Aspiring to be a girl in a band

"Yes...I know you didn't play it wrong, Mu..."

Xiangzi forced himself to stay awake, turned his head to the side, quickly exhaled a breath of stale air, and then looked back at his childhood sweetheart.

"But... to be honest, things are too boring right now, Mu."

"Your music right now really... fails to capture the audience's interest."

"Mu, why do you think audiences choose to come to the live show? It's because they all look forward to seeing the 'vitality' of the live performance that they can't get from album CDs. They come to the live show to experience the energy of the music."

“You didn’t make any mistakes just now, and the tone quality and intervals were very stable, but… if it’s just about not making mistakes, any music production software can do that, so why would the audience pay money for a living person like you?”

"So... Mu, you need to invest more emotion... in this."

Ah... what am I doing?

As Xiangzi berated Mu, he felt as if his heart was being torn apart.

She knew perfectly well that Mutsu had been saddened for a long time because of Arakawa Kirika, yet she still wanted to ask Mutsu to show some more emotion at this time.

I am really terrible.

……

After Xiangzi finished speaking, Muya was still staring intently at the wooden floor of the practice room, perhaps mistaking the smooth floor for a mirror. If so, what did this girl want to see in that mirror?

An eerie atmosphere lingered indoors for a long time.

During this period, Chu Hua and Hai Ling naturally kept a close eye on the developments on that side.

Even the most mischievous cat, Meng, sensed something was wrong, so she simply held her drumsticks and sat obediently in her chair without saying a word.

Finally, Mu slowly spoke.

"I'm sorry... Saki."

As soon as he uttered an apology, Xiangzi's face was filled with sorrow.

She... didn't want to hear an apology at all.

On the contrary, this apology made Xiangzi lose the will to continue practicing.

Xiangzi looked around apologetically, then addressed everyone.

"That's all for today. I'll send you the songs I've already finished later. You can practice on your own for the next few days, and we'll meet up again in a while."

Upon hearing this, no one present made a move.

Even Hai Ling, who is usually very proactive, looked worried.

If it were any other band that Hai-Ling was part of, she would definitely pack her things immediately as soon as she heard the words "It's time to go".

But now... in this band where they've made a pact to support each other through life, she knows she can't do that.

"How long do you mean by 'some time'? Three days? Five days? A week or a month? Xiangzi, you know that problems have to be solved, right? Even if you drive us away, it won't make any difference."

"Yes, that's right, Xiangzi. What happened to Xiaomu... If you tell us, maybe we can help."

Chu Hua quickly echoed Hai Ling's words.

"Hmm... I'd say I'm a relationship expert, and I'm pretty confident I can guide Xiao Mu if she's willing."

……

Although Miao tried to ease the tension with a flippant tone, Xiangzi and He Mu remained unmoved.

"Please... this isn't a problem you can solve... but I don't mean to belittle you, it's just..."

Xiangzi paused, unsure of what to say next.

In the end, it was Hailing who resolved the awkward situation.

She casually packed up her bass, then slung it over her shoulder and walked straight to the door.

"Then that's settled. Since you've said so, Xiangzi, what else can we do but believe you? I'll cheer you on. After all, you said you would form this band, and you did. So... I believe in you."

Hai Ling said with a light laugh, then exchanged a two-second glance with Xiangzi before stepping out the door.

With Hailing taking the lead, Miaomeng and Chuhua also chose to leave.

Although Chu Hua was a little reluctant, she wanted to cherish every moment she spent with Xiangzi, but... even she knew that at this time, she couldn't help them with anything except giving them her time.

As the other three members left one by one.

Without any outsiders present, Mu finally couldn't maintain that wooden persona anymore.

She slowly leaned into Xiangzi's arms, her voice trembling with sobs as she spoke.

“Saki… what should I do… Kirika… does she really not want me anymore?”

Xiangzi was very sad. If she could, she would be willing to bear this pain for Mu.

But... she really didn't know what to do, so she could only gently hold Mu in her arms.

After Mu finished crying, her top was completely soaked.

"Let's put the band stuff aside for now, Mu... The most important thing right now is to help you rediscover that lost emotion, otherwise all the practice will be useless. I... will try my best to help you."

[Finding Lost Emotions]...

Mu repeated Xiangzi's suggestion in his mind, but...

Mu felt a sense of despair.

Because she no longer remembers where she left her emotions.

How can we retrieve it?

Volume 1: Chapter 190 The Long-Awaited Energy-Saving Mode

The day that had been promised to Arakawa Kirika arrived.

With a mix of trepidation and excitement, Toyokawa Shoko pushed open the iron gate of the manor.

She slowly walked towards the gate not far away, and then took out the key.

It's past noon now, so there's no need for her to wake Arakawa Kirika.

As soon as she entered the room, that person came into her view.

As always.

Bathed in a warm golden light, Arakawa Kirika sat upright in a chair by the French windows, her hands folded on her thighs, her back straight, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside the window. Even the sound of Shoko opening the door did not startle her.

For a moment, Xiangzi felt as if the guy's identity had some strange magnetic pull, and it took her a lot of effort to finally look away.

Yes, Xiangzi understood this very well.

As long as that person keeps quiet, her elegant and pure temperament always inspires endless imagination.

Of course, this only applies when we're not talking.

As Xiangzi slowly approached, Arakawa Kirika finally turned around and looked at Xiangzi with her blood-red eyes.

"Why did you take so long to arrive?"

Xiangzi noticed that when Arakawa Kirika said those words, her expression seemed a little... confused, and her tone was full of weariness.

This is……

She hadn't seen him in this state in a long time, but Xiangzi quickly realized what was happening.

This is clearly... that so-called "energy-saving mode".

So Xiangzi had no choice but to put his handbag aside for the time being, and then came to Arakawa Kirika's side. Looking at the swaying body, Xiangzi instinctively supported her.

"You're either not eating, or you haven't slept well."

Xiangzi asked, somewhat annoyed.

"Your..."

Xiangzi suddenly hesitated, unsure how to address those who were secretly in charge of Arakawa Kirika's daily life.

Should we call them "subordinates," "attendants," or something else? But none of them feel quite right.

So Xiangzi simply skipped it.

"Is no one coming to see you?"

Finally, she asked this question.

"Yes, I told them yesterday not to come, because you're coming back, aren't you?"

Arakawa Kirika squinted slightly and rubbed her temples.

"So... you got up on your own?"

Xiangzi continued to ask.

"Ah."

Arakawa Kirika then answered.

After the conversation ended, Xiangzi felt a sudden pang of guilt, for some reason. It was as if a project he was supposed to be in charge of had gone wrong.

"But...didn't you say I didn't need to come so early?"

Xiangzi turned his face away somewhat awkwardly.

"I forgot."

Arakawa Kirika's answer was also very direct.

forget……

Ok.

Xiangzi could only sigh silently, though subconsciously she felt that this didn't sound like something Arakawa Kirika would say.

"Then you lie down for a while longer... I'll go see what we can eat."

Gently supporting Arakawa Kirika as she lay back on the sofa, Shoko hesitated for a moment before sneaking into the kitchen.

After a while, she took some small snacks like milk cakes from the refrigerator and placed them in front of Arakawa Kirika.

Xiangzi was relieved that at least there was food in the refrigerator; otherwise, she wasn't confident that she could satisfy Arakawa Kirika if she were to cook.

but……