They all have hidden attributes!

This "last hurrah of summer" brought together many well-known bands, and countless music lovers flocked to a seaside park in Chiba Prefecture that is adjacent to Tokyo Bay.

At 3 p.m., the band members changed into their brand-new performance outfits and went backstage to prepare for their performance.

The stands were packed with people under the sunlight, creating a lively atmosphere.

Hearing the overwhelming cheers, Hanakawa Kaori hugged her guitar tightly, her bright purple eyes sparkling with anticipation: "Brother, after this performance, we'll be completely famous, right?"

"Ha, that's enough for you to show off to your old classmates."

Maya Uesugi stroked the guitar in her hand, answered for Makoto Takahashi, raised her coldly smiling face, and stared at him intently.

Faced with Maya Uesugi's reproachful, disdainful, and somewhat hesitant gaze, Makoto Takahashi pursed his lips, at a loss for words.

At that moment, Shiraishi Junka came closer, with his back to him, blocking Uesugi Maya's sharp gaze.

"Makoto, help me fix my hair."

"I'll help you."

Kashima Reiko, carrying drumsticks, expressionlessly took Takahashi Makoto's place, so Shiraishi Junka casually asked, "Makoto, want to go on a date after the performance?"

"A...a date? No way." Hanakawa Kaori's eyes widened.

"After the performance, everyone went back to the hotel together."

Maya Uesugi revealed a stern and aloof expression, her tone serious: "NiceFold has new regulations, which will be implemented after the start of the school year."

The atmosphere suddenly became serious. Takahashi Makoto coughed lightly and changed the subject: "We're about to go on stage, let's talk about work."

"That's true, but usually my brother is the most relaxed."

Hanakawa Kaori tilted her head, looking completely bewildered, and said, "Hmm... I feel like everyone's acting strange today. Uesugi-nee, Reiko-nee, and my brother looks guilty."

The three of them were speechless for a moment.

"However, I feel that Uesugi-nee has become more humane."

As she spoke, Hanakawa Kaori moved closer to Uesugi Maya and chuckled.

"The band is also different from the very beginning... well, how should I put it, everyone has started to see each other as friends? It's no longer just about getting together for various reasons, like interests or something."

Her words were somewhat vague, but everyone present understood Hanakawa Kaori's feelings.

“Maya finally understands that she’s not alone,” Makoto Takahashi said jokingly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Uesugi Maya glared at him with a cold, murderous look, and he wisely changed the subject.

"I plan to give the audience the middle finger after the show, that will feel more like rock and roll."

Upon hearing this, the group of people simultaneously cast puzzled glances at each other.

"Brother, isn't this... a bit too ahead of its time?"

Hanakawa Kaori hesitated before raising her hand, and even the usually expressionless Kashima Reiko couldn't hold back her composure, but she didn't offer any opinion.

"Is it okay? Anyway, I'm a bassist, so I'll be forgiven for whatever I do."

Makoto Takahashi shrugged indifferently, while Junko Shiraishi, the only one who understood the joke, covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Whatever." Uesugi Maya rubbed her temples, sighing, "This band is hopeless."

"Everyone at NiceFold, you've already started getting ready for the stage!"

A woman with long, straight black hair wearing a [staff] badge knocked on the door and entered the preparation room, bringing the group back to their senses.

"Time's up, get ready to go on stage!"

In just two seconds, Maya Uesugi adjusted her demeanor and displayed her leadership qualities, causing Makoto Takahashi to put away his playful thoughts and for everyone else to get into work mode.

This music festival had a very large promotional campaign, which was also of great significance to the bands.

If the new song receives a good response, it will definitely become an instant hit, and the streets and alleys of Tokyo will be filled with the music video, including the big screen at Shibuya Crossing.

Everyone was full of confidence.

"Let's not shout this time."

After speaking, Makoto Takahashi walked straight onto the stage and, while the others were adjusting their equipment, he went to the lead singer's position at the very front.

"Brother, don't you hate being flamboyant the most?"

Just as she was about to introduce herself, Hanakawa Kaori covered the microphone with her hand and asked in a low voice.

"And I also hate conflict, but I must overcome my weakness in the future, starting with not liking to be ostentatious."

Makoto Takahashi was determined to make a change.

He gave Hanakawa Kaori a helpless, bitter smile, then immediately put on a confident expression. In full view of everyone, he raised his hand high and gave the middle finger to all the spectators.

The air fell silent instantly, and the entire room was completely still.

Under the blazing sunlight, Makoto Takahashi removed his mask, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

As the big screen gave him a close-up, the entire audience cheered the next second.

"Oh!!!!"

"So handsome!!!"

"Oh! Oh! Takahashi-kun!!!"

The intense bass blasts, combined with the sound system, reverberated through the audience's very being.

Makoto Takahashi returned to his position, playing a bass solo, and gave Maya Uesugi a look.

[I told you, bassists will be forgiven for anything.]

Humanity is beyond saving.

Maya Uesugi looked desperate.

Good afternoon, everyone!

"Speaking of which, my brother is our lyricist and composer, and our bassist can do everything, from biting a lighter to dancing."

"Next up, our first song!"

Fueled by the audience's enthusiasm, Hanakawa Kaori opened the show with a radiant smile. After Kashima Reiko struck the drumbeat, a powerful surge of sound instantly swept across the entire venue, with synchronized instrumental music playing without any gaps.

The notes collided with each other, striking into everyone's hearts. Under the clear summer sky, bones trembled in the music, and souls resonated with it.

As Makoto Takahashi played the bass, he watched the extremely excited audience. His overly tense mood gradually calmed down, replaced by a strong sense of conviction.

Now, he cares about the band more than anyone else.

I don't want anyone to get hurt, I hope everyone can have a happy ending, I hope they can understand each other, and that the band can become everyone's ideal home.

Therefore, one must overcome one's own shortcomings, such as not being good at handling conflict.

—Because of Kashima Reiko, he might have to confront the young lady next.

The high-frequency strumming and the screaming electronic music made the entire venue tremble. Kashima Reiko's cooperation built the foundation, while Uesugi Maya's guitar accompaniment blended perfectly. The melodious keyboard melody connected the bridge of notes.

The pure auditory feast had a powerful impact. After the performance, which lasted only a dozen minutes, came to an end, cheers erupted from the audience, and everyone applauded enthusiastically.

After stepping off the stage, the group packed up their equipment and instruments and returned to their hotel to rest.

The venue was some distance from the hotel. Because of her obsessive-compulsive disorder, Maya Uesugi could only ride in a private car with Makoto Takahashi, while the rest of the people and their instruments rode in a business vehicle provided by the organizer.

The white sedan drove smoothly into the sunlight, with two people sitting side by side in the back seat.

Maya Uesugi crossed her arms and turned her face away to gaze at the street scene outside the car window. Sunlight shone on her perfect profile, making it impossible to look away.

Long, black hair fell over a clean white shirt, exuding a warm cedarwood scent.

After a while, Uesugi Maya suddenly turned her head and looked over, her beautiful caramel-colored eyes flashing with coldness:

"Even if it's not fair competition, I won't give up. Also, don't break up the band."

This statement about the band's biggest destabilizing factor left Makoto Takahashi with mixed feelings.

"What kind of look is that? I've already said it, no matter what, I will use any means necessary to win you over, and this time I won't waver," Uesugi Maya said coldly.

Is Hagiwara really capable of using any means necessary? She wouldn't even resort to sexual harassment.

While feeling happy that he would be able to eat Hell Girl's cooking again in the future, Makoto Takahashi was also troubled by the relationship between Yuki Tatsumi and Reiko Kashima.

Regardless, if this is the happiness that Kashima Reiko wants, he will never waver.

Chapter 119 NiceFold, activity suspended.

Starwood is a luxury hotel located in Chiba City, on the shore of Tokyo Bay.

A little after 4 p.m., a luxury white sedan smoothly came to a stop in front of the hotel. Makoto Takahashi looked out the car window and saw an unidentified white bird skimming across the shimmering sea.

I think we'll be checking into a sea-view room tonight?

He doesn't dislike staying on high floors of hotels, especially those with good views.

"Want to go out and have fun together tomorrow?" Takahashi Makoto asked, opening the car door.

Maya Uesugi got out of the car from the other side and walked into the hotel with clean, crisp steps: "If this is a date invitation, I'm interested."

"This doesn't count as a date, does it? It's a rare opportunity to come to Chiba, so I invited them to go on a short trip together."

Makoto Takahashi walked to her side, and the hotel staff bowed to welcome them.

"Thank you, but I'm not interested." Uesugi Maya calmly changed her tune; she didn't like group activities.

"I thought your relationship with them had improved a bit, like with Lengzi."

"Ha, wishful thinking. Who would have a good relationship with their love rival?"

“That’s true.” Takahashi Makoto nodded noncommittally.

The two entered the elevator. Uesugi Maya pressed the floor button, and the elevator doors closed and slowly ascended.

The mirror in the elevator door reflected the two of them standing side by side. After looking at them for a while, Takahashi Makoto asked her, "What's good to eat in Chiba?"

He was staying at a hotel tonight and wouldn't be able to eat Hell Girl's cooking, so he felt bad troubling Uesugi Maya and could only hope that there was some local specialty food.

"Chiba ramen, bamboo charcoal dishes, eel dishes, seafood rice, and sushi."

Uesugi Maya glanced at him discreetly, as if she had anticipated his question.

"It doesn't even sound as good as Tokyo."