Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

"By the way, will everyone quarrel over there?" Kita asked, "It's a bit hard to imagine!"

"We've been arguing for so many times! Fortunately, thanks to my quick response and the help of my seniors..."

Aine talked freely in front of everyone who had finished the band, as if she was already quite familiar with it.

The only one who seemed unable to fit into the other party's rhythm was Goto Ichiri.

She, who is also a pink-haired character, felt so inferior to the other person's smooth social skills that she almost shrank into the ground.

“Wow… Oh, this is so scary…” She muttered to herself, “I’m going to be abandoned by everyone…”

"No one will abandon you."

Qiu Hui, who was standing by, did not continue to play the role, but moved closer to her and spoke softly in her ear.

"Ah!" However, Akie's actions made Goto Ichiri even more panicked.

"People are different. Although Pochi feels inferior in front of her, Aine also told me that she also feels inferior in front of Pochi's performance. I think Pochi also has a side that he should be proud of."

Akie, unaware of the other person's abnormality, encouraged Ichiri.

But Yili didn't take these words of encouragement too seriously.

Her brain was only focused on one thing at the moment.

——Akie is so close!

“Ah, um, maybe? Ahahaha…”

Goto Ichiri, whose mind was filled with only the distance between himself and Akiie, muttered as if it were a conditioned reflex.

Just at this moment, the topic between Aine and the band members somehow turned to her.

"——Goto-kun!"

“Ah? Ah! Aine…-san!”

Facing Aine’s smiling face that suddenly enlarged in his field of vision, Goto Ichiri tried hard to suppress the urge to transform into an unspeakable form.

“Goto-san’s guitar playing is truly astonishing! When you brought me here before, I was really shocked!” Aine said, “Actually, I’m also planning to improve my skills as a guitarist. So if it’s possible, can I come and ask you for guidance on guitar techniques?”

"Me? Of course..." Goto Ichiri, who was recognized by the other party, nodded subconsciously.

"Don't cut in line!" Kita said half in dissatisfaction and half in a joking tone, "The guitar instructor in Koichi has to satisfy my needs first!"

“Oh, of course… Ah! By the way, Kita-san is also a guitar vocalist, right?” Aine changed the subject very skillfully, “I feel like Kita-san’s temperament is very suitable for such a prominent position!”

"Oh, is that so?" Kita said with a smile, seeming to be happy to be carried away by the other party's compliments.

"Pochi." Liang at the side suggested, "Why don't we open a guitar training class in your name. I think it will be popular, right? The income will be divided between you and our band 70% and 30%..."

"Please don't change the subject of money all the time!" Hong Xia said dissatisfiedly.

In order to maintain her own taciturn personality, Akie did not join in the conversation, but just watched the interaction between Aine and the band members.

Although she did not join in, the harmonious and friendly atmosphere made her feel somewhat relaxed.

Thanks to my efforts since the band plan was announced, I now seem to be qualified to be a part of such a harmonious atmosphere.

This thought made Togawa Aie feel comforted and gave her an overall positive attitude towards the fatigue and stress she had been experiencing during this period.

However, for me, the most crucial part is yet to come.

Qiu Hui took a long breath and tried her best to make her mental state calm and focused.

The time for the first performance is coming soon.

Although the performance does not necessarily have to be a success, at least it must not fail because of me.

Today, a lot of guests have come to STARRY because of me. These fans are not only opportunities for everyone who has ended the band, but also potential challenges.

Since I have already increased the difficulty of this level without your consent, as a companion who will overcome the difficulties together with you, I must also be fully prepared...

Qiu Hui closed her eyes, and her father's teachings from long ago emerged in her mind.

"…Only by showing your value can you be recognized."

She muttered to herself in a low voice.

The chat continued for a while. When Hongxia raised her drumsticks to call for everyone to gather, Qiuhui immersed herself in practice again.

Since time is running out, we should work extra hard.

Chapter 110: Qiu Hui's Determination

After nightfall, in Qiu Hui's rental house.

After the practice, she returned to her residence, and the first thing she did was to discuss work matters with Kasumi Shiko.

"...The date for the first performance has been decided, that's great."

Kasumi Shiko said with satisfaction on the other end of the phone.

"You should be confident that the so-called audio source review will pass, right?"

Facing the editor's question, Qiu Hui nodded: "I believe in everyone's ability."

"You really said something similar to a boy's comic. Well, let me tell you a little bit about the arrangement of the library. Considering the principle of 'originality', the library will not promote the performance in advance. You can use your official account to post some pre-promotional tweets, or you can choose not to post. It's up to you."

"I understand." Akie responded.

"Your recent tweets are very good, they fit your current personality, and they give people a vivid feeling that 'it's you who's posting. If you continue to follow this policy, there should be no problem. Of course, it would be best if you could send the content to me before posting the tweet to prevent any unnecessary trouble."

"I understand."

"Also, how is the first draft of your novel going?"

"I'm almost done." Akie replied, "Because it's a first draft, there's a lot of room for improvement in the description and so on. I'll finish polishing it as soon as possible after you check it."

"That would be great. Can you finish it before the premiere? A first draft."

"I think that's fine."

"You are so confident, but it's better not to push yourself too hard." Kasumi Shiko warned, "Also, you told me about the training on weekends. After discussion, we rearranged the distribution of courses and slightly reduced the workload there. The specific arrangements have been sent to your email, please confirm later."

"OK."

After saying that, Qiu Hui suddenly thought of another thing and immediately asked, "By the way, Ms. Kasumi Shiko, what are the follow-up arrangements for the band and the library?"

"Now that the stage has been set up, we have to make good use of it." Kasumi Shiko responded, "The library is already preparing to contact the agency... But to be honest, the arrangements in this regard will have to be determined by the performance of the first performance."

"If the premiere of your 'Ending Band' can be compared to the mainstream high school girl bands in the industry, then the library will use sufficient resources to make this project a success."

"Of course, if it turns out that you didn't have a good eye for choosing your teammates, then it doesn't really matter... It's fine to just use the band as a gimmick to promote a new work."

“I see…”

Qiu Hui nodded meaningfully.

“…Maybe I should ask everyone who has ended their band to see if they have any ideas about this.”

"It would be best if your friends are interested and have the ability to do so."

"You'll have to ask to find out..."

After that, Akie and Kasumi Shiko talked about some work matters before hanging up the phone.

Lying on the narrow single bed, she felt a mixture of emotions.

Come to think of it, when I first left home, I often had trouble talking to strangers.

When I first submitted my application for the Newcomer Award, I often worried about what the future would be like.

I have thought about whether I should give up several times, but in the end, I held on to this day with the awareness that I would die...

...Now I am a person who can discuss work issues with others in a serious manner.

Although theoretically she is still in the second year of high school, Qiu Hui thought.

Have I grown up a little bit?

Are we getting closer to becoming adults?

Can I be called a "qualified loser" now?

Even if you are on the wrong road, at least you can be considered a person with healthy hands and feet, who can keep moving forward on your own, and even have some spare time to enjoy the scenery along the way, right?

...Whether the answer is "yes" or "no" will largely depend on the upcoming first performance.

"call……"

Qiu Hui sat up in bed.

Sure enough, when you can't calm down like this, it's better to go out and relax.

Since we are going out anyway, we might as well take the dirty clothes with us and wash them... and go to the bathhouse at the same time. Is there anything we need to buy recently... I don't think so. That's it.

Carrying the bag downstairs and walking out of the lobby, Qiu Hui realized that it was a very hot and humid night. Although the sun had set long ago, the city under the dark night sky was still like a huge steamer.

Her scalp tingled at the thought of having to walk back from the public bath after taking a shower, and changing into clothes that would be stained with sweat from the high temperature.

I originally wanted to come out to relax, but my mood became worse.

Walking on the sidewalk, passing by the slowly moving traffic, Togawa Aie suddenly had a strange idea.

If I go "home", do I no longer have to walk to the public bathhouse in such hot weather?

This thought stayed in Qiu Hui's mind for a moment.

Then, she casually dismissed it with a smile.

how can that be possible.

I even managed to get through the time I stayed at a classmate's house, so now I have even less reason to go back.

Even if the initial breakup was just due to a momentary impulse and accidental misunderstanding, the nearly two years were enough to ferment it to an irreversible point.

What's more, people are supposed to leave their families and live on their own after they become adults.

I just brought forward the inevitable moment by a few years.

A sudden gust of wind blew away some of the heat that was lingering on Qiu Hui's body.

Qiu Hui, feeling a little more relaxed, found herself at the door of the laundry shop.

Walk in, put in the dirty clothes you brought, then put in the coins, and then set the time.

The timer lights up and the washing machine emits a steady hum, beginning to perform its destined duties as promised.

If you want to improve your accommodation, try writing better-selling novels to make The End more popular.

If you want something, use your knowledge and sweat to get it.

Amid the noise of the machines running, Togawa Akie smiled and sighed.

"Only your family members have the obligation to take your willfulness into consideration, not the rest of society."

My father did say that.

But now, I have generously exempted them from this obligation. Even without their help, I can rely on my own strength to stand firm in this society that has no obligation to care about me.

Although I did not follow their teachings and walk the most recognized and correct path; even so, I still relied on my own strength to move forward little by little on the thorny side road.

Although it’s not much, I finally have a little bit of capital to exchange for bread and praise.

Akie clenched her fists.

It all starts with this performance.

I want to prove that even if it is not a very correct path, I can definitely keep going on!

Chapter 111 Qiu Hui's Proposal

“… Having said all that, this is the question I want to ask everyone.”

The next afternoon, during the break between practice, Togawa Akeie presented her ideas to everyone.

"I want to understand what everyone thinks about business operations and mainstream debuts," she said seriously. "Only when I fully understand everyone's attitudes can I know what to do when negotiating with the library."

This was the approach she had come up with last night when she was thinking about the problem alone.

She alone has no right to decide such an important issue.