Aspiring to be a girl in a band

When she said she wouldn't give up, she was naturally referring to... getting Arakawa Kirika to say that she "didn't dislike" her.

Seeing that Arakawa Kirika was ignoring her, Aine added a small sentence in a huff.

"Mist Flower, you... a demon who's afraid of being alone!"

After shouting the last half of the sentence, Aine ran downstairs in three quick steps, looking very afraid of being called back by Arakawa Kirika to question her.

……

After Aine left, Arakawa Kirika hesitated for a moment before standing up and walking to the window.

She carefully hid on the edge of the window, peeking at Aine, and only felt relieved after the other walked out of the manor's iron gate.

So what am I so nervous about...?

Arakawa Kirika gritted her teeth, somewhat confused as to why she had done such a thing.

The image of that pink figure lingered in her mind.

It's infuriating.

She glanced at the vertical bottle by the bedside, inside which was the branch that pink-haired girl had broken off for her.

Feeling annoyed, she picked up the bottle and made a gesture as if to smash it.

But... after posing for a while, she put the vase back in its original place.

"You've really gotten quite capable... Aine."

Arakawa Kirika sat on the bed and began to recall her experiences during this period.

"How dare you call me a demon..."

"So you're planning to... take the hero's seat?"

Arakawa Kirika muttered to herself, but the prefix "fear of loneliness" seemed to be selectively ignored by her.

It seems that some things are better left unsaid, even to the point of death.

(PS1: Question: Why is Aine on the cover of this book?)

(PS2: I saw my book was added to a book list and criticized. The review was, "It's the worst of the worst, the most rotten thing ever. You've completely ruined the character development." If you don't like it, just delete the book. Why are you so angry? [shrug])

Volume 1: Chapter 143 The Consequences of Overstepping Boundaries

"what……"

Xiangzi let out a long sigh of relief, tapped the ground with his toes, and stretched his ankles.

She was getting tired of standing, and... quite bored.

This guy's daily life is really... simple.

Looking at the figure curled up on the sofa, Xiangzi couldn't help but shake his head.

Even though she used to have to go to social events with her father, this person had never done anything like that since she met him.

That's quite a bit of freedom.

She's like a hermit crab, always hiding in her shell and never going anywhere.

Doesn't she get bored?

Arakawa Kirika was unusually well-behaved today, and even... she didn't do anything frivolous to Shoko.

After some time, Xiangzi saw that Arakawa Kirika had finally put down her book.

"Come here for a second."

Arakawa Kirika waved to Shoko.

Phew... at least I can sit down for a while now.

Xiangzi quickly moved closer to Arakawa Kirika and sat down.

That awful guy always liked to make her stand and wait for orders, and... often for hours on end.

Xiangzi even began to doubt that her real job was not as a maid, but rather as a "door god".

What are your orders?

Xiangzi put on a business-like smile, what is known as a fake smile.

Arakawa Kirika frowned and remained silent for a moment.

She felt as if, at some moment, something... had happened in the world.

That idiot with pink hair is one thing, but even her personal maid, Miss Xiangzi, dared to provoke her?

It was as if, after her first defeat in life, even her dignity had diminished considerably.

Arakawa Kirika skillfully pinned Xiangzi down beneath her and then ripped open Xiangzi's collar.

Ah... she really is angry.

Looking at that angry face, Xiangzi... didn't feel much fear.

After all, she was already quite familiar with the other person and knew that he wouldn't really do anything to her.

So Xiangzi's gaze toward Arakawa Kirika took on a pleading tone.

But... it seems to have had little effect.

Arakawa Kirika showed no intention of forgiving her; instead, she intensified her actions, scratching, biting, and kissing her, leaving her in a very disheveled state.

It's really strange... Normally, a little pleading would be enough, but today, for some reason, she seems unusually... thirsty?

Moreover... they only cared about their own comfort and didn't consider other people's feelings at all.

She really doesn't understand gentleness at all. She has such a beautiful appearance, but if she were just a little bit gentler, she would definitely receive excellent reviews.

But... if she really becomes gentle... it's actually... a little creepy.

Xiangzi lay there calmly, letting the other person do whatever they wanted until Arakawa Kirika stopped, at which point she slowly straightened her collar.

"Are you satisfied already? You've certainly learned to exercise restraint today."

Xiangzi straightened up and then met those eyes.

Hmm... Although her eyes still held a fierce glint, the oppressive feeling was much less than before.

If she was a lion at the beginning, now... she's probably almost degenerated into a tabby cat.

However, even tabby cats can bite quite hard.

As Xiangzi pondered this, he touched the small, newly formed wound near his collarbone.

Hmm... I'll need to apply some medicine when I get home.

Arakawa Kirika had a cold expression on her face, seemingly lost in thought.

On the contrary, Xiangzi watched her with ease.

This made Arakawa Kirika very unhappy, so she pressed down on Shoko's shoulder and pushed her down.

Watching Xiangzi slump back onto the sofa, his light blue hair spread out in large swaths.

Arakawa Kirika then regained her usual ambiguous smile.

Yes, that's how it should be.

She and Xiangzi cannot have an equal relationship; she must take the lead.

Pressed down so forcefully, Xiangzi's head naturally made intimate contact with the sofa cushion. Fortunately... the sofa cushion was so soft that she was unharmed.

Hmm... she's still angry.

Xiangzi reflected on his words for a moment.

While she did indeed overstep her bounds just now, Arakawa Kirika was being rather... petty.

It feels like they're completely taking their anger out on others.

Hmm... taking it out on someone else?

Xiangzi's pupils widened slightly; she felt as if she had discovered the truth.

She definitely has a problem today.

Is it because of Aine?

Thinking of Aine's serious expression yesterday, Xiangzi couldn't help but connect Arakawa Kirika's changes with Aine.

When Xiangzi came to her senses, she found that Arakawa Kirika seemed to be lost in thought as well, and had not made any further move.

A cool breeze swept in, causing Arakawa Kirika's loose hair to brush against Shoko's cheek.

That bastard... he's really... beautiful as long as he doesn't say anything.

Xiangzi muttered to himself, then said.

"If you're not going to continue, just make a scene if you're angry, and then take it out on someone else, just like usual."

Xiangzi admitted that his words also contained some resentment.

It's because she always plays the role of the punching bag; over time, she'll start to complain.

Arakawa Kirika didn't refute anything upon hearing this, but instead lowered her head until the distance between her and Shoko gradually approached zero.

As Xiangzi looked at those approaching pupils, a sense of fear suddenly arose in his heart.

...At this distance, it's either time for a fight or for a kiss.

Should I... close my eyes?

Xiangzi seemed a little lost, and his eyes became more evasive.

But Arakawa Kirika did nothing, only slowly opened her mouth.

"Do you... hate me?"

Arakawa Kirika's question revealed no emotion; Shoko could only feel a warm breath brushing against the tip of his nose.

There is absolutely no need to hesitate about this issue.

Xiangzi never doubted his feelings for this bastard.

She replied instantly.