Does gravity make me stronger?

Hachiman stood in front of the two of them, pursed his lips, and spoke as if he had made an important decision.

"Um... I overheard you guys talking about the band... could I join?"

"what?"

【what? 】

Chapter 12 012 System: He really is... I'm crying my eyes out.

This was the first time Goto Ichiri had received an invitation from someone, and it was to join the band she had been most looking forward to!

This was something we wouldn't have dared to imagine in the past, but it has actually come true today.

Thinking about this, Goto Ichiri felt an unprecedented sense of tension.

I can't breathe!

I'm so nervous... Am I really going to the performance hall?

Do you think a country bumpkin like me could one day stand on stage and enjoy the youthful life of being cheered and supported by thousands of people?

How can it be!

In an instant, Goto Ichiri regretted it, feeling like ants were crawling all over his body.

The unique cheerful atmosphere of Shimokitazawa was like a cat's claws, scratching at Goto Ichiri's heart, making her want to run away immediately.

Fortunately, besides her, there was another person who came to the rescue this time, a boy with a very dejected look in his eyes.

Goto Ichiri glanced behind her. The boy was walking slowly behind them, keeping a distance of about a meter.

Despite exuding a similar gloomy aura to me, he dared to ask to join the band.

So strong!

Goto Ichiri's gaze towards Hachiman became somewhat respectful.

On the contrary, I, a lowly paramecium, not only dared not invite others to form a band, but also shamelessly followed behind Xiao Hongxia, trying to piggyback on their band.

Waaah, I just want to smash my head against a wall and die.

On the other side, Hachiman, who was following behind the two, also breathed a sigh of relief.

Operation successful!

To be honest, he took a huge gamble. If he was rejected when he asked to join the band, he probably would never want to be involved in anything related to bands again in his life.

Fortunately, the girl named Ijichi Nijika was very kind.

Even if they know nothing about themselves, they are willing to accept the team's request that they made on short notice.

That's too auspicious.

[I don't understand, why did you join someone else's band?]

You don't really want to form a band, do you? Should I get you a red nose first, so you don't embarrass yourself and just shed little pearls?

"..."

Hachiman's response was to believe first, then question.

Of course, he himself wasn't very confident.

The key lies in the girl in front of us—Goto Ichiri.

"That's great, Ichikuri-kun, Hikigaya-kun. I thought these three performances were hopeless."

Hongxia, who was leading the way, walked very easily, showing no signs of the panic she should have felt earlier because the musicians had run away.

Please don't have too high expectations of me...

Goto Ichiri spoke nervously, while Hachiman nodded silently.

Along the way, Hachiman could see that the gravity values ​​of the two of them started to rise simultaneously, especially Ijichi Nijika, which fully demonstrated that the other party's mood was not as calm as it seemed.

After the brief introduction, Hachiman learned the basic information about the two of them.

Nijika Ichichi comes from the nearby Shimokitazawa High School, while Ichiri Goto attends the adjacent Shuka High School. Both of them are just ordinary high school girls.

This performance must have been very important to them.

Therefore, Hachiman couldn't help but feel a little guilty about what he was going to do next.

The three of them returned to the Starry Night Performance Hall. Before entering the staff-only preparation room, Hachiman greeted Nagasaki Motoyo, who had been waiting.

"Where did you go? Does it take that long to go to the toilet?"

Although Nagasaki Motoyo maintained her smile, her expression was extremely unpleasant, and it was clear that her anger meter was almost full.

"...My stomach is upset."

"I have some medicine here, do you need it?"

Hachiman, who had originally intended to get away with it, suddenly choked.

What should we do? He can't exactly say he went to see another girl, can he?

No, he's saving the world!

What's there to panic about?

Are you trying to save the world? Or are you just lusting after Ichiriko's body?!

Nonsense, I didn't!

"No need, it's all better now."

Hachiman looked away.

"Ah."

"I'll be leaving for a little while, but I'll be back before the show starts."

"?"

It's strange, I have a feeling that Hachiman is hiding something from me.

Nagasaki Motoyo thought to herself.

When she saw Hachiman mysteriously enter the staff room, she stared in astonishment, her mouth agape.

Could this guy have stolen something?

...

In the recording studio.

"They've finally arrived."

Upon entering, I saw a girl with short blue hair, dressed in a neutral style, but still very beautiful, sitting in a chair. She stood up and closed the music magazine in her hand after Hachiman entered.

"Hello, my name is Hachiman Hikigaya."

"My name is Yamada Ryo."

Ryo Yamada, the last member of the band.

The above information comes from Ichi Nijika.

After briefly introducing himself, Hachiman obediently retreated to a corner of the room.

This is a standard recording studio, fully equipped with all kinds of audio equipment, and at the far end of the room there is a drum set that looks very expensive.

In Hachiman's eyes, this set of equipment, which reeked of money, was truly enviable.

Damn, I'm so envious.

Why can't I even afford living expenses? I'm so frustrated!

What a despicable comment!

It's none of your business!

Hachiman, who was in the corner, turned his attention to the girls.

Nijika and Goto Ichiri's gravity values ​​remained basically unchanged at 33 and 53 respectively, while the girl named Yamada Ryo had a very low gravity value of only 7.

It's unclear about Goto Ichiri's situation yet, but for Nijika, most likely, getting the band to perform smoothly will calm her down.

So the goal is already very clear.

...

Meanwhile, Goto Ichiri stood in another corner, watching Hachiman's every move.

It's strange, even though Hachiman and I are both a bit lonely, I always feel like there are some differences between us.

Unbeknownst to him, Goto Ichiri labeled Hachiman as one of their own.

But there's always a sense of something being off.

I really want to know what it is...

Of course, being socially awkward, Goto Ichiri really wanted to talk to Hachiman, but ultimately didn't say anything.

"Hey, you two, stop acting as cameras in the corner."

With a worried expression, Nijika led Hachiman and Goto Ichiri to the recording studio.

"Before you go on stage, Hachiman and Ichiri, could you please let me see your instrumental skills?"

"Um..."

Goto Ichiri lowered his head, his face dark, and took his guitar out of his guitar case.

That black guitar does look familiar.

Hachiman's eyes narrowed, and then he said to Nijika, "I'm the keyboardist. Can Goto-san play first? I'd like to see it."

"Is everything alright, Ichiri-kun?"

After receiving the guitar, Goto Ichiri seemed to regain her confidence, pounding her chest with her little hands.

"Don't...don't worry."

...

The music ended.

Ryo Yamada and Natsumi, who were judges, exchanged a glance and reached a tacit agreement.

"It's absolutely terrible."

"Why...why...what?"

After being scolded, Goto Ichiri cosplayed as a paramecium, crossed his legs, and lay on the ground, having lost his dream.

"Hachiman... Oh, are you filming a video? Can I hear your thoughts?"

"I... I'm not quite sure either."

Hachiman exited the YouTube viewing history interface and turned off his phone.

He wasn't a music student, and his understanding of music was limited to simply listening to a nice melody; it was naturally impossible for him to provide professional critiques.

But judging from the sound of the three of them playing together just now.

It's a lump... no, there's still a lot of room for improvement.

but.

Perhaps because Hachiman observed more carefully, he could tell that Goto Ichiri wasn't bad at playing, but rather that she couldn't coordinate well with the other two players.

In other words, where Nijika and the others play lightly, Goto Ichiri will play with much more force.

Each one is fine on its own, but when put together, it becomes a bit of a hassle.

Considering Goto Ichiri's reclusive personality, this is a fairly reasonable speculation.

However, that's not the main point. It's that Ichiri Goto's playing style seems similar to that of Guitar Hero, a band he follows.

"Hachiman, shall we play a duet first?"

"Okay, but can I choose a song?"

"no problem."

"I really like a piece called 'Blue Bird,' Goto-kun. Could you please play it with me?"