Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

Aine smiled and opened the paperback. “Let me read a little bit… Ah, senior, do you think it’s better not to express your thoughts in front of the author?”

"...Yes." Akie nodded, "It will be embarrassing."

"Got it, I won't comment on it then!"

The break isn't long, but you can still read a few pages.

Aine flipped through the pages and roughly finished reading the first scene at the beginning.

The protagonist actually quit his original band for money, she sighed in her heart.

In order to cope with the economic pressure, he wanted to take a more commercial route, so he fell out with his original teammates and quit the band...

At this moment, Aine suddenly remembered the band that Deng used to be in, which was CRYCHIC.

Xiangzi, who founded the band, quit without clearly telling everyone the reason, which is why so many things happened afterwards.

The seniors also said that she probably left the band quietly because she encountered some difficulties in real life.

Could it be that he took her situation into consideration? Aine thought.

Compared to me, Xiangzi is more like the prototype of the protagonist.

Because, although the protagonist's appearance may be somewhat similar to me, his mentality is actually very different.

Whether it is music or making money, I am not as obsessed as the protagonist in the book.

After all, my purpose in the beginning was just to attract attention and try to blend in with the atmosphere of Yugaoka.

Now, it is more out of the desire to move forward with Xiaodeng and everyone else and achieve some goals together.

As for the pursuit of music itself... there is a little bit, but no matter how you think about it, it is just a secondary aspect.

Therefore, I would never abandon my former companions for any other reason. That would be putting the cart before the horse.

In short, from my own perspective, the protagonist and I are actually two completely different types of people.

To be honest, if it weren’t for my senior suddenly acting so nervous, I probably wouldn’t have even thought of the possibility that “the prototype of the protagonist is me.”

As for why Senior himself thought so...

Could it be that it’s because she cares about me too much?

So, even if I’m actually writing about a character whose core has nothing to do with me, I will unconsciously add elements related to me into it?

Thinking of this, Aine seemed to understand Akie's thoughts.

If my senior keeps thinking about me while she's writing, and I talk to her about my thoughts after I finish reading...

After putting herself in Akie's shoes, Aine felt so ashamed that she wanted to shrink into a ball just thinking about it.

Senior, you are really too serious...

Aiyin originally wanted to take this opportunity to ask Akie what she thought.

However, after gradually realizing the seriousness of Qiu Hui's thoughts, she felt a little uneasy about it.

I always feel that it is no longer a topic that can be asked casually.

Chapter 6: Responsibility and non-responsibility

Precisely because it is not a question that can be asked casually, the answer will become complicated accordingly.

If Aine really wants to know what I think, how should I answer?

Before Qiu Hui could come to a conclusion, the break was over.

Lixi asked everyone to start practicing again...she really cares about this band.

Perhaps, just like how I feel about ending the band, in Lixi's eyes, this band is also something that requires her to take responsibility.

So, for the sake of Deng, and to prove that she is capable of replacing Xiangzi, she has been working hard like this.

It was with Xiangzi's encouragement that Deng started singing.

And is Li Xi now also trying hard to make up for the shortcomings in Deng's heart like Xiangzi did in the past, so that she can express her own ideas on the stage?

Although Akie might understand Riki's approach, she herself doesn't actually like it.

She was just obsessed with taking responsibility, but she didn't actually enjoy the process.

She firmly believes that every kindness she receives must be exchanged with something of equal value. Driven by this value, she works like a gear.

However, Aine's situation was different.

She is complete and does not need anyone to take responsibility for her, nor does she need to exchange anything from anyone.

Even if you hit a wall, you will just change another way and keep moving forward.

Whether expressing likes or dislikes, he is extremely frank.

Being considerate of other people's feelings is a natural instinct rather than a responsibility or external force.

It is precisely because I am twisted and paranoid in many aspects that I particularly yearn for a healthy and beautiful woman like her.

Therefore, helping out in this band right now is not for the purpose of obtaining bargaining chips for negotiation with Aine.

It's just that I'm imitating her style of doing whatever she wants.

Qiu Hui then refocused her attention on the keyboard in front of her.

So, when I help out here, I want to do things the best I can.

Because I wanted to, that's all.

……

"Togawa-senpai."

After the practice was over, before everyone dispersed, Shiina Riki found Akie and seemed to want to talk to her about something.

"Senior, I have something I want to ask you..."

Coincidentally, at this time, Aine also approached for some purpose.

“Let me ask first.” Riki glared at Aine coldly, “I have business to attend to.”

“Huh? My business is important too!” Aine protested.

Akie, who happened to be caught in the middle of the two, said with some embarrassment, "Ritsuki, go first. As for Aine, we can discuss our affairs in private later."

"That's right. It's better to talk about it in private."

Aiyin nodded in understanding, and then retreated consciously.

Li Xi looked at Ai Yin, his expression became subtle. Privately?

What is it that has to be discussed in private?

Come to think of it, the relationship between Togawa-senpai and that guy is pretty good, right?

Riki couldn't understand. Togawa-senpai was steady and reliable, but Aine was always so frivolous and casual. Why were they so close?

"So, what do you want to talk to me about?" Qiu Hui asked.

"To put it simply, I want to confirm one thing." Riki said, "Will Togawa-senpai come to the performance?"

Perhaps this question was so obvious that Akie didn't even react for a moment.

"Of course I'll come," Akie replied, "If I don't perform during the show, then what's the point of my existence as a supporting musician?"

After saying that, she seemed to realize that this assertion was not appropriate, so she added: "Of course, the premise is that I can try to make time. If I really can't arrange it, I will try to make it clear to everyone in advance."

"I see. That's great." Riki nodded with satisfaction. "If Togawa-senpai can be here, I can add the keyboard part without any worries. This way..."

Lixi excitedly described his plan.

Composition, arrangement, and all other preparations that must be made for the smooth progress of the performance.

The complexity of the matters left Qiu Hui dumbfounded.

"So many things have to be completed within a week?" she asked with some doubt.

"I'll do my best." Li Xi just nodded slightly.

This assertive attitude made Qiu Hui feel a little uneasy.

"…Even if it's Shoko-san, I don't think he would do this." Akie shook her head.

She has met Toyokawa Shoko several times.

Although she didn't know what kind of person Xiangzi was while she was still in CRYCHIC, at least from what she saw with her own eyes, although Xiangzi always tried hard to appear calm, after all, she was just a female student who felt tired.

Even if it's just to chase after someone's back, you shouldn't go to that extent, right?

Li Xi was stunned, and then his face became a little gloomy.

"If even she can't do it, then... I'll try even more." She said these meaningful words with a cold face.

After saying that, she quickly realized that her current expression seemed inappropriate.

"Anyway, I'll try my best."

She ended her speech with these words, said goodbye to Qiu Hui, and left on her own.

"..."

Looking at Li Xi's back, Qiu Hui was silent for a while, as if thinking about something.

However, this silence didn’t last long as it was interrupted by Aine.

"Senior, is it my turn now?"

Aine appeared in front of Akie, smiling with her fangs showing.

"It is indeed your turn. What do you want to ask me?"

Facing Akie's question, Aine's smile froze.

"Hmm... When it comes time to start talking, I don't know where to begin..."

Aine smiled awkwardly: “…So, can I ask a question that is slightly unrelated to the main topic?”

"How can you say such things to someone's face?" Qiu Hui shook her head helplessly. "But since you want to ask, then ask."

"Thank you, senior."

After saying that, Aine glanced at Riki who was packing his things.

"What did Rikki just say to you?" she asked.

"Li Xi asked me if I could come to the performance." Qiu Hui replied, "Normally, I would definitely come."

"Doesn't that mean I can also stand on the stage and perform with my seniors?"

Aine seemed quite excited about the news.

"Senpai, you look so cool on stage! I can be like Goto-san..."

When mentioning Goto-san, Aine seemed to suddenly remember something.

Aine was the type who would try to do something once she thought of it, so she asked directly.

"By the way, Senpai and Goto-san discussed love issues before, right?"

"That's true, so what?"

"Hmm, so I was thinking..."

Aine felt that it would be somewhat awkward to ask this question, but she asked it anyway.

"...The 'person' that Goto-san is worried about is you, senpai?"

Chapter 7: Love Talk

"How do you know?" Qiu Hui was shocked.

I haven't told Aine about this!

But on second thought, although she didn’t tell Aine on purpose, she didn’t put any effort into hiding it either.

Maybe you guessed the answer through some clues, or maybe you were interested in it and took the initiative to ask someone who knows the answer.