmosphere surrounding Taira-san suddenly became sharp.
Having no way of knowing about that change in atmosphere, Azuma continued,
“Konuma, we're moving the PA mixer, but I don't know the number of cables we need! Can you come here?”
She approached me.
In a cold voice, Taira-san said,
“Konuma-senpai, excuse me.”
While saying that, she stared—no, glared—at Azuma and left the spot.
“Eh, did I do something...?”
“Who knows...?”
I didn't understand it either.
“That girl is the one we met at Yo-Chika, right?”
“As expected, you remember well. That’s Taira Tsubame-san. ...She says she’s a fan of amane.”
“Of amane-sama!?”
While tilting my head at the memory of Taira-san's behavior, I headed toward the PA mixer with Azuma.
On the way, Azuma asked quietly,
“By the way... Konuma, is the song... okay?”
“Hm, what do you mean?”
“...No, it’s nothing. Sorry.”
“...I see.”