"But didn't you say earlier that you weren't ready to make your debut yet?" Kaminari's dad asked, puzzled.

  Kaminari didn't deny it and expined, "That's true. We're not officially debuting. We're just a school band, more like a club. We only release songs occasionally, and we don't pn on doing any performances until after we graduate."

  "But basiotion is still necessary," Kaminari tinued. "You know, things like member posters, song previews, that sort of thing. Yaoyorozu Momo's family will probably handle most of that."

  "Wait, did you just say Yaoyorozu?" Both his mom and dad perked up immediately. The Yaoyorozu family was one of the wealthiest in Japan, easily rivaling the Mitsui family.

  Kaminari hesitated before replying, "Yeah, one of the two female cssmates I mentioned before is the eldest daughter of the Yaoyorozu family. She's agreed to be the manager of our band..."

  He hesitated because he khis information could overwhelm his parents. In a socially stratified pce like Japan, families like the Yaoyorozus weren't just wealthy, they were practically royalty. The influend power they wielded were very real, especially to people like his parents, who had lived their entire lives navigating the plexities of society.

  For a moment, his parents just stared at each other, processing what they'd heard. Then his dad let out a hearty ugh and said, "Well, well, son, you're doing great!"

  "Yeah, we're proud of you!" his mom chimed in, her face full of encement.

  Kaminari sighed internally. "This isn't what I meant..." he thought, feeling slightly worn out by the misuanding.

  "Anyway, Dad," Kaminari ged the subject, "tomorrow's Sunday, and I was thinking ing my bandmates to the pany around noon. We'll meet with Dawu to record a new song."

  "Sounds good!" his dad said enthusiastically. "I'll call the ing crew right away and have them tidy up the offiorrow m."

  Though he wasly thrilled about the idea of the eldest daughter of the Yaoyorozu family visiting his pany, Kaminari's dad still saw it as an opportunity, a rare o that.

  "Hey, son," his mom suddenly interjected, "if you , bring them over to the house sometime."

  "Sure, if there's time," Kaminari said, though he didn't make any promises.

  "By the way," his dad asked, "what's the name of your new song?"

  "The title is 'Gotta Catch 'Em All!'" Kaminari replied with a grin.

  ---

  The day, March 4th, was the first weekend break since Kaminari and his cssmates had started their school year. Finally, a ce to rex.

  It was around 11 a.m. The early spring sun was warm but not overp, and a gentle breeze made the weather feel perfect. The kind of day where couples would want to go out and enjoy themselves.

  Kaminari was standihe entrance of the subway station closest to his dad's pany, watg couples stroll by with mild amusement. He wasn't there to people-watch though, he was waiting for Kyoka. As for Yaoyorozu Momo, Kaminari retty sure she wouldn't take the subway. She'd probably show up in a luxury car any minute now.

  And sure enough, as the saying goes, "Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Kaminari spotted Momo stepping out of an expensive car.

  "Kaminari!"

  "Hey, Momo," Kaminari greeted her, a little puzzled as he looked at her outfit. "Why are you dressed so formally?"

  Momo was wearing a sleek, -tailored business suit, looking pletely out of pce for a casual ba-up.

  "This is formal," she said with a proud smile, looking down at her fitted suit. "As the band's manager, I'm meeting your u the pany today, so of course I have to dress the part!" She twirled pyfully and asked, "What do you think? Do I look good?"

  Her polished appearance had already attracted plenty of attention from passersby, particurly from men who weren't even trying to be subtle much to the dismay of the women they were with.

  "You look great," Kaminari replied, though holy, with her natural elegance, Momo would have looked amazing even in regur clothes.

  Just then, another voice called out, "Kaminari!"

  Kaminari turo see Kyoka climbing the subway stairs, carrying a rge bass case over her shoulder. She was a bit out of breath, a sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead.

  "Here, let me take that," Kaminari said, stepping forward to grab the bass case from her. Kyoka didn't protest, just gave him a shy smile. However, when her eyes nded on Momo, she froze momentarily before quickly returning to her usual self.

  "Um, who's this?" Kyoka asked, eyeing Momo curiously.

  "Wait, Kaminari didn't tell you?" Momo asked in surprise, gng at Kaminari. She extended a hand to Kyoka, introdug herself. "I'm joining the Pikachu Band as the manager. It's o meet you!"

  "Ah, right! Sorry, I didn't expect this," Kyoka said, a bit flustered, but quickly shook Momo's hand. They were cssmates, after all, though Kyoka couldn't help but feel slightly out of pce.

  Seeing Kyoka's disfort, Kaminari scratched his head awkwardly. "Yeah, sorry about that. I meant to tell you st night, but I got caught up talking to my dad."

  "It's fine," Kyoka replied with a small smile, though she still felt like she had fotten something. Just then, she remembered that there was someone else she hadn't told about today's pns.

  "Kazama... I'm sorry," Kyoka thought guiltily, realizing she hadn't updated her good friend, who was miles away. "I'll expihing to Kaminari ter..."