Girl idols are meant to be exploited!

At this time every week, Shima Iwashita works in this store, and Hiroi knows this.

Shima was not surprised that Hiroi came to her, but she was surprised that this guy woke up so early?

It's only ten o'clock in the morning.

Normally she wouldn't get up until noon.

"It's been a long time since we last met. Of course I came to visit you and bring you a gift."

Hiroi smiled and pushed the box in his hand in front of Iwashita Shima.

It's really unprecedented. Hiroi Kikuri doesn't understand the ways of the world and actually gives people gifts...

"Can I open the presents?"

"Of course, this is for you!"

Shima Iwashita carefully opened the package. Inside the box was a pair of brand new Vic Firth Legacy series drumsticks. The wood texture was soft and smooth, and they were obviously high-end products that were specially selected.

Ordinary drumsticks cost only about 1,000 yen, but this pair of drumsticks costs at least 10,000 yen.

How could Hiroi Kikuri have the money to buy this?

Iwashita Shima thought for a moment and quickly came up with the answer: "...This gift was chosen for you by Hoshikawa Taku, right?"

"Ah? You can even guess that!?"

Hiroi screamed, a look of being discovered on his face.

"That's not hard to guess. After all, if it were you, you would definitely give me a bottle of wine instead of a practical and thoughtful gift like this."

Shima quipped.

"You look down on me too much by saying that."

Hiroi Kikuri curled her lips, trying to save her dignity, and said, "Besides, I've decided to quit drinking and won't touch a drop of alcohol anymore!"

"I don't drink alcohol..."

Iwashita Shima couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Wouldn't Hiroi Kikuri laugh if I said this?

"Well, now that Hoshikawa Taku is not around, you don't have to pretend like you've given up drinking."

Iwashita Shima stood up and took out a bottle of sake from the wine cabinet. "Since you gave me a drumstick today, I'll treat you to some good wine as a return gift."

Hiroi glanced at the bottle of wine, and his eyes suddenly showed some struggle.

The cold water droplets slid down the bottle and formed a circle of water stains on the bar.

This used to be her reassurance before performances and also her anesthetic when she was frustrated.

She licked her lips, her throat rolling slightly, but she finally pushed the bottle back: "No, I said I'm quitting, I'll just drink coffee!"

As she spoke, she pulled out a can of black coffee from her bag and drank it in big gulps.

The black coffee was so strong that it tasted bitter, and Hiroi's expression looked as ugly as if she had eaten a whole lemon. However, she didn't even look at the bottle of wine again after that.

Shima was stunned.

Could it be that... Hiroi really quit drinking?

"Hiroi, how on earth did you do that?"

She asked in surprise, "It's only been a month, and you've completely stopped drinking?"

Hiroi scratched his head. "I haven't completely quit, but Xingchuan has set a special day for me. On that day, I can drink alcohol. On other days, I can only use coffee instead of alcohol."

Shima felt unbelievable.

"You're just going to listen to Hoshikawa Taku? We've always forced you to stop drinking, but you just can't do it..."

"Well... hehe..."

A silly smile appeared on Hiroi's face, and his eyes wandered for a moment.

The reason why she was able to hold on was that on the day of indulgence, in addition to drinking, she could also get "comfort" from Xingchuan that was stronger than alcohol.

The ultimate satisfaction from both the mental and physical aspects made her obsessed with it. In order to get that feeling of "bliss", she forced herself not to drink.

However, she certainly couldn't say such things to Shima.

She put on a serious face and explained, "In order to get me to quit drinking, Xingchuan cooked for me every day and supervised my exercise. Of course, I can't let him down!"

Shima was stunned and turned to look at her face carefully.

Hiroi's complexion has indeed improved a lot, and his eyes are brighter than before.

"He's so nice to you, and he even cooks for you?"

"Not only does it cook, but I live with him, we eat and sleep together!"

Hiroi Kikuri boasted proudly, "I have to thank you all. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have joined the firm, nor would I have been able to live such a healthy life!"

Although Iwashita Shima was very happy that Hiroi had changed, she couldn't help but feel angry when she saw Hiroi's smug look.

Hiroi Kikuri also noticed Shima's gradually becoming irritable mood, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly.

She was just showing off and provoking on purpose. She was just trying to make Shima jealous!

Hiroi Kikuri finished the coffee in her hand, took out a black and gold ticket from her bag, and put it on the bar.

"Actually, my main purpose today is to give you this ticket."

Hiroi Kikuri was still showing off, "This is Mizuno Ai's concert, you must come. This is the VIP seat, right in the middle of the row, others can't get it even if they want it!"

Mizuno Ai's concert...

Shima took the ticket, a glint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes as he sighed, "Come to think of it, besides Mizuno Ai, even Aine and Meowmu from the band [Extension Line] are also attending this concert."

"I didn't expect that they had already performed on such a big stage before us."

When the Extension Line Band was first formed, none of them were used to each other, and there was even Aine, a complete novice.

It was the trio of Hiroi Kikuri, Iwashita Shima and Shimizu Elisa who served as mentors, guiding the students step by step, which enabled them to perform outstandingly.

Seeing her "apprentice" step onto such a big stage made her feel a little emotional.

Hiroi Kikuri sighed deliberately: "Actually, we could have performed on this stage, but you and Eliza are both very busy every day and don't have time to team up with me. Otherwise, we could have performed on stage..."

Iwashita Shima raised his eyebrows.

What did Hiroi Kikuri mean by this? Did she know that he and Hoshikawa Taku had conspired to deceive her?

No, if she knew, she wouldn't act so calmly. She would definitely be furious and cause trouble for herself...

Hiroi probably just feels regret.

Iwashita Shima said calmly, "It's okay to miss this opportunity. We've already signed contracts, so we'll have plenty of time to perform together later."

"You've also used this month to exercise and quit drinking. This is much more important than a chance to perform on stage."

Hiroi nodded in agreement: "That's true. If you lose something, you gain something. I really shouldn't have it all."

"Okay, I won't talk to you anymore. I'm going to go find Eliza and give her the ticket!"

Hiroi said goodbye to Iwashita Shima with a natural smile, picked up his bag and left happily.

Judging from Hiroi's performance, she didn't seem to know what she and Hoshikawa Taku were planning... I must have been overthinking it.

Iwashita Shima shook his head, carefully put away the gift, and returned to his work.

……

After coming out of the Livehouse, Kikuri Hiroi rushed to her next destination - Elisa Shimizu's residence.

Unlike Shima Iwashita who goes out every day, Eliza Shimizu is an "indoor" doujinshi cartoonist who always stays at home. If there is no performance or rehearsal, she will not go out even for a week.

Kikuri Hiroi knocked on Eliza's door three times with a bag in her hand and made a phone call.

The door finally opened.

Eliza Shimizu had frizzy blonde hair, a pale complexion, and two big dark circles under her eyes, as if she had put on smoky makeup.

She was wearing a large T-shirt with two-dimensional characters printed on it and looked at Hiroi with a tired expression.

"Why are you here so early in the morning...?"

Eliza's voice was hoarse, revealing the fatigue of staying up late.

"A day's plan begins in the morning!"

Hiroi Kikuri stood in the sunshine with her hands on her hips, full of energy, and said proudly, "You should learn from me. Go to bed early and get up early. A healthy life is the best way!"

Eliza looked at her blankly.

It's obvious that this guy's living habits are terrible, and she actually has the nerve to say that...

However, when she went to observe Hiroi Kikuri, she was surprised to find that Hiroi had indeed changed.

Her skin was fair and shiny, her face was rosy, her eyes were clear, and she didn't look tired or lifeless at all. Even her posture had become much more upright, and she looked full of energy.

……What's happening here?

Isn't Hiroi drunk every day and looks like he's going to die suddenly at any moment? How could he have changed so much?

She rubbed her eyes in disbelief and asked Hiroi what was going on.

On the other hand, Hiroi Kikuri had a "good question" expression on her face and proudly repeated what she had said to Iwashita Shima.

Eliza almost regretted asking, as she actually let Hiroi pretend in front of her.

"Okay, if you have anything to say, come in and talk. Don't just stand there at the door."

She quickly interrupted Hiroi, who was about to continue talking, and pulled her in.

As soon as Hiroi entered the door, he subconsciously wrinkled his nose.

The room was filled with the smell of instant ramen soup. The table was covered with draft papers, the sofa was piled with clothes and pillows, and comic books and Eliza's printed doujinshi were scattered all over the floor. It looked very messy.

In the past, Hiroi's house was even messier than this, but after living in a clean and tidy apartment for a month, she couldn't stand this environment anymore.

"...Can't you clean it up?"

She couldn't help but complain, "It's impossible to concentrate in this kind of environment."

"I work here anyway, so I can do whatever makes me feel comfortable."

Eliza rolled her eyes and sat back down at her desk, picking up a cup of cold coffee and continuing to sip it.

"You feel comfortable now because you're used to it, but a tidy room definitely makes people feel more comfortable!"

Hiroi Kikuri put her hands on her hips, then changed her tone and boasted proudly, "I live with Hoshikawa Taku now! He won't let me eat junk food like instant noodles. He makes healthy meals for me in different ways every day. He also cleans my room, so it's super tidy!"

The stylus in Eliza's hand fell to the ground with a "pop", and she looked at Hiroi with a twitching mouth.

This guy, Hiroi Kikuri, is really ungrateful.

Who says eating instant noodles is unhealthy?

She didn't even have instant noodles to eat before, and it was only because I was kind enough to take her in that I prevented her from starving to death on the streets!

What room isn't clean enough?

Has she forgotten that she had hugged his thighs and begged him to let her take a shower and stay overnight here?

Hiroi Kikuri quickly noticed that Eliza's expression was not right, and hurriedly took out two exquisite packaging boxes from the bag and placed them on the table.

"Okay, don't be angry, I'm just talking, don't take it seriously! Even though I'm doing well now, I won't forget you, my poor buddy!"

"Look, didn't I bring you a gift?"

The gifts that Kikuri Hiroi brought were a set of brand-name cosmetics from the office and a can of protein/powdered coffee specially made by Taku Hoshikawa.

Needless to say, every girl needs cosmetics, and this is also the gift proposed by Taku Hoshikawa.

As for the protein/powder, it was given to Eliza by Kikuri Hiroi because she thought it was very useful and could refresh the mind and strengthen the body.

Iwashita Shima has a great physique and doesn't need this, but although Eliza is not as decadent as she used to be, she also often stays up late and really needs this thing.

Looking at the two gifts in front of her, Eliza's expression improved.

But she felt a little unbalanced again.

Not only has Hiroi Kikuri's life become stable, but she has also started to be generous and give gifts to others?

How come she is living better than me now?