After dealing with the spirited high school girls, I found myself once again bored at the reception desk.
Meanwhile, Marina was engrossed in watching a band of equally youthful performers on her phone.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I couldn't resist sneaking a peek at her phone screen.
However, Marina caught me in the act and decided to move her phone where I could easily see it.
"Oh, uhh... thank you," I mumbled, feeling slightly embarrassed at being caught.
"No problem~" Marina's playful grin conveyed her understanding as we both continued to watch the band's performance on her phone.
As the music filled the air, I noticed something unusual – a violin played as part of the band. It was a sight I hadn't encountered before, and I couldn't help but marvel at the blend of instruments.
A violin on a band.
"Curious? Is this perhaps your first time seeing a band with a violin?"
"Marina-san... How did you know what I was thinking? I was in the middle of a monologue."
"Pfft~ Ahahaha! Oh well... seeing your face is enough for me to read it, you know?" She chuckled.
"I see. Well, yes, this is my first time seeing this kind of band... except for orchestras."
Marina tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Is an orchestra even considered a band in the first place? I mean, they are, but they're more focused on classical music."
I nodded in agreement.
It was true – an orchestra was a large ensemble of musicians, typically playing classical compositions. On the other hand, a band usually consisted of a smaller group of musicians, often playing more contemporary genres.
"Marina-san!" Kasumi's voice called out, interrupting our conversation.
"Oh? You guys were here?" Marina looked up with a smile.
"Yeah! We're done!" Kasumi replied cheerfully.
"I see~ Take care, all of you!"
"Thank you, and see you too, Kyo-san!"
"Y-Yeah... Take care."
The Poppin'Party members exited the livehouse, their voices blending into the outside conversations as they continued walking away.
"Since when did you meet those girls?" Marina's playful tone was accompanied by a knowing smirk directed at me.
"Since you ditched me."
"E-Eh? Isn't the word 'ditch' a bit too harsh?" Marina's defense was immediate, though her attempt at innocence didn't quite succeed.
"But you did ditch me!"
"I-I did not! I did say I was leaving!"
Marina's protest was accompanied by a mock pout. It's cute.
"Well, whatever you say, Marina-san." I shrugged.
Marina rolled her eyes with a smile, clearly not one to admit defeat easily. "You're quite the handful, Nakasone-kun."
"I'll take that as a compliment," I said giving her a cheeky grin.
Just then, Marina's phone began to ring, interrupting our banter.
"Oh, be right back," Marina announced, grabbing her phone and stepping outside.
I watched her go, noting the change in her expression – a mixture of smiles and seriousness... and she just sneezed which is cute.
Marina then gestured for me to join her outside.
Curious, I approached her. "What is it?"
"Say, Nakasone-kun... Will you give out some flyers around town?"
"Eh? Sure..."
Marina's hands clapped together with enthusiasm. "Great~" With that, she returned to her call momentarily. "Yes, yes... I'll prepare it right away."
Hanging up the call, she turned her attention back to me. "Alright then, Nakasone-kun. Come."
I followed her back inside the live house, my curiosity growing as I noticed a stack of Morfonica posters on a shelf in the staff room.
"Am I supposed to give these to people?"
"Exactly~ Morfonica is performing later tonight, and we need to spread the word. Since your communication skills are good..." Her eyes twinkled as she patted my shoulder. "Good luck." She gave me a thumbs-up, her energy infectious.
I see. So the band we had watched earlier – Morfonica – was performing tonight. It was an exciting prospect.
"Alright! You can count on me!"
"Good~ Now get those flyers and go out there!"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"I can't hear you!!"
"Yes, Ma'am!!"
as I stepped into the scorching afternoon sun, I realized that the heat was far more intense than I had anticipated.
It was 3 PM, yet the weather showed no mercy, causing beads of sweat to form on my forehead and trickle down my face.
"Why is it still so hot...?" I muttered to myself, wiping my brow with the back of my hand.
The flyers in my grasp felt slightly damp from my sweat, and I couldn't help but wonder if this task was going to be more challenging than I had initially thought.
"I'm expecting wind at a time like this, Damn it."
I found myself crouching down, seeking refuge in the scant shade of an electric pole. The relentless sun beat down on me, and I wished for a cooling breeze to provide some respite.
"It would be nice if I had some water..." I sighed, my throat parched from the scorching heat. I looked down at the ground, wondering if this task had been a bit too ambitious.
Then, a timid voice interrupted my thoughts.
"U-Uhm..."
I raised my head, squinting against the bright sunlight. A figure appeared before me, illuminated by the golden rays. For a moment, I thought I'd encountered an angel, and perhaps I had, in a way.
She had light blue eyes and shoulder-length whitish-blue hair, her appearance ethereal against the backdrop of the sun's brilliance. She extended her arms, holding out a water bottle toward me.
"A-Ah, thank you, angel," I said, overwhelmed by her kindness.
"A-Angel?" She seemed taken aback. "C-Calling me an angel... Isn't that a bit much?"
S-Sorry," I stammered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Do angels have names?"
"LIke I said... I'm not an angel..." She cleared her throat, "My name is Kurata Mashiro, t-the vocalist of Morfonica."
"Kurata Mashiro, huh..."
Even her name is like a goddess...
"What about you?"
"Ah, I'm villager A, Nakasone Kyo! I'm a part-timer of CirCLE live house!"
"Mashiro-chan!"
Another voice called out her name running from the distance, A short girl with dark-purple hair and orange eyes with twin-tail as her hairstyle.
She panted as she stopped beside her, "E-Erm... Futaba-san."
"Mashiro...-chan! Where were you?! We thought we were gonna meet up at the CirCLE for rehearsal!"
"S-Sorry... It's just that." Mashiro then looks at me followed by her (Futaba).
"Hm? Who are you?"
"My name is Villager A, Nakasone Kyo! I'm a part-timer of CirCLE live house!"
"Villager A? Pfft Ahahaha!"
"W-What's funny."
"Don't call yourself a Villager A, Nakasone-san! My name is Futaba Tsukushi! The drummer of Morfonica!"
"W-Well, It's nice to meet you both, Mashiro-san and Futaba-san," I said, feeling more at ease now. "Thank you for the water, Mashiro-san. And it's a pleasure to meet a talented drummer like you, Futaba-san."
"Well then Mashiro-chan, Let's go and rehearse," Futaba said as she playfully pulled Mashiro's arm.
"A-Ahh, wait!" Mashiro looked back at me and gave a shy smile. "Thank you for the chat, Nakasone-san!"
I waved back at them with a grin. "You're welcome! Good luck with your rehearsal, Mashiro-san, Futaba-san!"
As they hurried off, I couldn't help but feel a little lighter.
"Now then, Back to work!"