Who says meal replacements can’t be eaten as meals?

"Huh? Who cares about you? Either place your order or be quiet and stop being such an eyesore." Miss Lixi's service attitude was as unfriendly as ever.

Ding ding~

The phone rang and Aine returned her gaze to the LCD screen, waiting until she finished reading the message before she accidentally exclaimed.

"Eh? Sushi said she won't be coming..."

"What happens between you two has nothing to do with me, do you want to order or not?" Miss Lixi urged impatiently.

[Aine]: "Is Suyo-san okay? Are you feeling unwell?"

[Su Shi-san]: "It's okay, it's just that my sister gave me a surprise today, so I have to make a big meal tonight to repay her, so I have to prepare it in advance."

[Sushi-san]: "I'm really sorry about today. Let's make an appointment to talk next time."

“Okay~Okay~ Show me the menu.” Miss Aine muttered to herself, holding her chin with both hands while putting her phone aside. “Sakuya and Motoyo-san have a really good relationship~”

"What's the matter with Sakuya?" Shiina Tateki asked suspiciously, and the menu under the plate was thrown on the table.

“I don’t know. Why should I tell you? You have such a bad attitude!” Aiyin picked up the menu, glanced at it casually, and threw it aside. She opened her SNS to see if there were any recommended drinks.

"Hmph, call me when you've made up your mind." Li Xi turned around and was about to leave.

The phone vibrated softly once again.

This time, it's Li Xi's.

It is forbidden to look at the phone during working hours, so Li Xi ignored it and continued to walk towards the bar.

“Hey, that guy!” Aine called out to the waitress who had no service spirit. Although she spoke, she still looked angry. “Moshiro-san asked you to read the Line message.”

"Trouble." Li Xi sighed lightly, but soon she was stunned.

[Sushi]: "I want to form a band with Aine, would Riki like to join us?"

[Su Shi]: "Xiao Deng will be there too."

"Deng will never join the band. She is still sad about what happened before." Miss Lixi sent a voice message with feelings she didn't quite understand.

Chihaya Aine turned her head in confusion, and her fingers that were scrolling through her SNS pages slowed down. "What are you talking about?"

Shiina Riki did not respond. Although she was somewhat tempted by the news just mentioned by the pink-haired guy, she still left.

"Could it be that Suyo wants to form a band with this bad woman?" Chihaya Aine thought about it and shouted silently in her heart. "Suyo, this guy is not needed."

But why mention the small lamp?

Miss Aine suddenly realized that she had indeed seen the name Riki not long ago.

In Xiao Deng’s notebook, on the music score below “Spring Shadow”.

Come to think of it, after I told Xiao Deng that I would not invite her again this morning, did she look a little sad? She actually... also wanted to form a band with someone again, right?

Chihaya Aine put down her phone and put on her brand new guitar backpack.

“I remember Xiao Deng said today that she was going to the planetarium…” Miss Aine whispered to herself while holding onto her shoulder straps.

======

Shimokitazawa.

Known as "Shimokita", although it is only a stone's throw away from Shibuya and Shinjuku, Miss Sakuya did not feel a particularly strong city impact when she just got out of the station. Instead, she was full of nostalgia and a sense of freedom.

Looking forward along the street on the left, there are second-hand clothing stores where traditional kimonos are hung on the racks together with suits and leather jackets, rare traditional bookstores with walls full of gashapon machines, CD stores covered with faded band posters, and trendy restaurants that are both cafes and bars. Shimokitazawa really starts to wake up in the afternoon, and the streets are mostly filled with pickup trucks for transporting goods and antique bicycles with shiny bells. The horns and bells are mixed together, which is the collision of memory and life, nostalgia for the past and the present, full of a sense of age but with a trendy vitality.

If you turn your head, you can see a group of musicians carrying musical instruments, wearing the same uniforms, and with their hair dyed in bright colors.

"What a rock and roll, Shimokitazawa..." Miss Sakuya murmured and then suddenly remembered that she was not here for sightseeing today.

After seeing off Shoko who was going to work part-time at the station, Ms. Sakuya also hurriedly jumped on the car. If everything went smoothly, she would probably be able to make it to today's Live House on time.

The train was bumpy all the way, and Miss Sakuya gradually came back to her senses from her restless youth. Shoko probably had no major problems. Even if it wasn't for her first friendship since coming to Tokyo, it was wrong for her sister to force him...

As for my sister...

I probably won't be able to go back to this house today... I can only wait until my sister calms down and then I can kneel down and apologize with my arms around her thighs.

A figure in a pink sweatshirt passed by, and the country girl fretted as she pulled up the map and muttered to herself, "Stary? Or Starry? How do you spell it..."

"Um, are you going to LiveHouse?"

A lively female voice came from the front. Looking up, I saw a girl with blond hair and a ponytail. Her pupils were like brown andalus. She was wearing a light-colored uniform and carrying a bright yellow schoolbag that was similar to her hair color. She had a warm red bow tied at her collar. The triangular hair on her head swayed slightly, which was very cute.

"You just said Starry, right? That's my sister's Live House~" Ijichi Nichina said happily while holding the hand of Goto Ichiri, who had turned into an unknown pink sticky substance.

Chapter 77: Generation Gap

Everyone in Shimokitazawa is really enthusiastic.

"Classmate, is this your first time in Shimokita?" Hong Xia walked in front to lead the way. A little behind on the left and right sides were two people with very different styles, carrying musical instruments.

"This is my first time. Before, I mostly went to RiNG in Ikebukuro." Sakuya was a little surprised by Ms. Nijixia's enthusiasm, but it was great to have someone to help point the way.

"That's amazing. I heard that RiNG is almost the largest Live House in Tokyo. How about Ichiri? Have you been to Shimokita before?" Miss Hongxia turned her head and looked at Ichiri Goto, who was silently counting the number of street tiles with his head down.

"Ah...no..." The pink sportswear warrior lowered his head even lower when he heard that.

How could I dare to come to such a fashionable street with rich personality? And as high school students, the sunshine of everyone is too dazzling. I am used to hiding in the dark corners and I am almost dehydrated by the halo of the two people's sunny corners... I really shouldn't have followed them so easily...

"We'll be at the Live House soon~" Ms. Hongxia turned her head to comfort her, then jumped a little and turned to look at Ms. Sakuya who was looking around. "By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm a sophomore at Shimokitazawa High School, my name is Ijichi Hongxia, and this is the guitarist Goto Ichiri, a freshman at Shuka High School, right~"

"Yes! I am a guitar!" Goto Ichiri exclaimed, and then in an instant he felt so regretful that he wanted to bang his head on the ground - what does "I am a guitar" mean? Sorry to bother my classmates, I will go to the guitar factory and transform myself into a guitar...

"Goto-san is really an interesting person." Ms. Sakuya chuckled and took a look at the unremarkable guitarist in front of her for the first time.

Her long pink hair was unkempt and draped behind her. Her bangs seemed a little too long, almost covering her light blue eyes. Her face shape was very pretty, but she was a little thin.

Her eyes fell on the simple yellow and blue hair accessory on the right, and Sakuya-san's eyes lit up. She moved closer to examine it carefully. "Goto-san's hair tie is so cute, can you tell me where you bought it? ...Goto-san?"

Miss Goto Ichiri is a social phobic.

He is an extreme social phobic who has not spoken to his friends since kindergarten and can only exchange lunch boxes with his teacher during school trips.

Therefore, the moment the fresh floral scent of the high school girl wafted from his body, Goto Ichiri began to melt.

Perhaps it was the sadness of social phobia, but when Sakuya's voice was heard, Miss Ichiri, who was praised by someone other than her elders for the first time in countless years, couldn't help but laugh foolishly.

Thus, Xiao Yili evolved into a mysterious creature that swayed from side to side like jelly and made strange noises from time to time.

Ms. Sakuya silently took a half step back.

"Ahaha, sorry, I may have too little sense of boundaries. I'm Ichinose Sakuya, a freshman at Hanegaoka Girls' College. Today I came to Starry to practice as a support musician~"

"Ahaha, what a coincidence, Ichiri-san is also the supporting musician I found. The previous guitarist suddenly disappeared, which really troubled me for a while." Miss Hongxia, who wanted to find some topics to liven up the atmosphere, smiled awkwardly and changed the subject naturally. "Today's Live House is called Starry~ It means stars, and my sister is the manager there. Ah, speaking of which, Starry should not undertake practice services, Sakuya-san, are you sure you are in the right place?"

"Eh? I was also introduced by a friend. I just practiced with everyone in the band at RiNG yesterday, so it's likely to be right." Ms. Sakuya replied affirmatively, with the reliable face of Hailing appearing in her mind.

Goto Ichiri, who had not been able to get a word in just now, also came back to his senses from the strange state of constantly muttering "I am guilty, causing unhappiness to others, and being exiled to Tanzania..."

The live house they performed at had a band vibe to it. Even the girls I met on the street had performed at several venues...

My heart...is beating so fast.

Goto Ichiri turned his head away again, avoiding Hongxia's eyes that were trying to look him in the face.

"I work there." Hongxia turned around and walked backwards, her brown-red pupils looking at Miss Goto's watery blue eyes covered by her bangs.

"Ichiri, are you good at athletes?" Miss Hongxia's ability to find topics is truly admirable. After asking the question, she simply walked sideways to the left side of Goto Ichiri, blocking her sight as she was reviewing the work level of the sanitation workers.

Miss Ichiri felt a little uncomfortable with the halo of sunlight, so she turned her head to look at the green belt on the other side, only to see Miss Sakuya's first button, which had been ripped open due to the intense exercise, as she gasped.

Are all high school girls in Ikebukuro so amazing? Are breasts the part that can be shown so naturally?

Miss Ichiri turned her head sharply, staring at the blind path that stretched to the end of the road and spoke softly. "My athletic ability is not very good... but for some reason, I can always stay until the end when playing dodgeball."

"Is that so?" Miss Hongxia was about to cry. Does this child have no friends at all? No wonder he was sitting alone on the swing in the park...

"You're amazing, Goto-san. Please teach me the tricks. I'm almost always the first one to hit the ball, even though I'm trying hard to dodge it." Ms. Sakuya praised sincerely.

"No, Sakuya, you better stop talking. I feel like this may have nothing to do with skills..." Hong Xia complained weakly, then pointed to the corner and spoke again with full energy. "Turn left at that intersection and you'll find it. Although it's called [Fanxing], it's actually a live house in the basement, don't be surprised~"

Want me to play guitar at a live house...

No, no, how can I be scared now?

Miss Yili closed her eyes and meditated, and began to recall her daily fantasy of performing on stage at the cultural festival.

After a series of leaps and bounds, Goto Ichiri sneered and said, "I am the woman who can fill the martial arts hall."

"Eh?"*2

"Ah, nothing." Miss Ichiri wanted to commit suicide.

“Ahahaha.”*2

>_<, please, don’t let Hongxia feel that she has found the wrong person!

For the first time, Miss Hongxia's smile disappeared from her face and she looked away. "Did you find the wrong person?"

The three of them walked around the last corner and saw a downward tiled staircase. At the top of the staircase, where the sun could not reach, there was a small neon sign that said "Starry".

"Here we are, knock, knock~" Miss Hongxia put her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, forming a cute pose commonly seen among young girls.

"Demon...demon realm?" Goto was puzzled.

"It feels so cozy~" Ms. Sakuya sighed softly as she looked at the small handwritten signs and potted flowers on the roadside.

Chapter 78 Isn't it exciting?

Ms. Sakuya held a thin sheet of printed music in her hand and listened to the teachings of the ethereal voice.

"The vibrato at the end of this section is a bit difficult. There is a difference between the 5th-st score and the 4th-st version, so the playing technique has also changed. You were not very proficient in playing this part yesterday, so you have to pay attention when you perform on stage. Of course, don't worry too much. I have already told the drummer, and she will help you fill in the notes you missed." Hachiman Kairin's voice was flat, just like a reliable lecturer teaching in a music classroom.

“Yeah...that’s right. Although it was me who suggested to perform live, isn’t it a bit too soon to go on stage right after the day of practice?” Ms. Sakuya stared blankly at the sheet music in her hand.

"Actual drills are also part of practice, you'll get used to it." Hai Ling took out the familiar milk jelly and put it on the table. She was not too worried about someone's bass level.

The venue is not big, and there are fewer people on weekdays. The only difficulty is probably the psychological pressure caused by going on stage for a live performance?

"Don't worry, I'll be standing next to you when you go on stage. If you can't keep up, just step on the effects pedal." Hachiman Kailing continued.

"Eh? You underestimate me too much. It's just a live performance. Can you be as scary as my sister?" The little country girl put her hands on her hips confidently.

"Oh yeah, then I'll be looking forward to it~" Miss Hailing squinted her eyes and smiled softly.

Starry's decoration is a typical modern minimalist style, but it also incorporates rock elements. Black floor tiles and walls form the main color, and metal elements with clear lines sprayed in bright red can be seen everywhere.

There is a DJ control console controlled by an unknown sound engineer, a bar counter covered with posters of members and serving as a cashier, hexagonal marble-patterned tabletops connected in pairs, and finally a performance stage that is one section higher and occupies the largest space. In this way, a mature and cool space is formed.

Tourists who came specifically to listen to the music sat down in twos and threes with beer and drinks in hand, and the lights in the lobby were changed to a soft lavender tone.

Ms. Sakuya popped her head out of curiosity and looked through the backstage display window at the staff carrying drum sets and amplifiers in an orderly manner. It seemed that a three-member small band would play two songs in advance to liven up the atmosphere.

"Are you nervous, Sakuya?" Lyric's drummer chuckled and handed over a bottle of water. "Just follow the momentum you practiced yesterday~"

“You’re not really that nervous, are you? Ugh, I’m still a little bit nervous, but…” Sakuya turned her head to look at someone on the other end.

Hachiman Kailing had just put on her shoulder straps neatly, and when she looked up, she happened to meet Sakuya's gaze. Her face was still expressionless, and her light green eyes stared at her without blinking, as if starting a new round of the staring game.

Miss Sakuya surrendered quickly, her face slightly red, and she lowered her head to stare at the gradient matte shell of the GB-4. She thought she was just not good at staring into people's eyes. People like Hailing who were not embarrassed at all were the minority!

The drummer looked at the bass mercenary she had worked with many times, then turned to look at the new bassist who was still wearing a student uniform. She felt like she was being fed dog food. "Is this... bringing a girl?"

"This is really rock and roll." A somewhat cold voice came from the side.

Following closely was Nijika's energetic greeting. "Ah~ Saki-chan, I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Although Starry isn't that big anymore."

"Is Hongxia here to help backstage?" asked Miss Sakuya.

"No, no, actually we are the band responsible for warming up the audience today, although this is our first time on stage." Hong Xia waved her hands repeatedly, then pointed her finger at the girl standing next to her on the poolside.

Short blue hair, olive eyes, a fitted black shirt and trousers, a stern expression and teardrop moles at the corners of his eyes make him look very handsome. The off-white four-string bass he holds makes Ms. Sakuya look even better. She would have been even more perfect if she hadn't had a half-eaten squid tentacle in the corner of her mouth.

"This guy is the band's bassist, Yamada Ryo. Although he has very few expressions, he's actually a nice guy~" Hong Xia introduced.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Lyric's support musician Ichinose Sakuya. You can just call me Sakuya." Miss Sakuya nodded her head towards Ryo generously.

"Hello, even though you're a weirdo performing on stage in a school uniform, I recognize your rock and roll nature." Miss Liang pinched the squid tentacles with two fingers as if holding a cigarette, and nodded in response.

"Eh? School uniform is not okay?" Miss Sakuya looked around and suddenly realized that she was the only one who was not wearing casual clothes.

"It's okay. You've already achieved the last of the three elements of being a band member. Clothing is actually an unimportant element." After saying this, Yamada Ryo took another sip of the squid tentacles.

"It sounds very interesting." Miss Hailing also joined in the fun.