Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

Although her words were brief, she clearly avoided Hachiman Kairei's proposal and instead supported the topic of Sankaku Hatsuka - this was an unconscious choice, but it also reflected her inner inclination.

Looking at the seemingly peaceful but actually turbulent conversations in the group, Jiujo Renji found it a little funny.

——It’s also a palace fighting drama.

In fact, no one’s position is important to Kujo Renji.

In his opinion, everyone except Wakaba Mutsu and Yutenji Wakamugi can be replaced.

The former's "ability" is useful to him, while the latter is a clear object that can provide original sin points.

So he didn't take this seemingly "dangerous" situation seriously at all.

【Oblivionis】：

"Tomorrow's rehearsal is scheduled for 3:00 PM. I hope everyone will be there on time. If you have any questions, please raise them now. Otherwise, we will proceed as planned tomorrow."

【Amoris】: "No problem! I'll be there on time!"

[Doloris]: "Okay! I'll bring all the designs!"

Ruoye Muzhe fell silent again. Her finger hovered over the screen for a long time, as if she had something to say but didn't know how to express it.

In the end, she just sent a simple smiley face and put the phone aside, her golden eyes filled with mixed emotions.

Hachiman Kairei didn't respond immediately, seemingly weighing how to respond to this implicit suppression.

In the end, she just replied with a simple "I understand".

.

Kujo Renji sat in front of the keyboard, his blue hair falling neatly on his shoulders, his amber eyes focused on the music score in front of him.

Sankaku Hatsuka was adjusting the microphone at the lead vocal position, Wakaba Mu was sitting quietly in the corner with his eyes always downcast; Yutenji Wakamu was playing the drums, striking different drumheads and adjusting the tone and strength.

As Hachiman Kailing said yesterday, she did arrive early.

She had already adjusted the tone of her bass and was holding a document in her hand.

"If there are no other questions, let's get started." Kujo Renji said, "Let's stick to the original plan and start with the first song."

Everyone nodded in agreement and made their own preparations.

However, Hachiman Kairei did not pick up the bass, but raised her head, her green eyes looking directly at Kujo Renji.

"Excuse me..." She said with a restrained determination in her voice, "I have some ideas for the arrangement of the music for Tokyo Station."

The air in the rehearsal room seemed to freeze.

Sankaku Hatsuka's movements froze in mid-air, Wakaba Mu's fingertips unconsciously clasped the neck of the guitar, and Yutenji Wakamu couldn't help but meow wildly in his heart.

——Can’t you wait until I reveal my identity before causing trouble?!

It was obvious that Miss Hachiman Kailing had no idea what Teacher Ohmiao was thinking.

Or rather, even if she knew, she wouldn't care.

In her opinion at this moment, testing Toyokawa Shoko's bottom line is the more important thing at the moment.

She stood up from her seat and pulled a folder from her bag.

"I did some analysis of audience demographics in the Tokyo area."

There was an almost stubborn calmness in Hachiman Kairei's tone:

“Compared to Yokohama, the audience in Tokyo seemed to prefer a performance that resonated with the audience. I think moving the Choir 'S' Choir to the second piece after the opening and adding a short interactive session might be able to better liven up the atmosphere.”

The previous dispute was like an unhealed wound, and Hachiman Kailing's remarks at this moment were like tearing open the thin scab.

She opened the folder, revealing densely packed data and analysis.

Those cold numbers and charts seemed to be her shield, enabling her to remain calm in this tense atmosphere.

"Also," she continued, a barely perceptible tremor in her voice, "regarding the ending track, I'd like to suggest using 'Fallen' instead of 'Sougetsu'. This isn't to deny the latter's value, but considering the uniqueness of Tokyo Station..."

Her voice gradually trailed off as she felt the almost suffocating silence in the room.

However, to everyone's surprise, "Toyokawa Shoko's" expression did not become indifferent or angry as expected.

On the contrary, the corners of the girl's mouth rose slightly.

"Ms. Hachiman's analysis makes sense."

Her tone was surprisingly gentle, even a little appreciative.

The blue-haired girl stood up, walked to Hachiman Kairei, and took the information with unhurried movements. Even after carefully flipping through every page, her expression did not change at all.

“Very valuable advice.”

Finally, the girl raised her head, her voice carrying an inexplicable depth of meaning:

"The audience in Tokyo is indeed different from that in Yokohama. In that case, let's follow your suggestion."

The tense atmosphere in the rehearsal room dissipated instantly.

Sanjiao Chuhua was obviously relieved, and Ruoye Mu raised his eyes quietly.

Even Hachiman Kairei herself seemed a little surprised, a hint of confusion flashing in her green eyes, but it was quickly hidden under her usual calm expression.

"That's great..." Sanjiao Chuhua whispered.

Then, she seemed to realize that her reaction was a little abnormal, and explained:

"I mean..."

Of course, no one paid attention to her explanation.

Kujo Renji returned the information to Hachiman Kailing: "If you have any ideas in the future, don't hesitate, just bring them up directly."

Hachiman Kairei nodded silently and took the information. Her expression was hard to read under her dark hair, but her posture seemed to relax a little.

She returned to her seat and picked up her bass, as if nothing had happened.

"Then, let's begin with the new arrangement," Kujo Renji announced, chuckling softly. "First up is... Choir 'S' Choir."

However, at the drum position, Yutenji Wakamu's expression gradually became strange.

At first, she was relieved like everyone else and felt grateful for this unexpected turn of events.

But as the rehearsal progressed, as she looked at the girl's smiling mask and listened to her gentle and tolerant words, a strange uneasiness began to spread in her heart - a familiar fear.

Why does this scene look so familiar...?

A flash of white light flashed through the girl's mind. Yutenji Wakamu's drumstick paused in mid-air for a moment, and she suddenly realized that this gentle attitude, this gesture of complete acceptance, this superficial tolerance and generosity...

She had seen it before, somewhere. Not just seen, but experienced the pain firsthand.

Grass!

Wasn't that also how Shoko Toyokawa reacted when she asked to take off her mask during the rehearsal just before her social media accounts were blocked?!

The same gentle smile, the same calm eyes, the same disarming attitude...

"Your idea is valuable, and I will consider it seriously."

Then, within a day, everything she had carefully built completely collapsed.

Yutenji Wakamu's fingers trembled slightly, and the drumstick almost slipped from her palm.

She lowered her head as much as possible to avoid looking at the girl with blue hair and twintails.

This is not acceptance, this is pretense. This is not concession, this is a trap!!

At this moment, Hachiman Kairei was immersed in her "victory", unaware that she might have stepped into a carefully designed trap.

Isn't this just like who I was back then?!

Yutenji Wakamugi forced himself to continue beating the drum, maintaining a superficial concentration.

No, no, no.

Fortunately, she didn't agree after Xiaoxiang "gave in".

Otherwise, the image of a "loyal minister" that has been cultivated for so long will be ruined!

...

After the rehearsal, Hachiman Kairei strolled alone on the streets of Ginza.

The dusk coated the glass exteriors of the tall buildings with a layer of golden light that seemed real and illusory, and the light reminded people of something that could not be retained.

Her black hair fell on her shoulders without any decoration, and a rare relaxation appeared in her green eyes.

Today's rehearsal went unexpectedly smoothly - Shoko Toyokawa actually accepted her suggestions and even agreed with some of her details.

This gave her a strange feeling, like victory but also a certain uneasiness.

She had thought this would be a long battle.

"It was much easier than expected..." She whispered to herself, her words disappearing into the bustling street.

Before she knew it, she pushed open the door of a high-end clothing store. A salesgirl came up to her with a smile, but Hachiman Kailing just shook her head slightly, indicating that she didn't need help.

Free choice has been her habit for many years.

Whenever she faces a situation where she needs to relieve stress or completes something important, she will give herself a chance for "revenge shopping" - without setting any restrictions, without considering practicality, just to satisfy the corner of her heart that is never satisfied.

This habit started on the rainy night when her first band broke up.

At that time, she was wandering aimlessly on the cold streets, and finally walked into a record store that was open late at night. She used her only change to buy a jazz record she had never heard of before.

Maybe it's to satisfy that desire for control? Or is there some other reason?

Everything you buy with money belongs to you completely and cannot be taken away by others...

This concept always makes her forget some bad things.

Hachiman Kairei's fingers gently ran across a row of black leather jackets, finally stopping in front of a neatly tailored design.

She took off the coat and compared it to herself in the mirror.

The figure in the mirror seemed a little more confident than usual.

After leaving the clothing store, she walked towards a music equipment store hidden in a corner of a commercial building. The store was small, but it displayed a variety of exquisite musical accessories, each of which seemed to tell its own story.

A dark blue bass strap caught her eye.

There is a delicate starry sky pattern on the strap, which shimmers subtly under the light, as if it is a small piece of the universe cut out from the night sky.

"Want to give it a try?"

the owner asked kindly, gesturing to a display bass hanging on the wall.

Hachiman Kairei nodded, took the bass and installed the strap. The length of the strap was just right and the color matched her stage image very well.

"I want it."

She said briefly, then pulled out her credit card.

She went to a few more shops and bought a pair of black leather boots, a book on jazz theory, and a silver necklace.

When she walked into a coffee shop to take a break, her shopping bags were already full.

Hachiman Kailing ordered a cup of black coffee and chose to sit by the window.

Through the glass window, she could see the endless stream of people outside, everyone rushing towards their destination, but it seemed as if they would never reach it.

My mind was still thinking about Shoko Toyokawa's concession just now.

The thought gave her a mixed feeling of satisfaction.

It’s not because I defeated anyone, but because I was finally able to participate in the band’s decision-making and finally contribute my own ideas to the development of Ave mujica.

But behind this sense of satisfaction, there is a hint of indescribable uneasiness, just like the shadow that always exists in the sun.

Regardless, today is indeed a beginning.

She has successfully opened a gap in Ave Mujica's decision-making system, and now she just needs to slowly expand this space.

It's like finding a crack in a solid rock. As long as you keep applying pressure, one day you will be able to see the scenery behind the crack.

She remembered Wakaba Mujica's brief but firm words in the interview - "Ave mujica will continue."

At this moment, in the dusk of the bustling streets of Ginza, the seed seems to be sprouting.

"Keep going..." She chewed over this thought in her mind, feeling the subtle vibration it brought.

Over the years, she has become accustomed to the brevity and separation of the band.