They all have hidden attributes!

"Ok, I know."

"I'm a little scared that something might happen that could ruin our current relationship."

When she said this, Hanakawa Kaori's voice was filled with loneliness, like a primary school student who had heard her parents arguing and threatening to divorce each other, fully prepared to be hurt.

She cares about the band a lot, which is why she's worried.

"No, trust me, I'll handle it."

Makoto Takahashi raised his hand and ruffled Hanakawa Kaori's hair to comfort her. After standing up, he turned to look at Uesugi Maya and snatched the apple that she had just peeled from her hand.

"You're about to go on stage, is there anything else you want to tell me?" He took a bite of his apple and asked as he ate.

"Just perform at your usual level."

Unusually, Uesugi Maya didn't put any pressure on the others today, nor did she hold a grudge against Takahashi Makoto for having her apple stolen. After taking the crepe from Nekoya Hina, she calmly glanced at the people present with her caramel-colored eyes.

"Why don't you put the knife away first?" Makoto Takahashi stood next to Maya Uesugi, raised his hand and put it on her shoulder, which was indeed a little stiff.

As the leader of NiceFold, Maya Uesugi actually felt more pressure than anyone else before going on stage, so it's no wonder she didn't feel like putting pressure on the others.

You should know that Haki Nights would feel ashamed even of selling tickets for street performances, let alone going on stage and facing an audience. It takes a lot of mental fortitude for him not to run away on the spot.

"Did you write a memo?" Makoto Takahashi asked, reminding him.

"I almost forgot."

Uesugi Maya put down the crepe, opened the notebook on her lap, glanced at it, and then looked up at Hanakawa Kaori: "Today is not our special performance. During the changeover, we need to set up the equipment for a few minutes."

"Mmm." Hanakawa Kaori perked up and carefully memorized it.

“We need time. I’ll set up the cables and effects for you. Once you’re on stage, immediately pick up the microphone and introduce the band and members. If we haven’t set up the instruments yet, tell a few jokes.”

"What a joke... It's okay if the bass doesn't have a cable plugged in, right? No problem."

As soon as Hanakawa Kaori finished speaking, Shiraishi Junka chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand.

Maya Uesugi gave Makoto Takahashi an annoyed look, took a deep breath, and continued, "Anyway, the show started the moment you got the microphone."

After speaking, her gaze swept over the faces of the others in turn, and she gave them instructions in a serious tone:

"Once the instruments are set up and the sound check goes smoothly, please wait quietly. Don't start playing recklessly and disturb others' sound check. I've already coordinated the lighting..."

"Do your job well, follow the drummer's instructions, and don't act on your own."

"Don't worry about any mistakes during the performance, I'll cover for you."

Although Maya Uesugi enjoys pressure, she is also the key player in crucial moments. Her calm voice gives Makoto Takahashi a sense of security.

dong dong——

After a knock, a staff member pushed open the rehearsal room door, poked their head in, and shouted, "NiceFold members, you can get ready to go on stage. The first opening band has already started performing!"

NiceFold is ranked third, which is the most appropriate order in terms of atmosphere.

"Let's go." Uesugi Maya stood up, turned around and left the rehearsal room.

"Senior Lengzi, let me help you move the drum set too."

Hanakawa Kaori sees Takahashi Makoto helping Shiraishi Junko move the electric piano and synthesizer, entrusts the guitar to Nekoya Hina, and walks over to Kashima Reiko.

Just as she was about to help, she saw that Kashima Reiko was not moving at all, her calm blue eyes staring straight at her without saying a word.

"Um, Senior Reiko?" Hanakawa Kaori asked hesitantly.

Kashima Reiko's gaze remained fixed on Takahashi Makoto, her expression calm as she observed his surroundings, including Hanakawa Kaori's unease.

“If you want everything to go smoothly, take control of it yourself,” said Reiko Kashima.

"......But."

"Do what you believe is right."

"I will remember that, thank you, senpai." Hanakawa Kaori nodded vigorously.

As everyone gathered backstage, Maya Uesugi gave them one last reminder of what to expect during the performance. Listening to the songs and melodies on stage, Makoto Takahashi suddenly felt a little nervous.

My heart was racing involuntarily. I wasn't panicked, but the thought of going on stage to face customers who had bought expensive tickets gave me a sense of nervousness before doing something that would affect my life.

A feeling that cannot be described in specific words.

"The show must not be stopped under any circumstances."

After Uesugi Maya finished emphasizing the last sentence, Takahashi Makoto's gaze swept over the faces of the others, and he felt that something was missing before his first time on stage.

To be honest, wasn't it exciting enough?

The band came together not because of grand goals like the Budokan or the Tokyo Dome; each member had their own reasons.

While they were thinking, Hanakawa Kaori raised her hand and said, "Um, actually, we don't necessarily have to hold a live performance, do we?"

Upon hearing this, everyone cast strange glances at her, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

"It's too late to run away now, Hanaori." Nekoya Hina laughed and hooked her arm around Hanakawa Hanaori's shoulder to prevent her from deserting.

No, that's not what I meant.

Facing everyone's gaze, Hanakawa Kaori raised her face as if making a firm decision, and stretched out her hand in mid-air: "I'm thinking, since no one has objected to the decision to hold a live performance, there must be their own reasons, or dreams they want to realize through the band."

As she spoke, her expression became somewhat embarrassed:

“I agreed to join the band with my brother because, when I was in Izu, besides playing badminton, all I did was study and go shopping with friends. Every day was a repetitive and boring life, and I sometimes felt very lonely.”

"I enjoy hanging out with my seniors; it makes me very happy. And standing on stage, I get a lot of love and attention from people."

After Hanakawa Kaori finished speaking, Uesugi Maya grabbed Takahashi Makoto's wrist, placed his hand on the back of Hanakawa Kaori's hand, and spoke on behalf of the two of them: "Tokyo Dome, and also, defeat Ritsumi."

Upon hearing the phrase "[defeat Riki]", Shiraishi Junka's wine-red eyes lit up. After pondering for a moment, she couldn't think of any particular reason.

“I like Makoto,” she said bluntly, placing her hand on Makoto Takahashi’s hand.

“Playing the drums is more stress-relieving than badminton, and it’s also more liberating.” Kashima Reiko maintained her indifferent demeanor, her voice devoid of any emotion.

After reaching out and putting her arm around someone else, she raised her calm, turquoise eyes to look at Makoto Takahashi and said to him, "Although most of the time life chooses me rather than I choose life, it is possible to live a brilliant life after accepting an ordinary one."

Makoto Takahashi smiled at her, then turned to look at Hina Nekoya with an inquiring gaze.

She blinked blankly, still chewing on the last fried meat patty, her expression seeming to ask, "Am I coming too?"

"Hina-nee," Hanakawa Kaori called out in a complaining tone.

"Me? I will always support Acheng."

Nekoya Hina swallowed the food in her mouth and leaned closer: "Okay, everyone, let's do our best and let this freeloader get as much money as possible!"

"It really feels like family," Makoto Takahashi said subconsciously, and everyone's eyes immediately turned to him.

This meaningful remark made Kashima Reiko start to consider Uesugi Maya's suggestion—after all, the young lady doesn't really have much time for romance.

After the final segment, the group went on stage wearing their instruments.

Hanakawa Kaori greeted the audience with great energy, and of course, she didn't tell any boring bass jokes; her bright, sunny smile alone was enough to liven up the atmosphere.

Makoto Takahashi plugged in the cables, set up the effects pedals, and after a sound check, everything was ready. He quietly glanced at the crowd packed below the stage, which consisted entirely of young and lovely girls.

Maybe it would be better if I didn't wear clothes?

Just as I was thinking this, the spotlights above my head suddenly turned on, casting a dazzling light on the stage.

"Next up is our first song, 'Ultramarine'."

After Hanakawa Kaori's shout, the drumbeats began, and a melody played by several instruments suddenly rang out, spreading in everyone's hearts, with countless bright notes and colors infecting everyone.

Makoto Takahashi's fingers plucked the steel strings at high speed, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the waving glow sticks below. He felt such an intense atmosphere for the first time, and his mood couldn't help but rise.

The audience members present had all spent real money to support their favorite bands.

Thinking of this, the colors of the glow sticks became as vibrant as oil paints on a palette, and although there was complete silence except for the melody, it was even more melodious than the sound of strings.

He turned and glanced calmly at his side. Hanakawa Kaori had a bright smile on her face, and her crystal-clear purple eyes sparkled with genuine joy. Behind her, Kashima Reiko's expression had never been so vivid, and her usually calm and beautiful eyes were now sparkling.

The band, painstakingly built up, not only received countless supporters, but also had meaning for everyone and made a lot of money. There's nothing more gratifying than that.

......

The performance, consisting of only four songs, quickly came to an end.

After Hanakawa Kaori took her bow, the stage lights dimmed, and everyone packed up their instruments and equipment before leaving the stage. After politely greeting the next band, they returned to the rehearsal room to rest.

Makoto Takahashi put the bass back in its case, feeling the vibrant atmosphere of the stage still lingering around him.

Behind them came the sound of Hanakawa Kaori letting out a sigh of relief.

"Phew, I almost thought I was doomed. Thanks to Uesugi-senpai, I never expected that I would sing off-beat."

"Your breathing is very steady," Shiraishi Junka praised softly.

"Everyone worked hard! The performance was a great success!"

Hina Nekoya handed the camera to Maya Uesugi, her exaggerated expression showing she was even happier than the performers: "Listen to me, what I felt backstage was absolutely amazing..."

Kashima Reiko looked at the group, rubbed her arms which were a little numb from playing high-intensity, fast-paced drumbeats, and couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, brother, Senior Lengzi smiled!"

Hanakawa Kaori's exclamation interrupted Nekoya Hina's speech, as if she had discovered some earth-shattering secret, and she tugged at Takahashi Makoto's clothes.

Several people cast curious glances at her. Kashima Reiko rubbed her face, returning to her usual expressionless demeanor.

"Senior Lengzi, there's no need for this."

Hina Nekoya enthusiastically closed the distance, but the intense physical contact made Reiko Kashima push her away in disgust: "It's hot."

"The guests were very excited in the end, and everyone was applauding."

Hanakawa Kaori's face beamed with joy, her eyes brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "There's going to be a victory celebration later, right? Yay!"

Just as everyone was still basking in the jubilation of the successful performance, the door to the rehearsal room opened from the outside.

"Congratulations everyone, the performance was a great success!"

Yuki Tachibana walked in with a smile, meeting Uesugi Maya's cold, caramel-colored eyes: "I've prepared a victory celebration."

Chapter 103 If the victory celebration banquet is a battlefield

Cheers!