I don't keep a diary, I only spoil life.

As a result, Xiangzi was surrounded by enemies on all sides. He could neither advance nor retreat.

Behind us lie hardships and dangers, ahead lies a dead end!

Toyokawa Shoko really wanted to run away, but then she remembered how she had painstakingly built up the team, and how she had personally chosen each and every one of her teammates.

The thought of that song about becoming human made me feel even more conflicted.

Perhaps she shouldn't be here, but should stay at home and forget how sweet the past was.

Xiangzi suddenly missed the days when he had no money. If it were his tough self, he probably would have lost his temper long ago in the face of such obstruction.

But now!

The thought of having so much money in my pocket, and having the chance to win a lottery that would surpass the Toyokawa family's assets, is incredibly appealing.

Toyokawa Shoko felt that her back was too weak to straighten up, and she was unable to recover from that stress state.

For a moment, I was unable to resist the passion that I dared not touch when I was down on my luck!

Looking at Nagasaki Motoyo and Wakaba Mutsu, these two guardians stood on either side of him.

See here—

"Alright, let's go inside and talk." After a long period of hesitation, a soft sigh signaled her choice to compromise.

After saying that, she glanced at Mu Tou Ren's eyes, which were shining brightly, and then at Nagasaki Su Shi's hopeful and smiling face.

Despite his awkwardness, Xiang couldn't shake off his nagging; as he walked inside, his gaze lingered on the scenery outside the ring.

She didn't know what the outcome of this trip would be.

I just want to look back at this peaceful street with all my heart.

In sight—

Music lovers, leaving get off work, were walking toward Ring in twos and threes.

On the roadside, an Ultraman with a sour face is holding a steaming cup of coffee, stepping on a stray cat with its fur standing on end, and giving a thumbs-up in the direction of Ring.

A peaceful atmosphere filled the streets, so...

"..."

Hmm...Eh?

etc!??

That's it!?

A weirdo wearing a sulfuric acid face mask!

Mysterious Person A!!!

And what's that coffee in his hand?

No wonder Shiina Tatsuki showed up!!

The snitch sneaked in to buy coffee!

The person frantically rubbing their head isn't selling fakes; they're a real, mysterious person!

That guy is getting more and more outrageous. Not content with working behind the scenes, he's swaggering into the spotlight!

No...that's not right!

The other party not only stepped onto the stage, but also came to create difficulties for her.

Nagasaki Motoyo clearly came after being reminded by the other party!

"Hey, wait a minute, everyone..."

Shoko Toyokawa struggled to reach her arm out of the Ring.

Unfortunately, the girl was powerless to change anything in the face of Li Yinguang, who possessed mysterious powers.

In the blink of an eye, she stared intently at the trash can again.

There were only stray cats rolling and crawling in fright, while the slender, blue-haired figure had vanished without a trace.

"What's wrong with you, Xiangzi?" Su Shi's eyes were filled with subtle doubt.

"...It's alright. Let's go inside, Su Shi."

If someone has superhuman power, they can really do whatever they want. How could someone suddenly disappear in broad daylight without anyone noticing?

With a sense of loss, Xiangzi reluctantly accepted this reality, and a stronger desire for extraordinary power welled up within him.

...

A tall, slender young man with blue hair;

This was a message that Xiangzi asked Ruoye Mu to share with her other friends on Line as soon as she sat down;

Immediately, she looked up.

Looking at Nagasaki Motoyo sitting opposite, Wakaba Mutsumi scribbling in his diary, and Shiina Tatsuki working at the bar.

After hesitating for a long time, Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath and said, "Mutsu."

"Hmm?" The man with the brow raised his head.

"Let's start drawing!"

"...good!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Nagasaki Motoyo looked at him in shock. The two of them flipped to the lottery page together and pressed it down.

This is a powerful combination technique that only those who own the diary can understand!

However, at the very moment this powerful combo was triggered;

Xiangjie wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, and asked with a bitter face, "Mu, did you get it?"

"Yes, I won." Ruoye Mu said seriously, raising her slender hand to show a number: "Xiang...5..."

"Hey, you too?" Xiangzi recovered somewhat, his smile gradually returning; after all, 50,000 yen wasn't a small sum!

However, before she could even savor this fleeting pleasure, Mu Touren pouted and added the word 'pounds'.

"..."

Xiangzi immediately stopped laughing, but soon cheered up again: "Well, little by little, it adds up. Don't be angry, don't be angry."

He then looked at Nagasaki Motoyo and said, "Sorry, Motoyo, let's continue our previous conversation."

"Uh...no problem."

With a gentle smile, Su Shi, who was very skilled in the art of language, could tell that Xiangzi didn't want to tell the truth, so she could only mutter to herself.

Is that some new Morse code or a trending topic?

But before she could figure it out, there was a loud bang!

Lixi placed the cup on the table.

"Please enjoy your tea!"

Those eyes, cold as blades, glanced at him sideways, revealing a multitude of indescribable emotions. Unfortunately, Xiangzi didn't know how to open the fan-shaped diagram and only saw the estrangement.

So that's how it is. Instead of ignoring me, you chose to approach me directly, Toyokawa Shoko?

Seeing that Shiina Ritsuki was about to return to the bar, Shoko struggled with her decision for a moment before finally speaking up: "Ritsuki, don't go yet, I have something to say."

Shiina Tatsuki paused, glancing back at Toyokawa Shoko with a hint of doubt.

Her lips hesitated for a moment, then she crossed her arms and remained silent, meeting the gaze of Nagasaki Motoyo as she stood silently behind Shoko, like a Crimson King ready to deliver a heart-piercing punch at any moment.

This feeling of being surrounded was both long-lost and somewhat unfamiliar, leaving Xiangzi, who had intended to quickly and decisively take responsibility for leaving the team rather than honestly explaining the truth, stunned in place.

When faced with difficulties, people often start by trying to avoid them, but this is a mistake. The best way to eliminate fear is to confront it.

no doubt--

This is a trial! A trial that connects us to the past and forces us to confront the realities of life.

The current predicament is a microcosm of past hardships, meaning... it's a treacherous obstacle that must be overcome!

Only with the letter "Ob"—all those past experiences—can she move forward!

He's finally understood! This time, Toyokawa Shoko has truly understood!

“Mysterious man, you once said that you have seen everything about me, know my character, and therefore know how I will behave in any situation.”

"So...you must know that even without past burdens, I still feel fear towards the beauty that's within my reach when I encounter this situation, is that right?"

As Xiangzi analyzed the mysterious man's actions, a fighting spirit gradually ignited within him.

The thought that the despicable mysterious person might be hiding somewhere, waiting to see her make a fool of herself, rekindled her competitive spirit.

You want to make me look bad?!

Do you think I'm terrible? Do you think I'm extremely bad and incompetent?

Then watch me... I'll show you how amazing I am now!

She looked around at everything in front of her.

Under such circumstances.

Faced with Shiina Tatsuki, who was standing reluctantly by the table, and Nagasaki Motoyo, whose eyes were full of worry;

Under the influence of his breathy spirit, Toyokawa Shoko returned to her peak.

The bar was unusually quiet at this moment. The dripping sound of the faucet was like sobbing tears. In this place that seemed tailor-made for her to confess her feelings, she revealed the truth. Everything... seemed to be a natural progression.

then--

In that oppressive atmosphere filled with gloom and hardship, Xiangzi picked up a cup of red tea and took a sip to moisten his throat.

Immediately, that melodious and gentle voice began to utter terrifying characters, just as Reiner was pulling Eren against the wall to explain the truth about the Titans. She began her once-in-a-lifetime recitation.

"My life became turbulent after the band was formed and I was going through fan messages backstage after our first performance."

The unexpected candor caused Nagasaki Motoyo, Shiina Tatsuki, and even Wakaba Mutsu to feel a little uneasy.

Unlike the other two who were taciturn, Nagasaki Motoyo, who was good at stress relief and communication, instantly felt an unprecedented gravity in the atmosphere of this conversation. Although she was glad that Shoko had told the truth about what happened back then, she wanted to end the topic and talk about how to restart Crychic.

"Xiangzi..."

"Please let me finish. At that time, I was trying to get everything back on track, so even though I was late for work, I didn't give up on Ume. However, some things happened later that completely made me despair, and I had to give up the band."

"Wait...wait..."

“But now, my nightmare is over. I’ve discussed it with Mu, and we’re going to find people to form a new band, AveMujica. We also want to help you all get out of the shadows and stop being trapped in that rehearsal room.”

"..."

"Also, although I can't reveal my source, I must tell you that in the near future, someone incredibly capable of completely erasing all traces of old Crychic will find Lights to reform the band. And at that time..."

"I said, please wait a moment!!!"

...

I'll post another 2k at midnight later, what do you guys think?

I'd appreciate some votes! Thanks everyone!

Chapter 36. Toyokawa Shoko has forgiven you (3k)

The famous magician Roswaal once said—

The longing that accumulates over time is a forbidden zone that no one can intrude upon. No one can change it. How can such accumulated longing be easily overturned by a single, careless word?

This statement is the truth.

In all matters of the world, those with resolute emotions, who hold fast to their eternal vows, will not be swayed by a mere piece of advice they believe to be well-intentioned.

There are many classic examples, too numerous to list;

For example, the classic Pan-Gae friendship, or the police officers' advice to Light Yagami in the final chapter of DN, or the everyone in Teletubbies telling Murasaki not to steal Baby Shakes;

Unfortunately.

No matter how many precedents there are, Xiangzi could not avoid stepping into a minefield this time.