Social phobia and lonely rock!

"Abnormal..."

Goto Hitori didn't understand why someone as pure and sincere as Ishikawa-san considered himself a pervert.

She couldn't quite judge what she felt for Ishikawa Hayabusa at that moment, so she tried to understand him as a person.

After returning home, she turned on her computer to look up some information, confused.

Meaning of abnormal, description...

Eventually, she found a definition among the many negative descriptions.

"To alter the original form and become an abnormal state."

"Change… status, metamorphosis?"

She blinked, uncertain.

When Ishikawa Hayabusa arrived at STARRY, he saw three people sitting at a table chatting happily, along with the shop assistant and manager, Seika, who were busy.

People's joys and sorrows are never the same. They laugh, and they keep busy.

Manager Seika was pitifully working overtime, and her eyes often drifted toward Nijika, who was chatting happily at the table.

Noticing her sister's gaze but too embarrassed to leave the new member behind, Nijika placed her hands on Kita Ikuyo's waist, where she couldn't see, and pleaded silently.

Seika paused several times, wanting Nijika to get back to work, but because of her desperate pleas, she kept her head down and continued working diligently.

This was a scene particularly worth watching.

Ishikawa Hayabusa felt an urge to take a picture.

But if he did that, Seika would absolutely make him "die in rhythm."

After a moment—

Ishikawa Hayabusa realized no one had noticed he'd arrived. As a self-declared pervert, how could he tolerate that?

Without hesitation, he leapt up the seven steps and landed in an Iron Man pose.

"The pervert has arrived!"

When Nijika heard the long-awaited voice of her savior, she looked over in surprise and then naturally stood up.

"Ah, Hayabusa-kun, you came at the perfect time. Kita-chan is planning to join our band too."

Kita Ikuyo, who had been sitting quietly, recognized the familiar voice behind her. She lowered her head for a moment, then quickly turned around and greeted Ishikawa Hayabusa, a little flustered.

"Hello, Ishikawa-san."

"Right. Welcome."

Ishikawa Hayabusa gave her a smile that didn't seem particularly friendly, then turned to Ryo, who looked bored beside him.

"Professor Ryo! Look how much I've grown today!"

Seeing him like that, Kita Ikuyo felt immediately relieved. After all, what she had done earlier had been too obvious.

Seeing that he didn't seem to care—or didn't even notice—she let out a breath and relaxed.

But when she heard Hayabusa casually calling Ryo "professor," she became a bit anxious, her eyes flicking between the two of them.

"That's good."

Ryo seemed slightly more animated.

"I-I want to see too."

Kita Ikuyo quickly followed and stood up, afraid the two might slip away.

"Great. I'll help my sister and we can play later."

Nijika clapped her hands, then stepped back shyly with her hands behind her back, before turning and running toward Seika.

"Let's go, then."

Hayabusa said this as he pulled out a synthesizer from who-knows-where.

No, no, no!

Where did you get that from!?

Kita Ikuyo was stunned. She hadn't even realized Hayabusa was carrying a keyboard.

Doubting her own reality, she turned to see Ryo wearing a serious expression.

"Amazing."

Hearing that Ryo's surprise was in a completely different direction than hers—and that he even treated it as normal—Kita Ikuyo was stunned.

Realizing that Kita Ikuyo represented admiration, Ryo's gaze lingered on her face before continuing his explanation.

"This is the state of unity between musician and instrument. Most accomplished musicians can reach this level, though it's not easy. Even I can only do it when I'm in a strong emotional state."

Okay...?

Kita Ikuyo began to doubt the world she had lived in for 15 years. Is this really just a normal world?

But… Ryo-senpai really said a lot!

I'm so happy today!

Since it was Ryo-senpai who said it, it must be true—there is magic in this world!

Kita Ikuyo updated her worldview without hesitation.

Following the two into the rehearsal room, she observed everything with great interest.

There was a tuner on a shelf that she didn't know how to use, various brands of amps stacked in the corner, a music stand tossed aside, and a large drum set.

The wall looked fuzzy. Made of some special material? It reminded her of a movie theater wall.

So this is a band? It looks super professional.

She kept her mouth shut, trying not to show her surprise, and looked around slowly, pretending to comment casually.

Ryo watched her for a few seconds before turning his gaze to Ishikawa Hayabusa, who was getting ready.

He connected the power amp and turned on the synth.

"MUSIC ON."

"Alright then, sis, I'm going to check in on Ryo and the others."

After finishing her tasks, Nijika noticed that Hayabusa and the others were still in the rehearsal room and couldn't help but worry.

She waved to Seika and ran toward the room.

"Ticket sales are starting soon," Seika called out.

"I got it!" Nijika replied without looking back and kept walking.

Don't be fooled by Ryo's lazy appearance—she's merciless when it comes to teaching seriously. Hayabusa is straightforward and will probably follow every instruction. It's unclear what kind of person Kita Ikuyo is, but she seems to admire Ryo.

In other words, in that rehearsal room, right now, Ryo had the final word.

She mentally prepared herself before entering.

She opened the door.

Inside, Ishikawa Hayabusa was playing the keyboard while two others leaned against the wall, arms crossed, trying to look cool.

Well, that's not so scary.

She sighed in relief.

It's just that… once again, Hayabusa's keyboard skills were clearly insane.

Leaning against the wall, Ryo heard a slightly dissonant note. She opened her eyes slowly and looked toward the door.

Seeing Nijika standing there, surprised, she walked over.

She gently patted Nijika on the shoulder.

"This kid's a genius. No, a pervert."

After Ryo acknowledged his talent, Ishikawa Hayabusa gave a bright thumbs-up—but his other hand moved in a strange blur, producing a ghost-like afterimage over the keys.

"The release of human nature brings about physical and spiritual transcendence. All progress in human society is built on inner liberation."

"This means that those who are fully liberated in mind—perverts—are invincible."

"The pinnacle of humanity is perversion! There's no doubt about it!"

Ishikawa Hayabusa spread his arms wide as if preaching, a sacred look on his face as he spoke his perverted philosophy to three girls and two adult women.

But apparently, no one really understood him.

Everyone wore odd expressions as if thinking, "What you said is impressive, but I'm not buying it."

"Yeah, yeah! We get it! That's why you're so powerful, Hayabusa-kun. Now sit down."

Nijika struggled to find the words but eventually got Hayabusa to take a seat.

Hayabusa leaned back and looked around. Ryo and Kita were deep in thought, while Nijika looked quite pleased.

Nijika clapped her hands gently to bring the two back to attention and said:

"Hayabusa-kun is clearly stage-ready, Ryo and I are solid, and Kita-chan is already an experienced guitarist..."

It seemed she had been waiting for this moment. She grabbed the edge of the table and leaned forward excitedly.

"I'm going to ask my sister to let us perform!"

Kita Ikuyo, still reeling from Hayabusa's absurd brilliance and bizarre motives, agreed almost reflexively.

"Oh."

Wait... what did I just agree to?

Play? When? Aaaa...

"I'm fine with that."

Ryo still had a calm expression, but her slightly faster tone revealed a hint of interest.

Ryo-senpai!!

Kita Ikuyo nearly burst into tears. Even though she knew learning guitar wasn't something that could be done quickly, now she was being dragged toward a live performance in no time.

Someone, please save me and let me do what I want! Please, God!

But the last person in the group didn't care at all about Kita's feelings and smiled as they spoke.

"Pervert, let's go!"

Kita Ikuyo's soul left her body.

"Then I'll go ask my sister for help!"

Nijika stood up with a radiant smile. Her happy expression looked like someone walking the path of their dreams. Just seeing her was healing.

But you can't save someone on the verge of collapse.

"U-uh… um…"

Kita Ikuyo tried to explain quickly… to say something...

Once she spoke, everyone looked at her.

Compared to the others, Kita was most nervous about Ryo's calm, unreadable gaze.

She imagined what Ryo's face would look like if she admitted she didn't know how to play guitar.

No, it wasn't just about expressions—her entire impression in front of Ryo would be ruined, and she'd never be able to meet her eyes again.

Trash who lies about music — Ryo-senpai's piercing gaze cut through her.

"Kita-chan, what's wrong?"

Nijika asked, confused.

Even those good at socializing have things they're scared of—things they can't bring themselves to say.

"It's… um… it's fine."

Kita Ikuyo lowered her head, guilt starting to consume her.

Ishikawa Hayabusa looked at Kita Ikuyo, who said nothing, and let out a long sigh.

...