Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

Then, the next plan is very clear.

Whether for Aine or Tomo, Shiina-san shouldn't continue to treat Aine with such a bad attitude.

To this end, I should use my unique advantage as an outsider to help everyone solve this problem.

This time, Shiina took the initiative to invite me to discuss the topic of arrangement, which shows that her first impression of me seems to be not bad, which is undoubtedly good news.

However, I cannot let my guard down. I should be as cautious as possible, starting with indirect probing, and gradually guiding Shiina-san to soften her attitude.

Otherwise, if this in turn triggers a stress response in her and causes her to become hostile towards me, it will only make the situation worse, leaving more hidden dangers and making the situation for Aine and Deng even worse.

...The only thing that cannot be tolerated is that my actions that caused harm to others are because of me.

At this moment, Qiu Hui suddenly realized that the group of people she regarded as "friends" seemed to be expanding quite rapidly recently.

This is generally a good thing.

However, the challenges that come with it must also be faced...

…She was thinking in a way that was a little strange for a high school girl, and before she knew it, the train had arrived at the station.

After getting off the train and walking for a while, Qiu Hui arrived at the RiNG store.

She found that Shiina Riki seemed to have arrived at the store a long time ago and was waiting for her somewhere in the cafe.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Qiu Hui trotted to her seat. Although she was not late, she still apologized out of habit.

"Please sit down, Togawa-senpai." Riki smiled a little stiffly, stood up and invited Akie to take a seat.

The two sat opposite each other, and Qiu Hui noticed that the other party's attitude was not very friendly, but at least not too bad.

Good luck, at least it's a good start, she thought.

Shiina Riki in front of him took out a folder from his bag, placed it on the table, and pulled out several sheets of manuscript paper.

"I have some ideas about rearranging the music, and they're mostly written down on these papers..."

Li Xi began to talk about the densely packed ideas, music scores and various marks on the manuscript paper.

She showed strong opinions on the matter of composing music, and discussed her ideas in a very proactive, even somewhat aggressive, manner.

Although in theory, she came to discuss with Qiu Hui, but in reality, she seemed to have no intention of creating an atmosphere conducive to the latter's speech. Whether it was intentional or unintentional, Qiu Hui always felt that she could not find the opportunity to interrupt.

Even if Riki took the initiative to ask for Akie's opinion, the latter would inexplicably sense a kind of "threatening" atmosphere, making her almost unable to do anything but follow what the other party said, and it was difficult for her to really put forward any "opinions of her own".

Although the other party's attitude has never been too bad, Akie has a feeling that "if I sing against the tide, maybe we will really quarrel."

"...Anyway, for the guitar part, I'm going to change it like this for now."

Li Xi turned over the manuscript paper in front of him and showed Qiu Hui the contents of the musical notation.

“I plan to delete all the slightly complicated things and leave only the most basic ones.” She said, “In this way, I think even Aine should…”

"Wait a minute, Aine?" Akie suddenly interrupted Riki.

"…What's wrong?" Li Xi asked back, "Is there any problem?"

Facing Riki's puzzled expression, Qiu Hui smiled apologetically: "Nothing, I just heard you call Aine's name just now, and I felt a little surprised."

"Surprised? Then what do you think... ahem."

Li Xi seemed to be somewhat aware of the problem and coughed twice in embarrassment.

"Because, you seemed to have been calling her 'that girl' before." Akie smiled, "So I was a little surprised."

"...It's because that guy is always so irritating." Li Xi sighed awkwardly.

Noticing Riki's state, Qiu Hui felt that this seemed like a good time to bring up the topic.

“Why do you think Aine is irritating, Shiina-san?” she asked. “Is it because of her bad attitude towards practice? Or because she was too self-centered when we were discussing the direction of the team? Or because she made fun of your name?”

"…Bad, almost." Li Xi nodded, looking a little guilty, "That's the reason."

Noticing her expression at this moment, Qiu Hui felt that maybe she could add another heavy blow now.

So, she continued, “…Or is it because Aine and Tomo were too close?”

"how is this possible!"

Li Xi shouted anxiously, slammed the table and stood up suddenly.

This aggressive statement startled Qiu Hui, who was sitting across the table.

But as the latter had initially expected, this aggressive attitude did not last long.

After Li Xi realized what he had done, he immediately became at a loss.

"I'm sorry, senpai, I...just now..."

"It's okay, sit down first?" Qiu Hui said soothingly.

It seems that my "senior authority" was used in the right place this time, she thought.

If we can make Li Xi lose his resistance on the topic of lights, then subsequent communication should be a lot easier, right?

She looked at Li Xi who had sat down again. At this moment, she seemed to feel a strong sense of shame because of her previous disrespect and Qiu Hui's tolerance.

"…I am so sorry."

Looking at Li Xi who bowed his head and admitted his mistake, Qiu Hui suddenly felt quite confused.

You can clearly apologize and admit your mistakes in front of me, why is your attitude so awful only to Aine?

Could it be that she was too close to Deng? Qiu Hui guessed half-jokingly.

“Shiina-san took such great care to simplify the guitar tabs. For that, I would like to express my gratitude to you on behalf of Aine.”

Qiu Hui continued to speak slowly.

"However, I would like to take this opportunity to ask Shiina-san about the situation."

“Excuse me, what does Shiina-san think about Aine’s situation?”

Chapter 21 Even if it is just a support musician

"How...do you view it?" Li Xi felt very embarrassed.

Oops, how should I answer here?

Shiina Riki felt very conflicted about this.

I have just done something so rude in front of my senior. If I don’t answer in an appropriate way here, won’t I seem very…

...Damn it, it's really that guy's fault that we're in this awkward situation! Li Xi thought to himself with gritted teeth.

But as soon as this thought came to her mind, she had to dismiss it immediately.

If I continue to think like this, I won't be able to give an appropriate answer, right?

Shiina Riki closed his eyes in some pain.

Chihaya Aine's irritating attitude seemed to appear before her eyes.

When facing a guy like that, even if I know I am also responsible, I really don't want to admit it...

Noticing Li Xi's embarrassment to some extent, Qiu Hui felt that perhaps she should not dwell on the answer that was difficult for her to give for the time being, but should start from other directions first.

“Aine is a member of the band now anyway.” Akie said, “Tomoya also said that this time he hopes to form a band for life… At least it should last until the first performance.”

As Qiu Hui spoke, she paid close attention to Li Xi's expression.

As she expected, as soon as she brought up Takamatsu Deng as a topic, the other party's reaction would be quite intense.

"lamp……"

“Since Deng has already said that, even if Shiina-san is not satisfied with Aine, there is definitely no way to change her now.” Akie smiled helplessly, “In that case, I think that in order for the band to continue, it would be better if Shiina-san was a little gentler towards Aine, right?”

Qiu Hui's suggestion made Li Xi unable to deny its rationality.

But perhaps, it was this rationality that, after a subtle reaction with his disgust for Aine, in turn drove Riki to show a rebellious attitude.

“Tomoe… is indeed going to form a band for life.” Riki hesitated a little, but still objected, “So, that guy… Aine’s casual attitude is what annoys me.”

“Aine is not a casual person now, you know?” Akie added, “She has already told me that she will practice hard and work hard to form a band with Deng.”

"Who knows if she can really do what she says!" Lixi protested reluctantly.

"If that's the case, can you at least give her some time to improve?"

Akie made the suggestion in a gentle manner.

"At least before she becomes casual again, I hope Shiina-san will try to be gentle with her."

Having said that, Qiu Hui pondered for a moment and decided not to tell Deng about her thoughts.

If Riki knew that I accepted Deng's request and came here to persuade her to get along well with Aine, the shock to her might be too strong and even have the opposite effect.

"..."

Li Xi lowered his head slightly, and behaved in front of his senior like a child who made a mistake and felt a little aggrieved but had to admit it.

"...I'll give it a try." She nodded slightly.

Even though I promised...

...But this promise is more to Togawa-senpai in front of me than to that guy.

"That's great." Akie nodded with a smile, "I think Touma will be happy that the relationship within the band has become harmonious."

"Yes... Dengye..." Li Xi nodded with a lost look.

Come to think of it, I'm really an idiot.

I've been paying attention to the lights, but I don't even realize something like this?

Unfortunately, at this moment, Lixi recalled what happened during the previous rehearsal.

At that time, Deng and Togawa-senpai went outside the recording studio to talk about something.

What exactly did they talk about?

Regardless of the content, the fact that "they had a private conversation" itself is enough to show that in Deng's eyes, Togawa-senpai is someone she can confide her troubles to.

...but I am not.

Li Xi had never felt so powerless as he did now.

Until Qiu Hui, who was sitting across the table, spoke to wake him up: "Now that this matter is almost resolved, should we get back to the topic of arranging the music?"

"Ah? Right. The arrangement... um, about this part..."

Li Xi, as if waking up from a dream, immediately turned his attention back to the arranging task at hand.

Her expertise in music immediately made her feel comfortable and in control again.

As she stated her opinions, she paid attention to Togawa Aie's reaction.

The latter listened quietly and attentively, asked questions from time to time, thought about the opinions given as if they were receiving guidance, and occasionally talked about their own views.

He is just like a student attending class, even though he is my senior.

Li Xi suddenly realized that Qiu Hui in front of him didn't seem to be someone out of his reach.

Although she is not a genius like Toyokawa Shoko, she can feel her steady and serious attitude.

Whether it was discussing composition with me or advising me to get along well with Aine.

She always discusses it from the perspective of "band".

Although she is just a supporting musician, she may be working hard for the band of Deng just like me.

Shiina Riki suddenly felt a warmth rising in his heart.

It’s like a traveler who has been walking alone in the desert for a long time suddenly meets a companion.

Although it may be a bit selfish to think so...

...But she may be much better than Toyokawa Shoko, to me.