Girls' Wishing Tree

Kasumi did not imitate Sakura and hold the zither to play, but instead placed it diagonally on her legs and tried to play it like a guitar.

"How novel! These frets are glued on with wood, completely different from the metal frets used on guitar slots."

"Guitars didn't always have metal frets. Musical instruments have evolved over time, just like the pipa you're holding. Even in ancient times, it wasn't possible to use a single steel string. However, the pipa isn't suited to metal frets, so the feel of its frets is different from that of Western plucked instruments like the classical guitar—you can give it a try."

Kasumi played the guitar for a few times, but obviously didn't understand it, so she returned it to Sakura: "Sakura is really amazing! She can play so many instruments! Guitar, bass, violin, and this Chinese instrument called Pipa. I wouldn't be surprised if Sakura took out a shamisen one day!"

"Ahahaha..." Sakura forced a smile, trying to get over the matter.

Arisaki clasped his hands together and made a crisp sound. "Then I'll leave the guest performer matters to Sakura. We still need to find Roselia to finalize the performance details."

"You also invited Roselia to perform as a supporting act?" Ying asked in surprise - Roselia is a relatively successful band, and it is not so easy to invite them.

Kasumi and Arisaki nodded together.

Chapter 103 Spring, Sakura and Crychic: 5. Strong DJ and Band Bond

RAS performance scene.

After only a few performances, RAS has already created a trend in Tokyo.

Even if you don't like them, you have to admit that they are a band with a very high musical standard.

They are not saying that each of them is particularly strong in playing an instrument, so good that other bands can hardly catch up, but CHU^2 has demonstrated an amazing ability to integrate at a very young age, bringing together four musicians of above-average level to create the effect of "exploding" the scene.

Even more commendable is that her "distribution" takes care of every band member, and everyone in the band has a platform and space to perform. She may seem like just a small figure behind the DJ booth, but those who know a little about RAS will know that she is the real core of the band.

Sitting next to Sakura watching the show was Popipa, who also received a free ticket. In the row behind her were Momoka and others, who Sakura had bought tickets for.

Ying sent a message to Momoka on her phone: "CHU^2's ability to integrate band performances is something you could learn from. She's very good at balancing commercialization with her musical style."

Renai saw what was displayed on Momoka's phone and glanced at the five people on the stage.

She clutched the hem of her skirt in dissatisfaction. In her eyes, RAS's performance was indeed great, but compared to Momoka's music, it still lacked the power to touch the soul.

Especially when Ying said this, she felt a little uncomfortable.

But she had no right to refute Ying - after the last live, if Ying hadn't pulled them to sit down and talk about the band, they would probably have disbanded.

Nina's thoughts went back to the day Sakura had called both Momoka and her to the shrine.

The four members of the band, excluding Miao Meng, sat on the tatami with Ying, and some snacks were placed on the mat between them.

No one seemed very excited. Everyone had high hopes for this band, and seeing it on the verge of disbanding, no one felt good.

"Even if Miao Meng quits the band, I still think you four are very suitable teammates." Ying clapped her hands: "Well, at least the live was a success, wasn't it?"

Momoka was the first to speak among the band members. "Everyone, please share your thoughts about the band... and about your teammates. This band gives me a completely different feeling than Diamond Dust. I like this feeling now. So... I want to continue with the band. Nina has a great voice and vocal talent..."

Once someone starts talking, everyone will follow suit.

Regarding whether or not they are willing to continue the band, Rupa only said that she agrees with Satoshi, but she also said that there are many similarities in the arrangements of Beni Ginger and Momoka, and she is also looking forward to Nina's voice.

Zhi believes that forming a band is definitely not just for fun. Once you form a band, you must have the courage and spirit to become a professional band.

After hearing what Satoshi said, both Nina and Momoka were a little undecided - because of her poor performance in the cram school, Nina's family had called several times, asking her to explain her academic status in Tokyo; and Momoka, perhaps because of the Diamond Dust incident, was reluctant to easily step into the "professional" field.

Finally, at Ying's suggestion, the four of them decided to look for a drummer while working together for another six months. During this time, they would also hold a live performance and go out to participate in a music festival.

In other words, the band was saved for the time being.

While Hiina was still thinking about Momoka's band, she caught sight of Sakura sending Momoka another message: "The biggest advantage of DJing on stage, compared to backstage, is that you can directly sense the audience's emotions and communicate with the musicians. Simply put, CHU^2 is the bond between the band and the audience. Bands with excellent DJs have a definite advantage in live performances."

She turned her gaze towards CHU^2 on the stage.

Under the spotlight, this somewhat short figure pointed to the ceiling with one hand and moved the other hand rapidly on the DJ booth, her body swaying to the rhythm of the music, as if she herself was a part of the music.

"Momoka, do we also need a DJ for our band?" Ninai asked in a low voice.

"Your voice doesn't need too much shaping. Every band should have its own characteristics. Sakura is just introducing the characteristics of RAS to us." Momoka explained to Nina.

Zhi held the back of the front seat with both hands, turned his head to glance at Rencai, and then quickly turned his gaze back to the stage.

On the stage, Hanazono Tae was explaining the situation: "From today on, I will end my support work at RAS. I was really happy during my time as a support guitarist at RAS, but it's time to say goodbye..."

The RAS performance went very smoothly.

The five musicians, with their well-coordinated performance, brought a dreamlike musical journey to the audience.

Amid the cheers of the audience, the five members of RAS bowed and left the stage.

However, the four members of PoppinParty did not leave immediately, but waited for Hua Yuan Duohui.

It can be said that Hanazono Tae was willing to end her guitar support work for RAS because of her feelings for PoppinParty. If RAS's characteristic is CHU^2's strong integration of the team, giving everyone the maximum room to perform, then Popipa's characteristic is the heart-warming friendship.

They are like a constellation of five twinkling stars, with an unbreakable bond between them.

Sakura accompanied Popipa to wait for Hanazono Tae, intending to tell them about the performance tomorrow. What she didn't expect was that before Tae came out, CHU^2 and PAREO found Popipa and the other four.

"Leave Duohui to us." CHU^2 directly asked Popipa's people for her.

"What do you mean by giving Duohui to you?"

"It's to let Huayuan Duohui officially join RAS."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the four people became solemn.

"Are you the producer?" Arisaki broke the awkward silence.

"YES, I'm the head of RAS. I'm responsible for everything from music, promotion to performances. How about our independent performance?" CHU^2 walked up to Kasumi Toyama and handed her a business card.

The title printed on the business card is "Producer".

"Great, really great—" Kasumi didn't deny RAS in good conscience.

"You can't even think of words to praise me?" CHU^2's tone was flat but with a sense of oppression.

Dahui also came out and waved to the people gathered together, her eyes meeting with the members of Popipa.

CHU^2 noticed Dahui behind him and immediately changed his expression. "Sorry, we have a celebration party. I'll be leaving first. See you later. HANAZONO, let's go."

Not knowing what was going on, Duohui waved to her Popipa teammates and said, "Then we'll go first. Thank you for coming to see my performance."

While the others at Popipa were still stunned, Sakura received a prompt from the system: "Help Hanazono Tae return to Popipa to earn Shining Points. Can you accept this mission?"

Ying looked at Hanazono Tae's departing figure and said, "Take it."

She saw Popipa's bond with her own eyes, so she was willing to give Tae Hanazono a "push" on her way back and gain some shining points along the way.

The system can't wait to release the task:

[Under your guidance, Hanazono Dohui is on the road back to Popipa. Please select the specific direction of guidance:]

[A. Help CHU^2 realize reality, let her experience the bond between Popipa's teammates, and let CHU^2 give up on her own initiative.]

[B. Help Hua Yuan Da Hui to speak her mind and reject CHU^2 in a clear and direct way.]

[C. Blow up the recording studio on the top floor of CHU^2, forcing RAS to cease activities.]

Sakura immediately ruled out option C. Blowing up a recording studio for a band member was simply the behavior of a villain in a street boy's comic.

She was a little embarrassed about options A and B - she was more familiar with Huayuan Duohui, but she knew Duohui's personality. She was not good at saying no, so it might not be easy to convince her.

She thought that Momoka might be the RAS support guitarist, so she chose option A.

Chapter 104: Spring, Sakura and Crychic: 6. Leap of Faith

Taoxiang carried her guitar on her back and used one hand to shield her eyes from the slightly glaring sunlight.

The need to block out sunlight in winter was not because of any abnormal climate, but because she was looking up at a tall building.

"Ying, you called me here so urgently, is it because you want me to learn more from CHU^2 sooner?"

Ying, who was standing next to Momoka, rubbed her shoulder against her arm. "Not really, didn't I tell you last night? I just want to ask you for a favor. I told you before that I'm friends with a few people from Popipa. Now RAS doesn't want to let go of Hanazono Tae, so I want to take you with me to make RAS give up."

"I won't stay at RAS for long, and whether I can be their backup guitarist temporarily depends on whether CHU^2 is willing to have me. I haven't even gone for the trial recording yet—"

"Haven't I brought you here now?"

Ying grabbed Momoka's hand and crossed the street. With her other hand, she took out her cell phone and called CHU^2.

After CHU^2 remotely controlled it from the top floor, the elevator took Momoka and Sakura to her recording studio.

It would be more appropriate to call this a studio rather than a recording studio - the space on the top floor of the building is very large, and if noise is not a concern, it can directly host a live performance that can accommodate six or seven hundred spectators.

The equipment here is incredibly complete, including not only regular speakers and cables, but also a large number of things that Sakura has rarely seen in LiveHouse.

"So, are you impressed by RAS's performance, so you came here? RAS is the summit of girl bands!" CHU^2 put his hands on his hips, and the LED lights of the cat-ear headphones he was wearing just flashed.

Ying took a step forward, her tone expression expressionless, "I came here to tell you about Hanazono Tae. She won't choose RAS. If you continue to pester her, you will only be disappointed."

"Why?" CHU^2's voice rose a little. "There's no way she can juggle both RAS and Popipa. If she had to give up one band, would she choose Popipa, who's just playing house? Even though LAYER and she've been apart for a few years, their collaboration is still the same as it was back then. Speaking of emotions and bonds, Dahui isn't faring badly in RAS, is she?"

"Ask Dahui, and you'll get the same answer." Ying walked over to CHU^2. "I have no reason to lie to you. How can a band that declared war on a girl band like Suling-*-M*//En/g's first^released band be without a guitarist?"

CHU^2 gritted his teeth and turned his lips to the side. "Are you here just to laugh at me?"

"Of course not. I'm here to give you a new backup guitarist. If you don't believe me, you can go see Popipa's performance tonight." Sakura turned around, moved behind Momoka, and pushed her in front of CHU^2. "This is your next backup guitarist. She'll be helping you for a while. You can use this time to find a suitable guitarist."

CHU^2, who could only look up at Momoka, clenched his fists and said, "Okay, then you can try. If you're not as good as HANAZONO, I won't let you come to support me!"

"There's definitely no problem with Momoka's guitar." Ying patted Momoka's shoulder and said, "Show us some of your real skills, CHU^2."

"PAREO, help her turn on the equipment. I want to see if she is really so suitable for RAS!"

The short, long-haired girl angrily walked to the mixing console and adjusted a series of parameters.

At this time, Ying leaned close to Momoka's ear and said to her, "RAS wants a flexible tone that suits the short man's musical philosophy. It needs to have a certain level of difficulty to ensure a lower limit, and the performance should be precise but not mechanical. The emotion should be 70% and 30% left. That's the feeling she wants."

Ying, a multi-instrumentalist, has a strong appreciation and interpretation of music. Having heard both performances, she had already deciphered the core of RAS.

CHU^2 is indeed a genius with many ideas in music, but her logic for forming a band is actually very clear.

All band members are extensions of CHU^2’s musical thinking, and her DJ booth is the starting point and end point of RAS.

What she needs is a musician who can shine in the RAS system - a musician who recognizes CHU^2's musical philosophy, who is neither too individual nor too lacking in individuality, and who can perform perfectly within the scope defined by CHU^2.

If it were a peach scent from the DiamondDust era, it might not meet the stringent requirements of CHU^2, but a peach scent from today would definitely meet them.

After leaving DiamondDust, her guitar skills did not improve dramatically, but her mentality was completely different from what it was then.

She persisted for a long time back then.

Insist on making a name for yourself, insist on balancing unique musical style and commercial operation model, and insist on not making any compromises.

The world is safe and secure.

In the process of exiting DiamondDust, she was like a fledgling trying to learn to fly, bruised and battered.

She asked Renna to form a band, and her love for Renna's voice was only part of the reason. The more important reason, which she didn't want anyone to know, was that she saw herself in Renna.

The peach fragrance is different now.

She still held the dark blue Jazzmaster in her hand and played the same music she insisted on playing, but her heart was harder than before, and her appearance was softer than before.

The audition begins.

Taoxiang stood in the middle of the recording studio, with the guitar, effects pedal and speakers all adjusted to the appropriate state.

Under the gaze of several people, she calmly began to play the guitar.

The resulting sound was almost perfectly in line with Ying's instructions. It was powerful, but not overly sharp. This kind of sound in a band is best shaped by the mixing console.

CHU^2 listened to Momoka's performance patiently until the end of the song. She neither said that Momoka passed the test nor that she was not qualified to be the support guitarist of RAS.

Pareo, standing by, lost his temper first: "Master CHU^2, Momoka's performance—"

The girl wearing cat-ear headphones raised a hand to stop Pareo from continuing. "You'd be a good backup guitarist, but I wouldn't agree to you joining RAS."

Whether it was Momoka, PAREO or Sakura, they all seemed a little surprised by what CHU^2 said.

CHU^2 pointed at Sakura. "I want... YOU. Now that we're here, there's no reason not to give it a try, right? You don't want to miss the chance to play here, do you?"

Sakura was silent.

She knew very well that the self in CHU^2's eyes was the self who used the Stage Manifestation Card at the Sakura Festival, and that she, with only intermediate guitar playing skills, was obviously not up to that level.

Since the purpose of telling CHU^2 about Dahui's feelings has been achieved, it's time to leave. Simply leaving would seem a bit inhumane.

"I won't play the guitar... anymore. Let me show you a magic trick." Ying quietly put her phone and wallet into her personal space, walked to the window of the recording studio, turned around and waved to everyone.

Then, he jumped down.

Taoxiang immediately ran to the window and tried to look for Sakura, but she only saw the dress Sakura was wearing fluttering in the wind, while Sakura inside the dress was nowhere to be found.

Chapter 105 Spring, Sakura and Crychic: 7, Immature Performance

CHU^2 and Momoka quickly went downstairs and soon found Takagi Sakura's dress in the green belt.