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

"Was it me last? Um... well, my name is Hikawa Hina, just call me Hina~ I auditioned for some band and got accepted. But, the other people's skills weren't that great, so it's not surprising that I got accepted."

Hearing this, Ai Yin felt a bit overwhelmed.

Wow... She's the type who's a bit too self-conscious and doesn't know how to read the room... It must be hard to get along with someone like that in a group, so be careful.

Maruyama Aya asked in confusion.

"Is Bingchuan auditioning for a band? But we're an idol group, you know? Is that okay?"

"It's okay, I don't really care. I'm not particularly particular about anything anyway."

Then, Shirahiro Chisato made a reasonable guess.

"...Are you one of the members of the accompanying band?"

"Huh? Does nobody play musical instruments?"

Aine secretly chuckled to herself at that moment.

Speaking of which, I can play guitar, should I mention it? But saying it now seems a bit like showing off, I'll say it later. It can also be used as a talent showcase for idols.

At this point, the staff realized that everyone seemed to have misunderstood something and quickly explained.

"Sorry, I might have forgotten to mention that you debuted as an idol band."

"Band idol?"

Those present repeated the word with some confusion.

The staff were clearly not there to discuss anything.

"That's right, we plan to do it at the performance in two weeks. ... Regarding the band's performance, we will play a professional performance, so you just need to mimic the playing."

"Hey?"

Aside from Hikawa Hina, who had seemed indifferent from the start, everyone was somewhat surprised.

"Make a playing motion?"

Maruyama Aya repeated the staff member's words with great uncertainty.

"...Hmm, I've heard of similar things, but isn't this lying? That's not right..."

I kind of regret signing the contract... I feel like I shouldn't have come.

Ai-yin is a good kid after all. Although she likes to show off and play some tricks, deliberate deception in business is not within her acceptable range.

"I, I also agree with Ano-chan's opinion..."

As an idol trainee, Maruyama Aya naturally called Aine "ano-chan" and agreed with her opinion.

However, another person thought differently.

"However, the charm of an idol isn't about playing exceptionally well in a band. Instead of spending time practicing instruments, they should spend more time showcasing their own charm. ... That's my opinion, so I support this proposal."

Chisato Shirahiro denied the two's claims.

"But……"

"Oh, as expected of Chisato, you're so sensible. That makes things easier. Let's continue discussing the band's policy."

Ai Yin wanted to say something more, but was immediately interrupted by the flattery of the staff.

"Well... I'm different from them, I can actually play... But oh well, this seems quite interesting. By the way, besides me, what instruments will you all be playing?"

Hikawa Hina once again inappropriately displayed her uniqueness, but the second half of her sentence did reveal the key issue.

Ai Yin was just about to raise her hand and say that she wanted to play the guitar.

"Oh, right. Let me explain first. Cai, you are the lead vocalist."

"Huh? It's already decided!?"

Ai Yin was genuinely unhappy now, realizing that she had signed the contract only to stand out and be in the center position.

"...!"

Shirahiro Chisato's expression changed... but she quickly regained her gentle demeanor, not letting anyone else notice.

"Ah, please understand about Aine's situation. After all, Aya has three years of trainee experience. After careful consideration, she is still the most suitable candidate. We plan to rotate her later, so there's no need to rush."

Seeing that Aine had been soothed, she knew that saying anything more would seem a bit unreasonable, so she had no choice but to shut up.

As expected... we should have considered things more carefully back then; these people aren't even the lead singers...

Of course, Aine is also a bit unaware of her own abilities. She was initially praised for hanging out with the underachievers at Hatsuhoshi Academy, which led her to overestimate herself.

"The songs performed by the lead vocalist will be pre-recorded, and the recording time will be announced separately. As for the other members, Hina will be on lead guitar, and Chisato will be on bass... As for Aine... rhythm guitar or keyboards, which will you choose?"

The staff originally intended to assign a specific role, but they noticed that Aine seemed unhappy. As adults, they were worried that these young girls might throw a tantrum, so they gave her a choice. However, since it was a mock performance, she could choose whichever she wanted.

"...Then, how about rhythm guitar...I'm pretty good at playing guitar..."

The dream of becoming a guitarist and vocalist has been shattered. But there will be other opportunities in the future...

Aine, one of the five Maruyama sisters, couldn't help but stare at Maruyama Aya.

Maruyama Aya felt the gaze and immediately spoke somewhat timidly.

"...Ah...well, I'm sorry, how about we change it?"

Although Aine really wanted to ask, "Really?"

But in the end, reason prevailed over desire.

"No, no, I'm super happy to be able to concentrate on playing the guitar."

I must become a guitarist and vocalist in the future!

As usual, I'm asking for your votes. Feel free to share any opinions you may have.

Chapter 41: I guess we should just buy it directly.

"Am I a bassist? I don't know much about instruments, but I feel like an unsung hero. I'll do my best!"

Bai Lu Qian Sheng immediately began to perform professional and eloquent words for everyone.

As expected of an artist, she speaks so eloquently.

However, although Aine admired him, she didn't intend to say such things; to her, being too polite was excessive.

"Speaking of which, a band can't be without a drummer, right?"

"Oh... the company is still searching. Until we find someone, our assistant drummer who works at our recording studio will join you. Yamato, could you come here for a moment?"

At the staff's call, a brown-haired girl with medium-length hair and red-rimmed glasses walked in.

"I'm here! Uh, hello everyone, my name is Yamato Maya. Let's do our best together until we find a proper drummer. Please take good care of me."

The somewhat nervous drummer bowed deeply to everyone present as soon as he finished speaking.

"Please give me more advice."

Everyone responded immediately.

Bai Lu Qian Sheng raised her hand, glanced at the women's watch on her wrist, and immediately stood up and spoke.

"...Hopefully we can find a full-time drummer soon...I have other work to do, so I'll have to take my leave now."

Yamato Maya, who had just greeted him, now spoke with a face full of apology.

"I'm sorry, I just came to say hello. I have other rehearsals to do, so I have to go now."

After making an apologetic gesture, Yamato Maya then left the stage.

...They all seem so busy...Will I be like this when I become famous? ...Just a short while ago I was a student and suddenly I'm an idol...It feels so magical. But...why do I feel a little unhappy?

Aine looked at the remaining girls around her, trying to muster her spirits and build good relationships, but for some reason, she felt uneasy. Deep down, she still couldn't accept the act of lip-syncing.

Maruyama Aya, standing nearby, was also struggling internally, but ultimately, her long trainee life had made her wait long enough, and she was unwilling to give up this opportunity.

"Well, since I'm going to fool the audience anyway, I might as well do it perfectly."

Hina Hikawa looked at the two pink-haired girls with worried faces and spoke without caring.

"...I think it's even worse to lie perfectly..."

Ai Yin muttered to herself.

"Hmm? So you want to quit?... I'm fine with whatever you say~~"

Hikawa Hina asked a direct question, like a muttered love note.

"...Um...that's not what I meant..."

The school's legal department told me that the contract I signed was an employment contract, so even if I quit, it wouldn't matter and I wouldn't have to pay any compensation... But quitting like this... it feels the same as before... I'll see.

After thinking it over, Aine decided not to run away for the time being.

"That's not what I meant, Hina-chan! Since I'm in this line of work, there's nothing I can do about it. I'll try to sing live again next time~~"

After cheering herself up, Aine immediately put on a smiling face.

"Is that so? But actually, I've thought about it carefully. Don't you guys find it interesting that a band doesn't play? It's better to have expectations than to be negative."

Wow, I thought Hina-chan was a rather self-centered person, but it turns out she's really good at comforting people.

After hearing her words, Aine changed her opinion of Hikawa Hina.

"Yes. We must be more optimistic."

"By the way, Ano-chan, you said you can play the guitar, right? I'd love to see you play. When I auditioned for a band, everyone else was terrible. I'd like to see if there's anyone better than my sister."

"Huh?... Uh-oh, maybe next time... I have something to do."

At this moment, Ai Yin suddenly sensed something was wrong.

Thinking about it carefully, since Hina-chan beat out others in the interview to get in, and judging from her behavior just now, she's the kind of person who says what she thinks. If I don't play well, I'll definitely get criticized by her. I'd better practice before I play.

Ai Yin very cleverly grabbed her handbag and ran away.

The perspective shifts back to Chaoyang.

Inside the cafeteria of Chuxing Academy

Chaoyang was eating with Pikachu and Charmander.

"...Um...Hey!!! How much longer...If it's really too much, just come to our school's producer department. There's no age limit anyway. We have quite a few working professionals in our producer department."

"Let's not joke around. Tuition fees aren't cheap, so I might as well just buy a nearly bankrupt firm with that money... Hmm!? That does seem to be the fastest way... Thanks, D-Season, you're definitely the smartest."

After careful consideration, Chaoyang realized that buying the bankrupt and unsustainable company was indeed the most suitable option. Even if it had some debts, it didn't matter. As long as he increased the favorability of the system-designated beauties, he could pay them off sooner or later, just like printing money every month... as long as it wasn't as much money as Evergrande.

Fujita Kotone was a little unhappy when she heard Asahi praising other girls.

"Huh? Manager? What about me!?"

You are the cutest!

"Hmm... I feel like the store manager has become easier to deal with lately."

"Alright, I have to go back to the shop now... Hmm... I think I have something else to do before that."

Chaoyang saw S Zeguang swaying outside the courtyard, about to fall at any moment. He picked up his finished tableware, handed it to the return window, and walked outside.

"Go for it, Hiro-chan!"

Just as I was about to approach Chaoyang, I heard a strange girl cheering me on from the side.

"...Huh? What? So there was someone else here?"

Chaoyang was initially worried that something might have happened to S Zeguang, but upon closer inspection, she discovered that there were three other girls present.

However, he only recognized one of the sisters from Flower Sea D Season, Yuya; he was meeting the other two for the first time.

Just as I was about to turn and leave, I thought about it carefully and realized that it was a bit much not to have greeted S Zeguang recently, since I had promised to sign her.

So he went over there.

"good afternoon."

"Ah...Prodiuzsa."

Like someone doing rehabilitation exercises for the elderly, S Zeguang gave up his single-leg support exercise after seeing Chaoyang. As a result, he lost his balance and was about to fall. Chaoyang reacted quickly and caught him. But...

"Pfft~~~~"

A figure also flew out.