Aspiring to be a girl in a band

Xiangzi looked at Le Nai with great emotion.

There are actually normal people here!!

Finally, someone remembered to practice!

With Lenai starting, Xiangzi finally found an opportunity to steer the conversation toward practice.

“Lena is right... Stop fooling around, I'll send you the sheet music first.”

As he spoke, Xiangzi took out folded papers from his bag and distributed them to everyone.

……

"How...how is it?"

Xiangzi's expression seemed somewhat insecure, a rare reaction for her.

What she clearly wanted was an evaluation from Arakawa Kirika.

This can be seen from her reaction of stealing glances at Arakawa Kirika four or five times within 10 seconds.

"I... can only write lyrics... I don't really know what kind of melody is good."

Deng looked at Xiangzi with a hint of apology, and then awkwardly scratched his face.

This habit was clearly picked up from Aine.

Ok……

Xiangzi nodded gently at the lamp, and the lamp's reaction was exactly what she expected.

So she spoke softly to the lamp.

"It's okay, just focus on what you're good at."

"Um……"

The lamp nodded obediently, a smile unconsciously appearing on its lips.

In that instant, Deng felt that the Xiangzi in front of him perfectly overlapped with the figure of the white moonlight in his memory.

Yes, there was a time when Xiangzi was like that, patiently and gently affirming her and telling her.

Just focus on what you're good at.

Volume 1: Chapter 243 The Mischievous Kid Gets the Treat

"Oh? As expected of Ms. Xiangzi, she is as strict with herself as ever. I thought you would just make up some old songs to get by for an informal occasion like the school festival, but I didn't expect you to actually compose a new song in one night?"

Arakawa Kirika leaned back in her swivel chair, looking at Shoko with a slightly mocking smile.

That bastard... is still saying weird things.

Why are you suddenly calling me "teacher" when you've never shown me any respect?

This shameless guy... doesn't he even think about who I'm working hard for?

So... what's your evaluation?

Xiangzi decided to ignore Arakawa Kirika's flirtatious remarks and then chose to continue asking questions.

"Yes, it's a good piece of music."

Arakawa Kirika said calmly.

But for some reason, listening to Arakawa Kirika's emotionless tone, Shoko felt as if she were completely relaxed, her whole body radiating comfort.

That's good……

Shoko breathed a sigh of relief and quickly looked away to avoid Arakawa Kirika seeing her expression.

"What about Aine? What do you think?"

Xiangzi asked casually, but as soon as he asked, he noticed that... Aiyin trembled.

It's like a student who's fast asleep in class being suddenly called on by the teacher to answer a question.

The only word to describe Aine right now is "helpless".

Hmm? That's strange.

Xiangzi was puzzled. He had only casually asked Aine what she thought of the piece... Was it really necessary to be so nervous...?

Xiangzi thought of a possibility.

During a casual chat at a previous gathering, she had already learned that Ai-yin had initially joined the Light Band purely to show off...

Judging from that performance, although Ai Yin was able to keep up with the pace of the others, her skill level was still somewhat immature.

Then, Xiangzi turned his attention to the extra copies of sheet music that were printed on the table, just in case.

Hmm... that's something I overlooked... Xiangzi Emu 〇 Ba Wu Ling Jiu Lu Jiu Lin - Meng Xin Xiang.

I'm used to using sheet music, but... is it possible that Ai Yin... can't read sheet music?

That should be right. Judging from the embarrassment on Aine's face, that's probably the truth.

Xiangzi felt a pang of self-reproach; she blamed herself for not thinking of this sooner and for preparing some sheet music.

But... what if even simplified musical notation can't be read by Ai Yin?

It shouldn't be that bad, right?

Xiangzi's lips twitched slightly.

"This was my mistake... I'm sorry, Aine. I'll prepare the sheet music tomorrow."

Because of that slight self-reproach, Xiangzi's words sounded somewhat lacking in confidence.

Eh?

Aine was taken aback at first, then revealed a... deeply moved expression.

If it weren't for the fact that there were other people present, Ai-yin probably would have pounced on Xiang-zi.

As expected of Saki... she immediately noticed the other person's difficulties.

Saki-chan... she's amazing, no need to say more.

After noticing the other person's predicament, he thoughtfully helped them out without pointing out that he didn't know how to read sheet music... thus saving the other person's face.

Ah... Xiangmen.

Moved, Aine clasped her hands together and then silently recited a self-composed prayer whose meaning was unclear.

"Hmm? Is it okay to switch to simplified musical notation? I'm a little worried that Aine might not even understand simplified musical notation."

But Arakawa Kirika maliciously interrupted this moment of pleasant atmosphere.

She had already figured out what Aine was doing before Xiangzi did... but she deliberately didn't say anything.

Who can blame me... Aine's troubled expression is just so amusing.

As long as the child doesn't get hurt, it shouldn't be a problem to vent a little of my mischievousness, right?

Arakawa Kirika thought to herself, "I've been holding this in for a long time."

Feeling Arakawa Kirika's mischievous gaze, Aine became a little unhappy because she felt slighted.

Even if it's just a mist flower, you can't look down on her like that!

Aine, not knowing where she found the courage, actually stared directly into Arakawa Kirika's eyes.

Ah... this child has always been like this. He's clearly afraid of me, but he also really likes to provoke me.

Are all masochists like this? Could it be... that they're hoping I'll bully her even more?

Seeing Aine's unwavering expression, Arakawa Kirika found herself lost in thought.

"I... I haven't formally studied music theory like Kirika and Saki... but I've been trying to learn on my own... I can still read sheet music!!"

Ai Yin proudly puffed out her chest.

"Hmm...that's really amazing. Here's a reward for you."

Arakawa Kirika tried hard to suppress her laughter, then rummaged in her pocket for a while, pulled out an object, and waved to Aine.

Eh?

After hesitating for about 0.123145641231 seconds, Aine excitedly came to Arakawa Kirika's side, then half-squatted and lay on Arakawa Kirika's lap, waiting to receive her reward.

With a "snap" sound...

That's the sound of Xiangzi slapping himself on the forehead.

It's unbearable to look at.

Didn't this pink-haired Aine realize... that her series of actions just now were clearly those of a dog begging for food from its owner?!

And it was done so naturally, as if it had been rehearsed countless times.

Xiangzi shook his head helplessly.

Arakawa Kirika's reward was... a piece of fruit candy.

Recently, she's learned her lesson. To prevent herself from suddenly going into "energy-saving mode," she now carries candy with her at all times, just in case.

Of course, Arakawa Kirika's [rewards] don't stop there.

Instead of placing the candy directly in Aine's palm, she peeled off the candy coating herself and carefully fed it to Aine's mouth.

Of course... as she pulled her fingers back, she also intentionally or unintentionally... pinched Aine's lips with her hand.

...Aine, of course, accepted it all with a flushed face, and then felt the sweet taste starting from her mouth and gradually spreading to her heart.

Ai Yin returned to her original position with a smug smile.

At this moment, Aine also came to her senses and naturally realized how silly her posture of seeking a reward from her "master" must have looked to others.

But that's not important!!

You laugh at me for being foolish, but I laugh at you for not having received candy from Wuhua herself!

As Aine thought about it, she placed her finger on her lips, where Arakawa Kirika had touched her, and the sensation still lingered.

Sure enough... the mischievous child gets the treat—that's an age-old truth!

Ai Yin thought with a smile.