Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

"...Please turn back. I haven't finished yet."

“I can handle the rest by myself, so I won’t bother you, Senior!” Aine said with a smile, “Also, thank you for telling me this, Senior!”

"……Thanks?"

"Yes. Not only will I not forget it, but I will also write it down and digest it carefully."

Ai Ne leaned close to Akie's ear and spoke in a low voice.

"Because, it's just as Senior said."

"What you just said is a reflection of what you are as a human being."

After saying that, she took two steps back with almost jumping steps and looked at Qiu Hui with a smile.

"Okay, let's end the chat here! If you have anything else to say, let's talk about it after we enjoy the sea and the beach!"

Chapter 57 I will not repeat Xiaoxiang's mistakes

Aine and Akie, they seemed to have talked a lot just now.

On the way to the beach, Nagasaki Motoyo looked at the back of Aine who was walking in the lead.

Although I couldn't hear the specific content, even from their body movements and facial expressions when they were talking, I could tell that the topic might not be limited to simple chatting.

No one was watching her right now, so she didn't have to remain tense all the time.

Temporarily putting aside the fake smile, Su Shi followed behind Aine at a leisurely pace.

Su Shi originally didn't want Qiu Hui to participate too much in this training session.

In fact, she didn't want this training to actually happen in the first place.

Memories of this new band are completely unnecessary.

As long as it can last until the first performance, that’s enough.

Su Shi recalled what happened when the band was just about to be formed.

At that time, Aiyin also said that her short-term goal was to form a band with Xiaodeng until the first performance.

If that's the case, then it couldn't be better.

Su Shi looked at Ai Yin who had arrived on the beach first and was now exclaiming exaggeratedly.

After Deng found something on the beach, she squatted down and began to study it carefully. Lenai followed behind her and seemed very interested.

After noticing what Tomo did, Aine followed suit, and Akie followed Aine, and the four of them gathered in a group with Tomo at the center.

This scene was reflected in Su Shi's eyes truthfully. As for how many ripples it caused in her heart, it is unknown for the time being.

"...Suyo."

"Lixi, what's going on?"

Su Shi smiled and turned her head, and Shiina Riki was standing next to her.

Li Xi was wearing the same school swimsuit as Qiu Hui. She didn't seem to really plan to play, but just prepared one casually because of the occasion.

"Aren't you going to join in?" Li Xi asked in a somewhat stiff tone, "Even swimsuits have been specially prepared."

Her eyes swept over Su Shi, who was wearing a two-piece lace swimsuit, and a hint of suspicion flashed in her eyes.

"Before going into the water, I want to bask in the sun and relax for a while." Su Shi smiled and made an excuse that did not contain much sincerity.

"Really?" Li Xi nodded without comment.

"Richi, you didn't even prepare a swimsuit." Su Shi asked with a smile, "This is a rare training camp, there's nothing wrong with relaxing a little, right?"

"I... I'm not interested." Li Xi shook his head. "But you, Su Shi..."

She barely concealed her doubts.

"Moshi, are you still thinking about CRYCHIC and that person?"

Li Xi's direct question did not disrupt Su Shi's rhythm.

“Right now, I just hope that everyone can play in a band happily together.” She answered with an ambiguous statement.

"...Tsk." Li Xi smacked his lips in dissatisfaction, but didn't say much.

"I hope the band can continue," Su Shi continued, "On this point, Li Xi and I have the same idea."

"...Alas." Li Xi shook his head helplessly, "Su Shi, although what you think is your business, there is one thing I hope you can figure out."

Her expression became serious and cold, exuding a hint of hostility.

“Tomoe and Aine… They don’t have a problem with you, not because you did a good job of disguising yourself. They just turned a blind eye to your thoughts because they don’t want to hurt their friends who are also members of the band.”

"Disguise? Cover up?" Su Shi still maintained that harmless smile, "What are you talking about, Li Xi! Is it because you are under too much pressure recently that you have these strange thoughts?"

"…Whatever you say."

Li Xi closed his eyes, then quickly opened them, a look of determination in his eyes.

"You still have feelings for that band, that's your business."

"But if you dare to destroy the lamp that I rebuilt with great difficulty..."

"Li Xi is saying something weird again." Su Shi smiled and shook her head, "How could I destroy Xiao Deng's band? This band belongs to Xiao Deng, to me, to you, Li Xi, and to everyone. Why would I hurt everyone, including myself?"

"Although I understand Xiaoxiang's difficulties, I will never do what she did, hurting myself and everyone else at the same time."

"Su Shi, you..." Li Xi was stunned.

This is not something that Nagasaki Motoyo would say.

"This is what I think," Su Shi declared frankly.

Unlike Li Xi's surprise, her statement seemed very natural.

"..."

After being silent for a long time, Li Xi finally decided not to continue to pester the matter.

"…Remember to practice well."

After leaving this somewhat abrupt instruction, she turned and left, heading towards where the lamp was.

"..."

Su Shi raised his head and slowly approached the location of the others, looking up at the line where the sky met the ocean.

I won't repeat Xiaoxiang's mistakes.

If things have come to this, Li Xi probably won't continue to pester me.

After all, in her opinion, if what I said involved Xiaoxiang, it would mean a very strong statement.

Amid the bustling crowd of tourists around him, Su Shi continued to move forward.

Although this was just an excuse to deal with Li Xi's questioning, it was actually what Su Shi really thought.

I will help Xiaoxiang out of his predicament and make everything return to the way it was before.

As long as I can do this, no one will be hurt.

A cool sea breeze blew in from the end of the sparkling waves, lifting the ends of Su Shi's long flaxen hair.

I don't have a single shred of evidence to prove that Qiu Hui and Xiao Xiang really had a relationship. She herself has never admitted it.

But, she didn't deny it after all. If she really had nothing to do with Xiaoxiang, she wouldn't keep silent about it.

Su Shi smiled with satisfaction. She had made the right bet.

She originally just had the idea of ​​trying everything possible because of Akihime Uchika's identity as a student and her analysis of the reasons why Xiaoxiang left the team.

Despite being such a desperate attempt, it ultimately produced unexpected results.

This is... a very good omen. Su Shi was overjoyed.

Senior Akihime is a person who is too obsessed with taking responsibility.

Because of this, she would definitely leave our band for her own band, and would definitely do as much as possible before she leaves.

If, for example, Senior Qiu Hui claimed that Xiao Xiang might come to the show...

...then she will definitely do her best to help Xiaoxiang overcome his inner obstacles and let Xiaoxiang come to see me.

Suyo continued forward and came to Akie, who was wearing a school swimsuit.

At the moment, she was accompanying Deng and Lenai, who were studying the shells and hermit crabs on the beach.

"Akie-senpai!"

Su Shi tried to say hello, and Akie, who had seemed to be doing nothing since the beginning, responded.

In order to increase the success rate, perhaps it is necessary to further stabilize Senior Sister Akihabara...

Chapter 58: Heart-to-heart talk with Su Shi

"Akie!"

Sushi came closer with a smile.

"Moshiro-san...ah." Akie suddenly realized that the other party didn't seem to add a suffix to her name, "You just called me by my name."

Su Shi nodded in a friendly manner: "Yes! At this point, if I still call you senior sister, it will always feel a little strange."

She came to Qiu Hui and said to her, "Qiu Hui has done so much for us all this time, I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. Even if you are no longer our keyboard player, Qiu Hui will always be our friend."

Su Shi raised his voice very high, almost as if he wanted the people around him to hear it.

Aine, who was watching the sand castle made of lights with great interest just now, now looked as if she was pricked by something and had an unnatural expression on her face.

Even the light facing the sand castle couldn't help but stand up.

Then she took a step forward and held Qiu Hui's hand with her hand that was still covered in sand.

"..."

She seemed to want to say something, her face turned red, but in the end she couldn't utter anything.

Finally, it was Akie who took the initiative to break the awkward atmosphere: "...I also have my own work to do, so I'm sorry that I can't always be with you. But, as Suyo-san said. Even if I'm not in the band, I will continue to be your friend."

"I felt very fulfilled and happy during my time as a support musician in this band, and gained many unique and valuable experiences..."

As she spoke, Qiu Hui couldn't hold back her smile and shook her head.

"…I feel like you're speaking at a meeting. Anyway, it's a rare training camp, so everyone should just have fun as much as possible."

Although she said so, her words didn't seem to make Deng feel much better.

Perhaps Deng also knew that his request for Qiu Hui to stay was somewhat unreasonable.

However, there was a stubborn force that supported her to continue to stick to her own ideas and she could not give up easily, so she just remained silent.

“…Right, right, Deng-chan!” Aine also came to her senses, “After all, this is the last training session before Senpai leaves… It seems like this is also my first time here… But anyway! Since this is a rare training session, it would be better to have fun…”

"Yes, I think Qiu Hui must think so too!" Su Shi nodded with a satisfied smile.

As expected, Senior Akihime has now made up her mind to leave after the first performance.

This development just happened to be in line with Su Shi's expectations.

Senior Qiu Hui's sense of responsibility will make her work hard for the band, but it will also drive her to choose the more important one between the two.

Moreover, even if she chooses one side and gives up the other, out of guilt for the act of "giving up", she will try her best to compensate the abandoned side.

For example... help me get Xiaoxiang back and find the most suitable candidate for her vacant position.

"...Akie." said Suyo.

After Aine went to comfort Deng, Suyo was able to have a private conversation with Akie.

"It seems that Aki is not used to the beach yet." She invited, "I just want to bask in the sun on the lounge chair over there for a while. If Aki doesn't know what to do, why don't you come and keep me company? I also have something I want to talk to you about."

"...Okay." Akie nodded with a wry smile, "After all, uh, I'm not really good at swimming."

That’s perfect, Su Shi was secretly delighted.