Can Lixi look at me alone?

"Little Lamp? What's wrong?"

The gray-haired girl hugged her.

"I'm sorry... Yuzuki! I..."

Saying sorry is useless; it's the most feeble of words.

Yuzuki gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, then took the microphone from her hand.

"It's okay, I didn't bring my keyboard today~ I'd like to join in everyone's practice!"

Knowing what she was going to do, Lixi gave her the lyrics to "The Lamp".

After glancing at them and getting a general idea, Yuzuki nodded to everyone.

As the melody played once again, Yuzuki sang the lyrics written by the lamp, line by line.

only…

"I am all alone in this world."

Yuzuki couldn't help but glance at the drummer girl beside her.

She was no longer alone, and therefore, she couldn't understand the true meaning of the song. She merely sang it...that was all.

However... for other people, singing it is already much better than not being able to sing it at all.

"Yuzuki sang wonderfully!"

Su Shi clapped her hands and sent her congratulations immediately, but she was the only one who sent congratulations.

Shoko, with whom she had grown somewhat estranged, served as a mere background figure. Riki felt the song shouldn't be...so simple. She felt that Kizuki hadn't met her expectations, but considering Kizuki was helping Tamamo-no-Mae...

Whether it was for some other reason or not, Lixi gave up on speaking.

As she shoved the microphone back into Akari's hand, Yuzuki's smile took on a threatening tinge.

A soft voice echoed in the lamp's ear.

"Keyboards can't be the lead singer, Little Lamp. You're the lead singer of Crychic."

So, sing it out properly for me.

If Lixi-chan is not satisfied, I can't guarantee how long your so-called "lifetime band" will last.

Her pink eyes were still timid and cowardly, but this time she took the microphone from Yuzuki's hand.

Xiaojieyue... has already done so much for me.

At least... we need to make sure Xiaoyue isn't sad!

What should I say in a situation like this...?

The lamp, having mustered its courage in silence, looked at Yuzuki's gentle smile.

I really want to be a human like Yuzuki.

……

"Xiao Deng sang wonderfully! It was amazing! If she sang like this live, she would definitely be a huge success!"

Lixi nodded, acknowledging Xiangzi's assessment. Deng sang indeed...very well, although it still fell short of her expectations.

It's a bit slow, but it's already pretty good.

"Little Lamp sang very well!"

Su Shi and Jie Yue also surrounded her, praising her.

Looking at everyone applauding for him, Deng suddenly felt a sense of unreality.

Did I... really do a better job than Yuzuki?

The light rubbed its fingers against the microphone, unsure of what to do next.

Joy filled the gray-haired girl's heart.

"Yuzuki... thank you."

You sang really well! It seems Xiao Xiang's judgment is spot on.

Yuzuki once again handed out candy to everyone, but Xiangzi and she still didn't interact at all.

He simply placed a few candies in Xiangzi's palm; the two didn't even exchange glances during this time.

All of this was observed by Nagasaki Motoyo.

Are Xiao Xiang and Xiao Jieyue still arguing? No, they're not arguing... they just haven't talked things out!

If we communicate well...

"Thank you for the sweet treat, Xiaoyue!"

Feeling the sweet taste filling her lips and tongue, Su Shi wanted Xiao Jieyue and Xiao Xiang to have a good talk.

"Okay, everyone did a great job today."

Lixi began to encourage everyone.

"If we maintain this level of performance today, the live show in two days will definitely be a huge success!"

Yes, definitely...

The practice session is over.

Yuzuki opened her lunchbox and shared the dinner she had prepared with everyone. The dishes were as exquisite and delicious as usual, but Shoko made an excuse to leave.

Yuzuki, who asked Riki-chan to make her a drink, used the excuse of going to the restroom to catch up with the keyboardist who was leaving alone.

"Yuzuki? Is there anything else? If it's still about the live performance, then I'd like to tell you..."

Feeling her wrist being grabbed, she helplessly tried to apologize and ask Yuzuki to let her go home.

My father has recently stopped coming home, and my family members are constantly talking badly about him behind his back.

Xiangzi didn't know what had happened, but she believed that her father wouldn't become the kind of person they described.

As the eldest daughter of the Toyokawa family, Toyokawa Shoko had prepared for the worst.

In any case, before the family takes any action against the father.

What does she want to leave behind for Crychic?

If she leaves nothing behind... she won't forgive herself.

As long as she leaves behind one successful live performance and a beautiful and happy memory, no one will blame her...

"I don't know why Xiao Xiang is in such a hurry to hold a live performance."

So it really is about this matter after all?

"But I believe... Xiao Xiang is capable of thinking of these things. If you encounter any difficulties, please be sure to tell everyone. Although it may not be of much help, it is certainly better than letting Xiao Xiang bear it all alone."

The blue-haired girl's lips twitched, and then a smile gradually appeared.

Hmm, why is Yuzuki always so aggressive?

"Thank you, Yuzuki."

However, she did not agree to Yuzuki's request.

Give me some votes! Give me some votes!

Volume 1 Crychic!!!: Chapter 49 Collapse

The pink-haired girl, now back among everyone, touched Mutsu, who was peeking at her, and took the lunchbox that Soyo had cleaned before preparing to go home with Riki-chan.

I don't know what's wrong with Xiao Xiang, but it doesn't really matter what she does, right? Anyway... Li Xi doesn't like her either.

Jieyue smiled at Su Shi after kicking Xiangzi out of her mind.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Xiang told me it's nothing... but you should forgive me."

The flaxen-haired girl hugged her, her gentle and sweet voice reaching her ears.

"Little Yuzuki, please take good care of yourself too, and don't overwork yourself anymore..."

Yuzuki couldn't resist hugging him back and burying her face in his softness, which was similar to that of Riki-chan.

"Thank you, Soyo..."

How wonderful it would be if Riki-chan were like Sou-se!

Li Xi tapped the girl who was nestled in Su Shi's arms, which was out of place.

"Jieyue, it's time to go back. I'll come to your house later to check if your keyboard has deteriorated..."

In an instant, Jieyue lifted her head from Su Shi's embrace and grabbed Lixi's hand.

Lixi-chan is coming to my house…that’s awesome! Will we sleep together this time…No, no, is the house still clean? Will Lixi-chan think it’s messy when she comes over?

Having grasped the key words, Yuzuki wasn't worried about her keyboard skills declining. However, she overlooked the fact that she had very little energy left.

She was constantly bothered by Li Xi at school, and then had to argue with Xiao Xiang. Although she didn't play any instruments, she sang a song, and even ran out to chase after Xiangzi just now.

Right now, Yuzuki is only feeling fatigued because of Ritsuki beside her; just a little longer...

The girl, who was taking the drum team home, felt a little weak. While squatting down to change into slippers, she impatiently patted her sore ankles a couple of times.

Please, don't let Riki-chan down...!

She considered many things that would upset Lixi-chan, including going after Xiangzi to apologize, and teaching Deng to have courage... or rather, forcing Deng to sing, but she never considered herself.

Her already poor health was further strained by her depleted energy. When Yuzuki stood up, she felt dizzy and hurriedly grabbed the girl next to her, who had already changed into slippers, as a support to steady herself.

"Yuzuki...?"

How can someone not even stand up straight?

After helping her to her feet, Li Xi tapped her on the head, then sat down on the sofa next to the keyboard, gesturing for her to hurry up.

The pink-haired girl pinched her thigh hard to perk herself up, and with a slightly apologetic smile, she went into the bathroom and washed her face with cold water.

What is the keyboard tab for Haruhi Kage again...?

With her thoughts somewhat slowed, Yuzuki sat down in front of the keyboard lady while pondering the sheet music.

Stiff fingers and weak wrists warned her not to play now, or Riki-chan might hate her.

Seeing Yuzuki lost in thought, pondering how to avoid performing, Riki waited with his arms crossed, somewhat puzzled.

As time went by, Lixi grew a little impatient.

Yuzuki, who was standing next to him in a daze, kept pressing a certain key on the piano, producing a monotonous sound, which made the drummer pat her on the shoulder.

With her thinking unusually sluggish, Yuzuki chose to try to recall the sheet music while simultaneously trying to come up with an excuse. But she couldn't think of anything.

The girl, who had been startled, refocused her eyes. After a long period of thought, Yuzuki, who had barely remembered some musical scores, gently pressed the keys on the keyboard.

Since I can't think of an excuse, I'll just play like this for a little while...

It's okay, I... won't mess it up.

Until the first wrong note appeared, Yuzuki was still in complete control.

The discordant note was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples and awakening the sleeping monster within.

I made a mistake… No, that won't do! I have to make amends… But, what was the sheet music again?!

As the lake monster began to awaken and move, the calm lake surface gradually began to ripple like a sea. The increasing number of mispronunciations forced Riki, who had been trying to turn a blind eye, to speak up and remind Kizuki to pay more attention…

"Yuzuki? What are you doing?"

I...I messed it up...

The stern yet gentle questioning did not stop Yuzuki.

As she moved her hands, she finally realized that she could not make amends no matter what... A strong sense of resentment and sadness overwhelmed her fragile heart.

Large tears streamed down her pale cheeks. Out of instinct, not wanting her beloved to see her in this unsightly state, Yuzuki turned her back to Riki in time.

"……what?"