Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

She quickly unlocked the screen, temporarily forgetting about the possibility of losing her job.

She had been depressed by the predicament, but now she was surrounded by unexpected surprises.

Because, unlike before, this time Qiu Hui took the initiative to find her!

"I have something I want to talk to you about. Is it convenient for us to meet? Please reply if you get it."

Without even bothering to reply, Xiangzi immediately called Qiu Hui.

"Shoko-san, did you receive the message?"

After the call was connected, Qiu Hui's voice sounded in the receiver.

For Xiangzi, who had been tortured by all kinds of customers for the entire afternoon, this sound was like heavenly music.

"I got it! I just got off work, so can we go to the convenience store we were at earlier?"

"That place before... Oh, yes, I remember now." Qiu Hui replied with a smile on the other end of the phone, "We really do meet there quite often."

"It's almost become a regular occasion." Xiangzi also chuckled, "I'll be there right away. Is it convenient now?"

"I'm on the train going home, so I should be there soon. Whoever gets there first will wait there for a while, how do you say?"

"Yeah! I got it! See you then!"

Xiangzi was delighted as he waited for Qiu Hui to hang up the phone before putting away his phone.

Being able to talk to Qiu Hui was a great comfort to her after a busy day.

Because both parties have similar situations and can empathize with many issues.

The past of the two was blank, with no accumulated old memories and no unpaid debts of favor.

Qiu Hui herself neither makes unreasonable demands nor gives alms without authorization. She just respects each other and acts as a calm listener.

Therefore, only when I am with her can I put aside all my burdens.

At this time, Xiangzi suddenly noticed a public toilet on the side of the road and walked in.

She wasn't going to the bathroom, she just wanted to use the mirror in front of the sink.

He straightened his collar, smoothed his hair, and then tidied his face.

Toyokawa Shoko didn't think too much at this time, she just subconsciously wanted to make herself look more energetic in front of Akiie.

“…That’s it, it looks good!”

Xiangzi, feeling relieved, walked out of the bathroom quickly and headed towards the tram stop, his heart full of anticipation.

Why did Qiu Hui come to me this time?

Do you just want to see me? Or do you want me to help you with something?

No matter what the reason is, Xiangzi feels it's not bad.

Needless to say, the former also made her feel a long-lost pleasure.

Although "helping others" and "working" both require energy, the former has a special meaning.

Especially for Shoko Toyokawa.

This feeling made her feel happy and satisfied, as if she had returned to a time when nothing had happened yet.

Chapter 13 We Are the Same

When Shoko walked into the convenience store, Togawa Aie was already waiting in the dining area.

"Good evening." She smiled and handed the bottled drink to Xiangzi who was jogging over. "It is said that real Darjeeling tea leaves are added. Although the amount is about 0.5%, theoretically it is still added... Want to try it?"

"Thanks!"

Xiangzi took the bottle and saw the promotional slogan printed in exaggerated font on the wrapping paper, and couldn't help laughing out loud.

“‘100% genuine Darjeeling black tea’, it’s really written like that! There’s even a line of small print below… the amount added is no less than 0.5%?”

"From the conclusion, it's the same as not adding anything!" Qiu Hui complained, "So, the advertisement is really..."

As she spoke, she opened the plastic lid of the lunch box in front of her.

"The drinks are on me. If Xiangzi hasn't had dinner yet, why don't you buy something? We can eat and chat at the same time." She said

So Xiangzi went to the front desk and asked for a small bowl of curry udon noodles, which was not served with anything else.

"Wouldn't you like something else? Oden or something like that?" Qiu Hui asked.

"No, one bowl is enough." Xiangzi replied with a smile, "After adapting for a while, I feel that my appetite has become smaller and smaller."

"That's really congratulations... But since you're still in the growth and development stage, I think it's better for you to eat more?" Akie suggested kindly.

"Aren't you also in your growth spurt, Qiu Hui?" Xiangzi smiled.

Come to think of it, every time I saw Qiu Hui it was shortly after getting off work, and we often talked about very social topics.

Sometimes I even forget that we are both students of Yugaoka...

Xiangzi looked at Qiu Hui's face, and then his eyes unconsciously moved slightly downwards.

Developmental period...

Feeling a little shaken for some reason, Xiangzi turned his head and focused his eyes on the udon noodles in front of him.

Both of them ate a little. After Xiangzi swallowed the noodles in his mouth, he said, "So, what did Qiu Hui want to see me about this time?"

"Two things," Akie answered, "First, it's about the band of lights."

Xiangzi paused for a moment.

"…What's wrong?" she asked.

"I have my own band and I have other work to do. So I'm afraid I can't continue to be a supporting musician for a long time."

Qiu Hui stated the situation in a businesslike tone.

"It just so happens that Su Shi-san also talked to me about this today. She said that she wanted to talk to me tomorrow about how to solve the keyboard player position if I can't come."

Su Shi...

"It's her again?" Xiangzi lowered his head in silence.

I felt a little disgusted by her entanglement, but more of it was because I was uneasy about my own powerlessness.

"Did she persuade you to come to me..."

As soon as he said this, Xiangzi realized something was wrong.

"…No, Qiu Hui, you shouldn't have told Su Shi that you had seen me, right?" she asked nervously.

"No." Qiu Hui answered without hesitation, "After all, you didn't agree."

"I see." Xiangzi's frown relaxed, "...Thank you."

She felt somewhat pleased about this.

Qiu Hui is like that, she won't do anything unnecessary.

But Su Shi...she always...

"If that's the case, she should... No. I think she should still hope that I can return to the band."

"She said she wanted to decide on a keyboard player, but I'm afraid I was the only one she had in mind."

Xiangzi sighed helplessly.

"...I don't even dare to tell her that I'm facing financial difficulties now." She said, "If that's the case, Su Shi will definitely come to 'help' me in the way she thinks is effective at all costs."

"But, I don't want to accept her help."

"Because, I don't want to involve everyone in CRYCHIC in the situation I'm facing now."

"Besides, I don't even know why she thinks so much of me and CRYCHIC..."

Qiu Hui took a sip of bottled tea and smiled helplessly: "It's the same with the lights. Whether it's CRYCHIC or this band now, she has poured a lot of emotion into it."

"How should I put it..." She looked at Xiangzi teasingly, "You really can easily attract people who will attach great importance to the band."

"Is that so?" Xiangzi smiled bitterly and shook his head.

This is probably what is meant by "bad fate".

"But I think, if Suyo-san really thinks that..."

Qiu Hui put forward her ideas seriously.

"... Xiangzi-san, why don't you try to accept her kindness?"

"This way, you won't have to suffer, and her wish will come true."

"I'm not suggesting you do this, I just want to ask for your reason."

Xiangzi looked at Qiu Hui's serious expression, smiled, and said, "Qiu Hui, although it's hard to explain why I did this, I think if it were you, you would definitely understand."

"What if it was me?"

Akie was stunned, but soon realized what Xiangzi meant.

"...Indeed." She nodded as if suddenly realizing something. "We are, after all, the same kind of people."

Just as Xiangzi could escape from his current predicament if he accepted Su Shi's kindness.

Now, Aie Togawa can put aside all the troubles and worries at work and live the life of a young lady again by just making a phone call to her family.

Although the reasons for the two parties' refusal differed in subtle details, the tone was exactly the same.

"...We all hope to be able to do something with our own strength." Akie concluded.

"Yes." Xiangzi smiled and nodded, "Rely on your own strength..."

She looked at the sky outside the floor-to-ceiling window, thoughtfully.

"…Go get what you want."

At this time, it was already dark outside the window.

The two of them quickened their pace and quickly finished most of the food in front of them.

"Anyway, I will persuade Su Shi to decide on a new keyboard player as soon as possible." Akie said, "Also, I won't mention anything about you to her. If she asks me, I will pretend that I don't know. Xiangzi, is it okay for me to do this?"

"That's a great help." Xiangzi nodded, "Thank you Qiuhui."

"If possible...Akie, I hope you can help her, too."

It must be very painful for Su Shi to always stay in the illusion of the past.

"I don't know how to tell her anymore, so I can only ask you, an outsider, Akie, to do it."

"Well, I will do my best. This can be considered as... being responsible to the end." Qiu Hui said.

Even now, I am still thinking about that band...

An obvious melancholy appeared on Qiu Hui's face.

"Akiei, what's wrong? Why do you look so bad all of a sudden?"

In response to Xiangzi's concerned questions, Qiu Hui smiled and shook her head.

"Nothing. Although we have already discussed the first matter, I still have a second matter that I want to discuss with Xiangzi."

"If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know!" Xiangzi said eagerly.

"Thank you. Well, I'll make it short..."

Qiu Hui supported her cheeks with both hands and looked out the window thoughtfully.

"...In short, I'm heartbroken."

Chapter 14 The feeling of being needed