Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

Not knowing what was going on in Hatsuka's heart, Mana smiled and said, "Thank you so much for all this time."

Mana's sparkling eyes made Chuhua a little hesitant to look directly at her.

"I haven't done anything to deserve Mana-chan's gratitude, eh?" Hatsuka smiled and shook her head, "Sumimi is also my dream, so it's only natural that I work hard for her."

"Yeah... that's right!" Mana nodded, "Then thank both of us at the same time!"

Chuhua silently watched Mana speaking as innocently and lively as a child.

If she can keep this mentality, it will surely be a good thing for her.

"Mana, do you like Sumimi now?" Chuhua asked.

"I like it very much?" Mana nodded. "Being supported by so many fans, I feel like I have become a person who can be entrusted with everyone's dreams! Also, I am very happy to be able to sing with Xiaochu!"

"I see." Hatsuka smiled, "Mana, you seem to be very satisfied with the current situation. I feel the same way. I also feel very happy singing with Mana..."

…I’m sorry, but these are all lies.

Chu Hua thought calmly.

Forming a group with teammates you had never met before, singing designated songs created by a team you had never heard of; working hard under harsh contracts, living on fixed wages and meager profits.

Who would be satisfied with such a boring status quo?

To be frank, a member of an idol group is nothing more than an insignificant part of the entertainment industry system...

...The distance between me and "Xiao Xiang" is still as far as the distance from the ground to the starry sky.

Chu Hua subconsciously took out his cell phone and unknowingly opened the message history again.

Although this news was published nearly a year ago, every time I read it, it’s as if my consciousness has returned to that time.

"Xiao Xiang, long time no see. I have decided to make my debut."

"Really? Debut!?"

"Yeah. Although I was told not to tell anyone other than my family, I want to tell Xiaoxiang anyway."

"Congratulations. You're finally taking a step towards becoming the professional singer you've always dreamed of. If you're always positive and optimistic, you'll be able to do it!"

…Is it really okay?

Chu Hua couldn't help but smile. This time it was genuine.

Always be positive... I'm not that great.

If Xiaoxiang hadn't been with me all this time...

"...Xiaochu?"

Chuhua was interrupted by a sudden voice.

"Ah, Mana, what's wrong?" Chuhua turned away.

Mana, who was originally very excited, suddenly froze in smile.

"Xiaochu, you look so bad...are you tired?"

"...Yes." Hatsuka nodded, "It's already late. I want to take a nap in the car. I think it would be better if Mana could rest for a while as well?"

“Yes, I understand…”

Mana turned her face away, closed her eyes, and really began to take a nap obediently.

This reaction made Chu Hua couldn't help laughing.

After laughing, she sighed slightly.

Did I just express an inappropriate attitude inadvertently?

Chu Hua, who was a little shaken, simply closed his eyes. Anyway, the driver would be responsible for waking everyone up when the time came.

In the darkness before my eyes, the text messages I had just read seemed to transform into scene after scene, flashing continuously in my mind.

Starting from the memories of childhood, it flows through bit by bit until the day of separation.

I haven’t seen Xiaoxiang for a long time.

How is she doing now?

Someone as gentle and determined as her must be spending every day in her own style, smiling, right?

Thinking of this, Chu Hua felt a sense of melancholy rising from the bottom of his heart.

Xiaoxiang hasn't contacted me for a long time.

No calls or messages.

Although the specific reason is unclear, Xiaoxiang must have his own considerations.

Chu Hua frowned slightly with his eyes closed.

Come to think of it... Xiaoxiang hasn't contacted me since the page of "that band" was no longer updated.

By the way, did the band stop performing? It was so strange that they just held such a wonderful concert and then just stopped like that.

Could these two things be related?

Although he had such a guess, Chu Hua never dared to try to confirm it.

If there is no connection between the two, then there is no point in asking.

If there is indeed a connection between the two, then...

...In short, since Xiaoxiang didn't contact me, it means that she doesn't think there is any need to contact me.

She has always been a gentle and independent person. Perhaps, now all I have to do is trust her judgment.

If I meddle in other people’s business, will Xiaoxiang hate me?

Chuhua couldn't calmly imagine that possibility.

So, maybe I shouldn’t worry about Xiaoxiang now.

Besides, she grew up in a family like that after all... I don't have the qualifications at all as I am now.

At least, I have to wait until I become a "professional singer" in the true sense and have my own status and reputation in the world of music...

Chuhua felt the passion surging from the bottom of his heart.

Although the work of an idol group is hard and boring...but it is also an indispensable step in getting closer to Xiaoxiang.

Come on, Triangle Chuhua.

She smiled and encouraged herself.

Chapter 66: Classic Scene: Missing the Last Train

At the same time, in a 24-hour convenience store somewhere in Tokyo.

Shoko Toyokawa was lying on the long table in the dining area, surrounded by empty drink bottles and bowls that once contained fried noodles.

On the surface of the disposable plastic bowl, there was a residue of fried noodle sauce that had long dried up. Although Xiangzi had finished eating it a long time ago, he was in no mood to throw it away.

Alas. Xiangzi sighed slightly.

Although there is a package discount for purchasing drinks and fried noodles together, it is still an unplanned expense.

After finishing my homework in the family restaurant while drinking free lemonade, I sneaked out without ordering.

I thought I could eat nothing tonight, but I was still overwhelmed by hunger. So after my shift ended at 10 o'clock, I went to a convenience store and had to eat something.

To be honest, a small portion of fried noodles, rather than satisfying hunger, will more likely stimulate the digestive system, which in turn unnecessarily boosts appetite.

But, considering the condition of my wallet, if I continue to eat...

Xiangzi looked painful and shook his head vigorously, as if this could drive away the hunger lingering in his mind.

Due to "financial difficulties", Toyokawa Shoko is currently in a difficult situation that is too harsh for a high school student.

After finishing her late dinner, she sat here, watching the people and cars passing by outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

Logically, she should have prepared to take the tram home a long time ago, but... she would rather sit here and kill time, and try to postpone the time of going home a little bit.

Because even if I go back home, there's no point... There's nothing else to do except cleaning.

My asshole dad might even ask me for money to buy some alcohol... I can't stand it. Where can I get the spare money to buy that kind of stuff now?

But if you leave him alone, he will curl up in a corner or fall to the ground like a lifeless corpse.

It feels like that guy has nothing to do all day except drinking... It's really infuriating, who is the parent?

Xiangzi slammed the table hard like a drunk office worker in a pub, then closed his eyes in pain due to the reaction force. He could only rub his right hand and shed tears silently.

Damn it, even the table is bullying me...

However, the pain seemed to clear her depressed spirit a little.

When she woke up a little, she suddenly realized a very serious problem.

She pulled out her cell phone with a hand that didn't feel any pain and noticed the time.

It's past eleven o'clock.

"... This is bad. Isn't it already... past the last train time?"

Xiangzi was horrified. In other words, she could either walk to the suburbs of Tokyo where her home was, or stay out all night.

Even if I don't go home for the night... staying in a hotel is a big expense. Is there a capsule hotel nearby? But I don't know if such a place can accommodate high school students.

Even if it's possible... To be honest, you still have to pay even if you just stay in a capsule hotel. If you have that kind of spare money, you can just buy a lunch box. Why spend it on a place like this?

Do I really have to walk back? This is a busy neighborhood, and the security conditions are probably okay; but walking such a long way alone at night...

...It’s not that I’m afraid, but security risks do exist objectively.

As expected, I decided to just give up the idea of ​​walking back.

After coming to this conclusion, Shoko Toyokawa felt unexpectedly relieved.

In this case, it seems like I have a legitimate reason not to go back.

Anyway, I didn't really want to go back to that place that couldn't even be called "home"...

...It would be better to think more about how to solve the problem tonight, Xiangzi lowered his head dejectedly.

How about just spending the night in a convenience store?

I think it’s not a bad idea...but, I can’t sleep well on a table like this, right?

Besides, it always feels dangerous to fall asleep in a convenience store!

"So, we have no choice but to stay at a hotel..."

Xiangzi lamented, took out his mobile phone in despair, and began to search for the nearest cheap hotel on the map.

Even if I find a hotel with the right price, it may not accept a high school girl alone. You know, I'm still wearing my school uniform...

With such concerns in mind, Xiangzi was nervously searching for a suitable option when he suddenly heard a humming sound in his ears.

She subconsciously turned her head and saw the person clearly.

The man was wearing a black T-shirt that was a bit too big and had cute character designs on it. The long hem covered his shorts, and below that were his graceful but slightly skinny legs, and he was wearing sandals.

Although her dress sense is similar to that of an otaku who watches anime, she is actually a petite girl. Even so, Xiangzi realized that she was still a few points taller than him.

She was wearing glasses and holding a bag of hot milk and some snacks sold in a convenience store. She sat down next to Xiangzi.

Xiangzi blinked slightly, and she realized that the girl in front of her, who looked roughly the same age as herself, seemed somewhat familiar... No, rather than saying familiar, it would be better to say...

"...Akie-senpai?"

Although the man's style had changed drastically because he was wearing casual clothes, Xiangzi still recognized the other person's identity.

"Wow! Who called me?"

Togawa Aie, who seemed to be completely unaware of the other person's existence and was in a completely relaxed state of mind, was indeed frightened by Shoko.

"Toyokawa-san?"