After dropping out of school, I chose to join a girls' band.

The giraffe continued, "Just like the original intention of the performance, as long as the audience wants to see it and the actors on stage are willing, then the stage will respond and make changes."

Yue frowned, looking somewhat unconvinced: "Would the actors even agree to go on this stage? There aren't even any fixed rules." Her voice carried a hint of doubt.

The giraffe said excitedly, "I think they would be very happy to perform on stage. Both stage girls and band girls are people who crave to shine."

Yue's gaze wavered slightly. Looking into the giraffe's confident eyes, she was powerless to refute what it said. Whether they were stage girls or band girls, they undoubtedly yearned for the stage.

This yearning will drive them to accept the giraffe's invitation to come to this stage to "fight" and determine the final winner through music.

"Since the stage has been modified, have the rewards for the winners and the punishments for the losers been changed?" Seeing that she could not change the fact that the audition was about to take place, Yue felt it was necessary to ask whether the rewards and punishments had also changed.

The giraffe nodded slightly, its eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Yes, Hinasaki-san. As the stage changes, the rewards and punishments have also been adjusted accordingly. The winners will receive the glory and recognition that belongs to them, and their music and performances will be remembered and praised."

A flicker of curiosity and worry crossed Yue's mind. She knew the sweetness of victory, but also understood the bitterness of defeat.

She continued, "So, what is the punishment for the loser?"

The giraffe's voice became deep and solemn: "The losers will lose the opportunity to continue standing on this stage. Their brilliance will be temporarily dimmed, but this does not mean that their dreams are over. They can regain their brilliance and stage through hard work and growth."

Yue frowned slightly, a hint of doubt surfacing in her mind. Compared to the previous audition where the loser would immediately lose their spotlight, the punishment Giraffe was offering now seemed much lighter; at least as long as they still had the desire to perform on stage, they could return.

"Looks like you held back this time? Why? Are you planning to keep ripping people off?" Yue asked, somewhat puzzled, her tone laced with sarcasm and doubt.

The giraffe smiled slightly, its eyes flashing with a complex light: "Hinasaki Tsuki-san, you're wrong. I'm not trying to fleece you, but rather I hope to see more light continue to shine."

"You didn't treat us like this back then." Yue shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and helplessness.

The giraffe's gaze remained firm as he explained, "In fact, even among stage girls, there are examples of those who have lost their brilliance and then returned to the stage."

Yue was slightly taken aback, a hint of curiosity and doubt flashing in her eyes. She looked at the giraffe, waiting for his further explanation.

The giraffe continued, "There was a stage girl who had lost her brilliance, but she regained it through the reproduction of brilliance, and even became the winner of that audition."

Upon hearing the giraffe's words, Hinasaki Tsuki became very curious about the legendary stage girl: "Can someone who has lost their brilliance still return to the stage? Did she audition twice?"

The giraffe smiled slightly and nodded: "Did you mention the other person before, Yue?"

"Huh??? Ah!!" Yue thought for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, but quickly, a name came to mind. Among the people she knew, there was only one senior who had transferred schools.

That person had transferred schools two or three times. She and Aoi had complained about it when they saw each other's files before, so she still had a pretty deep impression of it.

"You mean... Kagura Hikaru-senpai?" Yue's voice carried a hint of surprise and uncertainty.

The giraffe nodded slightly, its eyes sparkling with approval and nostalgia: "Although her situation was rather special, she was indeed the first stage girl to achieve a dazzling reproduction."

"Shining reproduction? Is it common?" Hinasaki asked. She had never heard of this term in the audition. If the giraffe hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have even known it existed.

The giraffe shook its head and said, "That was also the first time I'd ever seen it, and I witnessed two dazzling reproductions in just one audition."

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Hikaru Kagura, who was far away in London, suddenly sneezed during class. The clear and abrupt sound attracted the attention of the students around her.

"Hikaru? Have you caught a cold?" Nana Ohba, sitting next to her, looked at her with concern. She put down her pen, her eyes filled with worry and concern.

Kagura Hikari shook her head, frowned, and said, "It's nothing, I just feel like someone other than Karen is talking about me." She rubbed her nose to calm herself down.

"Someone other than Karen?" Nana Ohba seemed somewhat bewildered by Hikaru's statement. "Hikaru, how could you possibly sense that?"

"Well, because Karen is always thinking about me, it must be someone other than Karen..." Kagura Hikaru explained, with a faint smile on her face, it seemed that she was probably thinking of Karen.

"I feel like I've been force-fed dog food..." Nana Ohba gave a polite smile, thinking to herself, "I haven't seen Junjun for a month... Should I go see her this weekend?"

As the performance begins: Chapter 191 The curtain rises

While Yue and the giraffe were talking in the audience, the two on stage were preparing to go on stage.

As the stage roared, the spotlights instantly illuminated the entire venue. Xiaodeng and Sushi stood under the spotlights, the light shining on them.

“Su Shi…” Xiao Deng looked down at her palm, which was covered with black silk. In her hand, she held a shiny Japanese katana. The blade gleamed coldly under the light, exuding a chilling and sharp aura.

A red cloak was draped over her shoulders, its inner lining made of bright red silk, which swayed gently with her movements, making it particularly eye-catching. The edges of the cloak were also trimmed with gold embroidery, giving it an exquisite and noble appearance.

The gaze continued downwards, landing on the black stockings that covered her thighs. The silk fabric clung to her skin, outlining the beautiful lines of her legs, exuding an elegant yet strong beauty.

She was wearing a pair of black leather boots with delicate metal buckles, the boot shafts wrapping high around her calves.

The small patch of skin peeking out between the skirt and stockings creates the legendary "absolute territory," making her look even more visually striking.

The stage recognized the girl named Takamatsu Akari's determination to step onto the stage, and therefore the stage created this costume for her.

"Su Shi... is this really how it has to be?" Takamatsu Akari gripped the katana tightly in her hand anxiously. Her hand trembled slightly, and her heart was filled with unease and doubt. The cold touch of the katana was transmitted to her palm through her black silk gloves.

Xiaodeng was filled with fear when she was suddenly told that she would have to fight Su Shi on this stage.

Su Shi stood opposite her, her flaxen hair shimmering slightly under the light, her eyes firm and calm.

She shook her head, her voice low and gentle: "The light... has already stepped onto the stage, so convince me with your performance, just as you've always hoped."

"Whether it's Riki, Aine, or even Ronai and Yue, the emotions they convey to me can't compare to those from you, Kodama." Nagasaki Motoyo's tone was firm yet gentle, her eyes sparkling with complex emotions, as if she was anticipating this showdown while also harboring a touch of tenderness in her heart.

Su Shi slowly raised the scissors in her hand, the scissors named "Farewell Here," their blades gleaming with a cold light.

Her gaze fell on the scissors, focusing on the half with the name "Crychic" written on it, while the other half was hidden in the shadows, as if telling an unfinished story.

The light shone on the blade of the scissors, reflecting Su Shi's face. Her long flaxen hair trembled slightly, and her eyes were resolute and calm.

"Little Lamp, I hope to get the answer from you." Su Shi's voice echoed softly on the stage, her gaze piercing as she looked directly at the lamp.

Deng took a deep breath, her heart filled with complex emotions. She gripped the katana tightly, feeling the power brought by its cold touch, and a determined light flashed in her eyes.

Although she didn't know exactly where she was or why she was engaging in this battle called Revue with Su Shi, she knew that Su Shi was waiting for her answer.

“Okay, Su Shi, I will prove everything to you with my performance.” Deng was full of determination.

"The Revue is now open. Please dance to your heart's content on the stage."

As the giraffe announced the opening, the stage lights suddenly brightened, focusing on Su Shi and Xiao Deng.

Su Shi appeared in front of Xiao Deng in an instant, her scissors ruthlessly stabbing at him. Her movements were as fast as lightning, her eyes revealing calmness and determination.

"So fast... but... I was able to react." Xiaodeng's pupils dilated as she looked at Nagasaki Motoyo, who had suddenly appeared in front of her, and her body began to move.

"Clang!" The sound of metal clashing rang out as Takamatsu used his katana to block Soseki's crossed scissors. Sparks flew between the two, and the sound of metal scraping against metal echoed across the stage.

In the audience, Shiina Riki couldn't help but grip the railing in front of her, her eyes filled with anxiety and concern.

Her breathing quickened, her gaze fixed on the two fiercely clashing on the stage, and she felt a pang of worry for Xiaodeng.

"Xiaodeng, you must hold on..." Lixi prayed silently in her heart. Although the distance between the audience and the stage was far, she was still so nervous that she didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

"Tama, are you not planning to run away this time?" Nagasaki Motoyo looked at Takamatsu Akari's face, which was so close to hers, and felt a surge of irritation rising within her.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing Takamatsu's reply, a hint of impatience flashed in her eyes, and the scissors in her hand suddenly split into two blades.

Su Shi instantly withdrew the force from her hand and took a slight step back. Gao Songdeng had not expected Su Shi's weapon to undergo such a change, and his body lurched forward along with the blade, losing his balance.

A complex emotion flashed in her eyes. She did not pursue the unsteady Xiaodeng, but silently adjusted her posture, gripping the separated blades with both hands, waiting for Xiaodeng to regain her balance.

Xiaodeng awkwardly used her katana to support herself as she stood up again, adjusting her breathing and body. She took a deep breath, and the determined light gradually returned to her eyes.

"Su Shi... thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude.

"I just don't want it to end so soon," Su Shi said, though her eyes betrayed a hint of concern. She frowned slightly, seemingly trying to hide her true feelings.

In another instant, the steel blades clashed together once more. As the metal struck, the two women stared intently at each other, sparks flying between them, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

"Little Lamp, why are you so determined to bring me back?" Su Shi pressed down hard on her twin swords, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

“Because… Su Shi has already promised to form a band with me for life!” Gao Songdeng pushed the katana in her hand upwards with force to block Su Shi’s attack. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but her eyes were full of determination and resolve.

"Little Lamp, are you really that concerned about the promise?" Su Shi abruptly took a step back, drawing her blade. Caught off guard, Little Lamp's sword grazed Su Shi's face, cutting through the air but missing its target. Su Shi retreated swiftly, her movements like lightning, a cold glint in her eyes.

In that instant, Xiaodeng's chest and abdomen were completely exposed to Su Shi's eyes, leaving her utterly unprepared. Su Shi's eyes narrowed, and she swung her twin swords with lightning speed, the blades slicing across Xiaodeng's chest, leaving a bright red wound.

"Xiao Deng!" came Li hope's exclamation from the audience, her voice filled with worry and fear.

Xiaodeng felt a sharp pain in her chest, and bright red "tomato juice" flowed from the wound, staining her clothes.

Nagasaki Motoyo said coldly, "Is this all the determination you have, Kodama? Is this all the resolve you have?" Her eyes flashed with ruthlessness, and her voice carried obvious doubt and dissatisfaction.

"Just like before, show yourself on stage, Takamatsu Akari!" Nagasaki Motoyo's voice echoed across the stage, almost like a roar. She swung her twin swords again, her relentless attacks overwhelming Akari, forcing her to retreat repeatedly. The situation on stage had clearly shifted in Nagasaki Motoyo's favor.

"Clang!" Nagasaki Motoyo's blade slammed into Kotomi's katana, the immense force traveling through the blade to Kotomi's hand, causing a sharp pain in her thumb and forefinger. Exhausted, Kotomi could no longer grip her weapon; the katana spun several circles in the air before striking the ground with a dull thud.

Xiaodeng slumped helplessly to the ground, breathing rapidly, beads of sweat constantly sliding down her forehead. Her eyes were filled with pain and helplessness, the wound on her chest was still bleeding, the bright red "tomato juice" staining her clothes. Her body trembled slightly, but the indomitable belief deep within her still sustained her.

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"Damn it!! How dare she treat Kodama like that!" Hinasaki and Chihaya Aine in the audience did their best to stop Shiina Tatsuki, who wanted to rush off the stage to beat up Nagasaki Motoyo.

"Calm down! Calm down, Riki!" Chihaya Aine gripped Riki's arms tightly with both hands, trying to pull her back. She was so anxious that she didn't even call out Riki's "pet name".

“That’s right. If you go down now, you’ll not only ruin Revue’s stage, but you’ll also make it so that Suze can never come back.” Hinasaki grabbed Riki’s right arm from the other side, her voice carrying a hint of calm persuasion.

Anger blazed in Shiina Riki's eyes as she struggled desperately to break free of their hold. Her fists clenched, and her body trembled; she was clearly enraged beyond measure by Souji's attack on Kodama.

"Let me go! I can't let her hurt Xiaodeng like this!" Lixi roared, her voice filled with anger and anxiety. Her eyes flashed with determination, as if she only wanted to rush onto the stage and get justice for Xiaodeng.

"Lixi, calm down! This is not the time to act impulsively!" Chihaya Aine urged loudly. She knew Lixi was angry, but she also understood that acting impulsively would only make things worse.

“Yes, Lixi. What you’re doing will only make Su Shi more determined to leave. We need to trust Xiaodeng,” Hinasaki Tsuki advised.

Kaoru Nai stood to the side with her arms crossed, an amused expression on her face, silently watching everything as if she were watching a drama.

“You…” Lixi’s struggles gradually weakened, her breathing became rapid, and her eyes still flickered with anger and resentment.

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Nagasaki Sose looked down at Koden, who was sitting on the ground, the blade in her hand pointing coldly at her. Sose's eyes flickered with complex emotions, and she said in a cold tone, "If this is all the determination you have, then Koden, please don't bring up the matter of me returning to the band again, just like you didn't have any intention of keeping Sho back then."

Upon hearing this, Xiaodeng's eyes flashed with pain and regret. She knew that Su Shi's words struck at the deepest point of her heart. She gritted her teeth, trying to suppress the turmoil in her heart, and a determined flame rekindled in her eyes.

“Su Shi…” Xiao Deng’s voice was weak but firm. She used all her strength to prop herself up and picked up the katana beside her. Although she had almost no strength left, her eyes were still full of indomitable light.

A flicker of confusion and anger flashed in Nagasaki Motoyo's eyes as she looked at Takamatsu Akari, who had stood up again, her heart filled with complex emotions. "Why... are you so persistent now?"

Su Shi's anger gradually rose, her eyes sharpened, and she almost roared, "Why weren't you this persistent, Xiao Deng, when we were in Crychic!"

With a surge of anger, Su Shi unleashed a fierce attack, her twin blades slicing through the air, aimed straight at Xiao Deng with chilling killing intent.

Xiaodeng took a deep breath. Despite her weakness, she did not back down. She quickly raised her katana to meet Su Shi's attack.

"Clang!" The sound of metal clashing rang out again, sparks flying between the two as Xiaodeng used all her strength to defend against Su Shi's attack.