Lonely Rock: Love Songs Dedicated to the Stars

I only realized how poorly I wrote it after I finished, but I'm not going to delete it since I put so much effort into it.

I only intended to include a little Easter egg.

After their performance in Ikebukuro, the band ended their misfortune in a way, gaining a large number of new fans.

Their previously recorded music video has reached 150,000 views, and they are currently celebrating at Yuzhen's family restaurant.

"What's the difference between what you call a celebration and coming over for lunch?" Yuzhen sat behind the counter, propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her hands as she looked at the four little ones.

“We’re not planning on rehearsing today,” Hongxia retorted, putting down her spoon. “We’ve been so lazy, we feel so guilty. But let’s just consider it a celebration.”

"You guys are really lazy." Yuzhen rolled her eyes and ignored them.

They are so easily satisfied. Ryo can be happy just by being treated to a meal, Kita can be happy just by being close to Ryo, and as for Pochi, she can feel comfortable as long as she doesn't have to socialize.

There were quite a few customers in the store at noon, but even without Yuzhen, it shouldn't be a problem, since his staff are all very capable.

As for the izakaya, a staff member just said that Hiroi has arrived, and he's a little worried.

"I'll go check out the izakaya. You guys enjoy your meal."

Yuma said goodbye to the four members of the End Band and then left.

Hiroi Kikuri was indeed completely drunk and had fallen asleep on the table.

Fortunately, she didn't cause any trouble. Yuzhen and the shop assistant carried her to the changing room, threw her on a folding bed, and left her there.

He had just come out when he saw four girls walk into the store. They wanted to order the Hengshui Laobaigan liquor that was displayed on the counter in Youzhen store.

It's lunchtime now, and quite a few people are coming to eat after get off work, but almost no one drinks alcohol at lunchtime. If they're ordering alcohol now, they're probably not just working stiffs from the neighborhood.

"This liquor is quite strong." Yuzhen took out a bottle from behind the counter, but didn't hand it to them directly. "Are you two 20 years old yet?"

Fortunately, they all had something to prove their identity, such as driver's licenses and student IDs. They were all college students and were all 20 years old.

"But I still want to remind you that this liquor is quite strong, so don't drink it too fast."

'But if it's Tokita-senpai's group, they should be able to drink it like water.' He silently added this thought to himself.

Yuma had just reminded them when she noticed that one of the girls was staring at her.

He had just seen the girl's student ID; her name seemed to be You Zuoxi.

The petite girl next to her glanced at her, seemingly a little angry, and then nudged her with her shoulder.

"Ah... Yaeka, what are you doing?"

"Because you kept staring at people, which is very impolite."

……

Later, Yuuma learned that the girl named Yuza Akane also played in a band and was a guitarist. She had come to Shimokitazawa with her roommates.

"I was staring at you because you looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place you." She only realized her rudeness after being reminded by her companion. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, I don't mind." Yuzhen waved his hand, indicating that he didn't mind such a thing. "But you said I look familiar? Have we met before?"

"Are you Mr. Kenzaki Yuuma?" she asked tentatively.

"I am... You actually know me?"

“I’ve heard your band’s songs.” She took out a badge from her bag, which was merchandise that Yuzuru and his band had sold before. “Although the guitarist is a scumbag, your band’s songs are great.”

"Please don't mention that again." Yuma forced a smile. It's true what they say, good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast.

'Why are so many people who know me suddenly appearing after I gave up the band?' Yuzhen silently complained to herself.

During their subsequent conversation, Yuma learned a lot, including about their school.

"Your school isn't far from here. But it's not a holiday now, are you sure it's okay for you to come here to play?"

"It's okay, we don't have classes during this period."

'Are college students these days so free?' Yuzhen began to recall his own college life. He seemed to have been taking all sorts of exams, helping to take care of Hongxia, and teasing Xingge. It was quite fulfilling. No wonder he didn't seem as free as them.

"Oh no, manager! Miss Hiroi has vomited in the changing room!"

"What!? You guys can continue, I need to go and take care of the trash in the changing room first." Yuzhen suddenly stood up from her chair and walked towards the changing room.

After Yuma left, the band ended their performance and entered the izakaya (Japanese pub).

There weren't many customers left in the shop, so they could easily hear the conversation between the four college students.

"Peony, why do you keep staring at the shop manager?"

One of the girls thought she was speaking quite quietly, but Liang heard her clearly.

Ryomi, wanting to get some gossip, pulled the rest of the band members to sit next to the university students and continue listening.

"Because the manager is so handsome." The pink-haired girl, who had drunk some wine, was already slightly flushed. Unlike Boqi, she had no trouble communicating with others. "Dorm supervisor, are you jealous?"

"How could that be..." The girl, who was called the dormitory supervisor, quickly denied it, but when she saw Peony squinting and smiling mischievously at her, she realized that she had been tricked again.

"The dorm supervisor won't let me continue watching, so I guess I won't watch anymore."

"Why do you make it sound like I'm forcing you?"

“Because I live in the same dormitory as the dormitory supervisor.” Botan moved closer to Ibuki, meeting her gaze. “So isn’t it only natural to listen to the dormitory supervisor?”

Yuma came out from behind, carrying the unconscious Hiroi on his shoulder.

Hiroi wasn't heavy at all; in fact, Yuma thought she was quite light. It seems she usually has a tough time.

He placed the still-dazed Hiroi next to the band, then took some tissues and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"What's wrong with Hiroi-nee again?" Nijika asked Yuuma, looking at Hiroi.

"This guy's drunk again. I've already called Shima, she'll be here to pick her up soon." Yuma rubbed her shoulders and sat down next to them.

He had just sat down when Liang poked his shoulder.

Liang glanced at the four female college students next to him who were still chatting and drinking, and asked in a low voice, "Are they female colleagues?"

"What are you saying?" Yuzhen responded softly. "They are college students, not office workers. What does it have to do with their colleagues? And you, don't gossip about the guests."

Ryomi Yuuma didn't get her point and felt a bit bored, so she put on her headphones and went to listen to music.

……

When Yuma returned to her bedroom after taking a shower that evening, she found Hoshika staring at her phone.

"What are you looking at?" He sat down next to Xingge and glanced at Xingge's phone screen.

The above is Hongxia and her group's music video. Xingge is dragging the progress bar. After it reaches the end, exit and then re-enter, and then drag the progress bar again.

She's just trying to boost her view count.

"Wait, how many days have you been spending money on them?"

Although it was quite embarrassing to be found out, since she had already been discovered, Xingge didn't plan to hide it from Youzhen anymore: "I started refreshing it as soon as they posted it."

"Let's do it together then." Yuzhen also took out her phone and skillfully started dragging the progress bar.

"So you've been refreshing it all along too?"

"Otherwise what? Do you expect their videos to gain popularity solely from clicks by random passersby?"

Chapter 126 A Day Trip to the Amusement Park

After much back and forth, the day finally came for the demo review results. On that day, the band went to Yomi-kan Paradise near Shimokitazawa.

"Today is a celebration party for the last performance, plus a treat for the STARRY staff." Yuma helped Hiroi park the rented car and found everyone at the door. "Let's have some fun and release some stress today."

Xingge walked over to him and patted him helplessly: "Just because they don't want to face reality, you brought everyone out to play?"

“How can you say it’s escaping reality?” Yuzhen rubbed the spot where she had been patted. “It’s just a good way to relax. The band has been under too much pressure lately.”

However, it seemed that only the End Band and Yuma were interested among those present.

Xingge felt it was too hot, and PA had to stay up all night to stream in order to increase viewership, so he was not in good spirits. Hiroi next to him looked like he was about to throw up again.

As for why Hiroi is here, it's because she's driving.

But you can't drink and drive, so she chugged a whole bottle after parking the car; otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to even go inside. The consequence is that she seems to have a bit of an upset stomach now.

Yu-ma had been practicing driving, and he and Hiroi had agreed that he would drive them back, which is why Hiroi dared to drink so recklessly.

'But is it really okay to drink in an amusement park?' Yuma felt it was inappropriate no matter how she looked at it, but then she thought that even if she made a fool of herself, it would be Hiroi's fault, not hers.

Moreover, compared to Hiroi, everyone's most pressing concern right now is when they can finally enter the amusement park, as the queues are just too long.

Yuuma's gaze fell upon the VIP entrance beside her. By shouting a specific slogan and purchasing a privilege card, one could upgrade their ticket to a privilege ticket and use the VIP lane. However, Pochi and Ryo seemed quite averse to shouting slogans in public.

In the end, only Yuma and Kita went to the VIP channel, but after they entered the park, they found that everyone else had just entered through the regular channel.

Yuzhen felt like she had wasted her privilege ticket.

“It’s alright, Kenzaki-nii.” Kita didn’t seem to mind. “Look, there’s also the privilege of taking photos with the children’s show performers, and free admission to the roller coaster, drop tower, and pirate ship!”

"A children's show? I don't think it's very interesting." Yuma was too lazy to calculate whether these things could break even. "Also, Kita, I'm afraid of heights, so let's skip things like roller coasters and drop towers."

"Is...is that so?"

At this point, all four adults had fallen into a negative state after entering the park.

……

Inside a restaurant, Hoshika, PA, and Hiroi were drinking alcohol, while only Yuma was drinking juice.

'Damn VIP privileges, they won't even give you a discount at the restaurant.' Yuzhen sullenly downed her juice in one gulp, then ordered another glass.

The four of them became even more melancholy as they listened to the happy conversation of the family of three next to them.

"At my age, I feel uncomfortable coming to places like this," Xingge couldn't help but sigh. "This kind of place, full of youthful energy, isn't suitable for me."

PA was in a similar situation and began to vent her resentment:

“When I come home every day, no one will say ‘Welcome back’ to me. Even if I cook a lavish meal, there’s no one to share it with. My body and mind have long been rotten in those convenience store meals full of additives.”

"Haven't you been eating at my restaurant all this time?" Yuma couldn't help but complain.

After listening to the two men's lament, Hiroi couldn't help but complain as well: "I'm in debt right now and I have to live in a 52-year-old haunted house without a bathroom. It's all the band's fault."

"You clearly drank too much alcohol!" Yuma couldn't help but retort again.

Then he noticed that the three of them were looking at him.