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

Finally, we entered a quiet park.

There were only the rustling of trees and the occasional chirping of insects all around.

We sat side by side on the swing and opened our beer.

"Cheers~...... Glug glug~ Wow~ All the hard work of the day is for this one drink~"

At this moment, Tao Xiang was behaving exactly like the uncles who often came to the shop for drinks, except that she was lighting a cigarette.

"really."

Chaoyang, on the other hand, prefers to quietly savor his wine.

Tao Xiang's cheeks began to flush slightly. She shook the beer can and her tone suddenly became more relaxed.

"...That was back in my senior year of high school,"

She began to recall.

“I formed a band with three other people. As a high school girls’ band, we were surprisingly well-known locally, and we even gained over 10,000 followers on social media. At that time, I really felt that our dream was just around the corner.”

A bitter smile appeared on Tao Xiang's lips.

"Things went as smoothly as I had imagined. With the boss's help, our band was spotted by a talent agency and invited to Tokyo. So I decided to drop out of high school with the other three of us..."

. .

"But dropping out of school isn't a good idea, is it?"

"Is it not possible after graduation?"

Sitting on the steps, Momoka's former teammates were still trying to persuade her to give up her wish to retire.

"Uncle, didn't you say that there are countless cases of failure caused by hesitation like this?"

Tao Xiang was drawing something with a lime line marker there, saying this without looking up.

The teammates each spoke up.

"But even if you say that, what about our parents?"

"Ah! How about we record the audio there first, and then go back to school? That way, we won't have to do either thing at the same time?"

Peach Fragrance spoke in an unyielding tone.

"This won't do! Trust me, we can definitely do it. Didn't the agency say that we're a revolution in girl bands? As long as we go to Tokyo, we're guaranteed to become a hit. We'll definitely make our mainstream debut."

After exchanging glances, the teammates were somewhat accepting of the situation, but as students, they still had to say some words of symbolic resistance.

"I don't think it will go that smoothly."

"Me too."

"Besides, they didn't say we had to drop out of school!!! Since that's the case..."

Just then, Momoka smiled gently, her voice soft yet firm, interrupting them.

"That's precisely why it won't work! If you leave yourself a way out, you'll definitely want to escape there. The more ways you leave yourself, the less motivation you have to move forward. It's precisely because it's difficult that you absolutely cannot leave yourself a way out!"

"Peach fragrance..."

With these words, the three teammates were finally completely convinced, and they all let go of their last resistance, rushing towards Tao Xiang, laughing and hugging her, their joyful laughter filling their memories.

"We must move towards our goal!"

. .

"Wow... the lowest (pronounced in Japanese)..."

After listening to Momoka's recollection, Asahi looked at Momoka with a strange expression. Although he knew it was somewhat outrageous, he felt that it was more or less beyond his imagination.

"Haha, you think so too?"

"Luckily you're not in China..."

I bet five cents that if this happened in the country, Tao Xiang would be torn to shreds by parents.

"Huh? Aren't we in Japan?"

"That's not what I meant. Never mind, it's all in the past, so it's good to say it now. Anyway, your teammate willingly let you drag him down. Besides, graduating from high school isn't very useful. He'll probably end up doing manual labor in a restaurant, and eventually get married, have kids, and become a housewife. It doesn't make much difference. If you really want to go to university, you can go to a higher education institution. If your academic level is good enough, you can still get into university. So it's okay, you're innocent."

Tao Xiang was speechless after hearing this.

"Do you even know how to comfort people?"

Chaoyang gently shook his head.

"No, to be honest, I don't really want to comfort you. If I were doing something like that, I'd wake up in the middle of the night and slap myself twice."

Tao Xiang squinted her eyes and smiled mischievously.

"Huh? You installed surveillance cameras in my house?"

"You actually slapped me?"

Upon hearing this, the two couldn't help but look at each other and laugh, their laughter echoing in the park on the night breeze.

After a while, Chaoyang stood up and stretched.

"Alright, it's about time to head back. Otherwise, Nina might think we went on a secret date."

Tao Xiang sighed, got up, and walked home with Chao Yang. At this moment, the expression on her face returned to its previous gentle and natural smile.

"Thank you. Just like you said, I do feel a bit better after talking about it. But actually, more than that... I feel guilty about abandoning them after bringing them out."

"...Why not just meet them, apologize, and have each of them slap you?"

"I can't do it... I'm more timid than you think, I'm a coward."

Just then, Momoka looked at the advertising billboard in the distance, and Asahi followed her gaze and saw that it had promotional photos of the four members of New Diamond Dust printed on it.

"Besides... they've worked so hard to get to where they are now even without me, how could I possibly bother them?"

Chapter 60 Actually, I prefer the lead singer of Diamond Dust!

"Is that your teammate? ...The one with the twin tails is quite cute...Can you introduce us?"

Chaoyang stroked his chin and observed for a long time before finally fixing his eyes on the petite girl with pink hair and twin ponytails, revealing an expression of interest.

Tao Xiang rolled her eyes, seemingly already used to his behavior, and shrugged lightly.

"You're really something, you spotted the only one who isn't my former teammate right away, so I can't introduce you."

"Ah...that's a real shame."

. .

"Too slow!!! Did those two go on a date!?"

As soon as I stepped into the house, Renna was already standing in the entryway, hands on her hips, complaining with a displeased expression.

"Of course!... Pfft!"

Just as Chaoyang was about to answer, Taoxiang nudged him hard with her elbow.

"Nina will really believe it... Hmm, has Subaru already left?"

Tao Xiang calmly changed the subject.

"Hmm... I guess I made them run away..."

Rencai's voice immediately lowered, and a trace of guilt appeared on her face.

"Honestly, if only you treated Subaru the way you treat me and the manager, wouldn't that be great?"

Tao Xiang shook her head helplessly, a hint of reproach in her tone.

"You're honest and simple, but sometimes your personality is so awkward it's a real headache."

Chaoyang glanced at his watch.

"It's getting late. Although the izakaya won't be open tomorrow because it's a day off, I still need to go to the office. So I'll head back now. Nina, would you like to stay a little longer or come back with me?"

"Hmm... I'm going back too, it'll be time to review my lessons."

As she spoke, Rencai went down the steps and started putting on her shoes.

At this moment, Chaoyang said jokingly.

"Are you really studying? I've been hearing your beeping all the time these past few days... Now that I'm used to it, I might not be able to sleep without your beeping."

"Mr. Hiraishi, you pervert! You were eavesdropping through the wall!"

Rencai's cheeks flushed slightly, and the direct sunlight made her feel a little embarrassed and annoyed.

"I already said that apartment's soundproofing is terrible..."

Chaoyang smiled helplessly and waved his hand.

"Alright, alright, let's go."

"Ah, yes."

Renna squeezed out a sentence with a hint of resentment, and was about to turn and leave.

Just then, Taoxiang suddenly called out to them.

"Wait a mininute!"

As she spoke, she hurriedly ran into the house, and a few seconds later she came out carrying two plastic bags containing several meat buns.

"You can all take them back; there's too much for me to eat by myself."

Tao Xiang said with a smile, handing over a plastic bag.

"Okay, I'll have it as a midnight snack tonight."

Chaoyang took the bag, opened the door, and gestured for Rencai to go out first.

Nina walked out the door, and Asahi was about to follow. Just as he was about to close the door, he heard Momoka's voice.

"...Thank you for today."

Chaoyang stopped, turned around, and gave a gentle smile.

"You're welcome. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need any help."

After saying that, he slammed the old, jam-prone door shut and turned to walk toward Rencai.

. .

Name: Kawaraki Momoka.

Charisma: 81.

Monthly revenue growth: ¥100,000.

Favorability: 45/100.

Assessment: Although seemingly aloof, this person is actually kind-hearted and full of human warmth. Due to their unwavering beliefs, they are prone to arguments. If you sense something is amiss, please leave immediately.

Note: Things can get very troublesome once you start drinking.

. .

On the road.

"Did something unpleasant happen between you and that girl?"

"It's nothing, it's just that someone tried to curry favor with me, and somehow I just... you wish! I won't be on good terms with you as you hope! I'm not someone you can easily handle!"

I can't help but think that way.

"Do you dislike the sound of the zither too?"

"Ah... because when I first saw her collapse from exhaustion... I felt so sorry for her... so I didn't feel that way anymore."

"I see. You really are a lot of trouble... But that's also part of Nina's charm."

"cute?"

"So cute, so cute."

"I always feel like you're just trying to please me..."

"How could that be? Speaking of which, this guy has been skipping honorifics without even realizing it. Let's not hold it against you. There's always a way out. The other person isn't a bad person. He's poor, powerless, and not as cute as you, and he might even be richer than you. If he's willing to try to please you, he must genuinely want to be your friend."

"...Mr. Hiraishi, are you indirectly insulting me?"