They are in the music show, but I am a stranger to them

"Liang, I really, like you."

"...At this point, do I need to say more about this?"

Volume 186: Chapter 185 Chapter : Liang will be jealous too

"Well, to celebrate our Chen Qi's successful entry into the martial arts hall, cheers!"

"Cheers!"XN

At night, in a huge chain izakaya, it was now packed with band members from RiNG. Every table was filled with food and draft beer cups, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.

In the izakaya, Chen Qi, who was in the center position, was like a star surrounded by stars and was undoubtedly the protagonist of this banquet.

"Ah, I didn't expect you to be able to overcome all the obstacles and get to the martial arts hall!"

Z Xingge, who was sitting at the same long table with Chen Qi and also witnessed the entire finals, was also drunk at this time, holding a draft beer cup with half a glass of beer left. He came to Chen Qi's side with great interest, and said with a slightly red face:

"Although it's a bit regrettable that my Hong Xia couldn't go to the martial arts hall with you, I believe that after you become famous, you will definitely not forget that Hong Xia helped you, right?"

U "You also have to remember that [Fanxing] is the livehouse where you first performed. You are the first big star to come out of my livehouse. Don't - hiccup, forget it."

aHongxia: "Sister, you drank too much. I won't be able to carry you back home after the party."

Hong Xia, who was sitting next to Chen Qi, also pulled her drunk sister away with a helpless look on her face, and then said to Chen Qi apologetically:

ｑ"Qi, don't worry about my sister. You don't have to care about what she says."

"No, Hongxia, Sister Xingge is right." However, Chen Qi, who was also holding a draft beer cup and drinking oolong tea mixed with soju, nodded with a slightly red face. He looked directly at Hongxia and Xingge and answered without hesitation:

"Don't worry, Sister Xingge, no matter what I become in the future, I will never forget [Fanxing] and everyone who ended the band."

"No matter where I go, I am always a member of the band. No matter how big the stage is, or how small the difficulty is, as long as everyone needs me, I will be the first to help everyone."

㈨Strictly speaking, Chen Qi is now not just a member of the disbanded band. He is also a full-time member of MYGO, which has finally begun to build friendship with them, and Ave Mujica, which is about to make its official debut. In other words, Chen Qi is a common member of all three bands.

And this promise is not just about ending the band. Chen Qi can also say the same thing to everyone in MYGO and Mujica.

Although he has already stepped onto the Budokan and is about to become the next generation of local new generation on one of the biggest stages in Japan, and his future path is basically predictable and smooth, he will definitely not be shy about standing on the stage with these girls again.

Especially the girls who finished the band, Chen Qi will never forget who comforted and touched him when he was helpless. This is the help he can repay with his whole life.

Without them, I might not have survived the most difficult time and I wouldn’t be who I am today.

"If Sister Xingge doesn't trust me, maybe she's worried that I might change in the future, why don't you record this sentence and use it as a weapon to threaten me later?" Chen Qi also said half-jokingly:

"After all, I am also worried that if I really become famous in the future, will I become different from who I am now..."

However, Xingge, who was half drunk and half awake, listened to Chen Qi's sincere words in a joke, and a trace of clarity appeared in his sleepy eyes. He smiled vaguely but firmly and said:

Noon "I dare not say anything about others, but I believe you will not change."

"After all, if you change, then some people around you will definitely be heartbroken. This is what you are most afraid of, so you dare not change~"

As he spoke, Xingge also responded to Chen Qi with a joke, laughing under the influence of alcohol:

"Could it be that you have the heart to watch my Hong Xia stare at you with such a disappointed and heartbroken look?"

Hong Xia: "Sister!"

In the end, the embarrassed and angry Hong Xia dragged her drunk sister away from the scene, and Chen Qi just watched Hong Xia and Xingge leave. He didn't want to listen to Hong Xia's mother's nagging.

On the contrary, Liang, who had kissed Chen Qi in the corridor today, seemed particularly silent in the pub.

Perhaps he was not used to the change in his relationship with Chen Qi, or perhaps it was because Liang, who had never been in a relationship before, suddenly had a "lover" in the real sense and didn't know how to get along with Chen Qi naturally, so Liang spoke particularly little.

Chen Qi did not disturb Liang. He understood that an independent and unique girl like Liang did not need his meaningless interference. He would slowly help Liang adapt to such small matters.

but……

"Liang, your favorite [Jiudao] (pickled seafood offal to go with alcohol), don't you want to have some?"

Liang is my wife, if I don’t pamper her, who else should I pamper?

Liang: "...Qi, is the wine good?"

However, in the face of Chen Qi's concern, Liang did not refuse, but asked a somewhat abrupt question.

Just "this one?" Chen Qi raised the half-drunk oolong tea mixed with shochu in his hand, and answered honestly in response to Liang's curious eyes:

０ "To be honest, it doesn't taste very good. I still prefer Coke."

4. "However, given today's atmosphere, I think we'd be happier if we drank some wine." Chen Qi said this, and his eyes unconsciously turned to another table, where Roselia's already-adult daughters, Yukina and Saya, were also tasting the flavor of sake under Ako's envious gaze.

⑻ "Drinking makes people happy?" Liang blinked, revealing a rare look of confusion.

Liang was born in a doctor's family. From a young age, he was taught by his parents that alcoholism and smoking were extremely bad and extremely destructive to the body. Therefore, Liang was also warned from a young age to stay away from tobacco and alcohol, and it is best not to touch them at all even as an adult.

⑵But this time, the other aspect that Chen Qi told her made Liang feel a little curious.

⒐Does wine have such charm?

Lin: "Of course, under the influence of alcohol, all people's emotions will be amplified, and they will do many things that they can't do when they are sober."

⑸ Chen Qi also raised the wine glass in his hand. Of course, he had no habit of drinking, but he drank a little today because he was in a particularly good mood. Moreover, he knew his limits and would definitely control himself from getting drunk.

Of course, Chen Qi also noticed Liang's curiosity about the wine. He didn't want to teach Liang a bad lesson, so he didn't tempt Liang to taste it. Instead, he deliberately held the wine glass farther away.

"But, Liang, it's too early for you to drink now. Wait until you're an adult, okay?"

: Liang did not agree or object to this. Instead, he silently turned his gaze to the other side, where MYGO and Ave Mujica were sitting together.

Looking at these girls who had fought and even quarreled for the boy beside them more than once, and now they were all sitting happily together. Even though Chen Qi and the band were sitting together and didn't seem to care much, she couldn't help but murmured in a low voice:

"It seems that even if I do something a little bit out of line, they should be able to forgive me."

Chen Qi: "Hmm? Liang, what did you just say?"

"Nothing." The noisy environment prevented Chen Qi from hearing Qingliang's words, but Liang did not reveal his intentions. He just shook his head and naturally changed the subject again.

"But I just saw Toyokawa Shoko go outside the pub. She seems to have not been back for a while. Don't you want to go outside and take a look?"

Xiangzi?

When Chen Qi heard Liang mention this name, his heart tightened slightly. But when he turned an inquiring look to Liang beside him, Liang gave him a tolerant look and allowed him to leave.

"Then I'll excuse myself for a moment."

After getting Liang's permission, Chen Qi walked towards the door of the pub without any worries.

However, just as Chen Qi left the store, Liang stared at Chen Qi's half-empty glass of wine. After a moment's thought, he made a decision.

"Excuse me, here is another cup of oolong tea mixed with shochu, and another cup of oolong tea."

"Okay! I'll be there soon!"

……

"Bang."

Outside the izakaya, Xiangzi came to a nearby vending machine and bought a can of hot coffee. The slightly chilly autumn wind made Xiangzi, who was wearing thin clothes, feel a little cold. With the help of the temperature of the can of hot coffee, the chillness in Xiangzi's body was driven away a little.

However, just as Xiangzi was feeling the temperature of the coffee can with her hands, after a while, the temperature coming from behind her made her relaxed nerves tremble slightly.

"Don't freeze yourself. Take care of yourself when no one is around, Xiangzi."

"……pray."

Subconsciously reaching out to touch the clothes covered by Chen Qi, Xiangzi also briefly touched Chen Qi's warm hand, feeling the familiar temperature that he had not touched for a long time, and Xiangzi's expression unconsciously softened a lot.

It was a wonderful feeling. Obviously, there was no possibility for her to return to him now. But precisely because she had given up, she could now let go of all her defenses and accept Chen Qi's just right concern calmly.

This kind of atmosphere actually made Xiangzi feel more relaxed and he had no thoughts of internal friction.

"I clearly said that I'm treating you today, why are you still buying your own coffee?" Chen Qi looked at the coffee in Xiangzi's hand and asked him casually:

"I thought you would save as much as possible, Xiangzi. Or do you still feel burdened by accepting my kindness?"⒐

"...No, it's just that there are no hot drinks in the pub." Xiangzi also had no barriers, just standing side by side with Chen Qi. Their eyes did not meet for a moment, but they knew each other's thoughts.

For a moment, the two people standing side by side fell silent, but there was no awkwardness in the atmosphere between them.

Soon, Xiangzi was the first to break the silence. While holding the coffee can in his hand, he said to Chen Qi beside him:

"...I have already written the lyrics for the new song about Budokan."

"I'll leave the composition to you, Qi. This might be the last time we work together, right?"

"Is it too decisive to say this now?" Chen Qi looked at Xiangzi beside him. He did not find it difficult to accept Xiangzi's words of separation, because he knew very well that he and Xiangzi would never be separated.

"Xiangzi, I dare not say anything else, but I have learned a lot of lessons this year. One of them is to never say too much, so as not to be embarrassed when you are slapped in the face." Ling

"No matter what happened between you and me, I think we will never forget each other. Do you think it is realistic to part like this?"

"...but I can't rely on you for everything, Chen Qi." However, listening to Chen Qi's words that he firmly believed that they would not be separated, Xiangzi's heart warmed slightly, and he couldn't help but clench the coffee can in his hand.

After a long silence, Xiangzi shook his head helplessly and told Chen Qi the secret that had just come out an hour ago and that he wanted to bury in his heart.

“…Grandpa, after the finals, sent me a message.”

"Mr. Fengchuan?" Chen Qi blinked, and a vague figure emerged in his mind.

"Yeah." Xiangzi nodded. She finally got in touch with her family after leaving home, but she didn't look that happy. She said lightly:

"My grandfather said that he already knew about my band and that he had watched my performance in the finals. He was very pleased that I could cheer up and that I was not defeated by life."

"Grandpa also said... that he has planned to sponsor my band in the name of the Toyokawa family, so that I can return to the name of the Toyokawa family."

"As for Dad, Grandpa also said that he is willing to let the family pay for his treatment for my mom and me."

“——This is a good thing, Xiangzi.”

However, for Chen Qi, this was extremely exciting news, but he did not show too much excitement because he also noticed that Xiangzi did not show any joy for this, which was what she had dreamed of.

Chen Qi also vaguely guessed Xiangzi's choice.

"But, judging from your expression, Xiangzi, you didn't accept your grandfather's proposal, right?"

"...Yeah." Under Chen Qi's gaze, Xiangzi nodded sullenly, as if he felt sorry for Chen Qi beside him for his choice, and said in a low voice:

"I only accepted my grandfather's financial support to send my father to the hospital as soon as possible, but I also told my grandfather that I would return the money to the Toyokawa family later."

"I... don't want to be recognized by my grandfather just for taking the first step and go back with such sympathy. I want to live independently with my own abilities and Ave Mujica."

"I don't want to feel burdened by the surname 'Toyokawa' anymore, but to live my life as 'Shoko' without any restraints - this is how I plan for my future."

During this year, Xiangzi experienced and witnessed many things, and the most impressive thing for Xiangzi was that his childhood sweetheart Mu completely escaped from the Wakaba family and bravely embraced the person he cherished.

When Xiangzi heard that Mu and Chen Qi had "eloped", her first reaction was not only horror, but also unspeakable envy.

I envy Mu's determination and courage to abandon all material things and embrace the love he wants without any worries.

Until today, after experiencing so many unforgettable transformations, Xiangzi finally had the courage to completely draw a line between himself and the family that drove him and his father out of the house when he was most helpless and hurt.

I no longer want to be bound by any constraints, and no longer want to bear any false pride for the sake of this surname.

Everything that he had lost had to be fought for by himself - but not from the Toyokawa family, but to restart a new life and gain things that he could control and that truly belonged to him.

"...Chen Qi, is my persistence stupid?"

However, although she had great ambitions in her heart, Xiangzi still couldn't raise her head in front of Chen Qi... because she knew that Chen Qi had been helping her until today just to get her out of this difficult situation in life as soon as possible.

And now, the life of a young lady that she had always dreamed of was right within her reach, but she chose to reject it all for the sake of her dignity.

"To be honest, there is a little bit."

However, Chen Qi smiled faintly at Xiangzi, who was too ashamed to look him in the eye. He reached out and gently stroked a strand of Xiangzi's hair at his temple. There was no complaint in his tone, but instead it was full of understanding and relief.

"But it just so happens that the one I like has never been 'Toyokawa', but always 'Shoko'."

"..."

The moment Chen Qi finished speaking, he witnessed the delicate face of Xiangzi beside him changing from white to red. Looking at Xiangzi's cherry-like red cheeks, Chen Qi was fascinated and couldn't help but say what was in his heart.

"My dear, you are so beautiful."

“…When did you become so good at sweet talk? Did Aine and the others awaken your talent for teasing girls?”

However, perhaps it was really difficult to resist Chen Qi's direct offensive one after another. Xiangzi, who could no longer suppress his throbbing heart, chose to pretend to be calm and left quickly after blushing and scolding Chen Qi.

Chen Qi was also looking at Xiangzi's fleeing back, and a little warmth emerged in his heart. He smiled teasingly:

"Remember to go home and rest early. Don't force yourself to go to work today."

Xiangzi: "——I want to go, otherwise you will support me, idiot."

In the dark night, facing this joke that could have touched her most sensitive dignity, Xiangzi handled it so calmly. Chen Qi also silently watched Xiangzi's back until he completely disappeared in the street.

Although the autumn wind was cold, Chen Qi's heart was as warm as spring. Everything that happened on this day was perfect to him, like a dream.