"You've got some nerve. Aren't you afraid of rumors spreading at school that you're doing 'Papa-katsu' (Sugar Dating)?"
After paying off the debt, Rin and Ryo left the park together. Rin couldn't be bothered to deal with those low-life thugs personally; whether through Karen's connections or Kaguya's influence, a simple warning to their boss would solve everything.
"I don't care," Ryo shrugged. "A lot of people already think being in a band means having drug-fueled orgies. One more rumor about sugar dating won't hurt."
Actually, even if her parents heard about "Papa-katsu," it wouldn't be a disaster. They knew she'd never do that, and as doctors, they could easily verify it with a quick exam.
But being in debt? That was a hard no.
Rin flicked Ryo on the forehead. "I'll transfer the rest of the money to you. Make sure you pay back your classmates."
"Yeah, I will." Ryo's eyes darted around before she put on a pitiful expression. "But what do I do for food after I pay them back?"
"Drink the wind for all I care." Rin paused. "Write better BGM and pray the game sells well, otherwise you won't have enough to pay me back."
Even though the script and illustrations were top-tier, this was a new circle with a small production and no reputation, and the profits had to be split among many people. Honestly, paying back a debt like that through game sales alone was a tall order. Eventually, she'd have to go to her parents.
"Tsk... the President doesn't know how to cherish a beautiful girl." Seeing Rin's coldness, Ryo stretched her body, her face expressionless. "The BGM is for the Winter Comiket, right? Lately, we've been trying to get into a music festival and need a song that can pass the screening, but we're stuck. How about the President helps me find some inspiration?"
Rin glanced at her. "You're just trying to stall until noon so I'll buy you lunch, aren't you?"
"..."
Caught in the act, Ryo looked away guiltily. Rin chuckled. "Speaking of songs, I actually have some inspiration."
Ryo thought he was joking—just another excuse to hang out and get a free meal—but looking at Rin's face...
"Wait... you actually know how to write music?"
"Just some stuff I hum to myself."
Rin didn't actually know music theory. However, he remembered songs from his previous life. Much like how he made dishes from his past life to reminisce, he had often hummed melodies from his memory. What if those songs became hits here?
In the past, he'd thought about using these songs to make money, but since he lacked musical talent and didn't have a great voice, he'd given up. Back then, he had checked and confirmed that those melodies didn't exist in this world.
The two found a spot under a tree in the park and sat on the grass. Despite her long skirt, the blades of grass tickled Ryo's thighs, but she was too focused on hearing Rin's song to care. Ryo pulled out her phone, opened the recording app, and held the mic to Rin's lips.
"Ahem."
Under Ryo's expectant gaze, Rin cleared his throat. Since Ryo had gotten into music as an act of teenage rebellion...
"Bitter sand, the feeling of it blowing against my face... like a father's scolding, a mother's tears, never to be forgotten... When I was young, I liked being alone by the sea, rolling up my pants and walking barefoot on the sand..." (Translator's Note: These are lyrics to 'The Sailor' by Zheng Zhihua).
Rin hummed the melody from his memory. His voice wasn't great, and the lyrics were in Chinese—a language Ryo didn't understand—but as she listened, she mentally added the guitar and drum parts. She got goosebumps.
After a short verse, Rin stopped. Ryo snapped out of her trance, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"Is the President a genius? What do the lyrics mean?"
"Heh~ you just realized I'm a genius? It's just random humming," Rin laughed. "The lyrics are about a young sailor who leaves for the ocean to chase his dreams, but gradually forgets his hometown and his parents..."
While that wasn't exactly what the original song meant, Rin intentionally explained it that way. He wanted to remind her that even while chasing dreams, she shouldn't ignore her family.
Ryo looked at Rin with a complicated expression. Is he using this song to remind me not to forget my parents? She'd thought he was just a pervert who liked parties... but he was actually quite gentle.
True... even if they don't support my music, they've been good to me. I should find a chance to talk to them properly.
But that was for later. For now...
"Do you have more?" Ryo looked at him eagerly.
"I have a few." Rin hummed a few more melodies from his past life. He smiled at her. "Not bad, right? But you'll have to handle the actual arrangement and lyrics. This is just stuff I hum in the shower."
"Wait!" A rare look of excitement flashed across Ryo's face. She grabbed Rin's wrist and pulled him up. "Let's go to the STARRY practice room! They should all be there!"
...
An excited Ryo dragged Rin to STARRY. Along the way, she messaged Nijika, Bocchi, and Kita, who were working at the live house.
Ryo wanted to go straight to the practice room, but Nijika's older sister, Seika, overheard and told Ryo to bring Rin directly to the hall.
"Miss Ijichi, long time no see. Hello, Kita-chan~"
Rin greeted Seika Ijichi and the energetic redhead, Ikuyo Kita. Nijika and Bocchi (whose skin was still tanned from the island trip and was feeling a bit braver) also came over.
Seika waved at Rin, her eyes filled with curiosity and suspicion. "Ryo says you wrote some incredible songs?"
While Nijika trusted Rin, the more experienced Seika had been wary of him since they met. To her, Rin looked exactly like the kind of handsome scumbag who tricked young girls.
Seika had seen plenty of his type back when she was in a band. In this world where the "pure" and "hidden" sides overlapped, she'd heard countless stories of band-member "parties" and groupies being used. She was just glad her old bandmates had been good girls.
She didn't believe for a second that Rin could write something that would impress Ryo. He probably plagiarized it to impress girls!