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"My name is Hiroi Kikuri."
The purple-haired woman sat kneeling respectfully on the floor. If this were a manga, she would surely have a lump the size of a meat bun on her head right now.
Just a moment ago, the utterly exasperated Ijichi Nijika had delivered a righteous blow to her head, sobering her up (physically).
Because it was rare to see the gentle Nijika make such a move, Gotō Hitori was so frightened that she trembled and hid behind Asakura.
"I was a bit rude just now, I'm truly sorry…"
Hiroi Kikuri apologized sincerely to Nijika, though her eyes seemed a bit unfocused.
"I'm used to it, it's fine, but Asakura-kun was startled, wasn't he? I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."
Ijichi Nijika admonished her sternly.
"Yes, I have a very clear understanding of my foolish behavior, I'm truly sorry."
So Hiroi Kikuri apologized to Asakura again.
"Is it my imagination?"
Asakura looked at the purple-haired woman, who was almost prostrating herself, and couldn't help but suggest to Nijika, "I just feel like this person's personality seems a bit different… Um, although I think Miss Nijika, you probably know how to control your strength, I still think it's better to take her to the hospital for a check-up first…"
"No, no, no, she wasn't hit silly by me. Hiroi-san is like this when she's not drunk!"
Ijichi Nijika said, blushing: "I'm not violent enough to change someone's personality by hitting them!"
"Huh, it's not even to the extent of personality change, is it…?"
Hiroi Kikuri protested weakly and without much confidence.
"You're usually so normal, why do you drink until you're completely drunk?"
Asakura asked curiously: "If it's in a bar or at home, that's one thing, but a Livehouse is definitely not the place to get that drunk, is it?"
"Because when I'm sober, there are always so many worries… the future, money, performances, and so on—"
Hiroi Kikuri scratched her face somewhat awkwardly: "But when I'm drunk, it's fine. Everything just spins around in my head and finally disappears! I call it the Happiness Spiral!"
Asakura said, "But isn't it only things in the toilet that spin and then disappear?"
"You! Don't defile my Happiness Spiral!"
The woman showed an angry expression.
"It's okay, even if Hiroi-san flushes her own brain away, I won't forget how much money you owe my sister."
"Guh, why can Nijika's warm mouth say such cold words… Damn it, give me back the alcohol, I can't stand this cold reality for another minute…"
Hiroi Kikuri made a weak sound.
"Wait, you just mentioned performances… Are you also a member of a resident band?"
Asakura asked curiously.
"Don't let her appearance fool you, Hiroi-san is actually the bassist, vocalist, and leader of the popular band SICK HACK, even though she's like this."
Ijichi Nijika said helplessly.
"Why repeat it twice? Is there something wrong with how I look? I'm even called the 'Drunk Angel' by my fans!"
Hiroi Kikuri said, sobbing.
"Honestly, I'm quite worried about the mental state of Hiroi-san's fans who often shout 'Spit into my mouth'…"
The kind Miss Nijika's expression grew even more helpless.
"Rock musician… Ah—"
Asakura paused, then looked at Yamada Ryo: "I mean, anyone can be a bassist, really…"
"What was that meaningful pause about?"
Yamada Ryo said discontentedly, "Do you have something against bassists? Bass is the soul of rock!"
"But the soul is invisible, so you can't hear the bass's sound when playing, right?"
Asakura said seriously.
"6 points, acceptable."
Yamada Ryo said with an unruffled tone.
"Don't so calmly score someone else's bass joke!"
Hiroi Kikuri, now sober, retorted.
"So, Hiroi-san, did you hear us play just now?"
Nijika suddenly asked, as if realizing something.
"A little bit."
Hiroi Kikuri, who was secretly trying to get back the boxed sake that Nijika had snatched, replied.
"How was it? What needs urgent improvement?"
Nijika asked expectantly.
After all, while Asakura could distinguish good from bad, he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong. At a time like this, if a professional musician could give them some pointers, it would obviously be more helpful for their future practice.
Hiroi Kikuri finally quietly retrieved her alcohol, and while Ijichi Nijika wasn't paying attention, she took two deep sips, then let out a comfortable sigh, her tone becoming carefree: "The bass is too arrogant, the drums are too conservative, and the guitar is too timid."
"Is that so...?"
Ijichi Nijika murmured doubtfully.
And Hiroi Kikuri continued, "If we were to rank them by skill, the guitar is the best, followed by the bass, and finally your drums, Nijika."
Asakura raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: Although this guy seems unreliable, he surprisingly has some substance.
"Bocchi's guitar is better than my bass?"
Yamada Ryo was a bit surprised, after all, she was quite confident in her own skill, feeling that she could at least hold her own among students.
"Let's just say this..."
Hiroi Kikuri said cheerfully, "That child definitely has a great future. My intuition is very accurate~"
"Tha... thanks?"
Gotō Hitori said uncertainly, "But I always feel... I might mess it up..."
"Don't worry, even if you really mess up on stage, I'll be the one to apologize."
Asakura rubbed the girl's head and gently comforted her, "So just relax."
"Ugh, hearing Asakura-kun say that, I feel even more pressured..."
Gotō Hitori said with a tearful face, unconsciously rubbing the ring on her hand, muttering softly.
"How about Bocchi plays the song you're going to solo on stage here? That way you can get used to people watching, and we can give you some feedback."
Ijichi Nijika suggested.
"Eh...?"
Gotō Hitori looked helplessly at Asakura, only to see Asakura also showing an 'Excellent idea!' expression, immediately feeling isolated and helpless.
"Encore Encore"
Yamada Ryo picked up the shaker in the corner of the room and started to egg her on.
"No, she hasn't even sung yet, where's the encore...?"
Asakura retorted.
"Encore~ Encore~"
As a result, the drunken Hiroi Kikuri also started to twist her body and make noise with Yamada Ryo.
"Be quiet! Listen to Bocchi sing!"
Seeing Gotō Hitori's pitiful appearance, caught between a rock and a hard place due to their commotion, Nijika once again activated her physical sobering technique, temporarily silencing Hiroi Kikuri.
Hopefully, she didn't silence her forever, Nijika.
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