Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

"No."

Sushi paused, then smiled and asked, "Come to think of it, didn't Chihaya-san say before that she tried to invite the Tougumi band?"

“Yeah! But, I was rejected by Deng.” Aine answered, “I always feel that it’s a pity…”

"Really...she refused." Su Shi smiled and nodded.

Qiu Hui noticed that after that, she seemed to be mumbling something to herself, but it was completely inaudible.

Although she didn't know what Su Shi said, Qiu Hui still found some clues from their conversation.

It is known that Gao Song once formed a band, but it failed for some reason.

It is also known that Nagasaki once formed a band, but that band did not continue to this day.

Also, Nagasaki and Takamatsu have known each other since junior high school...

...So, is there a possibility that they were actually in the same band in junior high school?

And this band fizzled out for some reason?

While Akie was thinking, Aine continued her conversation with Suyo.

She had no idea what Akie was thinking, so she asked directly, "Ah, by the way, what instruments does Nagasaki-san use when he plays in a band?"

"I'm in charge of the bass part."

"I see... Then, how is your level?"

"Since I haven't studied it systematically, I can only say it's average, right?"

“I see!”

Aine seemed quite satisfied with Suyo's response.

"If it's bass... Although it may be a bit presumptuous, could you form a band with me?"

Akie turned her head and looked at Aine who was quite eager.

"Shigasaki-san is not a student of Hanegaoka," Akie asked, "Is that okay?"

“No problem, no problem!” Aine answered, “Didn’t Senpai also form a band with girls from other schools?”

"Oh." Suyo was a little surprised, "So Togawa-senpai is also in a band? What instrument does she play?"

"Theoretically, I'm a keyboard player... but my level is really average. I'm worried about it right now."

"Oh, it's the keyboard player..." Su Shi lowered his head slightly.

Qiu Hui was not sure whether her feeling was correct; but she felt that she seemed to read a hint of disappointment in the other person's eyes.

"Let's get back to the topic of Chihaya-san." Suyo smiled, "Is it okay to start with the support musicians?"

"Supporting the musicians?"

Aine was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: “That means it’s okay!”

Finally finding her band members, she excitedly pulled out her phone and said, "Nagasaki-san, let's exchange contact information first, shall we?"

“Yes!” Motoyo also took out her cell phone, “Also, how about we call each other by our first names from now on? Aine-san?”

“Yes! Motoyo-san!” Aine nodded happily.

The waiter Li Xi brought two cups of Earl Grey tea, and Su Shi and Aine immediately started chatting while drinking tea.

“It’s delicious!” Aine praised the tea in her hand, “Moyo-san has really good taste!”

"In addition to Earl Grey tea, I also have many other types of drinks to recommend. For example..."

After that, the topic shifted to Moyo and Aine.

Akie could feel that when talking about topics related to Yuqiu, Suyo would deliberately try to let her say a few words; but according to Akie's guess, this practice was more out of pure politeness.

For some reason, my "importance" in the eyes of my classmates in Nagasaki seemed to have decreased.

So what was the reason? Qiu Hui pondered quietly.

After learning that I was playing in a band, Nagasaki was still interested in asking me about the instruments I played.

But after I mentioned that I was a keyboard player, she suddenly seemed to have no interest in me.

On the contrary, Nagasaki-san was more enthusiastic about Ai Oon who wanted to be a guitar vocalist...

So, the difference is in the instrument?

In addition, Nagasaki accepted the invitation to form a band from Aine, whom he had never met before, without hesitation.

The only thing she knew about Aine... was probably that she was a classmate of Takamatsu Touma, right?

I was just in the same school as Takamatsu-san, and we were not even in the same grade. As a result, my importance in her eyes seemed to be completely inferior to Aine's.

From this, we can perhaps infer that "Nagasaki-san tried to get close to Aine because of Takamatsu-san."

Based on the above inferences, Qiu Hui has her own guess about the situation.

Although this speculation is basically groundless.

Meanwhile, Aine and Suyo were chatting about Yugaoka while drinking tea.

However, before we knew it, the topic had somehow turned to Takamatsu Deng.

“…Aine and Tomo are classmates, so they know each other.” Suyo gently put down the teacup and turned her gaze towards Akie. “Come to think of it, I’m a little curious. How did Togawa-senpai know Tomo?”

"For some reason, we met by chance." Akie answered perfunctorily.

If I answer like this, it would seem that there is nothing special about my relationship with Takamatsu-san.

Well, if my judgment just now is correct, then Nagasaki-san should lose interest in me very quickly...

However, Qiu Hui, who was thinking this, did not realize a problem.

That is, there was actually another witness next to him.

"Actually, Senior just happens to know a novelist that Xiao Deng likes very much!" Aiyin described with great excitement, "They first met in a bookstore! After that, Senior even helped Xiao Deng collect the stones that fell on the ground..."

...Why did you tell me all that? Akihime's pupils trembled.

But it's no wonder... Maybe Aine has completely regarded the other party as a good person who is willing to form a band with her.

“Eh, so that’s how it is…”

Su Shi gently raised the teacup and took a small sip.

"...I didn't expect there was such a connection."

Although Aine's rash action was beyond Akie's expectations, her behavior confirmed Akie's previous judgment from another perspective.

After learning about my relationship with Takamatsu, Nagasaki seems to have shown a lot more interest in me...

Chapter 55: Utilization Value

After learning about the relationship between Akie and Deng, Su Shi did not ask any further questions, but redirected the topic to something else as if nothing had happened.

However, Qiu Hui noticed that the other party seemed to have brought up topics to her more frequently this time.

Is it because he has raised my importance rating in his heart?

As we chatted, the topic slowly and naturally shifted to the band.

"...However, I still need to think more about whether to officially form a band." Su Shi said, "I will contact you if I come to a conclusion later."

"Okay! Motoyo-san, thank you so much!" Aine was overjoyed.

"...Congratulations." Akie also nodded.

Although Nagasaki's motives are a little worrying, no matter what, Aine has an urgent need to form a band. So overall, this should be a good thing for Aine.

While she was thinking about these questions, Nagasaki Suyo asked:

"Come to think of it, Togawa-san already has his own band, right?"

"Yeah. So..."

"Rather, that's perfect." Su Shi smiled meaningfully, "Actually, in my opinion, there should be a keyboard player in the band. However, the candidate for the keyboard player has not been completely determined yet..."

As Nagasaki Suyo spoke, she fiddled with her fingers unconsciously.

“Nevertheless, since the candidate will be decided one day, even if there is no real keyboard player yet, I plan to arrange the keyboard part in the performance in advance.”

"So, before the keyboard player is finalized, if Togawa-san has some free time..."

"...Can you temporarily serve as a support musician and work with us for a while?"

Qiu Hui was stunned.

Is she really planning on doing this?

Qiu Hui responded somewhat uneasily: "Although I am very happy to be invited, my level is actually very average... and I am usually very busy, so I can't spare much time..."

But Su Shi acted as if he didn't care at all: "It's okay, after all, it was me who invited you without your permission."

"... Even so, you hope that you can come and support me when I'm free?"

"Well, please be sure to consider this, Senior Togawa." Su Shi smiled brightly.

However, this smile made Qiu Hui feel numb.

...Am I that important in her eyes? So important that she insisted on letting me be the supporting keyboard player even though she knew I had neither the skills nor the passion?

The only reasonable explanation is probably Takamatsu-san.

Did Nagasaki-san think I was a good friend of Takamatsu-san, and that’s why she was so enthusiastic?

This feeling of unclear motives made Akie feel very uncomfortable. However, Chihaya Aine, who was standing next to her, did not notice these doubts at all.

“Hey, senior, are you sure you don’t want to consider it?” Aine suggested excitedly, “If it’s just short-term support, it should be fine, right? Wouldn’t it be nice to come and play together when you have time?”

Su Shi added, "There's no need to worry about the level, after all, my level is also average."

Akie turned her head and looked at Aine helplessly.

I guess she is still focused on forming a band and knows nothing else.

“Since Aine and Nagasaki-san said so.” Akie nodded helplessly, “Okay then. But please be prepared in advance for the possibility that I may not be able to come due to something, or that I may behave badly after I come.”

"It's okay!" Su Shi clapped her hands, "I'm already very grateful that Togawa-san agreed."

Aine nodded in agreement, “Moyo-san is such a nice person!”

Then she turned around, smiled playfully at Qiu Hui, and naturally moved closer to her, just enough for the latter to notice her slightly protruding little fangs.

“Come to think of it, after so many coincidences, Senior and I have become bandmates again in a sense! How should I put it, is this what is called fate?”

At this point, she extended her hand to Qiu Hui and said, "Please give me your guidance in the future, okay?"

“If you put it that way, it’s true. I can’t deny it.” Akie smiled bitterly and stretched out her hand, shaking it with Aine’s.

…Aine didn’t think too much about it. She just seemed to be happy about “forming a band with me”.

Could it be that the weird things I said to her after I caught up with her that day really gave her a good impression of me?

...But maybe it's just a novelty for a weirdo like me.

Aine is a person with very sound social skills. I think she can easily express her positive feelings to anyone.

What I consider a "killer move" may be just a "normal attack" in the opponent's mind. So, it is better not to judge too hastily.

Not daring to stay in the other person's hand for too long, Qiu Hui hastily pulled her hand back.

"And Nagasaki-san...ah, can I call you by your name too?"

"Sure." Su Shi said with a smile.

"Then, Suyo-san," Akie replied in a polite manner without much emotion, "Thank you for your invitation. I will do my best."

"Oh, thank you so much..."

Su Shi's smile is still elusive.

"...Akie."