Weekend. Five days had passed since Mashiro "caught" them. Today was the day of the music festival audition.
Five days!
Rita didn't even know how she survived those five nights. she didn't dare tease Rin or make any risky moves. Nanami was so generous and trusted her; she couldn't let her down!
Mainly, she didn't want to make things hard for Mashiro. If Nanami caught her in Rin's bed, Rita was sure she'd be kicked out, which would devastate Mashiro.
But until the "owner rotation" was over, Rita had to stay in Rin's room. If she suddenly asked to sleep in the living room after one night, it would be an admission of guilt!
To stop herself from crawling into Rin's bed, Rita actually had Rin tie her up at night. Fortunately, the weekend meant the rotation was almost over.
Early that morning, Rin untied Rita and had a quick breakfast before heading out to support Kessoku Band. They had passed the online popularity vote—ranking in the top 30 out of 3,000 bands. Now, those 30 bands would compete in a live audition, with only 2 winning a spot on the festival stage.
This was a "Newcomer's Award" for amateur bands.
Beyond the organizers, many talent agencies would be scouting. Even if they didn't win the slot, they could get signed.
The competition was brutal, but for rookies, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Karen: [Master, we've arrived.]
After receiving Karen's message, Rin said goodbye to Rita and the others. Stepping outside, he saw Karen waving from the car window.
Once Rin was inside, Shion drove toward Shimokitazawa. Karen had arranged to pick up the band there.
"Are you interested in bands now, Karen?" Rin asked casually.
The band hadn't asked Karen for a ride, and neither had Rin. Two days ago, Karen had reached out to them herself, offering to pick them up.
"I just saw them talking about the festival in the group chat. I heard instruments are heavy, so I thought I'd help~"
"Fair enough." Rin smiled and didn't press further. Maybe Karen was just envious of their "youthful" energy. Even on holidays, she had classes; today was likely her only free time.
They reached Shimokitazawa soon. The four girls in band T-shirts were waiting on the sidewalk. Rin hopped out to help load their gear into the trunk.
"Phew... Karen, you're a lifesaver."
Inside the car, Nijika pulled at her collar, fanning herself to let the AC cool her sweat-soaked bra. She used a tissue to dab her forehead before helping Ryo do the same.
Kita was also wiping sweat, while Bocchi... the thought of the stage had her practically melting into a puddle of nerves.
Karen's gaze drifted between Rin and Bocchi. Noticing the look, Nijika and Kita's expressions became subtle. They looked at Ryo as if prompting her.
"Looks like it's up to me." Ryo grabbed Rin's hand and slammed it onto Bocchi's chest. "Time to refuel Bocchi!"
Rin spent the ride "refueling" Bocchi. By the time they reached the live house for the audition, she was so "fueled up" she was practically overflowing.
Just like last time, they used a band-aid to seal her up after cleaning the excess. Nijika handed a stack of oversized bandages to Bocchi. "Make sure you use the bathroom properly this time. No repeats of last time!"
"Exactly." Rin gave Bocchi a light chop to the head. "If you leak this time, I can't save you."
"Mmm... I won't leak."
Bocchi rubbed her soft stomach, looking much calmer. Nijika, however, wasn't sure if she meant she wouldn't leak urine or wouldn't leak Rin's "refueling" fluids.
With the previous experience under her belt, Bocchi was unlikely to embarrass herself on stage.
After a final check of their clothes to ensure no traces were left, Rin and the girls began unloading the instruments.
"Whoa... what a fancy live house."
Getting out of the car, Kita stared in awe at the "Ring" sign. Ryo didn't hesitate to offer her critique.
"Yeah. Compared to Starry, this place is like a star compared to a firefly."
Nijika: "I'm sorry for being a firefly!"
Unlike Starry, which was a basement club operating under a restaurant license to dodge regulations, Ring was a professional venue. The high-end shopping mall interior made the difference obvious.
It made sense they chose this place for the final audition.
Shion went to park the car while Rin and Karen followed the band toward the rented auditorium. Many bands had already arrived, most of them checking their gear.
There were staff members everywhere, and quite a few people wearing badges for various talent agencies.
As Rin set down a guitar case, a staff member approached.
"Fans, please wait in the lounge next door. We will notify everyone when the audition begins."
"We aren't just fans." Karen smiled and pulled a badge from her pocket, hanging it around her neck. She handed one to Rin as well.
"Ah, my apologies. Please, make yourselves at home... Band members, follow me. We're about to start the drawing for the order."
The staff member apologized and led Nijika and the others to the dressing room. Rin looked at the badge and nearly burst out laughing. "Karen Entertainment? Talk about narcissistic."
"My father founded the agency in my name. I'm just a figurehead for now, but I'll use it to practice once I graduate..." Karen glanced at the judges chatting nearby. "Want me to put in a word with them?"
"No. they want to win on their own merit. Just make sure no 'hidden hands' stop them," Rin smiled. "You didn't come here just for them, did you? Tell me what's up before it starts."
"I can't hide anything from... from you. Let's talk in the cafe downstairs. Shion should have ordered the coffee by now."
Karen almost called him Master. She caught herself just in time—getting caught in public would be a nightmare.
Drawing lots, followed by a rehearsal, then the actual start.
During the break, Rin and Karen went to the Ring cafe. Unlike Starry, which only had soda machines, this place had tea, coffee, and artisanal cakes.
As Karen said, Shion was waiting with coffee and snacks.
"Alright, what's the deal?" Rin sipped his coffee and looked at Karen. Her smile was far too devious.
"Besides Nijika and the others, do you know much about the band scene?"
"Not really. I'm not that interested." Rin frowned. "Since when do you care about bands?"
"It's not the scene I care about, it's a specific person who formed a band. Crychic... they were viral on the web for a few days before sinking into obscurity and disbanding. Ever seen their songs?"
"Crychic...?" Rin's brow furrowed. The name felt familiar... not from recent news, but from his past life.
"Your friend's band? What was her name?" It had been so long that the band name alone didn't trigger much, but a name might.
"Not a friend. I've only met her a few times. She's more of an enemy... not like Kaede and me, but the kind where I truly hope her family goes bankrupt."
Karen paused.
"The name might not ring a bell, but her family... you've surely heard of the Toyokawa Group?"
Hiss...
Rin knew the Toyokawa Group. Their ads were everywhere. They were a conglomerate on par with Karen's family.
Toyokawa, bands, Crychic—the deja vu hit him hard. He knew exactly who Karen's enemy was.
Sakiko Toyokawa. The blue-haired octopus.
He remembered her, but...
"Don't know her, never heard of her, leave me alone."