Heavy girl? I feel worse than Black Hole Trigger!

"Mr. Oreki, what do you think of the 'festival'?"

"Festival..." Zheli thought for a moment.

When they were still living in their hometown, the Baodeng family would go out together every holiday.

Picnics under the cherry blossoms in spring, sparkling water in summer, barbecued skewers in the autumn breeze. And of course, the inevitable year-end and year-end celebrations, when we squeezed around small tables to enjoy piping hot pot. If I had to choose a specific festival or holiday that left the deepest impression on me, Zheli couldn't pick one.

"Yes. A festival is a chance for families to come together and cherish each other."

Zhe Li said with a smile. Although he could no longer see his family, he had made new friends and future family in the new world.

Like this, as a solitary audience, he would enjoy CRYCHIC's performance. After their performance, he and Suyo would stroll through the bustling Hanamizaka. In a few days, he could even return to Tokyo to visit a local shopping street's own festival... His impression of "festivals" probably wouldn't change much from now on.

"……family."

Snap. Linghua gently caught the folding fan that had been counting the time like a beat.

"I see. Haha. That's true. The shrine magistrate's duty is to ensure that every Inazuma family can enjoy spending time together at the festival." Ayaka retracted her gaze, once again looking at the screen, and said softly, "Ms. Toyokawa and the others' performance will surely make this year's festival even more grand than in previous years."

"It's like you're talking about someone else."

“…….” Linghua stopped talking.

Seeing that she didn't respond, Zheli didn't intend to delve into the topic and instead said, "It is precisely because of Miss Kamisato's thoughtful 'practice' that the Inazuma clan can make their efforts bear fruit."

No matter what era, there is always a distance between politicians and grassroots people.

The greatness of the rule of law system lies in the fact that the law equally constrains the government and citizens - otherwise, for those who hold high positions and wield great power, even if they are truly the "honest and upright officials" that the people desire, there will always be dark places in such a big country where they cannot be cared for.

In this way, Inazuma's "Three Bugyo" system may have reduced the distance between him and the people to a certain extent?

After hearing this, Linghua shook her head and said, "We are just fulfilling our obligations."

"Even if it's 'just' that, it's precious enough."

Zhe Li felt a little emotional.

In the world of Kamen Rider Build, he, who holds the "script", knows from the beginning that the most difficult enemy and the one that requires the most full effort to deal with is just a monster from alien space. However, the real cause of misfortune for the people in that world is not just the monster named Albrut.

In Japan, divided into three parts by the Sky Wall, the Eastern Capital, Northern Capital, and Western Capital are fighting against each other, preparing for war and seizing power...

If we were to trace the origins of all these tragedies, we might say it was Pandora's Box, the one that made human nature brutal, and Aberroot, who brought the box back to Earth from Mars. But ultimately, the box merely "triggered" the evil side of human nature, not created it out of nothing.

He saw that just a dozen people decided the fate of countless civilians in an entire country.

It’s as if they, who are high and mighty, are inherently more “important” than ordinary mortals.

Looking down on the world, they treat all people as ants, and have the power of life and death at the drop of a hat... They are obviously just "ordinary people" in essence, but they possess the power of gods.

In contrast, in a country like Inazuma, the true gods govern by doing nothing, leaving government affairs to the three magistrates who are deeply rooted in the people. The gods use their divine power to check and balance politicians, and politicians play games with the gods using the people's hearts. This may be a more perfect structure than any "reality" he has experienced.

Is this the kingdom of eternity?

Zheli looked at Linghua, who looked a little surprised, and smiled:

"With people like Kamisato-san around, Inazuma will surely continue to prosper."

————I hope this country doesn’t need “heroes”.

“……” Kamisato Ayaka blinked quietly.

Then, she also smiled -

"I accept your good words."

Chapter 49: Shiori

Amid Kamisato Ayaka's anticipation, the screen was finally slowly removed.

There were no unnecessary decorations on the simple "stage", and even bright sunshine streamed in from the courtyard corridor. Compared with CRYCHIC's previous performances at the Live House "RiNG", there was no "stage performance" atmosphere at all.

The bright Japanese-style room reminded Takamatsu of the scene when he was practicing in Nascita's recording studio.

Deng tilted his head to look at the screen that had just been moved away by Shiina Riki, imagining that it was the full-length dance mirror in the soundproof room.

At the beginning, Gao Songdeng felt extremely embarrassed by her own reflection in the mirror, but today, she has tried to find familiar scenery in unfamiliar places.

"Light. Are you ready?" Toyokawa Shoko's voice came from behind.

While Takamatsu Touma and Hiiragi Chinana still used wireless microphones, Hoto Oriri prepared a full set of unplugged instruments for their performance, the most important of which was naturally the upright piano in front of Toyokawa Shoko. The girl sat at the keys, feeling more at ease than she usually did during rehearsals with Crychik.

Deng glanced back at the relaxed smile on her face and nodded: "Yeah."

"So--"

Click, click, click. Shiina Riki gently taps the cajon.

This became the music that marked the beginning of the imperial edict.

Chinae gripped the microphone tightly and quietly raised her little face, and the lamp positioned two steps behind her did the same.

Linghua seemed to be also immersed in this tension. She held the folded folding fan tightly and stared intently at the girls surrounded by a pair of screens, trying not to miss even a brief moment.

And, right after the drum beats, there comes a cool piano sound, like a mountain stream in midsummer.

"—What exactly is 'normal' or 'natural'?"

"The ruler in my hand is completely unable to measure clearly."

Takamatsu Tou's calm singing voice, like reciting a poem, and the sound of the zither flowed together in the quiet Japanese-style room.

Ayaka's gaze lingered on Hiiragi China. She stood in the very center of the "stage." Kamisato's house was built on the cliffside. Sunlight streamed in from beyond the vast ocean waves, like a cassock, like mist and rain, like puffs of white smoke, draping over the girl, seemingly overwhelming her.

"Faced with the anxiety of exhaling and inhaling, I just stood there and did nothing."

Chinana's harmony, which was softer than Deng's, and her sparkling eyes together interpreted the pauses between the music.

Then there are verses to annotate her shining wish:

“Dull and clumsy, accomplishing nothing”

“Keeping away from trauma”

"Between reality and notes, back and forth, seeking solace..."

"...Ahh, what a cruel world this is."

The girl opened her hands, gently holding the sunlight as if trying to catch the tear-like rain.

then.

“But. But—”

The piano breaks through the accumulated depression with an almost misplaced chord.

Then Chinana raised her head and chest with all her strength.

“All of this, all of this is me.”

"The hesitation and crying are all my fault."

Like climbing up from a deep valley.

In the faraway darkness, the girl caught the dawn of light that accidentally broke into her sight.

"Everything, everything, embraced in my arms"

"Take a nap, huh?"

A smile brighter than the sun spread across her face.

She took brisk steps, allowing the audience's eyes to follow her graceful figure and the poetry.

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, everyone fly away~"

"To prevent sadness from taking away everything—"

The girl is like a fairy heralding spring, offering her smile to every girl around her.

"Let me be 'my' companion!"

"The road ahead is still long. No one will blame you for taking a short break..."

And the summer insects still chirp.

●

It begins with a slightly sad tone and verses, but ends with the bright blue sky after the rain.

Takamatsu Touma's husky voice, which always sounds very deep, and Hiiragi China's singing style, which has retained its innocence because it has never been refined, create a harmonious resonance.

The soft piano sound that opens the music is sentimental, but the loud guitar sound accompanying the verses shows the prospect of leisurely strides; and the deep and powerful bass and drums weave the beat, as if they are supporting the poet to walk out of the rain.

It is clear that "only" this is a perfect work. Hiiragi Chinana's light dance also adds a unique flavor to the stage——

A song that depicts the "reality" of mustering courage and regaining one's spirit has been transformed into a "fairy tale" full of love and hope, where no one will be hurt or sad.

“Pah, pah…”

Kamisato Ayaka didn't realize the performance was over until Chinae bowed deeply to her, and quickly raised her hand to give them the applause they deserved. The same thing happened to Hoto Oreki.

Shiina Riki and Nagasaki Suyo looked at each other, smiling with satisfaction. Wakaba Mu's eyes flickered to Origin, who was sitting on the cushions, his eyes lively, as if seeking credit. And Xiangzi stared at Deng's back, his smile no longer holding even the slightest hint of reserve.

This is CRYCHIC. This is the lamp.

That day, my vision was never wrong.

"Everyone, what a wonderful performance!"

While clapping, Linghua stood up and walked towards the girls in the band.

"Miss Linghua..." After hearing this, Qiannai's eyes lit up. She stood up and was about to say thank you, but her little head suddenly felt dizzy and she lost her balance for a moment and was caught by Linghua who came hurriedly.

Linghua's slightly excited smile suddenly cooled down.

She hurriedly shook Chinana's shoulder, "Ms. Chinana?"

"No, no. I'm fine..."

With the help of Linghua, Chinana regained her footing. She lowered her head and breathed a few times. When she felt the strength returning to her legs, she patted Linghua's arm to signal her to let go.

Linghua was worried: "Miss China, what's wrong with you?"

"China...are you okay?" Even Takamatsu Deng came over to show concern.

"I don't know what's going on. My legs just suddenly lost all their strength." Chinana stared at her feet in distress. She'd bought new tabi for today's performance, so they wouldn't wear out so quickly, right?

"Maybe it's slightly beyond the body's capacity." Zhe Li also came nearby.

He placed his hands on his hips with a look of helplessness, staring at Xiao Qiannai's bewildered expression. He said, "That's what I took into consideration when I arranged simple steps for this little one. But, you just made a lot of adjustments, didn't you? The performance was indeed very good, but you should also consider your future self."

Chinana touched the back of her head, "Hey hey hey..."

Chinae listened to the conversation between Ori and Chisato Hiiragi the entire time. She knew that "giving her the opportunity to perform on stage" was just an excuse to win her sister's support. In reality, she couldn't even complete the basic beginner's course, so she wasn't qualified to perform with Sister Deng and the others.

but--

Hiiragi Chinana quietly turned her head and looked at Takamatsu Deng.

"Sister Deng's singing is so beautiful. I can't help but..."

"Eh?" Deng paused, took a step back, and shook his hands vigorously, "No! No no! I'm not that..."

"That's true!" Kamisato Ayaka also clapped her hands together and looked at Deng with a pair of interested eyes. "Ms. Deng's singing voice, sometimes ethereal, sometimes full of power, easily made me immersed in the world of music."

“Woo, woo—”

Xiao Deng had nowhere to retreat (Su Shi had stood behind her and supported her shoulders without her knowing), and could only use her palms to barely hide her rather strange expression.

This strange world also makes her feel very uncomfortable on another level!

Chapter 50: Autumn Frost Falls, Snow Clears, and the Chinese Toon Tree Reappears: Chapter : Poem

Afterwards, the "interview" ended successfully.

Kamisato Ayaka first called the servants to help everyone carry the musical instruments into the car, and then invited the group of girls to have a small tea party. They brewed a pot of hot tea and sat down to drink it - it would take a lot of time to finish a cup of boiling hot tea just to cool down, so they were not in a hurry and sat down to chat leisurely.

Linghua was very interested and kept asking about the customs and folkways of the "foreign country", while Toyokawa Shoko took the lead in answering with a pre-prepared confession.

In her captivating recounting, she explained that the members of CRYCHIC were all descendants of Inazuma who had migrated to Fontaine years ago and had grown accustomed to life there. Now, pursuing their musical dreams, they've chosen to return to their ancestral homeland of Inazuma. Thus, Hoto Okari, who also wanted to "return to their roots," became their temporary guardian in Inazuma.

...To be honest, this kind of "background setting" is still very rough.

Their young international adventures are impressive, but they lack the necessary travel experience. Furthermore, they don't really know much about Fontainebleau, simply reimagining modern life with a touch of Industrial Revolution-era artistry as their "Life in Fontainebleau."