Momoi Taro wants to form a "don" brother duo, but it's a music anime.

“I have an appointment.” Maruyama Aya followed Taro’s gaze and saw the girl who had just asked her for an autograph. If her friend was a fan… maybe this person was too?

Does this mean... I'm going to be recognized a second time today?!

She looked at Taro with expectant eyes, only to find that Taro ignored her gaze and walked directly towards his fans.

Ah... I wasn't recognized. Maruyama Aya felt a little disappointed. Her teammate, Chisato, could be easily recognized by fans, so why couldn't she?

However, she quickly cheered herself up and continued to work.

As for whether Taro recognized Aya Maruyama, the answer is definitely yes. Hina, as one of Taro's few friends, had naturally seen their idol band perform.

He simply felt there was no need to greet them. So, he went straight to the person he had arranged to meet.

"I'm here," he greeted, then sat down in a chair and asked, "So, what's up?"

I was working normally when suddenly this cucumber in front of me sent me a message saying it hoped we could meet after school.

After that, all the messages sent to this cucumber went unanswered. Having no other option, Taro sent a message to the band group saying he might be a little late and would be practicing on his own. Besides the message from Meow Dream, the only other response was a barrage of emojis from another silly pink-haired girl.

The beeping sound was completely unusable, so I had no choice but to turn it off.

The two people sitting opposite each other were unaware that in this not-so-large fast food restaurant, a young lady with long flaxen hair, Tsukimori, was silently watching them.

Needless to say, this person is Nagasaki Motoyo.

Xiao Mu's outburst today really startled Su Shi. But after realizing that it was probably something that guy named Momoi Taro did—no, it must have been something that guy named Momoi Taro did—she was shocked.

Nagasaki Motoyo's chosen course of action was to do nothing until Momoi Taro's first live performance began.

However, it's possible that Motoyo Nagasaki might do nothing, but it's unlikely that she would do nothing at all.

So after school, she crouched down near the gate of Tsukimori Girls' School to hide herself and quietly followed behind Wakaba Mutsu until they arrived at this place.

...Don't look at me like I'm committing a crime. Xiao Mu is my own sister, my closest friend and family.

Her personality suddenly changed so drastically, shouldn't I at least show her some concern? But directly expressing my concern might just upset her again.

So Nagasaki Motoyo, blessed by the god of wisdom, came up with a brilliant idea—to follow Mutsu until she safely returned home.

If anything happens to Xiaomu during this process, she can rush over to help her immediately. Of course, if Xiaomu goes somewhere else on her way home and meets someone, she can also reluctantly agree to meet them.

I'm definitely not a suspicious person! And I haven't done anything suspicious either! (Innocent smile)

As everyone can see, things then unfolded inexplicably; Xiao Mu suddenly appeared at a place that Xiao Mu would never normally go.

For no apparent reason, I ended up seeing the man I absolutely didn't want to see.

What's even more baffling is that, judging from the man's words, it was actually Xiao Mu who took the initiative to come out with him!?

"Taro, please sit," Wakaba Mutsumi said very briefly. Taro didn't stand on ceremony and sat down. "You said you had something to discuss, what do you mean?"

"Like Taro said, he spoke the words of his soul." Mutsu took a small sip from the straw on his cola cup, put the cup down, and said softly, "But he looks very sad."

Su Shi's heart skipped a beat. Was she talking about her? Sure enough, Xiao Mu's words were all due to Momoi Taro's instigation.

Her eyes widened as she looked in that direction, as if that could cause real harm to Momoi Taro.

"Is this all I wanted to say?" Taro picked up another cup of cola and took a sip.

Mutsu shook her head. She had decided to explore this matter herself, for it was the voice of her soul. She had come so that Taro could meet "her."

"Momoi Taro!" Wakaba Mutsumi's tone changed instantly, shouting like a sulking child, "I challenge you! I want to prove I'm stronger than you!"

Seeing Wakaba Mutsumi's tone completely change, Taro wasn't surprised at all. He just smiled with satisfaction, grabbed a few fries, dipped them in ketchup, and stuffed them into his mouth.

"Interesting!" Taro, still grinning arrogantly, finished his fries. "What do you want to compete in?"

Upon hearing Taro's question, Motis began a mental storm... Sumo wrestling, arm wrestling... just thinking about it made it clear she had no chance of winning. Should she rely on her acting skills and directly compete with him?

But then it feels like winning is the same as not winning... Is there no timeline where you can defeat Momoi Taro head-on?

After thinking for a long time, Metis still couldn't come up with a good solution, and could only instinctively exhale and say, "I... I haven't thought of anything yet! But don't think you've won just like that!"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Taro looked at Metath, who was breathing on herself. "I have no need to think like that."

Taro's words only made Metis more embarrassed and angry: "That wretched Momoi Taro!!"

“Since you have no idea, let me give you one,” Taro said, arms crossed. “My friends and I also use this to decide the winner.”

"…Tell me about it."

“There’s a story that Miyamoto Musashi ambushed Tsukahara Bokuden while he was eating, but Bokuden blocked the attack with a pot lid.” Taro leaned forward and said, “Just think of it as a game that’s roughly like that.”

He naturally leaned back in his chair and said, "Whenever, anywhere, by any means. As long as you hit me, I'll acknowledge that you're stronger than me."

Should I make a move? No, I must think carefully before launching a sneak attack. I don't want to lose to Momoi Taro!

"Well then, I'll take my leave." Seeing that the other party had no intention of making a move, Taro finished his fries, grabbed a Coke, and left.

Of course, Metis also retreated into the depths of Wakaba Mutsu's heart.

And just like that, the two of them gracefully handed over the important task of settling the bill to Wakaba Mutsu.

At that moment, Miss Tsukimori, who was hiding in the corner, gritted her teeth and muttered, "That damned Momoi Taro!"

Chapter Twenty-Three: Failure

Goto Ichiri, an ordinary high school student...

No, saying it in ordinary terms isn't quite right. As for why I say it this way...

Because Goto Ichiri is a socially awkward person. No… "socially awkward" isn't enough. She's the ultimate socially awkward person.

I've never dared to talk to anyone in my class since I was little, nor have I ever been talked to. Even when someone does talk to me, I find it very difficult to say anything that can be called a conversation.

Gradually, their presence became less noticeable. Even when they played heavy metal in the broadcasting room, the only responses they received were things like, "Who is that?" or "Isn't it so-and-so?"

I thought that after learning guitar, someone like me could shine... but what happened? I played guitar alone by the closet, and until the day before yesterday, I still couldn't talk to anyone.

But... I was invited to do a live show yesterday. Even a nobody like me can play in a band with others.

Today was the first time I'd ever been invited to a party!

Why did it turn out like this...? My first time attending a live performance with everyone, my first time going to a party with others. Two happy things overlapped. And these two joys brought me even more joy. What I received should have been a dreamlike, blissful time... But why did it turn out like this...?

This is the only thing I can't do... This is the only thing I can't do! Part-time jobs?! Absolutely not! I don't want to work, I'm scared! I'm scared of society! I'll be posted on social media because I can't face customers, seen by all of Japan, and ultimately sentenced to death for insulting the nation's image!

Thinking like this, I was about to foam at the mouth... Why?! Why couldn't I refuse their invitation?

In that case... we have no choice but to resort to the last resort!

Goto Ichiri revealed what he thought was a resolute look in his eyes.

"Hey, are you alright?" A somewhat familiar male voice rang in her ear: "You look like you're about to die."

Is it talking to itself...? What...? Death? Could it be... extortion...?

Yili turned completely ashen, waving his arms and trembling in his voice: "You...you...you...you...you need to calm down...!"

"You're the one who should calm down." The unfamiliar yet familiar voice carried an undeniable air of authority.

That's right, I should be the one who stays calm... Now, what I need to do is run away!

"I'm sorry, please forgive me. This is the money my mother has been saving for my wedding since I was a child. Please accept this. Please, only life, spare my filthy and lowly body."

He bowed at a 90-degree angle, held a pig-shaped money jar in both hands, and handed it out straight out.

No, no, no, running away! Absolutely not! Leaving aside whether I even have the courage to escape from someone, with my pathetic stamina and that not-so-light guitar bag… it's impossible! I can't do it!

"What have you been saying since the beginning?" The male voice sounded a little doubtful, and only then did Iri have a chance to look up at the person who had spoken to her.

A red coat, a handsome face that seems unreal, a tall figure, and a confident face and eyes… Some familiar features? Is he a celebrity from somewhere? I felt a little confused.

"Is something wrong with the band?" The boy's calm voice reached Ichiri's ears. Huh...? The band?

Ah… I remember now, wasn't that the person I saw in the hallway the other day? He even complimented my guitar playing. But thinking about it, that was probably just polite talk. After all, my actual performance that day was as vulgar as frog pee.

But looking at his serious, earnest, yet confident demeanor, I had a feeling that he was slowly starting to speak.

"That...it's my problem alone," she murmured, her head bowed.

"This is our second meeting." The man suddenly changed the subject. Ichiri was a little confused about his intentions, so she could only nod in agreement. "So, we're connected now. I'm Momoi Taro, and you are?"

Huh? Fate? Could it be that I was really hit on? Ichiri's body trembled with excitement: "I-I-I am Goto Ichiri, nice to meet you."

"Sit down and talk?" Taro gestured to a park bench and invited.

Ichiri nodded slightly and sat down side by side with Taro on a park bench without resistance.

Actually, when it comes to whether to agree or refuse... I'm leaning towards refusing. But if I could refuse others, I wouldn't be socially awkward anymore. So, I could only go along with what they wanted and sit on the bench.

"So, what happened? That desperate look on your face." Taro opened the candy box he had just bought not long ago, which was in a metal box, and showed it was full of candy.

"Want to eat?"

Absolutely not! How can you take food from strangers?! No way, you absolutely must refuse!

"Thanks……"

I couldn't refuse.

"Can you tell me about it?"

No... I can't bring myself to say that I'm working hard because I don't want to! I'd be laughed at!

"My job is a courier." Seeing that Ichiri was reluctant to speak, Taro crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, saying, "Deliver the goods purchased by customers, or items specified by individuals, to their destination."

Huh? Why are you suddenly saying strange things?! What should I do? What's the best course of action?

"Ah, ahhh, aba?" Pochi's voice sounded very strange as he tried to respond.

"In short, it's about delivering goods to their destination." Taro ignored Pochi's strange reaction and continued, "But I deliver more than just goods; I deliver happiness."

I understand even less now!

“Reaching out to those in need is my way of delivering happiness,” Taro said with a smile. “So, if you have any difficulties, you can tell me.”

Seeing Goto still hesitating, Taro couldn't help but think that at this moment, he would wish his heart were here. Every time she said, "Where have all the smiles gone?", it was surprisingly convincing.

"I..." Ichiri glanced furtively at Taro, at his exceptionally handsome face and unusually serious demeanor. This guy was definitely a star student at school, with countless friends. He threw parties every night...

Huh? But didn't he just say he works as a deliveryman...?

So...dropping out of school?! He really is a delinquent! He's got himself entangled with delinquents!?