Chapter 238 — What is this?

Meanwhile, online discussions about the mystery challenger were getting more and more intense.

Many Kessoku Band fans had already figured it out—or at least strongly suspected.

Some were so certain that they spent serious money to buy live audience tickets for next Friday’s show, determined to see for themselves.

———————————————————————

February 3rd, Wednesday.

Kessoku Band had been summoned by the production team for a short orientation and sound check.

By then, the internet was practically boiling with speculation about the identity of the so-called “Japanese challenger.”

Those who knew kept their mouths shut.

Those who didn’t were left clawing at every rumor they could find.

As for the contestants still in the running, there were six left in total.

Aside from Haneul Lee, the rest were all well-known musicians in their own right—professionals with established careers and polished images.

Compared to them, Kessoku Band was the odd one out.

They’d only debuted a year ago, and most of the other contestants had barely even heard their name.

“Thank you for your hard work,” one of the staff members called out as the group exited the studio.

The girls bowed politely before heading back toward their rooms.

On the opposite side of the deck, Kei paused for a moment, glancing at the stage.

Workers were busy remodeling it—shifting lights, raising panels, adjusting props—all to match the next performer’s theme.

The ship itself was still docked in Okinawa, unmoving since their arrival.

From what Kei heard, they’d set sail for Ha Long Bay once their round was over.

“Kei-senpai, what should we do now?” Nijika’s cheerful voice snapped him from his thoughts.

“Hmm…” Kei checked his phone. The clock read just past two. “We haven’t had lunch yet, right? Let’s just go to the lounge—”

“Kei-senpai! Kei-senpai!” Kita suddenly interrupted, practically bouncing on her heels.

Kei blinked. “What is it?”

“Let’s eat outside the ship!” Kita said, eyes sparkling. “We’re in Okinawa! It’d be a total waste if we didn’t explore a little!”

Nijika clasped her hands together eagerly. “That’s a good idea! I want to buy souvenirs too—for my sister, and maybe my classmates!”

“Souvenirs, huh?” Kei muttered, thinking it over.

Honestly, there wasn’t any real reason to refuse.

‘I guess I should pick up something too… for Hachiman, Yukinoshita, and especially Hiratsuka-sensei.’

Just remembering her was enough to make a chill run down his spine.

Hiratsuka-sensei hadn’t said anything when he asked for time off to join the show, but her expression had said plenty— the kind that warned, ‘Come back empty-handed, and I’ll show you my special move.’

Kei winced inwardly, half-imagining her fist phasing through his soul.

“Alright,” he said finally, turning to the group. “Let’s go explore a bit. We can grab souvenirs while we’re at it.”

Then, with a faintly weary sigh, he added, “And please—please—don’t buy any food. There’s a good chance we won’t be coming back to the ship for a while.”

Nijika and Kita squealed, “Yes!” and sprinted back to their room to change, leaving only Ryou, Kei, and Bocchi behind.

Kei noticed Bocchi fidgeting nervously at the edge of his vision and asked gently, “Are you okay, Bocchi?”

“Uweh!?” Bocchi squeaked, nearly tripping over her own feet. “I-I-I’m fine!” she blurted out, her voice cracking in panic.

Kei tilted his head slightly.

The dark bags under her eyes were impossible to miss, and her pale face told its own story.

He stepped forward and placed a hand lightly on her forehead.

Bocchi froze.

The warmth of his hand spread across her skin, steady and comforting.

Her brain short-circuited instantly.

‘Eh? Eh!? Why?’

‘His hand…His hand… it’s warm.’

‘But not like Mom’s hand… Mom’s hand is soft and kind of cold when she’s cooking…’

‘It’s also not like Jimihen’s paw either—Jimihen’s paw is squishy and a little damp… but this is—'

‘—different. It’s warm… steady… and it smells kind of… nice?’

Her heartbeat spiked, her face turning redder by the second.

“Hmm? You feel a bit warm,” Kei said, frowning slightly. “Do you have a fever?”

Ryou sighed from the side, already sensing disaster. “Suki-san, if you keep doing that, she’s going to pass out.”

“Huh?” Kei blinked and pulled his hand away.

He turned back to Bocchi—only to see her standing stiffly, her eyes glazed over, like her soul was halfway out of her body.

“Bocchi, are you—”

“Weh!?” she squeaked, snapping back to reality.

Realizing what she’d just been thinking, her face instantly turned crimson. “I-I-I’m okay! I just need to grab something from my room!”

Before either of them could say another word, Bocchi spun on her heel and bolted down the corridor like her life depended on it.

As she run her heart pounded violently against her chest, each thud echoing in her ears.

‘W-What is this? Why is my heart beating so fast?!’

‘Am I… am I going to die?!’

Her face burned hotter with every frantic step, and the thought of Kei’s hand on her forehead flashed in her mind again—warm, steady, gentle.

‘No, no, no! Stop thinking about it!’ she screamed inwardly, covering her face as she ran even faster.

Meanwhile, Kei stood frozen staring after her, still trying to process what just happened.

Ryou watched Bocchi’s retreating figure in silence, a faint frown forming between her brows.

‘Maybe… I should talk to Nijika and Kita about this,’ she thought.

With a small sigh, Ryou muttered under her breath, “Suki-san, maybe we really should tie you up and keep you out of sight from people…”