Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

Su Shi often had to use a calm appearance to cover up her inner anxiety, but she could see that the woman in front of her who exuded a neat temperament was not like that.

Her composure is clear, definite, and unwavering, like a workpiece cut by a machine tool with an error rate of less than 3.4 parts per million.

This calmness comes from being detached from the situation, but more from one's own character.

"…What do you want to know, Hachiman-san?"

"The relationship between that Togawa Akiie and the two bands seems to be a bit complicated." Hailing glanced at Akiie who was chatting with Liang about irrelevant topics.

"I have helped out in many other bands, and sometimes I get treated like a regular member. But it's rare for someone to continue supporting a band for such a long time even though they are a regular member."

After saying that, Hailing turned back and stared at Su Shi's face, which was showing a polite smile.

"I'm a little curious about the reason for this situation. Now that I have the chance, if Nagasaki-san doesn't mind, I hope you can talk to me for a while."

Yamada is a friend of the classmate in front of her, and Akie is a member of Yamada's band. Although it is an indirect relationship, it is still relatively close. Therefore, she does seem to have the legitimate right to demand to know...

Such thoughts based on general social rules flowed through Su Shi's mind like instinct.

After coming to a conclusion, she smiled and said, "I hope that my band can start formal practice as soon as possible, but the official candidate for the keyboard player has not been determined yet. I finally met Akie-senpai, but she already has a boyfriend. So I can only make the best of it and hope that she can serve as a support staff member when she is free."

"I see. This is a more reasonable approach." Hailing nodded. "However, there is one more thing I am concerned about."

"What is it?" Su Shi said with a smile, but for some reason he had an uneasy premonition in his heart.

"The band that Ryo and Togawa-san belong to has already developed to the point where they are signing a contract to start commercial activities," Hailing admitted. "The main job will become increasingly busy. However, Togawa-san has only now proposed to stop supporting the activities. And, according to what Ryo and I have talked about, it seems that she intends to continue working until after your first performance."

"Ryo also told me that Togawa-san is also assisting you with composition and arrangement. Is this also within the scope of the prior agreement?"

Su Shi was stunned: "...No. This was her own action. I never asked her to do this."

"Is that so?" Hailing nodded, looking confident. "It seems that Togawa-san has a deep relationship with you guys. If she becomes a formal member, I would really like to congratulate you for it."

If she was a formal member. To Su Shi's ears, these words sounded more like some kind of vague sarcasm than "congratulations".

“I often help out in other bands, so I have some experience.”

Hailing didn't pay much attention to Su Shi's reaction. She just continued to express her own views.

"Since it's a favor, the relationship should be limited to the proper level."

"There is a certain kind of inexplicable chemical reaction between band members. If you know that the other person is not a real member, you should not allow this chemical reaction to develop to an uncontrollable point."

"But if this has already happened..."

Having said this, Hai Ling paused slightly, as if considering whether this statement was appropriate.

"...Maybe I said too much. But if the situation I just described really happens, then I think the best way is to just go all out and accept him as a formal member."

After saying that, Hai Ling stopped talking, letting the words just now ferment in Nagasaki Suyo's agitated heart.

Chapter 49: Each One's Thoughts

at the same time.

On Akie's side, her conversation with Ryo was also coming to an end.

Before ending the conversation, she asked, "...By the way, let me ask you, how did you get to know that guy over there?"

"Are you talking about Hailing?" Liang answered casually, "You know, I was in a band with someone before, but we had a falling out. During that time, Hailing was my backup in their band for a while; that band didn't last... but that's how we got to know each other."

"How can this be possible?" Qiu Hui exclaimed, "Don't you have few friends?"

"Don't look so surprised. I have normal social skills."

"Can Hailing really tolerate you?" Qiu Hui asked half-jokingly.

"You can tolerate me, why can't she?" Liang asked back.

A burst of laughter broke out between the two.

Although the communication between the two people can basically be described as unrestrained, the two bystanders beside them at this moment have a completely different mentality.

Aine observed Akie more carefully than ever before, from the subtle changes in her expression to the rise and fall of her voice tone.

She herself was not even aware of this seriousness. She had long been accustomed to Qiu Hui's existence, but a series of recent events made her have a strong urge to re-examine their relationship.

First of all, you have to really understand your senior. What kind of person is she, when will she cry and when will she laugh, how will she treat her friends and lovers...

…At a moment when Akie hadn’t noticed yet, Chihaya Aine quietly made up her mind.

During this period of training, even if we can't really keep our seniors, we should at least figure out each other's thoughts first...

While Aine was observing Akie, someone was also observing her.

Simply...accept the other person?

These words echoed in the heart of Suyo who was watching Aine and Akie.

Hachiman Kairei made a suggestion that she couldn't accept at all.

As long as I am willing to invite Xiaomu, she will definitely come back.

Therefore, as long as Xiaoxiang can come back... everyone at CRYCHIC can start over.

From the very beginning, I invited Aine and Akiie-senpai to join us just to help Deng.

Aine and the sudden appearance of Rakuna...are already very troublesome variables. At this point, how can we allow Akie-senpai to really take Xiaoxiang's place?

Hachiman Kairei directly brought some implicit premises to the surface, which forced Su Shi to no longer continue to think about some problems in a self-deceiving attitude.

Yes, there is no such thing as a "new band".

What exists is only the prototype of CRYCHIC which is temporarily missing Xiaoxiang.

Under Su Shi's calm appearance, his heart is gradually turning cold.

That’s why I don’t want this training to go smoothly, and I don’t want Akihime to get too close to everyone.

My current goal, from beginning to end, is only one...

In the dark, unknown to everyone, Nagasaki Suyo took off the mask she had been wearing.

Fortunately, this embarrassing situation does not need to continue for much longer.

Thanks to Li Xi's continued efforts, the performance will be held soon after the training is over.

Senior Qiu Hui told me that Xiaoxiang would come to see it.

Since she said that... maybe she really knows Xiao Xiang. After all, she is Yuqiu's student, maybe they know each other for some reason...

Even, Qiu Hui might actually try to persuade Xiao Xiang! If it was an outsider's opinion, Xiao Xiang might try to listen to it, right?

Ecstasy filled Su Shi's heart.

As long as that time comes, CRYCHIC will be able to...

Thinking of this, Su Shi suddenly felt a mental trance.

She realized that there was one thing that had always been outside her consideration.

If after the performance, I fail to convince Xiaoxiang to put aside his resistance, accept our help, and return to the band...

……wrong!

What's the point of thinking about this kind of thing now?

Now that we have come this far...

A crack began to appear in Nagasaki Suyo's gentle shell.

And just as she was observing Aine, someone was also observing her.

Hachiman Kairei, who was completely oblivious to the situation, watched it all with her usual calm attitude.

No one asked her and she had no intention of expressing her opinion.

"...I see." She muttered to herself quietly, not knowing what she was referring to.

……

At night, after dark.

"I'm done!"

Aine's mother looked at her daughter who ran upstairs excitedly, feeling somewhat puzzled by her recent mood swings.

He looked so lost and depressed a few days ago. What good thing happened to him today?

Aine seemed to have said before that she rejected her friend's confession and was troubled by the matter.

Is there any progress over there?

Aine's mother smiled and shook her head, returning her attention to the chore in front of her.

As for Aine, she ran upstairs with a relaxed mood, returned to her room, and fell on the sofa, laughing happily.

Three days... you can do a lot of things!

Recalling what Deng said, Aine's original sadness was swept away.

After all, in such a special environment as training camp, each other's thoughts will definitely become clearer.

"I told you, things will get better!"

Aine, in a good mood, picked up her tablet and planned to watch some videos to kill time.

"Ah, isn't this a long-awaited update from Meow Meng-chi? I don't know what she's been busy with recently, and she hasn't uploaded any new videos..."

Aine happily clicked on the new video that had just been uploaded.

"Good morning, meow meow! I've been too busy recently, so I haven't updated for a long time. I'm really sorry! To make up for everyone who has been following us, I have prepared some very substantial and useful content for you today!"

Miao Meng on the screen had a rosy complexion and a sweet smile, and her whole body seemed to be wrapped in positive emotions that were about to overflow, and even Aiyin was somewhat infected.

"Friends who often watch my videos must have learned a lot of bits and pieces of knowledge - then, today we are going to challenge the actual operation from scratch!"

"For today's video, we specially invited our friend Miss A who is not good at dressing up! In the next ten minutes, I, Meow Meng, will give her a brand new look..."

The camera turned, and the friend A mentioned by Miao Meng also revealed his true face.

Messy black hair, ordinary black-framed glasses, and a shy and uneasy look...

"Nyanmuku, do you have to... do this?"

Friend A said nervously in a voice that Aine was very familiar with.

"Ah, A-chan is a little shy now. But it's okay! Next..."

Wait wait wait wait!

Aine suddenly pressed the pause button, and Meowmew and Akie on the screen suddenly froze.

Why is the senior at Meow Mengqin's place?

Moreover, except for the fact that she had not put on any makeup, the clothes she was wearing were exactly the same as what she saw in the morning!

Could it be that this video... was recorded this morning?

Aiyin was immersed in a happy and contented mood just now, but at this moment her mind went blank in an instant.

Chapter 50: Aine is not satisfied with being a "friend"

It’s difficult. Could it be that the “friend” that the senior mentioned this morning was actually Miao Mengqin?

This fact was a huge shock to Aine.

She stared at the two people on the screen for a long time, unable to come to her senses.

The content of the conversation that everyone had on the Ferris wheel suddenly surfaced in Aine’s memory.

...Did Miao Mengqin say at that time that he "liked girls"?

Difficult, could it be said...

Aine’s face suddenly turned red, or rather, it was red and white at the same time.

Miao Mengqin likes girls... Then, Senior stayed overnight at Miao Mengqin's house...

When I woke up the next day, it was Miao Meng who did the makeup for me!