In music anime, band girls won't be alone.

She was truly grateful to the other person from the bottom of her heart. Whether it was the support along the way, the boundless tolerance, or the warmth like the sunshine, it all moved her deeply.

She originally thought it was fine for her to trust him and accept his help.

Because I will also work hard and accumulate strength, so that when I am able, I can repay the other party.

But now I realize that these were just excuses to numb myself.

Judging from their current situation, the gap between them will only widen as things progress.

Especially under the influence of the aforementioned ideas, one will only become more and more dependent on the economic resources provided by the other party, abandoning one's own exploration and efforts, and ultimately becoming the other party's vassal.

If that's the case, then what's the difference between them and animals kept in captivity and fed in zoos?

If everything you gain comes from the other person, what is there to talk about in return?

So even though she was conflicted and knew that her actions would inevitably hurt the other person, Toyokawa Shoko still decided to say those words to them today.

Seeing that the other person had spoken for her, her guilt deepened, but it didn't shake her decision. She simply looked away again, her face filled with apology.

"Sorry……"

Shirakawa didn't show any emotion immediately. After taking a sip of coffee, his gaze followed the cup in his hand downwards.

"What about Deng-chan?"

"What are you going to do about it?"

Toyokawa Shoko's eyes flickered, and she tightened her grip on his arm. After a long while, she finally spoke slowly, her voice weaker.

"I... don't really have much interaction with Deng-chan..."

Shirakawa took a deep breath, calmed himself down, glanced at his phone, and then gestured for the other person to look at the screen.

"Xiangzi, it's 5:19 PM now."

"I'll give you ten minutes to think about it."

"At 5:29, if you are willing to take back what you just said, I can pretend I didn't hear it, and we can still get along like before."

Toyokawa Shoko gritted her teeth, preparing to say something.

Shirakawa Ze interrupted her directly.

"Xiangzi, we'll talk about it when it's time."

"I don't want to hear it now."

Shoko Toyokawa swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue, then turned her head back to look at the ground, the arch of her neck still stubbornly protruding.

She felt as if she had returned to a year ago, when she was in the practice room facing the CRYCHICI members.

At that time, she was also drawing a line between herself and her most important friends.

Saying goodbye to the beautiful past.

She admitted that she had been very happy since becoming friends with Shirakawa.

But it was this happiness that made her lose her edge and become more gentle.

In her view, this was an unforgivable depravity.

She felt she was not entitled to enjoy these things now, and her only way out was to break through the darkness and find her own light.

Instead of mistaking the brilliance of others for one's own strength.

"Tick...tick..."

She felt as if the ticking of a second hand was constantly ringing in her ears.

The reflection of the piano that enveloped his feet shifted slightly.

Image: "Jueyi Xiaoxiang", Location: "Images/1721079141-100405463-111896639.jpg"

Finally, she heard Shirakawa Ze's voice.

"Xiangzi, it's time."

Toyokawa Shoko's gaze had returned to calm; she raised her head to look at the other person.

"I'm sorry, Ze."

Volume 1: Chapter 175 The Lamp's Confession

Shirakawa Sawa stared at the girl in front of him, still showing no emotion.

"Xiangzi, is there anything you want to explain or clarify about what you just said?"

"Or rather, in what ways did I offend you?"

Toyokawa Shoko shook her head.

"No, Ze... there's no problem, it's all my fault."

Shirakawa Sawa continued to ask.

"So, what kind of relationship does Xiangzi want us to maintain now?"

Toyokawa Shoko pursed her lips, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

"Apart from necessary contact, we should avoid contact in other aspects as much as possible."

Shirakawa looked at her, took a deep breath, and steadied himself.

"Xiangzi, I don't know what happened to you. Perhaps you have your own thoughts and difficulties."

"But your current behavior is seriously damaging our friendship."

“After you met me, you didn’t explain anything to me and just chose to cut ties with me.”

"I can't remain magnanimous when I'm facing you like this."

He exhaled and continued to gaze at the other person.

"Based on what you said, can I understand that if there's no longer a reason for us to contact each other, then we don't need to contact each other anymore?"

Toyokawa Shoko paused for a moment, then nodded.

Shirakawa Sawa paused for a moment, then took out his phone, which he usually used for filming videos, and placed it on the table.

"This phone is used for shooting videos and also for operating your video account's backend."

"The social media account inside is used specifically for connecting with various business partners."

"From now on, you will be in charge of these things."

"As for recording, you don't need to bother with that; I'll find someone else."

"You can leave all the filming equipment here with you."

"I will send you these things, as well as the price of the annual music room pass, later."

"For the sake of our past friendship, I won't rush you."

He got up and walked over to the other person.

"Toyokawa-kun, please give me the lyrics I handed you first."

Shoko Toyokawa looked at the boy in front of her with a hint of surprise. Her mouth was slightly open, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she chose to remain silent. She turned around, took out the lyrics from her bag, and handed them over.

Shirakawa Sawa took the lyrics, looked at the girl in front of him,

"The other client who commissioned the lyrics has their contact information on social media on their phone. You are free to handle it as you see fit."

"The contact information of the client, including the orange juice advertisement, is also included."

"There shouldn't be any reason for us to contact each other now, right?"

"Toyokawa-kun, you don't need to worry about anything anymore."

"If you want to draw a clear line, then be decisive."

I wish you all the best in the future.

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked out.

He stopped in front of the door and looked at the still silent girl.

"Dengjiang's second live performance will be this Saturday at 7 PM on RiNG."

"She still remembers what you said before, that you would come to see her next live show."

"That's all I have to say."

"Goodbye."

After watching the other person leave, Toyokawa Shoko's momentum instantly collapsed. She hugged her arms even tighter, clenched her teeth, and refused to make a sound.

After calming down a bit, she slowly walked to the sofa, picked up the phone,

Watching Bai Chuanze's messages on social media and in the video account's backend, exchanging with various people, she could no longer control her emotions. She gripped her phone tightly with both hands, clutched her chest, and tears streamed down her face...

……

After leaving the music store, Shirakawa took a deep breath, feeling quite depressed, as if all his efforts had been in vain.

He sighed and walked towards his residence.

When he got close to RiNG, he saw Takamatsu Takashi standing in front of a tree with his back to him, looking up at something.

As he got closer, he saw a rhinoceros beetle perched on the tree trunk.

"Light-chan."

After walking up to the girl, Shirakawa gently took her hand.

Takamatsu Akari's attention was drawn away. Turning her head to see the boy beside her, a gentle ripple appeared in her eyes. She grasped the boy's hand in return, then looked back at the rhinoceros beetle, the ripple in her eyes turning into a light of excitement.

"Ze-jun, it's a rhinoceros beetle!"

Shirakawa Ze nodded.