Aspiring to be a girl in a band

Seeing that Arakawa Kirika's expression was very serious, Xiangzi really didn't bring up the matter of thanking her again.

Having resolved a troublesome matter, Xiangzi felt much more relaxed, and her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Arakawa Kirika.

This guy... seems to be getting prettier and prettier.

No... what am I thinking?

Xiangzi immediately cursed himself inwardly.

Toyokawa Shoko, what are you doing...? That's the person you hate the most, isn't it?

How could I possibly change my opinion of her just because of a little bit of profit?

But that's what they say.

Xiangzi, however, found that he actually... couldn't bring himself to dislike the person in front of him anymore.

Her face was exactly the same as usual, and she hadn't done anything extra to dress up today.

But Xiangzi... genuinely felt that the more he looked at Arakawa Kirika, the more pleasing she became.

Is this due to a change in mindset?

Xiangzi suddenly felt a burning sensation on his cheeks.

Just as Xiangzi was lost in thought, she suddenly realized that Arakawa Kirika's hand had touched her forehead without her noticing.

"What...what kind of illness is this? Your face turned so red all of a sudden."

Arakawa Kirika's face didn't show any joking expression; instead, she was very serious about "diagnosing" Shoko.

Once he came to his senses, Xiangzi could only blush and quickly back away.

"I...I'm not sick, it's just a bit too hot."

Xiangzi defended himself.

"you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Ok."

Seeing Xiangzi's resistant expression, Arakawa Kirika stopped talking and withdrew her hand.

……

At that moment, something happened that Xiangzi found hard to accept.

Xiangzi realized... he was actually a little reluctant to let that bastard take his hand back.

This is a truly shameful disgrace.

On one hand, he felt he had to maintain his hatred for Arakawa Kirika; on the other hand, the reality before him was constantly impacting Shoko's heart.

It took her quite a while to calm down her complicated feelings.

Then Xiangzi sighed softly.

"In short... we've solved the first problem."

When Xiangzi thought that Miaomeng had been persuaded and that he had successfully taken a step toward his goal, his mood improved considerably.

"The first one?"

Arakawa Kirika looked at Shoko's profile with great interest.

The fact that Xiangzi would say "the first one" implies that there is definitely more than one problem troubling him.

"Hmm... now there's only one tough hurdle left, which is convincing Chu Hua's management company to let Chu Hua and I form a new band. By the way, you probably don't know her yet, Chu Hua... was someone I knew when I was a kid..."

Just as Xiangzi was about to explain to Arakawa Kirika who Mitsumi Hatsuka was, Arakawa Kirika casually said something.

"I know him."

Eh?

Xiangzi was taken aback, but then realized that it was normal for Arakawa Kirika to know Chu Hua, who was the lead singer of the popular group Sumimi.

Xiangzi obviously couldn't have imagined that Arakawa Kirika had already brought Miss Mikasa home before.

So she continued.

"As for Chu Hua, she basically won't object to anything I say, but to be honest, I'm not very confident about the agency."

After all, all she could offer was a nascent project, and she couldn't guarantee its future.

Even if Chu Hua is on her side, how can she persuade the profit-driven agency to agree to Chu Hua forming a new band with her...?

The thought of this gave Xiangzi a headache.

Xiangzi silently poured out his heart to Arakawa Kirika, only realizing what was happening after she finished speaking.

I... I don't know when it started, but I've gotten used to telling this person what's on my mind.

Is this... a good thing?

Xiangzi didn't want to admit it, but she did feel good to have someone she could confide in... even if it was that bad guy.

Volume 1: Chapter 168 The Weak Me, Already Dead?

"Is that so?"

After listening to Xiangzi's troubles, Arakawa Kirika simply looked at the distant scenery without saying a word.

it's wired.

A subtle feeling arose in Xiangzi's heart.

Because when she was at home, she told Arakawa Kirika that she didn't know how to contact Nyanmu.

This person clearly showed great interest and actively helped me.

But... there's no response at all now.

Is it because it involves a talent agency...? That's obviously impossible.

Toyokawa Shoko immediately dismissed the idea; even Aine wouldn't think that way.

That's Arakawa Kirika. If she wanted to, she could even build a new high-end agency on the spot. She certainly wouldn't back down over something so trivial.

So... why did she suddenly stop talking?

Shoko's mood has been fluctuating with Arakawa Kirika's every move lately, which makes her very unhappy.

Because...doesn't this make it seem like she...cares a lot about Arakawa Kirika?

After a while, Arakawa Kirika finally seemed to get tired of the scenery outside the window and turned her head to look at Shoko again.

“If I take care of everything for you… then it can’t be considered your band, right?”

Arakawa Kirika chuckled as she spoke to Shoko. As she spoke, she subconsciously picked up the glass in front of her, but when she brought it to her lips, she realized that it was leftovers from Meowmon. She hadn't ordered anything here.

So she could only cough dryly, then reluctantly put down the glass and pretend nothing had happened.

Arakawa Kirika's slightly awkward moment went completely unnoticed by Shoko, because... Shoko was still thinking about what Arakawa Kirika had just said.

It turned out to be the case.

That's why she didn't help me at this time.

If I took care of everything for you, it wouldn't be your band anymore...

This scumbag can actually say such beautiful things.

And...she was actually thinking of me...

That bastard is so annoying.

It would be better to just stay bad all the way through; what's the point of always being like this?

Did I think that... I would fall in love with you?

As his feelings gradually fermented, Xiangzi could only blush and utter a sentence to Arakawa Kirika with a fierce expression.

"You really are so high and mighty..."

When he said those words, Xiangzi felt a little embarrassed.

Because... Arakawa Kirika was just too kind to her today, so kind that she felt it was almost surreal.

So... I don't know if it was due to her rebellious nature, but she said something that sounded like she was being defiant.

But Arakawa Kirika seemed very happy.

"Yes, that's right, I am indeed high and mighty, so what, you're not convinced?"

……

Seeing Arakawa Kirika's arrogant expression, Shoko suddenly felt... much more at ease.

"Humph."

Xiangzi turned his head away, no longer looking at Arakawa Kirika.

"If you keep twisting your neck like that, it will be a 360-degree angle."

Arakawa Kirika chuckled and teased.

360 degrees... that would turn it into a horror movie...

That bastard, he's never been serious.

Despite inwardly complaining, Xiangzi turned his head back to face Arakawa Kirika.

"Anyway... although you said not to say thank you anymore, but... the only thing I can do now is thank you."

Xiangzi's eyes darted around, and his voice trailed off as he spoke.

This time, Arakawa Kirika didn't interrupt her and properly accepted Shoko's thanks.

"You're being so frank. I thought you'd say something like, 'Don't try to tarnish my conscience with a few dirty bucks'..."

"I...I would never do that. I can see right from wrong clearly."

Xiangzi pouted, seemingly very dissatisfied with Arakawa Kirika's disdain for him.

"Without your help... it would have been a long time before I could contact Meow Dream, and who knows when I would be able to find Hatsuka's agency... I won't ignore your help just because of my petty pride."