Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

Su Shi pressed the screen: "Are you there when you practice normally?"

She didn't know why she asked that.

Before I could react, I sent this sentence out.

What's the purpose of asking this? Do you want to go find her during the break in practice?

Really, even if you think so, you shouldn't say it directly. Su Shi frowned slightly, should he withdraw it?

No, if I withdraw it, wouldn’t it seem like I have ulterior motives?

Su Shi stared at the message he had sent, feeling conflicted.

Why did it become like this? She asked herself.

Why did I suddenly care so much about Qiu Hui's affairs...

"We usually practice in the recording studio provided by the agency. But I'm not allowed to tell you the exact location."

You have no right to tell. This statement made Su Shi stunned for a moment. You are really serious, Akihiro-senpai.

"I understand. I'll come to see the performance," Su Shi replied.

Alas. She sighed softly.

Maybe I just need someone to fill the gap left by Xiaoxiang.

Chapter 7 Abnormal Burnout

A few days later.

The recording studio of the firm.

It was rare that Togawa Aie was not in the mood to practice seriously today.

Although practicing had become something of an instinct for her that required little effort, she could still sense her mood slipping.

Maybe it was just a normal low point, she thought.

A lot of changes have taken place in her life during this period. After going through so much, it is normal to feel a little tired.

And when I think about it, my life has been quite busy ever since the band project started, which seems a bit confusing even now.

Novels, band activities, friends, people I like, people who like me. All kinds of things need to be dealt with, and all kinds of situations can drain energy and enthusiasm.

During the time when I lived alone in a rented house, I was particularly motivated due to the financial pressure.

But now... I feel a little unmotivated.

I'm supposed to go on stage tomorrow, is this really okay?

Qiu Hui raised questions in her heart, but her expression remained calm.

Tomorrow, the band will officially hold its second performance at RiNG.

After this performance, Akie planned to meet with Shoko to discuss the new band... although Akie had no idea how she could help.

In addition to Xiangzi, there is also Su Shi. Su Shi wants to treat Qiu Hui to a meal and chat about some things "not related to the band".

Perhaps it was because after he and Xiangzi broke up with the band, he needed to find a suitable person to comfort himself.

After seeing the shocking scene of kneeling, Qiu Hui’s opinion of Su Shi was actually not too bad.

Perhaps it was because of some kind of sympathy, in any case she was not opposed to spending some time with Su Shi.

As a result, my schedule is packed, leaving almost no time for myself.

Although it would be very tiring, Qiu Hui felt that this might not be a bad thing.

At this moment, when the song was over, she withdrew her hands from the keyboard and looked at everyone.

"Feeling good, right?" Lead singer Kita turned around.

"Not bad." Liang nodded casually, expressionless.

Hongxia reached out and touched her gently: "But you really don't look interested?"

"Probably." Liang shrugged, "After all, the song we just practiced wasn't written by me."

At the second show scheduled for RiNG in a few days, the band will reveal a new track.

However, this song was not written by the members of the End Band.

Liang, who was in charge of composing and arranging the music, felt that she had "no inspiration" recently, so she didn't produce any work that satisfied her.

The agency, which wanted the band to release a new song at the next performance, provided a new song after negotiation, which was scheduled to be played at the second performance.

We can’t say we hate this song, but after all, it wasn’t composed by us, so naturally we can’t pour as much passion into it as before.

"Why do I feel like I've entered a period of burnout early..." Hong Xia sighed helplessly, "Sure enough, being in a commercial band is not as easy as I thought."

The agency's training standards are quite strict, and the performance arrangements are also decided by the staff; sometimes it is necessary to participate in various work schedules arranged by the agency other than performances, and even the posting of updates will occasionally be affected.

Goto Ichiri raised his head as if he wanted to say something.

However, she just looked at Qiu Hui and swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth.

Qiu Hui also looked at Yili with some uneasiness.

Should I also tell Pochi about what happened between Aine and I? If so, how should I tell her?

Compared with the lack of performance and the stuck ideas in writing, interpersonal relationship problems are more difficult for Qiu Hui.

Although she didn't like Goto Ichiri as much as she liked Aine, the "priority" of the two of them in her heart was almost equally important.

Because on this issue, she almost never uses "her own preferences" as a criterion, but always makes judgments based on "the current relationship" and "the other party's preferences."

Bochi likes me, very much, and we are also teammates in the band, so I don’t want to hurt her feelings too much and want to try my best to meet her requirements.

Xiangzi is a friend I met by chance. She seems to have a special liking for me for some reason, so I am willing to help her to the best of my ability.

Su Shi seems to be in a state of desperate need for company. Whether or not I intend to persuade her to return to the band, I think it's a good idea to lend her a helping hand.

Togawa Aie is already too accustomed to this type of analysis.

Even though she had established a special relationship with Chihaya Aine, this way of thinking still lingered in her mind with strong inertia.

"Pochi." Akie spoke.

"Wow! Qiu Hui, what's wrong?" Ichiri seemed startled.

"...Do your best at the performance tomorrow."

After thinking about it carefully, Akie still...didn't tell anyone about herself and Aine.

I don't seem to have any obligation to speak up about this. Besides, there will be a performance tomorrow, and speaking up about this might affect Yili's state.

Cool calculation.

The result was below the standard and was rejected.

Encouraged, Yili smiled with satisfaction.

But Qiu Hui just nodded in her heart and didn't have any special reaction to it.

I will be on stage tomorrow. I have to work hard too. "Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet", the agency's new song, and there are also covers...

We need to work harder.

Not only for my own career, but also for everyone who ended the band.

Kita suggested that everyone form a circle and shout some inspiring slogans.

Hongxia thinks it would be better to do it before going on stage, but Kita thinks it would be better to do it twice rather than once.

So she did it. She smiled brightly and shouted loudly. Qiu Hui felt that this was her duty as a team member, and she could fulfill it without any effort.

But, I always feel like something is missing.

This thought has been lingering in Togawa Aie's mind.

It wasn't until the next day, when everyone was making final preparations in the lounge backstage, that she realized something was wrong.

I don't seem excited at all.

There is absolutely no feeling of nervousness and excitement as during the first performance.

RiNG is a much bigger venue than STARRY. According to the agency, the ticket sales were very hot this time, and after a series of miscellaneous deductions, the band members were still able to get a good share of the proceeds.

OK, I get it. I'll put it in the account.

Togawa Aie turned around and looked at herself in the mirror wearing a mask and taking off her glasses.

The image in the mirror was blurry because I was not wearing glasses.

After the performance, I have to see Suyo, Xiangzi, and accompany Aiyin. The last one is the most important...

"……ah."

Togawa Aie suddenly realized.

There was a void in her heart.

She thought this thing could be filled with friendship and love.

Now she has both.

But the vacancy remains.

Chapter 8 The scene was very awkward for a moment

At the same time, outside the backstage lounge, in the cafe where Qiu Hui couldn't see.

"I'm at RiNG! I wish Akiyoko-sensei a successful performance!"

Chihaya Aine pressed the send button, feeling particularly relaxed and happy.

There was still some time before the entrance, but Aine arrived early anyway.

She was different from someone who worked all the time even during holidays. Summer vacation was a time for an ordinary high school girl like her to relax.

There were no band activities at the moment, so she had as much free time as she wanted. So Aiyin almost couldn't wait to come to the store in advance.

"I'm preparing backstage now. Sorry I can't see you now." Qiu Hui replied quickly.

“There’s no need to apologize for something like this.” Aine replied, “Just relax now. I’m looking forward to the performance!”

“Thank you, Aine,” Akie replied briefly.

Aine suddenly felt that the one who replied last would appear to value this exchange more, so she just casually sent a “You’re welcome”.

As a result, Qiu Hui on the opposite side seemed to have a similar idea, so she racked her brains to add another cliché.

In this way, wouldn’t the senior be the last one to reply?

With an inexplicable competitive spirit, Aine sent a few emoticons as a reply.

Qiu Hui, not to be outdone, sent a picture of an emoticon.

Aine replied again.

Qiu Hui also replied again...

Looking at the increasingly long tower of emoticon records in the chat log, Aine suddenly found it hard to suppress the urge to burst out laughing.

What on earth am I doing!

Aine covered her mouth so as not to disturb others, and laughed so hard that her body shook.

Forget it. I feel like my senior is someone who would really take things like this seriously, so I’d better give her the last chance to reply.

Thinking of this, Aine, feeling inexplicably happy, turned to the front desk and signaled the waitress to come over here to take the order...

…But after seeing the waitress’s face clearly, Aine’s originally happy and light smile quickly turned into something strange.

Plain and neat long straight black hair, slightly upturned beautiful eyes with a slightly heroic and aggressive look, and a signature teardrop mole...

“Wow, it’s Rikki.” Aine looked embarrassed.

Oops, I totally forgot about this!

My senior said that we would be performing at RiNG so I came, but Rikki has been working here part-time!