Chisato put in a lot of effort explaining and finally convinced Nijika that there was no inappropriate relationship between him and Hitori.
"So, it's really just a friendship."
Nijika let out a huge sigh of relief and gently patted her chest.
"It's okay if it's not just a friendship…"
Chisato looked at Hitori curiously.
"Hitori-san, what are you mumbling about?"
"Ah… Did I say something just now?"
"Yes."
"Hmm…"
Hitori, flustered, tried to cover her face with her hand but realized that even doing so didn't hide her from the curious gazes of the other two.
She ended up crouching under the table.
Chisato, understanding her shyness, could only sigh in resignation.
Nijika showed a confused yet gentle smile and looked down, trying to coax her out.
"Hey, Hitori-chan, your skirt is on the floor. It'll get dirty."
"Ah… it's fine. I'm just tying my shoelaces. You two keep talking."
"Before you use that excuse, maybe you should check what kind of shoes you're wearing right now."
Nijika raised her head and looked anxiously at Chisato.
She placed a hand near her mouth and leaned in.
"Chisato-kun, did I do something wrong that made Hitori-chan upset?"
The girl's proximity brought a refreshing citrus scent, reminiscent of a summer orchard.
It was a pleasant and natural aroma, and even though her face was right in front of Chisato, it didn't evoke any desire.
If anything, the older sister at the bar with blonde hair seemed more aligned with Chisato's preferences.
"This is just how Hitori-san reacts. You'll get used to it."
Chisato waved off her concern.
At this moment, he felt a tug on his pants. Looking down, he saw Hitori nervously pointing towards the exit of the performance hall.
She seemed eager to have Chisato refuse Nijika's invitation and leave quickly.
Honestly, it felt like Hitori was a shy kid being dragged to an unfamiliar place by her parents.
Chisato pulled Hitori out from under the table and addressed Nijika about their visit.
"Nijika-san, did you invite Hitori-san to join the band yesterday?"
"Yes!"
Nijika clasped her hands lightly, looking quite excited.
"Yesterday, I was walking and worrying about our band's lack of a guitarist."
"Then I saw Hitori-chan playing on a swing in the park."
"I went up to talk to her and found out she wasn't part of any other band. It was like a fateful encounter arranged by the heavens! Isn't that right?"
"Hmm!"
The youthful enthusiasm from Nijika made Hitori, who was used to lurking in the shadows, feel uncomfortable. She moved closer to Chisato and instinctively grabbed his sleeve.
"Hey, Nijika, come here for a moment."
At that moment, someone called from the bar.
"Sorry, I'll be right back."
Nijika left with quick steps.
This allowed Hitori, who had been tense since entering the performance hall, to finally relax and take a deep breath.
Chisato looked at her and said,
"What should we do? Nijika used such heavy words as 'fateful encounter.' She seems really eager."
"If we actually refuse her, she might end up crying and looking pitiful. Don't you want to reconsider?"
"Eh! She might cry?"
"Probably. She's already calling it a fateful encounter. Why not try a bit harder? Nijika is a good person. Maybe she could become your new friend?"
"Do you think someone like me can really be friends with Nijika?"
"If you can be friends with me, there's no one in this world you can't make friends with."
After Chisato's somewhat arrogant statement, Hitori seemed to waver and looked towards the bar.
Chisato, considering both her and his own situation, intensified his persuasion.
"Besides, you've always been making music alone, and sometimes it must feel a bit lonely. Joining a band would be different."
"Not only could you make friends with the other band members, but you might also gain a lot of fans who will admire you and ask for your autograph or photos."
"Eh—"
The simple words painted a vivid picture in Hitori's mind.
She recalled her initial ambitions when she started learning guitar: being welcomed by others, making more friends, and becoming a shining, popular figure!
"Imagine you're performing on stage under the spotlight, fans holding up glowing signs with your name, shouting your name just for a moment of eye contact because you're their idol, the person they admire."
"Eh? What are you talking about?"
Nijika returned with a chalkboard in hand.
Hitori, still looking a bit scared and with a confused gaze, seemed to have made up her mind. She suddenly stood up.
"I…Nijika-chan!"
"Hmm?"
"Please… let me join your band! I'm begging you!"
"Eh? Didn't we already talk about this yesterday? And why are you suddenly using formal language?"
Nijika was taken aback.
"In any case, please take good care of me from now on!"
"Ah! Sure!"
Watching the two girls bowing at ninety degrees, Chisato smiled with a sense of satisfaction.
If every girl around him was as easy to handle as Hitori, he'd probably be smiling to himself every night.
"Nijika-san, what's the chalkboard for?"
"Oh, this? My sister, the owner of this shop, asked me to write a job posting on it. We're planning to hang it up tomorrow when the weather clears."
"A job posting?"
Chisato's interest was piqued.
"Yes, the student who used to work part-time left, so we're short on staff."
"The shop is looking for a new part-timer. The usual hours are from 6 PM to 9 PM, mainly for ticket checking and drink preparation at the bar."
"The pay is 1,300 yen per hour, and it's paid weekly. Do you have any friends to recommend?"
It wasn't a difficult job, the hours fit well around school, and the pay was decent. Plus, Chisato's home was not far from here—just a half-hour train ride.
"Not a friend, but can I apply?"
Chisato pointed to himself.
Nijika looked at him and suddenly laughed.
"You're joking again, right? You don't look like someone who needs a part-time job."
"I'm not joking this time! I'm serious!"
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