“Ai-chan!!”
“Ai-chan!!”
As B-Komachi took the stage, the atmosphere inside STARRY instantly erupted into frenzied excitement!
The audience waved their glow sticks in perfect unison, chanting Ai-chan’s name—so overwhelmingly that the cheers for other members were nearly drowned out.
It was as if B-Komachi existed solely for Ai.
The moment she stood on stage, her teammates faded into mere backup dancers.
“Ai-chan is incredible!”
Behind the small bar counter, Nijika watched in awe, admiration shining in her eyes.
Only those who had performed on stage knew just how grueling the training must have been for Ai to shine so effortlessly under the spotlight.
Hitori stared blankly at Ai on stage, her eyes reflecting the idol’s dazzling confidence.
“So strong…”
To bask in the audience’s attention so naturally—this was the exact fantasy the socially anxious girl dreamed of during her daydreams!
Meanwhile, Ryou observed the interactions between Ai and her teammates, noticing something off.
“But her individual popularity is too overwhelming…
It’ll warp the team’s dynamics.”
“Still, the world is cruel like that.
No matter how hard ordinary people try, they can’t keep up with genius.”
“Well, that’s the manager’s job to balance.”
Nijika and Ryou murmured their thoughts quietly.
On stage, as the song ended, Ai’s gaze drifted toward the bar, where a little boy’s head peeked out from behind the counter.
“Kou-kun, you’re watching me properly…”
Ai flashed a sweet, doting smile—instantly sending the crowd into another frenzy of screams.
“The next song was composed for me…
by my little brother.”
Her voice echoed through the speakers, causing the girls behind the bar to freeze before whipping their heads toward the little boy standing on a stool just to barely peek over the counter.
“Kou-kun, you can write songs too?!”
Kouma scratched his head sheepishly.
What writing?
He’d just absentmindedly hummed a hit song from his past life.
“I just mumbled something.
Ai-nee thought it sounded nice and arranged it properly.”
As the rhythmic intro played, all three girls shuddered.
“This is amazing!”
“That’s what history’s geniuses always say!”
“When Kessoku Band commissions songs in the future, we’ll pay you…
with one Bocchi-chan!”
“Huh?!
Me?!”
“Ryou, stop joking around with Kouma-kun!”
Nijika ended the teasing with another karate chop.
“Alright, the show’s wrapping up.
We need to help switch bands—Kouma-kun, stay here!
We’ll be right back!”
The three girls hurried off toward backstage.
Then—
A beautiful woman with long purple hair and a white dress approached the counter.
Her faintly lilac, bewitching eyes settled on Kouma as she offered a gentle, charming smile.
“Little one, could I have an Americano?”
Kouma looked up at the vaguely familiar face and froze.
…
Meanwhile, in Shimokitazawa…
Shimokitazawa was a small but beloved district among the youth, packed with trendy, unique shops.
Cafés, bars, theaters, and live houses blended into a distinct urban atmosphere.
Handsome men and beautiful women dressed in stylish outfits roamed the streets—making it prime hunting grounds for playboys and playgirls alike.
Kamishiro Rize was one such hunter.
But while others hunted for fleeting romance…
She was a ghoul.
She hunted lives.
Especially men’s lives!
“Lately, everyone’s been so boring…
None of them whet my appetite.”
Rize strolled through Shimokitazawa, surveying the dull crowd with disinterest.
She preferred simple, pure white dresses—her waist-length purple hair and black-framed glasses accentuating her stunning yet subtly seductive face.
The contrast of innocence and allure ensured she effortlessly stole men’s gazes.
But recently, she’d grown tired of these ordinary fools.
Even as food, she sought something more refined, more pure.
That way, when she revealed her ghoul nature—when she smeared their own blood across their faces—
She wandered into a live house on a whim.
The crowd below was packed tight, waving glow sticks and screaming for the girl on stage.
“More mediocrity…”
Rize scoffed and turned to leave but then her gaze caught on a small, exceptionally handsome little boy standing obediently behind the bar counter.
She stopped.
Her eyes locked onto him.
That well-behaved face carried a purity untouched by the world’s filth.
Her heart stirred.
She’d never tasted tender young grass before.
Approaching softly, she spoke in a honeyed voice:
“Little one, could I have a coffee?”
“Of course.
Just a moment.”
The little boy worked efficiently, soon sliding an Americano across the counter.
Rize leaned against the bar, showcasing her curvaceous figure as she slowly brought the cup to her lips.
“Mmm…”
The moment the coffee touched her tongue, her eyes widened slightly.
This was the best coffee she’d ever tasted—far surpassing even Anteiku’s brews.
It almost rivaled the flavor of human blood.
“How interesting.
Another discovery.”
She drank sip by sip, savoring it fully before letting out a pleased sigh.
“What did you put in this?
It suits my tastes perfectly.”
Rize circled around the counter, approaching him as if to investigate.
“Big sister, that’s a trade secret.”
“Also…
you haven’t paid yet.”
Kouma met her gaze calmly.
Trying to dine and dash?
Hmph!
I can tell at a glance—you’re not human!
What can you do in ten seconds of time stop?
Kouma kind of wanted to test it out.