Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

She smiled sheepishly: "I didn't think too much about it at the time. I just felt that if I kept watching Senior torturing himself for such a problem, I would... be a little bit unable to bear it."

Recalling what happened last night, Aine blushed and lowered her head.

"I see." Akie sighed, "I can neither agree nor refuse. Love is really... very troublesome."

After a brief pause, she continued, "So, after the training session is over and before the performance begins, I hope you can come with me and have a good chat with Ichiri."

"Oh, is this what you call a threesome?"

After hearing that, Aine laughed, “It feels a bit unreal, and I don’t know why, but I feel quite excited?”

"It's because you don't have any real feelings that you think this way," Akie sighed.

"snort……"

Aine didn’t say anything else, just let out a long series of thoughtful nasal sounds.

"...By the way, you and Goto-san kissed before, right?"

"...Yeah." Akie nodded. "Why are you asking this suddenly?"

“Is it your first kiss?” Aine ignored Akie’s question and continued asking according to her own meaning.

"...Yes." Akie nodded reluctantly and answered in a low voice.

“Eh? I see.” Aine smiled meaningfully and nodded slightly.

Qiu Hui looked at her somewhat uneasily, nervously waiting for her next question.

“Was it just that one time?” Aine asked again casually.

"...Actually, there was one more time."

After struggling nervously for a while, Qiu Hui finally decided to tell the truth.

"Twice! Well, for the sake of fairness..."

Aine let go of her hand, turned around with a wicked smile, lowered her head slightly, and kissed Akie on the lips again.

"It happened twice before, and now there's one more, so it's three times in total."

Aine smiled, and made calculations with very questionable standards.

"A first kiss should be counted as two, right? That way we're even, right?"

“…How can you calculate like that?” Akie lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Aine’s smile.

The two continued to walk side by side on the beach. Regardless of the actual situation, they really looked like a couple.

“We’ve been talking about Goto-san since a while ago.” Aine said, “Senpai is here with me now, so, what is she doing now?”

"As for Ichiri... he will probably either be alone or be with everyone who has finished the band," Akie guessed.

“I see.” Aine nodded.

"So, what is she doing now?"

……

Qiu Hui, what are you doing now?

Goto Ichiri was in the closet of his room, facing the dimly glowing computer screen, reading comment after comment, when he suddenly thought of this.

Right now, Akie should be training with...Aine and her group's band.

Obviously, Qiu Hui was not a member of that band...but she still went with them.

"..."

Goto Ichiri felt a vague sense of melancholy.

Recalling what happened on the Ferris wheel and in the bathroom cubicle of the office building, her sadness became even stronger.

The response in the comments is getting better and better. Whether it is the "Guitar Hero" side or the account that ended the band, the momentum of supporters is very stable and strong.

but……

They are both members of the ending band.

It was a relationship where even doing something like that could be forgiven.

However, Yili felt that Qiu Hui was now getting further and further away from him.

She took out her phone.

In the group chat of the ending band, send a message.

"Everyone, can we get together for a while?"

For the first time ever, she took the initiative to invite her friends to a party.

Chapter 77: The Shadow of Togawa Aie

Performance Hall "STARRY".

The remaining members of the band, except Aki Ryoko, were now gathered in the store.

No one brought any instruments, because they were not here to practice. Since a while ago, their practice and activities have been moved to the recording studio of the agency.

Today, everyone came here purely for the meeting at Yili's invitation.

"It's a bit surprising that Ichiri would take the initiative to invite everyone," Kita exclaimed.

However, the other people present did not seem to be very surprised.

Liang showed an expression that looked like he was watching something fun, while Hongxia had a hint of worry in her smile.

As for Ichiri herself, she now looks a little...melancholy.

This made Kita feel a little strange.

She keenly noticed one thing: today's Goto Ichiri seemed to be decisively different from before.

Yili is very shy and always tends to think negatively. Even in front of the band she has known for a long time and has become friends with, she often behaves strangely because of her anxiety.

But today... her situation is different. It's not that she has overcome those inherent tendencies, but more like... she "can't take care" to show those tendencies.

Ichiri's confidence had been shaky, but now she looked as if she had fallen and couldn't get up.

"Besides, you look terrible. Ichiri, is there something bothering you?"

Kita looked at Ichiri worriedly.

She also noticed one thing belatedly: Yili's current state seemed to be within Hongxia and Liang's expectations.

...Strange, am I the only one who knows nothing?

"Thank you all for taking the time to accompany me today." Ichiri smiled a little distortedly, "Ahaha, I'm a little flattered..."

Due to her inherent inferiority complex and negative tendencies, she often feels panic, and this psychological state is also reflected in her expression.

"Don't say that." Hongxia shook her head, "Pochi-chan is our important partner!"

"That's exactly what happened." Ryoya agreed, "Pochi is the key to ending the band's commercial prospects, so it's better not to feel too inferior to him."

"Don't use that kind of language." Hongxia glared at Liang with some dissatisfaction, "I know you are probably joking, but now is not the right time to do that."

Liang didn't say anything, nor did she nod, but Hongxia could tell at a glance that she agreed with what she said.

"Not that kind of... occasion?" Kita was still confused.

In fact, during this period of time, Kita always felt like he was "excluded" by something.

She is a master at reading the atmosphere, good at socializing and integrating into the group, so she has an instinctive sense for certain things.

In her opinion, there was a... weird air in the ending band.

The first performance was a success, a commercial contract was signed, and we are working hard to prepare for future activities...

Ever since this series of events began, that "weird atmosphere" has more or less spread in the band.

The training courses at the agency are very strict, but the schedule is relatively relaxed, and the staff and trainers are also quite friendly. Kita has no complaints about the agency's arrangements for the time being.

She usually manages her personal social media, and now she is also managing the official account of the band. Although the content needs to be checked by the agency before it is released, the standards are not strict and there is considerable freedom. Kita is also very satisfied with this.

The band's fame gradually grew, and fans were looking forward to future activities. As the lead singer of the guitar, Kita gradually became more noticeable to the public. Kita didn't hate this, or rather liked it.

but……

She still felt that the "air" of the band had become strange.

"The reason I invited everyone here this time...is actually because I want to talk to you about my recent troubles." Ichiri said frankly.

"What kind of trouble is it?" Kita asked worriedly.

And Liang's expression became serious. Even she became serious.

"…Pochi, have you made up your mind to tell everyone about 'that thing'?" She suddenly said something that Kita couldn't understand.

"What is it?" Kita realized that his mind was blank, "Ryo-senpai, what are you talking about?"

"It's a good thing that you have the courage to speak out..." Hong Xia's eyes seemed to have a subtle sense of depression, but at first glance, the smile on her face was still as bright as before, "Everyone will help you find a solution together."

"Even Hongxia?" Kita felt even more confused.

Why does everyone seem to know this?

She was vaguely aware of one thing.

Perhaps this phenomenon of "everyone knows it except me" is one of the sources of that "weird air".

While Kita was thinking, Ichiri continued, "Yeah."

She showed an expression that was slightly determined, but still somewhat forced.

"I think that although some things may already be known to everyone... it would be better if I were to speak out publicly."

As she spoke, she gave an embarrassed smile.

“…Hehe, I feel awkward saying these things. Compared to me, these are more like what Akiie would say, right?”

...Akie.

Kita suddenly had an idea.

Yes. Togawa Akiie.

The only ending band member not here at the moment.

Kita admires Chuliang, cares about Ichiri, and has a good relationship with Nijixia...

...The only thing is that there is not much interaction between me and Qiu Hui.

Is it because of the gap between her and me that the "air" has become what it is now?

Conclusions like these flowed through her mind instinctively.

Kita is a typical individual among high school girls. She has the conditions and willingness to pursue beauty, and enjoys the feeling of integrating into the group of her peers. From head to toe, from inside to outside, she interprets the meaning of the concept of "real high school girl".

But Togawa Aie is the complete opposite of the concept of "high school girl".

She is calm, rarely socializes, likes to analyze and attribute, and has almost no interest in fashion trends; she cares more about "output" than "consumption" and almost always behaves like a service staff.

Compared to herself...

Kita felt that Togawa Aie was more like the same type of person as his "parents".

At this time, Yili closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and gave himself a little courage.

"…Before that, Ryo and Nijigata advised me to calm down a bit."

"But, Akie came to me later. She hoped that I could explain some things to her..."

Yili spoke very slowly, but he still said what he said word by word.

"…So, I confessed to her."

"But it didn't work."

"Even though she didn't accept it, she still allowed me to do this and that to her."

“I think this is good, but I also think this is not good…”

"So, now I... don't know what I should do."