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

This was the first time he had acted in such a somewhat childish manner, so his acting skills were really lacking, and he seemed a bit awkward.

However, it was precisely because of this awkwardness that Takamatsu Akari, who was a bit slow-witted but not stupid, felt in her heart that Yu was deliberately saying these things to deceive her and try to reassure her. Akari really began to think that perhaps Yu was indeed a little like her, afraid of Ritsuki.

At this moment, the band, which seemed so out of place, finally made Akari truly feel that she was part of the band, that she was a real member of the band, and not just an outsider standing there as Saki's friend who couldn't talk to anyone else.

...Are she and Yu even more naturally allies than Saki-chan?

In this group, should she and Yu really be the most united friends in the band?

Even if it were her, what use could she possibly be?

"Can I really... lend Yu my courage?" They were now united against a common enemy, standing together with Yu opposite Riki.

Seeing this, Kamiya Yu smiled and nodded slightly: "Yes, if I could receive the blessing of the lamp, even someone like me who knows nothing more than the lamp, who can't sing, doesn't know any instruments, and can't write lyrics, would definitely dare to stand in front of Ritsuki and resist her tyranny!"

"At that time, I will be able to overthrow the evil Shiina Tatsuki in one fell swoop, and then defeat everyone including Wakaba Mutsumi and Nagasaki Motoyo, and make this band a place where we can truly live and thrive."

"With Deng and me, we don't have to be afraid of anything. We can happily and joyfully fill this band together!"

Inspired by beautiful visions, the future that You spoke of filled the lamp with anticipation.

"That……"

Since joining the band, Gao Songdeng's eyes have been filled with hesitation and unease, like someone who has been separated from their parents and wandered into a world they have never seen before.

Even though Saki-chan always stands by her side, gently explaining everything to her, there is still a faint wall between Saki-chan and her. That wall is... the boundary between humans and her, the shared fate of Crychic, which makes her feel uneasy.

And now, Takamatsu's little hands are trembling.

Even so, she still pursed her lips, resolute and determined, her eyes revealing a firmness for the first time ever, as she placed her hand in Kamiya Yu's palm.

"If I had any courage, I would lend it all to Yu!"

I mustered up the courage; for the first time ever.

“Yes, I did receive it. Thank you, my friend, Akari.” Kamiya Yu clasped his hands together and held Akari’s trembling little hands, comforting her until she stopped trembling.

Then, he said in a low voice, "So, now it's my turn, Lamp."

"...?"

Yu, what are you going to do?

Just as this doubt was beginning to arise in her heart, Takamatsu Akari saw Yu, who had borrowed courage from her, slowly stand up. Under the astonished gazes of Saki-chan, Souse, and Mutsumi, Yu fearlessly and without hesitation walked up to Ritsuki and uttered those words that sounded like a provocation:

"As a bandmate, can you teach me how to play drums, Lixi?"

Yu has declared war.

He accomplished something she could never have done.

To protect her... because she is a natural ally, a true friend.

You is her hero.

Gao Songdeng never knew that in this world where she felt so out of place, she could feel so at ease, able to stand behind someone and watch him fight against the most terrifying things for her sake.

Just like her, she can't do anything and is not accepted by anyone except Saki-chan.

But Yu bravely stepped forward.

Because I lent him my courage.

"Can I really be like Yu? Do I really have that much courage?"

Whispering.

It wasn't until the band's practice time ended that Deng snapped out of her daze. However, she didn't feel like any time had passed at all; it was as if so many hours had gone by in an instant. It was really strange.

She dazedly took off her clothes, showered in the bathroom, and combed her hair in front of the mirror.

It was only then that Gao Songdeng realized—that her eyes, her gaze, could one day become so surging with emotion, so excited, so earnest.

The person in the mirror completely overturned her self-perception.

This kind of thing has happened far too often today.

Touching the cold, mirrored surface, the warmth transmitted through her fingertips made her feel perfectly comfortable.

"since……"

It was so quiet, so quiet you couldn't hear anything, but it really existed, it really sang out.

"I don't exist here, there is no place for me here..."

The sound grew louder and louder.

I gaze at the image in the mirror where my lips are murmuring, speaking, singing, and releasing themselves.

It's not a polite smile meant to blend into the human world.

Takamatsu Akari's right hand tightly gripped the palm of her left hand, the one that had given Yu courage. She felt it was so warm, so very warm.

Volume 1: Chapter 70, Section 69: The Lamp's Memories - The Lamp and the Century of Reconciliation (6,000 words)

...I can't sing anymore.

"Thump, thump thump, thump thump thump!"

In the practice room, Takamatsu Akari stared blankly as Yu, who was showing off his skills, displayed what could be described as a leap forward. Compared to yesterday's initial haphazard banging and clanging, Yu's current skill, although still far behind Yu's, was completely audible.

Very impressive, it's become much more impressive than yesterday.

Seeing You like this, one should feel happy, be happy for him, and even feel proud.

It was because of the courage she borrowed that Yu was able to make Riki show such a shocked and surprised expression, like a scary big dog that doesn't bite but always chases after people and barks, finally no longer so scary.

But... I feel very uncomfortable.

Watching Yu's rapid progress, seeing Li Xi, who was still stubborn and unwilling to admit defeat, but had actually been defeated by Yu and seemed less scary, and seeing how he challenged Li Xi for his own sake, but in the end, it was the two of them who sat together.

And what about me?

Didn't we agree to be best friends, natural allies?

Good morning, Mr. Daiko?

"What an incredibly stupid and nonsensical name! Double the training today!"

"That's a real shame. It just so happens that today isn't an option. We need to find a way to train our band's lead singer today. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

Our band's lead singer.

This somewhat unfamiliar title, so different from "Big Drum Teacher," made Takamatsu Akari, who was already cowering, tremble. She suddenly felt as if she were carrying a lot of meteorites in her chest and shoulders, so heavy that she couldn't breathe.

The face I saw in the mirror last night can never be replicated.

Even though I sincerely wanted to smile so excitedly, wanted to sing like that, didn't want Saki to worry, and didn't want to hold the band back.

But... I couldn't sing anything.

Even though Saki-chan took me to a karaoke bar so thoughtfully, and after the group disbanded, I was dragged to a pedestrian bridge to witness Saki-chan bravely shouting out to the world, "I want to be human!!"

She should have had the same courage as Saki-chan.

She clearly... shouldn't even be afraid of Li Xi.

But why is it that it's even harder to look at Li Xi than before, and why am I even more afraid to face her?

Why, suddenly, does it seem like she's back to how she was before she met Saki-chan?

Are you really having a lot of fun, band?

Is she the only one who's unhappy?

Because she is not human, even if she is a natural ally and a partner in fighting against Li Xi, once she goes to Li Xi's side, there is no longer a need for her as the useless lead singer.

"...I'm sorry." He couldn't sing anything.

Even after Saki patiently tried every possible method to torment them for three whole days, until Riki's gaze became increasingly hostile, until even Mutsu, who had no expression, and Suze, who seemed very gentle, started to feel a bit troubled and showed strange expressions.

Should she actually leave Crychic?

"You guys are really impatient."

...Yu?

With his eyes slightly wide and listless, about to say something he himself didn't even know he was thinking, full of insecurity, Takamatsu Akari's attention was completely diverted the moment he heard Kamiya Yu, who had stopped drumming, speak. He stared at him blankly.

Looking at this person who claimed to be her natural ally, but who never came back after getting to know Lixi, including the place where Saki-chan tried her best to encourage her to sing these past few days, she has had less interaction with her... She doesn't know what she did wrong to make her no longer the same friend she was at the beginning.

"This band has only been together for a week, right? I have to give a good critique to a certain Xiangzi. Instead of rushing to sing, don't you think it's more important for everyone to get to know them better?"

"Besides, let's be honest, I'm an amateur who's been playing drums at such a high intensity for so long, doesn't anyone care about me? I'm so pathetic, am I someone who doesn't need me?"

As he spoke, Kamiya Yu gave a sad look, like an abandoned puppy, and sighed heavily with deep regret. His gaze swept over Xiangzi, who looked slightly anxious and obviously very troubled, and finally landed on the cool Ritsuki.

Li Xi's eyes narrowed: "Huh? Why are you looking at me? The drumming you're doing is far from enough. I can do much more than you!"

“Yes, yes, yes,” Kamiya Yu immediately gave up, threw down his drumsticks, propped his chin up with his hands, and smiled, using a shameless attitude to forcefully threaten, “But if Riki doesn’t give me some reward, I won’t even continue at this intensity.”

"Wait--"

Seeing this scene, which was clearly not discussed beforehand, Toyokawa Shoko blushed quickly, though her brain momentarily shut down due to overload. Whether from embarrassment or anger, she couldn't tell, and hurriedly stopped her:

"W-What are you doing, Yu! If you want a reward, you can't bother Riki-kun! If you absolutely have to, I..."

"—Okay." Interrupting Xiangzi was Lixi, who had her arms crossed and was feigning displeasure. She turned her head away, her cool face suddenly turning cold, and her tone sounded slightly annoyed. "So, what do you want to extort?"

"Shall we go to the amusement park together?"

Kamiya Yu smiled, raised a peace sign, and pinched it like a child, "You have to treat me and the lamp, okay?"

……

I paid for it.

Despite being the poorest member of the entire Crychic organization, Lixi appears to be the poorest.

But when she was helping to buy tickets at the amusement park, she couldn't maintain that tense and fierce expression at all. The corners of her mouth that were slightly raised because of being extorted were forced down by her arms crossed as if she were superior.

She was a little worried that she might be found out... because her attitude towards Kamiya Yu was so bad at the beginning, but it was all just her own imagination and preconceived notions. It was really terrible, absolutely the worst thing. She was starting to hate herself.

I've always wanted to make it up to them.

However, she couldn't bring herself to say it... How could she possibly bring herself to say such a thing!

Fortunately, she finally had this chance to make amends, but... was this really just an accidental extortion? Could it be that this guy actually sensed her feelings, and so—