Tokyo: Oreimo

Takagi Ryouno's expression changed. If Ryosuke wasn't there, she wouldn't be able to handle being alone with the female giant.

"Wait, you didn't actually ask Ruri out by yourself, did you?"

"If that's what you're saying, then it's true that I was absent because I tried to distract her."

Ryosuke nodded.

Since a book signing event was to be held, he, as the author, naturally had to be present.

On the other hand, at the CM exhibition, there were only two thousand CDs to sell on the first day, so even if he was absent, the booth should be able to handle the workload.

"Why are they all acting so mysteriously?"

Upon hearing his words, Takashiro Ryouno muttered a slightly dissatisfied comment.

Last night, she asked Ruri Aragaki what was wrong, but her friend hesitated and didn't say anything clearly, which was quite rare. However, since she had time to attend the first day of the CM exhibition, she didn't investigate further at the time.

As for Ryosuke, he clearly didn't want to talk about it.

"Anyway, I've taken care of the date for you. As your partner, remember to lend a hand on the day, otherwise it will be too much of a burden for Phoenix Institute to handle it all by himself."

"I know, you don't need to remind me of this."

Takashiro Ryou crossed her arms, tilted her head back, and let out a soft snort.

Ryosuke got up, preparing to leave the living room and return to his room.

His younger sister behind him suddenly called out to him.

"etc...."

The blonde girl stood with her hands behind her back, looking somewhat awkward.

"Is there anything else?"

"It's nothing..."

Takashiro Ryouno nodded, her fingers clenched into a fist behind her back.

"Thank you for your help with this matter."

In any case, this matter had been troubling her for a long time. Although he didn't know how Ryosuke solved it, he was a great help.

Otherwise, it would be a real shame to miss the performance after looking forward to it for so long.

Her words of gratitude came from the bottom of her heart.

Upon hearing Ling Nai's words, Ryosuke was suddenly taken aback, then a smile appeared on his lips.

"If you want to express your gratitude, shouldn't you at least kneel down and kowtow to me?"

"Huh?... Huh?"

Kneel down and kowtow?

Takashiro Ryou took two seconds to understand the meaning of those four words, chewing on them repeatedly.

Wait, what am I seriously thinking about?

I'm not from ancient times, who would kneel down and kowtow to express gratitude? This guy is obviously playing me, isn't he?

Takashiro Ryouno raised her head and glared at him fiercely.

"Don't go too far!"

"Oh."

Ryosuke chuckled, turned around, waved, and stepped up the stairs.

Since discovering his sister's secret half a year ago, Ryosuke has secretly taken care of Ayano quite a bit over the years.

But this is the first time I've been thanked in such a formal way.

It was so abrupt that he felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.

"She's grown up; she's starting to say thank you on her own initiative."

.....

August this year was particularly hot; even as it approached 9 p.m., it still felt sticky and uncomfortable.

Chiba Marine Stadium is filled with music, and four dazzlingly dressed girls are dancing on the stage.

The intense drumming stirred the crowd into a rhythmic movement.

After the song ended, enthusiastic applause erupted to bid farewell to the performing group.

When Shizuka Hayakawa stepped down from the stage, her heart was still pounding.

This was her first time on such a big stage, and it's wonderful that she was able to perform well.

"Shizuka's voice is so steady... Phew... Even when dancing such a big dance, she can control her breathing."

Asakura Mirai said, slightly out of breath.

"And you didn't seem nervous at all. There were so many audience members today. When I first went on stage, my legs were almost weak."

"Yes, because I was so scared, I almost did the wrong moves. Uncle Ito is definitely going to criticize me later."

The four girls exchanged glances, all still shaken.

Three days ago, their group, "Dream Chaser," received a last-minute notification from their manager, Shinpei Ito, that they had reportedly secured an opportunity to perform on a large stage.

It was a summer music festival hosted by the famous rock musician Mix. They were given the opportunity to substitute for one of the invited guests in the company because one of them was injured during dance practice.

"The song is full of youthful energy! Your song and group name match perfectly. It's a really great song."

Just as the four were resting, a woman appeared beside them without them noticing.

The person was wearing a voluminous dress covered in lenses, so dazzling that it was impossible to look directly at her. Her pink hair was tied back, and she carried an extravagantly designed guitar on her back.

"Huh?"

Hayakawa Shizuka was the quickest to react, "Thank you for the compliment, senpai."

"Chasing dreams? It's like seeing my past self, it's truly moving."

"Keep up the good work. I have high hopes for you guys. If I have the chance, I'd like to meet the musician who wrote this song for you. Maybe we can hit it off."

The woman didn't linger; she strode away, heading straight to the stage.

"Really? Was that Mix just now?"

"Are we actually scheduled to go on stage before her?"

Before the four could even discuss anything, they heard a frenzy outside the backstage area, like a roaring tsunami. Electric guitars started playing, and the entire venue instantly erupted like ignited gunpowder.

"Wow...that's amazing!"

Asakura Mirai couldn't help but cover her mouth.

"As expected of a senior figure in the industry, he's really popular."

Just as they were marveling at this, Shinpei Ito walked backstage and clapped his hands.

"Your performance has come to an end. You did a good job today."

To the team members' surprise, even when he made some minor mistakes on stage, Shinpei Ito did not criticize him but instead offered encouragement.

"Being able to perform the entire show on such a big stage already meets my expectations, especially Shizuka, who performed exceptionally well."

"Remembering today's stage experience will be a very valuable asset for you."

"Now, let's pack our things and head back to Tokyo."

Upon hearing the manager's instructions, the teammates quickly packed up their belongings, preparing to leave as soon as possible.

Only Shizuka Hayakawa seemed hesitant.

Asakura Mirai noticed this and moved closer.

"You don't actually want to see him, do you?"

"Since you've come all the way to Chiba, I thought I should go and say hello."

After the group was formed, Shizuka Hayakawa and Mirai Asakura became close friends, and she even revealed some things about Ryosuke to her.

She hadn't seen him for quite some time and had originally thought she would see him when she went to school after the semester started.

But now that I'm getting busier and busier with my career, I'm afraid I won't be able to enroll in school.

"Maybe next time. There's training tomorrow, there'll be another chance, right? If you bring it up now, Uncle Ito might get angry."

Hearing Asakura Mirai say that, Hayakawa Shizuka had no choice but to give up the idea.

Once the group was seated in the van, the engine was started.

As the car drove along the road, Shinpei Ito answered a phone call. After a brief exchange, he turned to look at the four girls inside the car.

"You did a good job today. Now you need to prepare well. There's a performance in the middle of the month. On the second day of the CM exhibition, you will be performing the theme song for the anime 'Moon Witch Transformation'. The company has already obtained the song license."

"The choreographer will be in place starting tomorrow, so let's give it our all!"

"it is good!"

"Huh?"

Shizuka Hayakawa let out a surprised exclamation.

At the CM exhibition, if she remembered correctly, it was around that time that Ryosuke Takashiro asked her to create the music for the game. He said it was sold around that time.

"Heh, looks like I'll have a chance to meet him sooner than expected."

The girl's initially low spirits brightened, and she began to feel a sense of anticipation.

Chapter 74 Grand Prize Final Selection

The second week of August.

Rumi Hayakawa is working herself to the bone in the light novel editorial department.

With several of my works about to be published, planning a book signing event for "Kino's Journey" is urgent.

The main issue is that Hattori Takuya has other things to do today and can't help her at all.

Because the Bunko Awards have entered the final round, this senior colleague will attend the event alongside the editor-in-chief.