After basking in the captivating aura of Roselia's performance, I decided it was time to step back and return to my duties.
Slowly, I pull away from the studio, the lingering echoes of their music still resonating in my mind.
I grab the broom and set to work. With each sweep, I find myself lost in the rhythmic motion, the act of cleaning providing a sense of normalcy amidst the whirlwind of musical experiences I've just witnessed.
The halls gradually take on a cleaner, more polished appearance as I sweep away the dust and debris that had accumulated.
It's a simple task, but one that grounds me, allowing me to reflect on the moments that have unfolded throughout the day.
"Oh? Working hard, aren't we?" A voice breaks through my focus, and I turn to see none other than Marina-san.
"Hello there. As you can see, it's clean now," I reply with a sense of accomplishment evident in my voice.
Marina surveys the now-clean hall, nodding in approval. "Woah, that's great~"
"Thanks..."
"By the way... Is it just me, or did I hear Yukina in the studio? I could hear her voice from the reception desk."
"Hm? Ah, yes. The door was slightly open, and I'm actually surprised you heard that."
Marina's lips curl into a smirk. "What can I say? My ears are this powerful," she boasts, as if her hearing is a point of pride.
I chuckle softly at her playfulness. "Well, it's good to have someone with super-hearing skills around."
Marina playfully winks at me. "Of course, part-timer-kun. Gotta keep an eye, or rather, an ear out for everything happening in CiRCLE."
I shake my head with a smile. "You're definitely a one-of-a-kind, Marina-san."
She grins. "I take that as a compliment."
As I observe Marina's playful demeanor, I can't help but smile. That's the Marina-san I know – always adding a touch of cuteness and playfulness to her mature persona. It's one of the things that makes her so endearing.
However, a sudden thought strikes me: How old is Marina-san, exactly? I look at her, from head to toe, as if trying to discern any hints about her age from her appearance.
It's not something I had thought about before.
"Say, Marina-san... Do you have a boyfriend?"
The question slips out before I can fully weigh the implications.
Marina looks at me, her expression momentarily caught off guard, but then she breaks into a knowing smile.
"Oh? Curious, aren't we?"
I feel a blush creeping up on my cheeks, realizing how forward my question must have sounded.
But I decide to carry on, hoping to salvage the conversation.
"You could say that... I mean, you're a beautiful woman, and I'm sure there are a lot of guys out there who like you."
Marina chuckles, her amusement evident in her eyes. "Well, thank you for the compliment. But to answer your question, no, I don't have a boyfriend."
Just as Marina and I are engaged in our conversation, our exchange is interrupted by a sudden burst of youthful energy.
A group of high school girls arrives on the scene, their expressions radiating brightness to the point where I have to shield my eyes – they're practically too vivid to gaze at directly.
"Marina-san!"
The girl with pink hair exclaims, rushing towards Marina.
"Oh? Aya-san, welcome! Are you here for the usual?"
Marina greets them with familiarity.
"Yep, yep~"
My eyes adjust gradually as I try to take in the scene. The blonde-haired girl from the group turns her attention towards me with a friendly smile.
The brightness of their presence is a stark contrast to the more subdued atmosphere I've grown accustomed to. I find myself momentarily overwhelmed, a bit taken aback by their enthusiasm.
"Oh? Who might this be?" The girl with blonde hair directs her attention towards me, her smile equally as bright.
Marina looked at me and smiled. "This guy is the new part-timer, Rookie~ Introduce yourself~"
Marina winks at me, prompting me to step forward.
"My name is Nakasone Kyo. Nice to meet you all."
I offer a respectful bow.
"Woah? A gentleman!?" one of the girls exclaims in pleasant surprise.
Caught off guard, I look up and my eyes lock onto each of their faces one by one. There's something familiar about one of them, and I find myself staring, trying to pinpoint the resemblance.
"Hm? Erm... Why are you staring at me?" The girl with the familiar hair color fidgets under my gaze.
Suddenly, it clicks. My eyes widen in realization. "This is just a question, but... Do you know Hikawa-san?"
"Eh? My sister?" Her puzzled expression matches the connection I've just made.
A smile tugs at my lips as the pieces fall into place.
"I thought so... Your hair resembles hers."
"Does that mean she's here?!"
The excitement in Hikawa's (little sister) voice is palpable as she realizes the connection.
I nod, pointing towards the room where Roselia is rehearsing.
"I see~ Then I'll go there then," Hina declares, her steps already leading her in the direction of the rehearsal room.
However, her movement is halted as she's suddenly brought to a stop by a gentle grip on her shoulder.
"Isn't it a bit rude that we don't introduce ourselves to him?" The voice comes from one of her friends, and Hina's eyes widen in realization.
"You're right!" Hina clears her throat, composing herself. "My name is Hikawa Hina! The guitarist of Pastel*Palettes!"
"I'm Maruyama Aya, the vocalist of Pastel*Palettes!"
"I-I'm the drummer of Pastel*Palettes, Yamato Maya."
"I'm Wakamiya Eve, keytar of Pastel*Palettes," another girl chimes in, her expression equally as bright.
"And I'm Shirasagi Chisato, bass of Pastel*Palettes. Nice to meet you, Kyo-kun~"
Chisato's playful wink sends a flutter through my chest, and I can't help but feel a little flustered by the attention.
"L-Likewise!"
I manage to stammer out, my eyes momentarily averting from her gaze.
Marina seems to sense the atmosphere and quickly moves to the reception desk to retrieve the booking book.
"The room over there should be available. Only for an hour, though."
"I see. Then let's go, everyone!" Aya exclaims with enthusiasm, and the rest of Pastel*Palettes nod in agreement, heading toward the designated room.
As Chisato smiles at me and waves, I feel my heart race a little faster.
Just as the exhilarating moment with Pastel*Palettes settles, Marina returns to my side, her expression mischievous. I can practically feel her gaze on my face as she smirks.
"Did Chisato-san make your heart skip a beat?" she teases, her tone playful.
Caught off guard, I quickly shake my head, my face likely turning a shade redder. "N-No... You must be imagining things!?"
Marina's amused chuckle fills the air as I start walking back towards the reception desk.
"Hoho? Interesting."
"Tsk... Let's get back to work already!"
"Right, right~" Marina's laughter lingers in the air as we return to our respective tasks