Even if you're a corrupted magical girl, you still have to try to redeem yourself.

Yes, nothing was gained! Even though Yuuki Yuki spent a long time chatting with Nishio Reki and Minato Nana at the shop after finishing her part-time job, and even brought up Aiko's request for help, and used it to expand her thinking, she still came up with nothing.

Nishio Reki's lack of results greatly displeased Tenrai Herika, to the point that she flew into a rage the next day.

Finally, the battle ended with a single sentence from Inuyama Tomoe.

"But you haven't composed your own piece either, have you?"

"It's because I have no inspiration. I simply can't create anything without inspiration! Do you know how difficult it is to spend all night with a guitar, even though you have so much to express, but when you actually play it, it just doesn't feel right? Do you know how tough it is to do that every single day?"

After saying that, Helica never bothered to dwell on Nishio Reki's lyrics again.

……

Several more days have passed.

The problem of playing two basses was handled by Helica in a very simple and straightforward way: she broke the bass part of the whole piece in half, with each person playing one part, and then making modifications as she practiced in places where she felt they could be slightly changed.

After this problem was solved, the band's practice went much more smoothly, and now everyone can play two or three songs fluently without any problem.

However, when it came to original songs, everyone still couldn't find any inspiration. There was absolutely no progress in either writing lyrics or composing music.

The worst-case scenario is that everyone abandons creating this original song and chooses to perform covers instead. This way, the time can be fully occupied, and everyone's pressure will be much less.

In fact, everyone was mentally prepared for this, but no one brought it up. However, Helica still couldn't get over it and would agonize over it for a long time every night.

Speaking of filling the time slot, the band reported to the school that their time was around twelve minutes, which was written on the application form used to apply for the program.

That's right, registration for the Christmas party has officially begun and will continue until a week before the party, giving staff time to prepare and arrange the program.

However, submitting the application form does not guarantee approval. The school and the student council in charge of the performance will conduct a preliminary review of the program and eliminate any subpar entries.

Although everyone practiced very hard, and this review was very likely just a formality, they were still a little unsure of themselves since they had registered under the name of the Nijisanji club and the band was newly formed and didn't even have a band name yet.

It wasn't until student council president Azusa Niijima personally came to the Nijisanji club's activity room during lunch break and told everyone that the program had been approved that everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh my god, that scared me to death! What if we can't perform on stage? All that practice would have been for nothing!"

Upon hearing the news that the review had been approved, Helica Tianlei plopped down in a chair.

"Don't worry, as long as it's not some weird program, the student council and teachers will allow it. I hope everyone does their best." As expected of the student council president, Niijima Azusa added a few words of reassurance.

In her excitement, Baqi casually asked, "Hmm, a strange program? Is there some kind of strange program?"

Niijima Azusa's face immediately turned extremely ugly: "Ah, this?"

curious!

Everyone looked at Niijima Azusa with gossipy, expectant eyes.

“Anything slightly normal, like bringing a knife on stage or playing with fire on stage, is rejected. Anything that could cause an accident is unacceptable. As for anything abnormal…” Niijima Azusa said, scratching her cheek.

"If it's not normal..." everyone asked in unison.

"The more unusual ones, like the programs I've received, include one that wants to perform eating noodles upside down, another that plans to hold a four-hour swimsuit concert at a Christmas party, and yet another that plans to perform hanging on stage, claiming it's performance art."

"Ok?"

All eyes turned to Mizuno Yu, who was standing at the very front among the group and was in the same class as Niijima Azusa.

“Don’t look at me like that. This has nothing to do with me. I know what I can and cannot do,” Mizuno Yu replied righteously.

Why does this sentence sound so unconvincing coming from Mizuno Yu?

But oh well, it's already a relief that Mizuno Yu didn't spout any melodramatic nonsense about trials to get stronger today.

However, Yuuki Yuki really wants to see the swimsuit concert.

Niijima Azusa sighed, clearly not revealing any other strange programs before changing the subject, her speechless expression gradually turning serious.

"Enough with the small talk, congratulations to everyone for passing the first round of auditions."

"Preliminary review? Hasn't the student council and the school's review been completed yet?" Yuuki Yui keenly caught the unsettling word in Niijima Azusa's words.

Niijima Azusa nodded: "Just like I said, this review is only to eliminate some programs that are obviously not suitable for the stage, but some cannot be seen just by looking at the application form, so the programs still need to be reviewed again."

"Huh?" Helica's mouth dropped open, and she stood up abruptly from her chair. "I've never heard of such a thing before. Does it need to be done for all programs? Like, drama clubs, light music clubs, and the like?"

"Don't worry, the review process isn't that difficult." Niijima Azusa reassured everyone: "All programs need to be reviewed, but the method doesn't matter. Like what Tianlei just mentioned about the drama club, we only need to see one rehearsal, which should be enough."

Sakura Hanako asked earnestly, "When is the second round of review?"

"Anytime is fine. If you can perform right now, I can give you an answer immediately. It's not as strict as you think. As long as you can perform the show smoothly, it's okay if you can't do it perfectly or make some mistakes. That's why I came here today to tell you this."

"Then, now?" Helica looked around eagerly.

"I, I can do it, no problem."

"I'm fine too."

"If Senior Tianlei can, so can I."

"Me too."

The group readily agreed, and that's how the matter was settled.

Even though Lin Jiezi was using a percussion pad instead of a drum kit, it didn't affect the performance. The girls were incredibly efficient; they took out their instruments and set them up in the activity room before they even had lunch.

The time from the first note to the last note falling is not long.

Niijima Azusa sat in front of the small blackboard where Herika displayed her craftsmanship, watching the girls, their faces covered in sweat, perform with great intensity.

Regardless of what Azusa Niijima said, Yuuki En felt the performance was mediocre.

There were indeed some mistakes during the performance, but the rhythm built by the six of them was not so fragile as to collapse at the slightest touch. Even if someone made a small mistake, their teammates would quickly make up for it.

Yuuki Yukari thought that she was really amazing to be able to do this, and if she continued to perform on the school stage at this pace, there would be absolutely no problem.

However, it may still be some distance before they can defeat Sakuragawa Nana.

Yuki Yuki even asked Nishio Reki to sneak into the live house and record Sakuragawa Nana's performance on stage.

It must be said that although they are not as good as most of the bands that Yuuki Gen has seen, when Yuuki Gen compares them with professional bands, their quality is already worthy of recognition.

Anyway, we'll just have to take it one step at a time. Judging from the light in Niijima Azusa's eyes, passing her review shouldn't be a big problem.

But everyone watched nervously as Niijima Azusa, who was sitting in her seat, pushed up her glasses and stood up.

Everyone's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of their throats; until the verdict was announced, everything remained uncertain.

Niijima Azusa pushed up her glasses again before slowly speaking.

"No problem. We look forward to your performances at the Christmas party, and we are very grateful to everyone for contributing to the Christmas party at Yuehai Middle School."

Yuki Yuki heard a collective sigh of relief from those around her.

"but……"

Azusa Niijima's sudden change of tone made many people's hearts tighten again.

Niijima Azusa took out the program application form that Helica had written by hand from his pocket and frowned as he looked at one of the columns.

"There are a few minor issues. Your program title only mentions 'band performance,' which is fine; you can just say that during the introduction. But how should we say your group's name? Should we write 'Nijisanji,' or should we say your full name?"

“We haven’t decided yet,” Yuuki Yukari answered on behalf of Tenrai Herika.

Niijima Azusa nodded knowingly: "I see. This isn't a big problem. Just make sure it's finalized before the official program schedule is released and notify me. If I haven't received any notification by then, just put all your names on it."

Yuuki Yukino answered on everyone's behalf: "Okay, thank you."

Yuuki Yuen couldn't help but admire Niijima Azusa. It was not impossible to delegate this kind of task to others, but this student council president could be said to do everything herself. She was not like the stereotypical serious person. In Yuuki Yuen's mind, she was a model student council president.

Compared to the student council president of the neighboring St. Yuu Academy—not the acting one, but the one who was eliminated—he's far superior.

"However, there's one more thing I have a question about." Just as everyone was about to relax, Niijima Azusa silently stirred up their tension again.

But the student council president was decisive, and Niijima Azusa didn't keep her in suspense at all: "The performance time listed on your program is about four or five minutes longer than the actual performance time. Does that include the time spent going up and down the stage? If so, there's no need to worry at all. We will arrange programs that are easy to move instruments, such as manzai, before you when we arrange the program. So, do you need to change the actual performance time?"

“No need,” Tenrai Herika replied immediately, her haste startling even Niijima Azusa.

But Niijima Azusa was, after all, the student council president and a classmate of Tenrai Herika, so she knew her well and quickly and calmly concealed her frightened expression, without asking a single question:

“Okay, there’s no problem. We just need to estimate the normal performance time. If no changes are needed, then we’ll book according to the time specified in the application form we submitted.”

Niijima Azusa couldn't possibly understand what Tenrai Herika was trying to say, which is why she was confused, but the others here couldn't possibly be unaware of it.

Helica is still thinking about original songs, as expected.

Although it was very difficult and everyone was almost ready to give up, in fact, everyone hoped that a song could be created that could carry their last moments at Yuehai Middle School.

"Alright, actually I don't have anything else to do. I'm sorry to have disturbed everyone's lunch time." Niijima Azusa said, folding up the application form she had brought and putting it back in her pocket.

"Wait a minute." Helica suddenly called out to the other person again: "I also want to ask you a question, is that alright?"

Even though Azusa Niijima didn't know Helica Tenrai very well, Helica's politeness was still quite unexpected.

Rather, today's thunderous attack on Helica was quite unexpected for her.

"Of course, Tianlei, go ahead and say it."

"I'd like to know if any other bands applied? Did they pass the screening?"

“Yes, and there’s more than one,” Niijima Azusa replied. “Besides you guys, there’s also the Light Music Club band and a student band, all of whom have qualified to perform.”

“I mean, has someone named Sakuragawa Nana signed up?” Helica corrected herself.

“Yes, there is.” Niijima Azusa answered without hesitation: “Her situation is rather special. Not all the members of the band are students from Tsukimi Middle School, so I have a deep impression of her.”

Helica swallowed hard, making a clear gurgling sound, and the force with which she swallowed made the other girls who heard it feel a tightness in their throats.

Have you heard of their performances?

Niijima Azusa's gaze shifted slightly before she nodded: "Yes, given their special circumstances, not only me, but also the school's teachers came along."

"So, what do you think of their performance compared to ours?"

Niijima Azusa fell into an unusual silence.

Sakura Nana's performance was absolutely excellent; there's practically no comparison between the two.

But Niijima Azusa couldn't directly tell Tenrai Herika the result.

Is Tenrai Herika trying to create a hypothetical enemy? Niijima Azusa wondered.

Niijima Azusa's silence allowed Tenrai Herika to read her inner thoughts. If she were even slightly sensible, stopping there would probably be the best choice.

But she is Helica the Thunder God, a stubborn and persistent woman who never gives up until she hits a wall.

“It’s okay, you can just tell me,” Helica insisted.