Heavy girl? I feel worse than Black Hole Trigger!

"Ah. Sorry." Su Shi quickly covered his mouth and turned his head away with a guilty conscience.

I've been getting more and more fluent in answering questions lately! This is not a good sign... It's all Zheli's fault! He's always arguing with me!

She glared angrily at the store manager who was eating alone at the counter, and got a face full of emotions and a question mark from a black man.

Fortunately, Su Shi's absent-mindedness did not affect Xiangzi's interest.

"Is such that--"

Xiangzi stood up, straightened his body, raised his head slightly and said loudly:

"The date for our first CRYCHIC concert has finally been officially confirmed!"

Lost Star Chapter 68 Summer Time Record: Chapter PLUCK

A phone call called Bao Deng Zheli to the Live House "RiNG".

"A change in showtime?"

"Yes. A band cancelled their performance, leaving about half an hour of time."

At the reservation counter on the first floor, the clerk whom Ori was familiar with, Shinji Rinrinko, turned her computer towards him and showed it to him.

"I just happened to be thinking of Lenai-chan, so I wanted to ask if you guys wanted to postpone it." "Hmm."

Looking at Zhe Li's pensive expression, she added, "There should be more people in the afternoon, right?"

"More people—" The man looked at the blank space on the schedule and pondered for a moment.

To be honest, he still had no real interest in playing in an orchestra. Playing with Lenai was certainly fun, but performing on stage in front of an audience was another matter entirely: he simply didn't enjoy being high above everyone else, under the spotlight. Of course, now that he was on stage, if anyone was willing to come and watch, he would do his best to meet their expectations.

Kiryu Sento believes that being a Kamen Rider is his destiny, perhaps because he prefers the feeling of hiding his face behind a mask. For example, this time, just like last time, he chose a relatively quiet time.

If the time is changed to a time with more people, he is a little reluctant.

It's just that it's rare that someone specifically contacted me at the first opportunity, so it wouldn't be polite to just refuse.

"……what."

and many more.

It seems like there is another band that needs such an opportunity?

●

"So that's it."

Nagasaki Suyo sighed silently, shook her head and smiled helplessly.

She was initially reluctant to join Zheli and Lenai because she knew her abilities were far inferior to theirs, and she didn't want to be a mere burden and be accommodated by them.

After all, let alone the electric bass that she temporarily switched to, even with the double bass level that she had practiced for two and a half years, it would have been difficult for her to reach the top of the wind instrument club.

Even in CRYCHIC, she failed to demonstrate superior playing skills to others.

Look, here we have Xiangzi, a talented keyboardist and composer, Mu who has been learning guitar since childhood, Lixi whose drumming skills are unusually mature for a junior high school student, and she is the only ordinary one who only does things like mediating fights or providing psychological counseling to the lead singer - by the way, this lead singer can also write lyrics!

As a result, now they are being helped by that man again.

——Knowing that there was an extra time, Zheli, who had previously obtained Xiangzi's LINE, contacted Xiangzi. Xiangzi, who was concerned about the band, naturally would not miss this opportunity. He confirmed the performance time on the spot through Zheli, the middleman.

Then, today was the day when Xiangzi, even though he knew it was Su Shi’s birthday party, was eager to use the venue to announce the good news.

Now that things have come to this, I can only consider this as a birthday gift from Zheli!

Moreover, knowing that there is someone who will cover for me when I encounter trouble, this sense of security...

Her slightly dazed gaze rested on the man who was busy working at the counter with his head down.

so good.

"...In other words, we will perform after you?"

Shiina Tatsuki suddenly raised his voice and asked the store manager not far away.

"It's like this." The man who was making latte art paused for a moment, then looked up and replied, "Looking at the schedule, Lenai and I were supposed to be in charge of the opening, and then it was you, the substitutes."

Zhe Li only said he'd give the free time slot to CRYCHIC, but he didn't say he was cancelling. Besides, he didn't dare cancel, because he didn't know when he could reschedule. If he postponed it too long, Lenai would be unhappy again... Thinking about this, Zhe Li suddenly realized he'd made a three-dimensional cat-shaped latte art out of the mocha coffee he'd given Li Xi.

He was stunned for a moment, thought about it, added a few more strokes, and turned the cat into a panda.

"..."

Right after a performance like that?

Li Xi glanced at Zhe Li lightly. His violet eyes turned and returned to Gao Songdeng.

"Lights. Is this time okay?"

"Xiao Lixi has become like Xiao Deng's older sister." "Stop talking nonsense."

Shiina Riki sadly discovered that she could already know what Su Shi wanted to say the moment she smiled at her.

"Well……"

Deng looked at Su Shi on the left, at Li Xi on the right, and finally at Xiangzi who was staring at her with eager eyes.

She clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and opened her mouth—

"I want to perform on stage soon too..."

"Light..." Li Xi's expression was slightly touched.

Xiangzi clapped his hands and smiled, "The lamp is just like this!"

"That's great~" Su Shi said tactfully.

Ruoye Mu didn't want to talk. She lowered her eyes and clapped coolly.

“…Huh? Huh…?”

Zhe Li had just turned off the water heater and picked up the newly completed "Takamatsu Lantern Special Adjustment" when he saw the lantern surrounded and applauded by a group of band girls who probably had some mental problems.

If he hadn't shouted "Congratulations", he would have thought that the dead EVA had caught up with him.

The store manager came over with trays of food and served everyone their drinks, jokingly saying, "Are you some kind of kindergarten teacher? All you say is 'amazing!'"

Su Shi couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, "That's too disrespectful to Xiao Deng."

She is a kindergarten teacher, so doesn’t Gao Songdeng have to be a kindergarten teacher?

"Oh, sorry, sorry." Zhe Li hurriedly placed the "Takamatsu Lantern Special" in front of the lantern.

She looked closely and saw a three-dimensional penguin-shaped lace pattern on the top of the cup. Two small, round eyes dotted with chocolate syrup stared back at her, looking silly. Zooming out further, she saw the man clasping his hands together, as if begging for forgiveness. Only the faint smile at the corners of his mouth made his apology seem insincere.

Deng couldn't think of how to respond, but he couldn't help but smile.

"Ah. Xiao Deng's smile is so cute." Su Shi's voice came slowly.

Xiangzi, standing still, could easily see Deng's face. He nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed. No matter how many times I see it, it's quite astonishing. Is it because of the contrast with usual?"

"Eh?" Deng quickly covered his mouth.

"As the saying goes, good fortune comes to those who smile. It looks like your debut performance will go well."

Zhe Li, who was putting away his plate and walking back, turned around and said after hearing this.

"Then I'll take your kind words!" Xiangzi nodded to him with a smile, then lowered his eyes to look at the five people at the table.

Three different things, three different things. In this little world called "CRYCHIC," the five people all have vastly different personalities and experiences. But no matter what, they're all gathered here now, marching step by step towards the stage that's already clearly visible.

How lucky she was to have this miraculous encounter.

"Yeah. It'll definitely go smoothly—"

Because they are a "community of shared destiny"!

Lost Star Chapter 69 Summer Record: Chapter The Scenery of the Music House

"Big drum, please."

Boom, boom, boom, boom...

"Please slow down."

"..."

Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

……

Li Xi, I'm very nervous.

Nagasaki Suyo looked at the girl with some concern as she was doing the sound check with a stern face and following the PA's (sound control engineer) instructions.

It may be a little inappropriate to say this, but the person who takes "performance" most seriously among CRYCHIC is probably Tatsuki Shiina.

It’s not that the rest of the band didn’t take the performance seriously, it’s just…

Toyokawa Shoko was always confident and never made mistakes during practice. She was even more stable than Riki and Suyo, who were in the rhythm class. Sometimes Suyo would subconsciously listen to the piano to correct her rhythm.

Wakaba Mu's guitar skills are proficient, although not as perfect as Xiangzi's piano skills. However, as a guitarist, she is responsible for both chord progression and main melody. Her stability is also the basis for Takamatsu Deng to adjust his singing bit by bit during practice.

Gao Song Deng Guang has given her all just to be able to stand on the stage. She can't and won't consider the effect of the performance.

As for Su Shi herself, there's no need to mention her. Although her bass playing is only average, she doesn't particularly care about the performance results. Su Shi has the patience to grow with the band, and naturally doesn't push herself to perform exceptionally well; as long as she doesn't hold them back, she's fine.

However, Shiina Riki is different.

In Su Shi's eyes, Li Xi looked like he was being chased by some terrifying beast.

This forced her to work hard and produce results—while being harsh on the band members, she also began to apply pain patches to her wrists more and more frequently. Even if she tried to cover it up with long sleeves, she couldn't escape Su Shi's eyes.

Although Su Shi didn't know the detailed reasons, he could understand the feeling.

——That feeling of being forced to become someone who is not yourself.

"Okay. Next is the guitar test..."

The drum set soundcheck concluded, and Shiina Tateki breathed a sigh of relief as she lifted her drumsticks. Suddenly, she felt a quietness grow around her. She tilted her head and saw Nagasaki Motoyo, carrying her bass, leaning over and offering her a sweet smile.

"What?" Li Xi raised his eyebrows.

It would be fine at ordinary times, but at a rehearsal like this, this guy shouldn't come to watch me have fun.

Su Shi opened her lips slightly: "Li Xi, are you nervous?"

"It would be strange if you weren't nervous." Li Xi turned his face away.

She originally wanted to look at the empty auditorium, but her eyes unconsciously followed Gao Songdeng's back.

The girl, seemingly more timid than anyone else, was now looking down at her notebook. Under the intense spotlight, a shadow loomed at her feet, seemingly so deep it would completely engulf her petite figure if she wasn't careful...

Su Shi followed her gaze, blinked, and then said, "I'm nervous too."

"Really?" Li Xi responded calmly.

"It's human nature to worry about making mistakes and worrying about the performance not being good."

"...What do you want to say?"

"What I want to say is..." Su Shi slowly turned around, her smile shining brightly in the light. "I'm just as nervous as you, Li Xi, and I want to do my best as well."

"It's the same. I want to work hard and make progress together with everyone, standing on the same stage."

"..."

Shiina Riki was silent for a moment before quietly looking into the pair of blue eyes that were as distant as the sky.

"Are you trying to comfort me?"

"Does it count?" Su Shi tapped his cheek with a finger, pretending to be thoughtful and said, "I'm just expressing my current thoughts."

"You always look so confident. It really makes me angry." Li Xi frowned and glanced at the faint smile on the girl's face. He snorted coldly: "You are obviously not that good at bass. Have you really practiced hard?"

"Huh~? Of course you have practice!"

Su Shi opened his eyes slightly and felt a little self-doubt: Is my level really that bad?

Li Xi looked at her as she lowered her head and pressed the bass fretboard. He frowned and stared at her for a long time before he sighed: "Forget it. I'll just take it as you comforting me. So, that..."

The girl lowered her head, a few strands of hair falling in front of her eyes, causing her gaze to finally rest on the tip of the drumstick.

"……Thanks."