Gravity Girl Shining

By the time they left Mujia, the sun had already sunk completely below the horizon. Standing beneath the streetlight, her clenched fists trembling slightly, Toyokawa Shoko took a few deep breaths and pulled out her phone to check the time—it was almost eight o'clock.

"Hurry up."

……

Under the fluorescent lights of the supermarket, Shoko Toyokawa pushed a shopping cart and found Hibiki Uehara in the food area, who was choosing instant noodle flavors.

"Are you done talking?"

Uehara Hibiki asked without even looking up.

"Ah."

Toyokawa Shoko answered briefly and then frowned.

"Why did you buy so many instant noodles?"

"grain reserves."

Uehara Hibiki pretended to be casual and threw the instant noodles into the shopping cart.

"You're not allowed to eat fast food for a long time. It's not good for your health. I told you I'll make you a midnight snack later."

Toyokawa Shoko put the instant noodles back on the shelf without mercy, leaving Uehara Hibiki with a frustrated expression.

Although the days of living with Toyokawa Shoko were happy, Uehara Hibiki lost the opportunity to enjoy junk food.

It's such a pity.

"We actually still have some things to discuss about the instant noodles... Oh, and Hai Ling is already here, so now's a good time to invite her."

Following Uehara Hibiki's lead, a tall figure appeared at the end of the aisle. Hachiman Kailing was intently observing the lunchbox section, her eyes sharp as a knife. It wasn't time for the half-price discount yet; the wolves were biding their time.

"Go."

Uehara Hibiki gently pushed Toyokawa Shoko.

"I'll be on standby here."

Toyokawa Shoko adjusted the collar of her school uniform and walked towards Hachiman Kailing. The two met in front of the refrigerator, and the air around them seemed to freeze a little.

"Blue hair."

Hachiman Kailing spoke first, her voice calm and direct.

"looking for me?"

Toyokawa Shoko frowned and started calling out her supermarket nickname. It was obvious that Yawata Kairin wasn't in Bess mercenary mode right now. However, Toyokawa Shoko wasn't one to sit around and wait for death, so she decided to get straight to the point.

"I've been watching your performances at RING these days, and there's no doubt that your bass skills are professional-level. I'd like to invite you to join my band, AveMujica, as a full member."

Yawata Kailing raised an eyebrow but didn't answer immediately. She picked up a box of jelly, looked at the price, and put it back.

"We've run into each other plenty of times in this supermarket, and I don't need to test your keyboard skills any further. But if you want to join the band... I have three questions for you."

Toyokawa Shoko did not hesitate and immediately agreed to Hachiman Kailing's request.

"So, first question, the band you formed with Shiina Riki, Crychic, disbanded because of you, right?"

Faced with this question, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help showing a hint of surprise. She originally thought that Yawata Kairin wanted to ask about the music style and the band's operation methods, but considering that she was Shiina Riki's classmate and close friend, this question was not too abrupt.

So, Shoko Toyokawa nodded and generously admitted her mistake.

"That's right, Crychic disbanded because of me. Although it wasn't my intention, it's the truth, and I won't shirk responsibility."

"Really? Then the second question."

A complicated look flashed across Hachiman Kailing's eyes, and she threw the jelly back into her shopping cart.

"Now that Crychic has disbanded, Shiina-san has joined a new band, MyGo. I heard there are other members, and you're a friend of Uehara-kun. Do you think you can reconcile with Shiina-san and the other members of Crychic?"

"We've reconciled."

Toyokawa Shoko's voice was calm.

"This weekend is the final farewell performance. Xiang gave me ten minutes of MyGo's rehearsal time. Although it's not a formal LIVE, it's enough."

Yawata Kaisu was silent for a moment at Toyokawa Shoko's response. She hadn't expected such a development. Not only Shiina Tatsuki, Takamatsu Touma, and Nagasaki Suyo, the three current MyGo members, but even Toyokawa Shoko had reconciled with their past and were preparing to form a new band.

This free and easy attitude made Hachiman Kailing feel deeply envious and jealous.

So, with a cold face, she looked straight into Toyokawa Shoko's eyes and asked the last question.

"Third question, will your new band... also disband like Crychic?"

"will not!"

Toyokawa Shoko's voice suddenly rose, attracting the attention of the surrounding customers. She was forced to lower her voice, but within her golden eyes burned a fire of determination.

"This time, I'm going to stake my life on AveMujica. I'm not going to let it become just a fad."

After saying that, Toyokawa Shoko took a step forward. Although she was obviously the shorter one, she completely suppressed Hachiman Kailing in terms of momentum.

“So, if you want to join AveMujica, you must also give me your life.”

Hachiman Kailing looked at her quietly for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled.

"interesting."

The music on the supermarket radio was coming to an end, and the first bell rang at nine o'clock in the evening, which was the prelude to the battle for half-price bento boxes.

Hachiman Kailing tensed her body reflexively and turned to walk towards the bento area.

"I will consider your invitation. But only if the farewell performance at the weekend goes well. I will go to watch it live."

"Also, as a legendary mercenary, my asking price is quite high. I hope Miss Toyokawa... will prepare sufficient bargaining chips in advance."

After leaving his last words, Hachiman Kailing's figure quickly disappeared between the shelves. His handsome and elegant back made Toyokawa Shoko sigh.

after all……

Ten minutes later, Hachiman Kailing, who was beaten and groaning on the ground, reached out and grabbed Toyokawa Shoko's ankle.

"Miss, this is just an emergency. Please lend me 500 yen so I can get some ramen. These guys have cleared out the fast food shelves again today. If you don't lend me the money, I really won't be able to eat anything tonight."

Shoko Toyokawa helplessly took out the instant noodles from the shopping cart that Hibiki Uehara had thrown into it at some point.

"How about this?"

Seeing this scene, Uehara Hibiki, who had returned victorious with a half-price bento, felt disheartened.

"Iron Knight, you actually used sweet words to trick Blue Hair and took my instant noodles for yourself. You are so despicable!"

Hachiman Kailing ignored him. After all, all her injuries were caused by Uehara Hibiki. After not seeing him for a few days, his physical condition seemed to be becoming more and more inhuman.

Uehara Hibiki is well aware of Hachiman Kairin's attitude. After all, in her eyes, he is just a scumbag who deceived Shiina Ritsuki and was preparing to start a harem.

"Hmph, it's obvious that you were troubled by worldly emotions and ignored the hungry worm in your stomach, blindly attacking me. Otherwise, even if you lost to me, you would have been able to grab other lunch boxes."

Seeing Uehara Hibiki's expression, Hachiman Kailing finally gave up on getting involved in this matter. After all, she had promised Riki.

"What's the big deal if I eat a box of instant noodles from you? You owe me this, and it's not like I won't pay."

"Then I wish you can have a steaming hot lunch next time."

Uehara Hibiki and Yawata Kairin said goodbye in the wolves' unique way and left the supermarket with Toyokawa Shoko.

"I had a great time fighting here, how was your talk?"

"She said she would consider it."

Shoko Toyokawa held Hibiki Uehara's hand, and the warmth passed between their palms.

“But there’s money for weekend shows.”

Uehara Hibiki laughed.

"That's 80% certain. As for the money, I can..."

"No. This is my own battle."

Shoko Toyokawa looked up at the starry sky, countless stars reflected in her golden eyes.

"ring."

"Ok?"

"Thank you... for everything you've done for me."

Uehara Hibiki didn't answer, but gently ruffled her hair. The streetlights stretched their shadows very long, gradually blending into the dazzling night of Tokyo.

Chapter 122: Hachiman Kailing’s troubles.

In the practice room of the Monochromook band, the lights were deliberately adjusted to a pale and glaring color difference, which made Hibiki Uehara complain.

After finishing his MyGo practice session, Uehara Hibiki began his usual keyboard mercenary routine. Although he'd made a killing selling song copyrights, he wasn't above accumulating some extra cash in his free time before officially launching his business. Furthermore, this was a rare opportunity for him to connect with Hachiman Kairin.

During this precious break, Hachiman Kairin leaned against the wall, her bass leaning against her side. Her fingers unconsciously stroked the pick, and her mind recalled Toyokawa Shoko's words from last night.

Those golden eyes burning with determination seemed to see through his soul.

"Are you willing to give me your life?"

For a high school student, this was such an arrogant declaration, but Hachiman Kailing was really shaken by this sentence. She had always longed for a solid and reliable home that would not be easily destroyed.

"What are you thinking about?"

Uehara Hibiki's voice interrupted her thoughts. He had stood at the doorway and tossed a bottle of sports drink towards her.

Hachiman Kailing casually took the drink he threw to her, and the cool touch brought her back to her senses a little.

"nothing."

"About Xiangzi's invitation?"

Uehara Hibiki walked up to her and directly exposed her worries.

Hachiman Kailing frowned, then unscrewed the bottle cap and took a big gulp.

"You know it very well."

"Guessing. I've always been very perceptive, for example..."

Uehara Hibiki shrugged and leaned against the wall, shoulder to shoulder with her. Although Hachiman Kailing was not tall, her heels were high enough that she didn't look very short when standing next to Uehara Hibiki.

"Ten centimeters?"

"Your insight doesn't need to be wasted on something this unpleasant."

Hachiman Kairin sighed helplessly. Unlike the perfect image described by Shiina Riki, Uehara Hibiki was a completely different person in front of her. Perhaps this was how he built a harem, showing different sides of himself in front of different girls.

Without understanding his fickle nature, it was indeed very lethal. Unfortunately, for Hachiman Kairin, who knew about the existence of the harem, Uehara Hibiki's attack was completely unable to penetrate her defenses.

Uehara Hibiki looked at Hachiman Kailing's expression and attacked again.

"Let's get back to the original topic. Are you tempted by Xiangzi's invitation?"

"Mercenaries don't need feelings, they only talk about price."

Hachiman Kailing answered coldly. Of course, everyone knew that this was a lie.

Hachiman Kailing really does like money, as evidenced by her recent daily rush to grab half-price bento boxes. Although she earns far more than Uehara Hibiki as a legendary mercenary, as a member of the free and easy Moonlight Clan, no matter how much she earns, she never has a penny left over every month.

However, despite her lavish spending, Hachiman Kailing doesn't particularly value money. Like Shiina Riki, she also pursues a career in music.

"Hai Ling."

Uehara Hibiki suddenly became serious and spoke solemnly.

"You can't be a mercenary forever."

"Why not?"

Hachiman Kailing asked back.

"Freedom, good salary, and not being tied down by the band's emotions. And one more thing, when did you start calling me by my first name? I don't think we're that close yet."

Hachiman Kailing just felt annoyed. This harem king seemed to be really trying to find a way to get close to him, even though he already had Li Xi.

"because……"

"Hey! You two!"

The violent guitar sound suddenly sounded, making a sharp sound as if it was about to be crushed.