Tokyo: Idol Girls have absolutely no bad intentions!

How could something like this appear on a street without flowers? So it's quite obvious what the butterfly represents.

“We signed a contract, and I have your IOU.”

Rin Iketani didn't reply, nor did she loosen her grip; the two remained frozen in place.

"Ito?" Asada asked in confusion. She hadn't heard the conversation between the two and didn't know what had happened.

We can only judge by Ikeya Rin's actions and Ito's expression.

"So...Ito wants to perform with me?"

Once this thought crossed my mind, all my actions became clear. Iketani Rin was holding Ito's hand to prevent him from getting the bass before her.

After all, there's only one bass, but there are two bass players.

As for Ito's unyielding attitude and whispering in Iketani Rin's ear, it was probably also to get Iketani Rin to give up the performance.

But... why did Ito do that? Did she really want to be with me?

There will definitely be many more opportunities like this in the future, and the two of you will have plenty of time to spend together, so there's no need to compete with Rin Iketani for it.

If you really want to be with me...

I can go home tonight and reluctantly play a song for him.

"Don't speak, Asada."

This guy must have misunderstood; otherwise, why would he have that complicated look in his eyes?

What's this "being moved" thing?!

I couldn't resonate with Asada's thinking at all; she couldn't possibly think that she had deliberately arranged the street performance.

Such a thankless task might only happen in the next life.

They might use this tactic when selling tickets for livehouse shows, but right now Ito just wants to be a listener.

"Could I borrow your bass?" Asada understood what Ito wanted the moment he spoke.

I want to earn performance opportunities through my own efforts, and in the process, seek forgiveness from myself.

She would never accept such childish behavior.

"Uh, okay." Although she didn't understand what was going on, the junior still subconsciously handed the bass to Asada.

"Thank you."

He already had a guitar, and now he has a bass too. The guitar is hanging on his back with a shoulder strap, and he holds the bass in front of him.

It's very heavy, and you have to walk with a wobbly gait, at least that's how Asada appeared.

"Senior, do you need me to help you?" The junior who lent her bass guitar looked worried; it was a bass she had just bought.

"No, no need." Asada spoke with difficulty.

Yoshida Na watched with great interest as Asada struggled toward Ito. As Asada's best friend, she knew exactly how strong Asada was.

Some of the props used in the stage play rehearsals were heavier than the bass and guitar combined, but Asada was able to move them with ease.

The image of being weak and unable to take care of herself is all a facade put on by Asada.

They'd been talking badly about Ito all day, but when he actually showed up, they ended up clinging to him instead.

This woman is beyond saving.

"Asada, don't come any closer."

"No, no! I can't control myself." Asada seemed to be staggering as she walked, relying on the weight of the bass. (Perhaps the bass in front of her was indeed heavier than the guitar behind her.)

Just as Asada was about to bump into him, Ito instinctively reached out his hand, and Yoshida Nai's hand also let go at the same moment.

He held Asada's arm with one hand to help her stand, and grasped the neck of the bass guitar with the other.

"Th-thank you." Asada lowered her head and took two steps back.

Ito couldn't let go of Bass's hand, because if Asada accidentally fell, he would have to compensate Bass for the damage.

Judging from the terrified look on the junior who lent out her bass, she'd probably cry for a long time if the bass broke.

But... why isn't anyone coming to get the bass?!

Iketani Rin immediately distanced herself from him and stopped Saionji Chizuru from approaching. Yoshida Nai, on the other hand, was calming down the group of first-year junior girls.

As for Asada... you can't expect someone who's always causing trouble to clean up the mess on his own.

So Ito suddenly realized a fact.

He'd been set up...

"I-Ito, are you planning to perform too?" Asada glanced at the bass in his hand, seemingly casually.

"No, I didn't." Ito waved his empty hand. "Don't talk nonsense."

“That’s true, after all, it’s a song you wrote, Ito, so of course I want to play it myself.” Asada said to herself, ignoring what Ito said.

"Then, let's cheer each other on!" she said, raising her fist in encouragement.

Although everything is proceeding according to Asada's plan, she is still somewhat afraid.

Asada dared not look at Iketani Rin; Iketani Rin must be complaining to President Saionji. Asada was prepared to be taught a lesson.

This behavior is indeed wrong. Asada knows that she has violated fairness, but she cannot bear to let the child lose his father.

"Our Streets" needs people who understand it, and Bass needs to run towards better people.

Besides, if the situation remains deadlocked, the people who had gathered there will disperse, and she also needs to consider the audience.

This is the sense of responsibility that idols need to have.

"Asada... what are you so passionate about?" Ito could vaguely see the burning fighting spirit in the other's eyes.

"No, don't worry about that!"

Asada's face suddenly turned red, and she came up behind Ito, pushing him forward.

Under duress, Ito had no choice but to accept the fact that he was forced to perform.

Having not even eaten dinner, and after such a long journey, Ito felt like a student who had stayed up all night on holiday and was being woken up by his parents to eat breakfast.

Reluctantly, yet helplessly.

"Good evening," Ito greeted Yoshida Nai and Saionji.

As for Iketani Rin, who was hiding behind Saionji, Ito chose to ignore him, the culprit who forced him to work.

"Ito, can you play bass? Don't force yourself." Saionji only knew that he was a drummer at the school festival and could also play the keyboard, but bass...

“Of course not…” Ito’s mind suddenly started working; this was an opportunity.

“Strong.” Rin Iketani interrupted Ito. “Stronger than me.”

Ito's pupils suddenly contracted for a moment, then returned to normal. This guy could actually speak normally now.

Just to drive himself to a dead end.

Saionji glanced back at Iketani Rin, then turned to Ito, smiling. "Since Rin said so, then good luck, Ito-kun!"

"Yes, Ito, I'm also looking forward to your performance." Yoshida Nai noticed Ito's resistance and, not wanting to miss out on trouble, fanned the flames.

There's absolutely no need for your expectations.

"If you behave well, I'll forgive you a quarter of the way." Asada whispered to Ito under the guise of adjusting the equipment.

Before Ito could speak, Asada jogged to the lead singer's seat and gave Iketani Rin an apologetic look.

Iketani Rin didn't understand what she meant and thought Asada needed encouragement, so she raised her hand and gave a thumbs up.

He was such a good person... Asada felt even more guilty.

Then let's forgive Ito only one-fifth of his capacity.

The microphone was held in place by a stand, and Asada's feet tapped rhythmically on the floor tiles. She closed her eyes, immersing herself in the emotions of "Our City."

When she opened her eyes again, the tension in them was replaced by focus. She tapped her feet lightly, then nodded to Saionji Chizuru.

Saionji smiled gently, his fingers lightly tracing the guitar strings, and a warm and steady chord sounded.

"The remaining heartbeats covered the night"

Asada's voice rang out, trembling slightly, piercing through the night air.

Her voice was clear, with a unique stubbornness that instantly captivated the audience.

Ito's fingers moved almost instinctively.

He stared at Saionji's hands, keeping up with her steady rhythm.

She couldn't show off her skills, nor could she do so; Saionji Chizuru's guitar rhythms were gentle and engaging for the younger female student.

Therefore, Ito can be distracted by observing the reactions of other people.

"This hand belongs to you"

Asada's voice gradually stabilized, even gaining a sense of strength.

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over Saionji's steady performance and over Ito's fingers pressing the bass notes.

A strange sense of peace welled up inside me.

The crowd quieted down, and the scattered chatter disappeared.

The first-year girls held their breath, their eyes fixed on the center of the field.

They saw that the legendary Ito-senpai, who was said to have a terrible temper, was actually playing bass.

And...it seems...quite stable?

"変わらないはずはないよ手ばして"

The lyrics seemed to possess a certain magic. When Asada sang this line, her voice was infused with an almost pleading expectation.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Ito again.

Ito was looking down, his brows slightly furrowed. His bangs were damp with sweat, and his profile looked somewhat tense under the streetlights, yet surprisingly... he looked kind of handsome with his focused expression?

Asada's heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed slightly.

She quickly looked away and focused on singing.