Tokyo: To reiterate, this is not a dating system.

57. To reiterate, Genji Aoyama is not interested in rewards.

On the other hand, can you find a beautiful girl just by looking for her?

Perhaps there are still undiscovered wild beauties.

However, it's true that there aren't many girls who simultaneously possess the qualities of being a beautiful girl, being able to sing, having the courage to stand on stage and sing, and being willing to join a band.

"Anyway, let's leave it at that for now until that senior withdraws," said Genji Aoyama.

"Saki Saki..."

Suzuki Yui glanced longingly at Izumo Saki.

Izumo Saki understood immediately. She grabbed Aoyama Genji's arm and shook it, her big, bright eyes filled with pleading: "Please~"

"It's no use begging me." Aoyama Genji looked at Izumo Saki.

Izumo Saki stood on tiptoe again and whispered in his ear in a warm, wet voice, "I'll reward you later..."

"...Let's take another look."

Just to clarify, Genji Aoyama is not interested in the rewards.

He simply realized that Saki Izumo genuinely wanted the band to survive.

Moreover, if Izumo Saki doesn't shift her focus, the prize pool will only continue to accumulate.

"Then there's only one question left."

There was only one question from beginning to end.

Genji Aoyama suppressed the urge to make a sarcastic remark.

"Takahashi-senpai is basically only available on weekends, and without a lead vocalist, daily training would be a bit difficult."

"Can't the others sing?"

Genji Aoyama looked at the four beautiful girls present.

"I'd only rate it as average," the minister said, glancing at Saki Kumo. "As for Saki, I've never been to karaoke with her, but I've heard her sing a few lines occasionally, and she seemed alright?"

"Then let Saki temporarily take over as lead vocalist."

After Aoyama Genji finished speaking, he vaguely realized that what he said was a bit inappropriate—he hadn't joined the band, yet he was giving orders like a leader.

"What's Saki's opinion?"

But it seems no one finds it strange? Even Minister Suzuki Yui agrees.

"I?"

Saki Izumo, who hadn't said much until now, suddenly realized what was happening and said, "Sure, I'm fine with it!"

"What about the bass?" Shibuya Rena asked.

"Whoa—" Izumo Saki glared at her, "Last time you said the performance didn't need a bass!"

"That was just to comfort Saki~ Music with a lack of bass is really bad."

"Rena's comforting techniques are a bit unique," Izumo Saki said with a laugh, patting Shibuya Rena through the air.

Seeing the group chatting, Genji Aoyama couldn't help but laugh.

The band atmosphere was even better than he had imagined, and Izumo Saki seemed to be enjoying herself as well.

Seeing that Aoyama Genji smiled, the group turned their attention to him, seemingly seeking his opinion.

"Um?"

Aoyama Genji even had a feeling that the current department head, Suzuki Yui, was just a figurehead, and that he was the real department head.

Even so, he still offered his suggestion: "Wouldn't it be better to let Saki be both the lead vocalist and bassist?"

Although it's relatively rare for bassists to also be lead vocalists in bands, it does happen sometimes.

"Are you sure everything's okay?"

"Damn it!" Saki Izumo shouted.

She even picked up her bass and walked to the microphone stand.

"Uh-huh!"

Saki Izumo cleared her throat and then lightly strummed the strings.

"Wait—close the door first."

After the door slammed shut.

The sound of someone adjusting their breathing came through the microphone.

Then, warm bass notes filled the activity room, followed by the girl's soaring and lively voice—

Whether it's clumsy emotions or overflowing impulses.

"Only when everything is revealed can it truly shine."

"..."

"It's the LiveHouse song from the video you sent me before; the clip was filmed that night..."

Genji Aoyama vaguely remembered that Saki Izumo wasn't in the LiveHouse footage last time, so he only listened briefly.

Now, he is focusing his attention on Saki Izumo.

The bass's deep tone intertwines with the girl's slightly high-pitched voice, creating a strange and beautiful contrast.

Saki Izumo only chose one segment to sing, which was considered a small audition.

When the performance ended, Genji Aoyama gently clapped.

"hey-hey!"

Saki Izumo laughed, then took off her bass and skipped over to Genji Aoyama: "How was it?"

"Saki sang very well," he commented with a smile.

"Hmm—I feel like Aoyama-kun is just giving me the runaround again!"

Saki Izumo glared angrily at Genji Aoyama.

"That's not true."

Before he could explain, the other band members had already gathered around.

"I didn't expect Saki to sing so well, and her bass playing was also very steady. Saki, Saki must have practiced for a long time in secret!"

"No," Izumo Saki said thoughtfully, "about... three hours?"

Team leader Suzuki silently put down his guitar pick, looked up at the ceiling, and seemed to be contemplating life.

"Let's just disband," Shibuya said listlessly. "The band."

That saying is absolutely true—the difference between people is greater than the difference between a person and a bass guitar.

"Eh..." The drummer, Sugiura, who had a large chest, seemed to shrink back slightly. "It was just... a joke, right?"

"Of course, Haruna's an idiot," Shibuya said, walking over and putting her arm around Sugiura's neck. "Our goal is to have over fifty people watching at the LiveHouse!"

"Aren't we going to the Budokan?" That was Izumo Saki's voice.

"I think... not getting the department disbanded would be a success..."

Sugiura's voice became even weaker as his neck was embraced.

"Slap slap—"

Yui Suzuki clapped her hands to signal for quiet, then smiled and said, "So, the band's short-term goal is to avoid being disbanded, the mid-term goal is to surpass fifty members in livehouses, and the ultimate goal is to perform at the Budokan."

After finishing her speech, Suzuki Yui turned her gaze to Aoyama Genji.

"I might as well take over the ministerial position."

Hmm, once you become a minister, should you still enforce the rule of "only accepting beautiful girls"?

Of course, it was just a joke.

……

I stayed in the band activity room until after 5 o'clock.

During this time, Genji Aoyama observed their performance rehearsals and offered guidance from time to time.

He wasn't interested in joining a band, but he didn't dislike music either.

Even though it's unpaid work, having pretty girls do all sorts of things still has a unique charm.

To reiterate, Genji Aoyama is not interested in rewards.

But Izumo Saki didn't think so—as soon as she came out of the band's activity room, she grabbed Aoyama Genji.

As previously agreed, she was going to reward him.

"Come on, follow me to the Department of Psychological Problems!"

As if afraid that Genji Aoyama would run away, Saki Izumo tightly hugged his arm and carried him all the way up to the fifth floor.

Even while going up the stairs, Saki Izumo was already in the zone.

But just as I reached the fifth floor and was about to turn the corner of the stairs, I encountered student council members wearing armbands—

She is a girl, wearing the same uniform as Shiratsuru High School, but she gives the impression that it looks more appropriate on her. She is elegant and dignified, and her appearance is elegant and beautiful. She is an absolute beauty.

"Oh my, what a coincidence! I thought you had already left."

Haruka Minatsuki smiled as she looked at Genji Aoyama.