Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

"Heh, I think it's Mu's limited-edition charm."

Lixi was truly unable to restrain her harsh words this time, and unleashed her full firepower at the clueless Kazama—although she was actually somewhat relieved that Kazama hadn't guessed her thoughts.

She had intended to humiliate Kazama in this way, but he gave an even more astonishing reply without even looking up.

"Right? Because I have a fetish for 'honey'."

"........."

Li Xi fell silent, which was uncharacteristic of him.

"...No wonder he knows your band."

Hai Ling also rubbed her forehead, it seemed that she had a preliminary understanding of the divine human attribute on Kazama's body (II) ⑵ yōu chī lěng bā yǔ yuè/yī xìng.

"Alright, the smell of vinegar in the room should have dissipated by now. Let's get down to business."

She didn't delve any further into Riki's girlish thoughts, but instead smiled slightly and stood beside Kazama.

"Show me what you've got, Kazama-kun."

"........."

Li Ni 2x】Shan Lin IV Jiu 7 (3) Si Xi also wisely didn't say anything more, but as she looked at the two getting closer and closer, she felt a little uneasy for some reason.

Despite not accepting their invitation to join the band, Kazama arranged to meet Kairin in a place like this, saying he hoped to establish a long-term collaboration with her, and the two of them even began to seriously probe each other's backgrounds...

She could only lower her head and silently stare at the drumhead.

Was her strength not enough to satisfy him?

Chapter Thirty-Four: Unexpected Jealousy from Lixi Sauce

Kazama's skill needs no introduction; his keyboard solo alone was enough to impress Hachiman Kairin.

To be honest, she didn't have high expectations. After all, this young man had performed as a guitarist at the last Mygo concert, and she could accept that his keyboard skills were mediocre.

However, the ability that Yueyi*Qiqiqi0 showed in the practice room was absolutely comparable to that of a professional band.

"You played very well. I wonder why no band has tried to recruit you as a keyboardist yet?"

When Kazama finished his song with effortless ease, Hailin's gaze towards him brightened slightly.

"Hmph, this guy isn't just good at playing the keyboard."

Sitting in front of the drum set, Lixi involuntarily puffed out her chest. Even though Hailing wasn't praising her, she still wanted to prove Kazama right.

"Oh? You're quite talented. Can I witness all your abilities firsthand, Kazama-kun?"

It feels like relatives are visiting during Chinese New Year, and they're performing skills to entertain us.

Well, this isn't the first time Lixi has done something wrong with good intentions.

Kazama reluctantly pulled his hands back from the keyboard, then picked up the guitar and plugged it in.

A burst of energetic electric guitar music started playing.

The smile on Hachiman Kairin's lips grew more and more pronounced.

"I'm starting to think that Kazama might be even more suited to be a mercenary than I am."

When Lixi "stepped down" and gave up his position on the drum set to Kazama, who then played the drums with smooth, rhythmic strokes, Hailing nodded thoughtfully.

"After all, I can only fill in the bass position by myself, but this guy seems capable of playing any position."

Then another burst of energetic drumming erupted.

Hailin wanted to see what other surprises Kazama could give her, until Kazama himself called a halt, looking a bit tired.

"Stop, stop. I'm showing off my skills, not performing a talent show."

Both Lixi and Hailing looked at him with admiration, just like when the two aunts came to check on his teaching results when he was a child—if he had to say, he now felt quite like he had traveled back in time.

"Hmm...it seems you toned it down a bit during your performance with that band last time. If you went all out, it should have been enough to attract the attention of professional bands or agencies."

Hailin also spared no effort in giving Kazama high praise.

"I feel like it shouldn't be you poaching me, but rather me poaching you, Kazama."

"..."

Standing half a step behind Hailing, Lixi opened her mouth slightly, wanting to ask something, but after noticing that neither of them had looked in her direction, she reluctantly shut her mouth.

Kazama had always looked up at him and everyone with gentle eyes before—but he wasn't like that today.

Rather, he never did that again after that accident.

Did she do something wrong? Is it because her skills aren't strong enough that Kazama wants to find other people to form a new band?

Shiina Tatsuki had considered all these possibilities on her way here. She had originally wanted to wait for this opportunity to be alone with Kazama and have a proper talk with him.

Unfortunately, Hachiman Kairin appeared there, completely ruining Riki's plan.

And right now, Kazama only has eyes for her.

But Shiina Tatsuki still desperately wanted to hold onto something, at least to hold onto that gaze... No, could she really still do that now?

Li Xi silently took a step or two back, leaving a wider space in front of the two of them.

She hid the slight loneliness welling up in her heart.

"But Hachiman-kun doesn't really have any plans to form a band with a long-term contract, does he?"

Neither Kazama nor Kairin noticed her change in feelings; the two were still discussing serious matters.

“That’s right. But if I can still take on part-time boosting jobs, I might consider it.”

"Hey, I thought you had already been convinced by Miss Xiangzi's proposal."

"Her proposal was indeed very persuasive, but the higher-ups did not provide me with contingency plans to deal with unforeseen circumstances, nor did they seem to have any long-term plans for its operation."

Hai Ling shook her head, and the look in her eyes when she looked at Kazama was no longer the carefree and nonchalant look she had given him before, as if he were just looking for fun.

"Sometimes, solid skills and a quick-thinking mind are more reliable than an excellent plan."

"Oh dear, if you're praising my abilities, my elusiveness, and my trustworthiness, then I'm very grateful for Miss Hailing's favor—may I address you that way?"

Xiao is in a good mood now. In the original timeline, both Hai Ling and Li Xi were quite strict with him, so it is truly rare for him to receive such straightforward praise from Aunt Hai Ling now.

Moreover, isn't gaining the other person's approval the first step in building a bond with them?

He no longer intends to treat these younger versions of the aunties as relatives from his memories, but it wouldn't hurt to spend more time with them and build friendships.

"Of course, Xiao."

Hailin was indeed quite straightforward, and without the slightest hesitation, she began to call Kazama by his name.

Oh dear, for a moment I feel like I've gone back to the past. If we ignore the word "classmate" at the end.

"........."

Now only one person in the room felt uneasy, and that person could not possibly be Kazama or Kairin.

"Your relationship has suddenly become so good. Is the next step to start discussing what to name your new band?"

Lixi composed herself and uttered these words, which at first glance sounded somewhat sarcastic. In fact, she hadn't intended for her words to sound so sarcastic...

"Am I interrupting your serious conversation?"

But this is the final result.

Neither Kazama nor Hailin responded for a moment, but they exchanged a knowing glance.

This guy must be jealous.

After exchanging knowing glances, Hai Ling's gaze towards Kazama instantly became full of interest.

You haven't known her for very long, yet you already hold a significant place in her heart.

Her intriguing gaze conveyed this meaning.

No, no, no, perhaps Lixi is just a little unhappy that I didn't agree to her request to stay in the band and instead went to find you, Miss Hailing.

This was the answer revealed in Kazama's eyes.

Although they haven't had much contact since they met, the two of them can already convey each other's thoughts just through their eyes—which is especially interesting to Hachiman Kairin.

"Don't say that, our cooperation is still in the very early stages, not even close to being finalized. Besides..."

So, in a great mood, she took the initiative to become Shiina Tatsuki's master of mediating her awkward little emotions.

“Since you and Xiao are friends, I should really consider his suggestion. That would be responsible to me, to him, and to you and your band. How about it? Put away that dejected look of yours that you can’t live without him.”

"I...when did I ever say I couldn't live without him..."

"Can't you really live without me? Lixi... so you're a serious type of woman too..."

"Huh?! I already told you to stop spreading alarmist rumors!!"

Shiina Tatsuki blushed and felt extremely tired.

These two seem to be more compatible than she imagined. Would it be better to avoid letting them meet in the first place?

Chapter Thirty-Five: Li Xi, Twisting and Turning

Why does this happen?

For the first time, I had someone I could trust besides the band members; for the first time, I had the possibility of forming a band again for the rest of my life...

"Honestly, someone of your skill level could easily go on a professional band tour. The fact that you want to invite me to form a band with you... that's interesting."

However, his old acquaintance, Hachiman Kairin, beat him to it, and this time his gaze was no longer fixed on him.

"If we could join forces with the strongest mercenaries, that would be the icing on the cake."

"So glib? Interesting."

Shiina Tatsuki felt somewhat lost and confused.

Looking at the two people who were only staring at each other, she, caught in the middle, didn't know why she had become like this.

Although Hailing just said that she only considered Kazama's suggestion because of Lixi, it doesn't change the fact that the two of them will become teammates while she is just an outsider who has nothing to do with it.

"That's all for today then. It's been a worthwhile trip. Wait for my message when we get back, Xiao."

Yawata Kairin seemed quite satisfied with the results she had received today.

"It's just like an HR person, Hailing."

Kazama smiled and waved at her.

"Oh dear, but I won't be paying you. Mercenaries only use their money to support themselves—unless you're planning to invite me for tea or a meal, in which case I'm always available."

Are all bassists like this?

"And one more thing," before leaving, Hai Ling pointed at the silent Li Xi without changing her expression, "I'm leaving the task of appeasing that guy to you. I'm going to pack my bags and leave now."

"Who, who wants to be fooled by you—"

"Mission accomplished, sir!"

"Wait, Kazama, don't join in the commotion!"

The moment Hai Ling decisively closed the practice room door, Kazama walked up to Riki with a serious expression.

"Ms. Shiina Tatsuki".

"……what."

Feeling even more uncomfortable under his intense gaze, Lixi turned her head away, but even so, she was unwilling to admit that she felt a little guilty.

"What do you want to do?"

Kazama was equally relentless, closing in step by step until the two were practically touching.

"The truth is something that's always been kept hidden in your heart, and if you don't say it directly, how can you expect others to understand?"

Tsk... As expected, his ability to hide his feelings is still not quite up to par.

Lixi inwardly mocked herself, yet she couldn't help but lose her composure due to Kazama's sudden approach.