Congratulations, Sushi, you have been optimized by me.

As for Lixi and Xiaodeng, they are already in our pockets and there is no need to worry too much.

There are two unshakable conclusions that can be drawn at present:

First, Xiaomu and Xiaoxiang both knew the reason why Xiaoxiang quit that day. This reason was most likely related to money. After all, Xiangzi's current miserable life was the best proof.

Second, Xiaomu’s family probably doesn’t approve of her playing in a band, or her family is not aware of this.

But the most crucial issue now is that, not to mention Xiaomu, the connection between her, Chihiro Tsuzuki, and Xiaoxiang seems to be slowly disappearing.

Even though the other person worked in her own store, she and Xiaoxiang would rarely have the opportunity to meet in the future, and they had nothing in common, except for music, which Xiaoxiang himself didn't want to talk about.

So... Chihiro Tsuzuki seems to have to find a way to reconnect her and Xiaoxiang.

For example, the lack of a lyricist for Red Ginger is the best reason.

Could Xiangzi write lyrics? Chihiro wasn't quite sure, but who cares? Among a group of dropouts and young widows, Xiangzi was probably the most cultured one.

Moreover, Xiaoxiang has the support of the Fengchuan family. Although it is not known what the relationship between Xiaoxiang and his family is now, the daughter of a large family is also deeply influenced by art.

To be honest, writing lyrics is something that only works well when it's written by someone who's down and out. Oh no... Could it be that Toyokawa Shoko is deliberately experiencing the life of a poor person just to kick out Xiao Deng as the lyricist and challenge herself to be a "full-stack" musician?

Really... she cried to death.

Now there is even a reason for leaving the band, which is that a certain young lady feels that a band that has not experienced leaving the band and quarrels is not a qualified band, so she deliberately created such a very model but very real plot.

"If this is the truth... then I feel a lot more relieved."

"What?" Xiangzi on the other end of the phone was full of confusion as he heard Chihiro mumbling incomprehensibly to herself.

"Nothing." Tsuzuki Chihiro sat on the balcony bench, looking at the darkening sky and the stars in it and said, "Xiaoxiang, actually, I have already quit the band yesterday."

"Quitted? Could it be that... Su Shi asked you to..."

"No, no, Xiaoxiang, please don't be so prejudiced against Su Shi." Tsuzuki Chihiro felt that she seemed to have made poor Su Shi establish the image of a Roppongi villain in the blue-haired girl's mind. "Actually, what I mean is that I don't want to play in a band now, at least I don't really like playing bass on stage.

I still like guitar, but just liking it is not enough. I have to solve the problem of life after moving out of home first, that is, I want to make money through the power of music.

By the way, Xiaoxiang, do you know red ginger?"

"Red ginger...ah, seems familiar. What do you mean, Xiao Qian?"

"Well, I joined them, but I still need someone to help me, Xiaoxiang... Is that okay? I can help with the lyrics writing."

"I……"

Chapter 128: Li Xi: Your morals are corrupt and despised by all! (8)

"let me consider it."

Until the end, Toyokawa Shoko did not agree directly, because this time... was completely different from the last time she played the piano.

The recording of the keyboard part was just a spur of the moment decision. Although it took some time to temporarily assemble the available equipment at the Sunkei store, as Sister Jiujo said at the time, it was just a professional assessment of her as a new employee.

So, after that "assessment", there was actually no need for her to play the piano anymore.

Perhaps it would be more convenient and "safer" to play the piano occasionally here than to play it secretly in Yuqiu's piano room, but if it was Xiaoqian's invitation just now, that kind of... long-term invitation, perhaps whether to agree or not would be a very important issue.

And Xiao Qian actually quit that band?

"What's wrong, Xiaoxiang? Did you have a fight with your friend?"

Because it was time for Xiangzi to get off work, although Xiangzi was not the only clerk in the store, the store manager Kujo Azusa was paying extra attention to Xiaoxiang's every move.

The reason for this is naturally due to the big hand of a veteran in the music industry.

However, from a personal point of view, Kujo Azusa really likes the friend of Miss Chihiro - Toyokawa Shoko.

I heard that this child's family is also very well-off. As for why a young lady from a wealthy family would come out to work, Jiujo Ziyue is not quite sure.

But she really felt that the petite Xiaoxiang was really suitable to stand next to the taller but cute and gentle older lady. Even if these two people just stood there in a daze without saying anything, they could melt all the ice in her heart.

"No...no."

Xiangzi was still very grateful to the older sister manager in the store. After all, except for the first day when she allowed him to come for the interview during class time, it seemed that she would let him come for any good things afterwards.

For example, clients who are not too difficult to deal with, relatively easy odd jobs, and even wages can be paid in advance.

Of course, Xiangzi still felt a little strange. After all, the other party seemed a little too enthusiastic, so enthusiastic that she could hardly resist.

When asked the reason at last, Xiangzi heard a new word from the sister, called "numbers and faces".

What I mean is... because she is very cute, she can bring in a lot of customers, so she is given a lot of preferential treatment.

Although being praised for being cute does make Xiangzi happy, what makes him feel at ease is that if this is the reason, he doesn't need to worry about whether she has been deceived by some bad person.

"Could it be that the girl who called you was the one who came to the store last time?"

"Eh? Sister Kujo, how did you know..."

"Indeed." Jiujo Azusa's eyes narrowed into a crescent moon, and her heart burning with desire for the couple started to burn again, "Because I feel like you two should be very good friends."

"Are you a very good friend?"

Shoko Toyokawa pondered over these words again and again, and seemed to be moved.

To be honest, although she has a good job now, her life is still a mess.

Her father, Toyokawa Seikao, is still in a daze, and she can basically not rely on him for housework. Three meals a day are okay, and this guy will not starve to death after taking the money.

In addition to things at home, she actually finds it difficult to find a balance between school and work, but the problem is not that life is difficult, but that the difficult life itself does not see any opportunity for change.

It was naturally impossible for her to give in to her grandfather. The only thing Toyokawa Shoko wanted to prove was that her original choice was not wrong.

She did not approve of her grandfather's behavior of kicking her father out of the house. He did not recognize her father as a member of the Toyokawa family because of his dereliction of duty. What was the difference between such behavior and that of a cold-blooded capitalist?

What if she did something wrong in the future and disappointed her grandfather? Would she no longer be a child of the Toyokawa family?

She originally had a perfect family, but now it has been shattered. However, she cannot accept it.

However, this idea gradually began to waver over the course of more than half a year after Xiangzi left the family.

She was not wavering about whether she should go home, but whether she had the ability to persist until the opportunity for change appeared.

Sure enough...the disbandment of crychic is also a lingering shadow in Toyokawa Shoko's heart.

After all, she was the one who founded the band, and it ended in such a way, making everyone pay for her willfulness. Someone like her... is really not qualified to pursue her musical dream anymore, right?

Thinking of this, Xiangzi's desire to create music with Xiaoqian slowly dissipated.

After all, she is an ominous person.

"Xiaoxiang, there's another customer. She seems to be a girl around your age."

"Ah... then I'll go over."

Although many customers today did choose to come to the store and waste time because of Xiaoxiang's cute appearance, so although Xiangzi still works in the store later, most of the people assigned to her are girls of the same age.

But overall, Xiangzi was indeed very free today. In the few hours she had, she spent most of her time playing the piano as a background to enhance the atmosphere.

So at this time, Xiangzi also took the initiative to work overtime. After all, she had indeed received a lot of care from Sister Jiujo, and she must know how to give back.

But when Xiaoxiang, who was wearing a uniform, came up to the customer, he was startled by him.

"Sho... Toyokawa Shoko?"

"Lixi..."

Shiina Riki looked at Xiangzi, who had a formal smile on his face and was wearing clothes that did not match his temperament, and suddenly felt a surge of anger in his heart.

"Toyokawa Shoko, it was that guy Tsuzuki who told you yesterday, right? We have a performance in RiNG?"

"Chihiro?" Toyokawa Shoko was stunned for a moment, but seeing Riki's rude look and the other party's expression that seemed unfriendly towards Chihiro, she also became a little angry, "This has nothing to do with you, right?"

"That's enough...you bastard."

There's that expression again.

Shiina Riki once again recalled that rainy night. At that time, Toyokawa Shoko had this cold expression on her face, as if her previous gentle smile was all the elegant etiquette of a young lady - formal and hypocritical.

Still no explanation, still no consideration for other people's feelings.

She didn't even understand what Su Shi and the others had been insisting on for so long, and how much they had paid for this persistence.

"Toyokawa Shoko, you are always so high and mighty. What's with the clothes you are wearing? Are you trying to experience life as a young lady?

Why didn't you wear this when you were watching the joke on the stage that day? Or did you think we would beg you to come back and save us?"

"……what?"

No, what are you talking about?

Xiangzi was scolded by Li Xi for no reason, and his little head was completely confused.

Chapter 129: Li Xi: Yes, I am here to assist Master Qianxun (1/2)

"what happened?"

After hearing the commotion here, Jiujo Azusa rushed over immediately. After all, a conflict occurred in their store. If she, as the store manager, could not react immediately at this time, she might as well resign.

But she was a little surprised that Xiaoxiang would have a conflict with a customer. In her opinion, Xiaoxiang looked soft and sweet, and her attitude at work was not like that of a spoiled little princess. Instead, she was very polite and responsible. It was really strange that she would quarrel with a customer.

"Lixi, I don't understand what you're talking about. If you're talking about me quitting the band...that was my problem. I've never denied that."

"Is this all you want to say?"

Lixi originally wanted to come here today to see if there were any new MIDI controllers, but he didn't expect to meet Toyokawa Shoko here.

Should we say that this is the other party's ghost that is still lingering, or should we say that this is a disaster that is destined to happen?

"Do you know how many people have been permanently hurt by your actions? Do you know what Su Shi has become now because of you?!"

"Su Shi?"

Shoko Toyokawa was stunned. She didn't expect to hear this name from Li Xi's mouth. She thought... the other party would definitely talk about Xiao Deng.

But Su Shi himself was also in contact... Although there was nothing much to talk about with the other party, all the topics of conversation were about asking about Xiao Qian's situation.

But through Xiao Qian himself and the information from Xiao Mu, Xiangzi knew that Su Shi had let it go, and Su Shi was not even seen in the new band.

"So... you mean to say that Su Shi was missing from your LIVE that day, and the reason she didn't come was because of me?"

"..."

Shiina Riki didn't say anything, but just looked at Xiangzi with cold eyes. Just when the atmosphere between the two was at a stalemate, Kujo Azusa, who had been watching the show under the pretext of "gathering information for Tsuzuki-senpai", finally stood up.

"My dear guest, if there is any misunderstanding between you and Xiaoxiang, I hope you can calm down first.

I will serve you from now on, okay?"

“…No need for that.”

Shiina Riki is still angry. She doesn't want to stay in the same place with Toyokawa Shoko. As for the problem of Su Shi?

She couldn't possibly tell Xiangzi about Su Shi's secret, because Li Xi wasn't sure if such a person would try to shift the blame again and say something sarcastic like "Her affairs have nothing to do with me" in a ladylike manner.

But before leaving, Shiina Riki said in a relatively calm tone, or rather, a tone that was not too harsh for her:

“If you want to know what happened to Su Shi, just ask him yourself.

And... I won't give up. Although I admit that my talent is not as good as yours and you can do things that I couldn't do before, at least I won't evade my responsibilities as a band member like you did.

You'd better not play music with others in the future. You won't be able to stick with it anyway.

...Goodbye, Toyokawa Shoko."

After saying this, Shiina Riki left the musical instrument store called Sunkei, leaving behind Toyokawa Shoko with a confused look on her face.

So... what on earth was this girl with long black hair doing here? Was she just here to curse at me and vent her anger?

However, he was indeed right in some of the things he said, although Xiangzi knew very well that he no longer had the energy to deal with the crychic incident at that time.

But no matter what, I am the leader of crychic. My departure will not be a simple five minus one, and the final disbandment should not be an unexpected outcome.

It can even be said that once she thought about quitting the band, she should have thought that the possibility of the worst outcome was extremely high.

She is indeed to blame for the harm done to everyone.

However...this contact with Lixi today made Xiangzi realize that the drummer Lixi, who was invited by him because of his sister's talent, seemed to have completely changed.

Xiao Deng seemed to have slowly walked out. As for the other two people on the stage, Aiyin had met them twice in school, but she didn't know them very well.

As for the other guitarist, Xiangzi didn't know much about him.

As for the absent bassist Su Shi... Xiangzi was indeed a little curious about his situation because of Li Xi's words. Logically speaking... if Su Shi had let go of the past, then he should have no reason to refuse Li Xi and the others' invitation.