Nijika laughed cheerfully and waved her hand, walking towards Seika while talking to Kita.
"It's fine~ She agreed to me very readily last time."
After she finished speaking, she asked Seika with great trust, "Right, Sister?"
Seika, who had been contemplating the Band's future arrangements with her notebook, only then seemed to hear Nijika's voice, turning her head and saying coldly, "Huh? I never said I'd let you all perform."
Hearing this, Nijika froze.
"Eh?"
As her thoughts gradually became active again, Nijika pursed her lips, trying to think positively.
"Why? Haven't we already made an original song?"
...Before, Seika had secretly listened to their conversations, and she also thought the original song was quite good, looking forward to the emotions it would release once it was imbued with the performers' colors.
But that was only if the performers had skill; otherwise, no matter how good the song, without enough skill, no one would be able to listen to it.
She didn't want to see Nijika's sad yet feigning strength expression on her store's stage again.
She typed in the previously decided Band name while staring at the computer, explaining, "This has nothing to do with it."
Her foolish younger sister still hadn't noticed the problem and continued to think about what they might have overlooked, pulling out money that hadn't even warmed up yet and saying, "Ah, if there aren't enough audience members, we'll cover the deficit."
Seika looked at the computer and sighed inwardly.
"It's not about money either."
She stopped operating the computer, turned her head, and looked at her reckless, clumsy younger sister, enlightening her, "It's a matter of skill."
Nijika finally reacted then, but still said unwillingly, "But didn't you let us perform before?"
Seeing Nijika still not giving up, Seika's temper flared slightly, and she said thoughtlessly, "That was a special permission to let you create beautiful memories."
These words instantly shattered Nijika's hopeful heart.
Seeing her sister suddenly stiffen and look dejected, Seika's tone softened slightly as she reminded her, "Didn't I usually have audition reviews for Band demo tracks? You knew that, didn't you?"
Nijika pouted slightly in a small, aggrieved tantrum, averting her gaze.
"That's... right."
"Although I'm sorry, your level is still the same as your first performance, so I won't allow you to perform."
"No performing, then what about us...?"
Seeing Nijika still not understanding, Seika said dismissively, "Just play your Band games forever."
...After hearing this, Nijika ran out in a huff, and Kita, Ryo, and Bocchi followed her out.
Only Hayato remained by the railing in the store, watching Seika smile easily as if she didn't care at all.
"My sister is clumsy and very cute."
"What are you commenting on someone else's sister for?"
Seika, realizing she had spoken too harshly, was in a terrible mood, and facing her 'nemesis' made her even more irritable.
Hayato, however, didn't care about her tone at all and said calmly, "I'll explain everything clearly to Nijika. When is the time?"
A voice, sounding both aggrieved and relieved, rang out.
"Next Saturday."
Seeing Seika look a little more at ease, Hayato turned and walked up the stairs, leaving behind a meaningful remark, "I think being denied by family would be more painful than the sadness of a failed performance. There's a way to make everyone happy, so why not do it that way?"
Behind him, as he walked up the stairs, was Seika's somber expression.
Hayato didn't rush out either, slowly walking up the stairs.
He thought to himself, they really are sisters, both so impulsive... After leaving the store, Hayato unhurriedly asked passersby while looking for Nijika and the others.
Just as he was about to ask the next passerby, he saw the three comforting Nijika not far ahead.
His gaze met the four.
"Yo."
Hayato smiled brightly.
"Hayato-kun..."
Kita didn't want to make the atmosphere even more awkward at this moment, but she still harbored some resentment towards this guy who seemed clueless.
Hayato walked over, looking happy as if he brought good news, and exaggeratedly said, "Just now, the Manager was crying and hugging my leg, telling me, 'Please, I beg you, Lord Ishikawa, explain to Nijika for me. I just wanted her to pass the audition to perform. My tone was too terrible just now, and I want to apologize to Nijika.'"
Hayato finished speaking without changing his expression, then spread his hands and sighed.
"Honestly, seeing her like that, I couldn't help it. I can only help her explain."
And after he finished speaking, he was met with the four girls' unanimous disbelieving stares.
Nijika pouted with deep resentment, saying, "Absolutely lying."