Heavy girl? I feel worse than Black Hole Trigger!

"Then I'll take care of the stage design. Everyone, just focus on your own music."

"That's what I planned." Li Xi snorted.

……

This store is truly magical.

Qi Liangliang couldn't help but move his tail, which happened to scratch Zheli's neck.

Zhe Li raised his hand and rubbed the back of her neck, causing her to purr.

If everyone at the festival were as lively as them—

It seemed that even she was beginning to understand why everyone loved the festival so much.

Chapter 58: Are you really not wearing anything inside?

Then, the intensive rehearsals began.

Nascita has regained its former glory. The scene of being open for the whole afternoon and still deserted is no longer seen.

In addition to the random customers who would appear occasionally, there were also plainclothes guards who were on guard for Chinara Hiiragi: due to Chinara's frequent visits (it was more convenient to rehearse directly in the store's soundproof room than to carry musical instruments back and forth), they simply sat in the store to consume, and the crowds brought more people.

For the first time, Baodeng Zheli felt that his own shop was actually a functioning coffee shop.

"Wow, is this going to become a famous restaurant recommended by local gourmets?"

"Then I may have to work harder." Zheli responded to Nagasaki Suyo's teasing with a smile.

Although he spent most of his time practicing hard in the soundproof room, Su Shi still noticed Nascita's "prosperity" when he occasionally came out to rest: by normal business standards, it was far from being a booming business, but compared with the past, it was a drastic change that could be called a revolutionary level.

"Seeing that you are all working hard, I feel a little more motivated." Zhe Li sighed.

In addition to the performance itself, CRYCHIC also took time out in the past few days to practice reading the play.

First, Takamatsu wrote the lines, and Wakaba Mutsu, using the experience he learned from his mother, an actress, changed them into a script that was easier to memorize and practice. Then, everyone tried to incorporate drama between the songs...

If it were just a reading, it would obviously not be difficult for these smart girls from CRYCHIC, but Xiangzi did not intend to just roughly stitch the lines and the song together: under Xiangzi's arrangement, Hiiragi China appeared as the "actor" in the reading play, and the narration of the CRYCHIC members interpreted her posture.

Part of it was that Chinana's head had memorized it, but her body wasn't yet able to support her smooth dance moves. Feeling a pity, she decided to showcase it briefly during this relatively static segment.

The other part is her trying to play the "I" described in the lyrics of the song.

Then Xiangzi added a simple musical background to the reading - usually a riff or prelude to the next song, strengthening the function of the "reading drama" to carry on the world view of the song.

This creates a performance similar to a musical.

In his free time, Zheli would also go and watch their training. When everyone from CRYCHIC was not there, he would guide Chinana's fitness menu and coordination classes...

The girls showed great enthusiasm for this performance.

Zhe Li understood that this performance, for each of them, was a precious first, and potentially last, experience on a special stage. The conditions were imperfect, and time was far from abundant, so they had to hone their skills to perfection.

"How should I put it? I feel like, 'Summer has finally arrived!'"

For example, for some people, summer means baseball, hot fighting, and Koshien!

The youthful passion that is no less intense than that of midsummer is the true story that corresponds to this season.

The same youth and enthusiasm, when transformed into a music show like Bang Dream, naturally means uniting together for an important LIVE that you may regret for the rest of your life if you miss it!

"Haha, what nonsense are you talking about? Summer vacation is almost over." Su Shi smiled.

CRYCHIC's summer quietly began during the plum rains. Biting sleet, scorching sun, partings and reunions... They've already savored enough summer memories, both good and bad. Now, rather than "enjoying summer," they're more focused on "closing it up."

"Oh, that's true." Zhe Li paused.

It's almost mid-August, and today is the day for a live rehearsal. In the next day, Inazuma's massive summer festival begins. As the Inazuma people bid farewell to summer and usher in the autumn frost, Suyo and the others prepare to return to school.

“When I think about it, I feel a little lonely.”

Even though Zhe Li was no longer at the age where he still had summer vacation, just by watching the students enjoying their vacation to the fullest, he seemed to be able to gain some of the youthful energy that was now far away.

Are we going to say goodbye to all this in less than half a month?

Su Shi reached out and pinched Zhe Li's cheek. "What? You sound like a lonely old man."

"Hey, hey, hey. My dear granddaughters are willing to come visit me. I have no regrets in this life!"

"Pfft." Su Shi was initially amused by Zhe Li's deliberately slurred voice, but then quickly raised her eyebrows, reached out her other hand, pinched and rubbed the other's cheeks, and said, "Who is your granddaughter? You are not allowed to give yourself a super generation without permission."

Zhe Li held her slightly cold little hand, squeezed it as well, and smiled: "Yes, yes. If I am a grandfather, then Miss Su Shi should at least be a grandmother."

"I'm not that old..." Su Shi pouted with her lips raised.

Zheli looked at the clock. "Oh, it's about time to change clothes, right? Fengchuan and the others should be here soon."

"Yeah. We agreed to change together at Nascita. After all, it's a bit embarrassing to ride in a yukata."

If it were the evening, it would be fine to change into a yukata and head straight for the summer festival, as there would likely be other tourists enjoying the festival in yukata. But today, they were leaving for Inazuma Castle for rehearsal at noon, so they changed into the yukata they wear every day in Inazuma.

Little girls are shy and it would be bad if they were to take a ride in broad daylight and attract so much attention, which would affect their performance.

Especially Takamatsu Deng.

"Ah, right."

As soon as he opened the door to the back room, Su Shi turned around gracefully.

"Zheli, this is a rare opportunity. Could you help me tie my belt? It always gets loose when I tie it myself."

"Why don't you wait until Toyokawa and the others arrive? You can help each other."

"Eh~ Then it becomes me helping them unilaterally." Su Shi puffed up her cheeks.

The last time they tried it on, they were all used to being served. They were not incapable of putting it on themselves, but it was much slower. In the end, Su Shi finally took action because he could no longer bear it.

Zhe Li raised an eyebrow, "Since you are so skilled, do you still need my help?"

Su Shi blinked, shrank behind the door, closed it with a click, and said nothing.

“……” Zhe Li stared at the cold door.

He suddenly remembered that a yukata was technically a piece of cloth with a belt.

Asking him to help tie the belt means that before he ties it on—

"Ah this."

...full of tricks!

Chapter 59: Strangers

After everyone at CRYCHIC arrived, they changed their clothes together and headed out to the Hiiragi family's house.

Although they changed into traditional Japanese yukata to fit in with their worldview (?), the modern design that caters to the new fashion is still quite eye-catching for ordinary people on the outlying islands. Coupled with the beautiful looks of the girls, I don’t know how many times they turned their heads in just this short walk.

Fortunately, the power of the Hiiragi family, the Kanjo Bugyo, was at its peak, and everyone living on the outlying islands knew about it.

As soon as they saw that the group was heading towards Hiiragi's house, they quickly retracted their slightly presumptuous looks.

Those who can visit and enforce the law in plain clothes must not be ordinary people. Do not look at what is inappropriate, do not look at what is inappropriate!

Along the way, the three members of Tsuki no Mori, long accustomed to being watched, remained calm. Shiina Riki, though perhaps forcing himself, wore the same expression as usual, the same gloomy, cold expression as someone who'd just died from a card draw and then joined a group to see the group leader's single draw deal. Only Takamatsu Deng kept his head down. Even though he was clearly surrounded by everyone, he still tried to shrink his body as if to avoid being seen.

Baodeng Zheli thought for a moment, then stepped forward and called out, "Deng. What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Zhe, Zheli. My body is fine. I'm just a little uncomfortable."

If Gao Songdeng's lack of confidence in the past was because he had been treated as a weirdo since childhood and found it difficult to fit in, thus gradually drifting away from the people around him -

Now, having gradually regained her confidence with the company of CRYCHIC, she is subconsciously concerned about the gazes of the island residents because she clearly knows that she (and everyone in CRYCHIC) are strangers who do not belong to this world.

After all, this time, she is objectively "not of our kind" to the Inazuma people, and even to all the people of Teyvat.

Deng glanced at Zhe Li and whispered, "But it's okay. It shouldn't affect your performance."

She's no longer alone. ...Even if she's truly a "weirdo," it doesn't matter. Because everyone, because you, are also "weirdos" like me, so it doesn't matter.

"Don't worry too much about the results. Today is just practice." Zhe Li thought she was worried about the upcoming rehearsal, so he comforted her, "Xiao Deng is the type who performs better in the official debut."

Deng blinked, "Is that so?"

Takamatsu Deng always and always will give her all. But she is clumsy and always finds herself failing at something, whether it's practice or a formal performance. But...

"That's right. Deng's strength is obvious to everyone." The leader, Shoko Toyokawa, suddenly turned around and said.

As a former band quitter who was "pulled back" to the band, the persuasiveness of her words cannot be underestimated.

Deng stared blankly at Xiangzi's smile. When she turned back to look at the road ahead, Su Shi leaned over to Deng and whispered, "I haven't even caught up with you yet. You're acting so weak again. Do you think I'm going to take it as a mockery?"

"……I see."

The gray-haired girl lowered her head slightly.

The bangs that have gradually lengthened with the summer are like sunlight breaking through the clouds, swaying gently in front of my eyes.

"I'm no longer the same as before," she said to herself.

●

After meeting up with Hiiragi China, everyone boarded the carriage again and set out.

This time, we went to the capital, Inazuma Castle.

South of Konda Village, where I stayed last time, lies a field dotted with gentle breezes, known as the "White Fox Field." As the name suggests, countless foxes roam freely here.

It's a shame their fur isn't white. The "white" Fox Nomad is probably a name embellished by legend.

Perhaps because the celebration was approaching, the soldiers of Tenryo Bugyo cleaned the area around the official road more frequently. There were no monsters or wanderers along the way. Only a few broken tents, flags, and extinguished fires proved that this place had not been peaceful in the past. Until now, the public security in Inazuma had always left Baodeng Zheli speechless. Today, he finally saw what a prosperous country should look like.

The journey was uneventful. The girls opened the windows and admired the scenery. The convoy finally arrived in the suburbs of the capital.

Inazuma Castle is built on a mountainside and is divided into three parts from low to high. The suburban area is called "Hanami-zaka", which means "the slope for viewing flowers". There are several cherry trees scattered throughout this area. At this moment, you can also see cherry blossoms falling from the branches of the largest cherry tree in the center of the square.

It was clearly late summer, but these magical cherry trees, perhaps unique to Inazuma, were still in full bloom.

It is said that the "divine cherry blossoms" are a blessing from Narukami (the god of thunder) to this land, and the divine power ensures that the cherry blossoms bloom throughout the year. The residents of the lower town area, who were able to enjoy the stunning blossoms in all seasons, named the lower town "Hanaminozaka."

When Zheli first learned of this etymology, he dismissed it as an ancient legend—perhaps the seasonal flowering was simply a unique species. Unenlightened peoples often attributed natural phenomena to the gods, a common practice in all countries. Later, after ascending a high vantage point and observing that only Narukami Island, where the gods reign, was covered in cherry trees, he gradually began to believe it.

Now that I’m at the gates of Inazuma Castle... uh, no, how come even a petal seems to contain mysterious energy?

It seems that Thor is indeed not easy to mess with.

Fortunately, although Zhe Li had the body of a Blood Star person, he didn't inherit their fighting desire. Otherwise, he was worried that one day he would suddenly have a brain attack and want to go and fight the gods... He still cherished his life very much.

After all, even a shrewd and calculating snake-skin like Abelut would be defeated when the heroes rushed towards him shouting love and peace. What if a fool like Zheli wanted to fight against the god who protected Inazuma with force for thousands of years?

Maybe in the next life.

The convoy stopped near the city. Inazuma Castle was steep, and most access was by stairs. There was only one wooden ramp leading directly to the main entrance, which was usually used only for transporting goods. Visitors like them had no choice but to park at Hanamizaka.

What surprised Bao Deng Zheli was that Inazuma City didn't seem to be more lively than the outlying islands?

The lower town, where civilians primarily resided, was sparsely populated. The orchards and vegetable gardens were deserted, with only a few dogs and free-range poultry roaming. The square, which should have been the entrance to welcome visitors, was guarded by only a handful of soldiers.

Compared to the security in Inazuma that Oriri had in mind, the defense here was very weak.

Even the few sword-wielding ronin who had previously troubled him and Su Shi seemed to be able to easily break in and cause trouble. For example, compared to the sparse spears held by the few soldiers, the falling petals seemed to make Zhe Li feel more threatened.

After the carriage stopped, someone was left to look after the horses, and the girls walked towards the upper city under the guidance of the servants of the Hiiragi family.

Zhe Li looked at their backs and reached out to touch a petal.

"Zizi... Zizi..." A slight lightning connected the petals and Zhe Li's fingertips.

The slight numbing sensation was fleeting, and the next moment the petal lay quietly in Zhe Li's hand. Just as beautiful and soft as before he caught it, but the mysterious energy that Zhe Li had once sensed was no longer there.

Because Zheli "won" in this brief "confrontation".

"……I see?"

The man was stunned for a moment, then looked up into the distance.

Go to the highest point of the mountain, and reach another mountain top... the residence of the main god Takenami, the "Castle Tower".

The gods' gaze descended from Takama-ga-hara, and the scattered cherry blossoms became a visual path across the island. Those who lingered in the wilderness, living in the open air, might occasionally commit evil deeds, but once they entered this divine realm, they no longer had the right to rebel.

It seems that the Inazuma people's reverence for Ming Shen is not just based on simple belief.

Chapter 60: Meow meow meow meow