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

However, that person also quickly noticed his own loss of composure. Almost the moment he met Chen Qi's gaze, he immediately lowered his head and subconsciously said, trying to hide his embarrassment:

"Yes, sorry! Sorry for disturbing you!"

"Wait, wait! It's not what you think!"

Aiyin, who was interrupted just before her inner collapse, suddenly regained her shyness as a girl. She got off Chen Qi's thighs at the first moment and reached out her hand towards the person who was suspected to be an employee with a blushing face.

"I'm sorry! I disturbed you! I apologize! I'm leaving now!"

However, that employee... no, the disguised Toyokawa Shoko was even more frightened than Aine herself. She grabbed the straps of her backpack and ran away with her head down, as if she was afraid that her eyes would ever come into contact with Chen Qi again.

She was even more afraid that Chen Qi would see through her appearance, and that the tears that were about to burst out would completely destroy all her dignity in the next second.

So, you must not get caught!

Otherwise, I will really have nothing!

"Snapped."

However, just before Xiangzi was about to escape, she suddenly felt a touch on her wrist, and soon, Xiangzi was grabbed by a force from which she could not escape.

What made Xiangzi give up struggling almost completely within a second was the voice from Chen Qi that sounded right after.

"Please wait a moment. At least, don't run away at such a suspicious time."

"..."

Finally, after hearing Chen Qi's words, Xiangzi stopped, but she still didn't dare to turn around to face Chen Qi - she felt that as long as she met Chen Qi's eyes, she would be recognized at once.

Behind Xiangzi, Chen Qi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she had finally regained her composure. Then, in his most relaxed and convincing tone, he spoke to her from behind, word by word:

"My spoiled little sister next door, did she scare you just now? She has been a little too clingy to me lately, which is really annoying."

"So, can you please not tell anyone? Although this kid is so bold in front of me, he is actually a very shy person. It's just that he is too familiar with me, so he is more unscrupulous."

"Here, take this as hush money, how about that? Sorry, this is all I have."

As she spoke, Toyokawa Shoko, who had her back to Chen Qi and was listening to Chen Qi's explanation, found it increasingly irritating. Just as she was about to lose control of her emotions and break free from Chen Qi's hand and leave with her head down, she felt something cool being handed into her hand.

"Is this... a pick?" Xiangzi subconsciously withdrew his hand and only then did he see clearly the object in his hand, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"This is the pick I usually use. It's not a valuable item. I'm sorry."

Behind Xiangzi, Chen Qi's familiar gentle voice sounded again. That voice soothed all of Xiangzi's anxiety, like a gentle spring breeze, and he smiled and said:

"You work part-time in this store, right? I don't know if you're also involved in music, but since you chose this store, I think you must be someone who is very interested in music, right?"

"Just consider this small gift as my encouragement. If you are interested in music and intend to stick to this path, this pick will be my testimony."

“Of course, if you occasionally feel tired, I hope this pick will make you want to keep going, even if it’s just for a moment.”

"The road of music has always been difficult, but I think that everyone who insists on this path must have their own reasons. They don't need others to persuade them to give up. It is enough for others to believe that they can do it."

"……Thanks."

However, Toyokawa Shoko, who never turned her head, stared blankly at the pick in her hand. Following Chen Qi's words, her originally anxious mood miraculously calmed down gradually.

It was unknown how long it had been before Xiangzi, with her head down, carefully held the pick in her hand, suppressing her trembling voice. She didn't even dare to use more force for fear of breaking the small pick.

Why... is it always like this, Chen Qi.

Whenever I want to give up, want to separate from you completely and never hear from you again, you always touch the softest part of my heart silently.

And I... I can't even be angry with you. My disguise, my self-esteem, and all the shells that protect me, seem to be useless in front of you. You always know what voice I want to hear most in my heart.

Why am I always so hopelessly dependent on your tenderness...

Originally, after listening to Tsuzuki's words, Xiangzi had already begun to waver on whether to invite Chen Qi to join his band.

And this time, she accidentally witnessed Aiyin being intimate with Chen Qi. She was so suddenly shocked that Xiangzi even felt discouraged and wanted to give up for a moment.

But now, Xiangzi, who was once again standing on the edge of the cliff of collapse, was once again completely pulled back by Chen Qi's words.

And he, clearly, just gave me a pick and said something I liked to hear...

Really... I am so disappointing.

Feeling the warmth of the pick in her hand, she couldn't help but blame herself for Xiangzi in her heart. The corners of her mouth under the mask unconsciously curled up slightly, and the tiredness in the corners of her eyes seemed to be swept away the moment she smiled.

"Then I'll accept it. Thank you for your gift."

"Next time...if we can meet again, I will give you a gift in return."

After saying that, Toyokawa Shoko still did not turn her head back, but walked towards the distance step by step with exceptionally elegant and calm steps. Even though she knew that she was being watched by the person she least wanted to meet in such an occasion, Shoko remained calm and composed.

As Xiangzi had expected, Chen Qi watched her disappear at the end of the street. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. Facing Xiangzi's departing back, his expression became more subtle, and he whispered softly:

"...You are as stubborn as ever, Xiangzi. This is all I can do to help you now."

"No matter which path you choose in the end, whether you will shoulder everything alone like before, or you will be willing to face it all with me... At least, don't give up your dream, Xiangzi."

I am also looking forward to seeing the same smile of yours one day in the future.

In just a blink of an eye, all the emotions that had surged in Chen Qi's heart were suppressed again, and his heart, which had been hanging because of Xiangzi, seemed to finally let go a little.

However, when Chen Qi finally said goodbye to Xiangzi and planned to go back to Aine, he discovered that at some point, Kaname Lenai had brought everyone who had ended the band back to the store, and Kita was also carrying a new guitar bag, and had obviously changed to his favorite new guitar.

However, everyone was looking at him with a subtle look, or rather, they were looking at the interaction between Chen Qi and Xiangzi.

"Everyone, what's wrong?"

Hong Xia: "Senior Chen Qi is really thoughtful. As long as there is an opportunity to make people feel warm inside, he will do his best to do it."

Hong Xia, who had witnessed the interaction between Chen Qi and the unknown employee, did not use her cheerful personality to avoid the topic. She also responded to Chen Qi's question with a smile and chuckled:

"Senior Chen Qi is really good at being the white moonlight in a stranger's heart. He always helps people to the best of his ability when they need help the most. This time, he helped us in the same way before."

"Don't say weird things. I just did what I could."

Chen Qi laughed and shook his head at Hong Xia's sudden frankness. But he didn't notice that Hong Xia's words were recognized by Ai Yin and Goto Ichiri who were hiding behind everyone.

"Really... Brother Qi's personality makes him too prone to flirting." Aiyin thought so in her heart with dissatisfaction, but Hongxia's words also exposed the soft spot in Aiyin's heart, making her cheeks a little red.

After all, she had just said the same thing as Hong Xia had said at the beginning, that she was caught off guard and her defenses were breached by Chen Qi.

However, with me in the future, Brother Qi will not be able to mess around with other women anymore. Do you still want to be someone else's white moonlight? Humph, wishful thinking!

You will only be my white moonlight in this life!

"White Moonlight...huh?"

Goto Ichiri, who was hiding behind everyone, raised his head cautiously when he heard Hongxia's description. The moment he looked at Chen Qi's profile again, he lowered his head in fear and dared not look at him again.

White moonlight... maybe it's called white moonlight because it's hard to get?

I am afraid that I will never be able to shine on the stage with the man I admire?

As soon as the thought of herself and Chen Qi standing on the same stage together and their guitar solos resounded through the stage emerged in Xiao Gudu's mind, she shook her head violently to dismiss the thought, as if thinking about it for one more second would be a "blasphemy" to Chen Qi in her heart.

"Well, this is a great opportunity. Everyone who has finished their bands, why don't you come and practice with Aine?" Chen Qi smiled and skipped the topic. He did not reveal Xiangzi's whereabouts to anyone. Instead, he encouraged everyone who had finished their bands and said:

"Grandma will probably be here soon. We won't have many opportunities to get her guidance. Let's work hard together today."

"Qi, I'm with you."

At this time, upon hearing that Chen Qi wanted to practice, Yao Lenai, who was originally concentrating on eating candy, came over with a smile on her face, and immediately pulled Chen Qi to her side in full view of everyone.

"Pray, listen to my guitar."

"Okay, okay, I'll listen to Lenai's guitar and see how your skills have improved after all this time."

Aine: “Um…”

However, Aiyin, who saw Chen Qi being dragged away by Kaname Lenai, also stretched out her hand and wanted to say something... But in the end, after seeing how intimate Kaname Lenai and Chen Qi were, Aiyin still couldn't say anything.

Forget it, it’s her fault that she met Brother Qi a little late.

What's more, since Rakuna looks like just a junior high school student, I must be too worried... right?

……

"Ding dong."

"Here he is, who is he?"

At the same time, a figure with long chestnut hair and dressed in neat and decent casual clothes appeared in front of the door of Chihaya Aine's house. With the ring of the doorbell, Mrs. Chihaya also came to the door of the courtyard at random, and faced the slim high school girl standing at the door.

"Excuse me, who are you?"

"——Hello, I'm sorry to come here uninvited today. My name is Nagasaki Motoyo, and I'm a friend of Chihaya Aine who is in the same band."

Outside the door, Nagasaki Motoyo's sweet voice, which would make anyone feel good about it, was directed to Mrs. Chihaya with all her strength. With her calm smile, decent dress and appearance, she could capture most of the elders at first sight and make them sincerely exclaim "good girl".

Nagasaki Suyo, who was outside the door, also maintained the etiquette that she had practiced for a long time, and said to Mrs. Chihaya in front of her in a relaxed tone that would not arouse anyone's suspicion:

"I came to visit Aine-san today. I wanted to ask her about the new music score."

"Excuse me, is she home? If possible, can I go in to see her?"

As readers can see, this book will be available on the shelves around 10 a.m. tomorrow! (Sprinkle flowers!)

Then I also promise here that there will be at least three updates on the shelves (don’t ask why there are only three updates, 5k to 6k words per chapter is really unbearable woooooooooooooooo…)

And I will try my best to maintain the update twice a day, so please rest assured that the fun of this book has not yet unfolded, and the explosive plot has not yet been revealed. The entire plot is in the author's mind!

For the author, your support is the greatest motivation. If readers support this book more, the author will do his best to help everyone enjoy a better plot!

So the last word is...

Please! Without the support of readers, Wat↑Ta↑Xi↓

As long as the subscription results are good, I'm willing to do anything!

Chapter 35: The truth discovered by Nagasaki Suyo, the confrontation between Suyo and Mutsu

"Shigasaki-san, here are some snacks and fruits. If you need anything, please feel free to ask."

"No, it's already perfect. Thank you very much, Mrs. Chihaya."

Nagasaki Suyo was invited into Mrs. Chihaya's home with almost no obstacles. She also adhered to the etiquette and dignity of a young lady that she had learned without any teacher since entering Tsukinomori Girls' Academy. Her behavior was impeccable in every way.

Su Shi, who behaved perfectly, quickly won the favor of Mrs. Chihaya. The housewife was busy entertaining Su Shi, but Su Shi gently stopped her in time and said with a smile:

“Mrs. Chihaya, you don’t have to be too concerned about me. This time I came uninvited. Aine-chan and I haven’t known each other for very long. I’m really sorry for being so rude.”

“Don’t say that. Aine is just getting used to her new environment and needs friends. It’s really a great help that you’re willing to come to Aine at this time.”

Mrs. Chihaya naturally had no resistance to Su Shi, who was so polite and a high school student of the same age as her daughter, and she took the initiative to explain:

"It's a pity that my daughter went out early this morning, otherwise Nagasaki wouldn't have to wait here in vain."

Su Shi: "No, I'm not impatient. Mrs. Chihaya's snacks are delicious. I can't help but want to eat a few more~"

I see, Aine went out early in the morning.

When practice ended yesterday, Su Shi saw that Aine was so nonchalant that she followed her all the way without Aine noticing. Su Shi also found out where Aine's home was.

Today I just wanted to find out whether Aiyin had any connection with Aqi or Xiangzi. Now that she is not here... then I can act more recklessly.

Nagasaki Suyo thought so in her heart, and immediately put down the teacup in her hand. Facing the busy Mrs. Chihaya, she said with a perfect smile:

"Mrs. Chihaya, thank you for your hospitality, but it's not good to trouble you all the time. I'd better go to Aine-san's room and wait for her, right?"

"Sure, Aine's room is upstairs."

Mrs. Chihaya did not have any doubts and immediately guided Nagasaki Suyo to go upstairs. After thanking her, Suyo went upstairs without saying a word.

Soon, as Su Shi pushed the door open, all the structures of Aine's small room on the second floor were clearly visible to Su Shi.

"This is……"

And Su Shi's eyes quickly locked onto the eye-catching photo next to Aine's bedside table.

And the moment she stretched out her hand to grab the photo frame, the particularly clear and intimate smiles of Aiyin and Chen Qi in the photo were like a heavy punch to Su Shi's forehead, making her head buzz.

"Aqi..."

It was almost a conditioned reflex. After half a year, Su Shi, who had never expected to see the person she had been thinking about day and night again in this way, almost lost her voice due to excitement when she saw Chen Qi in the photo.

She never imagined that the person she had been looking for was so close to her.

She also never expected that there was another woman who was comparable to Xiangzi in every aspect, and who had bypassed everyone including her. In this short period of half a year without any news, she had unknowingly become so close to Chen Qi.