Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

“Sometimes it’s more important to prioritize other people’s feelings than simply solving the problem. I think Aine thinks so.” Akie said.

“Before, my mind was almost entirely focused on the problems of Suyo and the band, and I didn’t pay any attention to your feelings, Aine, as the person involved. How should I put it? I think maybe I didn’t do well enough in this regard.”

“Don’t dwell on that for now.” Aine blushed, “You’ve already compensated me in other ways.”

"Ah... yes, probably, probably that's the case."

Qiu Hui coughed twice in a pretentious manner. It was indeed impossible to continue talking about this topic.

"So, now that you've calmed down, Aine, we should be able to continue discussing the band, right?"

Facing Akie's analysis, Aine shook her head thoughtfully.

"Before that, I have a question for you, Senpai. Why are you so interested in that band?"

Aine said as she gently drew circles on the back of Akie’s hand with her fingers.

"You don't plan to continue your activities there, right? You have work to do. Why do you want to distract yourself from working on that band?"

As Aiyin was talking, she suddenly thought of a possibility.

"Ah, could it be that it's for me?"

Aine looked over with a smirk.

“…Maybe that’s the reason. But, I think I shouldn’t do this just for Aine.”

Qiu Hui reported her thoughts truthfully.

Aine puffed up her cheeks half-jokingly: “What? Shouldn’t you answer that it’s for me now?”

"But I don't think I think that way..." Qiu Hui shook her head awkwardly.

“Well, it’s cute that you always speak the truth, so it’s okay!” Aine smiled, “I don’t hate you, okay?”

Qiu Hui said as if she was relieved: "...Yeah."

The two walked aimlessly on the sidewalk, not knowing where their destination was.

As they were walking, Aine suddenly spoke.

"Besides, Senpai has other people he cares about besides me, so I don't think this is a bad thing."

Akie turned her head in surprise and looked at Aine’s profile.

The light from the street lamp cast a hazy halo on her graceful profile.

"How should I put it... Actually, I still can't understand Xiao Deng's thoughts."

Aine suddenly mentioned a third party besides the two of them.

“A lifetime, that kind of thing is totally unreliable, right? The future is so long, and we have no idea what will happen!”

"Even if we put aside all the unexpected events, I can't even be sure whether my thoughts will change."

Aine stopped walking, turned around, and faced Akie beside her.

"From now on, I like you and you like me, that's probably it, right?"

Akie nodded. She agreed with Aine's judgment.

"But people change. I haven't been in touch with my friends from junior high school for a long time... You know the reason, right?"

"Yeah." Qiu Hui nodded. "The embarrassment caused by the failure of studying abroad was the fuse. After the contact was cut off, it... ended just like that."

She looked lost.

Even if the external cause of the wound no longer exists, the scar left behind will remain forever.

Like me. Akie suddenly thought so for some reason.

“…Senior, you’re surprisingly understanding.” Aine was also surprised, “If that’s the case, I’m sure you’ll understand what I’m going to say next.”

She paused for a moment and spoke solemnly.

"If I ask you to only care about me and never change your mind, I feel like you would... force yourself to do it. Because I feel like that's the kind of person you are."

"But I'm different. I don't know if I'll change my mind in the future."

Aine sighed in annoyance.

"If I ask you to do this, and end up disliking you, wouldn't that be too much?"

"Yes, it's too much." Akie said with a smile.

“That’s why I hope to help Aine solve the band’s problems.”

“I’m quite busy with my work, and I like to meddle in other people’s affairs… So, I think it would be better if there was someone else besides me who could accompany Aine.”

Qiu Hui chuckled and shook her head.

"I think it's enough to just read about becoming each other's only one in a novel."

Chapter 3 This seems unnecessary

“Hehe, you’re really brave, Senior.” Aine pinched Akie’s cheek, “Don’t get too carried away, okay?”

Akie didn't react at all, she just obediently let Aine do what she wanted.

She has always believed in the principle of equal exchange, so she subconsciously thought that this kind of thing that can make the other party feel happy just by passive acceptance is an extremely cost-effective deal.

However, since the other party was Aine, the significance of this matter was more than just that.

The feeling of skin contact allows Qiu Hui to truly feel the other person's presence and to confirm their feelings for each other again and again.

"Okay, let's keep going!"

Aine once again took Akie's hand, and the two continued walking aimlessly.

"But, there is one thing I must tell you first."

As they were walking, Aine suddenly spoke.

"That band... I don't really want to go back."

"…Huh?" Qiu Hui was stunned.

“I’m not sure what Xiao Deng is thinking.” Aine said, with a hint of doubt and loneliness on her face, “I’m not sure how she sees me, everyone, the band, and CRYCHIC.”

"I don't even know if Xiao Deng needs me."

Aine shook her head lightly.

"I can understand your thoughts. You may think that it is a better choice for me to return to the band, right?"

“But I don’t think so. At least right now, I don’t really want to go back to that band at all.”

"Why?" Akie asked anxiously.

“…I don’t know.” Aine shook her head. “It was supposed to be a happy thing for us to form a band together. But after what happened with Suyo, I can’t think that way anymore. I always feel like… how should I put it…”

"Feeling tired? Or are you feeling bored?" Qiu Hui asked.

“It doesn’t feel right. It’s a weird feeling. I can’t really explain it.” Aine frowned.

It's like something crucial has been taken away.

After leaving that thing, the original joy disintegrated and collapsed, turning into rusty residue.

"yes……"

Qiu Hui sighed.

"I thought Aine wanted Suyo to come back and form a band together." She said, "I didn't expect that even you have lost interest in the band?"

"I can't say I've lost interest..."

Aine held her head in her hands, showing a painful expression.

“…Ahhh, this is so annoying! I don’t even know what to say!”

She shook her head vigorously as if giving up on herself, and then cast a tired look at Qiu Hui: "Let's not discuss this topic for now, right?"

"Okay." Qiu Hui nodded.

The main reason why I want to help Deng reorganize the band is because I love music.

Well, if Aine has really temporarily lost interest in the band, then it seems that I have no reason to continue taking action.

Deng must want me to reunite the band. But if Aine doesn't think so, then there will be a conflict between their demands.

It may sound cruel to say this, but if I have to choose between the two sides, I will definitely stand on Aine's side, Akie thought.

Not to mention that as an outsider, I have no right to be responsible for the band.

and.

Qiu Hui thought of something else, so her face turned slightly red.

Aine is right, at least for now, we like each other.

Therefore, the more time we can spend with each other, the better...

Aiyin seemed to have guessed what Akie was thinking at the moment and glanced over at her.

“Oh, come to think of it. This way, you and I don’t have to worry about the band, so we can use the extra time…”

"Yes." Qiu Hui's eyes were a little evasive. "However, it's good for us to spend more time with each other."

“Wow…” Aine rolled her eyes, like a deflated ball, “Senior, you made it sound like we’ve all retired and are just enjoying our old age at home!”

Qiu Hui was shocked by the other party's reaction and said uneasily, "Is it really that exaggerated?"

“Not really.” Aine was a little nervous about Akie’s reaction, so she quickly tried to comfort him, “I just… how should I put it, I hope that Senpai can use a slightly more romantic expression.”

“I really don’t understand this.” Akie showed a sincere expression of seeking knowledge, “I hope Aine can give me some pointers.”

“Hey! It won’t be romantic if you ask this seriously! It will become as boring as explaining a joke!”

The two of them argued back and forth in a very friendly manner.

"Let me think about it, for example... ah, I have a phone."

Qiu Hui's cell phone suddenly rang.

She looked at the screen and saw that it was a number that she had never saved.

Maybe it was a harassing call, but Qiu Hui still thought it would be better to answer it first.

"Good evening. I'm Hachiman Kairin, a friend of Ryo. We met last time at RiNG."

A steady and sharp voice sounded in her ears. Qiu Hui had some impression of this name and voice.

Before the training camp, Akie had seen Aine at RiNG, and she asked Ryo to tell her that Aine's band had problems.

"Good evening. Is there anything you need from me?" Qiu Hui asked.

"It's about that band." Hai Ling said directly, "As a friend of Shiina Riki, I would like to understand the progress on her behalf. Please understand."

Qiu Hui suddenly looked embarrassed.

"As for progress... how should I put it..."

"Guitarist Chihaya, how are you doing now?" Kailing seemed to realize that Akie was a little embarrassed by the vague question, so she quickly changed to a more specific statement.

“Ah, well, how should I put this… should I say yes or no?”

Qiu Hui didn't know how to start.

Aine is doing well now... because she is dating me.

"She... doesn't want to discuss anything related to the band right now." Akie answered with vague words.

"I see. So, what about the bassist, Nagasaki-san?"

"I haven't contacted her yet..."

"I see." Hachiman Kairei said, "Anyway, I still have to thank Togawa-san."

"You're welcome...ah, but can I ask you a few questions?" Akie said.

"Ask."

"Thank you, Hachiman-san. You just said that it was Li Xi who came to find out about the situation. Why didn't she come and ask me in person?"