Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

Le Na also looked at Qiu Hui with interest, holding the bottle of matcha flavored milk drink she had asked for from the store manager.

Chapter 83: Office Raiders Plan

Over the next few days, the band practiced every day for soundcheck.

Even though there was training arranged by the agency on Saturday, Qiu Hui still came to STARRY as scheduled after the daytime class and had the final rehearsal with everyone.

The band no longer needed to use the store's space for practice. After learning about the signing, the store manager Xingge generously cleared out a practice room for them to use.

"Rather than saying I'm generous, I'd say I'm honored that you guys have come to our store."

In response to Qiu Hui's thanks, the store manager Xingge replied half-jokingly.

Therefore, even if business is still going on outside, everyone can continue to practice.

On this day, everyone started practicing at six in the evening and continued until half past nine.

After all, the next day was the official audition. Although it was probably just a formality, Qiu Hui still felt that it would be best to adjust her state.

"It's already half past nine. Actually, it's already quite late." Qiu Hui looked at her watch. "Tomorrow's schedule is roughly like this. We have to go to the hotel conference room to meet with people from both sides and complete the preparations for the contract negotiation. Then we will go to the recording studio of Zou Pro for the sound test. Although there is no plan in the morning, if we get up too late, it may affect our condition, so it's better for everyone to go to bed early tonight."

As Qiu Hui spoke, she posted the schedule she got from the library in the group chat.

"Akiie, it's like you're the teacher leading a school trip," Ryo complained.

"Really? I really feel that way." Akie admitted, "Although most of the work is actually done by the library and the agent, I think that as the person involved, I should know more about the situation, so that when something goes wrong, I won't be completely unaware of it."

In addition to various processes, it is also necessary to connect with personnel from various aspects such as libraries and firms.

Although Qiu Hui didn't plan to tell everyone, she was secretly making plans in her mind at this moment.

In fact, most high school artists themselves will not be exposed to these complicated clerical tasks. Most of them will find it troublesome and push all the things to their agents to handle.

But Qiu Hui didn't think so. In addition to keeping abreast of the situation, she also had another goal, which was to make herself as familiar to the staff as possible.

Try to leave a good first impression on the firm's staff as much as possible, and even "make friends" with some of them.

Qiu Hui knew that she was not a great genius and did not have the capital to rely on her art to gain respect. Therefore, if she wanted to gain the right to speak, she had to rely on soft social means.

"They said everyone should go to bed early... Xiao Qiuhui, are you okay?" Hong Xia was a little worried, "After all, there is training at the office during the day. Have you been practicing all day today?"

"I'm almost used to it." Qiu Hui smiled and shook her head. "Besides, it's because I practiced all day today that I can fall asleep as soon as I get home. Being a little tired has its benefits."

"You guys, what you say is not human..." Liang exclaimed in awe.

Qiu Hui smiled and didn't say anything else.

After saying goodbye to everyone, she continued to check her emails and text messages on the tram.

During the training this morning, Qiu Hui had already met her agent, Ms. Yazawa Hitoshi, in advance.

The other person was a professional woman whose age was hard to guess. She seemed to pay much attention to maintaining her appearance. Although she spoke directly, she gave people the impression of being steady and capable. Although she was not sure what her first impression of her was, Qiu Hui gave her a very high score in her heart.

It was almost ten o'clock, but Ms. Yazawa seemed to still be working. After Akie sent the message, the other party responded quickly.

After communicating with each other and completing the docking work, she sent a message.

"That's about it, Togawa-san, please go to bed early. Although high school entertainers nowadays often have to work late, it's rare to find someone who would actively ask me for work this late. Don't work too hard, okay?"

"Thank you for your concern," Qiu Hui replied, "I will make proper arrangements and will not let fatigue affect my work."

"That's not what I meant! I told you not to take your work too seriously!"

Ms. Yazawa sent an unexpected reply. From the perspective of a manager, this was really surprising.

"Togawa-san is really a weirdo. This is the first time I've seen a high school girl who cares about details like licensing methods, contract terms, and who is on the production and sound teams. It's better to leave this kind of thing that can cause mental damage to us adults. Togawa-san, remember to go to bed early!"

"I understand. Thank you for your concern, Ms. Yazawa."

After sending a few more polite words, Qiu Hui put away her phone, closed her eyes, and planned to take a short nap while the train was running.

After I go back home tonight, before going to bed, I'll sort out the department's personnel arrangements that I've learned about in the past few days.

As for the emails I sent earlier to try to get close to you, I will filter them a little after checking the replies...

Although Qiu Hui sent many emails introducing herself and expressing her expectations, these emails were not sent to "big shots".

For a rookie who is just starting out, trying to get close to leaders like producers, directors, and department heads will only be seen as an inappropriate and presumptuous act.

The people Qiu Hui chose to get close to were mostly workers struggling on the front lines: for example, the helpers in the agency's songwriting and composing team, the grassroots staff responsible for logistical work such as accommodation, venue reservations, and buying lunch boxes, etc. In short, they are the people who do the most work but receive the least money.

As for the names and work contact information of these front-line personnel, she mostly got them from her agent, Ms. Yazawa, during the meetings during training.

It turns out that this strategy is actually quite effective. Almost everyone responded after receiving the email, and many people even expressed a sense of flattery in their words.

These grassroots staff members receive meager salaries but do heavy work. Qiu Hui believes that if they were not passionate about the "high school girl group" industry itself, they would have resigned long ago and changed jobs to do other more promising or more relaxed jobs.

Well, if I play to my strengths as an artist and build good relationships with the staff, it will be helpful for me to understand the situation, and it will also be helpful for everyone in the band.

Qiu Hui is very clear that although it is the artists who shine on the stage, the fact that this brilliance can be appreciated by everyone is largely thanks to the unknown staff.

Moreover, my father also emphasized that "people who don't understand grass-roots work are not qualified to be leaders."

We want everyone in the agency to become partners in ending the band...

…Just then, the train arrival announcement woke Qiu Hui up.

It was almost time to get off the bus. She opened her eyes and walked to the door.

Chapter 84: Qiu Hui in formal attire

The next day, in the morning.

Since she fell asleep early last night, Qiu Hui was able to wake up naturally before eight o'clock. She was able to use the morning time to do her homework and write a few paragraphs.

However, as she was getting ready to go out and meet up with everyone who had finished the band and then head to the meeting place together, she was stumped by a small problem.

She didn't know what to wear.

Normally, formal occasions should be dressed in formal attire. But after opening the closet, Qiu Hui discovered that the clothes hanging inside were school uniforms, and the clothes hanging inside were also school uniforms.

Apart from several sets of school uniforms for changing, all that was left were pajamas and loose casual clothes for going out.

Although I'm a high school artist, it always feels a little inappropriate to wear a school uniform to discuss signing matters.

If I were wearing casual clothes... well, as a light novel writer, it wouldn't be a big problem if I dressed like a otaku...

However, after thinking it over, Qiu Hui rejected the proposal.

...As expected, I can only take out the clothes I wore at that time again.

Qiu Hui opened the bottom shelf of the closet and took out the clothes that were neatly folded inside.

It includes a neatly-cut beige top, a matching oak-colored skirt suit, and a pair of square-toed leather shoes and white lace socks.

This suit, which could barely be considered formal, was prepared for the Newcomer Award Ceremony. Since then, there had been no occasions that were grand enough for her, so Qiu Hui kept it in storage and never wore it again.

"Ah, there are hairpins here."

Qiu Hui picked up the long-unused small part from the corner of the closet and then walked into the bathroom.

Wash your face carefully in front of the mirror, then comb your hair until it is roughly neat and put on some hairpins.

Akie took a step back and looked at her image in the mirror.

"Um……"

It's okay.

The colors are not too bright and frivolous, but they are not dull like pure black, white and gray. It can be said that it strikes a balance between the image of a high school student and a working woman...

...The only drawback is that this suit was bought a year ago when I received the rookie award, and now it doesn’t fit me anymore.

Feeling the restraint on her chest, Qiu Hui couldn't help but frown.

And this outfit is a little too thick, it doesn't seem very suitable for summer...

Forget it. The hotel should have air conditioning most of the time anyway, so it doesn’t matter if you wear something a little thicker.

After checking herself back and forth in front of the mirror several times, Qiu Hui decided to reach out and unbutton a button at the collar, revealing the triangular area under her neck including her collarbone.

This makes heat dissipation and ventilation more convenient, and it doesn't look too abrupt.

Having almost solved her image problem, Qiu Hui breathed a sigh of relief and finally left the rental house.

After sending a message in the group chat to inform everyone of her departure, she headed towards the previously agreed meeting place.

"Hello? Hello, editor. Ah, yes, I've already left... What? Yeah, I understand... Yes, I checked with Mr. Nakano from Sousha..."

Togawa Aie was crossing the street while talking on the phone, and her image and actions made it almost impossible to associate her with a high school student.

……

Soon after.

The meeting place agreed upon by Qiu Hui and everyone was the lobby of the hotel where the meeting was scheduled to be held.

Goto Ichiri, who arrived early, was standing on the street in front of the main gate.

"So high..."

Goto Ichiri, wearing sportswear, looked up at the magnificent high-rise building in front of him.

Double-digit storeys, austere modernist architectural style, a courtyard with a fountain, a ramp in front of the main entrance for vehicles to pass through, and security guards in neat uniforms and white gloves in the guard booth...

It is exactly the impression that a high-end social venue would leave.

The hotel name was written in Latin letters on the marble wall at the entrance. I tried to read it, but I couldn't figure out the pronunciation.

After all, I am not good at English, Ichiri thought helplessly.

I'm going to meet the adults in the office today. Logically, I should dress a little more formally.

However, after struggling in the room for a whole morning, Goto Ichiri still couldn't decide what to wear when going out.

Realizing that the agreed time was very close, and wanting to arrive a little earlier than Akie, Ichiri was completely unable to make up his mind, and finally gave up and put on his sportswear.

As a result, after arriving at her destination, she couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Is it really appropriate to come to a place like this in sportswear?

Even the security guard at the door was dressed very formally...

Will I be stopped at the door because of my dishevel? I heard that there is a dress code for this kind of occasion, and if you violate it, you will be mercilessly punished by eight points of the village...

Yili was hesitating at the door, lost in thought, but never dared to approach the main entrance of the hotel.

She didn't know how long she waited at the door when she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her.

"...Excuse me, I'll be waiting for you in the lobby. The one wearing the beige shirt is me... ah, yes, that's right, the one I wore at the award ceremony."

Qiu Hui?

Yili turned around abruptly and looked at the person coming behind him.

Togawa Aie, who was completely different from her preconceived impression of her, made her heart seem to skip a beat.

Her black hair, which was always a little messy, was now combed neatly; although she was still not wearing any makeup as usual, her face, which had been carefully groomed, looked particularly energetic.

Unlike the dull school uniform and loose casual clothes, her outfit at this moment not only maintains a sense of solemnity, but also highlights the girl's slender figure in a subtle and restrained way.

Ichiri stared at the collarbone exposed under Qiu Hui's neck and the calves sticking out from under her three-quarter skirt.

Although her legs are a little short due to her petite figure, her curves and color make her look...

...Wait, what am I thinking about!

Ichiri suddenly began to shake his head vigorously, which made Qiu Hui, who was about to hang up the phone, a little confused.

"Pochi, what's wrong?" Akie asked after putting away her phone.

"Ah... that, no, nothing..." Ichiri replied guiltily, "I, I just think... Akihime's outfit today... is... very... beautiful..."

"Very beautiful? That's good." Akie smiled. "I never thought of buying new formal clothes before, so I had to wear my old clothes from a year ago. To be honest, I was a little worried that it would look weird. If Ichiri thinks it's okay, then it should be okay."

"That's great." Ichiri responded mechanically.

What to do? What to do? What to do?

The strong feeling of shame made Yili feel very regretful.