Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

It seems that Xiao has been accepted as a qualified companion by them.

Metis nodded to himself, it seemed that Xiao's talent had been appreciated by discerning people.

If there were a button in front of her that represented approval, she would turn around and press the button to show her approval, just like a mentor on a variety show.

"Can I use what you just said as a blueprint for my song lyrics?"

Ms. Takamatsu took out her notebook, looking quite serious.

"Wait—no, light!!"

Li Xi, who thought he had survived a calamity, was shocked and on the verge of collapse.

...Metis barely managed to suppress the urge to wildly praise and approve.

At this moment, Miss Wildcat, who is rarely seen in the practice room, appeared here today. After observing everyone for a long time, she put down her guitar.

"Hmm...boring."

She glanced at the character "Ruoye Mu" played by Metis, then turned and left listlessly.

"Xiao, I'll come find you to play again next time."

Before leaving, she casually tugged at the boy's sleeve and then let go without a trace, just like a stray cat wrapping its tail around a human's hand before leaving the home of its long-time owner, expressing a faint trace of care and attachment.

With Lena gone, the guitar's place became vacant.

"Alright... Mu, since you're already here, why don't you relax like usual and practice your guitar?"

Even after being teased like that, Lixi didn't show any more malice. She pointed to the table where the guitar was placed, indicating that Mu was free to do as he pleased.

"oops……"

This left Professor Metis speechless.

I can't play it at all.

How to do this?

Naturally, she cast a pleading look at Kazama.

Help me, Xiao's dad!

Chapter Sixteen: I'm going to fill every seat in the audience!

Playing musical instruments, like spiritual practice, requires humility and patience.

Kazama, of course, had no idea why Metis was looking at her for help. Since she considered Mutsu's companions as her own, she should also be proficient in the skills that Mutsu excelled in.

It's a pity that ideals are full, and reality is very skinny.

No way! I simply can't do that kind of thing!

Teacher Metis still appears as dull as Xiao Mu on the surface, but his eyes, which are constantly darting around, are sending signals to Kazama.

If she puts her hands on the guitar, she'll only be able to play dissonant, chaotic tunes.

When that happens, my lie of impersonating Xiao Mu will be exposed, and Xiao Xiao will also be mistaken for someone else impersonating her!

Metis attempted to use this method of bringing Kazama down to make them share in his glory and disgrace.

What a joke! How could you possibly find another kangaroo dad in the world who is so deeply in love with Mum and so devoted to her?

Kazama smiled and picked up his guitar before Riki could ask any more questions.

"Wait a minute, Mu can't touch the guitar right now."

Metis breathed a sigh of relief; she knew Xiao was someone she could rely on.

"What?"

Lixi was a little annoyed by the guy who suddenly appeared and interrupted her.

"As the saying goes, a calm mind brings clarity. But Mutsu's peaceful daily life has been shattered, and her mind is covered by a dark, viscous, unidentified substance. The aftereffects of the car accident are so unforgettable! Exhausted, she has no mood to keep company with the guitar for the time being—is that right, Mutsu!"

"Uh...yes, that's how it is."

Metis had a feeling that Kazama had just insulted her, comparing her to a dark, sticky mass, but she still had to force a smile.

"Hmm... It's not you, Kazama, who got post-traumatic stress disorder from the car accident, but Mutsumi."

Li Xi felt that something was vaguely off, but since things had come to this point, she couldn't force Mu to pick up the guitar and play a song in front of her. She wasn't the kind of annoying relative who would watch the younger generation's talent shows for fun during the New Year's dinner.

"It seems that as your physical condition has improved, your silver tongue has also been saved."

The blue-haired girl peeked out from outside the door. She had already arrived at RiNG's practice room, but she hadn't come in to interrupt their conversation.

"I thought you'd be much more well-behaved after you recovered, Kazama, but it seems I was just overthinking it."

"So, Yanami-kun, do you prefer the honest version of Kazama Akatsuki or the version of Kazama Akatsuki who combines eloquence and wisdom?"

Kazama fiddled with his now largely useless cane, responding to Anna's teasing with an unexpected question.

“I prefer Kazama Akatsuki who came with me.”

Banami pouted and hooked her hand around the boy's sleeve, easily bringing him to her side.

"It's okay to leave your Xiao Mu aside for now. Li Xi isn't some monster that eats people alive."

侕溜.'迩鸸壹陕笼扒$兒y /*ue-已“那可未必的”

Riki, with a fierce expression, clicked her tongue slightly, revealing her sharp little fangs because of Kazama's words.

"whispering sound."

Lixi, still looking like a raging beast, stared intently at Kazama as he was dragged outside the practice room by Banami. Only then did he look at the light green-haired girl sitting there, her eyes darting around.

"..."

Mu didn't speak, but gave her a faint, somewhat unnatural smile.

"Mu seems a little strange today."

Seeing that Su Shi was present, Li Xi spoke her mind frankly.

"Oh dear, is something wrong? I didn't feel anything at all."

Su Shi tilted her head with a smile and squeezed out a sweet voice from her throat.

"Don't tell me you didn't notice anything! Now it's your turn to act a little strange!"

“Speaking of whether something’s right or wrong, if Riki feels that everyone around her is acting strange… ah, maybe the strange one is actually yourself!”

"Aiyin, you too, stop stirring things up from the sidelines!"

Even through the door, the girls' noisy chatter in the practice room reached Kazama and Hanami's ears.

"The atmosphere is great, Kazama. Do you still want to fit in?"

Banami lightly covered the corners of her mouth with her fingers, which seemed to be forming a slight smile.

"Those daydreams will fade away with time, even without getting hit by a car."

Kazama disagreed; he was now able to accept this fact without personal feelings.

"Well, it seems that someone's heroic rescue has paid off quite well. At least they've achieved some reconciliation with themselves?"

"I wanted to have a fair and square fight with Xiangzi, okay? Even death can't interfere with our duel."

"Let's put aside your chuunibyou-filled remarks for now, Kazama—I have something very important to discuss with you."

Seeing Anja look around, Hana lowered her voice.

"As far as I know, you're not in any bands, and you're not attending any schools... You've been spending your days doing nothing and having a good time, haven't you?"

The blue-haired girl snapped her fingers.

Have you considered getting a completely new job opportunity?

Job opportunities.

Such unfamiliar vocabulary.

Ever since Kazama transmigrated here and completely lost his eligibility to form a band and debut, he has never heard the word again.

Kazama Akatsuki paused to think.

"To be honest? Not at all."

Then he quickly revealed his true feelings.

"You really have absolutely no ambition."

Even someone like Banami, who's completely devoid of ambition, has started complaining. It seems he's living a rather comfortable life now.

"Don't you have any dreams you want to achieve? Like the male protagonists in those youth romance novels, do you have any goals you absolutely must pursue?"

Yes, there are some, but these targets are across time and space, so they're impossible to catch up with.

"Sigh... In the end, life is just like that. You chase your dreams, encounter setbacks, fall down, and accept reality."

Kazama took a drag on a non-existent cigarette held between his fingers, his expression a mixture of melancholy and indifference.

Goodbye, my fading dreams.

"What kind of extraordinary ambition do you have?"

Today, I really couldn't help but want to complain.

"I want my mom and aunties to watch me and my bandmates debut, to become the most watched stars in the industry, and to fill all the venues for my shows!"

Kazama answered every question readily, making no attempt to hide his curiosity about Hanami.

"But that will probably never happen again."

He can neither go back to the old days nor start over here again.

"...Who said that?"

Banami holds the opposite view on this point.

The girl flashed her signature innocent smile, her adorable grin making her look incredibly endearing.

"You'd better thank me properly, Kazama!"

Chapter Seventeen: Wedding Night? With Le Nai?

Rain after a long drought; meeting an old friend in a foreign land; the wedding night; passing the imperial examination.

If Kazama is currently facing one of the four great joys of his life, then he will feel a little nervous.

"You must be Kazama Akira? Thank you for taking care of my granddaughter all this time. Rakuna sometimes mentions you to me."

Banami led him to RiNG's office, where the solemn yet kind old man sat at his desk, giving him a friendly smile.

“I have also heard about your righteous act.”

She glanced at Kazama's left leg, which no longer required much of a cane to walk, and was clearly worried.

"Young man, I hope you recover well."

Ms. Shifune Tsuzuki, the owner of RiNG, is also Rana's maternal grandmother.

So, is that it, that joyous occasion in life?

Kazama, unusually serious, bowed slightly to Ms. Tsuzuki.

"Thank you for your recognition and trust. I will definitely continue to take good care of Lena!"

"Hey, are you here to propose marriage?! This isn't some prelude to your wedding night!"

Banami nudged Kazama's chest with her elbow and whispered a reminder. Having spent so much time with Kazama, she had slowly come to understand his thought process.

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

There are two reasons why Hanami calls Kazama to Tsuzuki Shisen's office.

Firstly, of course, it was because Ms. Tsuzuki Shifune personally extended the invitation to her. It seems that the news of Kazama performing with other girls in the band had also reached her ears as the boss.

Secondly, of course, it's because the system assigned her a new task.