Will the plagiarism girl be a substitute for the preference for women?

Your attention is as focused as ever...

Xiangzi sighed inwardly.

This single-mindedness conveniently allowed her to avoid discussing her past experiences.

"I look forward to your performance," she replied with a smile.

So, let's just maintain the attitude that ordinary friends should have, without having to reveal everything frankly, right?

Xiangzi felt a little better, but some lingering, invisible resentment made her feel somewhat uneasy.

She took a step back, turning to the side of the lamp as if she were about to leave, her mouth slightly open, as if some unspoken thoughts lingered in her mind.

Am I being too polite?

Perhaps they haven't yet inquired about what the lantern festival will be singing at the live performance.

Xiangzi glanced at the corner, then returned to the lamplight, looking through its shadow at the overpass under maintenance.

The past was not brought up again...

Or... is it enough to just reach a reconciliation?

Taking it any further will only create unnecessary expectations for the lamp.

Let Chika fill this gap, as long as she's happy to do so...

While he was pondering, Tama's gaze was drawn to China.

"How is it~ Isn't it cute?"

China took several bandages of different colors and put them on her nose, one cheek, and her uninjured thigh, making a peace sign.

"Mmm!" Deng nodded repeatedly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

After receiving the praise, Chika smiled, as if bright little yellow flowers were blooming around her.

"Right? It's as cute as if someone got beaten up."

"There's no need to describe it like that," Xiangzi muttered to himself.

She could already picture China dressed up in a landmine-themed outfit, with makeup mimicking injuries all over her body, and then taking a beautiful selfie with bandages covering her face.

It doesn't matter what kind of beauty China pursues, as long as those scars are makeup and not intentionally caused.

Then, Deng looked at Xiangzi with a hint of shyness, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xiangzi suddenly felt a strong intuition.

You don't mean you want me to dress like that, do you?

This was an unreasonable request from her.

At that moment, Chika handed over a band-aid: "Sister, why don't you try it too?"

"No," Xiangzi resolutely refused. "Whatever effect you create, that's what I'll look like."

"Hmm..." The light dimmed slightly.

This didn't work on Xiangzi, at least not on the surface, though he still felt a pang of unease in his heart.

Is it considered willful to wear your emotions on your sleeve?

Xiangzi didn't pay much attention to the matter itself, but instead used it to recall his blame towards Deng when he left Crychic.

Before her family tragedy, she was almost tolerant of everything about lamps.

Even during practice, she would often advise Lixi not to put too much pressure on him, while she herself would gently encourage him.

Back then, forming a band was mainly for fun.

Lamp, what kind of reconciliation do you hope for?

They chat with you in a mild and friendly manner, and greet you when they go to and from school;

Or is it truly a bond between us that sometimes requires setting aside personal feelings and sincerely pointing out areas where the other person needs to improve?

It's no longer the past; it's no longer a time of carefree frolicking.

You need to learn to grow if you want the band to keep going.

If... you would like to meet me at the top of the stage.

"Little Light"

China walked to the lamp and gently guided it.

"The world is not a game, so you will often encounter unpleasant things."

"For example, some people will accept your gift without hesitation, while others will not."

"May the world treat you kindly," I often receive this blessing.

China seemed to have inadvertently revealed something, but she still continued speaking calmly.

"But I don't expect everyone to forgive me unconditionally. Instead, I feel lucky to have so many people who have blessed me."

"Light, you are a very lucky person. Cherish your happiness." China reminded herself in her heart at the same time.

"Hmm." The lamp listened attentively, then lowered its eyes in thought.

If the other party can accept something, then naturally we should be happy; if they cannot accept it, then there is no need to dwell on disappointment.

"Everyone is very kind to me, but I can't always expect everyone to go along with me in every way... Is that what you mean, Chizuru?" Akari asked, looking up.

"You grasped it very quickly."

China said lightly,

"However, what I mainly want to mention is that learning to hide your emotions occasionally can prevent others from feeling embarrassed, and it can also prevent people with bad intentions from interpreting your expressions and then taking advantage of you."

There's no need to teach adults these things.

Xiangzi suddenly interrupted, but quickly shut his mouth.

It's such a dilemma. I hope that Deng can grow up, but I'm also worried that she'll become mentally and physically exhausted from being overly concerned with all the meticulous details in social interactions.

Or……

Chika smiled helplessly, inadvertently revealing another of Shoko's thoughts.

"This can only be considered a little trick of humans. But being true to oneself and sincere is also part of our Little Lamp's personality."

During the pause in her speech, she turned her head towards Xiao Xiang, a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

"Right, sister?"

Xiangzi lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze becoming more subdued, as if at this moment, her thoughts were flowing gently like a stream.

She coughed lightly and then said:

"The decision of whether to make a change, and what kind of change to make, is up to you."

"I……"

Just as Deng was about to speak, his words seemed to be gently blown away by the wind, leaving only a hesitant syllable hanging in mid-air.

The skills to become human.

She couldn't help but glance at the overpass behind her.

After a few seconds of silence, when Deng mustered her courage and was about to say, "I still want to be human,"

Xiangzi raised his hand and said:

"No need to give us a definite answer. This is a very complicated question. Let's keep it in mind and think about it slowly."

“…Okay.” Deng swallowed softly, suppressing the pounding in her heart, and agreed in a low voice.

"Okay. Well then, goodbye..."

A simple farewell sounded somewhat stiff coming from Xiangzi's mouth.

The steps they took were also slower, as if they were being gently pulled back by an invisible rope.

She could almost feel her own figure from a year ago, lingering in the depths of her memory, silently holding her back and urging her to say some things she wanted to hear.

"Xiao Xiang."

China took Xiangzi's arm and pulled him to the side to prevent him from bumping into the telephone pole.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. However, to prevent you from bumping into something again due to your absent-mindedness, I suggest you take a chance and let yourself feel completely relieved."

As China spoke, she slightly turned her head, indicating that the signal light remained in place, watching them go.

"call??"

Xiangzi lowered his head and sighed, as if shedding the weariness caused by his awkwardness.

"Consider it fulfilling your obsession."

"Is this also my punishment for carrying the light-up band on my back?"

She suddenly turned around and called out to the lamp:

"Let's sing 'Kasuga no Kage' during the performance!"

Chapter 164 Discussing Heroes Through Wall Slams

“??”

The lamplight seemed to illuminate the night view, making the streetlights and stars in the sky appear even more dazzling.

Xiao Xiang, I hope I can sing "Spring Shadow"...

Today, Xiangzi made a point of chatting with Deng, even though it still felt like there was an invisible veil between them, as if they were catching up. But Deng was already very happy.

Now, he is also willing to let the lamp sing "Spring Shadows" in the new band, and Xiangzi's resistance to the memories of the past seems to have disappeared at this moment.

However, this is from China's perspective, who knows the truth.

Deng had always been concerned about what Xiangzi had experienced over the past year.

However, she believed that Xiangzi's departure from the team was primarily due to her own reasons.

Everyone had different aspirations, and his own skill level and level of practice were far from meeting Xiangzi's expectations.

So, in Akari's view, it was because Shoko believed that he would patiently accept China's guidance and allow himself to sing Kasuga Kage.

Spring Shadow, who sang without putting in so much effort but still met the required standard, was exactly what Xiangzi had hoped for.

"Thank you!"

With tears welling in her eyes, Deng accepted what she perceived as "acceptance."

…………

"Speaking of which, Deng's words of thanks just now seemed to have a somewhat complicated meaning."

Halfway there, China realized this and murmured to herself.

But on second thought, it's reasonable to interpret it as Xiangzi being grateful for being able to reconcile with her.

After all, Chika had just told Akari that she should "cherish her happiness," which, when extended, implies "learning to be grateful." Of course, this refers to things that are worthy of gratitude, not situations involving moral blackmail or trying to control others.

At this moment, Xiangzi suddenly stopped, interrupting Qiannai's thoughts.

"To what extent do you want me to reconcile with the lamp?"

"Is it to the point where we've seen her perform and recognized her improved skill level, so we brought her into our band?"

She spoke quickly and asked questions in quick succession with a serious expression.

It seems they were taking precautions in advance because they were concerned that China might act too freely.

"Wait, wait, don't get excited."

China raised her hands, half-raised the corners of her lips, and asked anxiously as she backed away.

"Why did I suddenly think of this? Is it because I always come up with weird ideas before? I'm really sorry."

But Xiangzi followed closely, cornering him step by step without letting up.

"Are you sure you didn't tell Deng about our band?"

"No!" China shook her head quickly and said firmly.