Chisato was the first to step in, unable to bear watching Hitori's helpless gaze pleading for assistance.
He intervened to persuade Nijika and Ikuyo, forcibly pulling the eerie atmosphere inside the van back to normal.
After that, everyone's focus shifted.
Unanimously, they all turned their attention to Chisato, and the conversation naturally gravitated toward his stunning performance just moments ago.
"Chisato-kun, when did you become such an amazing singer? I remember when you demonstrated 'Sorry for Being So Cute' for us before, you sounded completely like an amateur."
"Exactly! You actually kept this hidden from us all this time.
If it weren't for today's unexpected mishap during our stage performance, how much longer were you planning to keep this a secret?"
"Isn't there a saying that when God opens one door, He closes another? You definitely found some kind of backdoor deal with Him!"
Ryo's remark earned unanimous nods of agreement from the others.
Chisato's looks were already outstanding, and his talent in songwriting and composition was astonishing.
If they hadn't witnessed it firsthand, it would have been hard to believe that his vocal performance on stage was just as explosive.
People say that no one is perfect, but this phrase seemed to have no effect on him.
"I was just thrown into the situation. At that moment, I was simply thinking that I had to do something, and then…"
"And then?"
They all asked in unison.
"Then I just went for it, hoping for the best."
Chisato smiled, placing a hand over his chest and exhaling deeply.
"I was prepared for the possibility that I might not perform well due to my lack of experience, but at the very least, I could help take some of the pressure off you all.
I'm just relieved that I didn't mess it up."
"…"
The members of Kesshoku Band lowered their gazes upon hearing his words, looking at him with an expression that was hard to describe.
They knew full well that Chisato was being humble in a rather exaggerated way, but because he had just saved their performance, they couldn't bring themselves to call him out on it.
It was frustrating.
His performance just now had been far too good.
That kind of singing ability wasn't something one could pull off just by stepping onto the stage on a whim—it was clear that he had put in extensive practice behind the scenes, without them ever knowing.
They weren't complete beginners anymore. By now, they had developed enough musical intuition to tell.
But since Chisato was only half-joking and unwilling to elaborate further, there wasn't much they could do. Ultimately, the result was good, and that was what mattered.
Still, after all the help he had given them, they couldn't shake the feeling that they owed him a huge favor.
Chisato could sense the sudden silence and could more or less guess what they were thinking.
Though most people might find it hard to believe, for him, it really had just been a simple favor.
The most challenging part was merely overcoming his own nerves before stepping onto the stage.
So, when the members of Kesshoku Band, led by Nijika, suddenly bowed deeply and sincerely thanked him, he remained unfazed.
In fact, he even acted playfully, scooping up the adorable Hitori and placing her on his lap.
He deliberately rubbed his cheek against hers affectionately, trying to shift their attention elsewhere.
"You don't need to thank me so formally. Honestly, I mostly did it to help out my dear Hitori."
The implication was clear: they were just beneficiaries of his goodwill toward Hitori, so there was no need to feel so indebted.
The other three weren't foolish—they understood Chisato's intention.
Continuing to dwell on the matter wasn't their style either. After all, people who played in bands tended to be more open-minded and spontaneous in their thinking.
The immediate crisis was resolved, but they couldn't afford to let their guard down. There was another performance at seven in the evening.
Given how well the earlier performance had gone, it was almost certain that the evening audience would be even larger. They had to stay vigilant.
"Chisato-kun, about tonight's performance… what should we do?"
Nijika, her face slightly flushed, posed the question.
Her reddened cheeks weren't from embarrassment about bringing up the topic, but rather from witnessing how intimately Chisato and Hitori were interacting.
The mix of shyness and other complicated emotions was overwhelming.
The other two, including Ryo—who usually remained expressionless and devoid of girlish reactions—were no exception.
"Tonight's performance, huh…"
Chisato looked up, pausing his affectionate game of rubbing noses with the Hitori in his arms.
Instead, he gently stroked her head as she buried her face against his chest.
The overwhelming positive response from the audience had given him a huge boost in confidence.
He gave the answer he had already decided on from the start.
"Of course, we'll go all out. You've all worked so hard for this—there's no way we're giving up now."
Without waiting for Nijika to respond, he turned his gaze toward Ikuyo, who was looking down with slightly reddened eyes.
"Ikuyo, how's your throat feeling now?"
He waited a moment but got no response.
From the way she seemed lost in thought, it looked like her mind had wandered into her own world.
With no other choice, Chisato softly called her name again. Startled, she snapped out of her daze, looking somewhat flustered.
"My… my throat still isn't in good enough condition to sing properly. I… I'm sorry…"
As she spoke, she tried several times to lift her gaze and meet Chisato's eyes, but for various reasons, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Chisato didn't notice her slight awkwardness—his mind was entirely focused on the evening performance.
"I see. Then don't push yourself too hard. I was thinking that if your voice had improved even a little, you could at least sing the chorus.
After all, you put in so much effort preparing for this. If you couldn't perform on stage at all, you'd probably feel really frustrated."
M-Me… singing the chorus?
Doesn't that mean… I'd be singing a duet with Chisato-kun on stage?
Her heart pounded unnaturally fast.
She was just sitting there, doing nothing, yet her heartbeat was out of control.
Why was this happening?
Ikuyo lowered her head even further, making it impossible to see her expression.
"I… my voice isn't up for it right now. I think it would be better if Chisato-kun handled it by himself."
"I agree," Nijika added.
"If you can perform like you did earlier, Chisato, then the evening show will definitely be another huge success."
Nijika voiced her opinion.
Chisato nodded. Given the current situation, this was the only option.
For now, the conversation came to an end. Feeling the warmth of Hitori in his arms growing hotter, Chisato smirked mischievously, just about to lean in and tease her.
The others, noticing this, instinctively turned their gazes away, their ears turning red just like Hitori's.
At that moment, Seika returned.
She knocked on the door.
But the car door wasn't locked. Why knock?
Ryo was about to open it directly when Chisato, noticing the strangers standing beside Seika outside the car window, stopped her.
Letting go of Hitori, he signaled for the door to be opened.
"Come out, there's someone who wants to meet you."
Though puzzled, everyone got out of the car as instructed.
The girls appeared somewhat uneasy in front of the strangers, while Chisato carefully observed the expressions of the new arrivals, vaguely piecing things together.
Standing at the center of the group, slightly ahead, was a middle-aged man who clearly held a leadership role.
Before Seika could speak, he proactively pulled a business card from the pocket of his suit and respectfully handed it over.
"I am Suzuki Ichiro, a board member of Suzuki Group. I have long admired all of you. I apologize for the sudden visit and hope for your kind consideration."
Chisato was slightly surprised.
Suzuki Group—an undeniable corporate giant in Japan.
Their brand was omnipresent—on television, in newspapers, and even in everyday life.
The corporation had an overwhelming presence across various industries, including real estate, dining, fashion, smart electronics, and renewable energy.
And now, standing in front of him was a director of such a corporation.
In other words, a man worth at least billions was right here, speaking with utmost respect.
There was no reason not to be courteous.
Since the greeting had been directed at Chisato, he naturally accepted the business card.
Maintaining a polite and warm demeanor, he responded,
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Suzuki. We are the 'Kesshoku Band.' Thank you for your interest. However… May I ask what brings you here today?"
The business card bore not only Suzuki Ichiro's name but also his company and position.
Unlike his brief introduction, which only mentioned Suzuki Group, the card provided more details—
President of Suzuki Entertainment Agency.
And his next words confirmed what Chisato had suspected.
Suzuki Ichiro seemed like a bold and cheerful man. Laughing heartily, he stepped forward and grasped Chisato's hands with both of his own.
His smile was genuine, filled with admiration, almost as if he were gazing at a lover.
"Great talent often emerges in youth. To be honest, I happened to pass by and caught your band's performance.
I was deeply moved. So I thought, if you're interested in entering the industry, why not sit down and have a proper discussion?"
"Of course, if possible, it would be wonderful if you could join Suzuki Entertainment Agency."
"Though our company is newly established, we have strong financial backing from Suzuki Group. If talented individuals like you join us, I'm sure it would be a win-win situation!"
Chisato wasn't particularly comfortable having his hands gripped so firmly by another man.
However, he had to admit, Suzuki Ichiro's sincerity was evident, and his approach wasn't off-putting.
Despite his position as a high-ranking board member, he carried no airs, his eagerness to recruit talent clear for all to see.
In some ways, this changed the way Chisato and the band members perceived the industry.
Given Suzuki's sincerity, Chisato was somewhat intrigued. After all, this aligned with the future path he had envisioned for Kesshoku Band.
He had always planned that once they reached a certain level, they would join a reputable entertainment agency. It would save them a lot of trouble and provide them with more resources.
But Chisato wasn't the type to be swayed by mere flattery. He had his own plans and wasn't easily moved. No matter how tempting the offer, he couldn't show his interest right away.
Even when buying groceries at the market, negotiations were expected—let alone signing with an agency, a decision that would shape their careers for years.
Politeness was just a formality. The key was the contract terms and what benefits he could secure for the band.
Besides, discussing a contract immediately would seem too hasty.
He wasn't in a rush, but he needed to hear the thoughts of the others first.
So, Chisato quickly put on the same warm smile and tightened his grip on Suzuki Ichiro's hands, his expression equally sincere.
"I appreciate your kind words, Mr. Suzuki. Your sincerity is noted. However, we have another performance coming up, and we were in the middle of preparations.
So, I apologize, but right now…"
A charming young man's smile had a much greater impact than that of a middle-aged businessman.
Not only did the young woman behind Suzuki Ichiro blush, but even the members of Kesshoku Band and Seika couldn't help but glance at him—some with sparkling eyes, others biting their lips lightly.
Their expressions were oddly similar.
"No problem at all. Your performance is important. We can discuss this later. My number is on the card—feel free to call me anytime. I'll be waiting for your message."
"I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience…"
"Not at all…"
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they finally watched Suzuki Ichiro leave.
Chisato shook his head slightly, glancing at the business card before handing it to the excited members of Kesshoku Band.
As they huddled together, chirping excitedly over the card, he approached Seika.
"Manager…"
Before he could finish his sentence, she stuffed a torn piece of bread into his mouth.
"I know what you're about to ask. I was just out buying snacks when they approached me. After introducing themselves, I brought them over."
"Mm… I see."
"So? Excited? It's your first time having an agency approach you for a contract."
"To be honest, this happened much sooner than I expected. But… it's not a bad thing."
After all, this opportunity had undoubtedly fueled their motivation.
Tilting his head slightly, he glanced at the girls in Kesshoku Band, buzzing with excitement over the business card.
A genuine smile appeared on Chisato's face.
Watching him, Seika felt her heart tighten. Silently, she turned her gaze away.
_______
50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
_______
If any of you noticed an error, please point it out in comments!