Heavy girl? I feel worse than Black Hole Trigger!

"……Is such that."

Why is this kid so aggressive even towards boys?

I used to think it was just jealousy between girls, but now it seems to be more simple. I just don’t want Zhe Li to focus his attention elsewhere.

How cute——

"Hmm? But don't you two have an important performance?" Wan Ye looked left and right, and widened his eyes slightly.

We were just talking about the performance at the festival one moment, how come we started talking about shopping and entertainment the next?

"The festival will last for several days. CRYCHIC's performance will only take up one day." Zhe Li crossed his arms, spread his hands, and looked very proud. "Besides, I don't have to perform on stage. Compared to them, I have more time to go shopping."

Normally it was his duty to guard the store door, but since he was traveling with these girls, he should take the responsibility of protecting them.

Then, it makes sense to take some time out to go shopping...

"Hey." Su Shi suddenly stood up and poked Zhe Li's cheek, looking at him with drooping eyes. "Just focus on the show."

Zhe Li grabbed the girl's fingertips and squeezed them, "Okay, okay, I'll pay attention. Don't worry."

"You have to hang out with me after this."

"Yeah. We agreed on it in advance." Zhe Li nodded quickly.

"I also need to buy some candied apples and some grilled skewers. Oh, why not go catch some goldfish too?..."

The girl became more and more excited as she spoke, counting on her fingers. Seeing her enthusiastic face, Zhe Li couldn't help but laugh: "Where did you find all these itineraries?"

Su Shi put her hands on her hips, not wanting to be challenged. "It's a dating tutorial recommended online. There's a lot of feedback in the comment section."

"That kind of thing is just to cheat traffic..."

Seeing the two of them chatting among themselves, Fengyuan Manye didn't say anything, just smiled slightly and lowered his head to sip tea.

……

Maple Leaf has always been sensitive to the wind.

He could predict when the rain would fall, judge the weather, and avoid danger. That was his strength, and the skill he relied on while wandering the mountains.

However, the "wind" in the human world is far more complex and difficult to distinguish than the wind in nature.

——Inazuma’s wind has been stagnant for a long time.

He was vaguely aware of it, but never knew how his meager strength could stir the storm. His family had lost its traditions, and he, too, had lost his family. Even if he followed the tide and wandered freely, it would ultimately be a compromise. The honor in a samurai's heart, the passion carried by his sword—he never forgot it, nor did he abandon it.

'But one day, a foreign wind will come to this country.'

Better than anyone else, I could predict the direction the wind was heading...

This has been what Kaedehara Manye is best at since a long time ago.

Chapter 69: What is to come will come

As summer draws to a close, the sea breeze off the islands has also begun to turn a bit chilly.

The outlying islands' border crossings were always heavily guarded. After a brief interrogation, the young women finally entered the bustling outlying island port. The flaxen-haired girl breathed a sigh of relief. As she lowered her head, the large bows on her forehead trembled like cat ears.

The heroic girl next to her looked calm, as if she was used to big occasions.

"Huh... Why do I feel like there are so many shogunate troops recently?" Qiliangliang was shocked.

"Because the festival is approaching, isn't it? There's a lot of traffic heading from the outlying islands to Inazuma Castle, so the Tenryo Bugyo has beefed up the defenses on the official roads," Chiori said. She took a few steps forward and realized Kirara wasn't following her. Turning back, she saw Kirara hunched over, looking timid. She tilted her head.

"Why are you acting so cautious? This isn't your first time on the island."

"Ah, about this." Qi Liangliang touched the back of his head, "I wanted to say, Sister Qianzhi must be very busy, right? Well, I'm a little embarrassed to have wasted your time..."

Qianzhi drooped her eyes and sighed, "I've already accompanied you to the island, and you're only saying this now?"

"Hmm~..." The Nekomata girl was speechless after hearing this.

Seeing that Qiliangliang was still conflicted, Qianzhi said, "Besides, I've been free lately. It's a good opportunity to kill time. Even if you didn't come to see me, I was planning to come to the island to relax."

"Oh, is that so? That's great." Qiliang Liangyi twitched the cat's tail, finally smiled and nodded.

The two of them visited the outlying island today, not for any other reason, but to solve the uncontrollable problem of Qi Liangliang.

Although he had no idea how it worked, Kirara seemed to lose his human form and speech whenever he was near the cafe manager, Hoto Oriri. Previously, due to Oriri's limited range of activity, this only triggered Kirara when he stumbled upon an outlying island, so it wasn't a big deal.

Until recently, Oriri's footsteps had reached as far as Inazuma Castle and had begun to disturb Kirara's life.

Many people know "Nekomata Kirarayoshi" or "Komagaraya Kirarayoshi", but those who have seen "Nekomata Kirarayoshi" and know that they are the same person, after much thought, apart from the great monster who guided Kirarayoshi to integrate into human society - Yae Kamiko, the chief priest of Narukami Taisha Shrine, there is only Senori.

For example, "Grandma" only knew her as a cat, but she didn't know that the kitten later turned into a human and went to make a living in the city.

Yae-miya is busy with her daily schedule and always feels terrible, so Kirara can only ask Chiori for help.

"So, what exactly do you need me to do?"

After crossing the checkpoint, avoiding the crowd, and arriving at a quieter place, Qianzhi asked.

"The store manager doesn't seem to know I can speak yet. I need to let him know first." Qiliangliang tried to think. "Next, if possible, I still want to solve the problem of not being able to transform. ...Nyan, do I have to go find Shenzi-sama after this?"

Sister Qianzhi can help me communicate with Zheli, but everyone has their own expertise, so I should ask Lord Shenzi about matters concerning monsters.

"Don't be anxious, take it one step at a time." Qianzhi comforted.

It was a little ironic for her to say such words, coming from someone who had always been impatient and efficiency-conscious since childhood. However, after so many years, faced with such troubles that she could not solve on her own, she finally had to learn to wait patiently.

"Anyway, take me to that cafe first."

Qi Liangliang nodded, "Yes! Come with me..."

●

"I'll be at the next summer festival."

After chatting for a while, Fengyuan Manye quickly left after leaving a promise.

The main purpose of his trip was just to say hello. Now that his goal has been achieved, he will not stay and disturb Su Shi.

Then, as business hours approached, several girls from the band showed up one after another, and it was another day when CRYCHIC gathered together.

As usual, Xiangzi changed into her shop assistant uniform and tidied up the outside area. After completing her duties, she returned to sit at the table dedicated to CRYCHIC. If business was slow as usual, she would take a short break and then join the practice.

"Recently, everyone hasn't been to RiNG for a long time, right?" Toyokawa Shoko suddenly said.

Shiina Riki looked at Xiangzi and said, "Indeed, that's true. What's wrong?"

A few days ago, Li Xi took some time off to visit the live house "RiNG" to inquire about any openings, planning to start working there as soon as she entered her freshman year of high school. Suddenly, the staff member, Ms. Rinrinko, whom she had met several times before, recognized her. She mentioned that CRYCHIC had performed at two of their regular live shows to great acclaim and asked if they had any plans for another performance.

After Li Xi shared the news in the group, there was no follow-up, so she didn't care about it anymore.

but.

"After Riki mentioned this, I went to RiNG last night," Xiangzi explained. "Ms. Rinrinko said that if we give her an approximate time, she can arrange a time slot for us. What do you think?"

"Another performance?" Su Shi tapped his cheek, looking thoughtful.

The Inazuma Festival is even bigger, so recently they've been throwing themselves into this precious opportunity to perform. However, large-scale events like summer festivals are rare, and they only got this opportunity by relying on Hiiragi Chinana's identity. It's hard to say if there will be a next time.

Back in Tokyo, Japan, they were just an amateur band, so their only realistic performance opportunities were regular live performances at live houses. If they wanted to hold a one-man live (a solo concert), they would lose a lot of money if they couldn't sell tickets.

It’s true that Ms. Rinrinko only invited them, but if they reject this invitation, they will have to go through the normal process next time they want to apply for the compilation LIVE, and who knows how long it will take!

"Since Miss Rinrinko invited me personally, I can't let her kindness down."

"Mr. Sushi thinks the same as I do." Xiangzi nodded. "What about you guys?"

"I agree too." Li Xi was the first to express his opinion.

The purpose of forming a band is to perform. Her conviction on this point has never wavered. Even if not every stage turns out as she'd hoped... for example, at the Inazuma Festival this time, she couldn't play the drums. But as long as it's a performance, as a musician, she should give it her all.

CRYCHIC has finally gotten back on track, and she won't pour cold water on it at this time.

"Can Xiao Deng still afford it?" Su Shi asked, touching the back of Gao Songdeng's hand.

"Burden? Ah..." Deng paused and whispered, "I want to sing more songs too."

The biggest obstacle, Takamatsu Deng, was overcome. Xiangzi nodded with satisfaction and turned to Wakaba Mu: "How's Xiao Mu? Is your recent schedule okay?"

Coming from a wealthy family, Xiangzi knew firsthand how busy Mu was. Previously, she hadn't cared about Mu's feelings at all. Now that she thought about it, she might have been quite annoying for forming a band out of sheer passion...

"Yeah." Mu nodded gently. "The third year of junior high school is the most leisurely."

"Great! It's settled then. I'll go talk to Ms. Rinrinko in a few days—"

Ding-ling-ling. A crisp bell rang immediately after Xiangzi's words.

"welcome."

Zheli, who was listening to the discussion, was the first to react and shouted loudly, drowning out the content of their discussion.

Even though they may not care, the officials will still protect their privacy to some extent.

The store manager turned his gaze towards the door.

Chihiro blinked in front of the wide-open store door.

"……Hello."

"Meow!" The kitten in my arms also poked out its paw and said "hello".

Chapter of the Box, Act 70: Autumn frost and falling maple leaves, snowy sky and cypress trees: Chapter : What bad things can a cat do?

"Oh, Miss Qianzhi, welcome." Zheli waved enthusiastically.

"Ms. Chizhi?" Su Shi pondered the name for a moment, then glanced towards the door suspiciously.

Chizhi noticed her wanton gaze and gave her a sideways glance. Like Toyokawa Shoko, this girl named Nagasaki Suyo also possessed a kind of superior self-confidence. The difference was that Nagasaki Suyo's gaze was even more unscrupulous, making even Chizhi, who was used to being watched, feel a little uncomfortable.

As a result, Qianzhi's slightly indifferent look back actually evoked Su Shi's memories.

"Oh, it's Miss Chizhi. Welcome, welcome." Su Shi hurriedly stood up to greet the visitor.

Xiangzi was a little slow to remember that he was a waiter, so he stood up and got the menu.

Seeing these two people starting, the coffee shop, which was quite quiet a moment ago, suddenly became lively. Chizhi looked at Baodeng Zeli who looked normal at the counter, thought for a moment, and walked towards the counter with Kirara Ryoshinari in her arms, and found a seat in front of the counter to sit down.

"Please use the menu." Xiangzi handed over the menu, and then Su Shi poured her a glass of ice water.

Xiangzi was obviously wearing a uniform. Qianzhi tentatively guessed that she was a clerk in the cafe, but what was going on with Su Shi?

While holding on to doubts, Qianzhi put Qiliangliang on the chair next to her, looked down at the menu, and her eyes suddenly lit up: the menu was presented with pictures of several dishes that looked very delicious or even nine out of ten in a simple and clear layout, and one could easily imagine their taste at a glance.

The stewed rice, black tea, and even a green, juicy salad that Qi Liangliang had previously described were all drawn on the menu.

Compared to a string of dry text, it is hard not to be tempted by such a menu with a visual sense.

But Chizhi is not here to eat today.

She quickly put down the menu, looked left at Xiangzi who was still standing by, seemingly waiting to serve her, and right at Su Shi who had returned to her seat. Finally, she looked up at the store manager and said, "Please give me a cup of tea. Oh, Qi Liangliang... can you give her something to drink too?"

"No problem." Zhe Li nodded. He smiled and looked at the kitten, who was straightening his body and craning his neck to look at him. He said, "Little guy, how about giving you a bowl of milk?"

"Meow!" Qi Liangliang nodded quickly.

Although the tea here is also delicious, the fragrant milk is her favorite.

"I came here today for Qiliangliang." Qianzhi said while Zheli turned around to prepare tea.

"Ah. I see."

This girl didn't look like someone who would wander aimlessly. Or even if she needed to relax, she would probably choose to go to a quiet suburb away from the crowds, rather than come to a bustling offshore port and be surrounded by the hustle and bustle.

"What happened to the little guy?" Considering that Qianzhi had no friendship with them, Zhe Li asked directly.

Chihiro said calmly: "Actually, Kirara is a monster."

"..."

The cafe fell silent for a moment.

Zhe Li didn't have a clear reaction, but the other girls were all stunned. Hearing the surreal word "youkai" from this girl, who looked a bit cold and didn't seem to be able to laugh at all, was a bit absurd.

"Please have some tea. And some milk for the little one." It was Zhe Li's still calm voice that broke the strange silence.

He smiled and looked at the kitten that had jumped onto the table and started to taste the delicious milk. "I had suspected this a long time ago. I just didn't expect that someone else knew about it... Well, Ms. Chiori said that I was her friend, so it doesn't seem that surprising."

"I'm glad the topic can proceed smoothly." Qianzhi nodded with satisfaction.

With Qiliangliang unable to speak, she felt troubled just thinking about finding "evidence" that Qiliangliang was a youkai. Now that Zheli didn't need her to explain any more, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.