Heavy girl? I feel worse than Black Hole Trigger!

"By the way, manager." Qianzhi took a step closer, holding Qiliangliang and handed it to Zheli, "I'll leave this child to you."

"Hmm?" Zhe Li raised his eyebrows in confusion, but still extended his hand.

Qi Liangliang took a few steps gracefully and jumped out of Qianzhi's arms. He tapped Zheli's palms and arms a few times, then went around Zheli's shoulders and curled up into a small ball of fur.

Chiori slowly explained, "Komagariya is closed these days, and Kirara said she wanted to attend the festival. However, if the store manager is also at the venue, she can't go shopping in her human form. So she came to me and asked me to take her out..."

At the end of her speech, she lengthened her tone a little, and her beautiful eyes fell on Zhe Li's face.

"But I gave her a better idea."

"Will you let me play with the little one?"

Chizhi paused, "Oh. Guessed it?"

"You can't let the little one miss the annual celebration because of me." Zheli raised his hand and scratched the back of Qi Liangliang's neck, then smiled at Qianzhi: "Similarly, you can't be troubled by my problem, Miss Qianzhi."

"...It's not really a big deal. It's just that I happen to have other things to do for the next two days."

Chihiro showed a somewhat troubled expression.

After hearing what Zhe Li said, why did it suddenly seem as if she came here today to abandon her troublesome little daughter to her grandfather's house?

She'd always been averse to such bustling places, and in previous years, she'd simply savored the festive atmosphere from afar. This year, she'd been kicked out by her teacher, and she was struggling with design inspiration, so she decided to wander the streets. However, a few days ago, a casual chat with Zhe Li and the others had given her some fresh inspiration, and she'd filled her schedule again.

The reason I showed up tonight was because I had promised Kamisato Ayaka in advance that I would definitely come to see CRYCHIC's performance.

I have to take the kitten out shopping again tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, so it’s a bit of, how should I put it, a waste of time.

"Forget it. Since you're willing, then let it be. She likes you more anyway."

"Really? I think the little guy and Ms. Chiori have a better relationship."

Since she was a powerful youkai capable of transforming into a humanoid and speaking human language, finding a way to resolve the communication barrier with Zheli wouldn't be difficult. For example, since she worked as a courier, she probably knew how to read and probably could write. Even if she couldn't, she could have a colleague write a letter for her before she transformed back into a humanoid form.

However, Qi Liangliang chose to ask Qianzhi for help first, which shows how much she trusts Qianzhi.

Qianzhi shrugged, "At least when it comes to shopping and having fun, it's much better than a boring woman like me."

"Meow!" Qi Liangliang hurriedly shook her head. She didn't think so!

"oops……"

It seems possible to imagine what Ms. Chiori's attitude would be when she encounters a less cautious vendor or customer.

If I have to give a critique, it's definitely not suitable for shopping and having fun...

Just at this moment, the crowd not far away was in an uproar.

Zhe Li looked back and saw thousands of people gathered together, and faintly heard shouts of expectation.

"It's almost time to start," Manye said. He could already hear the bustling stage in the distance over the wind.

"what."

Zhe Li held the kitten tightly on his shoulder and prepared to dive into the crowd to prevent her from being knocked down.

“Even I’m looking forward to it.”

PS. I slept a little longer today, so I could only find time to write at work. It has been delayed until now. Sorry.

Chapter 79: Desire

The stage at Hanamizaka is not a dedicated performance venue, so there are naturally no rows of seats for people to use.

The audience stood straight in front of the stage, looking forward to it.

Some seemed more knowledgeable, noticing the piano already set up, recognizing it as an exotic instrument, and imagining a musical feast of exotic flavors. Others simply saw the club's advertising and came to join in the fun.

Another group of people were just passing by and were forced to slow down because of the crowd.

But perhaps the current situation makes CRYCHIC feel more at ease: the performance hall of Live House "RiNG" is also full of standing-room-only audiences, and the audience almost has no expectations of them...

It was like going back to the day when CRYCHIC first stepped onto the stage.

"Light, how's the situation?"

Gao Songdeng glanced at Toyokawa Shoko and said softly, "Yes. I'm fine."

The "backstage" of this simple stage was just a small compartment, from where one could hear the clamor of the crowd outside without any obstruction. If it were Takamatsu Deng from the beginning, her mind would probably be filled with the various expressions of the crowd. But now she was just quietly recalling the lyrics, thinking about which part of the song she would use and what singing style she would use.

It's impossible to say I wasn't nervous at all. However, compared to my debut day, it was a world of difference.

"Xiao Deng has grown a lot." Nagasaki Suyo sighed, holding her bass.

In just a few months, the girl who once required her care and attention has become capable of standing on her own... Well, she may still be a little short of being "capable of standing on her own", but at least she is much less of a worry than before.

If CRYCHIC wants to last long, their lead singer can't always be so timid.

"The older sisters are so awesome..." Hiiragi Chinana's voice came from the door.

Like the lights, she didn't need to make any adjustments to the instrument. She had been standing at the door and peeking out from the beginning.

Whether it was the brightly decorated celebration venue or the noisy audience, they were all familiar scenes, but she didn't expect that she would feel uncomfortable just because she changed the place to look.

As the daughter of the Hiiragi family, the Kanjo Bugyo, she thought she would not be afraid of crowds!

"Is Xiao Qianna still nervous?" Su Shi asked with concern.

Compared to the frequency of CRYCHIC's ensemble, Chinanai's visits to Nascita are much less frequent.

On the one hand, although she is lawless in the Hiiragi family and is indulged by everyone, looking like she can do whatever she wants, she is still the second daughter of the Hiiragi family after all, and has responsibilities to fulfill. It is impossible for her to make time for it as easily as these girls in the band.

On the other hand, Chinae did not really involve much of their ensemble work.

From a formal perspective, the star of this performance should be Chinara Hiiragi, with CRYCHIC merely serving as a supporting band. In terms of actual content, considering Chinara's skills are far from enough to support a full performance, the most they can do is follow the music and deliver some specious performances.

Most of the previous comments from Kamisato Ayaka and others revolved around the music, because anyone could see that although she seemed to be the most important person on the stage, sitting firmly in the center and attracting everyone's attention, she was actually the least important part of the stage.

To use an analogy, it's like the dancers at a top singer's concert. The audience might look at them, but their attention remains on the singer's voice. If they're farther away, watching the performance only on a giant screen, they might prefer to focus on the lyrics and savor the song's meaning.

Everyone knew about this matter in advance, including Chinae herself, who accepted it, which is why things have developed to this point.

However, she could accept being treated like a vase in the center of the stage, but she could not accept compromising herself because of it.

At least, as she is under everyone's attention, she must not embarrass everyone at CRYCHIC!

"China-chan." "...Sister Deng?"

Unexpectedly, it was Takamatsu Deng who came over and spoke to her.

"Very, nervous?"

Chinana looked at the girl in surprise like everyone else. After a pause of half a second, she nodded slightly, "I'm ashamed...it's true."

"Then, remember your mood at this moment." Deng said slowly.

Her eyes looked out the door, encapsulating the bright light of the summer night within those amber eyes, bringing with them the memories of late spring.

"You're nervous because you're worried about messing up. And that worry is precisely because you want to do your best no matter what..." She recounted the words from her memory bit by bit. Although she was merely repeating the words of encouragement Baodeng Zheli had given her, she could only deeply appreciate the power of these words because she had personally put them into practice.

"Please remember that desire to achieve something."

"...'Desire'." Hiiragi Chinana murmured the word.

Becoming an idol is her dream, and mastering singing and dancing is her goal. She knows that she is still far from her ideal, but she greedily wants to give the best performance "now" and "right now" to make the audience feel that their trip is worthwhile.

There is no reason or rules, I just want it because I want it.

Not a dream, not a goal, but a desire.

"Yeah." Deng smiled slightly.

She didn't know how many expectations this girl in front of her, who was even smaller than her, had been born with, and how much pressure she had to bear. However, she could see herself in this shrinking figure, so she had to say those words to her here.

People long to be heroes, just to save themselves who once longed to be saved.

Takamatsu Deng cannot be a hero, but she can share with others the words that once helped her - turning the cry of her heart into sound, this is the only thing she knows how to do.

She raised her hand, seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then gently placed it on Chinae's shoulder.

"Um...Come on!"

There is a faint warmth in the small palm.

Hiiragi China looked intently at the girl whom she once thought was taciturn and uncommunicative.

Like a fireplace in winter and a bonfire under the starry night, they only seem romantic when viewed from afar, but only when you get close to them can you feel the warmth that penetrates every inch of your skin and feel how cold the world is without them.

And that is the spark that can change everything.

"...Yeah. Thank you, Sister Deng."

Hiiragi Chinana also raised her hand and gently stroked the back of Takamatsu Touma's hand, giving the other person a big smile.

Although, I don’t know whether it can be done.

She has truly received the "flame" of "desire".

Chapter 80 of the Box: Autumn Frost and Falling Maple Leaves, Snow Clears and the Plum Blossoms Appear: Chapter : Flame

The lantern went out.

The crowd caused a small commotion, and when they looked back and saw that other lights in the distance were still brightly lit, they realized that this was part of the performance.

In the dim light, a girl walked slowly onto the stage with her head lowered.

Her hands folded across her abdomen, her long sleeves falling in front of her, her long, lustrous black hair cascading smoothly over her shoulders, she looked as reserved and formal as a young girl meeting guests for the first time. The girl sat in the center of the stage, her bright eyes raised, a look of joy on her face, as she bowed slightly to the audience.

Subsequently.

"————."

The long notes freeze time and her smile in this moment.

The next moment, there was a "swish" sound, and even the last remaining lamp went out. The girl's figure was hidden in the shadows, with only a faint outline outlined by the starry night.

Then, many torches were lit around the stage.

The full flames could not reach the brilliance of the scorching sun, but they were bright enough to illuminate the faces of every girl on the stage.

Perhaps because it was finally the official performance, everyone in CRYCHIC had a serious look on their faces, except for China Hiiragi, who kept smiling.

Shiina Riki simply raised his hands and tapped them twice, and the music from the piano took the audience's breath away.

It was as if I'd been transported back to the day CRYCHIC first took the stage—a beautiful, slightly melancholic prelude flowed, and the song that once symbolized spring resounded in late summer. Compared to the electronic instruments, the acoustic guitar, bass, and cajon interpretation of "Spring Shadow" had a more languid and intimate feel than the original.

If the heart-wrenching "shout" of Takamatsu's first performance on stage concealed past grievances and gratitude for the present, then listening to this version now brings only peace of mind. If forced to conjure images, it's the days spent with everyone in the cafe, eating, drinking, chatting, and laughing.

But such wonderful memories are by no means to be taken for granted.

"With a haggard heart and trembling eyes, I am alone in this world"

"I only know the withering spring, which treats me coldly every year..."

In the song that was as warm as the lights, China quietly danced with her long sleeves.

As if to make people recall the prosperity of spring in the summer night, the sleeves flutter in the wind, like a butterfly lost in the late spring, confused in the dim firelight.

——Yes. She understood it the first time she heard Takamatsu Touma’s singing.

Everyone has sad moments, and everyone has lonely moments.

Even at the Hiiragi household, where she should be happy and carefree under the care of her beloved sister and father, there are moments when she feels powerless.

"In the darkness, I just keep moving forward."

"I write words randomly, even though I know that expectations are futile."

"Still seeking redemption..."

Amidst the soft singing, the butterfly's wings fell to the ground.

The girl raised her sleeve to cover half of her face, but even in the dim firelight, her melancholy expression left a strong imprint on the night.

I want to be an idol. I want to bring smiles to everyone's faces.

Even compared to the dreams of children, this wish seems extremely empty.

The root of her feelings lies in her father's troubled lamentations at night, her sister's worried murmurs at the table, and the haggard looks of the merchants on the street... She is clearly a member of the family and was born to enjoy power over others, but she is isolated from their world in the name of "freedom".

From afar, I watched my father worrying about every government matter and listened to the faint sounds coming from his study late at night.

From afar, I watched my sister running around at home, working non-stop to support the family.