Aspiring to be a girl in a band

Because... Arakawa Kirika stopped talking again, so she wondered if she could start with the things around her and slowly open the heart of this willful girl.

What changes have occurred in this house during my absence?

Xiangzi's eyes quickly scanned every corner of the house as he anxiously pondered what details he might have missed.

Huh? That's...

After looking around, Xiangzi's gaze fell on the piano not far away.

Is this what they call "concern leads to confusion"?

My mind was so preoccupied with Xiao Mu's affairs that I almost overlooked what was right in front of me.

Xiangzi saw a gleaming wooden violin case leaning against the piano.

...Because it was clearly a specially made design, Xiangzi couldn't immediately determine what the box contained.

Seeing that Arakawa Kirika was still staring straight ahead and had no reaction at all, Shoko moved over to the piano.

She squatted down and first touched it with her hand to feel its unique texture.

Then, out of curiosity, she gently tapped the top of the violin case with the back of her hand.

After making this move, Xiangzi quickly turned around to observe Arakawa Kirika's reaction.

Because some musicians have an unusual possessiveness towards their instruments and don't allow others to touch them, she wondered if Arakawa Kirika would be angry.

Fortunately, Arakawa Kirika is not like that. Even if Shoko really broke her piano, let alone touch or knock on it, she would probably just say something calmly.

"Why not just get a new one?"

It seems that in Arakawa Kirika's eyes, musical instruments, as inanimate objects, do not have any special value.

What's inside?

Xiangzi struck up a conversation with Arakawa Kirika.

She tried to pick up the wooden violin case, but found that... the case was made entirely of solid wood, making it a bit too heavy for a young girl like her.

"Isn't this a bit...too heavy? It must be inconvenient for you to carry it yourself..."

Seeing that Arakawa Kirika was still ignoring him, Xiangzi took the initiative to ask her in a friendly manner.

Arakawa Kirika finally looked at her.

"Anyway, it's not like I'm the one taking it."

Arakawa Kirika turned away, somewhat disheartened.

Oh... that's how it is... Xiangzi slapped her forehead. Because she had been so happy lately, she had almost forgotten who this guy in front of her was.

Xiangzi shook her head and sighed softly. But soon she looked at Arakawa Kirika with excitement and repeated her first question.

What's inside?

"Why don't you open it and see?"

Xiangzi hadn't opened it before because she was afraid Arakawa Kirika would get angry. But seeing that the other party had said that, she stopped being polite.

She lifted the lid of the violin case, and what she saw was... a violin that exuded the word "expensive" in every detail.

It's a violin...

Xiangzi was taken aback.

She thought it would be a guitar or bass or something like that.

"So... what you meant by 'taking a class' before was this?"

Xiangzi turned and smiled at Arakawa Kirika.

"Ah."

Arakawa Kirika nodded.

"Didn't I tell you... I get really bored when you're not around, so I wanted to find something to do..."

……

Hearing what Arakawa Kirika said, Shoko's face quickly turned crimson again.

This guy... always likes to say these embarrassing things with a blank expression.

"Cough... I thought you would learn piano or something."

Xiangzi coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject.

"Hmm... I did think about it at first, but... if I were to learn the piano, wouldn't that conflict with you?"

Arakawa Kirika replied calmly.

Ok?

Xiangzi blinked, his expression somewhat blank.

Not wanting to conflict with oneself... what does that mean?

Volume 1: Chapter 192 The Temperatures Are Rising

Looking at Arakawa Kirika's slightly evasive eyes, Shoko found it unbelievable, but... there was only one possibility...

So she moved her feet and stepped back into the guy's line of sight.

"Well... how about we try playing together? Hmm... beginners usually start with 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,' right?"

Seeing that Arakawa Kirika's gaze had finally turned back to him, Xiangzi happily put his hands behind his back and tiptoed towards the piano.

Shoko slowly sat down at the piano, but when she turned her head, she saw that Arakawa Kirika was still not moving, just silently watching her.

But Xiangzi didn't say anything and just started playing the piano keys on his own.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star...

While playing simple syllables, Xiangzi looked into Arakawa Kirika's eyes and hummed a short tune.

But Arakawa Kirika remained unmoved.

Xiangzi finally pouted, looking a little unhappy.

She walked up to Arakawa Kirika once again.

"Aren't you going to say something... It's a little awkward for me to be performing a one-man show."

Arakawa Kirika quickly turned her head to the side again.

"I haven't learned it yet."

This was meant as a refusal, but Xiangzi immediately looked puzzled.

Arakawa Kirika said "not learned well", not "not mastered".

Hmm...that's true.

After thinking for a while, Xiangzi understood.

Given Arakawa Kirika's personality, she would definitely not be willing to show herself in front of me unless she has reached a certain level.

After all, she usually had the upper hand over him, but once the focus shifted to music, he was able to turn the tables.

Hmm... so you don't want to show your weaknesses in front of me? You're as willful as ever.

Having understood this, Xiangzi temporarily gave up the invitation and silently sat back down next to Arakawa Kirika.

……

"How's the band?"

Arakawa Kirika asked seemingly casually.

……

Was this guy doing it on purpose?

Xiangzi glanced suspiciously at the guy next to him.

But Arakawa Kirika always maintained a poker face, which made it impossible for Shoko to see through her thoughts.

So Xiangzi could only sigh softly, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"It seems that the practice has to be temporarily suspended. As for the reason... you'd like to know..."

Is that right?

Before Xiangzi could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Arakawa Kirika.

"I don't want to know."

what……

Seeing Arakawa Kirika's reaction, Shoko immediately understood.

This guy doesn't just not want to know; he clearly knows everything.

After all, with Arakawa Kirika's intelligence, how could she not have thought of that?

but……

【It's all your fault! You ruined Mu's performance...】

Could I say that to her?

Xiangzi shook her head; she couldn't bring herself to say such a thing.

Xiangzi now feels like a meat pie, sandwiched between two hamburger buns.

On one hand, there's her childhood sweetheart, Mu.

On one hand, there's this... troublesome guy.

Or rather, both of them have become very troublesome.

She knew that both of them had unresolved issues in their hearts.

From her perspective, she has no right to say anything nice.

But she still really wanted to ask Arakawa Kirika.

Why can't you spare a little more gentleness and patience for that person?