Kaito thought about it but decided not to use his spiritual sense to peek.
Controlling everything might be satisfying, but sometimes, keeping a little mystery was nice too.
Good thing they didn't make him wait long.
Soon, Gotou Hitori, fresh from the dressing room, was pushed out by the girls.
Black-and-white maid outfit. The classic style. Kita had worn it once before.
But the same outfit looked completely different on someone else.
End of the band: four members, three flat chests.
'Bocchi, you are not one of them!'
The gentle Nijika Ichiji, cute and cheerful, was a beautiful girl who understood others well.
But even the gentle and kind "Angel of Shimokitazawa" had her eternal pain.
Despite already being a sophomore in college, she was still as flat as a grade-schooler.
Nijika had comforted herself, saying, 'It's okay, no rush. I still had time to grow.'
But then she looked at her older sister Seika, nearly thirty years old, and their figures were practically the same.
'Is every girl in the Ichiji family doomed to be a landing strip?'
'And Bocchi is two years younger than me...'
'Kita isn't doing any better.'
She and Nijika-senpai both had pancake-tier proportions. It didn't bother her much when showering alone, but with Bocchi for comparison, the gap became glaringly obvious.
Bocchi-chan, between us now lies a sorrowful wall of thickness.
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Chapter 51: I Can Be the Mistress Too
Let's not talk about the two grumbling flat-chested girls.
Looking at the completely new and transformed Gotou Hitori in front of him, Kaito truly had a sense of being pleasantly surprised.
Little Bocchi's looks were actually quite pretty, she was even once evaluated by Kita as "someone who could debut as an idol."
On top of that, since she usually didn't like going out and preferred staying in dark, lightless environments, her skin was even fairer than the average girl's.
It was only because she always kept her head down outside, never dared to look people in the eye, wore plain and unremarkable tracksuits that covered her figure, and walked hunched over with poor posture, that she didn't stand out much. At most, just the level of a fairly pretty girl you'd spot on the street.
Now, after changing into a cute maid outfit, her hidden charm was instantly revealed.
'I feel like the clothes are tight, especially around the chest area, like I can't breathe...'
'A-also, I wonder what Kurumizaka-kun thinks...?'
'No response at all... ugh~ It must be because I look awful, right?'
'As expected, someone like me, a pill bug with no presence, should just stay in a damp, dark corner and grow mold...'
Pushed out onto the floor, Bocchi didn't even dare raise her head, but a storm was already raging in her mind.
Still not hearing any comment from Kaito, she became increasingly anxious and uneasy. At this rate, she was about to melt like a slime.
Click
The clear sound of a camera shutter went off, and then it followed up with four or five more times in quick succession.
"Eh?", Little Bocchi instinctively looked up, just in time to catch the blue light flashing from the camera lens, causing her to blink subconsciously.
"Sorry," Kaito still maintained his photo-taking posture, waved his phone slightly, and smiled gently, "You looked so cute, I couldn't help but snap a few pictures for my collection. That's okay, right?"
"O-of course it's okay!"
Gotou Hitori revealed a silly smile, 'Hehe... I got called cute...'
Kaito casually rubbed her head, and for some reason, it felt even better than petting the chubby cat at home.
Time passed slowly, and soon it was almost five o'clock.
The audience began arriving one after another, and the once-empty broadcasting hall gradually filled with people.
Manager Seika had already assigned tasks earlier. Nijika and Bocchi were behind the bar making drinks for customers, Ryou was at the entrance checking tickets, and as for Kita, she was in charge of cleaning; just giving a quick sweep wherever there was trash.
Kaito also found a quiet corner to sit in, and before long, a plate of snacks appeared in front of him.
Fried fries, fried chicken nuggets, tempura... along with various dipping sauces, it looked quite plentiful.
"What's this?"
"Did you forget, Kurumizaka-kun?"
Nijika beamed brightly, "This is an apology gift for the incident last time~"
The girl clasped her hands behind her back, her petite body leaning slightly forward, and her long side ponytail fell like silk, adding a soft charm to her, "Besides, even without the apology, you're Bocchi-chan's friend, which means you're basically my friend too, and since you're a customer, it's only right to treat you."
"That's right, boyfriend-kun, just accept it," Out of nowhere, the gremlin Ryou added seriously, "You're Bocchi's boyfriend, and by rounding off, that makes you Nijika's boyfriend too, so no need to hold back..."
BAM!
With a lump forming on her head, gremlin Ryou tearfully went back to ticket-checking at the entrance.
Retracting her fist, Nijika's cute face turned crimson, and she tapped her toes on the ground, a little embarrassed as she said, "Ryou always says weird things, please don't mind her."
"No problem," Kaito picked up a fry with a fork, "But Nijika, you must usually have it pretty tough, huh?"
Tough doesn't even begin to cover it.
It seemed that every girls' band needed a "mom" role.
And clearly, Nijika had taken on that role.
Even though she herself was a lively, youthful girl, she lived like a single mom in her forties raising three kids alone.
Eldest daughter Ryou was a problem child, anti-social, kept her distance from people, and always blew her allowance early, surviving on weeds.
Second daughter Bocchi was a little shut-in, timid, introverted, and shy, she couldn't be left without care.
Third daughter Kita was cheerful and enthusiastic, the least worrisome, and sometimes even helped out.
Even so, taking care of two problem children every day, preparing for the band's training, dealing with customers at the store, these endless chores piled up, wearing Nijika-mom out both physically and mentally.
But such complaints were fleeting. Under the warm lights of the broadcasting hall, the girl's soft and pretty face glowed gently. Nijika lightly tapped her pink lips with a slender finger and smiled softly, "Life is a bit too fulfilling, indeed, but... once you get used to it, it's actually not bad."
As the two were chatting, a stylish office lady in black stockings and high heels suddenly walked in. Her refined face was flushed with red, apparently from drinking. She wobbled as she walked.
Worried she might fall, Nijika quickly stepped forward to help her, "Miss Satou, be careful."
"Oh, it's little Nijika?"
The woman named "Satou" seemed to be a regular at the shop. Without any formality, she patted Nijika's shoulder and laughed heartily, "So sweet, so sweet. I really want to steal you from Seika and make you my little sister instead."
Not far away, the manager typing on her laptop paused and shot her a cold glare. The meaning was clear, 'You wish, you delusional woman!'
OL big sis didn't care, tilted her head, and just happened to notice Kaito nearby, her eyes lit up.
"Ooh, what a handsome young man. Nijika, is this your new staff member?"
Before Nijika could answer, the office lady had already walked over in high heels, eyes burning, completely unashamed of her intentions, "Hey hey, little brother, do you have a girlfriend? If not, would you mind having one? If you do... would you mind having another?"
'Is this what a socially aggressive woman is like?'
'Isn't this a bit too bold?'
Nijika was stunned for a second, but quickly came to her senses and rushed to block the way, "Miss Satou! You've misunderstood! Kurumizaka-kun is not a staff member!"
The girl stood protectively in front of the handsome boy like a mother hen, glaring at the woman with full vigilance.
Miss Satou blinked, her gaze shifting between the two, and she seemed to figure something out, "Oh, so he's your little boyfriend, huh..."
She looked a bit regretful. If it were someone else, maybe she would've given up, but Kaito's looks were just too good. It really made her itch.
After a moment's hesitation, she probed, "Actually, I can be the mistress too."
Miss Satou ended up leaving.
She didn't even stay to watch the night performance, retreating under Nijika's puffed-up glare.
Of course, the manager Seika's murderous gaze also played a key supporting role.
Only after Miss Satou's sighing silhouette finally disappeared did Nijika realize, 'My relationship with Kurumizaka-kun has been completely misunderstood... and I couldn't clarify it in time!'
The girl shyly twirled her long side ponytail with her fingers, her red shoes drawing little circles on the floor in embarrassment, murmuring to herself.
[T/N: If you're liking this story, I just started a new one: "Pokmon: Gardevoir Harem with Tag System." As evident from the name, a Pokemon fanfic, OP MC and OP system, check and throw some Powerstones while you are at it. Have a great read ]
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining. You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y
Chapter 52: Cats Shall Never Be Slaves
Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere didn't last too long.
Nijika was slacking off here, and with one less person at the bar, little Bocchi couldn't handle all the customers on her own, quickly becoming overwhelmed.
Seeing this scene, Nijika seemed to suddenly wake from the dream and, using the excuse of helping out, ran off in a fluster.
The girl's retreating figure was as light as a young deer, yet in the moment she turned, her beautiful brows and eyes curved like crescent moons.
[Two Hours Later]
Tonight's performance ended early, and Kaito didn't stay long.
After greeting Nijika and the others, he left the STARRY Live House with the cheering towel the manager had insisted on giving him as a souvenir, and took the train home.
Finding a seat in the corner, he pulled out his phone.
The notification sound had been going off since earlier.
He unlocked the screen, there were two unread messages in the notification bar.
One was from Yukinoshita, the content was brief: [Miss Cat Addiction struck again.]
The second was from Sakiko. After meeting her elders, the little secretary reported her safety and said she had something to discuss with him and would wait at his door.
Kaito arranged the next cat-petting visit with Yukino, and as for Sakiko, he just replied with an "OK" hand sign.
By the time he got home, it was already dark.
The bright white light glowed warmly in the quiet night, casting a soft halo around the girl under the streetlamp. Her eyes, deep like autumn water, were quietly lowered, but in one moment suddenly lit up, like a clear lake brimming with moonlight.
"Have you been waiting long?"
Sakiko shook her head and smiled lightly, "Just a few minutes."
"218218, that's the door code. In the future, just come in if you need something," Kaito wasn't stingy. After all, she was his considerate little secretary. Making things convenient for her was making things convenient for himself.
Sakiko didn't expect such a surprise, 'Knowing Kaito-kun's door code. Doesn't that mean I have the right to come and go freely?'
'Come to think of it, I should be the first person with such privileges, right?'
'Kaito-kun is very popular on campus, but no one has ever seen him being especially close to any girl.'
If one had to say, only the two members from the same club seemed to have a good relationship with him, but it only appeared to be on a normal friend level.
Sakiko had once been worried, 'What if someone beat me to the punch?'
'But now it seems, he really does have a place for me in his heart.'
The two of them changed into indoor slippers at the entryway and entered the living room together. Kaito went to the kitchen and brewed two cups of black tea. After handing one to Sakiko, he sat down in front of her. Next to him lay the sleeping fat cat.
"Did something troubling happen?", Thinking of the message where Sakiko said she had something to discuss, Kaito didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
Trouble wasn't quite it. Sakiko thought for a moment, then pulled out a protective amulet from her small bag and pushed it in front of him.
"This is a protective charm Aunt Mori gave me today. It's said to have been obtained from a very spiritual shrine. It's for warding off misfortune and improving luck."
Kaito picked up the charm and fiddled with it in his hand. On the outside, it looked like a small wooden plaque made of peach wood, engraved with indecipherable symbols. It did contain a faint trace of spiritual power, barely noticeable, but there.
"This charm was blessed by the shrine priest personally. Its effect is better than ordinary charms, and more expensive too."
Sakiko paused, then added, "Apparently, one costs five million yen."
Mori Minami was a famous actress in Japan, having debuted for decades. She naturally wasn't short on money. The issue was that such high-quality items couldn't be bought just with money.
At least with Mori Minami's connections, she only managed to get three. One she kept for herself, one she gave her daughter Mutsumi, and the last one was given to Sakiko.
As for a certain anonymous Wakaba dad?
He'd have to find a way on his own.
"President, I think our agency could also start selling this kind of protective charm. It's a promising business opportunity."
Sakiko's idea was very simple.
She had witnessed Kaito's exorcism skills with her own eyes. Compared to those possibly sketchy shrines, his credibility was much higher.
If others could sell charms, then their agency could too.
Even if they didn't have fame at the start, it wouldn't matter. As long as the charm's effectiveness was proven, there would definitely be repeat customers.
"No need," Kaito shook his head and didn't agree.
Making charms was very easy for him. Even a casual one he made would be a hundred times stronger than the one in his hand. In this age of dwindling spiritual energy, it could already be considered a family heirloom worthy of worship in a shrine.
