Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

Rather than wondering who the protagonist's appearance was based on, Xiangzi felt that he should have more important things to care about.

Although the plot of the book was probably not inspired by her, the plot of the story inspired her in turn.

As she had discussed with Akie before, a certain plan became increasingly clear in her mind.

Just as Akie gradually gained a foothold by writing novels.

Maybe I should also ask myself what I can rely on to achieve some more meaningful goals than simply making a living.

I am now helping Qiu Hui with housework, but this job is just a temporary gift from her to me since I am unemployed for some reason.

I still need to find a job right now.

But what I should be looking for is not just a part-time job that a student can do.

I can't let my youth be consumed by slow and endless wear and tear.

Before she met Qiu Hui, she had some doubts whether this idea was just an unrealistic fantasy.

However, the book before us has become some kind of solid and powerful circumstantial evidence.

“Even if you are just a student, there are things you can do.”

Qiu Hui relies on novels, so maybe I can...

"...Depend on the band," she thought.

Student bands are the trend right now.

The audience cheered for them and the market was attracted by their prospects.

Thanks to the education I received since childhood, I have certain talents in this area.

Shoko Toyokawa, who clearly realized this, realized that the door to this road was already half open in front of her.

If, and I mean if, I were to form a new band.

Well, we definitely can’t do whatever we want like CRYCHIC.

Just like the protagonist in the book, my goal is very clear. First is commercial success, then I am qualified to talk about other things.

Then, all plans should revolve around this absolute goal...

Toyokawa Shoko's reverie did not last long, and was interrupted by her own awakening.

It’s too early to think about this now! I should focus on my work now!

She shook her head vigorously to drive away the distracting thoughts in her mind.

Although slacking off at Akihime's place would not result in a warning like at the customer service center, Xiangzi was unwilling to do so even if there were no consequences.

Putting Akie's new work back on the shelf, she immediately picked up another book from the bed.

She was so busy wiping the shelf that she didn't bother to pay attention to what was on the cover.

When he was about to put it back on the bookshelf, Xiangzi noticed the cover and title.

The two girls on the cover are holding hands and looking at each other affectionately.

...It was indeed that kind of subject. Xiangzi pretended to be calm and put it back on the bookshelf.

Then there was another one. The title of this one was unexpectedly straightforward, and even Xiangzi could see its meaning at a glance.

She seemed to have received an electric shock and put the book back on the shelf tremblingly.

Then came the last book. This book was stacked under the previous book and was taken out together, so Xiangzi had never seen its cover before.

The two heroines on the cover are entangled with each other, as if they are fighting, but not like...

"..."

Xiangzi didn't know what to say. If she was still in the same state of mind as she was in junior high school, she would probably scream out in shyness and surprise.

Why would you just leave something like this on the shelf? Did you forget to put it away?

After shoving the publication that theoretically should have an age limit under the pile of books, Xiangzi looked around, trying to find something to divert his attention.

Fortunately, she didn't have to put in too much effort as she was drawn to the call that Akie didn't try to cover up.

"...I almost understand. What does Shiina-san want me to do?"

Chapter 22 Oh, Headphones

Shiina-san...are you talking about Shiina Riki?

A trace of gloom flashed across Xiangzi's eyes.

She recalled the rainy afternoon when she came to the practice room and accepted the other party's anger with a cold face.

When he learned that he was going to quit CRYCHIC, that person's anger was the strongest.

Now, everyone except me and I have formed a new band...

Xiangzi turned and looked at Qiu Hui.

When Qiu Hui was talking to the other party, she didn't seem to be deliberately avoiding her, so Xiangzi could also hear that they were discussing composition.

In other words, Tatsuki Shiina took on the responsibility of composing music in this new band.

It was a little unexpected. It's rare for a drummer to compose music...

Can Lixi really do it? Xiangzi couldn't help asking in his heart.

On the one hand, this comes from an objective suspicion, and on the other hand, it may also contain some subtle elements of jealousy.

This shouldn't be the case, Xiangzi thought silently.

After all, it was something I gave up. If someone is willing to fix what I messed up, I should be happy...

But humans are not a species that always thinks in the right way.

Even though they know it is inappropriate and improper, people's passions will still drive them to have thoughts that are difficult for them to suppress.

How do I...think of everyone at CRYCHIC?

Xiangzi asked himself in silence.

Thinking of this, she looked at Qiu Hui's back again and suddenly realized something.

She is a supporting musician. Su Shi invited her temporarily to fill my vacancy.

But no matter what, she will definitely take my place on the stage in the future.

In the music classroom, Xiangzi heard the other person playing the piano.

Although she doesn't have much talent or superb skills, one can feel her passion for music...or for something else.

If, I want her to take my place...

Toyokawa Shoko suddenly realized that she might not be able to continue thinking about this problem any longer.

In a sense, it is like an old farmer who, the moment he swings his hoe, realizes that what he is touching is not soil or rock, but an unexploded bomb that has been handed down from the last war and may be decades old.

"..."

Toyokawa Shoko was silent, wiping the shelves filled with various sundries.

After cleaning up, she picked up the broom that was lying aside.

"Akie, can you please move aside for a moment?" she asked. "I need to sweep the floor over here."

"Okay, I'll get out of the way."

Akie, who was wearing headphones, nodded and said, "Sorry, Shiina-san, I have something to do and I have to leave for a while."

Then she took off her headphones and pushed the chair under the table, clearing space for Xiangzi to work.

Then she sat on the bed and watched Xiangzi bending down and dealing with the dust in the corner.

"You seem very experienced," Qiu Hui sighed, "and you feel very efficient. When I try to clean the house myself, I can never do it as well as you do."

She felt an inexplicable sense of euphoria as she looked at the large cloud of dust that was quickly gathering on the ground, waiting to be finally swept away.

"This kind of thing is nothing special. You will become familiar with it if you do it more often." Xiangzi said with a smile, "But I will take it as a compliment and accept it happily."

Looking at Xiangzi's smile, Qiu Hui also nodded slightly.

She then showed a slightly serious expression and asked, "Have you thought about what to do next?"

"It would be best if it's a job that doesn't require me to be in the spotlight," Xiangzi answered calmly as he swept away the clumps of dust. "As for positions like store clerks, I think I would only consider them when it's absolutely necessary..."

"That's not what I meant." Akie suddenly raised her voice, which surprised Xiangzi a little.

"I mean... besides doing odd jobs?" asked Akie.

"Odd jobs are a way to make a living. But what happens after that?" she said. "If you just live for the sake of living, you won't be able to hold on sooner or later, right?"

As she said this, Akie looked at Shoko with a sincere look.

She would say this because she had experienced it herself.

Qiu Hui knew that if she didn't have a long-term goal of becoming a light novel writer, which seemed quite absurd when she thought about it carefully, she would definitely not be able to endure the long and boring odd job life, let alone gradually adapt to it.

"It doesn't matter if it's just an absurd fantasy, but I think there should always be a greater goal than simply living."

Facing Akihime's sincere and eager gaze, Xiangzi nodded slightly.

"Yes." She said, "But, I'm still considering..."

"Are you struggling with the feasibility issue?"

"No." Xiangzi shook his head, "It's... other concerns."

Qiu Hui looked at her lost expression and decided not to ask any further questions.

"I understand. If Xiangzi thinks there is anything I can help with, then..."

Before she finished her words, Qiu Hui seemed to realize something suddenly and turned pale with horror.

"Akie, what's wrong?"

"Speak a little more quietly!" She lowered her voice, "Because I was just chatting with Shiina-san, and I'm not sure if this headset will pick up the sound of our conversation..."

Xiangzi was stunned, and then realized that this was indeed the case.

"But," she replied somewhat woodenly, "we just said so much, if Shiina-san could hear it, she should have heard it a long time ago, right?"

……

"I see. I'll wait a moment then."

Li Xi continued to wear headphones and wait for Qiu Hui.

She frowned slightly. Although Qiu Hui said she would leave for a while, the microphone over there didn't seem to be turned off.

So, through the voice played in the headphones, she seemed to be able to vaguely hear Qiu Hui talking to someone from the other side.

Who is the other person? Li Xi wondered in confusion.

Well, even if there is someone else in Akie's room, this matter has nothing to do with me.

However, Li Xi felt that the voice seemed inexplicably familiar.

Sounds a bit like... Toyokawa Shoko?

Li Xi frowned in dissatisfaction. Why did he think of that?

Is it because I'm busy composing music that I think of that guy unconsciously?

However, from what I heard, it seemed like I heard something like "sweeping the floor".

It should be the cleaner hired by Qiu Hui's family, Li Xi judged.

This way it definitely couldn't be Toyokawa Shoko, so she breathed a sigh of relief.

It's really hard to imagine that Toyokawa Shoko would actually sweep the floor for others.

In Lixi's memory, Toyokawa Shoko was an outstanding existence even among the circle of young ladies in Tsuki no Mori.

Putting aside his family background, his personality, talent, and gentle but noble character alone do not give the impression of being associated with "physical labor."

Moreover, ever since she quit the band without saying anything, that guy seemed to have disappeared, and even the lights couldn't talk to her.