Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

So, what's a good topic to talk about...

After some thought, Qiu Hui came up with an alternative that seemed more suitable.

Shiina-san mentioned earlier that he wanted to adapt Kasuga Kage's music score and "simplify it to the point where Aine can play it."

Besides, she also said that she wanted to hear my opinion as a keyboard player... so how about bringing up the matter of Aine when we're talking about arranging music?

After thinking about it, Qiu Hui felt that this seemed to be a reasonable choice.

I should focus on practice for now, and then carefully consider my next move after Shiina-san comes to me, Akie thought.

After practicing for a period of time, through observation and communication, everyone gradually had a clearer understanding of each other's level.

Among the four official members of the band, Li Xi's level can be said to be commendable, and although Su Shi calls his level just "average", he actually has quite a few remarkable points.

As for Qiu Hui herself, according to her own opinion, although her level is limited, if she works hard, she may not hold everyone back.

So, leaving aside Deng who doesn't play any instrument, Chihaya Aine becomes the biggest weakness of the team.

But she is a relatively eye-catching guitarist...

It's hard not to worry about her, Qiu Hui thought.

After practicing for a while, Su Shi suddenly called everyone together.

"After a little training, everyone should have found their rhythm a little bit, right?" she suggested. "However, we haven't played in a band together for a long time, so our understanding and rapport with each other may be a little unfamiliar."

“So, I think, in order to coordinate more closely, can everyone take turns to play alone in front of the others? In this way, we will have a full understanding of each other’s current strength, and it will be smoother when arranging the ensemble, right?”

And upon hearing this news, Aine subconsciously showed a hint of fear.

"...Do you want to play alone?" Her voice trembled a little.

Suyo noticed Aine’s expression and smiled, as if thinking about her, “As for Aine, maybe your situation is special, so you feel a lot of pressure… If you feel you can’t bear it, you can give up, right? It’s better not to force yourself.”

"Hmm..." Aiyin was a little unconvinced, but the harsh reality soon made her wilful.

Akie looked at Aine with some concern, and suggested, “…I think, Aine, it’s better to…give it a try. If you give up, it might not be appropriate, right?”

She didn't know how to express her thoughts most appropriately.

If Aine is willing to show it to everyone, then there might be a glimmer of hope. But if she simply raises her hands in surrender and announces that she has given up in front of everyone, then the blow to her self-confidence in the subconscious mind will probably be greater than a simple failure.

“Aine… Come on.” Tomoya encouraged anxiously, “You’ve practiced hard, haven’t you? I think it should be fine…”

Although he said words of encouragement, Deng could not hide his worry.

After all, this is still a bit harsh for Aine. To actually make such an inhuman proposal...

Qiu Hui glanced at Su Shi with a little dissatisfaction.

Su Shi continued to maintain her gentle smile and did not notice Akie's gaze.

"Since it's my suggestion, why don't I start first?" Su Shi said with a smile, "My level is average, so if I go on stage first, it should be able to relieve some pressure for everyone."

She smiled, picked up the bass, and played the licks with ease.

Although she calls herself "average", her smooth playing and ease of switching are far better than Chihaya Aine, who currently can't even handle chords.

After Suyo finished her performance, the next one was drummer Tatsuki Shiina.

Li Xi showed her superb control of rhythm in a very powerful way. Although she is still a little behind the real professional drummers, in Qiu Hui's opinion, she is already a strong one among high school students.

"Senior Togawa, how about you be the next one?" Li Xi asked while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Akie shook her head: "Let Aine go first."

"Eh? Me, me?"

Although Aine tried hard to remain calm, there was still a hint of panic in her smile.

"Well, I'll be the last one to go on stage." Qiu Hui nodded.

If the current Aine is allowed to go on stage last, I feel like the pressure on her will be even greater.

Being caught in the middle might be a little easier for her... maybe?

Although Qiu Hui felt very anxious, she didn't know what to do.

"Then, I will..."

Coming to the center of everyone’s attention, Aine, who was already sweating profusely, began her “talent show”.

"Well, first of all..."

Starting with the most basic chords, Aine began her somewhat reluctant performance.

Compared with the smooth performances of the previous two, there is a world of difference.

"..."

After stumbling through the performance in front of everyone, Aiyin was sweating profusely. She stared at her guitar in silence, hardly daring to breathe.

“Aine, that…”

"…It's okay, senpai."

Facing Akie who came up to her to comfort her, Aine smiled bitterly and shook her head.

"I know my current level is still terrible... I'm still far behind everyone else. Before... I... got a little carried away. I'm really sorry..."

She forced a smile and apologized.

"...From now on, I will practice as hard as I can so that I can perform on stage with Xiao Deng! Please give me your guidance!"

"...Ah, it really is." Li Xi shook his head helplessly, "You'd better really practice hard."

“It’s okay. Even if there are some shortcomings, everyone will try to tolerate you. Aine-san, please don’t push yourself too hard, okay?” Su Shi comforted her.

Qiu Hui frowned slightly.

It was you who caused this embarrassing situation in the first place...

Chapter 12: Classmate Su Shi is good at smoothing things over

Since Deng does not need to play a musical instrument, the last person to show her talent was keyboardist Akiie Togawa.

"Please advise me."

Qiu Hui placed her hands on the piano keys.

Just play a slightly simple exercise, no need to be too exaggerated.

Switching to the most basic piano sound, she began her performance.

She wasn't playing seriously, but was deliberately acting absent-minded.

When she came to a passage that she thought required more technique, she even deliberately made one or two mistakes, and instead of dealing with them properly, she continued on with a stumbling motion.

All in all, Qiu Hui hoped that her performance in front of everyone this time would be as bad as possible.

This might help to cover up everyone's bad impression of Aine to a certain extent.

With this subtle motive in mind, she completed her presentation.

"Sorry, I'm a little nervous."

After the song was over, she concluded like this.

Li Xi stared at her and nodded slightly: "...Even so, it's still much better than that guy."

Su Shi looked a little worried. "I didn't perform to the same level as last time in the recording studio. Are you really a little nervous? It's okay..."

Qiu Hui frowned slightly.

...Why do people have a good impression of me?

Wouldn't this make Aine even more embarrassed?

She looked at Aine with a somewhat apologetic look, and the latter gave her a somewhat forced smile in return.

After this awkward moment, Su Shi clapped her hands to attract everyone's attention.

"This way, everyone will know each other's situation." She said with her usual smile, "Ritsuki just said that he wanted to practice the adapted version of Kasuga Kage. I don't object to this, but... anyway, adaptation takes time, right?"

"Su Shi, what do you want to say?" Li Xi asked indifferently.

"I mean, before the arrangement is completed, it would be better to practice some other songs, right?" Su Shi suggested, "Besides, if one day in the future we really have to perform on stage, wouldn't it be bad to only play one song?"

Having said that, Su Shi gave a meaningful look to Aine, who was exhausted both physically and mentally from the stress just now.

“Aine-san, you mentioned Sumimi just now, right?” she asked. “I don’t really understand, but didn’t Aine say that you can find simplified scores suitable for beginners?”

"That's right! I downloaded it specially before, and now I can show it to everyone!" Ai Yin, who was a little depressed just now, seemed to come alive immediately after hearing Su Shi's suggestion.

"If that's the case, how about starting with a simple cover like this?"

Su Shi turned his head, looked at Li Xi and asked her a question.

"We just reunited as a band, so I think it would be a good idea to start with some simple songs and try to regain the rapport we once had."

"I think so too! Thank you, Motoyo-san!"

Aine seemed very excited about this proposal, and her mood immediately became high.

"So that's what Sushi thinks."

Li Xi's reaction to this was less positive, but his expression still softened a little.

"Yes. And even if Riki really thinks it's better to play Kasuga Kage... I don't think it should be an option... at this stage."

Su Shi smiled and spoke slowly, pausing from time to time, as if he was looking for the right words.

"We have just reunited, so our performance is not yet comparable to Deng's singing. Li Xi feels the same way, right?"

"...I don't deny it." Li Xi nodded, "Then, let's do it according to your idea."

"Well, thank you, Riki!"

Su Shi nodded and turned to the lamp beside him.

"Does Xiao Deng think this is better?"

"...Yeah." Deng nodded, "I hope that everyone can play in a band happily together."

Seeing this, Aine also took advantage of the situation and became a little proud: "Look, Rikki, Xiao Deng also thinks so!"

"...That's what I said." Li Xi nodded reluctantly, "But if you dare to slack off, I won't forgive you."

"Ahem, come to think of it, didn't we say before that we wanted to discuss the arrangement of the songs?"

In order to prevent Riki and Aine from quarreling again, Akie decided to change the subject.

"So Shiina-san, um...right, uh, let's arrange a time and place. Or do you think we can just discuss it online?"

Li Xi's attention was indeed attracted.

"Let's meet in person. Some things are better discussed face to face." She said to Qiu Hui, "We can meet at the coffee shop in this store. I will find a time when I am not on duty. I will contact my senior then."

"Okay, I understand." Qiu Hui nodded.

She glanced at Aine and noticed that she at least seemed to be relatively stable emotionally now.

But is the truth really what it seems? At least it is difficult for her to believe it directly.

She often hides her true thoughts and puts on an appropriate outward attitude to deal with others.

After practice, I should talk to Aine for a bit...

Akie, who clearly realized that she cared a lot about Aine, quickly made a decision like this.

After that, as Suyo suggested, everyone started preliminary ensemble practice using the simplified score that Aine found.

Since most of the songs that Aine found were bright and idol-style songs, Deng seemed to be unable to accept them and sang very strangely every time he opened his mouth.

Although Li Xi didn't seem to have any objections, Deng himself stepped aside on his own initiative because of shyness and continued to do basic voice exercises.

Except for the lights that are not very suitable for the tonality, everyone has a good grasp of the simplified score.

After all, this was a simplified score designed by the agency specifically for amateurs in order to attract fans' attention. Even ordinary high school girls can try it. It was not difficult for contestants with a certain level like Su Shi and Li Xi, and even Aine seemed to be able to find some feeling.

"Hehe, I said I'm fine, right?"

After wiping off the sweat, Aiyin seemed to have forgotten the pain as if the wound had healed.