Leaving aside Uchiha Ryo and Shirosaki Hana who had returned home to rest, Hiratsuka Shizuka, who only walked out of the ramen shop after resting for a long time, drove to the STARRY live house located in Shimokitazawa.
"Ya, it's been a long time, Seika. Why do I feel like I haven't seen you for months? Anyway, a glass of shochu first!"
Ijichi Seika took out a wine bottle from the cabinet behind her expressionlessly and placed it on the bar counter. "Shizuka, you are still the same. If I guessed correctly, you should have come straight to the bar after coming out of the ramen shop, right?"
"Tch... so what, this is my life!"
Ijichi Seika turned to look in the direction of the backstage. "Suddenly feel that my sister and the others are more reliable than you. Clearly quite old already, yet doing the same things as in high school."
"Who's quite old! By the way, how is your sister's band doing? Do they have the popularity you had back then~"
"Hehe, they are still far off. But since they just started, take it slowly... Now they are working hard to improve themselves, improve the band! I think with their level of effort, they will definitely succeed."
Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled. "And you? Haven't thought of ways to improve yourself recently?"
"I don't want to be told things like 'no improvement' by Hiratsuka Shizuka who has remained the same for ten years."
"You are underestimating me! I was losing weight just now! And do you know how much effort I put in to succeed in losing weight!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka told the story of her challenging the Ghost Ramen.
"Well~ But after coming out, I immediately went to the convenience store to buy two cups of ice cream, and then ordered a cup of iced milk tea. After that, I came straight here!"
Ijichi Seika looked confused.
"Ramen, two cups of ice cream and a cup of milk tea, are you sure you are losing weight instead of gaining weight?"
"Stop nagging, you just be a clerk slowly. I'll go backstage to see how your little band is doing."
Standing up, Hiratsuka Shizuka kept hypnotizing herself that the calories she ingested today were actually zero! Her consumption was already a lot.
Pushing open the backstage door, the imagined band practice scene did not appear. Instead, the four band members were basically doing their own things.
Kita was scrolling through her phone, Yamada Ryo was leaning against the corner wearing headphones listening to songs, and Ijichi Nijika seemed to be doing the weekend homework assigned by the school.
As for Bocchi... Eh, where did that pink-haired socially anxious girl go?
"It's Hiratsuka Au... Sister. Um, please be quiet. We just finished practicing and are resting. Bocchi-chan, who is the most tired, has already fallen asleep."
Au what? You wanted to say Auntie, right?! Even the cute Hana has to call her Sister. Why do you, a high school student, call yourself Auntie?
Sensing Hiratsuka Shizuka's gaze, Nijika hurriedly said. "Uh... sorry, it's because Big Sister kept saying in my ear that Sister Hiratsuka is an old auntie who always comes to sponge drinks. I heard it often so..."
"Damn it, that guy Seika! By the way, isn't Bocchi sleeping? Where is she sleeping?"
While speaking, Hiratsuka Shizuka took out a piece of gum from her pocket and threw it into her mouth, then subconsciously opened the large trash bin beside her.
"Sister Hiratsuka don't throw!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka's hand holding the candy wrapper froze in mid-air. Inside the trash bin, a girl curled up holding her knees was sleeping with her eyes closed.
"You guys... you guys let her sleep in the trash can?"
"It wasn't our idea. It was Bocchi herself who said it felt very safe inside... No matter how we persuaded her, it didn't work. But this trash can is very breathable, don't worry!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka expressed speechlessness. This isn't a question of breathability, right? And looking at Bocchi's expression, are you sure it's comfortable like this? Why do I feel she looks very painful...
At the same time, Bocchi, who was sleeping, had a very bitter expression. It wasn't because the sleeping posture was uncomfortable, but...
—Bocchi's Dream—
Mama Gotoh stroked Bocchi's head with a serious expression.
"You are still playing guitar! Do you want to starve to death in the future? Go prepare for the civil servant exam for me. Don't waste time all day long doing useless things! Study quickly, I say all this for your own good!"
Bocchi lowered her head, not daring to refute, just tightly holding the guitar.
The moment she left the house, she appeared backstage at STARRY, and then met Ijichi Nijika's calm eyes.
"You are late for work again, right? Think carefully how many times this has been? In society, no one will help you earnestly. Really terrible... You didn't organize the warehouse well when asked before, right? Didn't even ask you to receive guests at the front desk... Forget it, I'm tired of talking about you."
Ijichi Nijika turned and left. Bocchi lowered her head, bypassed Nijika with incomparable self-blame, and saw Ryo squatting in the corner.
"Hey, Bocchi is here. You should give me this month's friendship fee."
"Ugh... didn't I... give it yesterday?"
"Is that so? I don't remember anymore. Anyway, stop whining and give it to me quickly!"
Took out the friendship fee from the wallet, then faced Kita Ikuyo coming towards her.
"Bocchi-chan, um, it might be inconvenient for me recently, so please keep a distance from me at school in the future, okay? Don't talk to me either, my friends kinda dislike you."
"Okay....."
Finishing her practice, Bocchi returned home holding the guitar.
And just as she returned to the room, she saw Gotoh Futari drawing.
"Big Sister Why don't you have friends even in high school? Oh my Did I say something wrong? Big Sister not only has no friends, but can't even find someone to talk to normally Really small fry Too terrible."
"Also your guitar playing is so noisy. Don't play at home anymore. If you play again, get out!"
...
Accompanied by a shaking of the trash can, Bocchi woke up from her sleep with a start.
"Bocchi woke up. Want to eat some snacks?"
Ijichi Nijika saw Goto Hitori standing up from the trash can, then picked up the pastries on the table.
"Um.... Nijika-chan, sorry! I promise not to be late again! Work will also be completed seriously."
Nijika blinked. "Bocchi what are you suddenly talking about. It's fine. Everyone knows you are tired from being responsible for writing lyrics, so being late for work is nothing (and your work is not reception, sooner or later is the same)."
"Nijika-chan..... won't you blame me?"
"Why would I blame Bocchi? You are an indispensable person in our band!"
Angel! Bocchi seemed to see the light on the blonde girl, and then saw Kita walking over with pastries.
"Bocchi-chan, this is saved for you. Come eat. In the future at school....."
Goto Hitori lowered her head.
"In the future at school, let's eat lunch together every day at noon!"
"Eh?"
Kita touched her head awkwardly. "Because my level in the band is still not very mature, I hope Bocchi can teach me more guitar skills. Let's eat lunch together in the future!"
Goto Hitori was a bit dazed, while Nijika reached out and patted the top of Bocchi's head.
"Eat quickly, specially saved for you. If you don't eat it, it will be taken away by Ryo."
Bocchi picked up the pastry, then looked at Ryo walking over.
"Um.... Bocchi, the money you lent me last time."
Bocchi widened her eyes. Could it be she wants to return it to me? Is this really reality? Or am I dreaming now.
"The money you lent me last time, still need to wait for a while. Let's talk about it next time."
Nijika reached out and patted Ryo on the head again. "You ah. Sorry Bocchi, I will deduct the money Ryo owes you from her salary."
Yamada Ryo shouted nervously. "This is too cruel to me!"
No, this is a matter of course, right....