Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

"It would be nice if that were the case."

After replying like this, Qiu Hui sighed in distress.

Although I have almost never set further education as a goal, to be honest, subconsciously, I still think it would be better for me to go to university.

It's not that I have any particular purpose... I just have this strange thought that "I can't be considered a complete human being without an undergraduate degree."

After graduating from university, my father rose step by step to his current position through his professional and technical expertise.

My mother is a complete research scholar. Moreover, according to her, it is not so bad in Japan, but if you are across the sea, even a master's degree is often not enough, let alone a bachelor's degree.

As for my brother and sister, they also have plans to continue their studies...

...If I'm the only one who hasn't even attended college, I'd be too unsocial.

For this reason, Qiu Hui really felt a little overwhelmed.

Although you want everything, it is actually impossible to have everything.

Making choices is also an indispensable part of the adult world...

Qiu Hui sighed and wondered in her mind how much energy she should spend on her studies in the future.

The tram had arrived before she knew it. She put away her phone for the moment, got on the bus, and found a seat to sit down.

"…If you don't have confidence in the normal entrance exam, how about applying to a university overseas?"

As the train started moving, Qiu Hui suddenly had this thought.

In terms of language, you should have no problem relying on your childhood foundation. The academic exams for British and American subjects are relatively easy, so if you prepare for it, it should be enough.

As for resume…if the band becomes popular enough to release an album in the future, maybe that will add some points to my resume?

and also……

Thinking of this, Qiu Hui frowned.

There is also the issue of tuition fees, which is completely beyond her ability to solve.

If you ask your family for help, it won't be a problem for you to go to any school.

But if that were the case, there would be no point.

"In the end, we can only rely on the regular entrance exam..." Qiu Hui sighed.

When I was talking to Fengchuan just now, I seemed to have the idea that "middle school students should not consider economic problems." I take back what I said. Economic problems are actually very important to middle school students...

Qiu Hui took out her cell phone with a bit of melancholy and continued to chat and text with Aine.

I feel like this will make me feel a little better.

"By the way, speaking of studying, how's Deng doing?" Akie messaged Aine.

"Deng, she's pretty calm right now, and doesn't have any particular opinions. Judging from the results of the previous quiz, her grades are currently above average. Oh, by the way, I'm ranked second in the class! Hurry up and praise me!"

"That's amazing." Akie replied, "You're a transfer student, but you caught up quickly. That's amazing."

"Hehe, I'm very confident in this aspect!"

Aine sent a picture with an expression showing confidence.

"However, regarding the band, I am a little worried..."

"You mean the guitar? Do you have trouble practicing?"

“Yeah, that’s right! I thought it wouldn’t be a big problem because I played in a band in junior high school. But it turned out to be a lot more troublesome than I thought…”

Aiyin sent a picture of a cartoon animal expression with a frown on its face.

"And I accidentally cut my finger during practice yesterday! It was bleeding!"

As soon as the message was sent, Aine added a freshly taken photo of her fingers.

"Bleeding? That's not good, right? Be careful."

Qiu Hui looked at the finger wrapped in a penguin-patterned Band-Aid in the picture with some concern and sent a message in reply.

"Of course I will! But because of this incident, I only practiced for half an hour yesterday and stopped. I feel like it will leave a psychological trauma... What if I think of this incident every time I prepare for practice in the future?"

Aine complained in bits and pieces in the message. Akie didn't really know how to respond, so she could only send messages to comfort her as best she could.

However, through such meaningless chats, she managed to forget about heavy topics such as further studies. Her originally inexplicably melancholy mood was now slightly relieved.

The train arrived at the station soon. Qiu Hui got off the train while sending a message and walked towards the direction of STARRY.

"...By the way, Senpai, when is the next performance of the band?"

"We don't have any plans yet," Qiu Hui replied. "Not only us, but they also have to prepare for their final exams. So I don't think there will be a second performance in the short term. At least we have to practice a few more new songs before we can do it."

"I see. Then, if I need to practice here, senior should be able to come, right?"

"I will come. After the band's schedule is reduced, my available time will increase."

"Great! I'm looking forward to it!"

After receiving Aine's reply, Akie smiled and nodded.

She did have plans to visit Aine more often to fulfill her duty as a supporter of the musicians.

After all, as the band's activities officially begin, there will probably be more and more places where money will be needed in the future.

Putting aside other things, just talking about musical instruments, Qiu Hui has already started considering whether to update it in the near future.

The entry-level "firewood stick" she is using now seems to no longer match her current needs.

"Also, although the training fees and other expenses are still covered by the library, who knows when they will change their minds..." Qiu Hui calculated in her heart, "Also, in case there is a problem such as a headache or fever, medical expenses must be prepared in advance..."

To achieve a good balance between income and expenditure, it is more important to increase revenue rather than cut costs.

Therefore, even if it was just for the 2,000 yen hourly wage (minus the promised share with the band after the end of the period), Akiie felt that she should be more active there.

What's more, Qiu Hui actually knew very well that besides money, she had other motives.

"It's a long and arduous journey..."

Thinking this, Qiu Hui walked down the stairs leading to the store.

Chapter 7: Emptiness after Passion

"Sorry, I'm late because of something unexpected."

Akiie came to the STARRY store and said to everyone who was already waiting there.

"It's okay. I don't have anything to do today anyway." Liang shook his head nonchalantly. "The first performance is over, and we don't know when the next one will be. No one is motivated."

“I don’t want to admit it…” Goto Ichiri also agreed, “But when I think about how much I did during the performance yesterday, I feel so exhausted…”

Today's closing band was shrouded in a sense of emptiness after the full release of passion.

Just like the sage time, everyone seemed to be unmotivated.

"That's indeed the feeling." Kita nodded. "Since the next performance date hasn't been decided yet, how about everyone just take it easy for a while? Final exams are coming up soon, and we can't always spend so much time on the band, right?"

She looked at Qiu Hui and continued, "Especially Qiu Hui. It's not just the final exams. She also has novels and other band things to deal with."

"That's true." Hongxia nodded in agreement. "In fact, I also want to take a break. Then it is happily decided that I will temporarily reduce the time for practice from now on! Of course, I can't fall behind completely, okay?"

"That's natural." Liang nodded, "After all, the current Ending Band has extraordinary commercial prospects..."

"Ah! Speaking of this!"

Kita suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly took out his mobile phone from his pocket and opened a certain page.

"After the show last night, I created an official account for the end of the band!"

"Oh?" Ryo was quickly attracted, "You're really sharp, Yudai, the official account business is very important!"

Kita suppressed his smile and tried not to worry about the question of address, but focused on the content displayed on his phone.

"…It was created under the name of ending the band, and now it seems to have accumulated quite a few fans!" She introduced the other members of the band.

Currently, this account has only sent the first tweet, which contains a youthful self-introduction written by Kita himself, and the accompanying picture is a group photo of the band members after the performance.

“Isn’t this great?” Akihime nodded after noticing the number of likes and reposts. “I’ll also repost this post. It might attract some more attention… Oh, by the way, I talked to Bunko about the official account this afternoon…”

This afternoon, she and Kasumi Shiko had a brief discussion about the subsequent activities.

According to Kasumi Shiko, there is no need to hold another performance in the short term. It will be enough to find time to record a performance video of original songs and cover songs and post it on the site.

Before the first volume of the new work is officially released, the library recommends that you focus on writing. However, there is no need to interrupt the business conducted through the official account.

"We're all high school girls anyway, so why don't you just do some of the things high school girls usually do, post some photos that reflect your daily life, add tweets, and post them as your daily updates."

This is what Kasumi Shiko said at the time.

"In order to maintain everyone's attention, it is best not to interrupt this dynamic business for too long."

Therefore, Qiu Hui told everyone in the band about Bunko's arrangements in this regard.

"Doesn't that mean..." Liang seemed to have come to a conclusion, "...the most important activity after the band ends is actually eating, drinking and having fun?"

"That's a really strange conclusion you came to," Akie complained.

"Well, I think this is not bad." Hong Xia said with a smile, "After all, the Ending Band is not a group formed just for playing."

"Yeah. Nijiya once said that the band is a "second family", right?" Ichiri agreed, "I think that eating, drinking and having fun are all essential parts of being a family or a friend."

"Pochi-chan, don't say it so seriously..." Hongxia scratched her hair a little embarrassedly, "It will make you feel a little shy."

"That being said, if you slack off a bit when it comes to playing, it will become difficult to find the feeling," Akie added, "So, I think you should practice seriously at least two or three times a week."

"You suddenly become so serious, Akiie!" Ryo exclaimed.

"…I need to eat." Akie said helplessly, "Now Bunko has given me a lot of extra salary for the band, I have to at least be worthy of this money."

"That's a great idea!" Liang nodded seriously, "I support you!"

"Liang, your idea is not noble at all!" Hong Xia complained.

"Come to think of it, the most important thing right now is not the performance or eating, drinking and having fun." Qiu Hui suddenly realized the crux of the problem, "It's the final exam."

"Yeah..." Goto Ichiri sighed in despair, "Although I have completely given up hope of continuing my studies, my final exam results can't be too bad, right?"

"In that case, how about we try to organize a study session?" Nijixia suggested, "Besides, you see, me, Ryo, and Aki are all second-year students, maybe we can help the first-year students with their homework?"

"My mind has been occupied by the bass lately," Ryo admitted, "I have no interest in studying."

"Even if you're not interested, don't even think about escaping!" Hong Xia said angrily.

Akie nodded, showing her interest. "I've been very busy lately, so I've been just going through the motions during class. Yugaoka places a lot of emphasis on further studies, so if your grades are too bad, it might be a problem... I'd be grateful if you could help me."

"Then, Akie-chan has decided to join as well." Nijixia nodded with satisfaction, "What about Kita-chan and Pochi-chan?"

"Since you're a senior, maybe you can help unexpectedly." Kita nodded, "Besides, study sessions are also a good opportunity to deepen your friendship, right? Don't you agree, Ichiri-chan!"

"Ah, big, probably..." Ichiri felt a little guilty, "So do I have to participate too?"

Hong Xia smiled and said, "If Xiao Boqi doesn't want to, we won't force it..."

"If you, Hongxia, said something like this, then Pochi would definitely force herself." Akie said helplessly, "Pochi, am I right?"

"Akie is right..." Ichiri expressed his thoughts truthfully.

"...It's really not easy, Pochi-chan." Hongxia said with a wry smile.

However, after going around in circles, everyone has decided to participate in this final intensive study session.

"Then how about setting the time for the night before the holiday?"

"I think so!"

"That's fine with me."

Hongxia's proposal was quickly accepted by everyone.

Just then, Akie suddenly thought of the conversation she had just had with Aine.

"Since we're going to hold a study session," she looked at everyone, "can I invite the students in Hanegaoka to come along? They're first-year students."

"You mean Aine and the others? Of course!" Nijixia nodded, "We also welcome Akie's friends!"

The other members did not seem to disagree with this.