Mash-up Anime World: Creating the SCP Foundation to Contain Anomalies-Chapter 331 - 325: Just Like the First Time – Lonely Rock

"I'm going to get ready now."

After saying that, Kita Ikuyo hurried off toward the performance hall entrance. Just as Haruto was about to look away, she turned back one more time.

"Please look forward to our performance!"

With that, she disappeared through the doors.

Seeing this, Haruto couldn't help but let out a light chuckle. As expected, a girl who works hard is always adorable.

After waiting in line for a bit, Haruto finally entered the performance hall.

Looking around, it hadn't changed much. Compared to the last time he was here, the only difference was the overwhelming crowd.

The band was still preparing.

Haruto walked over to the bar to get a drink, consider it extra support for the Kessoku Band.

"Yo, boss lady. Personally manning the counter today?"

Haruto greeted the bar owner.

The boss lady, of course, was Ijichi Nijika's older sister.

Just like Ijichi Nijika, she had blonde hair and a petite figure.

Though she was twelve years older than Nijika, if you saw the sisters side by side, you honestly couldn't tell the age difference.

If you had to say, perhaps it was the mature look in this blonde woman's eyes and that worldly, serene aura she gave off.

The blonde woman looked up at Haruto, a little surprised.

"It's you. After being gone so long, I thought you forgot all about them."

Still as sharp-tongued as ever.

That was one trait where she differed completely from her younger sister—the little angel of Shimokitazawa.

Haruto smiled awkwardly.

Yeah... that was hard to justify.

"You're as sharp as ever, boss lady. One cola, please."

The blonde woman picked up a cup and smoothly poured a cola, handing it to Haruto. After paying, he sat at the bar. As long as he didn't disturb business, he chatted with her.

"Crowd's really something today."

The blonde woman sighed.

"Thanks to you. Most people came because of the buzz. It's been like this for a while now. Every performance is a storm of work. It's honestly a headache. And it's all your fault."

Haruto smiled wryly.

"Then why not hire some staff? Or expand the hall?"

Given how popular the Kessoku Band had become, expanding would definitely be profitable.

But the blonde woman shook her head.

"Too much trouble."

Well, since she said so, Haruto didn't push.

He did recall Ijichi Nijika once telling him—

This performance hall was originally opened by her sister just for her.

Because Nijika had a dream of forming a band. So, her sister gave up her own career and started this venue. She just didn't expect someone to steal those four girls away.

Debuting right into Tokyo Dome.

Come to think of it, the boss lady herself used to be in a band, and a pretty successful one at that.

"Now that I think about it... I never got your name. Nijika said you were in a band too."

Haruto casually sipped his cola as he spoke.

But the boss lady gave him a wary look. She silently took two steps back behind the bar—and hugged herself protectively.

"What, taking Nijika and her friends wasn't enough? Now you've got your eyes on me?"

Haruto choked—almost spat out his cola.

Why did she make it sound like he was some shameless scumbag—

Hooking up with the sister and then moving onto the elder sibling.

Slander! This is pure slander!

Seeing Haruto's speechless expression, the boss lady chuckled.

"Ijichi Seika."

Seika finally revealed her name—smiling slyly at having tricked him.

Haruto honestly didn't know her name before. Didn't expect it to sound this nice, either. As the two chatted, the performance hall's lights dimmed.

Spotlights focused on the stage.

The noisy crowd suddenly quieted.

Watching this, both Haruto and Ijichi Seika smiled warmly.

Previously, even with announcements, few people paid attention before the Kessoku Band stepped up.

Most kept staring at their phones even as the band came on.

But now—

Things were totally different.

"Looks like things have changed a lot," Haruto whispered with a smile.

"Yeah... thanks to you," said Ijichi Seika, genuinely this time—not teasing.

But Haruto shook his head.

"Not entirely. Those girls were always brilliant, weren't they?"

Hearing that, Ijichi Seika smiled even more.

She was clearly the type whose bark was worse than her bite. No matter what she said as long as you praised her sister, she'd be happy.

At that moment, four figures stepped onto the stage.

The spotlight followed each of them.

Cheers erupted from the audience.

Now, the Kessoku Band had their own band uniforms, professional instruments, and sound setup.

But what hadn't changed was—

The expressions on their faces.

Still full of anticipation, joy, and the sincere desire to give their best performance.

A truly admirable attitude.

Most people in the world, once they achieve a little success, quickly lose their original passion.

Otherwise, why would so many people say:

"If only life were like that first meeting."

To hold onto that original spark—

No matter your skill level, your performance will always shine.

"Welcome everyone! We are Kessoku Band!"

Kita Ikuyo, as the lead vocalist, also did the introduction and hyped up the crowd. With her words, fans below burst into cheers.

"Up next is our song: Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet. This was our first song—and we dedicate it tonight to someone here."

With that explosive statement, the drums kicked in.

Haruto's mouth twitched.

"...Have they always been this bold?"

Clearly, Kita Ikuyo had told the others that Haruto was here tonight which was probably why they added this impromptu "declaration."

While bands differ from idols—

Fans care more about the music and the energy—

Still, isn't this too bold?

"You know this. They've always been like that," Ijichi Seika giggled behind her hand.

Regardless of the audience's reaction, the show had begun.

"A sudden downpour,

made me curse myself for forgetting an umbrella.

What do the sky's feelings have to do with mine?... fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Even my hoarse throat failed to produce a sloppy melody.

What does it mean to show my 'real self'?

Now, all that's left is for this foolish me to sing loud—

So I'll pour it all out to the stars!"

Just like the lyrics said, the performance hit like a sudden storm—

Passionate and all-out.

This was their first song, and even now, it felt exactly like that first time. Haruto and Ijichi Seika stopped talking. They simply watched, enjoying every moment of the show the four girls brought.

Until the last lyric ended and the guitar notes faded—

The entire hall erupted into thunderous applause.

Haruto clapped too.

Though he also muttered:

"How long has it been... Why's Bocchi still so shy?"

After their Tokyo Dome debut, her visor had been retired. So now she had to face the crowd directly.

Haruto figured, with all that experience, she'd have leveled up fast. Maybe even grown bold enough to face the audience head-on.

But...

Why was she blinking with one eye shut and the other half-open?

Ijichi Seika helplessly spread her hands.

"That kid... there's just no helping her."