Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

"Be a little more serious!"

After Riki glared at Aine, he led everyone to start playing together again.

Although she was told to be serious, Aine still couldn’t help but get distracted.

In between playing the guitar, she secretly glanced at Qiu Hui who was playing the piano.

Unlike me, my seniors are always fully focused when playing the piano.

However, it's not like what the story says, that I'm extra attentive because of some passion or obsession.

Perhaps the senior is just afraid of messing up, so he remains tense.

After finishing this round of practice, Aine’s eyes clearly caught Akie’s relieved expression.

However, this state of relaxation did not last long. As Li Xi announced the start of the second practice, her expression, which had been slightly relaxed, immediately became tense again.

Come to think of it, your main job is a novel writer.

The reason I started playing in a band was only because of a task assigned by the library.

Is playing in a band really fun for her?

As she played the part assigned to her as a rhythm guitarist, Aine couldn’t help but think of herself.

In the beginning, I never really thought about playing in a band seriously.

It's just for some of my own little thoughts, so I was thinking about whether I should follow the crowd and form a band or something.

The way Akiyoko performed on stage made me think a little more about playing in a band seriously.

But, think about it...

…Senior, I started playing in a band only after I finished the band because of Bunko’s request.

As for me, I am here to help replace the keyboard player because of the request of my classmate Su Shi and I.

Thinking of this, Aine suddenly realized.

Perhaps, our predecessors never really "wanted" to play in a band.

She will continue to stay here and practice hard with everyone...

At this moment, Aine remembered that “joke”.

...Could it be that it's for me?

This conclusion caused Aine’s brain to idle for about two seconds.

As a result, there was a problem with the hand movements again, and I was unable to keep up with the group's ensemble once again.

This time, Li Xi didn't say anything, but just glared at Aine.

“…I’m sorry.”

Aine smiled awkwardly, not knowing how to respond. She couldn't say that it was because she was thinking about her senior that something went wrong, right?

That sounds weird. And...

Aine felt a little troubled by this.

Although the senior said she was joking, I always felt that she might be serious.

If the senior is serious, what should I do?

Just as Aine herself said before on the Ferris wheel, she didn't think girls liking girls was anything to be particularly concerned about.

However, this is purely a conclusion drawn from the perspective of a bystander.

If I were the person involved...

Not good, weird thoughts seem to be coming out!

Ai Neon's heartbeat quickened as she played the guitar, but the reason had nothing to do with the guitar.

Um... uh... this is so troublesome!

All the topics that I “like” here and there are heart-wrenching!

Although it’s quite interesting to see people in the story struggling with each other’s issues, it would be completely different if you were the one involved!

The surging emotions in my heart flowed through my fingertips and onto the guitar strings.

Logically speaking, this kind of emotional performance should be more infectious than just plucking the strings step by step, but unfortunately, Aiyin's basic skills are not solid enough to allow her to perform freely.

As a result, I accidentally pressed several wrong chords again. Fortunately, I didn't make a mistake in the beat this time, and the ensemble was completed smoothly.

“Hey, Aine, you…”

After a few practice sessions, Riki came to Aine with a gloomy face.

Although she didn't show much aggression, her current attitude was not very friendly.

"...Are you really practicing seriously? You keep making weird, stupid mistakes!"

Facing Riki's accusation, Aine habitually retorted, "No way! I practiced hard!"

"Then why do you make mistakes so often? I've made the score so simple. If you'd been concentrating, you wouldn't have made mistakes like that!"

"Because I was thinking about something else..."

Aiyin lowered her head feeling somewhat guilty.

"...Anyway, since we've agreed to move forward together, you should also pay more attention."

Riki tried to persuade Aine earnestly. Anyway, not speaking loudly was a big improvement.

However, her calmness did not last long.

Because, as soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Le Na's movements out of the corner of her eye.

The kid had put away his guitar and was now dragging his suitcase toward the door.

"Hey, stray cat!" Li Xi couldn't hold it in any longer and ran to Le Nai in two steps, blocking her way. "Why are you planning to leave now?"

"Satisfied." Le Na answered as if it was a matter of course.

"But practice isn't over yet! Go back and play!"

"Yes, Ronai-chan, you can't leave until all of us have finished practicing, okay?"

As a result, Lian Sushi also joined in.

Aine, who originally felt a little guilty, couldn’t help but laugh out loud when she saw the farce in front of her.

Sure enough, this band is still a mess even now.

Everyone's thoughts are still scattered...

Thinking of this, Aine looked at Akie.

She had no intention of getting involved in this matter, she just stood there with her eyes closed.

Senior, she...

...Are you really helping here just for me?

Perhaps it's best to ask.

Chapter 5 This is simply not me

Rest time between exercises.

Deng seemed to be reading a paperback, while Qiu Hui sat beside her with some trepidation.

As Aine approached, she thought about how to ask the question she wanted to ask.

It's not impossible to speak directly, but if so, won't the senior be scared and not know how to answer?

When she thought about the expression on Senpai’s face when he was at a loss, Aine felt the urge to laugh.

Because seniors have a steady and practical temperament most of the time, their panicked look makes them look particularly cute.

Can this level of thinking be considered an aspect of "liking"?

Aine didn’t quite understand.

Although classmates often mention topics like who likes who when gossiping with each other, that is more of a joke and topic of conversation rather than a serious discussion.

What does it mean to really like someone?

Aine realized that she, who had never really thought about this, didn't actually understand it.

So, I don’t know how to view the ideas of my seniors.

How should I put it... Just like Deng once said, "forming a band for life."

Even well-known bands often have personnel changes. Generally speaking, this kind of thing is actually impossible!

That's "a lifetime". No matter what happens, we will never be apart, not even illness, accidents, or war, right?

Since it is something that is impossible to do, there is no point in agreeing to it.

So, I couldn't really agree to it at that time. Instead, I just proposed a short-term goal of "forming a band until the first performance".

The current situation is probably similar.

Although I do think that the time I spent with my seniors was fun...

However, if you really want to elevate things to that level, you will feel a little scared.

Thinking of this, Aine remembered what Deng said on the Ferris wheel before.

I love everyone in the band. That’s what she said at the time.

There must be some difficult-to-explain differences between her understanding of this word and mine.

That's why she can say things without any burden that even I dare not say.

Thinking of this, Aine sat down next to Deng.

"Xiao Deng, what are you reading?"

As soon as Aine asked this question, she noticed the illustration on the cover of the paperback.

The character depicted in the illustration has short pink hair and is smiling happily... Is this the protagonist of the novel?

“It’s Akihoko’s novel.” Deng said as he took out another book from behind and handed it to Aine, “I’ll lend it to you. Aine, try to read it too!”

“Wait, Aine, that’s actually…”

Qiu Hui widened her eyes and looked over in panic.

"Thank you, Xiao Deng!"

Aine took the paperback and took a closer look at the illustration on the cover.

The drawing is actually quite cute...

But before Aine could think anything, Akie started to explain something in a hurry.

“…I actually didn’t tell the teacher in charge of the illustration about the hair color! This pink color was actually the teacher’s idea. I didn’t intend to design the protagonist’s hair this color!”

“What’s wrong with pink?” Aine was confused, “I think it’s cute?”

"ah."

Qiu Hui was stunned.

Then she realized that what she had just done was tantamount to incriminating herself.

"...Senior, did you think I would think the protagonist was designed based on me?"

Aine asked while trying not to laugh.

"I……"

Qiu Hui's face was about to change color like a boiled shrimp.

Deng, on the other hand, became excited: "Akiei-senpai, is this really the case?"

"That's not true! Even if it was based on a real-life prototype, I would never admit it!" Qiu Hui said righteously.

Isn't this statement tantamount to confessing one's own guilt?