Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

——Fuck, how can you say such amateurish things in such a professional tone.

We are a commercial band, a commercial band!

Jiujo Renji complained in his heart, thought for a moment, and replied:

I've already arranged the publicity, so don't worry. Some media friends I met previously have expressed interest.

"Media friends" refers to Ryuichi Yamamoto's channels. As a well-known "boss" in Tokyo, his influence in the entertainment media circle cannot be underestimated.

Sanjiao Chuhua immediately replied excitedly:

Really?! That's awesome! Xiaoxiang is always so reliable! I knew with you in the band, we wouldn't have to worry about anything! ╰(°▽°)╯

Wakaba Mu also replied:

"That's reassuring... Xiaoxiang is always so thoughtful..."

Xiao Mo, please stop talking. If you really want to act like a troublemaker, could you reduce your output to less than ten words?

Yutenji Wakamai's next message was unusually cautious:

Is there anything I can do to help? If you need promotional photos or videos, I can offer some advice.

The girl seemed very eager to demonstrate her own worth.

After all, her account has not been unblocked yet.

"Toyokawa Shoko" also agreed to help her find a solution after the tour was over.

After a brief thought, Kujo Renji replied:

Thank you for your suggestion. We do need promotional photos. We can discuss the shooting style together when the time comes.

He deliberately gave Yutenji Wakami a little hope, a straw that seemed to be able to cling to.

An untamed dog needs occasional rewards to serve its owner better.

Sanjiao Chuhua didn't seem to want the topic to end there, so he posted another one:

Guess what color Hailing changed her nail polish to recently? Hint: The same hair color as the lead singer of the band she said she liked last time!

Hachiman Kailing replied briefly:

[...Don't talk nonsense.]

Jiujo Renji looked at these messages and did not respond for the time being.

He observed the interactions within the group, analyzing each person's reaction and tone.

Beneath the surface playfulness, they hide their own calculations and thoughts.

A few minutes later, Mortis pretended to be Wakaba Mu and sent another message:

[Um... Regarding the tour setlist, should we practice the third track more? I felt like the middle section wasn't flowing well enough during our last rehearsal...]

You are addicted to pretending.

But the more you pretend, the less like you are?

Kujo Renji wanted to turn off the other person's phone immediately.

But fortunately, the other people in the group didn't seem to notice anything unusual.

It is true. After all, who among normal people would think of multiple personalities?

Oh, that doesn’t seem right. After all, I was almost discovered twice.

Sanjiao Chuhua immediately responded: "Mu is right! The variation of that piece is indeed a bit difficult! Xiaoxiang played it perfectly. We need to practice more to keep up!"

When Jiujo Renji saw the message from Sanjiao Chuhua, his typing hand paused unconsciously.

He played that piece terribly last time. To be more precise, he played it terribly throughout the entire rehearsal... It's really amazing that this Miss Chuhua could make the chaotic rhythm sound so refreshing...

If it were someone else, they would definitely be sarcastic.

But this Miss Triangle...

Kujo Renji's expression was a little subtle.

She seems to be a staunch Xiang guard as well?

Thinking of this, Kujo Renji suddenly began to admire Toyokawa Shoko.

Miss Toyokawa, you are not an ordinary person. You can make the situation seem like a building is about to collapse even though you have two loyal members in the band.

Yutenji Wakamugi cautiously agreed, "I think we need to practice that song more, too. I'll pay more attention to that part during rehearsal."

Kujo Renji finally replied: "Well, the third song does need more practice. We can focus on that part during the next rehearsal."

I was about to turn off my phone and end the band's "chat" session.

At this moment, Sanjiao Chuhua sent another message, seemingly trying to liven up the atmosphere:

[Oh right! Something super funny happened recently! I saw a puppy on my way home, and it actually walked on its hind legs! I took a video of it, would you like to share it with everyone?]

Are you free, Ms. Triangle?

Mortis, pretending to be Wakaba Mutsu, replied:

[Yes...I really want to see it.]

This time the response was much more natural than before, and Kujo Renji noticed that Mortis seemed to be slowly mastering Wakaba Mu's way of speaking.

Yutenji Wakamai replied:

[Of course I want to see it! Dogs are the cutest.]

Her reply was deliberately light-hearted and lively, as if she wanted to create the illusion that everything was normal.

Sanjiao Chuhua posted a video of a toy poodle in tiny clothes taking a few steps on its hind legs on the sidewalk, drawing laughter from passersby.

【Isn’t it super awesome!!】

This was followed by a string of smiley face emojis.

Everyone responded saying it was cute, and the atmosphere became a lot more relaxed.

Kujo Renji put down his phone and turned his attention back to the piano.

He gently pressed the keys and began to play Ave Mujica's third piece on the tour.

The sound of the piano echoed in the rehearsal room, beautiful and deep.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you can see the night view of Tokyo gradually lighting up, and the neon lights flickering in the twilight like scattered stars.

"I feel like I can catch up to the rehearsal level after a few more days of practice." Toyokawa Shoko's voice sounded in his mind, with a bit of suppressed surprise.

Kujo Renji did not respond, but was thinking about the conversation in the band just now.

At least from the surface, the band's "on the verge of falling apart" state has been stabilized.

But what the actual situation is... he really isn't sure.

Everyone wears a mask, not only on stage but also in life.

It's really ironic that the members of this band, whose logo is masks, also wear masks in real life.

The sound of the piano became more and more passionate, and Kujo Renji's fingers danced on the keys, as if weaving an invisible net that enveloped everyone.

"What's the next plan?" asked Shoko Toyokawa.

"Continue rehearsing and preparing for the tour."

Jiujo Renji answered softly, and the sound of the zither gradually became calmer:

"At the same time, we must consolidate our control over Yutenji Wakamaki and ensure she is 'completely' obedient."

During the next three tours, he has prepared a "big gift" for Miss Miao Meng.

However, as long as the other party has no bad intentions, this gift will not actually be given to her.

The phone vibrated again. It was a message from Yamamoto Ryuichi:

[Ms. Toyokawa, are you satisfied with the piano room? If you have any other needs, please feel free to let me know.]

Jiujo Liansi looked at the message, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and replied:

[Very satisfied, thank you.]

.......

The next morning, the sun was shining brightly.

Members of Ave Mujica arrived at the rehearsal room one after another.

Sanjiao Chuhua was the first to arrive as usual, her short golden hair shining in the sunlight.

Hachiman Kairei was the third to arrive. She was wearing clothes that looked... a little mature. She walked silently to her bass, skillfully checking the tightness of the strings, her eyes focused and reserved.

Yutenji Wakamugi was the fourth to arrive. Unlike her usual outgoing nature, she was unusually quiet today, occasionally glancing at Kujo Renji before quickly looking away. Her movements were more cautious than usual, as if she feared drawing any unnecessary attention.

The last person to arrive was "Wakaba Mu"—more precisely, Mortis, disguised as Wakaba Mu. She whispered a soft "Good morning" and quietly walked to her seat, her movements and expression carefully mimicking Wakaba Mu's usual demeanor.

Kujo Renji looked at her, secretly evaluating Mortis's performance level in his heart.

I have to say, her disguise is becoming more and more similar.

Should we say it is a talent shared by histrionic personalities?

Did Mortis also inherit this ability?

"Now that everyone is here, let's start rehearsing."

Kujo Renji spoke gently, his eyes sweeping over everyone present:

"Let's start with the third song, the one we discussed yesterday."

The band members nodded and adjusted their states and instruments.

Kujo Renji's fingers lightly fell on the keys, playing the first note of the prelude.

The rehearsal went smoothly. Except for Yutenji Wakamaki who occasionally missed a few drum beats due to nervousness, everyone else's performance was quite stable.

Especially "Wakaba Mutsu", her playing skills perfectly replicated the real Wakaba Mutsu, even those subtle habitual movements were imitated vividly.

Oh, that's awesome, Xiao Mo.

As the other party's teacher, Kujo Renji is proud of it.

The last note played for the third time slowly dissipated in the air of the rehearsal room. Kujo Renji gently lifted his fingers, withdrew them from the piano, and nodded with satisfaction.

After three consecutive rehearsals, the rhythm and emotional expression of the piece met his expectations.

"Let's take a break," he announced softly, turning to the other members.

Sanjiao Chuhua shook his sore wrist, then trotted to the refrigerator beside him, took out a few bottles of mineral water, and handed them to Jiujo Liansi first.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

She said as she distributed the drinks.

Hachiman Kairei took the bottle of water, thanked him softly, and then quietly walked to the sofa in the corner and sat down.

She leaned Bes aside, unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip. Yutenji Wakamu looked a little embarrassed. She took the bottle and stood there. In the past, she was always the most active one and would immediately join in Sanjiao Chuhua's chat or start sharing her own ideas.

But now, she just sat in the farthest seat as inconspicuously as possible, drank water carefully, and glanced at Kujo Renji from time to time.

"Ruoye Mu" took the water bottle, thanked him softly, then walked to the window, quietly looked at the scenery outside, and occasionally took a sip of water.

That expression and slightly drooping eyelids are exactly the same as the real Wakaba Mutsu.

Kujo Renji stood up from the piano and began to gather the team spirit through praise.

"That was a great performance," he said with a gentle smile. "Everyone was amazing."

Sanjiao Chuhua immediately interrupted:

"Yeah! I feel like we're getting closer and closer... Especially Xiaoxiang's harmonious cooperation, it's almost like telepathy."

When Ruoye Mu heard this, he lowered his head slightly and said nothing.

Sanjiao Chuhua seemed to notice the subtle change in the atmosphere and immediately changed the subject:

"Oh right! I just looked at the photos of the performance venue, and the venue in Yokohama seems to be bigger than where we usually perform!"

The atmosphere in the rehearsal room became a little more relaxed.

Sankaku Hatsuka walked to the whiteboard and began to draw a stage diagram with great interest, explaining her new ideas for the performance choreography. Hachiman Kairei stood up and walked over to listen quietly.