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

hospital

What are you laughing at me for?

Chaoyang lay in his hospital bed flipping through a magazine when he looked up and saw Qinyin standing beside him peeling an apple, a strange smile playing on her lips. Somewhat puzzled, he couldn't help but ask...

"...Hmm? I'm thinking, does hard work really pay off? Actually, I wanted to become an idol because I saw one on TV say something like that... Especially after I found out she earns over eight figures a year~~ I immediately thought I had to become an idol and quickly turn my life around! I've persisted for four years now, and although I haven't officially become an idol yet, my life has recently undergone a complete transformation. I feel that hard work really does have value~~"

"Is effort worthwhile...?"

"Huh? Shopkeeper, what's with that strange expression?"

"I'm not against that statement, but in my opinion, you've gone too far down this path. Kotone-chan, although you say you're working hard, aren't you just working hard at part-time jobs? From an idol's perspective, you're one of those people who put in very little effort."

It might sound strange to me, but the main reason I signed you without hesitation—from the moment we met until now, to the point where we're thinking about starting an agency together—is because you're adorable and incredibly hardworking. But hard work can't change your appearance. If you had an average face, I probably wouldn't be as interested in helping you.

"Well, I see, store manager. After all, you keep saying I'm the cutest person in the world, and I'm almost immune to it now... By the way, is it okay for you to talk to girls so directly?"

"Don't you yourself think that the only thing you can't lose to anyone else is your cuteness?"

The piano paused for a moment, then admitted it with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Uh... that's true. Now that you put it that way, it suddenly seems to make sense. Come to think of it, I didn't know I could beat D-chan at dancing. Considering that she practices every day, could it be that I'm actually a genius, Manager!?"

"At least that's how it should feel from other people's perspective. Just like a farmer who works hard at farming won't become a millionaire unless he strikes gold. Putting aside that cutest face in the universe, if you just work hard, you probably won't change anything. And even if you work hard in the right direction, there are countless hardworking people in the idol industry, but only a few can become famous. In the end, it still comes down to other factors."

Of course, Qin Yin had already heard Chao Yang praise her as the cutest in the universe and was no longer concerned about the content of the casual conversation. She happily moved closer to him.

"Ah~~? Shop manager? How much do you like me~~~ and yet you act like nothing happened, making me even cuter."

........................

"Keep trying, keep trying!"

Hina frowned slightly and made a meaningful sound, revealing a complex expression, as if she was trying hard to think, or as if she was somewhat dismissive.

"Hina-chan...did I say something strange?"

Maruyama Aya asked with some doubt.

Hina then looked at Maruyama Aya and answered absentmindedly.

"Hmm...hmm...I don't think that's true. Hmm, hard work, dreams, hmm...it feels a bit strange to put it that way."

"?"

"Aya-chan, you kept getting the timing wrong during practice, didn't you?"

"Oh, I'm sorry... Is that what you're concerned about? I'll try not to take up too much of everyone's time."

"I'll tell you, I'll tell you. Why does Aya-chan keep making mistakes? It's not just this time, I've been noticing it for the past few days."

"Well this..."

She nervously twisted her fingers, knowing the answer to the question, but unable to bring herself to speak.

Meanwhile, Hikawa Hina continued to express her doubts.

"You arrived earlier than us and practiced for longer, so why is that? If it were me, I could memorize it in half a day. ...Ah, and Chisato-chan can do it well even without participating in independent practice, right? And Ano-chan doesn't seem that serious, but she still memorized the moves. But why can't you, Aya-chan?"

"Feel sorry."

Maruyama Aya no longer dared to look Hina in the eye. Simple insults wouldn't have made her so frustrated; she'd been insulted countless times during her trainee days and was used to it. But Hina was saying the very thing she least wanted to think about.

I don't have the talent to be an idol.

"Hey... Hina-chan, you should probably stop now. Aren't you going a bit too far?"

Aine finally realized she couldn't continue this conversation. Normally, she wouldn't hold a grudge against Hina, even if she was slightly offended, because Hina was her senior. But this time, it was clearly a bit too much.

"Huh? I'm not angry, I just don't understand. Ano-chan, there are things we don't understand either. That phrase before the chorus when you play the guitar is really powerful, isn't it? At that moment, you just need to play it all in one go, right? As long as you realize that..."

Ai Yin's mind went blank for a moment. Looking at her expression, she really didn't seem to realize she'd done anything wrong; she was simply asking a question. Ai Yin didn't want to say anything more, but the latter part of her explanation sounded like she was teaching her to play the guitar, but…

"Huh? That's impressive, you slammed it down in one go... Even if you say it that way, I still don't understand what you're saying... Could you say it in more precise Japanese?"

Not only Aine, but Maruyama Aya also tried hard to understand what Hina was saying, but unfortunately she still couldn't understand at all.

"...Ah, don't you understand?...I don't know how to explain it either, since I'm just expressing what's on my mind."

"It's not a good thing to say everything on your mind. There should be some consideration between people. Ugh, I shouldn't be saying these things as a junior."

Aine pouted unhappily.

Just then, the dance teacher walked in.

"Alright, break time is over, everyone, let's continue practicing. ... Um... Cai, because of my time constraints, could you practice the part you didn't master before on your own after I leave? Let's practice the later parts first."

"Yes, I'm sorry... No problem, I'm sorry to have troubled you again."

"It's alright, it's alright, I'm not causing any trouble. These kinds of things happen all the time. You shouldn't overthink it. Everyone will encounter things they're not good at sooner or later."

Everyone? Really?

Maruyama Aya began to doubt what her teacher had said, especially when she thought about Hina and Sensato's success.

At this moment, the dance teacher did not notice Maruyama Aya's disappointment, but instead clapped her hands and shouted.

"Alright, alright, let's start practicing again!"

Time flew by and the day Chaoyang was discharged from the hospital and went home arrived.

This is the first time Chaoyang's home has welcomed so many guests.

Congratulations on your discharge!

Rencai and Momoka stood in the entrance hall, offering their congratulations to Chaoyang. Inside the house were three original shareholders of Chaoyang Technology from Chuxing Academy: Lao Guang, Charmander, and Pikachu.

"Wow... This isn't all women. You're really amazing. You must be the most amazing man I know."

Tao Xiang stood in the entryway and shook her head, wondering if she should leave.

Renna then handed over the flowers she and Momoka had bought together.

"Thank you~~ This is actually the first time in my life I've ever received flowers."

I asked symbolically about the bouquet of seasonal blue flowers, which also had a card attached.

It said "Congratulations on your discharge from the hospital" on it.

"Please come in. There are no slippers, so please walk barefoot on the floor. I ordered Uber delivery today, and it will be here soon. There is peach-flavored beer in the fridge; please help yourself if you want some."

As Chaoyang walked into the room, he spoke to them.

"Thank you, then I won't be polite."

As Momoka, who embodies the unity of knowledge and action, finished speaking, she had already opened the refrigerator in the Asahi family's house. Nina immediately tugged at Momoka's sleeve and whispered words of advice.

"Momoka-san! Tighten up a bit, don't get drunk right away."

"Don't worry, don't worry, it won't happen~~ Wow, this guy lives in a place like this and he's drinking beer that costs over 500 yen. Hehehe, I'll just accept it."

Peach Blossom waved her hand and answered with a relaxed expression.

"After all, you're running a shop. Are you just trying to save money by living in a place like this? Momoka-san can only drink one can."

Momoka glanced at Nina and smiled.

"Are you his wife? Why are you being so petty? I did my best to help him when he was in the hospital."

Chapter 45 How do friends and friends of friends usually chat?

"...You already know Kotone-chan, the other two are..."

"Sea of ​​Flowers Season D" "Sze... Guang"

The two girls sitting at the table continued Chaoyang's conversation, one bright and energetic, the other listlessly giving her name.

"They are all first-year students from Chuxing Academy."

"Nice to meet you! My name is Iori Jinna! Oh... Mr. Hiraishi's neighbor, whom he usually takes care of, came to visit him today. Ah, um... excuse me... you two and Mr. Hiraishi..."

"Idiot, are you having a crush on some girl? Who comes up here and immediately asks what the relationship is between two people? ...Well, my name is Kawara Momoka, I work at this guy's shop, nice to meet you."

"You two sit down too... I'll get some snacks."

As he was still standing in the aisle, Chaoyang quickly invited the two newcomers to sit down after his self-introduction. He then opened the cabinet above the kitchen in the aisle to get some Japanese senbei (rice cracker) snacks.

Rencai immediately spoke up,

"Aren't we about to eat? It's better not to have snacks before the meal..."

"Do you think we're elementary school students? Those who want to eat can eat, and those who don't can just leave it there. We've been here for so long and you're still acting like this. Are you trying to maintain the image of someone from the countryside?"

Asahi, who was putting food on a plate, looked at Renna, who was already blushing, with amusement.

"Haha, don't bully Nina like that, that's what makes her so cute."

Tao Xiang smiled and took over the conversation.

"Oh right, don't you have a companion?"

"Are you referring to Subaru? She's not familiar with you, so I didn't invite her. It's bound to be uncomfortable at a friend's friend's house, especially since your place is so small. You're really greedy; you're a man, yet you already have five ladies in your house."

"Who do you think you are, Lady?"

Chaoyang walked in, complaining, and carrying snacks and drinks. He plopped down next to S Zeguang.

"Have you been eating as I instructed during this time?"

"Mmm... I ate well."

S Zeguang nodded and answered honestly.

"Hehe, don't worry, I've been making her special nutritious lunches during this time."

"I'd rather you help her gain weight than provide nutrition."

Hearing this, D-Ji was slightly displeased, as if she had been insulted.

"Why don't you just send her to eat American fast food?"

"I think the problem is that we're afraid she'll die on the way. Every day after class, it's like she's going through a tribulation."

Upon hearing this, Nina, who was somewhat curious, looked at Sawa Hiroshi.

Ah... this girl is so slender upon closer inspection... she looks like she could be blown over by a gust of wind.

"?"

As if noticing Nina's gaze, Sawa Hiro tilted his head and looked at Nina.

"Ah, I'm sorry."

"Are you also an idol cultivated by Prodiuzza?"

S Zeguang took the initiative to ask.

"Prodiuz?"

Now it was Rencai's turn to be completely confused.

"Ah, I haven't told you yet, have I? I'm planning to start an idol management company later, though it might not be limited to idols. ... These kids at Hatsusei Academy usually sign contracts with producers in the production department and receive their training, while some will debut directly with formal commercial companies."

"And I'm number one in this group, with the best grades."

Immediately, Flower Sea D Season proudly opened her mouth with her hands on her hips.

"But he came in second in the academic exam, below me."

"Hmph, I'll be number one next time! ...Probably..."

Hua Hai D Ji was halfway through her sentence when she glanced at S Ze Guang again and added somewhat unconfidently, "I don't like to brag. Ever since I learned about S Ze Guang's resume, I've realized that the gap between us in the written test is at least several levels."

"Is Miss S Ze that amazing?!"

"She graduated from university at 14. I really don't understand why she became an idol. Only idols can be completely lacking. Her physical strength, experience, and skills are clearly the worst."

After saying that, Chaoyang gently patted her head.

"14 years old? Graduating from university?!???"

Momoka was alright; after all, she's seen a lot, so it's not surprising that she'd encounter some extraordinary individuals. But Nina had completely lost her composure, her face filled with shock.

However, Momoka was annoyed by Nina sitting next to her and gently tapped her on the head.

"Quiet down a bit, you're making a big fuss over nothing."

Szehiro didn't care at all about Nina's surprise; he just seemed to be enjoying himself, enjoying being told by Asahi that he had no talent.