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

The steam rising slowly from the rim of the cup swirled around her fingertips and cheeks, bringing a wave of warmth.

She lowered her head slightly and gently blew on the surface of the matcha, adjusting its warmth to the perfect temperature.

Gently bring the rim of the cup to your lips, and the aroma of tea wafts up with the steam. The faint scent of grass mixed with a unique bitterness instantly dispels the greasiness from the meal.

When you taste the matcha, a slight bitterness slowly spreads across your tongue, followed by a delicate tea aroma that lingers on your taste buds like silk.

The tranquil atmosphere seemed to bring inner peace, and as the aroma of tea filled the air, the body and mind gradually immersed themselves in a sense of comfort from the inside out.

Just from Le Nai's reaction—her eyes turning into crescent shapes as she kept putting matcha into her mouth despite being afraid of getting burned—you could tell just how high the quality of this matcha was.

"Tsk... Stray cat, don't drink something so hot." Li hope got some ice from the shop owner and put it into Le Nai's cup.

"I didn't expect... there really was food, and it tasted pretty good. Why didn't Mom come over to eat before?" Momoko Kurosawa patted her round belly and said.

"Meow Dream... I'm so full I can't move." Meow Dream lay weakly on the table, clutching her stomach, looking like she had eaten too much.

Su Shi and Xiao Deng, standing to the side, looked at the expressionless Ruo Ye Mu with some surprise. She was calmly wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin. The amount of food Xiao Mu had eaten just now was far beyond their imagination. (Neta: Self-Saving Treasure).

"Yes, that's it. We've been delayed a bit, but we should be staying at this hot spring inn tonight." Toyokawa Shoko reported the situation to Sakura Sakura via video call with Hatsuka while sorting out her thoughts.

Sakura Sakura on the other side of the screen looked on with a hint of envy: "Hot springs... I really want to go soak in one too."

Chu Hua chuckled and suggested, "Then Sakura-nee should finish her work as soon as possible and come soak in the hot spring together."

Sakura Sakura smiled helplessly and shook her head: "It's probably not going to work. There's still a ton of work to do here." She turned around, and the camera showed the stage set behind her, clearly indicating that she was still busy with preparations for the festival.

"Is this a celebration?" Hailing and Aiyin came closer, their faces full of curiosity.

"Yes, I just spoke with the person in charge of the event to ask if we could arrange a band performance, and they readily agreed." Sakura Sakura's tone revealed a hint of pride.

"Really? Aren't these kinds of celebrations all about performing local traditional programs? A band performance... is that really okay?" Xiangzi asked with some concern, his brows furrowing slightly.

“Don’t worry, the person in charge said that this is the first festival, and all the records of previous festival programs have been lost. They are still unsure about the specific performance format, so they are already overjoyed that someone is willing to participate in the performance,” Sakura Sakura said, clearly very confident about this opportunity.

She paused for a moment, as if remembering something, and added, "Oh, by the way, could you ask Xiaoyue and the others if they also want to participate in the performance? If they are willing, I can submit their names as well."

Hearing this, Hinasaki, Riki, Kodama, and Suze all came over with Rakuna. Hinasaki said somewhat helplessly, "But apart from Rakuna, none of the rest of us brought any instruments."

Being able to participate in a performance while traveling is something the girls in the band would love to do, but unfortunately, they didn't have any instruments with them except for Lena.

“It’s alright,” Xiangzi replied immediately, his tone light. “You lent us instruments at the beach last time, so we can lend them to you this time.”

Hinasaki Tsuki immediately nodded and said, "If that's the case, then there's no problem at all!"

Sakura Sakura smiled, and after confirming their wishes, she said, "Alright, I'll submit your names then." As soon as she finished speaking, she ended the call.

"Thank you everyone from ave mujica," Hinasaki said to everyone.

Xiangzi shook his head: "I just borrowed the instrument. I'm really looking forward to performing with mygo alone."

"Then we'll have to give it our all, so as not to disappoint you, Xiao Xiang!" Xiao Yue said with a smile.

"I will...do my best." Takamatsu Akari looked at Toyokawa Shoko with a serious expression.

Sensing the conviction in Koden's eyes, Toyokawa Shoko said with satisfaction, "I'm really looking forward to your singing, Koden."

Side Story: A Trip to the Mountain - Chapter Fifteen: The Three Idiots?

"..."

Hinasaki remained silent, her gaze gently sweeping across the surface of the hot spring. She skillfully gathered her long hair, her fingers deftly coiling the strands into a classic bun at the back of her head.

She slowly unwrapped the bath towel from her body, her skin appearing fair and translucent in the rising steam. As the towel slipped off, she gently lifted one foot and carefully dipped her toes into the hot spring. The warm water touched her skin, initially feeling slightly hot.

The water gradually warmed her body, dispelling the fatigue from the climb. She slowly sank down, her body gradually submerged in the water, the warm current of the hot spring gently enveloping her limbs like a soothing embrace.

She felt the warmth of the hot spring on her shoulders, back, and waist. The warm water flowed gently around her body, and the waves pattered against her skin, bringing waves of relaxing comfort.

Hinasaki finally became completely immersed in the hot spring and let out a sigh of immense satisfaction.

"Mmm~~" Hinasaki hummed softly, her voice carrying a hint of laziness and satisfaction.

Thanks to Momoko Kurosawa's local connections and the bustling street at the foot of the mountain, this secluded hot spring inn wasn't crowded; it was as if everyone had the hot spring all to themselves.

Shiina Tatsuki approached the hot spring pool, wrapped in a towel, and carefully stretched out one foot to test the water temperature. Feeling that the water temperature was just right, she nodded in satisfaction, slowly stepped into the water, and sat down next to Hinasaki.

"Milk? Would you like some?" At that moment, Hailing "swam" to their side with a small wooden tub containing several neatly arranged glass bottles of milk. The water rippled gently with her movements, and steam from the hot spring rose around her.

"I want some!" Hinasaki took a bottle of milk from Hailin without hesitation. The bottle felt cool to the touch, a stark contrast to the heat of the hot spring. She unscrewed the cap, tilted her head back, and took a sip. The silky texture of the milk instantly filled her mouth, the refreshing sweetness accompanied by a rich milky aroma, making her feel incredibly comfortable.

Lixi asked with a hint of anticipation, "Do you have chocolate flavor?"

Hailing shook her head: "Sorry, I couldn't find the chocolate flavor, but I found the orange flavor."

Upon hearing this, Li hope frowned. "Tsk..." she sighed softly, and although somewhat reluctant, she still took a bottle of plain milk.

After delivering the milk, Hailing gently sat down beside the two of them. Judging from her natural and fluid movements, perhaps this was her original plan.

Steam rose from the hot spring around them as the three of them soaked quietly in the water. Above them, the stars twinkled, illuminating the tranquility and beauty of the summer night. Moonlight shone on the water, creating gentle ripples, and the only sound in the air was the soft lapping of the water against the pool's edge.

After a moment of silence, Hailing broke the stillness. She turned her head slightly to look at Lixi and said with a hint of teasing, "Lixi, you actually date your former idol? That's really beyond my expectations."

Li hope was taken aback, then raised her eyebrows and asked with dissatisfaction, "Huh? What exactly do you think of me?"

Hinasaki chuckled and came to Ritsuki's rescue: "Is it really that unexpected? I think Ritsuki has a lot of good points! She must be quite popular at school."

"Xiao hope? What an adorable nickname."

"Tachiki-kun?" Hailin tilted her head slightly, her gaze questioning as she looked at Shiina Tachiki.

"Nozomi?" Hinasaki, not to be outdone, followed Hailin's gaze and stared at Riki as well.

Surrounded by the gazes of the two, Li hope was momentarily speechless, remaining silent with her eyes slightly shifting as if searching for a way out of this awkward situation.

"Uh... let's talk about something else." Li hope paused, her tone tense and hurried, clearly eager to change the subject. "The starry sky is so beautiful tonight, why don't we go find Xiao Deng and watch the stars together?"

Shiina Tatsuki desperately wanted to change the subject, but... everyone could see that it was far too abrupt.

Actually, it wasn't that Li hope was unwilling to talk about it, but rather... it was a little difficult to bring up.

After all, after a semester, she could count the number of people she could call friends at school on one hand. If she had to include Wildcat, there were only three or four: Chuhua, Hailing, Wildcat, and the girl sitting behind her—what was her name again?

Let's call him Little Green for now.

Li hope frowned. He considered himself a friend, but half a summer vacation had passed and he could barely remember Xiao Lü's name. No matter how you looked at it, this wasn't something to brag about.

Just as she was caught in an awkward moment of self-reflection, Yawata Kairin's voice suddenly broke the silence: "Actually, Ritsuki is quite popular at school."

"Huh?" Li hope's eyes showed a hint of surprise upon hearing this. She had never associated herself with the word "popular".

"At least as far as I know, someone likes Riki-kun." As Hachiman Kairin said this, her indigo eyes were fixed on Riki, her tone firm and gentle.

"After all, Nozomi is very cool, a total ice queen type. It's normal for her to be popular at school," Hinasaki said with a smile.

Xiaoyue suddenly turned her head and said with a teasing smile, "By the way, Hachiman Kairin, you must have quite a few fans at school, right?"

Lixi frowned slightly, a hint of doubt rising in her heart: "Hachiman Kairin? Why is Xiaoyue suddenly calling Kairin by her name?" Although she felt strange, she didn't say anything, but just quietly watched the two of them.

The sky-blue eyes and the indigo eyes met in the air, as if there was a silent confrontation.

Hai Ling's eyes flickered slightly, but after a moment, she calmly looked away, her voice soft and calm: "I guess so."

As someone who has played support bass in 30 bands, it seems quite natural that she has some fans at Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy.

But... Lixi always felt that Hailing's words didn't seem very confident?

Moreover, Ms. Shiina Tatsuki always felt that the topic they should have been talking about right after they met was about her, but she wasn't quite sure.

She silently sank her body down a little further.

Xiaoyue smiled, took a sip of milk, and thought to herself, "It's quite theatrically ironic."

Miss Lixi, who was "unpopular," won love.

Miss Hailing, who was "deeply loved," could not have the one she desired.

--------------

This is different from the verbal sparring between Hailing, Lixi, and Xiaoyue.

On the surface, everyone in other places seems to be living in harmony.

"Lanna-chan! Don't eat matcha parfait while soaking in the hot spring! It'll give you a stomachache!"

Hmm... actually, it would be more appropriate to call them cookies soaked in matcha ice cream water.

After all, no one has yet figured out how to make ice cream that doesn't melt in hot springs.

Takamatsu watched as Souji's mother confiscated Ranna's kitten's "matcha parfait" from the wooden tub, which made Ranna stand up from the hot spring somewhat displeased.

As they left the hot spring, Xiaodeng kindly reminded them, "Rakuna-chan... watch your step, it's a bit slippery..."

Not far away, Miss Xiangzi also relaxed for once, no longer thinking about any plans for the future of Ave Mujica.

She leaned lazily against the edge of the hot spring pool, the warm water surrounding her like a gentle hand soothing her weariness.

Ever since Crychic disbanded, Xiangzi had been on edge, burdened by both the band's future and her responsibilities as a musician. All the pressure seemed to weigh heavily on her shoulders. Now, in this tranquil hot spring, she was finally able to release those long-suppressed emotions and truly relax.

She closed her eyes slightly, letting the warmth of the hot spring envelop her, but a thought involuntarily surfaced in her mind: "Should I make more time to soak in hot springs in the future?"

She then chuckled softly and shook her head: "No, no, no... Where in a bustling metropolis like Tokyo would you find a hot spring like this?"

Memories flooded back, and Xiangzi sighed, his heart filled with longing: "I really miss those days when I could relax in a bath..."

The warm currents of the hot spring seemed to transport her back to the past, to a time when there was less pressure, a time that was simple and beautiful.

"Ah, Xiao Xiang, you're here." Chu Hua led Xiao Mu into the spring.

"Xiangzi... feels very comfortable," Xiao Mutou said after looking at Xiangzi.

"..." A blush appeared on Toyokawa Shoko's face, whether from the hot spring or from Wakaba Mutsu's words, it was hard to tell.

"Where are Peach and Meow Dream?" Xiangzi looked around and realized that she couldn't find them in the hot spring.

"Yes, they just said they wanted to try the Flowing Spring, and they even dragged Xiao Aiyin along."

"Flowing spring?"

------------

"Ahhh~~~ (II) 9 Orders to be dirty 'water bridle rise Yin scatter Qun"

With a few sighs of relief, the hot spring water flowed down from the bamboo pipes, the clear water splashing and splashing in the pool, the warm water hitting the backs of the three people below, bringing unparalleled relaxation and comfort.

The spring water flowing from the bamboo pipe seemed to carry the coolness of the mountains and the warmth of the earth, sprinkling evenly onto the three people's smooth backs.