Aspiring to be a girl in a band

"Haha..." Ai-yin gave an awkward smile, seemingly unwilling to answer directly.

After all… how could she explain it now that she was so excited about seeing Kirika again that she couldn't sleep all night…

If I were discovered, I would be so ashamed that I would never be able to face anyone.

Oh? This reaction...

Seeing Aine's hesitant expression, coupled with her involuntary blush, Arakawa Kirika's sadistic tendencies were immediately aroused. How could she let such a good opportunity pass by? She really enjoyed seeing all sorts of beautiful girls looking troubled.

Unfortunately, just as she was about to launch some additional attacks on Aine, she noticed... a commotion seemed to be brewing in the front row of the classroom.

Volume 1: Chapter 237 Strange Combination

Arakawa Kirika looked in the direction of the noise.

It turned out that Toyokawa Shoko, who was standing at the front door, had caused the crowd to gasp in surprise.

"Ah...it's that girl from Class B...she's even prettier up close."

"Yes, yes, and she has a really great presence."

"Hmm, I always feel an urge to call her 'Big Sister'."

amount……

Arakawa Kirika felt as if the corners of her mouth were twitching.

Ignoring the gossip around her, she looked directly at Xiangzi, who was clearly looking at her as well.

However, Xiangzi's expression showed considerable hesitation.

It's like wondering... whether or not I should walk into an unfamiliar classroom.

Upon seeing this, Arakawa Kirika stood up immediately, walked a few steps to Shoko, and then... led her into the classroom.

Unlike Xiangzi, Arakawa Kirika obviously wouldn't care about such trivial opinions; she always did what she thought of.

She then requisitioned a seat from a nearby child for Xiangzi.

Well... judging from the child's expression, he seemed quite flattered?

Arakawa Kirika was a little confused. She had borrowed her chair, forcing her to stand temporarily, so why was she acting so happy...?

Is masochism contagious?

she thought.

...Refocusing their attention on Xiangzi, Deng and Aiyin had already gathered around as well.

"Saki? Why did you suddenly come here?"

Even the lamp seemed curious, after all, this was the first time she had seen Xiangzi so "offensively" walk into another classroom, and Xiangzi's purpose was obvious: he had come for Wuhua.

"Ah... sigh."

Xiangzi sighed heavily, then glared at Arakawa Kirika.

This left Arakawa Kirika completely bewildered.

I saw you standing at the door hesitating, so I took the initiative to bring you in. Shouldn't you be thanking me?

she thought.

After sighing, Xiangzi spoke directly.

"It's all just to... remind some annoying guy."

So who's the annoying guy?

Arakawa Kirika blinked, looking curious.

This made Xiangzi even angrier.

What's wrong with me...? Whenever I'm around this person, I become easily angered... or rather, my emotions fluctuate very easily...

She really wanted to yell, "I'm talking about you, of course! Who are you looking at?!"

But... considering that she was still in an unfamiliar classroom and had to be mindful of her image, she could only suppress her anger.

Then, Xiangzi slapped a piece of paper that looked like an application form directly in front of Arakawa Kirika.

"This is?"

Not only Arakawa Kirika, but also Aine and Akari looked curiously at the contents of the paper.

"School Festival... Program Application Form???"

Without needing to say more, the three of them immediately understood what Xiangzi meant.

So that's how it is... This guy was waiting for me here when he said "there just happened to be an opportunity recently"? Arakawa Kirika smiled, clearly much calmer than the other two, having been mentally prepared.

"Huh??!! Wait, wait... Xiangzi, you mean... you're going to drag Kirika onto the school festival stage?"

Ai Yin stared at Xiangzi in disbelief, while Deng, though silent, also wore a look of surprise.

Compared to her outward reaction, Deng's inner thoughts progressed much faster; she quickly came to a conclusion.

This... is a good opportunity.

Since Xiangzi extended an invitation to Wuhua here, it means that after a year... she... finally has the opportunity to co-star with Xiangzi.

But... what exactly was Xiangzi thinking?

Despite his excitement, Deng was not blinded by the surprise and quickly looked at Xiangzi calmly.

"Saki... what are you planning to do?"

"Hmm... I think Aine and Akari have probably guessed it by now. This time, I really wanted to let this guy experience what it's like to be on stage. I think the pressure will be much less if he performs at the school festival."

No, no, no!!

Ai Yin immediately became suspicious of Xiangzi's words.

Keep in mind that a live house performance can only accommodate a maximum of about a hundred people, as the space is quite limited...

But if they actually appear at the school festival, the audience will be in the hundreds, even thousands...

The pressure of the school festival should be much greater... Are we going to put Kirika through a high-difficulty challenge right from the start?

Ai-yin and Deng both started to worry, much like they were on the same page.

These two were speculating about Arakawa Kirika based on their own experience, so it's understandable that they had some concerns.

Xiangzi clearly realized this as well, and immediately explained.

"Don't worry, the number of people is never important to this girl. With her arrogant and self-centered attitude, even if you put her in a martial arts gym surrounded by tens of thousands of people, she wouldn't be nervous at all... She just doesn't want to perform in a more formal place like the ring, so an informal occasion like the school festival is the best opportunity for her."

Arakawa Kirika shrugged noncommittally, which was taken as agreement with Xiangzi's statement.

Just as Xiangzi said, Arakawa Kirika understands her limitations. She knows that she is not someone who can shine, so... using the school festival stage to experience the feeling of "performing" is just right for her.

In that case… Aine and Akari exchanged a glance, then looked at Shoko together.

"So... Saki, have you already thought of someone else...?"

When she asked that question, Deng became visibly nervous, because she was thinking, what if... Xiangzi had someone else in mind... what should she do?

Fortunately, Xiangzi did not disappoint Deng.

"Of course I've thought it through. As for the lead singer, it has to be Deng. Is there any problem with your side? If Deng agrees, I can start composing as soon as I get home from school."

"I...I do!"

Upon hearing Xiangzi's words, Deng readily agreed.

"That's good."

Xiangzi smiled gently at the lamp.

"Then...what about them?"

Ai Yin immediately followed up, saying that since the lamp had been chosen, it would be too sad if she... hadn't been chosen by Xiangzi.

Moreover, although Ai Yin has been making progress, her guitar skills are obviously not very good, so she is worried that she will not be selected by Xiangzi.

But Xiangzi immediately dispelled Aine's self-doubt.

"Anon, you're in charge of the backup guitar now, right? I noticed you during the last performance... Hmm... Although there's still a lot of room for improvement, you're definitely more than capable for the school festival."

Xiangzi's evaluation was very objective. She has always held herself to professional standards, which is why she commented that Aine has "a lot of room for improvement." However, she also affirmed Aine's performance, so that the pink-haired girl wouldn't be too disappointed.

Volume 1: Chapter 238 Shattering Illusions

"Well... how about I try playing the lead guitar this time?"

Aine's eyes lit up noticeably.

In her view, Xiangzi had no other acquaintances in Yuqiu, so naturally he couldn't find any other guitarists. As the only guitarist, she could finally fulfill her initial ambition.

Hmm... Although the lead guitarist/vocalist role is definitely out of the question, the lead guitarist position is definitely his!

Ai-yin was in high spirits.

But Xiangzi immediately poured cold water on her enthusiasm.

"As for the lead guitar, I've contacted that girl named [Rakuna], so... I'm sorry, Anon-chan."

Xiangzi knew exactly what the pink-haired girl was thinking, so while ruthlessly shattering Aine's fantasy, his tone also carried a hint of apology.

ha?

Aine froze on the spot. If it were shown in the form of animation, Aine would probably have shattered into dust and been blown away by the wind.

But Aine quickly came back to life because she discovered a problem.

"Wait a minute... Xiao Le Nai isn't from our school, is she? Not only the school, but even the grade is wrong!!"

Aine remembers very clearly that Rakuna is an elementary school student from Hanasakigawa, how could she possibly participate in our Haneoka school festival?!

Yes, yes, that's right! They didn't boycott Xiaolan's participation just because they wanted the lead guitar position!

Aine managed to convince herself, but... Xiangzi's reaction disappointed her again.

“I’ve also considered this. Lena… is planning to apply to Yuqiu, right?”

Xiangzi asked Arakawa Kirika in a tone of certainty.

"Well, there's no need to worry about the grades for now."