World Aid Guide

Surrounded, Kazuka subconsciously stepped back and guiltily looked away, "We're just...just ordinary friends. I only met Elio the day before yesterday."

"Hmph~ Now Xiao He is a big star."

"Tell me honestly, what did you do yesterday?"

"No...it's nothing. Let's not talk about that. Let's get to rehearsals. I postponed some interviews, so I might not have time to rehearse for a while..."

Even if I told them that I had now become Elio's sister who had gone through thick and thin with her, they probably wouldn't believe me. But... what's with their expressions?

Kazuha noticed a hint of gloom on the faces of the four of them. After a moment of surprise, Kazuha quickly realized that she had misspoke.

The atmosphere at Sweet Bullet has been rather tense lately, not because of any problems between them.

Uzuki has always been the most popular character in Sweet Bullet, and she receives the most requests... Especially recently, she has received more and more requests, and has less time to rehearse with everyone.

Until recently, Uzuki filmed an advertisement in which she covered a singer's hit song.

Uzuki's clear voice and expressive performances garnered her a great deal of attention.

There are even rumors that Uzuki is planning to go solo.

Outsiders only know it's a rumor, but the girls in the same group know it's true.

The naturally naive Uzuki let slip that the entertainment company's general manager was discussing a solo career with Uzuki's personal manager.

Although it's just a discussion right now, everyone knows that Uzuki will graduate sooner or later.

They had agreed to hold a concert for more than 10,000 people, but of the original seven, only five remain.

As for myself, even though I don't want to use Erio to ride on her popularity, I've already been pushed to the forefront of public opinion. Whether I'm popular or not, as an idol, popularity is very important. Now that I have popularity, all kinds of invitations are coming my way.

Unbeknownst to them, a chasm had grown between the once inseparable companions.

"Let's stop talking about that and start rehearsing. The next concert is coming soon, and we can't afford not to start rehearsing now."

Sensing that something was amiss, Kazuha quickly spoke up, and the four of them nodded and began rehearsing.

Although everything seemed normal, the atmosphere was unusually oppressive.

In the past, rehearsals were for the sake of a shared dream, but now, without the joyful atmosphere, rehearsals are nothing but torture, and our teamwork has not only failed to improve but has actually decreased.

Kazuka could tell that everyone was under a lot of pressure lately. Uzuki wasn't the type to hide things; being naturally naive, she wore her heart on her sleeve. Kazuka could also tell that Uzuki didn't want to graduate from Sweet Bullet and go solo.

But the others also understand that this is an important opportunity for Uzuki. If she misses it, she may remain a minor idol for the rest of her life. They might even persuade Uzuki to go solo if she doesn't want to.

Sweet Bullet is currently like a pressure cooker on a fire. If the pressure isn't completely released, Sweet Bullet might disband before Uzuki goes solo.

The rehearsal is over.

After a brief hesitation, Kazuha called out to the group who were about to leave.

"What's wrong, Xiaohe?" Uzuki tilted her head, her smooth black hair slipping off her shoulders as she moved.

“Yesterday…Yesterday I skipped rehearsal not because I was going to find Elio, I…I ran away to my sister’s house.”

Kazuka had never told them about her relationship with Mai before. Under everyone's questioning gazes, Kazuka paused and then continued, "I felt a lot of pressure from being watched by so many people. I... I ran away to my sister's house and learned a method to relieve stress from her."

"I want to hold a concert at the Budokan with everyone. I don't want Sweet Bullets to disband. If you have any troubles or feel a lot of pressure... you can come to me."

Chapter 252 You need to release the pressure.

Uzuki became famous because of an advertisement and her agency planned to let her go solo. Kazuha's popularity soared because of Elio.

The remaining Yae, Ranko, and Hotaru are under a lot of pressure.

Although the traffic brought by Elio increased her fan base, just like Hua felt back then, all her hard work was no match for a single word from someone else.

In addition, two people from Sweet Bullet had already graduated... This made the atmosphere in Sweet Bullet feel oppressive and strange.

It's not that they can't stand seeing Uzuki and the others doing well, it's just that Uzuki and Kazuka have been getting more and more work invitations lately, and they've even had trouble finding time to rehearse together.

Although they wouldn't morally blackmail or stop Uzuki, the cheerful atmosphere during rehearsals turned somber once they thought about the possibility of Uzuki and Kazuka graduating and going solo.

When everyone pretends not to know, it's possible to maintain a superficial atmosphere, but now that Hua has spoken frankly...

He told them frankly that he didn't want Sweet Bullets to disband and wanted to hold a concert for 10,000 people at the Budokan with them.

In the past, Hehua would have kept it to herself.

Even when facing her most admired and beloved older sister Mai, Kazuha would always call her "Miss Mai" instead of "older sister."

But things are different now. After experiencing puberty syndrome, Hana understands that even though Erio is just an ordinary girl, she can also make embarrassing mistakes.

They are still working hard to catch up in terms of action, but they have calmed down mentally.

Sweet Bullet is now like a pressure cooker.

If we don't release all the pressure and let everyone be open, honest, and frank with each other, the "Sweet Bullet" might just disband.

Disbanding is a minor issue; the real problem would be if they also developed puberty syndrome.

"I know everyone is under a lot of pressure because of the agency's plan to let Uzuki go solo, and because of the sudden attention I've received, but it's better to be open about it than to keep it to myself."

"Xiaohe..."

Uzuki pursed her lips as she looked at Kazuka. Everyone thought Uzuki was going to say something about going solo, and then...

"Xiao He is so mature! She's like an older sister!"

"Yes, yes, I used to think I was the most mature person."

Vice-captain Yae chuckled and teased, while Uzuki's eyes widened.

"Shouldn't I, as the captain, be the most mature?"

"Hehe, I feel like Uzuki is even more like a child than me." The youngest, Hotaru, smirked mischievously.

"Eh?! Am I a child?" Uzuki covered her mouth in surprise.

"Hmm!" Kazuka nodded. "Sometimes you don't even know how to read the room, and you end up thanking people for their sarcastic remarks."

Hehua's assessment was spot on, and Lanzi and the others nodded in agreement.

"After all, it's Uzuki who said things like idols don't need to wear bras during concerts."

"I was wearing it! I just accidentally misspoke back then!" Uzuki retorted, blushing.

However... the fact that they couldn't read the air made Kazuha and the others quite envious.

Idols can't be liked by everyone, and there are plenty of worms crawling around on the internet like dark, creeping insects.

I can't understand other people's sarcastic sarcasm, and I don't care about those negative reviews. I'm happy every day as if I don't feel any pressure.

Although she says she wants to be able to read the room, she also envies Uzuki's straightforwardness—she doesn't seem to understand the room and just says whatever comes to mind.

"But... sometimes I don't want to wear it. During rehearsals, I always get all sweaty and sticky, and I feel much more refreshed if I don't wear it!"

Maoyue smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

Although everyone thinks idols are fragrant and soft, idols also sweat and need to use the restroom.

Their small group dance studio is fine, but those large dance studios, especially those with poor ventilation... tsk tsk tsk, the smell is just awful.

"Hmph, so you really didn't want to wear it, you just accidentally told the truth." Lanzi teased with a mischievous smile, "As expected, the captain is still a child~ Hehua is the most mature one among us now, and usually he has the air of a serious adult."

"No...no, that's not it." Kazuha smiled shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

However, to be fair, in their view, Kaori's personality is serious and calm, and she doesn't get easily startled no matter what happens.

Although the facts haven't changed, the atmosphere became much more relaxed after things were discussed openly.

"Speaking of which, what's the stress-relief method you mentioned, Xiaohe?" the tomboyish Lanzi asked curiously. "Xiaohe seems completely different from before."

"You look... a bit more mature?"

"Mature...mature?" Hana's face turned even redder.

To be fair, I have become more mature, both physically and mentally.

"Xiaohe, what was the stress-relief method you mentioned before?"

As JK idols, they not only have to rehearse and take on various shooting assignments, but they also have to go to school every day. They work non-stop every day, leaving them with very little free time and very few breaks.

Even without all those messy things, they are under a lot of pressure.

"It's just..." Hana's gaze darted around. Although she also wanted everyone to release their stress, she couldn't just tell them this directly.

"that is?"

With four people staring intently at Kazuka, even though Kazuka was used to being watched, her ears still felt hot when she thought about how to relieve stress.

Should I tell them that my way of relieving stress is to have a small party with him and even Elliot?

Although Kazuha knew that the entertainment industry was chaotic, and that things like "pillow talk" were quite common in other idol groups, and that using one's body to gain fame was not uncommon.

However, these self-disciplined women have never done anything like that; they only attract fans with their singing and dancing.

Although decompression isn't a form of prostitution, it might be even more chaotic than that.

"I don't really know how to explain it to you." Kazuka paused, "Anyway, it's a way to release all the pressure in your body. If you're interested... I'll take you with me next time."

Actually, Kaori's purpose was not only to relieve everyone's stress, but also, most importantly, for her older sister Mai!

Although Kazuha is confident in Mai's charm, Erio has the entire mermaid idol group behind her, while she is the only one standing behind her sister.

Kaori felt that she alone could not compare to the entire mermaid idol group.