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

"Wait!" Li hope shouted urgently, but her voice was drowned out by the fierce sword clash, like a weak cry in a gale.

Before Li hope could think, he quickly dodged to the side. A sword flashed behind him, cutting through the air with a piercing shriek.

"Looks like, Lixi, you're still running away!" Peach turned around immediately, her sword flashing like a rainbow, so fast it was breathtaking.

"I'm not here to fight!" Li hope tried to explain, her voice slightly hurried, but Kurosawa Momoko was completely ignoring her. The sword light approached like a whirlwind, forcing her to refocus on the attack in front of her.

"Saying such out-of-tune things now is a bit tactless, isn't it?" Peach replied, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. Her swordplay remained unstoppable, her excitement seemingly dampened by Lixi's resistance.

Just as Peach's blade was about to slash across Lixi's shoulder and knock off her cloak, a sudden sword shadow sliced ​​through the air, accurately blocking Peach's attack.

Hinasaki arrived like lightning, her sword moving with effortless grace, blocking Momoko's approaching katana.

"Don't even think about hurting her!"

Hinasaki's appearance instantly turned the tense situation around.

"Hmm~ Tsuki, you really are protecting Riki." Momoko said teasingly, looking at Hinasaki who was shielding Riki behind her.

"Moon, I can do it. If I need your protection, then I've lost this battle." Lixi stepped out from behind Moon and stood to the side, forming a three-way standoff between the three of them.

"Shall we begin the second round now?" Peach asked, raising her weapon.

"Hmm..." Hinasaki and Ritsuki both nodded.

"Alright, let's begin the second act!" Momoko Kurosawa swung her katana lightly, the sword light flashing like a rainbow, heading straight for the two of them.

Hinasaki reacted quickly, her sword meeting Momo's attack with a crisp "clang".

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lixi launched a counterattack, nimbly lunging towards Taozi's side.

Momo quickly shifted her body, dodging Riki's attack to the side, while simultaneously putting pressure on Hinasaki, her katana striking like a shadow.

"Is it my turn to be surrounded now?" Kurosawa Momoko nimbly leaped forward, causing Mengba (?3) to turn around and slash at the moon with her katana.

Hinasaki gritted her teeth, quickly sheathed her sword and held it in front of her chest. Feeling intense pressure, she retreated backward.

However, the peach wasn't having an easy time either.

Her attention was completely drawn to Hinasaki, and Riki's offensive was quietly closing in at that moment.

Lixi pointed the stick at the ropes holding Peach's cloak, intending to break it all in one fell swoop.

Peach was slightly taken aback. Although she noticed Lixi's attack in time, she still didn't have time to dodge to the side.

The stick pierced her shoulder blade hard, and with a painful thud, she couldn't help but clutch her shoulder, taking several steps back, her face slightly pale.

"It hurts!" Peach murmured, her breathing becoming rapid, and fine beads of sweat glistening on her forehead from the heat of the battle.

However, she had no chance to catch her breath. Hinasaki and Shiina Ritsuki attacked her almost simultaneously, like two bolts of lightning, forming an encirclement in an instant.

Peach knew that she had no chance to directly confront her two teammates given their tacit understanding.

She quickly analyzed the battle situation in her mind and realized that she could not fight head-on and had to find an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

So she made a quick decision and nimbly retreated, her steps as light as a swallow.

Momoko moved like a nimble fox, retreating while wielding her katana with lightning speed, attempting to block Riki and Hinasaki's pursuit with her attacks.

The blade flashed through the air, creating a piercing whistling sound, followed by a series of violent collisions. Her movements were agile and swift; she would turn around or sidestep, skillfully avoiding the two men's encirclement.

"I want to create distance and find an opening!" Peach thought to herself, her eyes scanning the area ahead with keen insight.

Hinasaki and Riki's teamwork was so seamless that she had to be extra careful.

However, Hinasaki and Ritsuki have no intention of letting her go.

The two stayed close together, and their tacit cooperation made Peach's escape route increasingly narrow.

Just then, Lixi launched a sudden attack from the side, aiming the stick directly at Taozi's waist, attempting to break down her defenses.

Peach's heart tightened, realizing something was wrong. She quickly dodged to the side, and the blade sliced ​​across Lixi's stick, producing a crisp, deafening metallic clang.

But the instant she adjusted her posture, Hinasaki's sword light approached like lightning, showing no mercy.

Peach's heart suddenly raced, and she barely had time to react.

She tried her best to retreat, but felt the rebound force from Li hope's attack surge like a tidal wave, making her unsteady and causing her to fall sideways to the ground.

"Bang!" The sound of weapons clashing exploded in the air, and the immense force from her wrist caused her body to involuntarily tilt backward.

At that moment, Hinasaki's attack, like a cold blade, unmistakably severed the ropes holding Momoko's cloak together.

The red cloak traced a graceful arc in the air before falling.

Peach watched helplessly as the cloak crashed heavily onto the cold floor, a wave of resentment and helplessness washing over her.

Although she felt an indescribable sense of loss and resistance, she knew that this was an outcome she could not escape.

As the cloak fell, it seemed that even the persistence in her heart dissipated, turning into a wisp of smoke.

In that instant, Peach closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to transform the complex emotions in her heart into a sense of relief.

“Position Zero.” Hinasaki and Shiina Ritsuki stood side by side on the sign, letting out a slight sigh of relief.

The atmosphere around them seemed to ease slightly as they stood up, and the tension from before seemed to dissipate quietly at that moment.

"Tonight's farce can finally end now..." Shiina Tatsuki's voice was deep and clear, and then she unconsciously relaxed her tense shoulders, as if a hard battle had finally come to an end.

"Lixi...is it really over?" Hinasaki's gaze wandered across the ground and landed on Momoko Kurosawa, who was still lying on the ground.

Peach looked somewhat disheveled, her red cloak lying to the side, highlighting her dejected appearance.

She turned her head again, a hint of unease in her eyes, and looked at Shiina Tatsuki beside her.

"..." Shiina Riki also stared at the peach on the ground, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

Although she and Hinasaki did defeat their opponent, the process was far from what they had initially envisioned.

The sense of victory that had been there was now overshadowed by a heavy feeling.

Lixi stood on Position Zero, took a deep breath, and tried to clear the jumbled thoughts in her mind.

She walked slowly to Momoko Kurosawa, a warm courage welling up inside her, and reached out her hand.

“I know… Peach, you must be very unwilling…” Li hope’s voice was low, clearly saying these words was a great test for her as well.

Peach slightly raised her head, covered her eyes with her hand, and an unconscious self-deprecating smile appeared on her lips.

“No need… I’m not at that level yet, I won’t admit defeat.” Her voice was low, but she was holding onto the last bit of pride in her heart.

Lixi's hand was still outstretched, and Taozi finally slowly grasped her hand, using it to stand up.

"You and Yue have proven... your teamwork is indeed stronger." Momoko's tone was tinged with relief, but her voice still trembled, clearly indicating that the battle had had a significant impact on her.

She slowly picked up the cloak that had fallen to the ground, preparing to turn and leave.

The edge of the cloak brushed against her fingertips, as if taking away her last bit of pride.

“Peach…” Li hope suddenly grabbed Peach’s hand, with just the right amount of force, both firm and gentle.

Peach turned around and her eyes met Lixi's.

Li hope unconsciously bit her lower lip, her heart filled with complex emotions.

"If it were mine, I would never be able to let it go." Li hope said slightly awkwardly.

Peach paused slightly, her eyes showing surprise.

"If you want, Peach, you can come find me and Xiaoyue again anytime. We'll definitely settle things next time."

Peach looked at Lixi quietly, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"You said it yourself."

Bonus Chapter: A Trip Up the Mountain - Chapter 42 Finally, a Reasonable Vacation Atmosphere

The stage performance, which had been performed without a single audience member, came to an end. The spotlights gradually went out, and the scene returned to calm in silence, as if everything that had just happened was merely a fleeting dream.

In the end, Shiina Tatsuki and Hinasaki jointly won the victory, but in their hearts, was this victory truly a victory? Neither of them seemed to have found a definite answer.

The only consolation is that the fatigue of the battle has finally passed, and both body and mind are now free.

They can finally enjoy a moment of peace and tranquility during their holiday, away from this unexpected event.

However, the holiday... seems to have only one day left.

"Xiao hope, it's time to get up!" Hinasaki called softly, breaking the morning's tranquility.

As the alarm clock rang, Hinasaki immediately opened her eyes, skillfully swiped her fingers across the phone screen to quickly turn off the alarm, and then her gaze fell on Shiina Riki, who was fast asleep.

She crept closer and gently shook Lixi's shoulder.

Not fully awake, Shiina Tatsuki struggled between dream and reality, feeling a gentle sway on her shoulder, and vaguely heard Hinasaki's voice.

She frowned slightly, closed her eyes, and tried to bury her face in the blankets, hoping to continue drifting into a warm dream.

But Hinasaki had no intention of letting her stay in bed any longer. She raised her eyebrows slightly, then increased her strength, grabbing Riki's shoulder and half-pulling, half-dragging her out of bed.

"Hmm... Xiaoyue?" Lixi opened one eye groggily, looking at Hinasaki in front of him with blurry vision and a sleepy expression.

"Yes, it's me! Wake up, today is the last day, we're going back tomorrow." Hinasaki shook Shiina Tatsuki, urging her to wake up quickly.

Riki finally opened his eyes, looking at Hinasaki with a helpless expression, seemingly dissatisfied that she had so enthusiastically woken him from his dream.

But seeing Hinasaki's smile, she sighed softly, all her previous dissatisfaction vanished, and she accepted the fact that she couldn't go back to bed.

"Didn't you say you didn't have any plans for today? Why are you getting up so early?" Shiina Riki lazily sat up in bed, rubbed her eyes, and looked at Hinasaki with lingering sleepiness.

As she spoke, she naturally unbuttoned her pajamas, revealing her smooth and slender back. Her skin glowed softly in the morning light, exposed to Hinasaki without any defenses.

Hinasaki blushed instantly, her eyes darting away involuntarily. She stammered, "This... this is the last day of the holiday. I didn't get to have much fun yesterday, so I was thinking... going out with Riki today."

"Is that so?" Li hope nodded casually, yawning as she skillfully changed her clothes, her movements natural and fluid, without any intention of avoiding it.

Her hair was slightly messy, and her every move exuded a casual laziness.

Hinasaki glanced at Riki furtively, but her gaze quickly shifted away when it met the other's profile. Her heart raced involuntarily, and she could only silently remind herself to remain calm.

In a corner unseen by her, Shiina Tatsuki's lips curled into a slight smile, a hint of smugness in her eyes. She looked down at the screen of her phone, which displayed a meticulously prepared document.

"This information from Peach is actually... unexpectedly helpful," Li Xi thought to herself, her eyes lighting up slightly.

Although she and Momoko seem to be rivals now, Momoko eventually handed her this "information" as compensation during their conversation last night.

This document contains detailed notes of Momoko's observations of Hinasaki over the years, covering everything from her habits and preferences to micro-expression details.