Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

She was wearing the dress that she hadn't worn for a long time. Since she lost her job, she had been wearing her school uniform almost all the time, even when she was out, in order to prevent the clothes from getting worse due to frequent washing.

But this time, she didn't plan to just use the school uniform to deal with the matter, but instead solemnly put on formal clothes, which were formal for her.

Although she knew Qiu Hui wouldn't care about these things, she still made deliberate preparations.

Sensing her heartbeat quickening, she picked up the glass in front of her and tried to calm herself down with more lemonade.

Finally...it's time.

Xiangzi had a feeling that the story was about to begin and the actors were about to appear on stage one by one.

Although what I want to discuss with Qiu Hui now is just a very preliminary and rough arrangement; let alone the actual work, it is still a long way from being a formal plan.

In nature, the meeting was little more than a casual chat between friends.

But Xiangzi took this matter very seriously.

Is it because the other person is Qiu Hui? She suddenly wondered for no reason.

If it weren't for Qiu Hui, I might not be able to look at Deng's new band with a normal attitude like I do now.

Xiangzi gave a fleeting smile.

Everything she did for me may seem like a small favor to her, but it meant a lot to me.

Moreover, her significance to me seems to be beyond explanation by simple analysis.

This feeling... is amazing.

Xiangzi's imagination ran wild, and he even thought of Su Shi who was kneeling in front of her.

I just formed the band according to my own ideas, and ended it according to my own ideas.

However, my behavior left such a deep impression on Su Shi... She hoped to keep me even if it meant giving up her own dignity.

I didn't give her any special help or care, but she still cherished the time she spent with everyone as a member of the band.

Xiangzi had never understood why this was happening.

But after meeting Qiu Hui, she felt that she might be able to empathize a little.

At a specific time, doing a specific thing led to an unexpected result. Maybe that's what it was.

Just then, she noticed movement at the door.

Two people with two different hair colors, one black and one pink, walked in together.

One of them was someone Xiangzi was very familiar with. As for the other one... he must be the guitarist in the band that Qiu Hui mentioned.

Xiangzi observed the two of them carefully.

She noticed a subtle detail. The two walked in hand in hand, but the moment they entered the door, the pink-haired guitarist suddenly pulled his hand back like a frightened little animal, and then twisted his hands in front of him.

...Are you shy? Don't want to appear too intimate in front of a stranger like me?

Xiangzi frowned slightly. She didn't know why she felt a little unhappy.

Logically speaking, as both are members of the band, it is normal for Qiu Hui to be close to the guitarist...

The two of them approached her, so Xiangzi decided to ignore the little things that made her unhappy.

She stood up and nodded slightly to the two of them.

"Akie." She said with a smile, "And this classmate, who are you?"

"This is Goto Ichiri, the guitarist of my band."

Realizing that Ichiri would probably still be nervous when facing strangers, Akie introduced herself on her behalf.

"This is Toyokawa Shoko, my friend. She is currently planning to form a new band, and we agreed to talk about it today."

Qiu Hui then turned around and introduced Xiangzi to Yili.

"Good morning, Toyokawa-san... Oh no, it seems to be afternoon now, uh, good afternoon..."

Ichiri greeted him nervously. Although he was able to behave more naturally in front of Akie, he still seemed to have social phobia in front of strangers.

"Nice to meet you, please take a seat."

Xiangzi invited the two to sit down like a host entertaining guests.

“…Um, Toyokawa-san, um, how should I put this…”

Yili, who sat down, seemed to be trying very hard to find some topics to talk about, but he obviously didn't know what to do.

Toyokawa Shoko could naturally sense the other party's embarrassment.

She wanted to say something, but she didn't know how to do it appropriately, so she simply didn't speak rashly, but quietly observed the other person.

This Goto-san said that he came because he was interested in my plan to form a band, but he seemed to be completely out of his mind.

Moreover, when she was at a loss, she seemed to often subconsciously lean towards Qiu Hui...

Could it be that this Goto classmate is not here because he is interested in my affairs, but just wants to follow Aki?

Even if they are teammates in the same band, this is too close...

Xiangzi couldn't explain why, but she felt a little bit uncomfortable.

Her mind was drawn to this matter until Akie spoke.

"So, what exactly is this band thing that Xiangzi-san mentioned earlier?"

Qiu Hui's question woke her up from her dream.

I'm here to talk about business today, don't worry about irrelevant details.

"...In short, I hope to form a new band with the goal of commercial success."

Xiangzi quickly found his state and stated his ideas seriously.

"It's a trend right now for high school girls to form bands, and the market response is quite good. As a band member who has already signed a contract, Qiu Hui must have had some personal experience of this," she said.

To her surprise, Qiu Hui did not reply immediately.

She thought for a moment before speaking.

"Having said that, I think that my current achievements are largely due to luck."

She did not show any particular enthusiasm for Xiangzi's suggestion.

"My current situation is the result of a series of coincidences. If it weren't for the fact that my novel happened to achieve certain success, and if it weren't for the coincidence that led me to meet the right band members, my band wouldn't be as successful as it is today," said Qiu Hui.

"But Akie did do it, right?" Shoko replied with a smile.

"I...actually, I had to do this because of family conflicts..."

Although Akie seemed unsure, Xiangzi had already made up his mind.

"If you're talking about having no way out, I'm the same." Toyokawa Shoko showed a determined look.

"I've made up my mind. Even though I know the chances of success are slim, I... have no choice."

Xiangzi's face turned slightly pale, but he still had a smile on his face.

It is precisely because I know that there is no guarantee of success that... I want to tell Akie about this.

If she knew, even if she might not be able to really help, I would seem to feel a little more at ease.

Chapter 117 Xiangzi's Team Building Plan

"If it's already been decided, there's nothing we can do about it." Qiu Hui nodded with a smile.

"If you have already decided that it is something you must do, it is meaningless to consider the problem from a pessimistic perspective. Rather than backing down, it is more practical to analyze your own strengths and think about how to apply them."

I may not be able to help Xiangzi much with the band's operations.

Since she has made up her mind to develop her talent in this area, maybe I should give her more encouragement, Qiu Hui thought.

"Xiangzi has had experience in forming a band before. Although he didn't pursue it for commercial purposes at the time, at least in terms of the most core musical talent, Xiangzi is more than capable of it," Qiu Hui analyzed.

"You have a talent for composing music, and your playing skills are amazing for a high school student. Also..."

Qiu Hui looked at Xiangzi's face and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"…It may be a little inappropriate to say this, but appearance is also very important. This aspect can add a lot of points."

To be honest, it is obvious that the high school girls' band cannot gain market favor just by relying on their musical skills.

Their nature is somewhere between a "band" and an "idol". In addition to simple performance, they also rely on external tricks such as appearance and business level. This is the full picture of the era of big girl bands.

"ah."

Xiangzi touched his cheek lightly in a daze.

...Was Qiu Hui praising my beauty just now?

Qiu Hui didn't notice the subtle shift in the other party's focus and just continued with her analysis.

"With so many advantages, Xiangzi should have more than enough qualities to start a new band."

"But, for a band to be successful, it is impossible to rely on the efforts of just one person."

Akie looked at Ichiri. For some reason, she had been listening to Akie attentively since just now.

"Goto is the guitarist of our band, and he has an excellent performance level. But, even so, it is impossible for one person to carry the performance of the entire band."

"Other members, including myself, also have to work hard to coordinate with her."

As Akie introduced, Goto Ichiri also woke up from his dazed state caused by nervousness.

Realizing that the topic seemed to have come to her, she also tried hard to say a few words.

"Yes... yes!" Ichiri mustered up the courage to look at Xiangzi, "If Toyokawa wants to form a band, he must find like-minded partners!"

"...Yes, the choice of partner is very important."

Xiangzi gave a bitter smile and shook his head slightly.

CRYCHIC THINGS…

...No. At this point, the past should have been forgotten.

The most important thing is to look forward.

"So, I have actually considered it seriously." Xiangzi clenched his fists slightly.

Without waiting for Qiu Hui to react, she couldn't wait to express her thoughts.

"I already have an idea of ​​who will be the guitarist," she said. "It's someone Akie has met before... Wakaba-san."

"Is it her?" Qiu Hui was a little shocked.

She doesn't look like a guitarist at all.

Although Pochi doesn't look like a guitarist.

"Why did you choose her?" Qiu Hui asked with a little interest.

Xiangzi was keenly aware of this implication.

Therefore, a strong urge emerged in her heart, and she wanted to explain to Qiu Hui the reason why she made this choice.

Want to be recognized by Qiu Hui.

If she agrees with my choice, my confidence will probably surge.

Although she said she might not be able to help, she also emphasized that she was not an authority in this area.

But I still want her approval. It seems that this alone is enough to make my belief stronger...

...What's wrong with me?

Xiangzi looked a little dazed, but his mouth still faithfully followed the instructions of his brain.

"Wakaba's father is a well-known comedian, and her mother is also a well-known star in the entertainment industry," she said. "Their identities alone are enough to bring them a considerable degree of exposure. If you add in their looks and, most importantly, their guitar skills... it can be said that they are the best choice for commercial success."

After she finished speaking, her heart was pounding in anticipation of Qiu Hui's reaction.

"What a cold analysis." Akie sighed, "We are clearly friends, but you describe us like commodities..."

Xiangzi's heart seemed to skip a beat.

Qiu Hui thinks this is... inappropriate?

"...But when discussing business performance, we should have this awareness." Akie smiled, "Although it is a bit ruthless, it is a reasonable approach."