I said you are all war criminals

"Not now. I'm busy."

Ryo interrupted Goto Ichiri without mercy.

"beep--"

The phone hangs up.

Yili stared blankly at her phone, feeling as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water over her head. Senior Liang's tone was colder than the north wind in winter, chilling her from head to toe.

"Sure enough... have I been abandoned..."

Yili buried her face in her knees in despair, tears streaming silently. The cupboard was hot and narrow, like a huge tomb, burying her alive.

After a long moment, Yili slowly raised her head, her eyes red and swollen like two walnuts. She wiped away her tears and picked up her phone again. This time, she dialed Xiduo's number.

After the phone rang a few times, it was connected.

"Hello? Ichiri-chan?"

Xiduo's voice was as sweet as ever, like a piece of candy, instantly melting the frost in Yili's heart.

"Hi, Kita..."

Yili's voice still contained a tearful tone.

"Ichiri-chan, what's wrong with you? Did something happen?"

Kita keenly sensed that something was wrong with Ichiri.

"me……"

Yili choked up, not knowing what to say.

"Don't be anxious, speak slowly."

Kita's voice was gentle and patient, like a spring breeze caressing Ichiri's face.

Yili took a deep breath and recounted what had happened in a halting manner.

"So this is ah……"

After listening to this, Kita's tone was full of understanding.

"Don't worry Ichiri-chan, we'll be back in band activities soon!"

"really?"

Yili looked up in surprise, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Of course it's true!"

Kita said with a smile.

"How about this, we meet up tomorrow and talk about the band, how about that?"

"Tomorrow... go out..."

Yili subconsciously wanted to refuse. For her, going out was harder than climbing to heaven.

"Well! I also want to introduce a new friend to you!"

Kita's tone was filled with anticipation.

“She’s super awesome!”

"new friend……"

Yili hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed.

"Okay... okay."

The next day, Yili struggled to get out of bed in extreme anxiety. She changed into a loose black hoodie, put on a mask and sunglasses, and wrapped herself tightly, like a hedgehog preparing to hibernate.

After a long delay, Yili arrived at the agreed location.

The door to the cafe slid open with a soft creak, like the whimper of a timid little animal. Yili stood stiffly in the doorway, her sunglasses and mask covering most of her face, revealing only a pale chin. Like a ghost straying into the human world, she shrank and looked around fearfully.

The rich aroma of coffee, mingled with the faint scent of cat, made her wrinkle her nose in discomfort. Several furry cats lazily lolled on the sofa, enjoying the afternoon sun and purring softly. Yili nervously grasped the corner of her clothes, feeling like an intruder, ready to be expelled by these noble creatures at any moment.

"Ichiri-chan! Here, here!"

Kita's voice was like a ray of light, instantly piercing the haze that enveloped Ichiri. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw Kita sitting in the window seat, waving excitedly at her. Next to Kita sat an unfamiliar girl with striking long white hair, with only a streak of black in the middle of her forehead... They were chatting happily.

Yili moved her feet stiffly, feeling that every step was like walking on the edge of a knife. She walked to the table, lowered her head, and did not dare to look them in the eye.

"Ichiri-chan, let me introduce you. This is our fan who ended the band, Ms. Kanesada!"

Kita introduced enthusiastically.

"Kanesada-chan, this is our lead guitarist, Goto Ichiri-chan!"

"Hello, Goto."

Kanesada's voice was unexpectedly deep, and she held out her hand to Ichiri.

Ichiri hesitated for a moment before slowly reaching out and gently grasping Kanesada's fingers. Her palm was cold, like a piece of jade without any temperature.

"Hello..."

Yili responded in a low voice, as thin as a mosquito.

When Kita saw Ichiri, who looked like she wanted to hide in the dirt, she knew she was back to her old ways. She quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile: "Ichiri-chan, don't be nervous! Kanesada-chan is a big fan of our band! At our last live performance, she was right in the front row, waving her cheering stick and shouting louder than anyone else!"

Kita deliberately described it in an exaggerated tone and imitated the way fans waved light sticks, which made Kanesada laugh.

"That's not an exaggeration, Kita."

Kanesada smiled, her long white hair swaying gently with her movements. "But the songs that ended the band were really great! Especially 'Guitar, Loneliness, and Blue Planet', I played it on repeat for a month!"

At the mention of the band's closing song, Ichiri's stiff body seemed to relax a little. She nodded slightly, as if to express her agreement.

"Right, right! Ichiri-chan's guitar solo is so cool!"

Xiduo continued to praise while the iron was hot, saying, "Many people in the audience were mesmerized by it!"

When Yili heard this, a barely perceptible blush flashed across her face. She lowered her head and muttered softly: "It's not...that good..."

"Of course!"

Kita said seriously, "I remember one performance, a fan was so excited that he cried! He even said he wanted to follow the band forever!"

"really?"

Yili looked up in surprise, and his eyes behind the sunglasses seemed to widen a little.

"Of course it's true!"

Kita smiled and said, "That's Miss Kanesada!"

Yes, has that ever happened?

Ichiri looked at Kanesada with some uncertainty.

Kanesada lowered his head slightly shyly, "Yes...it's me."

"Let me tell you, Ichiri-chan, Kanesada-chan was crying her eyes out, her makeup all smudged, she looked like a little cat! She was crying and yelling 'Goto Ichiri! The guitarist of guitarists!' Hahahaha!"

Kita described it vividly, while imitating Kanesada's desperate shouting at the time, with an exaggerated expression like a stage actor.

Yili pushed up her face-hiding sunglasses and blinked behind them. She tried to recall the live performance, but she had no recollection of this "passionate fan." Honestly, she couldn't even remember how many people were in the audience that day, let alone the face of any particular fan. Still, the feeling of being so loved and recognized by her fans warmed her heart, like a long-awaited ray of sunshine on a winter's day.

Kanesada blushed, covering her face with her hands, a slight gap between her fingers, as she secretly observed Ichiri's reaction. She whispered defensively, "Actually... it's not that exaggerated, Kita-sama..."

Kanesada dragged out the last syllable of his name, like a shy kitten.

Kita completely ignored Kanesada's defense and continued to describe the scene with exaggerated details, as if she had witnessed an epic star-chasing scene. Ichiri was stunned by what she heard, and his originally tense body gradually relaxed, and the corners of his mouth even unconsciously curled up slightly.

Under Kita's guidance, Ichiri unknowingly removed his mask and sunglasses and began talking to Kanesada.

Removing her sunglasses and mask, Yili, like a snail shedding its shell, revealed her slightly pale skin. Without the obstruction, her delicate features were fully revealed, with a touch of sickly, delicate beauty. She tugged her hair back uncomfortably, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Seeing Ichiri gradually open up, Kita chuckled and secretly gave herself a thumbs-up. She interrupted at the right moment: "Ichiri-chan's guitar skills are top-notch! Especially the harmonic technique, it's so exciting!"

"No, no..."

Yili waved his hands quickly, and two faint blushes appeared on his pale face, like peach blossoms blooming in spring.

"really!"

Kanesada also agreed, "The overtones in the prelude of 'Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet' at the last live performance were absolutely amazing!"

As she spoke, she imitated Yili's guitar-playing posture, which was a little clumsy but full of enthusiasm.

Yili felt a little embarrassed by the two people's praise. She lowered her head and whispered: "Actually... I only know a little bit..."

This is what a guitar podcast with over 30,000 followers said.

"Be humble, be humble!"

Kita smiled and patted Ichiri's shoulder, "You're the 'guitarist's guitarist'!"

Hearing this address, Ichiri froze, almost wanting to put her sunglasses and mask back on. She stole a glance at Kanesada and saw him looking at her with admiration, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Uh... Actually, I'm not that great..."

Yili retorted weakly, but his tone was obviously not as firm as before.

For the next moment, the three of them engaged in a lively discussion about guitar. Ichiri, initially reserved, gradually relaxed, and the slightly awkward atmosphere between her and Kanesada gradually became harmonious. Kita, watching them from the side, smiled and occasionally interjected a few words to liven up the atmosphere.

"By the way, Ichiri, do you want to go see something enjoyable with me and Kita?"

Kanesada suddenly suggested.

"Pleasant, pleasant things?"

Ichiri opened his eyes, "More interesting than music?"

"It's a different kind of happiness than music,"

Kita also clasped his hands together, "Ichiri-chan, you won't regret this!"

This...Xiduo shouldn't lie to me, right?

Yili bit his lip and nodded slightly.

102

Chapter 102: Kita’s new hobby.

"How many people are here..."

Goto Ichiri was trembling all over.

She could hardly move.

After all, the place where Ichiri is now is the new landmark of Kabukicho, the Tower of Babel.

To be more precise, it is "underground".

"Well, about a thousand people, right?"

Kanesada said uncertainly, "Since there aren't any ace players competing today, the number of people will probably be smaller."

A thousand people? Ichiri felt like she'd been dropped into a pot of boiling human soup. The pungent stench of sweat, the sweet scent of cheap perfume, and the faintest hint of blood combined into a nauseating odor. She clung to Kita's shirt, her knuckles white, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind. The clamor around her was like a huge wave, crashing against her eardrums and making it nearly impossible to breathe.

“Here…here…where is this?”

Yili struggled to squeeze out a few words from between his teeth. His voice was so weak and barely audible that it was almost drowned out by the surrounding noise.

"That's right! This is the Valkyrie's arena!"

Kanesada excitedly pointed at the octagonal arena, "This is the main battleground tonight! How is it? Isn't it exciting?"

Exciting? Yili felt like she was suffocating. She stole a glance at the ring, where two scantily clad girls were wrestling. The sound of their fists hitting flesh made her scalp tingle.

"Ichiri-chan, don't be afraid, I will protect you!"

Kita noticed Ichiri's discomfort, held her hand tightly, and gave her a smile. However, Ichiri saw a hint of excitement that was hard to conceal in Kita's sparkling eyes. This excitement made her even more uneasy.

"Um... Kita..."

Yili asked in a trembling voice, "Have you...have you been here before?"

"hey-hey……"

Kita scratched his head sheepishly. "I've been here a few times. The matches here are truly exciting! Especially the matches with the ace player Hongo Kina. They're so intense and exhilarating!"