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

I didn't want to either... I was mainly just trying to complete the task; otherwise, why would I get involved in this mess?

Unfortunately, Su Shi couldn't hear Chao Yang's inner explanation.

At this moment, everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts. Lixi spoke first to Parfum, who was sitting to the side eating matcha.

"Stray cat, can we practice together in the practice room today?"

Before Rana could answer, Aine got impatient.

"Huh? Weren't we just supposed to have a meeting and chat? Why do we suddenly have to practice? I'm not ready! And I didn't bring my guitar."

Li Xi retorted directly.

"Huh? What do we need to prepare? If you don't have a guitar, we have some to lend. It's okay if you're not used to it; we just want to see how good you are."

"Producer..."

At this moment, Aine looked at the rising sun with pitiful eyes.

Hmm, I haven't played guitar much lately, so I'm a bit rusty. I'd definitely embarrass myself if I tried to play now, so I'll just have to get through today and practice until I get back to playing.

Chaoyang naturally understood Aiyin, and he was willing to spoil her, after all, he had pushed her into this complicated band in order to complete the mission.

"Hmm... Li Xi, it was a bit of a surprise for everyone. You seem a little tired from looking at the lamp, so let's do it another day. Today, it's better for everyone to get to know each other better and build rapport."

"Shut up, you outsider."

The air was silent for a few seconds.

Su Shi glanced at Chao Yang, her heart skipping a beat. Even with her gentle nature, Su Shi felt the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

"...Lixi, I hope you will give me enough respect. After all, you are the same age as my younger sister, so I have given you many times..."

Chaoyang was silent for a while, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, and after exhaling, he said in a cold tone.

"Lixi, I've always thought your straightforwardness was a strength, but being as blunt as a knife in a team, constantly cutting others, is a bit much, isn't it? ... When the band broke up, was it possible that you were partly responsible? Sometimes things might not be serious, but often some idiots don't know how to control their temper, leading to irreversible consequences."

Upon hearing this, Li Xi frowned slightly, but did not immediately refute it, seemingly sensing that Chao Yang's tone had begun to change.

"You can disregard me if you want, I don't care."

Chaoyang continued slowly and deliberately, his tone low but conveying a sense of pressure.

"But as a member of a band, you should at least have a sense of teamwork, especially when facing your teammates. Can't you learn to respect them first?"

Lixi stared coldly at the rising sun, her arms crossed over her chest, her brows furrowed even deeper. A tense atmosphere filled the air; even Aiyin dared not interrupt, only timidly watching the two.

Su Shi immediately stepped forward, trying to ease the tension.

"Don't fight, Lixi. I also think you're a bit off. The shop manager has helped us so much and even found members for us. He can't be considered an outsider, can he?"

At this moment, Chaoyang remained calm. He slowly approached Lixi, leaning forward slightly, a cryptic smile on his face. His voice was extremely low, audible only to Lixi.

"Tune in a bit, or else..."

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if in a provocation, "I'll date Deng."

Lixi's eyes sharpened instantly, her pupils contracting slightly, as if a fuse had been lit on a powder keg. She stared intently at the rising sun, her face filled with disbelief and anger.

"You, what did you say?!"

Li Xi lowered his voice and asked through gritted teeth, afraid that others would hear.

"Oh? Didn't you hear me?"

Chaoyang remained calm and composed, even displaying a somewhat innocent expression.

"I mean, if you continue to be uncooperative, I'll take away the person you care about most. How about that, is that threat effective?"

“Hmm…”

Chaoyang nodded in satisfaction when he saw Lixi's frustrated expression. Sure enough, playing the "lamp" card was the most effective.

I'll teach Aine this trick sometime.

"That's a good girl!"

Chaoyang patted Lixi on the shoulder, but Lixi didn't say anything.

So, isn't this kind of plot common: someone sacrifices themselves to protect someone, and then both of them end up being taken advantage of...? It's kind of exciting to think about; I'll try it sometime.

"Well, that... Chaoyang... isn't an outsider..."

At this moment, Deng lowered his head and spoke softly.

Hearing Deng say that, Chaoyang smiled and continued speaking to Lixi.

"See... Alright, I'm only planning to bring people into the team today. The rest is up to you. Of course, if you need any help, you can contact me. You should all have my contact information."

After saying that, Chaoyang was about to leave when Su Shi gently took Chaoyang's hand.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Manager... for bringing us back together... So please don't mind what Taki-chan said. Please come visit us sometime. I'll invite you to any performances I do. So please do me the honor of joining us then."

"Haha, you knew I'd definitely be there, and everyone will be so happy if Paspale knew Ano-chan has started a band again. They can open for you guys~~"

. .

After exchanging pleasantries, Chaoyang left RING. Standing at the door, he stretched and felt that his efforts over the past few days could finally come to an end.

Once I finish sending the Yue Village hand-rolled naughty exhibition to Ouxiaxi, I'll plan to rent a villa there... Hmm, or should I just buy it? But I probably don't have enough money right now.

While contemplating his grand ambitions, Chaoyang, who was temporarily idle, took out his phone to check for any missed information. Just then...

Producer, can we talk?

"Ok?"

It's very rare for Maruyama Aya to send herself a message.

Is this the first time Xiao Cai has talked to me? I wonder what it's about?

Sure, do you have time now? Let's choose a place to meet.

After chatting for a while, the two finally decided to meet at a McDonald's near Ikebukuro Station.

Chaoyang naturally arrived at the agreed location immediately.

Since it was almost dusk, many people who were leaving school or get off work would come here for dinner, resulting in a huge flow of people coming and going. Chaoyang thought that since Maruyama Aya had debuted and her reviews weren't bad, it wouldn't be good if she were recognized and caused a traffic jam, which would also cause trouble for the businesses. So he decided to go to a coffee shop with fewer people.

I wanted to call Asahi here to send a message to Maruyama Aya, but I immediately received a reply saying that it had arrived and not to worry.

At the same time, a person wearing a mask, sunglasses, and a hat appeared at the door. Anyone would know that this kind of attire was not an ordinary person.

People looked at them with strange eyes, and some even automatically parted their groups.

Could it be Xiao Cai...? I wouldn't even dare to recognize her.

Just then, the suspicious person took out his phone and performed a series of operations, after which Chaoyang received a message from Maruyama Aya.

Producer, where are you? I can't see you O(ini)O

Um... just wondering, you're not wearing those weird hats, masks, and sunglasses for disguise, are you?

Huh? Can you see me? Producer, stand up and wave.

I really don't want to admit it...

Maruyama Aya's attire might make you think she's from the winery in Detective Conan.

Chaoyang had no choice but to shout.

"Xiao Cai is here!"

Upon hearing Asahi's shout, Maruyama Aya immediately turned her head to look, and the passersby who had been staring at her quickly looked away, afraid of making eye contact.

"Ah... Mr. Hiraishi~"

After seeing Asahi make a shushing gesture, Maruyama Aya realized her mistake and changed her words.

After some twists and turns, the two finally met and sat down.

"Aren't you hot, Xiao Cai?"

Chaoyang immediately asked this question.

"Uh...it's quite hot...I'm just afraid of being recognized..."

"So why don't we go somewhere else?"

Maruyama Aya said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Since you're already here, please sit down."

Asahi, observing Maruyama Aya's contradictory behavior, roughly guessed what Maruyama Aya was thinking.

Although she said that, she probably actually wanted to be recognized. This deliberate disguise to attract attention was less a sign of Xiao Cai's natural naiveté and more a deliberate act on her part.

"Hum~"

After figuring it out, Chaoyang smiled gently.

Meanwhile, a timid young man named Yamashiro asked in a low voice.

"Then, why did that producer suddenly start laughing?"

"Because... I know how cute you are, Xiao Cai~ Okay, take off your sunglasses, mask, and hat."

Maruyama Ayabe followed Asahi's instructions, removed her disguise, and replied shyly.

Since he was alone, Chaoyang finally focused all his attention on Maruyama Aya.

Look closely... Xiao Cai is quite cute, isn't she?... It's strange how I always seem to intentionally or unintentionally ignore her... Is she just naturally less noticeable?

"Cute...no way...Let's get down to business. That producer...has a job at a local TV station...um...would it be convenient for him to come with me?"

Chaoyang thought about it for a moment, although he didn't mind being with Maruyama Aya.

"Hmm? When? If it's during this period, it's not very suitable."

"Although I don't know the producer's schedule, this job is in the middle of next month. Is that okay?"

Chaoyang calculated with his fingers, and at that time, his hand was stained with blood.

"No problem, I'll set aside that time in advance, and I'll treat it as a paid vacation for myself. But Xiao Cai, are you really okay with that? After all, I'm a guy."

"It's okay! Besides, I'm quite happy to have the opportunity to spend time with the producer..."

At this point, Aya Maruyama looked left and right again, but still couldn't recognize her fans.

Chaoyang saw that he had finished speaking and was about to leave.

"Now that you've made up your mind, Xiao Cai, be careful on your journey."

"Huh? It's so rare to be with the producer, and now they're disbanding?"

Sensing that Maruyama Aya was somewhat reluctant to disband the group, Asahi sat down and asked her about it.

"Hmm? Is there anything you'd like to do?"

Maruyama Aya said hesitantly.

"...Um...there's a festival nearby...I tried to make plans, but everyone's busy with work...Ah, if the producer is busy, that's fine too."

Although he said that, Maruyama Aya's pleading expression told Asahi what to do.

"Alright... after all, it's a rare festival..."

But even if the band members have something to do, can't they just ask their friends at school?

Seeing that Maruyama Aya's expression had turned into a smile, Asahi took out his phone and searched for nearby yukata shops.

"But since we're going to a festival, how can we not change into a yukata? Let's find a yukata rental shop. If we're going to enjoy ourselves, we should enjoy ourselves properly."

. .

The sky was tinged with orange-red at dusk, and the festival area was already bustling with activity.

Crowds of people filled the alleyways, and the lights of the stalls lit up one after another, adorning the entire festival with vibrant colors. The air was filled with the aroma of grilled squid, takoyaki, and candied apples, mixed with the occasional laughter and children's chatter, creating a typical summer festival scene.

Wow, there are so many outdoor stalls!

At this moment, Maruyama Aya had changed into an exquisite yukata, with a soft white as the main color and light purple patterns on it, showing a fresh and elegant temperament.

Chaoyang said, rubbing his slightly hungry stomach.

"I'm getting a little hungry. Takoyaki, candied apples, grilled corn, and American hot dogs, what does Xiao Cai want to eat?"

"Hehe, it's fine as long as the producer makes the decision."