As a former member of C-group, I want to destroy mygo!

Unaware of Natsukawa Masaki's thoughts, Kamiya Yu looked at Riki with a probing gaze.

Li Xi first turned her face away somewhat embarrassedly, then gave You a look that said "wait a moment," before calling out to Hai Ling, "Hai Ling, are you done warming up?"

"You can start anytime."

Knowing what Li Xi meant, Hai Ling nodded, stopped waving her bass to avoid embarrassment, put on a cool expression, and walked over.

She walked past the other four people in the room and went to the area where she could play. Then, as if no one was around, she began to play a bass melody. The bass notes rang out coolly and echoed in the ears of the five people.

This is a typical display of skill, just like Natsukawa Masaki yesterday.

However, the difference is that the notes played by Natsukawa Masaki, with his dazzling skills, give people a more gorgeous feeling, while Hailing's notes are more in line with the style of bass, being deep and cool.

But if we disregard the differences in style... Natsukawa Masaki's expression turned cold.

If she has reached a professional level, then the person in front of her should be considered top-notch even among professional players.

She might be more talented, but she has never focused on practicing bass. On the contrary, you can tell from Hai Ling's ten fingers, which have obviously been modified by intensive training to be purely musical, that she has been diligently working on her instrument since childhood.

Shiina Tatsuki brought this person here specifically...

With a cold gaze, Natsukawa Masaki understood something almost instantly and couldn't help but sneer. Although she really wanted to take revenge on Shiina Tatsuki, it seemed that this time, she could only let him have his way.

Unlike the aloof Natsukawa Masaki, Riki was overjoyed to see Hai Ling's outstanding performance. As soon as Hai Ling finished singing, she quickly pulled Hai Ling to You's side and introduced her with great delight:

"This is Hachiman Kairin, my... friend. Yu, what do you think of Kairin?"

When the word "friend" came up, Li Xi, who wasn't good at expressing his goodwill, was a little embarrassed and didn't look at Hai Ling, thus missing the fleeting joy on Hai Ling's face.

But Kamiya Yu saw it.

So, although Lixi had never mentioned Hailing to him before, he believed that Hailing was indeed a true friend who would treat Lixi sincerely. His goodwill towards Hailing immediately soared, and he praised her generously: "Very amazing."

"Thank you." The difference was that Hai Ling's attitude was more ordinary.

Kamiya Yu didn't care about that. While praising her, he was also thinking about Riki's motive for suddenly bringing her good friend here to show off her skills. After a little thought, he quickly locked onto the most likely possibility.

The very next second after he finished thinking, he saw Li Xi raise her head and speak to him, word by word, very seriously and solemnly, without any attempt to hide anything from anyone, even though her plans had been completely seen through. She still insisted on speaking:

"Hai Ling's skills are even better than Natsukawa Masashi's, so... if I said that Hai Ling is willing to join your new band, at least when you're going to hold a live show and the band needs to perform, what would you think?"

Shocking!

Although Li Xi didn't say it explicitly, everyone knew that no band needed two bassists.

What Shiina Tatsuki truly wanted was never for Hailin to join or not, but to completely and forever expel the person named Natsuru Kawamasu from Kamiya Yu's band!

Volume 41: Chapter 41. There will never be good friends like Riki and Yu again.

Swish!

Just as Lixi, driven by pure selfishness, revealed his purpose in bringing Hailing here, Kurokawa Akane's eyes immediately filled with resentment.

She, who had always seemed to have a good temper like Chihaya Aine, finally showed a slight expression of anger on her fair face for the first time. This was an expression she hadn't shown even when Riki had attacked Natsukawa Masuzu.

Regardless of whether Natsukawa Masuzu wants to leave the band or not, and regardless of whether she and Kamiya Yu can successfully persuade her to stay, this is their business. It belongs to the three of them in the band. What's going on with Shiina Tatsuki, a former teammate, suddenly interfering?

What's even more outrageous is that although she and Kamiya Yu both deduced that Natsukawa Masuzu might leave the band, she believed that Kamiya Yu wouldn't go so far as to inform Shiina Tatsuki in advance. In other words, Shiina Tatsuki came specifically to cause trouble, assuming that the three members of their band had an unbreakable bond!

Just because someone is a senior member of a former band, does that give them the right to act so disrespectfully? This isn't Crychic; it's just her, Natsukawa Masuzu, and Kamiya Yu's band. How can we allow outsiders to interfere and influence the members' decisions?

Akane Kurokawa was genuinely displeased; her gaze hardened slightly, and she was about to take a step forward.

However, before she could do anything, her arm was suddenly grabbed by Natsukawa Masuzu, who had a smiling face and seemed not to care.

"Why—" Kurokawa Akane was startled. She was going to stand up for Natsukawa Masuzu, but instead she was being held back by Masuzu.

However, facing Kurokawa Akane's puzzled gaze, Natsukawa Masuzu did not explain. She just smiled and shook her head, pulled Kurokawa Akane away from the battlefield, and watched the confrontation between Shiina Tatsuki and Kamiya Yu as if it were none of her business.

At this moment, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Kamiya Yu had become the sole center of attention.

After hearing Li Xi's predictable words, he stood there for several seconds, hesitant to speak, before finally letting out a slow sigh: "Do you know what you're doing, Li Xi?"

"...It was my fault, I know."

Li Xi's eyes were gleaming. She knew she was breaking the law, and she wasn't an unreasonable person; she knew her actions were quite egregious. However, even so, she stubbornly persisted in doing so. She had only one goal now.

"But no matter what you think, I don't think Natsukawa Masami is qualified to be in the same band as you. I also don't believe that someone who looks selfish and self-serving could develop any feelings for you or the band after only two or three days with you."

"Even if I have to bow and apologize to Natsukawa Masuzu afterwards, or even dogeza (a traditional Chinese kowtow)—I don't care."

"I just hope... you can seriously consider my suggestion, Yu."

These words, which were completely unlike what Li Xi would say, left Hai Ling, Xia Chuan Ma Liang, and Kurokawa Akane speechless for a moment.

Although their views and understanding of Riki differed, even Hailing, who understood Riki the most, could never have imagined that Shiina Riki would one day say something like, "I don't mind if you make me dogeza" (a traditional Chinese form of prostration).

Although she said she didn't care, everyone knew that Riki couldn't possibly be indifferent. She was simply willing to make concessions for Kamiya Yu, even if it meant bowing deeply!

Hai Ling knew, of course, that Li Xi had feelings for Kamiya Yu. After all, more than a year ago, this name would always pop out of Li Xi's mouth without her even realizing it, and the frequency was getting higher and higher. Only she herself was so stupid that she didn't notice.

But... Hai Ling really didn't expect that Li Xi's affection for him would reach such an unbelievable level!

Sour.

I'm so jealous.

Unable to contain her envy, Hai Ling's gaze suddenly fell upon Kamiya Yu. She wanted to know what kind of charm this man possessed that could captivate Ritsu to such an extent. If he was one of those scumbags who didn't deserve Ritsu, or someone who, while not truly devoted, only harbored feelings of exploitation towards Ritsu, then…

"...I can agree to anything else, but not this."

After being practically begged by Riki, Kamiya Yu hesitated for a moment before coldly rejecting her suggestion!

Seeing this scene, not only Li Xi and Hai Ling, but also the furious Kurokawa Akane, and Natsukawa Masuzu who was watching the show and rehearsing in his mind how to get revenge in the future, were all stunned for a moment. Everyone's eyes were filled with utter confusion. No one would have thought that Kamiya Yu would give such a response.

Especially Akane Kurokawa and Masuzu Natsukawa, the two girls looked at each other and remained silent for a moment.

Compared to Shiina Tatsuki and Hachiman Kairin, they were both eyewitnesses to the incident of leaving the group.

Akane Kurokawa hadn't forgotten that even if Tatsuki Shiina didn't bring Kairin Hachiman, Masuzu Natsukawa was already leaving the band.

In this situation, there just happened to be a professional player who was more professional than Natsukawa Masami, who came to audition for the bassist position. If you ask yourself honestly, if you put her in the position of captain, even Kurokawa Akane would feel that if you replaced Kamiya Yu with yourself, from any angle, there seems to be no reason to refuse Hachiman Kairin's entry into the team.

But Kamiya Yu actually refused so directly?

What is he thinking?

Akane Kurokawa, who thought she had glimpsed some of the truth, and Masuzu Natsukawa, who was shocked, were all suddenly plunged into confusion.

Unlike the other three girls, Lixi was also somewhat surprised, but her face showed more of a helpless regret, tinged with a bit of bitterness.

It was as if she had already foreseen that there was a high probability that her efforts would be in vain.

Of course, even though he already knew this was likely the outcome, Li Xi still took the initiative to owe Hai Ling a favor, acting as an unwelcome guest to cause trouble.

As long as there's even the slightest possibility, she's willing to try for You's sake; if it doesn't succeed, then there's nothing she can do.

Li Xi wasn't angry. Aside from regret and bitterness, for some reason, her uniquely bright purple eyes also held a hint of joy that she herself didn't realize:

"……Why?"

Volume 42: Chapter 42. Hai Ling: Thank you, Li Xi, for giving me the man.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't moved.

How could Kamiya Yu not see that Riki's opinions about Natsukawa Masuzu actually stemmed from him? From Riki's perspective, all of Natsukawa Masuzu's actions since the two bands met were bound to be met with great distrust and disapproval.

After all, from the beginning, Li Xi has always been the person who cares most about the band, loves music the most, and is quite serious. How could someone like her possibly be able to stand Xia Chuan Zhenliang?

So, for his former bandmate, for his good friend who is still a friend to this day, and also for his new band, he deliberately invited someone as capable as Hai Ling to help him... Li Xi has always been a rather arrogant guy, so how could he not be moved by his straightforwardness in doing something like this?

However, precisely because of this, he was even less able to accept this kindness.

His initial intention in forming the new band was always the same, and naturally, the ultimate fate of this so-called band was to disband.

The band was destined to have no future even before it was formed. Now that Lixi has sent his friend in, he is destined to be let down. Once the other party really joins, even if he is unwilling, he will not stop using her for the sake of one person. In the end, Hailing can only be treated as a pure tool by him, just like Xia Chuanzhen and the others.

In that case, when the truth comes out, how difficult will it be for Lixi to be caught between him and Hailing?

She might even face resentment from Hailing and be cut off from their friendship.

He certainly wouldn't do something that would harm Lixi, so the only thing to do was to exclude Hailing from the beginning. As for the missing bassist... he would have to find one himself later, although it might take a long time to find a suitable candidate.

But it doesn't matter how much time it takes, it's better than making things difficult for Lixi.

only……

As he thought about it, Kamiya Yu's gaze swept over Kurokawa Akane and the others.

The real reason absolutely cannot be made public; therefore, he could only say:

"Hailing is indeed very capable. If you had approached her before the band was formed, I would have accepted her without hesitation. But now it's too late, Lixi."

“Perhaps in your opinion, Natsukawa does have all sorts of shortcomings, but I think that no one is perfect. Since she is already a member of my band, I can’t replace her just because someone stronger wants to join.”

"Even if you brought in a professional-level keyboardist instead of Hai Ling to replace Kurokawa, who is only slightly better than Chihaya Aine from your side, I still wouldn't agree. Otherwise, I wouldn't be qualified to be the band's leader."

"After all, what kind of band would that be? You can understand, right? If someone brought in someone as talented as Hailing to replace me from the Crychic era, would you agree to it, Lixi?"

Upon hearing his words, Li Xi's expression turned serious, filled with a terrifying and dangerous look. Without hesitation, she instinctively retorted, "Of course not!"

"right?"

Seeing Riki's reaction, Kamiya Yu was extremely gratified, honored and happy, and couldn't help but smile: "So, please forgive me, this time I really can only disappoint you."

Faced with Yu's apology, Riki couldn't muster any anger. He could only helplessly accept the result with a hint of joy. Then, he glared fiercely at Natsukawa Masaki, the culprit, and for some reason, turned his face slightly away, looking at the empty wall on the other side: "Really... I can't do anything with you."

Hai Ling, standing next to Li Xi, was stunned. She stared intently at Kamiya Yu.

At that moment, Hai Ling suddenly heard her own heart pounding with excitement. Although Kamiya Yu wasn't bad-looking, he wasn't exactly a handsome guy who could make girls swoon just by his face. But now, Hai Ling, who initially had no feelings for Kamiya Yu... suddenly began to feel that she was starting to like this man.

As a professional band mercenary, she had worked for dozens of bands, but she never joined any of them because she couldn't find the key qualities she valued in those bands and their members.

However, she, who had only come to make Lixi happy and to fulfill her duty, suddenly found herself, for the first time, interested in a certain band. In a subtle way, every cell in her body seemed to be shouting, overflowing with a slight impulse to join this unknown but exquisitely charming band.

She finally understood what kind of man Lixi could have been so unable to forget for so long.

Although Riki is different from her and doesn't have such a deep appreciation for a good band... this also proves that Kamiya Yu's merits go far beyond just appreciating bands.

“You guys have a great band and a great leader.”

With a touch of envy, Hai Ling immediately put away her bass and looked at Kurokawa Akane and Natsukawa Masuzu, who were still in a daze, and couldn't help but remind them.

She didn't want to see Kamiya Yu let down. Kurokawa Akane was alright, she was obviously moved, but Natsukawa Masashi... For some reason, even after hearing Kamiya Yu's resolute words, apart from the initial surprise, her face still seemed very casual, as if she didn't care about Kamiya Yu at all.

No wonder Li Xi was determined to be the bad guy, and still wanted her to come and replace the other person.

However, since they had been rejected, it was best to leave first. Next, it was time for the other band to get to know each other better: "We should go, Lixi."