Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

What the hell is this? It's like some bad spy drama!

The instigator of all this is undoubtedly Kujo Renji!

This bastard!

Nagasaki Suyo could almost imagine that Kujo Renji might be hiding in some dark corner at this moment, watching with interest the two of them struggling and disguising themselves in this game of information asymmetry, and taking pleasure in it.

What does he want to do?

What is his relationship with Chihaya Aine now?

Aine...could it be that she, like herself, has become, to some extent, an accomplice of Kujo Renji?

It’s just that she herself hasn’t realized it yet, or rather, the “truth” she knows is different from what she has grasped?

These chaotic thoughts entangled Nagasaki Suye's mind like vines, making her feel irritated.

At this moment, the phone screen lit up again, and there was another message from Kujo Renji.

"On the day of the performance, wear this."

Below the message, there is a link to a shopping website.

When Nagasaki Suyo clicked on it, a dog ear hair accessory immediately popped up on the screen.

"?"

Nagasaki Suyo's expression froze instantly.

What on earth is this guy thinking?!

Shame washed over her like a tide.

Anger was beating like a small flame in her heart.

Nagasaki Suyo could almost imagine the evil, anticipatory smile on the other person's face when he received this message from the other side of the screen.

Unfortunately, the other party didn't give her any room to refuse. The tone of the message was more of an order than a negotiation.

She knew very well that if she dared to disobey, the man would definitely have countless ways to make her "regret".

In the end, all the protests and dissatisfaction were in vain.

It's night.

Nagasaki Suyo buried her face in the soft pillow and tossed and turned in her big bed like a fish thrown ashore.

The question now is how can she "reasonably" make this request to her bandmates to wear animal hair accessories?

If she was the only one wearing something like this on stage, it would be so weird! It would be so out of place!

I'll definitely be looked at as a weirdo! Maybe even thought there's something wrong with my brain!

“Aaaaaaaahh ...

Nagasaki Suyo hugged the pillow and let out a soft cry.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind like lightning.

Oh right! What if she wasn't the only one wearing it, but everyone else was wearing it together? If we made it a "band feature" or a "performance theme," wouldn't that make it easier to explain?

But as soon as this idea came up, she rejected it herself.

"No, no, no, no!"

Nagasaki Suyo suddenly sat up and shook her head vigorously:

"It's incredibly strange for me to suggest something like this! Everyone will undoubtedly be suspicious of my motives!"

She usually plays a more stable and coordinating role in the band. This sudden and childish suggestion does not seem like something she would say.

After struggling for a whole night, Nagasaki Suyo came to the rehearsal room the next day with two faint dark circles under her eyes.

...

"Boom--!"

As the last drum beat fell, the music in the rehearsal room came to an abrupt end.

The girls were all a little breathless, with beads of sweat on their foreheads.

"Huh... You're in good shape today!" Chihaya Aine broke the silence first, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a satisfied smile on her face.

Shiina Riki still had that cold expression, but there was a hint of recognition of the rehearsal results in his eyes.

Gao Songdeng was breathing heavily, his cheeks slightly flushed.

The rehearsal is finally over.

Nagasaki Suyo took a deep breath and felt her heart pounding in her chest.

She knew that what was meant to come would eventually come.

She tried to make the smile on her face look more natural, cleared her throat, and said in a relaxed tone, strangled:

"Um...everyone, I have a small suggestion..."

Everyone's eyes were focused on her.

"Uh...just...we have a performance in two days, do you want to...do you want to try some new looks?"

Nagasaki Suyo felt her tongue was a little tied:

"For example... wearing some... cute animal accessories? Like ear clips or something?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the rehearsal room froze in an instant, just as she had expected.

The air seemed to have stopped flowing.

Shiina Riki frowned deeply, and looked at Nagasaki Suyo with eyes full of confusion and bewilderment, even with a hint of scrutiny.

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end only a single syllable uttered from her throat:

"what?"

That "Huh?" sound, with a slightly rising tone at the end, was full of disbelief.

Nagasaki Suyo's heart suddenly sank.

It’s over.

She uttered a desperate wail in her heart.

Sure enough, I knew it would be like this! Just let me die!

Just when Nagasaki Suyo wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into, a faint but clear voice broke the awkward silence.

"I...I think..."

Gao Songdeng spoke softly, a lovely blush appearing on her fair cheeks. She hesitated for a long time, then, as if mustering up the courage, she stammered:

"I feel... cute."

Huh?

Nagasaki Suyo looked at Takamatsu Deng with some surprise.

As a loyal supporter of Deng, Shiina Riki's confusion and puzzlement on his face disappeared instantly after hearing Takamatsu Deng's statement.

She changed her attitude almost reflexively and said firmly:

"Since Deng thinks it's good, then I have no objection."

The speed of change is astonishing.

Chihaya Aine was a typical person who enjoyed watching the fun, her eyes sparkling as she clapped her hands excitedly:

"Great! Great! Animal ears! Sounds so fun! I want them too!"

Kaname's attitude was somewhat intriguing. She leaned against the wall, as if she had discovered something, the corners of her mouth curved into a "W" shape, her eyes swept between Nagasaki Suyo and the others, and finally said lightly:

"Interesting woman."

That look seemed to see through Nagasaki Suye's little secret that was unknown to others.

Nagasaki Suyo felt a little guilty when she looked at her, but she was more relieved.

Finally... I got away with it!

So, in a subtle and harmonious (?) atmosphere, everyone began to discuss the animals they wanted to play.

Deng Takamatsu shyly chose her favorite penguin, and the small penguin hairpin pinned on her short hair made her look even more adorable.

In order to match Takamatsu Touma and to show her "reliable" side, Tatsuki Shiina chose a pair of round panda ears.

Yao Lenai chose a pair of pure white Persian cat ears, which matched her lazy temperament and added a bit of charm.

Chihaya Aine chose the lively and cute puppy ears without hesitation, and excitedly barked twice at the mirror, which earned her a roll of the eyes from Shiina Riki.

Nagasaki Suyo could only sigh silently in her heart. According to Kujo Renji's original request, she picked out a pair of brown, furry dog ​​ear headdresses and put them on her head reluctantly.

The self in the mirror, with a pair of innocent drooping puppy ears on her head, coupled with her usual gentle smile, is surprisingly... not so out of place?

There's even a hint of cuteness and adorability that isn't there in normal times?

"Hmm..." Nagasaki Suyo looked at herself in the mirror with mixed feelings.

Although she wore it, she still felt a little guilty.

I always feel that there must be some other deeper meaning behind why Kujo Renji asked her to wear this.

Time passed quietly amid the girls' chatter and anticipation for new looks.

Soon, the day of MYGO's performance arrived amid everyone's anticipation.

.....

At the entrance of the Livehouse, colorful signs are flashing, attracting groups of young and restless souls.

The air was filled with a unique scent of anticipation and hormones.

MYGO's performance is about to begin.

In the dressing room backstage, the atmosphere was subtly tense.

Chihaya Aine looked in the mirror, carefully adjusting the pair of cute yellow puppy ear hairpins on her head. She had carefully selected them, hoping that they would echo the dog pendant that "Xiaoxiang" gave her last time.

She took a deep breath, her long pink hair swaying slightly with her movements.

Today, she specially invited Xiaoxiang to watch their performance.

Of course, there is a little selfishness hidden in this.

She hopes "Xiaoxiang" can see her growth.

Seeing her shining on the stage, seeing that she is no longer the hesitant Chihaya Aine.

"Xiao Xiang... he will definitely see it, right? I'm trying my best."

Aine prayed silently in her heart, her fingertips slightly damp with sweat.

She remembered the last time at the ramen restaurant, "Xiaoxiang" said, "You deserve to be treated gently."

Although those scary labels still made her feel scared, she couldn't help but want to get closer to that unique gentleness and strength.

On the other side, Nagasaki Suyo was facing the mirror, fiddling with the pair of brown, furry dog ​​ears on her head with an expressionless face.

If you ignore her slightly pursed lips and the suppressed anger deep in her eyes, she still looks like the gentle and quiet Miss Tsukinomori.

"Damn bastard..."

Su Shi crushed this name countless times in his heart.

She felt her blood boiling at the thought of the man's request for "cute dog hair accessories."

She had thought that by "cleverly" dragging the entire band into this, having everyone wear animal decorations, she would be able to prevent that bastard from carrying out his evil taste, or at least prevent her from looking so awkward and ridiculous.

However, she was still too naive.

Just ten minutes before the performance started, her mobile phone screen lit up, and a message from "Kujo Renji" was like a verdict from hell, instantly throwing her into an ice cellar.

"Ms. Sushi, those doggie ears are so cute, and they show a lot of team spirit. To reward you for your ingenuity, during the performance, whenever you have a particularly eye-catching bass section, or during a natural break in the song, give me a wink. Also, blow me a kiss during the chorus of each song, which is the most exciting part."

At the end of the message, there was a smiling devil emoticon.

Nagasaki Suyo's face turned pale in an instant, and the knuckles of her fingers holding the phone turned white due to the force, and her nails almost dug into her palms.