Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

If I ask her to stay overnight again, will Akie agree?

While thinking about this question, she turned around, picked up her schoolbag and the shoulder bag containing the payment, and left the convenience store.

Even though he was curious about the answer to this question, even if Akiie would really agree, Shoko had no intention of making this request.

On the one hand, I can't always disturb others; on the other hand, the house needs to be cleaned regularly, and the condition of my asshole father needs occasional attention.

Of course, more importantly, Akie and I haven't actually established a relationship close enough to make such a request.

Xiangzi walked towards the tram station step by step. Although it was a hot day in July, she felt an inexplicable chill in her heart.

She moved further and further away from the campfire behind her, step by step into the cold reality.

I used the little cash I had left to buy a ticket, boarded the tram, and found an empty seat to sit down.

The evening rush hour had just ended and there was relatively ample space in the car, leaving Xiangzi with a little room to feel sentimental.

But this peaceful time did not last long, as the ringing of the cell phone interrupted her thoughts.

“…Mu?”

After seeing the contact's name, Xiangzi answered the call.

"Mu, what's wrong?" Xiangzi's face was cold, "Could it be that Su Shi asked you to do something unnecessary again?"

"No." Mu on the other end of the line denied, "I wanted to call on my own initiative."

Xiangzi was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head embarrassedly.

Mu...just wanted to care about me.

"I'm sorry, I jumped to conclusions," she said. "So, what do you want from me?"

……

Wakaba Residence, basement level.

From the designer's point of view, this seems to be a space specially set aside for gatherings and entertainment.

Having said that, few people come here to party seriously, so most of the time, this area only exists as a place for people to be alone.

"Xiang, what are you going to do next?"

Mu went straight to the point.

Her long light green hair cascaded down her back, covered by a navy blue suit. Wakaba Mutsu's figure was slender and delicate, like a miniature work of art, and her expression was as gorgeous and indifferent as a doll.

"What do you mean?"

Facing Xiangzi's knowing question, Mu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you want to continue working?"

"Of course." Xiangzi replied, "After all, daily expenses must be maintained by that."

She paused for a moment, then replied with a firm and decisive tone: "I know what Mu wants to say...but I will never accept it."

Mu's expression didn't change much, but his amber pupils shrank slightly.

"…Why?" she asked in a low voice.

"Because I don't want to force myself to work hard for something I can't do."

Xiangzi slowly expressed his thoughts.

"I know that the best I can do by working is just to barely keep myself alive. But if I ask Mu for help, the best Mu can do is to keep me like a pet..."

"...That's also meaningless."

Even through the phone, Mu could hear the melancholy and powerlessness in Xiangzi's voice.

"As for my father's affairs, the Toyokawa family's affairs, my prospects and future..."

"…It may be a little hurtful to say this, but… Mu can't and shouldn't bear these things."

After listening to Xiangzi's words, Mu lowered his head slightly.

"...Yeah. You're right."

The girl, who looked as delicate as a doll, now realized that she was just as fragile as a doll.

At this point in the conversation, there is actually no need to continue.

After that, the two exchanged a few pleasantries and talked about unimportant daily topics before ending the call.

After hanging up the phone, Mu gently put the phone into his pocket and sat up straight.

Although this was an empty basement, she still subconsciously maintained the elegant manners she had learned in etiquette class.

I can't bear Xiang's life...

...Realizing this, Ruoye Mu felt a vague heartache.

Because, the lady's demeanor, the luxurious house, the student status of Tsuki no Mori Girls' Academy, the musical instrument placed in the corner, the gorgeous clothes she wore...

...Everything that nominally belongs to "Wakaba Mutsu" actually belongs only to "Wakaba".

The part that truly belongs to "harmony" is pitifully small.

Really, very little.

Chapter 103 Mu and Su Shi

The child of the famous comedian "Wakaba".

She has the same doll-like beauty as her "mother".

In the eyes of others, Ruo Yemu's existence is just a derivative defined by his parents.

Known to the world as the offspring of entertainers, they were granted both honor and shackles because of their origins.

Like a doll, he has a delicate appearance and a thin ego. This is the impression people have of Wakaba Mutsu, and it is also their expectation of him.

Her parents, who are also in the entertainment industry, are busy with work, but they never relax their demands on her. Therefore, she is more accustomed to accepting orders than caring, and although she is quite popular in school, there are not many people who can be called friends for her.

And Toyokawa Shoko, whom I have known since childhood, is one of them.

The opportunity for their acquaintance might have involved the complicated calculations of the two adults; by now, Mu was well aware of this.

But at least the feelings between these two childhood playmates are real.

Mu Ye knew that this was one of the few things that truly belonged to "Mu" rather than "Wakaba".

So, even though he knows there's not much he can do, Mu wants to help Xiangzi anyway.

"..."

Mu stood up from the sofa silently, picked up the guitar stored against the wall, and plugged it into the power supply.

As part of her education, she learned to play several instruments, but the instrument she played most often was the electric guitar.

Even though it goes against the impression of a young lady... no, perhaps, it is precisely because the electric guitar as a musical instrument is always associated with impressions such as publicity, violence, and rebellion, that the puppet-like Mu would choose it as a silent means of resistance.

His long and slender fingers picked up the pick and then swung it down with a seemingly calm and restrained momentum. Mu's expression was still as calm as a puppet, but the melody played like a storm showed his inner anxiety and restlessness.

She was taciturn and her facial expressions rarely changed. As long as she fit the image of her beautiful doll, she would be accepted by everyone, so unnecessary expressions and words became a harmful and useless burden.

Mu, who is used to this way of dealing with people, chooses to use guitar instead of words when there is no one around.

The intense, high-speed, and powerful improvisation lasted for quite a long time.

Only when sweat appeared on Mu Guangjie's forehead did she slowly stop what she was doing.

"..."

The performance that Mu had just prepared for himself reminded him of what happened a year ago.

At that time, she was a member of CRYCHIC and played for the band as a rhythm guitarist.

The lead vocalist of that band was Toyokawa Shoko, who played the keyboard, and Mutsuki was only a rhythm guitarist, playing a supporting role.

It was almost a waste of her skills, but Mu didn't care.

Because she joined in just to help Xiangzi.

She once said that she had never felt happy in the band, which may be exaggerated, but at least there was a lot of truth in it.

Although she responded to Xiangzi's invitation and joined the band, she actually... didn't understand anything about the band at all.

She didn't know what Morfornica was, nor did she know what "power in elegance" meant.

She didn't understand Gao Songdeng's lyrics, her personality and way of doing things, and she also didn't understand why Xiangzi resonated with her.

After the first performance, why did Shiina Riki get so excited... Even this, Mu couldn't understand.

Even so, the only reason she wanted to continue as a member of CRYCHIC, besides Xiangzi, was...

At this moment, the sudden sound of a text message alert interrupted Mu's thoughts.

She knew that she didn't have many contacts, so there were only a few people who would send her messages.

"...Suyo."

Mu unlocked his phone somewhat anxiously.

After CRYCHIC disbanded, the only teammates she kept in regular contact with, besides her childhood sweetheart Shoko, was Nagasaki Motoyo.

Even though the band no longer exists, Mu and Su Shi still maintain a relationship that can perhaps be called friends.

Communicating through text messages like this has become a part of their daily lives.

"Xiao Mu, how are you feeling today? How was your ballet class this afternoon?"

"It's OK, so-so."

"The final exams are coming up soon. Xiao Mu has to prepare for the exams while attending various classes arranged by his family. It's really not easy."

"It's okay." Mu replied briefly, but a slight warmth rose in his heart.

Unlike Xiangzi, she and Su Shi only got to know each other after the band was formed.

Mu has no special thoughts about Deng and Lixi, and he doesn't quite understand Xiangzi's admiration for Deng and the musicality she pursues.

Only Nagasaki Suyo left a deep impression on her.

She has a friendly personality and is good at adjusting the atmosphere in the band. Even for members she had never met before the band was formed, she could still provide care and help with a smile.

Her gentle and considerate demeanor made Mu inexplicably feel that she was like the mother of this band.

She even felt that she fit the definition of this word better than her real mother who rarely appeared.

Mu and Su Shi continued to chat via mobile phone messages. Su Shi was concerned about Mu's well-being and feelings, just like she always did.

It would be nice if it could go on like this forever, Mu suddenly had this thought.

But she was actually very smart and she knew that this was impossible.

Every time she chatted with Su Shi, the topic would almost always gradually shift to the same place.

Toyokawa Shoko, and the defunct CRYCHIC.

Compared to herself, Su Shi seems to... always care more about Xiangzi and the band.

Looking at the short message on the screen, Mu felt a little bitter.

"By the way, Deng, Lixi and I, our band is gradually getting on the right track. Xiaoxiang still hasn't responded, maybe because my recent actions have irritated her. During this period of time, I will focus on handling matters within the band and will not bother her any more. In this way, Xiaomu won't feel too embarrassed, right?"

Mu stared at the phone screen, not knowing how to reply.

Soon, Su Shi sent the next message.

"Right now, there are still some things to deal with within the band. When the time is right, I will definitely invite Xiao Mu to join us."

"Although Xiaomu once said something like that, I think it must have been just the result of a momentary impulse."

"'I never felt happy in CRYCHIC', this kind of thing is definitely not true, it must be that Xiaomu accidentally said the wrong thing at the time."

"So, it's not Xiaomu's fault, and I won't blame you for it."

"Please wait a little longer for my good news. I'm looking forward to the day when I can form a band with Xiaomu again."

Mu stared at the phone screen in silence.

Her mind raced, and although she had a thousand words to say, she finally chose the simplest one.

"Got it. I'll wait for you."