My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

"Really? But I think you're wasting my time, Tomo. You should understand why I came to find you."

Chaoyang smiled slightly, looked at Hai Lao V Zhi, and waited for her reply.

Ebi V Tomoyuki frowned, looked down at the side, and subtly avoided the morning sun's gaze as he spoke.

"...So, after all this time, you want to use Nina to bring me down?... But I'm just telling the truth. If you want to stand up for her, then hit me if you want..."

Chaoyang paused for a moment, then stroked his chin thoughtfully and said.

"...That's a good idea; we can use it as one of our future games."

"Aha?"

"Don't worry about it, it's none of your business (muttering to himself)... Ah, I should say it's none of your business for now... Who knows what will happen in the future. Speaking of which, why did you say she could go on stage?"

As if his sore spot had been hit, Hai Lao V Zhi retorted to Chaoyang Dao.

"That's because she's looking forward to performing on stage with Momoka."

That's why she asked you, not because of the contradictions in her statements.

"Anyone can say these pretentious things, and the result is the same for everyone. They get angry and disgusted as soon as the words are even slightly sharp."

I don't think your level is just "slight"...

"But Nina isn't like that, is she? If you think she's that kind of person, then why form a band together? Anyway, the band will eventually become stagnant and fail to produce anything, and everyone will become disheartened. From an adult perspective, your way of speaking is indeed problematic when you're being honest, but compared to your clumsy flattery and consolation, it's better to hear you torture yourself."

"Hmph... They're all the same... They always say nice things, but once I tell the truth, they abandon me! Everyone's like that!"

"Then why did you approach Nina in the first place?"

"..."

Ebi V-Chi couldn't answer.

“Nina is just like you now. She recently sent her family's savings book and seal back home, planning to become completely independent and not take the college entrance exam. Of course, I will stop her later. If you think that even if she has gone to this extent, Nina is still only asking you questions because she wants to hear flattery, I think it's better if you two don't work together.”

"I!...I just..."

"Just scared? Afraid to try? Then why choose rock? Your musicality and your current state are contradictory. Didn't you see them back then because you thought Nina and the others were very serious?"

Not far away, a somewhat clumsy guitar melody drifted over.

. .

Let's go back to the morning when Chaoyang called Rencai.

"Huh? You want me to practice there? And with bandages on every finger?"

Rencai on the other end of the phone confirmed it again.

"Just practice there. Then things should be fine."

Chaoyang said confidently.

"What if it doesn't work?"

"It had better work out, otherwise I'll just laugh it off..."

"Why is Mr. Hiraishi smiling so evilly!?"

. .

The guitar playing was intermittent, accompanied by occasional wrong notes and pauses. Although the technique was somewhat raw, one could vaguely discern that it was a classic rock song.

Chaoyang smiled, put his hands in his pockets, and said lazily.

"How about we go take a look? I think you'd be interested."

Although Ebi V was very reluctant, he eventually followed.

The two followed the path to a stone step by the river, where they saw Nina sitting there, holding a guitar in her hands, with bandages wrapped around every finger of her hands, making her look particularly clumsy.

Ebi V was stunned. She stared at Nina's slightly clumsy movements and her hands wrapped in bandages, her lips trembling slightly.

Although Nina played many wrong notes with her head down, her effort and seriousness were still evident. The intermittent melody drifted in the air, carrying a kind of clumsy persistence.

At that moment, Ebi V's eyes welled up with tears. She clenched her fists tightly, her voice choked with emotion, yet she tried her best to remain calm.

"...This music stinks! How could you possibly play in a place like this?! Listen up, from now on you're playing for six hours every day!!!"

This sudden outburst startled Nina for a moment, but then she seemed to be ignited, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Really? Then can I ask Tomo-chan for advice every day from now on?"

Ebi V stomped his foot in frustration and looked away.

"Hmph! Don't be too happy yet! If you don't play well, you'll regret it!"

Chapter 162 I'm here to end the band.

Shimokitazawa.

"Ah... well... um... yes, or maybe we should just forget about it."

At this moment, as Boqi faced the trembling figure pulling him towards the rising sun, he had already begun to have second thoughts.

After resolving the issue that Nina had requested, Asahi immediately headed to Shuka High School, located near Shimokitazawa.

He specifically told Boqi not to run away after school, planning to bring her back to the End of the Band and get back that girl named Yao Lenai. Although he didn't know where Yao Lenai originally belonged, the only thing he was sure of was that it wasn't the End of the Band.

However, as she walked along the streets near STARRY, the fashionable attire of the passersby deeply stung Boqi's heart, making her feel inferior in her youth.

"Don't worry, you'll definitely find this trip worthwhile... And no matter how cautious or afraid you are, just watching from afar will never lead to any progress... Pochi..."

"..."

Boqi was struggling as Chaoyang pulled him along, but after hearing Chaoyang's words, he fell into deep thought.

"Ah... then, um, why did you help me...?"

"Hmm? Why? Perhaps... because of love at first sight?"

"Hey?"

Love at first sight? Me? I'm just a hunchback, bad at dressing up, a friendless bumpkin... ...And was Boqi calling me? It's the first time someone's called me like that, but it feels like I've been called for ages... ...Why do his words always seem so convincing?

As Boqi pondered this, Chaoyang continued speaking.

"I probably didn't want such an outstanding child to just fade into obscurity. If I didn't do something, I would probably regret it for the rest of my life? I would carry the sins for the rest of my life? That's probably the kind of thinking I had."

"ah......"

Pochi lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly. Tears gradually welled up in her eyes.

...So, there are people who see me this way... It turns out, I, too, deserve to be valued and to have expectations placed upon me...

Chaoyang's high charm, combined with Boqi's easily fooled personality, made her completely convinced.

I finally mustered up the courage.

"Ah... well, I... I'll give it a try..."

"It doesn't matter if you fail at first, because most people's lives are filled with failures, and success is just a few embellishments in life."

In that instant, she felt as if she had been pulled out of the closet and seen the sunlight again.

. .

STARRY.

It's not open for business yet, and besides the staff and the band that came early for rehearsals, only Hongxia and Lena are in the performance hall.

Meanwhile, Lena was enjoying a delicious meal.

"...Lanna-chan...do you really have to have a matcha parfait every day?"

Holding the cup with both hands, eating Parfait, she heard Ijichi Nijika ask a question next to her and turned her head in confusion.

"Uh-huh."

After thinking about the original agreement, he nodded.

Shimokitazawa sighed heavily, resting his chin on his hands. He was already considering whether it was worth it to hire Rakuna. After all, he was just an amateur band, and the band itself had no income and could only make a living by working odd jobs. Although Rakuna was very skilled, the band couldn't monetize their talent at the moment.

"Ha... I knew it... Could you give me more shifts, sister?"

I'll have to work more jobs first, otherwise I won't even be able to afford the fee for getting on stage, and my stingy sister definitely won't waive it for me.

at this time.

Footsteps could be heard coming from the stairs.

"Ok?"

Hongxia looked over instinctively and found that it was a man and a woman she didn't recognize.

They're probably customers coming to see the show, but I didn't know they weren't open yet... Ugh, they clearly have the opening hours written on the door... Strange, why is it a guy... who isn't even particularly handsome, but seeing him always makes me feel warm inside... Ah, no, this isn't the time to think about these things.

Hongxia immediately stood up.

"Ah~ I'm sorry, sir, it's not opening time yet. Perhaps you could go somewhere else first..."

"Excuse me, excuse me~ Hello, this is what I do..."

Chaoyang took out a business card from his inner coat pocket, pulled out a business card, and handed it over.

"...Huh? A talent agency!? Ah...are you here to find the band that's performing today...? Hmm..."

Hmm, are there any really talented bands performing today?

"I'm here to find the band that's going to end."

"Hey?"

"Why!?"

Besides Nijika's surprised exclamation, Ijichi Seika, who had originally intended to remain silent and was secretly eavesdropping at the bar, couldn't help but let out a surprised sound as well.

Hongxia was simply surprised, but Xingge, based on her social experience, already had a bad feeling.

It's a scam, isn't it?

"Really? I... I'm the leader of the End Band..."

"Hongxia, please step back... The person over there should state their purpose first, otherwise leave now and don't waste everyone's time."

Ichika walked over, knowing that her younger sister was inexperienced and might be easily swayed by the name of an entertainment agency, unable to think calmly.

"(**)/ I'm sorry, it's normal for this kind of identity to be misunderstood and aroused suspicion right from the start. It was my oversight."

Upon seeing Yi Dizhi's attitude, Chaoyang immediately bowed and smiled obsequiously.

"Uh......"

Seeing Chaoyang's sincere apology, Xingge was at a loss for words.

I had no choice but to play it cool and wait for what happened next.

"Actually... I wanted to recommend a kid to your band... and that's... um?"

He turned his head instinctively and was immediately stunned.

"Huh? What? When did Chao run away? He was still here when I went down the stairs!"

Suddenly, I realized there was no one behind me.

His voice carried a hint of disbelief, and even his tone became slightly raised.

Just then, a faint sound came from the quiet space, as if it were coming from a corner.

"Ah, well... I'm here..."

Everyone fell silent instantly, looking in the direction of the sound, only to witness a scene that was both laughable and absurd.

Not far away, a trash can shook slightly, and then a trembling little hand reached out from inside, as if afraid of being discovered but having to show its presence, weakly waving in the air.

"..."

Hongxia blinked blankly, completely unaware of the situation.

"..."

Xingge's expression gradually shifted from initial calm to an incredulous and complex mix. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately couldn't utter a word.

Chaoyang was the first to react. He paused for a second, then smirked, sighed, and forcibly carried Boqi out.

"You'll find your home very quickly."