Joker's Band Game Story

"Hello, you must be Ren Amamiya?"

She had seen the registration information at the front desk, so she naturally remembered Ren Amamiya's name. Seeing Ren Amamiya greet her so openly, she admired him even more.

His courage and frankness actually prove that he has nothing to hide.

He's either incredibly brave, or he genuinely didn't do anything to Shuangshi, or he feels he doesn't know what he did.

"Yes."

Amamiya sat on the other side of the sofa. He and Sōse's mother were facing each other, looking at each other. This scene was very similar to when Aine and Sōse were confronting each other.

Compared to the atmosphere before, the atmosphere now seemed quite harmonious. The two did not clash; they were simply sizing each other up.

Amamiya knew very little about what kind of person Sōse's mother was. But there were two things he was certain of.

Firstly, Shuangshi's mother's attitude towards him wasn't hostile; there wasn't that obvious hostility of "whose pig is trying to steal my cabbage?" which meant their communication should be more relaxed. Secondly, she wasn't as simple as she seemed; the fact that she could live in such a large house with her daughter after her divorce meant her work was definitely extraordinary.

However, Amamiya didn't take the initiative to start a conversation. In his view, this was something an 'elder' should do. The two weren't familiar with each other yet, and it would be impolite for a junior like himself, an outsider, to preemptively start a topic.

"Amamiya-san plays in a band?"

Shuang's mother immediately noticed the two musical instruments that Amamiya had placed next to her. Although she didn't play music herself, she had some knowledge of it.

　It's impossible for someone without some skill to carry two instrument bags at the same time, because it's very inconvenient to move around, and carrying two instruments on your back is quite heavy.

"Yes, I usually support other bands."

"Support? Don't you have your own band?"

"Not yet."

Shuang's mother roughly understood the situation of Amamiya. There are two interpretations for the current situation: one is that it will appear in the future, and the other is that it existed before but was disbanded.

She thought it was more likely the latter, since if Amamiya could support other bands, then his skill level must be quite good, and forming a band wouldn't be difficult for him.

"Didn't you form a band with Shuangshi?"

Shuang's mother asked with a smile, as she had some guesses about Shuang Shi playing in a band.

After all, her daughter always carries a bass bag when she goes out, something she never did before. Plus, she played in a band for a while a year ago, and now she's gotten to know people who support bands, so she's definitely going to play in a band again!

Otherwise, how would my daughter, who attends an all-girls school, meet boys? It seems highly unlikely.

She wanted her daughter to attend an all-girls school not because she didn't want her to meet men too early, but because Tsukimori happened to be an all-girls school. She felt that she hadn't let Sōse experience the life of the wealthy during elementary school, so she wanted her to integrate into the circle of rich girls, and sent her to Tsukimori, a good school, starting from middle school—of course, also because Tsukimori's school uniform was nice, and she wanted to see Sōse wear it.

A person's actions are always accompanied by multiple reasons, and this was the case with Sousei Go to Tsuki no Mori. She considered many things for her daughter, but didn't tell her that much. After all, she felt that her daughter was too young at the time, and that choosing a direction for her herself would prevent her from going astray.

However, her mother always supports whatever her daughter wants to do, and she's very happy that her daughter has a hobby. After all, even through the camera, she can see her daughter's obvious joy.

"No, their band is already full, they don't need my help."

"Really? Do you know anything about her band? I'd love to know!"

Shuang's mom chatted with Amamiya with a smile, and the atmosphere between them was indeed quite relaxed and pleasant. Amamiya also told Shuang's mom about some things related to Mygo, but he deliberately avoided mentioning many things, such as internal conflicts within the band.

So, in his words, Mygo is a united, harmonious, and happy entertainment band. It sounds quite wonderful.

However, his praise was enough to make Shuangshi, who was placing the black tea on the table, feel so embarrassed that she wanted to dig her toes into the ground. After all, there were some things that she, as the person involved, certainly knew.

Reasons like forming a new band to revive an old one are things I absolutely can't tell my mom...

Amamiya didn't bring up these matters to avoid causing Sōse any more trouble.

They chatted for a while, which made Shuang's mother very happy. She was pleased to learn that her daughter's after-school life was so fulfilling.

After all, to put it bluntly, as long as kids don't go astray, they can do whatever they want; playing in a band is quite common.

"But to be in a band for life~ hehehe, how wonderful~"

Shuang's mother looked at Shuang Shi and couldn't help but laugh as she spoke. Shuang Shi's hands fiddled with each other as she listened to her mother's words, feeling quite embarrassed.

But Shuang's mother expressed envy for their comments, saying, "What a beautiful and pure friendship!"

However, during the conversation, Shuang's mother couldn't help but glance at Shuang Shi a few more times. At this moment, Shuang Shi happened to be sitting between the two of them, which was the same place where Amamiya had sat when she and Aine had argued.

This position is quite ambiguous, giving Shuang's mother even more to speculate about.

"So what's your relationship with Shuangshi now? Boyfriend?"

Shuang's mother also asked directly, wanting to hear what answer Amamiya could give to this question.

However, as soon as she said that, Shuang Shi immediately stiffened. She snuggled up to her mother and said in a coquettish tone, "Mom, what are you saying~"

She felt embarrassed by these words, as saying them directly would put Amamiya in a difficult position, since they hadn't even reached that stage yet.

"We're just friends. Because I have a strict upbringing, I wouldn't consider such things before I'm an adult. Besides, I'm focusing more on music right now."

Amamiya took the opportunity to tell a small lie. After discovering that Shuang's mother knew his name, he roughly deduced that she was aware of his actions at Shuang's house during this period, such as what time he came to see Shuang and what time he left. The apartment staff must have reported these things to her.

Therefore, if he denies a romantic relationship, he must provide a convincing reason. From his parents' perspective, it's due to strict upbringing and a refusal to date. From his own perspective, it's because he's currently busy with his career and doesn't plan to pursue love.

These two points were enough for Shuang's mother to understand that the two were in an ambiguous relationship, as for whether it would take things further...

"I see. We can't really interfere in your affairs, younger generation."

The smile on Shuang's mother's face didn't disappear. The other party's attitude at this moment was upright and honest, so Shuang's mother didn't think the other party was hypocritical. However, in her heart, she silently added the label of 'blockhead' to Amamiya.

His own daughter invited him to their home, doesn't he understand her feelings? I wonder what's going on between him and Shuangshi in the bedroom.

Could it be that the two of them sleep with separate blankets?

Shuang's mom was right; that's exactly what happened.

"Beep beep, beep beep."

Just then, Shuang's mother's phone rang. She told the two of them that she was going back to her room first, and then immediately went back to answer the phone.

Without a doubt, it's work.

Shuangshi noticed that her mother was answering a work call, and knew that she probably wouldn't be coming out of her room anytime soon. After all, she wouldn't use a phone call to urge someone about something that wasn't urgent.

"I'm sorry, Lian, I didn't expect Mom to be home today..."

Shuangshi lowered her head and apologized, feeling embarrassed. When she saw her mother at home, her mind went blank.

Chapter 41 A Heart for Enjoying the World, Known to All

Amamiya wasn't surprised at all by this. He had visited the Sō family so many times, and if her mother didn't react at all, he would have started to doubt whether Sō was even her biological daughter.

Sōse's mother cared so much about Sōse that she would naturally take some measures when a boy came to the house. It was already expected by Amamiya that she would wait for him at home, which is why he was so calm in the face of her.

It was also because she hadn't done anything to Shuangshi; even when they slept in the same bed, they used separate blankets and pillows.

Well, he subconsciously ignored the fact that the two of them had slept together last time, treating it as an accident.

"But this interruption almost made me forget why I came here... I was supposed to be performing."

Amamiya remembered why he had come to Sōse's house, so he picked up his guitar and prepared to play the piece.

"But are you really going to listen?"

Amamiya hesitated for a moment before asking Sase's opinion.

Because he felt that this piece of music might have a rather... big impact on Shuangshi.

Sōse nodded, of course. No matter what, she was incredibly curious about this piece of music, and she just wanted to hear how Amamiya would play it.

Since Sosei made this request, Amamiya naturally nodded in understanding and began to play the prelude.

The intro is light and cheerful, and it sounds like a happy song.

This made Shuangshi's lips curl up involuntarily, but she quickly lowered them again.

Because of the lyrics of this song, "Chess Bell (=8:?)V俬⑹坝琦⑺〒?".

'To sever this faded emotion, I trace the already etched lines with my fingertips.'

'It can be achieved as easily as crying; you don't need to think too much, just tear it apart.'

The cheerful melody and the lyrics seemed somewhat mismatched, and the content, like a cut-out line, made Shuangshi's heart tremble.

She was a little confused. Why was Amamiya singing this song? Was it because of her? Or was it just a coincidence?

Cut off feelings...

'It was still inside me yesterday morning,'

'When I came to my senses, he was already lying right in front of me.'

'To cut out the unfinished, ambiguous romantic undertones from the perspective of emotional analysis.'

As soon as Shuang's mother opened the door after finishing her phone call, she heard Amamiya singing there, and her eyes lit up.

Amamiya's voice is crisp and clear, like a gentle breeze. But the lyrics made Shuang's mother a little concerned.

Is it a love song? What is being played? Why is Shuangshi so downcast?

Shuang's mother didn't come out; instead, she planned to continue listening and watching secretly.

Fold it forward, fold it backward, and it becomes a crease.

If you 'ruthlessly' throw it in the trash like it's nothing.

'That way, you can gradually let go of yesterday's tears.'

As the song ended, Amamiya continued playing, noticing that Sōse's eyes were now filled with tears.

So he stopped playing, but Shuangshi simply said, "Continue."

"continue or not?"

"I want to hear the whole thing..."

Have you finished listening? Too bad I haven't finished writing it yet...

Amamiya had no choice but to continue playing, singing the lyrics she had just come up with but hadn't fully composed yet.

'To release their pent-up emotions, the convicted criminal, having finally broken free, held their breath and remained silent.'

'The contrived coincidences and the lies once believed all changed color the moment the decision was made to give up.'

Amamiya continued playing his guitar; there was no doubt that he had a beautiful voice. He knew how to sing this song, so even with just the simplest guitar accompaniment, he sang it quite well.

But it was just so beautiful, so easy to get caught up in the emotions, that Shuangshi couldn't help but shed tears.