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

The brilliant halo of the sun horn filled her vision like a gradient crayon. Ichinose Sakuya subconsciously put out his hand to block his eyes. The bright smile of the red-haired maid made her look at the sign twice in confusion, and then he was sure that he was not in the wrong place.

"Good evening, Sakuya-chan. Kita is a very understanding kid. Usually, Ryo is in charge of the front desk, but he always has a dead look on his face, which is a headache." The ahoge on Ijichi Hongka's head shook happily, and it was obvious that she was very satisfied with the new maid.

"The good thing about you, Ryo-senpai, is your expression. It's our first meeting, so just call me Kita~" The maid holding the flyer was very familiar. She seemed to be a new member of the band?

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ichinose Sakuya. Kita-san is wearing something really bold. I didn't expect Starry to have such a service. I'm a little surprised. And...why is Goto-san hiding in the trash can?" Ms. Sakuya tightened the bass backpack behind her, feeling like she had walked into the wrong set.

"Pochi-chan seems to have treated the trash can as her new home. She said it gave her a sense of security." Yamada Ryo half-knelt and poked the half-melted pink-haired guitarist. He didn't understand, but respected.

"My uniqueness is disappearing, and my presence is about to be completely overshadowed by Kita, a normal female high school student." Goto Ichiri took out his guitar with a very difficult move and started to speak dejectedly. "Next, please listen to "Elegy for the Useless Part-time Worker Who Is Even More Useless Than the Newcomer on the First Day"..."

"Kita-san, your band members really get along well with each other, and there aren't many quarrels. That's great..." Ms. Sakuya looked enviously at Nijigasaki, who was having a great time trying to win back Goto-san's soul, and Ryo, who was just watching the fun, and sighed softly.

"I'm sorry for saying such harsh words. Please pack me two cups of oolong tea~"

"Okay, two cups of oolong tea." Kita Ikuyo was stunned for a moment, then quickly showed a sunny smile again and operated the beverage machine not very familiarly.

"Is Sakuya-san a regular at Starry? She seems to be very familiar with Nijiga and Ryo-senpai." Miss Kita, in maid form, put the ice cubes in place and asked curiously.

"I've performed here with my friends a few times, and I'm not that familiar with Hong Xia, but she's a very kind senior, and it's always relaxing to be around her."

"Indeed, I am here because of Senior Liang. I watched your open-air performance before and I was immediately fascinated by it."

"Hmm?" Miss Sakuya frowned, realizing that things were not simple.

"Kita-san, although it may be a little presumptuous, I would like to ask..." Perhaps because she had seen someone of the same kind who could serve as a reference, or perhaps because of what Ichiri-san had said before, that she was a normal high school student, Sakuya-san half leaned against the bar and asked in a low voice. "Do you like Ryo-senpai?"

"That's right. For example, her otherworldly temperament and androgynous appearance excite me in every aspect. The most important thing is that the moment she picks up the instrument is simply picturesque..." Miss Kita clasped her hands together, her face full of gratitude.

"Hiss... But, aren't Kita-san and Ryo-senpai both girls? This... wouldn't this be weird?" Sakuya stole a glance at the trio who were still making a lot of noise nearby, put his index fingers together, and lowered his voice a little.

"No, I like her if I like her. It doesn't matter even if they are all girls, right? I learned this from YouTube~"

"Hmm...ah?" Miss Sakuya was stunned for two seconds and opened her mouth stupidly. It was obvious that she had been severely shocked by the values ​​of the girls' high school students in Shimokitazawa.

"After listening to Senior Liang's performance, I have been paying attention to her. One day, she suddenly quit her previous band..." Miss Kita still maintained a faint smile, but her tone was a little lower. "Maybe it was because of my impure motives. Later, when the band was recruiting people, I said I wanted to join without thinking."

"Because if you think about it, the band is like a second family, right?" Kita tilted his head and chuckled. "The time spent in the band is longer than in a real family. We pursue our dreams together. This kind of relationship seems to go beyond friends and lovers. Isn't it magical?"

"Beyond friends and lovers..." Miss Sakuya listened attentively. Could it be that her feelings for Shoko were just as Kita-san said, mixed with admiration and love, so she wanted to be together forever?

"That's right, that's why I want to join the ending band and become the daughter of a senior. The relationship is deeper and closer than just friends."

Ms. Sakuya took back her words, leaned back, and quietly walked away from the bar.

Kita-san might actually be a very strange person...

"Well... then congratulations to Kita-san for finally getting what he wanted." Ms. Sakuya took out two plastic picks that served as drink rolls and placed them far away on the bar. I don't understand, but I respect it.

"Haha, actually I might not join a band again." Kita Ikuyo laughed crisply, but her words sounded a little lonely. "I ran away from the first live performance."

"How can someone like me who has escaped and has no sense of responsibility join a band? Sorry, I may have talked for too long. This is Sakuya's oolong tea. It's a little cold, so please drink it carefully~"

"Kita-san." Ms. Sakuya took the tea, which was already covered with mist, with both hands. She used her brain to think for a long time but still couldn't find a suitable entry point.

So she spoke frankly.

"Personally, I don't have much feeling about the band. As long as there is a suitable place to perform, compatible partners, or it is just a whim, I am willing to play to my best."

"But I really like what you said just now, about the band being a second family or something."

"So, why don't you try to have a good talk with everyone at home? I don't know much, and I can't forgive you on behalf of Hongxia or Liang, but if you don't try hard yourself, you might regret it for the rest of your life."

Miss Kita blinked, and suddenly covered her mouth and chuckled. "Sakuya is really gentle, there must be a lot of girls who like you, right?"

Ms. Sakuya was a little confused, but being praised is always a good thing. "Why do you say that suddenly?"

Kita-san pointed backstage and said cheerfully, "The girl in black has been looking at you since a while ago. Even if you don't form a band, Sakuya should keep working hard~"

"Oh..." The popular Miss Sakuya turned around and met the long-awaited light green eyes.

“Why don’t you sit backstage?” Sakuya handed over the drink half-casually and half-confusedly.

"Maybe, I want to see you earlier?" Hachiman Kailing took it naturally and opened the door like a receptionist in a high-end restaurant.

"So corny." Sakuya pouted.

"Indeed, a little bit." Hai Ling nodded.

She was wrong, but she didn't really want to correct it.

Chapter 126 Lovers Can't

"Not feeling energetic today?"

Hachiman Kairin took off her light purple five-string bass, fastened the buckle, stood up and looked at Ichinose Sakuya, who had played only one song before taking over and looked a little depressed.

"Uh... well, I'm really worried. Sorry, I should have come today." Sakuya-san was carrying her GB-4 on her back, and she didn't untie it yet, and she was randomly rubbing her hair beside her ear with one finger. Her performance at the Live today was not very good. She played a song with the drummer and then asked Hailing to take her place as if asking for help.

As I am easily lost in thought today, I really need Miss Hailing's reliable advice.

Kita's theory of family did shake her so-called belief in freedom, and Toyokawa Shoko's special kindness made Miss Sakuya still not know how to deal with it.

After all, the most important thing is to first determine whether you like girls or not, right?

Come to think of it, maybe Hai Ling treats me so well because she likes me...?

Of course, it was only about friendship. The muddy swamp of misunderstanding bubbled up, and Sakuya couldn't help but grab the sturdy safety rope in a panic. After all, as a female elder sister, she had personally verified that there was no problem before she felt at ease to go around with Hailing to participate in Lives at night. Hailing's liking for me was just a friendship.

I should blame Xiangzi for everything. I probably didn't do anything out of line. Of course, it was my fault for writing the lyrics like a love letter...

"Indeed, your fingers are very cold. I heard that people will think bad things when the tips are cold." Hachiman Kailing gently twisted the white and tender fingers in her palms, and stroked the slightly rough calluses little by little. After confirming her identity, she put her hands together and warmed Sakuya's fingertips with her warm palms.

"Eh? Eh!" Miss Sakuya exclaimed. Before she could come back to her senses, Hailing held her hands. She was not sure whether the tips of her fingers were warm, but her cheeks started to get hot first.

Could it be that Hai Ling really likes me a little bit?

No, no, it's impossible. Hailing is not a woman, and she often has physical contact with me. This should just be a caring behavior between bassists, right? After all, fingers are one of the most important organs for bassists.

"Your fingers are still cold. Do you want me to ask the staff for some hot water?" After a brief touch, Hachiman Kailing did not insist on using her palm to warm Sakuya's fingertips. Instead, she took two steps back, maintaining a good sense of distance.

Hailing is a friend, Hailing is a friend, Hailing is a friend...Okay, Hailing and I are just good friends, this kind of thing is very normal!

Ms. Sakuya covered her chest and quickly recited a few friendship declarations silently. She cheered up in an instant, chuckled, put her hands together, and rubbed them up and down. "It's okay, just rub it a little like this and it will warm up."

"That's good." Hai Ling secretly sighed at the speed at which the country girl adjusted herself. It seemed that she had no chance to continue to perform, so she also chuckled.

"Want to go to the station together? It's almost time to end."

"Yes, but before that, I want to ask Hai Ling something simple." Miss Sakuya's gray-blue eyes were a little vague, and the question she was about to ask would be a little embarrassing even for a friend.

"Hmm?" Hai Ling tilted her head, looking as if she was listening attentively.

"Hai Ling, what do you think about girls liking each other?" Miss Sakuya asked the question that troubled her the most.

She thought about her friends around her. Telling Aine would be like broadcasting to the whole school. Xiao Deng couldn't really understand normal people's emotions. Chuhua was busy and it was hard to disturb her. Mio was far away in Uji. As for Riki, Meowme and the like, they were either girls or girls in reserve. It was really not convincing.

After much thought, the reliable Miss Hai Ling is the most suitable person to ask.

"That's good. It should be a very happy thing to have someone who likes each other." Hachiman Kailing rested her chin with one hand, her tone calm, even a little surprised that the silly little country girl actually came to her senses.

"Well, Hailing, do you think I'm the kind of girl who likes girls?" Miss Sakuya shyly pulled at the sleeve of her school uniform and murmured in a low voice.

Hachiman Kailing did not respond immediately.

She came close to someone, her eyes serious, examining Miss Sakuya's watery eyes and red earlobes carefully as if she were examining the most delicate work of art.

"What are you looking at?" Miss Sakuya turned her head away in embarrassment. Being looked at so closely and seriously at such a distance, she would have blushed even if she was not a girl.

"Look at your face." Miss Hailing spoke in a calm tone and told the truth.

"So why are you looking at me?" Sakuya said coquettishly.

"Maybe it's a test? After all, I occasionally encounter girls confessing their love to me. Real girls usually blush and turn their heads away after looking at me for a while."

"Uh..." Someone forced himself to turn his head back, opened his eyes wide and stared quietly into the beautiful turquoise eyes in front of him.

Miss Hailing tried hard to hold back her laughter and did not continue teasing.

Although I don't know who has charmed the silly little sun, but... I won't give up so easily.

"I think, Sakuya, you can't be considered a virgin yet, because some reactions from daily physical contact are just normal physiological phenomena." Hailing said seriously a lie that she didn't even believe.

"Yeah, I think so too." Miss Sakuya, who had been holding her breath, let out a long sigh, and the heavy stone hanging in her heart was successfully half relieved.

I am not a girl yet, so my love for the little blue-haired hedgehog is just a very high level of friendship!

"But since Sakuya thinks this way, it's probably because he can't make up his mind, right?"

"It's true. I feel a little strange, and I don't understand what's going on..."

"Then, do you want to try it with me?" Hachiman Kailing half-knelt in front of Sakuya who was leaning on the seat.

"Eh?"

"Since you're not sure, how about trying it yourself?" Miss Hai Ling blinked, her tone still calm and indifferent, as if she was choosing between two similar products in a convenience store.

"Is it better to be a lover or a friend?"

"No, no, this kind of thing can only be done with the person you like, right? This is too weird!" Miss Sakuya waved her hands repeatedly, subconsciously saying words of refusal.

"It's just a simple experiment. Besides, I still like you a little." Hachiman Kailing expressed her affection without any concealment.

Hailing's unchanged expression and tone made Miss Sakuya, who was feeling dizzy, a little confused. Was this a joke, or... a confession?

"So, do you want to give it a try?" Hai Ling repeated softly.

Chapter 127: It's Good to Take a Detour

The fig incense burned quietly, the alarm set in advance ticked off the last second, and the beige cell phone made a slight vibration buzz.

Nagasaki Suyo slowly opened her eyes.

It was almost time for Sakuya to get home. Miss Motoyo stretched her limbs to relax her slightly tired spirit, and took a deep breath of the elegant aroma of essential oil. Then she stood up dazedly, half-closed her eyes, and turned on the lights in the entrance and the living room with the help of muscle memory.

Then he went back to the kitchen stove and put the cold food into the steamer to reheat it. After thinking for a while, he turned around and took out a few sterilized eggs from the refrigerator and placed them on the second layer of the steamer.

Since she hasn't come back yet, Sakuya must have had dinner out. Although having a midnight snack is not a good habit, his sister doesn't look very well recently. The only way he can compensate her now is to help warm a glass of milk and add more meat when preparing the dishes.

Is it that Tsukinomori's demands are too much and the pressure is too great? Or is it that the guilt she feels towards Shoko is beyond what Sakuya can bear?

No matter how I think about it, it seems that it is all my own fault. Because of my selfishness, Sakuya has become less happy.

Am I a bit too anxious...

Nagasaki Suyo folded her hands together in a tangled knot, staring silently at the transparent glass shell of the steamer as white mist gradually covered it.

The days spent in Yuqiu yesterday were simply a dream, a beautiful development that even in my dreams I had to doubt the rationality of. Xiangzi was so close to me, his golden eyes had not changed, they were still as gentle as before, but a little more haggard, and he was secretly testing me.

The relationship between Xiaoxiang and Sakuya was a little beyond his expectations. On the contrary, the seemingly pretentious Chihaya Aine did not seem to have any overly intimate contact with her own sister. Even Xiaodeng, who knew nothing, was more threatening, right?

After reclassifying the annoying pink-haired lecher into the category of non-threatening people, Nagasaki Suyo sighed softly. She didn't know what to do.

The brief contact with Xiaoxiang was like a traveler in a lightless wilderness finally discovering a source of light. He was ecstatic but also extremely disappointed.

I am surprised that the plan seems to be going so smoothly, but I am disappointed that I have to go through the dull daily life again today.

It was too boring to accompany Xiao Mu to loosen the soil for cucumbers in the Moon Forest under the scorching sun. For some reason, the friends I had made before tacitly stayed away from Xiao Mu and me, saying things like "Keep going" and "We wish you the best." I couldn't understand them.

On one side is the irreplaceable warmth brought to him by Xiaoxiang and Crychic, and on the other side is his own sister who allows him to taste the family love that he has not tasted for a long time.

It was hard to let go of either side, as if her feet were bound, and Nagasaki Suyo couldn't take a step forward.

Ding-dong-

The crisp countdown sound interrupted her thoughts. Miss Su Shi's body was ahead of her mind. She put on quartz cotton baking gloves, turned on the oven, and cleaned the table.

Pulling out a chair and placing Sakuya's favorite light blue ceramic bowl across from the dining table, Nagasaki Suyo suddenly became quiet.

I have really taken a long detour.

Tonight, I'd better ask Sakuya what he really thinks.

If Sakuya is really unhappy, or strongly opposes the plan I have arranged, then... just pause for a while.

Even if she couldn't bear it and couldn't help it, she would force herself not to think about it.

After all, we can start from the other side...

Nagasaki Suyo flicked her fingers and made up her mind.

======

"Sister, I'm back."