Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

I recognized that the girl in front of me was in the same band as an old friend whom I hadn't contacted for a long time, so I wanted to ask her about the band and the old friend.

This is... a very normal, common request, something that should be said as a matter of course.

But Chuhua felt that she couldn't do it. There was an inexplicable urge that prevented her from talking about these things in a relaxed and casual manner.

I don't want them to know about my relationship with Xiaoxiang, nor do I want them to know that I know about their relationship with Xiaoxiang.

Moreover, under this premise, we must find out Xiaoxiang's situation from the other party.

With such complicated thoughts like a tongue twister in mind, Chu Hua had a seemingly casual conversation with the two.

Why would you deliberately pretend to be an unrelated stranger like this?

Chuhua herself didn’t quite understand it, she just instinctively felt that she should do this.

If Chuhua snooped into Xiaoxiang's situation without her permission, it would be like violating her boundaries. Chuhua didn't want to do that.

But, after all, they hadn't been in touch for nearly a year, and she wanted to know Xiaoxiang's recent situation no matter what.

Perhaps, by pretending to be a stranger and inadvertently collecting information that the other party accidentally reveals, it seems that I will not violate the ban I have set for myself.

With this extremely awkward thought in mind, Chu Hua smiled and had a seemingly pleasant conversation with the two.

"…What are your plans for summer vacation?" Akie put her arms on the table and looked quite relaxed. "If you ask me what I have planned… I don't have the habit of making plans for my rest time in advance. I just do whatever I think of. I think that's what leisure is."

The topic we are currently discussing is summer vacation arrangements, a topic that was originally brought up by Chuhua.

This choice itself has no special meaning, it is just a means of diverting attention.

As high school students, it is normal for them to discuss the upcoming summer vacation, and there is nothing suspicious about it from any angle.

"Akiyo-senpai, that's what you think." Deng nodded seriously. Unlike Akiyo who seemed very relaxed, she sat properly, as if she was a little uncomfortable because of Hatsuka's presence. "As for me, I hope... to spend time with everyone in the band."

She said a little shyly.

"As for the band, we really need to spend more time to deepen our connection." Akie nodded. "By the way, we haven't even decided on a name yet!"

After hearing what Akie said, Deng looked a little embarrassed, and seemed to be concerned about the fact that the band still had no name.

Band? Chu Hua was a little confused.

Are you talking about CRYCHIC? But that band should have...at least stopped its activities.

No, it definitely can’t be CRYCHIC. Akie said that the band “hasn’t even decided on a name yet.”

In other words, it is... a newly formed band.

"Takamatsu-san, are you forming a band now?" Chuhua asked with a smile, as if nothing had happened.

But her actual mood was not as calm as she appeared.

The homepage of CRYCHIC has not been updated for a long time, and the lead singer Gao Song, who Xiao Xiang valued very much, has formed another band...

Just as Hua was thinking, Deng nodded gently: "...Yes, although it is just a newly formed band. By the way, although Qiu Hui-senpai is not a formal member, he is temporarily helping us here."

"Help?" Chu Hua was a little surprised. She looked at Qiu Hui, "Qiu Hui, can you take care of it? You are knotting..."

As soon as the first syllable was uttered, Qiu Hui turned pale and started screaming.

"I'm fine!" She looked very excited. "Well, I can talk about anything... Anyway, uh, this..."

Qiu Hui spoke in a hurry without thinking about what she should say. She soon became incoherent. While speaking, she tried to wink at Chuhua... but Chuhua could not quite understand what she meant.

"Are you okay, Akihime-senpai?" Akihime's sudden excitement made Deng feel a little uneasy.

"I'm fine..." Qiu Hui explained with a wry smile.

If Chuhua were to say the four words "end the band"... wouldn't that mean Qiu Rangzi's identity would be exposed?

Although… at this point, it seems that the only person who still doesn’t know about this is the lamp.

But even so, Akie still doesn't think she's ready to reveal her identity to Deng.

Chuhua didn't read the other person's complicated thoughts. However, she realized that Qiu Hui was so excited when she tried to mention "ending the band".

Could it be that ending the band is a topic that Akie cannot bring up in front of Deng?

"Speaking of which, Hatsuka... classmate."

The little episode just now seemed to remind Deng of something.

She asked Chuhua: "How did you and Qiu Hui-senpai... meet?"

Chuhua looked at Qiu Hui who seemed a little nervous, and recalled how nervous she was when he mentioned "ending the band" before.

Could it be that he doesn't want to reveal his identity in the industry to his acquaintances?

Although he didn't understand Qiu Hui's intention, Chuhua still planned to try to comply with her ideas.

"We met by chance for various reasons, and I can't remember clearly now." She smiled and answered in an ambiguous tone.

After hearing this answer, Qiu Hui nodded as if she was slightly relieved and gave Chuhua a look of gratitude.

It seems that I guessed right. Thinking of this, Chuhua responded with a look of understanding.

Putting this little episode aside, she realized that she seemed to have mastered a whole new set of facts.

Takamatsu joined a new band, and even though Akie was already very busy with the band's affairs, she still had to help out in her band...

...This first shows that Akie and Takamatsu seem to have a very close relationship.

Secondly, Akie is supporting Takamatsu-san as a "keyboard player"...

That means there is no official keyboard player in Takamatsu-san's band.

This fact hit Chuhua's heart like a hammer.

Has Xiaoxiang...left already?

Chapter 110: Peeping and Confession

Judging from what we have learned so far, this should be the most likely outcome, Chu Hua thought with a sense of loss.

CRYCHIC did not continue their activities, and Takamatsu, who was an important lead singer, reorganized a new band whose name has not yet been decided.

The band has a plan for a keyboardist, but the candidate has not yet been decided, so Qiu Hui is temporarily taking over.

There were no suitable members, but they reserved a spot in advance. Could it be...

Chuhua suddenly had a wonderful guess.

Could it be that Gao Song is... waiting for Xiao Xiang to come back?

Chu Hua temporarily suppressed his urge to let his imagination run wild and continued chatting with the two of them as if nothing had happened, following the previous topic.

"Come to think of it, what kind of mentality do you have when you play in a band?" She seemed very interested in the topic. "Because now is the 'era of girl bands'. I have also heard of many cases of high school students forming bands and making commercial debuts, so I wanted to ask Takamatsu if you have such thoughts."

"No." Deng denied, "I have never thought about that question."

"Is that so? That's a way for friends to relax and have fun?" Chu Hua asked.

"…It doesn't seem to be the case." Deng lowered his head.

Her evasive eyes undoubtedly betrayed her wavering heart.

"The band... for me..."

Deng seemed unsure of how to describe his mood.

Chu Hua did not urge her, but just looked at her gently and quietly, waiting for her answer.

After a moment, Deng raised his head and finally figured out how to answer.

"A band is a place where you can shout out whatever you want."

The meaning of this sentence is somewhat vague and difficult to understand.

However, Chuhua smiled and nodded: "...I see."

For Takamatsu, the band is probably not just a "group of people playing together", but has a deeper meaning.

Thinking of this, Chuhua looked at Qiu Hui again.

As a support keyboard player who temporarily replaced Xiaoxiang, would she know about CRYCHIC's past and things related to Xiaoxiang?

After that, the three continued to talk about insignificant daily topics.

But after that, no information about Xiaoxiang that would interest Chuhua was inadvertently leaked.

Chu Hua felt that he could no longer suppress the urge to tell everything and then ask about Xiao Xiang's situation openly.

But, she still couldn't muster up the courage.

If you remain ignorant of the truth, you may still be able to maintain certain beliefs that you know are unreliable.

But, if that layer of window paper is broken...

She realized that the fact that she had no contact with Xiaoxiang for a long time had become increasingly heavy in her heart.

If Xiaoxiang really distanced himself from me, or if he no longer needed me, then...

Chu Hua realized that he shouldn't have such a violent reaction, but this surging anxiety was always difficult to suppress.

"Chuhua, you don't look well..." Deng seemed to have vaguely sensed that something was wrong with Chuhua's face, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Although he didn't guess it right at all, Chu Hua still stood up reflexively.

Has my hesitation reached the point where it can be noticed?

"…Sorry, I have something else to do later, so I apologize for being rude." She smiled and said goodbye to the two of them.

"Well, goodbye, and I wish you all the best." Akie responded.

After all, she is a member of Sumimi, so it is normal for her to have work to do.

Will it become as busy as that after the band ends?

Qiu Hui watched Chu Hua's back as she walked away quickly, and realized that she left in such a hurry that she didn't even take the unfinished drink with her.

What a waste, Akie thought with a little regret. Her focus had completely shifted to something strange.

After the other person left, Qiu Hui turned her attention back to Deng beside her.

Just now, Chuhua almost accidentally mentioned the matter of ending the band, which made Qiu Hui panic, but also made her realize that there was a problem that needed to be solved urgently.

That is, Qiu Rangzi’s true identity.

I concealed the fact that I was Aki Ryoko because it was actually a completely impulsive act at first.

Because Deng was too enthusiastic about Qiu Rongzi's work, and I had little confidence in my own work... and myself at the time, I subconsciously separated Qiu Rongzi's identity from myself and described her as a non-existent classmate of mine.

As the activities of the band are carried out, more and more patches need to be made for the lie of "Akirako". The band members, Aine who knew she had joined the band from the beginning, and the people in the agency who must know the true identity of the artist...

…Oh yeah! It might even include Lena who has been to STARRY, and Motoyo and the others who have seen Ryo in the studio before!

These facts made Qiu Hui break out in a cold sweat. Until now, no one knew that Qiu Hui was Qiu Rongzi... Could it be that Deng was the only one who knew?

Let's get back to the point. The reason why Akie first came up with the idea of ​​separating Akie from herself was to prevent Deng's impression of Akie from being influenced by the person "Akiie".

But...after what happened at the aquarium, Qiu Hui's perception changed slightly.

Can hiding the truth because of one's own concerns really bring good results?

Can it really be correct to arbitrarily assume that the other party cannot accept you and then use lies to deceive them?

This self-righteous behavior may backfire and cause harm to the other party.

Therefore, Chuhua's action just now unexpectedly made Qiu Hui think of re-examining the setting of "Akirako".

Maybe... I should find a suitable time to tell Deng that I am Qiu Rongzi?

But...when is the right time?

Qiu Hui lowered her head in distress.

If you delay too long, something unexpected might happen.

If this lie was not exposed by me in an appropriate way, but was exposed by the lamp due to some accident one day...

The incident that happened to classmate Xiangzi before plunged Deng into a shadow that lasted for a year.

If she realizes this time that I've been lying to her...

...It may be a bit presumptuous to say this. But... maybe she...

Although the possibility is not very high to be honest, Qiu Hui still feels her scalp tingling when she thinks about it.