Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

[New mission: Figure out a way to fill this audience to capacity! This time, you'll be standing on the stage!]

This "you" must refer to Kazama, right?

But this is a bit tricky. This guy who flits between the girls in the band has never been a formal member of any band. How can he stand on stage and fill the audience with seats?

It was originally a rather complicated problem, until Banami had a flash of inspiration and combined Tsuzuki Shisen's request with the system's task.

—What wedding night? If Kazama can use his superb skills to make Ms. Tsuzuki Shifune look at him differently, this is clearly the moment of passing the imperial examination.

"Don't get any bad ideas just because Renai-chan is cute, okay...!"

Making such a declaration about her granddaughter in front of someone's grandmother would probably get her kicked off the list immediately.

"Hana just doesn't understand you. Only by continuing to please Rakuna can I possibly make my success in the imperial examination a reality...!"

Kazama remained serious, and it was only after saying that that he finally understood what Kazama meant.

...Excuse me, sir, I didn't recognize you just now. So you're continuing to be Renai's nanny? That sounds like a good life.

"Hehe, Lena is used to doing whatever she wants. It does make me feel more at ease to have someone watching over me."

Du Zhu Shichuan waved his hand, indicating that the two did not need to be so tense.

"However, the reason I called you here today has nothing to do with that child, Renai, Mr. Kazama. It's more about yourself."

"...Should I assign my babysitting job to someone else?"

Kazama, still somewhat skeptical, then uttered another remark that left Hana speechless with disbelief.

"Hehe, I like your wild imagination. Now I know why Lena likes you so much."

Tsuzuki Shisen smiled gently and shook his head, denying Kazama's guess.

"However, I still can't bring myself to send such a gifted child to be my own granddaughter's nanny."

Now that things have come to this, Tsuzuki Shisen has finally revealed her true intentions.

“I also followed your performance with those children. It was a very moving show.”

She was referring to the performance of Kazama and Suze Riki in Kasuga Kage not long ago.

"However, I have also noticed that your strength is quite outstanding among those children."

At this point, Ms. Tsuzuki Shisen smiled slightly.

"If possible, Meng, could you please perform again? Because this time I really want to witness the performance I missed before."

What is this? A heart-fluttering offer scene?

Kazama looked around, but he didn't see any cameras anywhere.

However, since it was Lena's grandmother who made the request, he didn't intend to refuse.

"Okay, so you mean you want me to do whatever I want?"

“…Yes. Choose any instrument you like, and then begin your performance, Mr. Kazama.”

Shifune Tsuzuki was somewhat taken aback, as if she hadn't expected Kazama to agree so quickly. But she quickly regained her composure, displaying the decisiveness and poise befitting a RiNG boss.

"Okay, you don't need to be so formal, just call me Xiao."

Kazama was exceptionally friendly and approachable to the seemingly stern yet surprisingly easy-going old man in front of him, and the reason was quite obvious.

After all, she was Lena's maternal grandmother.

In fact, Xiao had seen this old man a few times when he was a child, of course, under Lena's guidance.

At that time, the old woman was already very old. She lay in bed listening to her granddaughter Lena introduce the young Xiao as her new apprentice, and she smiled with satisfaction.

She passed away soon after, and Rakuna was devastated for a long time. Akira's memories of Ms. Tsuzuki Shifune also became increasingly blurred with the passage of time.

If there's any advantage to unexpectedly arriving in this strange time and space, it's probably that you can see the deceased still looking energetic.

Aunt Lena will be very happy too.

Kazama composed himself, which was getting out of control, and turned to look at the musical instruments that had been placed in the corner of the room.

Guitars, basses, keyboards, microphones—all the instruments a band should have are piled up here, except for the larger drum kit.

"If the instrument you choose is a drum set, we have brand new ones that just arrived yesterday downstairs."

As expected of the big boss who managed RiNG so well, Du Zhu Shisen saw through his considerations immediately.

"It's okay, I've already decided what to play."

Kazama walked up to the guitar, picked it up with practiced ease, and began tuning it.

Banami smiled and took a step or two back, exuding a sense of pride that suggested she had kept her achievements hidden.

Although she can't make Kazama an instant world-famous band superstar, she can certainly get him "the attention of big shots".

As for the rest, it's up to Kazama to fight for it himself.

For some reason, Banami did not doubt whether Kazama could succeed.

Looking at his calm profile, she could already imagine that even after the young man achieved great success, he would still have this composed expression.

Perhaps before Kazama's hands gently plucked the guitar strings, they had already disturbed something else entirely.

Chapter Eighteen: The Boundary Between Family and Friends

"I've already decided what I'm going to play."

Kazama walked towards the guitar rack in the corner, his movements as natural as if he were returning to his own living room.

Banami stood still, saying nothing more. She knew Kazama was already in the zone, and disturbing him would only be a burden.

Shisen Tsuzuki nodded slightly, maintaining her characteristic upright posture, as if listening to a closed-door interview.

A few seconds later, the first guitar sound rang out.

It was neither a grand opening nor a display of skill; he was simply performing a melody from his memory.

It was "Spring Shadows" that was played that day.

Clearly, he didn't choose this piece to please anyone, but because it had changed something—including himself.

A few minutes later, the performance abruptly stopped.

Kazama did not hold back his strength, nor did he pretend to be weak. Since Tsuzuki Shifune had asked to assess his strength, it was only out of respect for this lady to show him no reservations.

“I understand.” Tsuzuki Shifune spoke, his tone as gentle as if he were merely discussing the weather. “Kazama-san, you are very talented. If you don’t have a contract with any agency, have you ever thought about forming a band… or perhaps making a solo debut?”

Kazama didn't speak; Tsuzuki Shisen's suggestion didn't really surprise him.

“Not as an assistant or on-staff member,” she continued. “If you’re interested, you can revive a band project. You choose the members, you decide the style, you write the songs—you stand on stage.”

Tsuzuki Shisen offered an irresistibly generous proposal, and that's not all.

"Of course, if you don't want to play in a band and only want to debut as a solo artist, I will also provide the corresponding resources. It all depends on your personal wishes."

"...Just like that?" Kazama raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you afraid I'm the kind of guy who lacks stamina and starts to falter in formal performances?"

"I'm afraid, but I'm even more afraid that you won't agree."

That statement was surprisingly honest.

“You are not an ordinary child; you are someone who can shake the direction of others.”

Du Zhushichuan smiled as he said this.

“My elusive and unpredictable granddaughter has become so open about her emotions because of you that she even asked me if you could stay here… Perhaps your talent isn’t just limited to music.”

"So, you came to me because of Lena after all?"

"No, I won't give someone else a chance just because of that child's personal preference. I noticed you before your performance. Your skills seem a bit too polished among a bunch of inexperienced girls. Perhaps you've had professional teachers guiding you since you were little?"

At this point, Ms. Shifune Tsuzuki raised an eyebrow.

"This industry is actually very small. I might even know your teacher."

That goes beyond just knowing each other.

"Actually, I heard my teacher mention you when I was a child. She respected you very much."

"Is that so? I hope we'll have a chance to meet."

That's easy, just go downstairs and catch the cat.

"I will give your proposal a good consideration."

As the saying goes, the kindness of being recognized and appreciated is the hardest to repay.

Shisen Tsuzuki was willing to lend a helping hand to Kazama, who was currently penniless. Her act of kindness, which was like sending charcoal in snowy weather, was certainly not solely due to Rana.

"Have you considered that the opportunity might slip away in the blink of an eye while you're thinking?"

Tsuzuki Shisen smiled slightly, but it was hard to tell whether she was joking or warning.

"If the reason for hesitation is to take responsibility for one's own life and the lives of potential companions, then I think it's okay to consider it for a while longer."

"...Your answer is very insightful, Mr. Kazama. I will patiently await your reply."

Perhaps she truly admired Kazama's abilities and wanted to cultivate a talented junior.

But in any case, it's a good start.

“Hehe, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… Kazama, you’d better think this through carefully.”

As Banami walked out of the office, he grinned happily. Kazama knew that Banami had also contributed a lot.

"Yes, there are many talented horses, but few discerning judges of talent."

Kazama let out a long sigh.

"Yes, yes, Ms. Tsuzuki is truly a rare talent scout! She was watching your performance with such focus and attention—"

-Moon/-Ripple's first post: "I'm talking about you, Banai meets her mentor."

"Eh?"

Banai seemed a little slow to react.

"I... I didn't actually do anything. It's just that before you were discharged from the hospital, Ms. Shifune Tsuzuki contacted me and asked me to pass on this message to you."

"Knowing how to seize and make the most of opportunities for talented individuals—that's what makes a truly good talent scout. Can you please stop underestimating yourself?"

Kazama gave Hanami a thumbs-up with a serious expression.

"Without a doubt, you've just topped my friend list. You'll have the privilege of being treated to dinner once a week, so please accept this."

"Oh? So, does that mean I'm now your best friend?"

Banami narrowed her eyes like a little fox.

"Then what about Mutsuyoshi and Aine-chan? Are they your like-minded friends, Kazama?"

"No, no, no, they are family."

"what……"

The emotion that had just welled up in her heart dissipated like a tide. Banami knew that she shouldn't have too many unnecessary expectations of this guy who couldn't keep up with his boasts.

However, once she started thinking, she came up with a new joke to tease Kazama.

"So, Kazama, you didn't actually have any friends before me, right?"

"How could that be? This is utter nonsense, rubbish, sophistry, and wild guesses. I'm not the kind of pitiful kid who can only go home and cry to my mom that no one plays with me. Besides, there's no one waiting for me at home now!"

"It's already pitiful enough that I don't need to add that last sentence. Fine, fine, then I'll reluctantly be your best friend."

The two left the corridor, exchanging a few words. Inside the room, Tsuzuki Shisen waited until the conversation outside the door gradually faded away before a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Indeed, this is what youth is like.

But next, she's going to do something less youthful.

The phone on the table rang softly; someone was calling.

"...What do you think of the outcome just now, Mr. Toyokawa? At least we can rest assured that the young man who saved your granddaughter was not someone who intended to seek personal gain."

"Ah, contrary to what Xiangzi described as a home-robbing, perverted thief, he is actually a reliable young man. Thank you for your understanding, Ms. Tsuzuki."

"Is there anything you'd like to entrust to him?"