With Ikuyo's issue resolved, Chisato turned to the other two—Nijika and Ryo.
"So, is there anything else bothering you two? If I missed anything earlier, I can bring it up with Seika-nee again later."
Ryo immediately raised her hand.
"There is, President."
"Go ahead."
"Can the dietary restrictions be loosened a little? We've been eating nothing but broccoli and tomatoes, with very little meat. I barely have the strength to play bass anymore."
"...You seemed to be playing just fine earlier."
"Sure, but seriously, I'm getting weaker day by day."
"You look perfectly healthy to me—no different than before."
"Says who? Look at my stomach. I used to be able to squeeze a little pudge, but now there's nothing."
Ryo lifted her shirt and tried to show her stomach to Chisato.
Ikuyo covered her blushing face, Nijika rushed over and yanked her friend's shirt down, and Chisato awkwardly cleared his throat and looked away.
But even as he politely averted his gaze, his sharp eyes couldn't help but catch a glimpse of the pale blue ribbon-tied panties peeking just above her waistline, right below her navel.
Ryo, who usually gave off such a cool older-girl vibe, was wearing such an innocent, girly style—what a surprise.
And yes, her waist really was quite slim.
You couldn't tell at all beneath the loose clothes she usually wore.
"Alright, I get it. After today's practice, I'll treat everyone to dinner. You can pick the place."
"Yakiniku!"
"If no one else objects, then sure."
"As expected of the president—so cool!"
Ryo gave him a thumbs up. If Bocchi hadn't been around, she honestly would've thrown herself into his arms. She'd been craving this for a long time.
The only one left was Nijika.
As for her dissatisfaction with the current state of things at the company, it was pretty much the same as the other two.
Now that the problems were solved, she had nothing more to say.
Except for one thing.
"President, please talk to my sister. She's been pushing herself way too hard.
Ever since she became our manager, it's like she's a different person—waking up early, going to bed late. Honestly, I'm a bit worried."
"You should probably say that to her yourself, Nijika."
"I did, but every time she says okay, then absolutely nothing changes."
"I see... What's she staying up so late doing?"
"Online courses for managers, market trend analysis, industry insights...
Her desk used to be full of manga, but now it's covered with handwritten notes and books about bands and the music business."
Judging by how quickly Kesshoku Band had improved lately, Chisato could picture exactly what Nijika was describing.
He promised he'd speak with Seika and persuade her not to push herself so hard.
After that, they had their usual casual chit-chat time in STARRY Hall—sharing recent funny or interesting stories.
It didn't last long, though. Before long, Seika returned and gently clapped her hands, signaling everyone to get back to their positions.
Then, Kesshoku Band resumed their ensemble practice as usual. Lunch was taken care of at the office—they ordered healthy light meals.
Chisato ate with them, too. The meal included whole grains, corn, broccoli, arugula salad, a small portion of chicken breast, and marinated salmon.
Visually, it was a beautiful, well-balanced lunch.
Taste-wise… it was barely passable.
Eating once or twice was fine, but having it constantly—it was no wonder Ryo had developed such an obsession with yakiniku before.
Though they were now officially signed with a company and on the path to professionalism, the members of Kesshoku Band were still technically students.
For the sake of their future, they couldn't afford to neglect their studies.
After a forty-minute break following lunch, they gathered once more around the company's meeting table to begin studying together.
They kept at it until around 4 p.m. According to the original schedule, it would then be time for Kesshoku Band to begin a new round of practice.
However, since they had already promised to give the girls a breather—and because Seika had a dinner appointment later that evening—the original plan was naturally canceled.
And so, with practice ending early, the four members of Kesshoku Band were now free to use the rest of the day as they pleased.
When they heard Seika confirm this, they cheered "Hooray!" and immediately rushed off to pack up their things.
That left only Chisato and Seika alone in the meeting room.
"President, if you've got any spare time, you really should try to stop by the company more often. People come by all the time asking to collaborate.
We employees can't be the only ones greeting them. Besides, when you're here, I feel like the girls are way more motivated to practice."
As she straightened the chairs around the meeting table, Seika made her suggestion.
"Got it. If I've got the time, I'll come by."
"Let's hope so."
"Oh, by the way, Seika-san. I promised the girls we'd go out to eat after this. Why don't you come along?"
Chisato extended the invitation.
Seika blinked in surprise.
That invitation clashed with her original plans.
She set the last chair in place, straightened up, and looked at Chisato.
She meant to decline, but the moment their eyes met, her mouth took the liberty of saying something else entirely:
"What are we eating?"
"Yakiniku. It was a unanimous decision. I know you're keeping an eye on their fat and calorie intake, so I'll make sure they eat in moderation."
"You don't have to be so cautious. You're the president—it's your call."
The sight of Seika standing there with her hands on her hips made Chisato chuckle quietly.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Oh, nothing."
It felt like... like Seika-san, the girls, and I were a little family. Like parents and kids. That's what this whole thing reminded me of.
Of course, there's no way I'd say something so on-the-nose out loud.
"So, Seika-san, you're coming, right?"
"Mm…"
"What's wrong? Want to go home and change? No need, I think your office looks really nice. Very classy."
"That's not the problem!"
Seika sighed deeply and turned away.
"…Fine. I'll come. Who knows what you'll end up promising them if I'm not there and they start sweet-talking you again."
"Great. I'm heading to the bathroom. See you in a bit."
Chisato stood up and walked out of the meeting room.
Seika remained by the window, then after a while brought her hands up to her now-warm cheeks.
She sighed in resignation and messaged a friend, letting them know she had to cancel their evening plans due to a last-minute commitment.
The reply came quickly—an old-fashioned sticker of a grumpy old man licking a knife, accompanied by the caption: "You messing with me?"
Seika couldn't help but laugh. She deflected with the reliable excuse of "work" and left it at that.
But truthfully, deep down inside, she was just as excited as the girls about the dinner party.
"Geez… I don't get it…"
She muttered to herself, hand to her forehead, looking perplexed.
___
"The meal included whole grains, corn, broccoli, arugula salad, a small portion of chicken breast, and marinated salmon."
Dunno if its messed up the diet or not, but with enough salad dressings, I would gobble up that menu everyday even if no one forced me to lol.'
Nutritious meals are some kind of luxury as well, so make sure you eat good.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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