Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

"No... it's just that I've been meeting a lot of people lately and absorbing a lot of information, so my head isn't quite clear... don't worry about me."

Lixi shook his slightly dizzy head, frowned, picked up the canned coffee on the table and chair next to him, and gulped down two or three mouthfuls.

"...Did I force myself to stay up all night practicing again?"

Even though Shiina Riki didn't express her feelings to Motoyo in words, Nagasaki Motoyo still saw through her thoughts and pointed it out with a gentle and just-right tone.

Her voice was so soft that neither Ryuna nor Akari, who were still engrossed in revising their sheet music or lyrics, could hear it—let alone Aion, who was still chuckling in her daydream.

"If you have something on your mind that's making you uncomfortable, as your companion, I won't mind if Taki-chan confides in me."

Su Shi spoke these tender and considerate words without changing her expression, but this caused a subtle change in the emotions in Shiina Ritsuki's eyes.

She had something on her mind... Of course she had something on her mind.

What Misaki Hatsuka said that day—that she had already written the lyrics for a song for Kazama—was something that Riki really cared about.

If Hatsuka Rakuna were Akatsuki's aunt from the future, then she would definitely have poured unprecedented emotions into these lyrics.

At that time... if Xiao is moved by Chu Hua's feelings, will he treat her as a special person first?

She has to do something.

She had to do something.

She couldn't create moving words like a lamp, nor could she, like Hatsuka, be in the same team as Kazama and show him her emotions up close without reservation.

In that case... the only way is to attract Kazama's attention with an even more dazzling and eye-catching performance next time the band takes the stage.

This is what Li Xi, who has been focusing solely on improving himself during this period, has been thinking about.

"...If you're trying to get someone's attention, isn't it a bit like doing useless work by just focusing on practicing the drums diligently?"

It's no wonder they were once on the same team. Although Lixi didn't openly express her feelings, Su Shi easily caught her unique emotional flow and teased her with a smile.

"What—I didn't do that!"

Li Xi gasped softly, trying her best to deny it, but quickly shut her mouth before her voice would attract the attention of the three people around her.

"...How do you know what I'm thinking?"

She reluctantly turned her head away, muttering her opinions about Su Shi in a low voice.

Could it be... that Su Shi noticed her unique feelings for Kazama?

Come to think of it, Su Shi also saw that video... Could she also be suspicious of Kazama's thoughts?

Her heart was beating a little faster, but this time Shiina Tatsuki knew it wasn't because she was attracted to anyone, but simply because she felt guilty before her secret was about to be exposed.

"Hehe, of course it's because I know everyone very well."

As expected, Su Shi smiled faintly with her eyes narrowed.

When was he exposed?

Just as Li Xi closed her eyes, filled with confusion and expecting Su Shi's sarcastic remarks, the girl with long brown curly hair said something completely unexpected.

"—Taki-chan, we've all seen how much you love the lantern, haven't we?"

…………ha?

Lixi, who had closed her eyes and prepared to be judged and ridiculed, opened them blankly.

She could hardly believe what she had just heard.

“I know, Taki-chan, you want to show an even better and more dazzling performance next time you go on stage, so that you can better interpret Akari’s works. But there’s really no need to push yourself so hard.”

Su Shi still sees herself as the matriarch of the group, soothing the slightly agitated Li Xi with the image of a gentle older sister who already knows everything.

"It's okay not to try to chase anything. After all, the light is always with us, it hasn't gone anywhere."

Little did she know that while her formula was perfect, she had applied it to the wrong person.

So this guy... always thought she was still troubled by the light.

Shiina Tatsuki secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then gave a soft, bitter laugh.

Yes, in the past, she was always thinking about how to perfectly interpret the thoughts and ideas of the lamp—but recently her thoughts have been being drawn to another person.

The lantern didn't go anywhere, but Kazama had already gotten closer to Hatsuka and the others without her noticing.

It all started when Kazama's mysterious identity was revealed.

Thinking of this, Li Xi, concealing her feelings of loneliness, raised her eyes and looked at Su Shi, who was still showing her a gentle smile.

Even this guy... will he become that guy's aunt in the future?

In that guy's memory, Su Shi, just like him, participated in the childcare work of raising and teaching him...

So, will he, in the future, say the same sweet words to Su Shi as he did to himself and Chu Hua, just like he did that day?

"..."

Upon thinking of this, Shiina Tatsuki's expression darkened.

"Hmm? Is there something on my face?"

Faced with Li Xi's silent gaze, Su Shi simply smiled and tilted her head slightly, seemingly puzzled.

"...There is nothing left of the two spirits, Japanese doctors, Shaanxi, and Er Yue."

Lixi rubbed her tired eyes. She had indeed practiced until late last night, just as Su Shi had said.

Rather, every night after leaving the Kazama family, she pondered how to improve her drumming skills—

How can I surpass Chu Hua and Le Nai and become a more trustworthy partner for Xiao?

If you're still struggling with this—how about this?

Su Shi rolled her eyes and suddenly came up with an idea.

"Let me think of a way to help Taki-chan take the initiative."

Ms. Motoyo Nagasaki did this entirely out of good intentions.

Little did she know that in the near future, she would deeply regret her current act of kindness.

Chapter Fifty-Six: Astounding Wisdom

"Su Shi, you come up with a solution... Okay, if you have any ideas that have already taken shape, I'm willing to take some time to listen to them."

Seeing Su Shi's confident and composed demeanor, Li Xi wanted to refute her earlier hasty characterization of Gao Songdeng as the source of her troubles, but after thinking it over, she suppressed the urge.

If she denies Su Shi's guess, then she will definitely follow the clues and start to suspect that the person causing Li Xi so much trouble is someone else entirely—

Shiina Tatsuki absolutely did not want this guy to notice her complicated and subtle feelings for him.

"So you're making this difficult? It seems you really like lights, Taki-chan~ Hehe."

Su Shi gently covered her lips with her hand, but couldn't hide the clear, bell-like laughter that escaped from between her fingers.

Motoyo Nagasaki is a terrifying guy.

Fortunately, at that moment she only thought that Li Xi was still preoccupied with how to win the favor of the lamp, so she just smiled mischievously.

Although Nagasaki Motoyo usually behaves like a polite and well-mannered person in most daily situations, she can suddenly become so persistent on certain topics that it is difficult for others to understand.

If this guy also discovers that she will become that boy's family in the future, he will probably do something even more outrageous than she has been, suppressing her emotions.

“Mmm, cold [lacquer] (〤four) [fins] [private] [walking]…”

Lixi really wanted to refute something, but she held back the impulse.

Is it necessary to correct Su Shi's speculation? The least important reason is that the group of 29 & 76/Yi Shan Ba ​​Liu...

The main reason was that she had promised the boy that she would never reveal that secret to anyone else.

It shouldn't be a big deal if Su Shi continues to mistakenly believe that the object of her troubles is the lamp.

"...Say what you want."

Therefore, Li Xi simply gave up struggling, which Su Shi interpreted as her tacitly agreeing with her statement.

Anyway, this can't be considered lying, since Su Shi was guessing the whole time, and Li Xi didn't nod to indicate agreement or shake her head to indicate refusal.

"Hmph~ Just as I thought. After all, there's nothing else that would make Taki-chan so obsessed."

Nagasaki Motoyo smiled and curved her eyes into a beautiful crescent shape. To this, Riki just gave a dry, guilty smile and did not express any strong resistance or rebuttal.

"Okay, stop teasing me. Didn't you say you had a solution? I'm all ears."

Although I can't tell this guy the truth directly... it shouldn't be too much to ask for a free method, right? Anyway, given Su Shi's previous attitude towards Kazama, she probably didn't want to be as unique in his heart as she did.

Clinging to this sliver of hope, Shiina Ritsuki feigned impatience and urged Su Shi, who was still chuckling.

"Okay, okay, I know you're in a hurry. Anyway, here's what I'm thinking—since your request, Taki-chan, is to get a little closer to me, just sitting here and stupidly burying your head in playing the drums isn't enough."

Despite her gentle and persuasive demeanor, Su Shi maintained her graceful smile as she walked behind Li Xi and gently placed her hand on the girl's seemingly frail but tense shoulders that had been constantly on edge.

"Sometimes, it's okay not to appear too reliable."

"………I don't understand you."

Despite the profound meaning in Su Shi's gaze, Li Xi, who was remarkably oblivious to such things, still failed to grasp its essence.

"What I mean is, if you're trying to get closer to someone... it's okay if you don't become so unattainable and aloof."

"I haven't become some kind of unattainable beauty. I'm just doing my job. I don't want to hold anyone back or be looked down upon by anyone."

"Oh dear, sometimes people will feel that they shouldn't get too close to you because of your mindset, or they might be afraid of disrupting your plans and thus stay away from you."

Su Shi patiently explained, standing beside Li Xi and watching the black-haired girl's silent profile. She seemed to find Li Xi's appearance amusing and chuckled softly.

"Just like why idols with a girl-next-door vibe attract more fans, appropriately showing friendliness and naturalness, and even showing vulnerability at just the right time, is the key to closing the distance."

"Show weakness? I don't want to."

Lixi stubbornly shook her head, her long, flowing black hair swaying gently in response.

She seemed to interpret showing weakness as revealing a shameful side of her personality, which left Su Shi somewhat amused and exasperated.

“There are many ways to show weakness, Taki-chan. It’s not about showing your most vulnerable side, but about trying to make something appear to be your weakness.”

"...?"

The simple-minded Li Xi was confused, so Su Shi could only smile, shake her head, and point to herself with her finger.

"For example, if I privately approached you, Taki-chan, and told you that although I've never played the drums before, I've recently developed a slight desire to learn how to play, but I don't have time to find a music teacher for one-on-one tutoring, what would you do?"

"Is that even a question? Of course I'll answer you. Since we're teammates, I'll definitely help you. Whether it's answering basic music theory questions or providing hands-on practical instruction, you can rest assured that you can leave it to me... Ah."

Su Shi smiled without saying a word, only shrugging slightly.

Lixi gradually realized what was going on; she had found the answer in her own response.

"For Taki-chan, who is strong-willed and not good at lying, admitting that she has shortcomings and needs the help of others is indeed a difficult thing. But if you think of it as just a strategy to get closer to the person you want to get closer to, wouldn't it be easier to accept?"

Su Shi smiled gently. To her, this wasn't even a strategy—just a little bit of girlish scheming.

However, what she could do easily was a bit difficult for Lixi.

"Hmm, strategy... um..."

The black-haired girl lowered her head and muttered the word softly, her face gradually becoming hot.

Just as Su Shi said, this was indeed a plausible excuse to get closer to that guy. She could even imagine the boy's cheerful and kind smile when she approached Kazama with a similar reason.

Then, as Su Shi had described, he would place his rough yet warm and large hands on hers and teach her how to swing the drumsticks, hand in hand—

"........."

If Shiina Riki's brain was comparable to a computer mainframe, the heat emanating from her already malfunctioning brain was almost hitting Suze's face.

"Oh my, Taki-chan really loves lamps."

Su Shi smiled helplessly, thinking that Li Xi's shyness and bashfulness were all because he was fantasizing about experiencing all of this with Deng.

"Now that we've said all that, you know what to do, Taki-chan, right? Time waits for no one, you know?"

Of course, when she eventually realizes that her idea was just an illusion, she will definitely hate herself for extending a helping hand.