Mygo, are you all yanderes?

I simply can't say it.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"That's it...that's it!"

Goto Ichiri grabbed Kusano Akira's sleeve, closed his eyes, and, summoning the courage he had mustered in that instant, shouted in one breath.

"sorry!"

Fortunately, most people's attention was drawn to the performance of the band CK Hack on stage, so they didn't notice Goto Ichiri's strange behavior, otherwise she would have suffered social death—except for a green-haired woman who kept 'biu'ing Goto Ichiri with death rays and playing mind games, a blue-haired woman whose mind wasn't on the band and who was looking around, and a wolf-tailed woman in a leather jacket who had been 'korakora'ing incessantly in the audience.

"……sorry?"

Kusano Akira's smile froze for a moment, and his gaze toward Goto Ichiri became increasingly eerie.

What's going on? Could this person also be one of those eccentric girls? Like Takamatsu Akari?

Why would she suddenly say something like "I'm sorry" to him? Did something happen in those short two minutes that he doesn't know about?

Kusano Akira decided to ignore the apology, since it was impossible to reason with someone with a volatile personality.

Nine"……"

Goto Ichiri immediately regretted his words the moment he finished speaking.

Oh no! In my haste, I forgot that Kusano Akira can't actually hear her thoughts! If I just blurt out an apology, she'll definitely think I'm some kind of weirdo.

You're finished, Goto Ichiri. The first live house event ended in social death!

"...Well, um...excuse me, may I ask your name?"

Seeing that Goto Ichiri had almost finished speaking and was also showing an embarrassed expression, Kusano Akira felt a little more relaxed and casually changed the subject.

It's good that Usagi knows when to be embarrassed and makes that kind of expression. It seems like she's not the same type of person as Takamatsu Akari. That's great.

Although he doesn't mind, if he had a choice, he would prefer that the person in front of him who resonated with him was more of a normal person, since there are already enough abnormal girls around him.

"...My name...?"

Goto Ichiri clenched his fist, his gaze towards Kusano Akira filled with gratitude mixed with a hint of confusion.

She was genuinely grateful that the other person could pretend nothing had happened, but why did they want to know her name? She had even tried to strike up a conversation with her before; could they have been deceived by the beautiful illusion created by her current clothes and makeup?

I'm so sorry, but Goto Ichiri is actually just a gloomy woman who relies on modern technology and aesthetics to shine. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you.

"Yes, can you tell me your name?"

Kusano Akira nodded affirmatively and repeated it.

"Um, why do you want to know the name of someone like me...?"

Goto Ichiri didn't really want to tell him.

Influenced by her parents, although she seems like someone who can't say no, she actually has a strong sense of self-preservation, even though Kusano Akira seems like a nice person.

"Why... I guess it's because I want to be friends with you? I feel like we might get along well?"

Kusano Akira touched his chin, thought for a moment, and then said.

"……friend?"

Goto Ichiri lowered his head and asked in a low voice.

"Yes, that's right, friend, is that alright?"

"...2′＿◇04』>Service?♀Lu Zhong∥％ｱ："

"..."

"……sorry."

Despite a brief moment of hesitation, Goto Ichiri finally made up her mind and rejected Kusano Akira.

"...Refuse?"

"……Um……"

"That's it..."

Kusano Akira waved his hand dismissively, pretending not to care.

"No, it's not because I hate you..."

Driven by an inexplicable instinct, Goto Ichiri once again mustered her courage and took the initiative to explain to Kusano Akira.

"But I have a friend who I came here to see, and I hope he'll be my first friend..."

Goto Ichiri didn't know why she was talking so much to this stranger, but she just wanted to tell him the reason.

If we don't do it this way, there will be bad consequences—her subconscious seemed to be warning her.

"That's great, you specially reserved the first friend spot for a friend—you mean the first friend? Is that friend an online friend?"

Noticing the key point in Goto Ichiri's words, Kusano Akira asked curiously.

"Yes, it's an online friend..."

"Is that so? That's wonderful..."

Kusano Akira was somewhat envious of the person who was specially kept in first place by Goto Ichiri.

It's so good to have someone who cares about him so much. Although he also has a Gao Songdeng like that, Gao Songdeng is ultimately up to no good.

"Meeting up with an online friend... Then I wish you good luck and hope your first meeting with your online friend is a great success!"

Kusano Akira gave Goto Ichiri a thumbs-up and grinned.

Volume 1: Chapter 170 (Chapter 167) - Yearning (2k)

"Ah, um, thank you..."

Seeing that the other person was not angry but instead encouraged her, Goto Ichiri felt even more ashamed.

Would it be better to be more tactful when refusing? Will the way it is now hurt his feelings?

"That, really..."

After careful consideration, Goto Ichiri decided that it would be better to apologize to Kusano Akira again, as this was the only thing she could do. However, before she could finish speaking, Kusano Akira interrupted her.

"I actually have some good online friends too, but maybe not as good as yours to the point that we can meet in real life."

Deliberately interrupting Goto Ichiri's apology, Kusano Akira turned his gaze to the stage where the performance was taking place. The stage lights swept across his profile, and the figures performing on stage were reflected in his pupils.

"But I think we'll meet someday. Encouraging you now is also encouraging my future self. I hope that when I meet her in the future, I'll be successful too."

Extending his long, slender finger, Kusano Akira pointed towards the stage and winked at Goto Ichiri.

"Instead of chatting, why don't we focus on the stage? This is my first time being there live at a rock concert."

He then remained silent, simply standing there, his four fingers lightly tapping the rhythm on his clasped arms, seemingly completely absorbed in the performance before him.

"..."

Goto Ichiri followed Kusano Akira's lead, focusing her gaze on the stage. However, if someone were to observe closely, they would notice that she would occasionally steal glances at Kusano Akira from the side.

Contrary to her appearance, she is surprisingly a thoughtful and gentle person. I guess I shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

She had initially thought that since only she and this person were standing at the front, they probably wouldn't be able to find the 'Emperor' today, and she was feeling a bit down. But now it seems that the situation isn't too bad.

However, netizens... is it possible that this person is 'The Emperor'?

Having just considered this possibility, Goto Ichiri subtly shifted his gaze away from Kusano Akira.

That can't be! How could the 'Emperor' be like that? This guy speaks too kindly. The 'Emperor' should be more interesting and more aggressive than him...

Moreover, this person is too dazzling, which is very unfair to the 'Emperor'. However, she hopes that the 'Emperor' can be more ordinary, not too ordinary, just someone she can catch up to even a little bit of.

What was his name again?

'Kusano Akira'.

Is that how it's read?

He just said that himself.

Although I feel this might be the first and only interaction between her and this person's life trajectory, I'll still write down his name. Search Q: 螧肆忆*°六“隣七～8｛·字...

But then again, the fact that she was able to have such a smooth conversation with a stranger, and a completely different man at that, does that mean she's grown up a bit more? Hehehe...

If I go back and tell my parents about this, they definitely won't believe me, but it's the undeniable truth...

If I meet the 'Emperor' then, I'll be able to better maintain the 'Guitar Hero' image... I'll even have more confidence next Wednesday...

Although I didn't find him, today is surprisingly a good day.

I should go back and tell him what happened today... No, that won't work. If I tell him, he'll find out I've been following him.

Then saying "I won't go" back then would become a handle for him to attack me.

【Oh dear, I wonder who was it that messaged me saying they couldn't come? Turns out it was just because you're being a bit tsundere, how adorable!】

[Seriously, that's terrifying! A guitar hero like you doing something like this is unbelievable. Your fans must be heartbroken. I feel so sorry for them.]

—If he found out, he would definitely say that.

Oh no, just thinking about it makes my fist hard.

Hmm, I guess I'll have to wait until later.

........................

Kusano Akira never considered himself a person who didn't crave fame, fortune, or applause.

In fact, he never considered himself to be the kind of saint who was not swayed by material desires; he always thought of himself as a person with strong desires.

Whether it's the willingness to go hungry just to buy a guitar with their living expenses, or the desire to form a band, the reasons are not entirely pure.

He likes guitars, he wants them, and he also has the idea of ​​showing off his collection to others, especially those who know about them, and getting their praise.

The band was his way of making friends, but that wasn't all it was. He also had his own selfish motives; he wanted to be the star of the show and make his name known throughout Japan—no, the whole world.

'Legendary rock star - Akira Kusano'.

What a beautiful and moving title! It's like someone who will leave their mark on the history of world music.

Moreover, it can satisfy his musical pursuits, as well as his social recognition. Most importantly, if he has his own band, he will never be lonely again.

Unfortunately, his musical talent was insufficient to support such a grand goal.

So whenever he sees a famous band performing a memorable show at a super big, super famous venue online, he can't help but feel a longing and often fantasizes that he is the one there.

He also often experiences a feeling called regret.

Why couldn't he have been born in an earlier era? Why didn't he catch the golden age of rock and roll? Why couldn't he rise to fame overnight like others? Why couldn't he always possess their perseverance and unparalleled talent?

It was precisely because of this idea that the concept of 'stage' became a sacred one for him.

He yearns for the stage, for performing, and for becoming a music superstar in everyone's eyes.

That's why he remembered Crychic's fleeting performance for so long.

Was Crychic's performance a success? At the student level, yes, everyone's skills are quite good for students, especially with Toyokawa Shoko and Wakaba Mutsumi, who are both talented enough to make a living from music.

But compared to those established bands? They can't compare at all.

Judging solely from the quality of the performance and the level of the music, Crychic did not meet Kusano Akira's standards at the time.

But he just loved it because it was the first time in his life he had ever seen a live performance, and the shock he felt was incomparable to any video recorded by video equipment.

Therefore, looking at CK Hack, which is a hundred times better than Crychic, Kusano Akira had to admit one thing.

"It's so beautiful..."

This band is so beautiful.

Author's Note: I'll try to update more this week.

There might not be any extra updates next week.

I'm going to Harbin on the 31st, and I won't be able to write for a few days, so I need to save some drafts.

Volume 1: Chapter 171 (2k)

Drawn to the band's 'charming' performance, Kusano Akira completely forgot his earlier disappointment at being rejected, leaving only instinct driving his gaze to follow the three figures on stage.

Generally speaking, the instrumental part that first catches the eye and is most likely to steal the spotlight on such a stage is usually the guitar. Even some bands' lead singers don't just sing; they also use instruments to add different effects to their performances, and this instrument is most likely the guitar.

Of course, there are also bands where the lead singer plays other instruments, but their numbers are pitiful compared to bands where the lead singer plays an electric guitar.