Should be writing an essay right now, but… Well, whatever. Time for a new chapter, everyone! XD

"Shouldn't we get someone to play some other instrument? Like, say, a violin? Or another guitar? Or maybe percussion?"

Ren blinks as he considers what Araki has said. Soon after Koyama became their friend (well, Ren can't be too sure if Asano actually thinks of him as such), they befriended (or established a connection with, or whatever Asano considers they did) Araki Teppei, the best in social studies of Class A.

Sure, they talked before. He and Araki actually conversed sometimes since first year, since they both have humanist minds, and they got along fairly well. But now Asano started to talk to the guy more constantly as well, and before he knew it, Araki had permanently joined their group. Not that Ren minds, of course. The more, the merrier! And he does get along better with Araki than Koyama, to be honest. They do have more in common.

But now that the end of terms are done with (with the four of them getting fantastic marks, as always) and summer is fast approaching, they were wondering; what should top students as themselves do during the break? And Ren suggested a band. There's a reason that he suggested that, and it's not only because his own love for music. It's because Asano actually loves music, and is brilliant playing instruments. Surely, having a band is something his friend can enjoy doing.

So of course he agreed. Araki agreed easily enough as well, but Koyama needed more convincing. But now the four of them are sitting in an empty room, planning their roles for their new band. Asano for guitar, Ren for bass, Araki for drums, and Koyama for keyboard. To be honest, it hasn't even entered Ren's mind to add another instrument; at least, not until Araki brings it up.

"What for?" Apparently it hasn't entered Koyama's mind either. "We already got four different instruments. I'm sure we could make it work with what we have."

"We could," Asano nods, but he looks thoughtful. Seems like he's considering Araki's idea. "But it doesn't hurt to add one more instrument. It would broaden our possibilities sound-wise."

"Maybe it could be a girl!" Ren says cheerfully. "You know, someone with a pretty voice, so she can sing or something."

Asano turns to look at him. He looks serious, but Ren can see the amusement in his eyes, and the small smirk on his lips. "You're just looking for a chance to get yourself a date."

Ren grins. Asano knows him so well. "I might."

"But weren't you with, ah… Shiozaki-san? From Class C?" Araki wonders.

"I was, but that's over with. So, I'm a free man once again! Ready to conquer the youthful hearts of other beautiful maidens~!"

Araki is just blinking, slowly, as if not believing him.

"Well, I suppose this is expected from the flirty poet," Koyama shrugs. But then he grins. "I can't say I'm against the idea of a girl joining us, though!"

"Of course you're not," Araki sighs.

"Well, I suppose we could get a girl to join us," Asano concedes, and Ren is just so happy to hear that. Koyama is, too. "But," he continues, his voice taking on that 'boss' tone he has. It kind of similar to the Chairman's. Ren isn't sure if Asano would like being compared like that to his father or not, so he doesn't mention it. "That girl must be chosen because of her musical abilities. If she's pretty, but she's no good musically, then she won't be able to join. Okay?"

Ren and Koyama are too happy to care. "Okay!"

Araki turns to look at Asano. "So where will we find this girl?"

Asano hums. "I suppose we could go to the clubs that are related to music and see who could join us."

And that's how they end up going to the Concert Club—because it's full of girls that are good at music, so it's a win-win situation. Ren is the first to arrive, eager to see which girl will be the chosen one, but once he sees into the room and sees one particular person, he grins and suddenly, his original plan of getting a date for himself is gone.

"Guys, I think I already know who should join us!" There's glee in his voice as he gestures towards the girl.

Asano takes one look, and sighs. "Ren." It sounds like a warning; an exasperated one, but a warning nonetheless.

One he's going to ignore, of course. They have had this conversation before, after all. And besides, this is a big chance to make more progress! He can't let this opportunity go to waste. "Ah, come on, Asano-kun. We should give her a chance. And besides, we already know she's gonna fit in, seeing as you've talked to her before—"

"That was one time."

"—and for what I could gather, you two got along pretty well. And that's important when having a band, right? Getting along?"

"I can't believe you're starting with this again."

"You know I'm right though."

"Uh…" Poor Araki looks extremely confused. "What exactly is happening?"

"Nothing." Wow, that was a fast reply, Asano-kun. "It's just Ren with his usual illusions."

"I'm hurt, Asano-kun!" he says jokingly, putting a hand on his heart. "I just saw this girl that seems to get along well with Asano-kun—"

"We talked once. Once, and it was because we were both sent to fetch English worksheets."

"Still got along, though~" Ren sings. "And, seeing that she's in this club, she must be good at music, right?"

"That's assuming things," Araki says. "Might work, though. Who is it?"

"The blue-haired girl, sitting on the left corner."

"Her?" Koyama doesn't sound impressed at all. "She looks plain. Could probably pass off as a boy if she had shorter hair," he says dismissingly, taking hold of his glasses as if to see the girl in question better.

"I think she's cute," Ren frowns.

"Of course you would. You're the kinda person that finds beauty in everything. The ugliest looking woman in the world could be standing right in front of you and you would still find her beautiful."

"But that's because every single woman out there is beautiful!"

"Even so, we have to see whether she's good at music or not," Araki insists. "That's the whole point of this. The dating is only second."

"Then we should ask her!" Ren exclaims. He's pretty sure Asano let out another sigh, but he's going to ignore that. You may not think like I am, but I'm doing this for you, Asano-kun!

Koyama argues they should look for some other girl, while Ren is insistent that they should give her a chance. Araki listens to them bickering, reminding them once again that what they're looking for is musical talent, not prettiness. Asano doesn't comment, but he looks like he's kind of done. Maybe he is. But even so, Ren hopes the girl is actually good enough at music so they can make her join, because if not, there won't be any progress made at all.

By now, most of the club members have left, with her being one of the last ones to exit the classroom. Which is a good thing, actually. Ren likes attention, but he doesn't think they need an audience this time.

"Shiota-san!" He watches as she halts, turns around, and look at them in confusion, her blue eyes blinking. Her expression screams something along the lines of who, me? She probably doesn't expect that a couple of the best students in the elitist A Class would talk to her out of the blue. Ren honestly thinks it's adorable—her reaction, that is.

"Um, yes?" she answers, slight trepidation in her tone. It's different from the usual excited answers he gets from girl when he talks to them. It's surprising that he finds it kind of endearing, considering how much he loves attention. Maybe Asano-kun does, too.

He gives her his most charming smile, but she just blinks at him, waiting for his answer. "We have a proposition to give you."

Asano is so god damn talented, he and his minions—no, friends have their own band and apparently they're thinking about releasing CDs?

The dude is an arrogant bastard but man, he can do anything. XD

And all you people who wanted Nagisa & Gakushuu interaction better thank Sakakibara Ren for letting this happen. Ren is a good friend. Gakushuu probably wants to murder him, but he's a good friend. Yes.

As always, thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! :)