Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

“I feel like Senpai’s reaction seems to be particularly big…” Aine didn’t know how to explain it, “Should I not have brought up that topic?”

"It has nothing to do with that..." Akie hesitated, "...Just now, I didn't notice it was a video call. Sorry, that, you saw something strange..."

“Nothing strange, huh?” Aine asked back, “Don’t we often see this kind of thing during swimming lessons? After all, we have to change clothes anyway.”

“Yeah, that’s right, am I the weird one after all? Sorry, I might have made a big fuss…”

“Don’t apologize for something like this!” Aine said helplessly, “I feel like Senpai likes to apologize too much…”

After saying that, Aine looked at the video screen where Akie had a messy hairdo.

Well, this confused look is kind of cute.

“Ahem, so, um… let’s not worry about the underwear for now.” Akie tried her best to calm herself down, “What was Aine originally planning to talk to me about?”

"Actually, there's nothing special to talk about. Didn't I just say that I felt like I wasn't making any progress when practicing guitar, so I decided to come and talk to my senior about it."

"Is that so?" Qiu Hui nodded. "I think it's good. Even though there is not much progress, at least you have tried to work hard."

“That’s what I said, but senior also said that we can’t just give up after three minutes, right?” Aine said in a troubled tone, “I feel like if I keep going like this, I’ll back off sooner or later. And I’ll be lectured by Rikki again!”

"Are you talking about Shiina-san?" Akie said, "I had a brief talk with her today. Well, how should I put it? She actually reflected on whether her attitude was too bad, and I also advised her to be nicer to you. I think she is still willing to have a good relationship with you. After all, this is also related to the harmony within the band..."

Noticing Aine's depressed mood, Akie tried to comfort her.

The former did seem to be in a better mood as a result.

Or rather, it got a little too good.

“Really?” Aine’s eyes sparkled, “Did you really talk to Rikki about me?”

"Yeah, in the evening at RiNG's place..."

“That’s great! I love you the most!” Aine interrupted Akie impatiently.

"That's good...wait, what did you just say?"

“I said I like you the most, right?” Aine responded as if it was a matter of course, “Because you really helped a lot. It seems that Tomo-chan is not very good at dealing with Rikki, so it’s true that you need to step up at this time!”

“Yeah, yeah… Indeed…”

Qiu Hui nodded as if she was somewhat relieved.

Because I "helped a lot", he "likes" me the most.

...Isn’t this great?

Rather, it should be like this...

After that, the two continued to talk about guitar.

Having said that, Qiu Hui didn't know how to play the guitar, so as they chatted, the topic turned to other things.

“…Come to think of it, we played Sumimi’s song together during practice.” Aine said, “I like them a lot, but it seems like Senpai doesn’t seem to be particularly interested?”

"I don't really have any particular interest in it." Akie nodded, "But I don't hate it either."

“So, is there anything that you particularly like, senpai?” Aine asked, “I mean music.”

"I don't really have any particular preference." Qiu Hui thought for a moment and said, "As for me, I listen to a little bit of everything, but I don't have any particular understanding of each type. I just listen for fun."

"Oh, I see! Then, is there anything you particularly like recently?"

Aine kept asking, seeming to be very interested in Akie's musical taste.

"Lately, it's mainly anime songs. I prefer anime theme songs or voice actor idol groups to traditional idols," Akie answered. "Other than that, it's metal; especially industrial metal... the kind with a lot of noise and screams. And some old rock music from the 70s..."

“Wow.” Aine sighed, “It feels like the beginning and the end don’t match up at all.”

"That's why I said I don't have any particular preference." Akie smiled, "It depends on how I feel at the time."

Starting from the topic of music, the two continued their meaningless chat.

Although what they said were all irrelevant, Qiu Hui felt that this might not be a bad thing.

It started with music genres, then moved on to concerts, then holiday travel destinations, then popular tourist attractions, then it moved on to recent fashion trends, then...

"...Ah, come to think of it, Senpai, are you sure you don't want to change into a pair of underwear that fits you better?"

After going around in circles, I don't know why I'm back to this topic.

"Recently... I don't have any such plans for now." Qiu Hui shook her head embarrassedly.

Most of the things I wear now are what I took with me when I first left home, or were bought around that time.

Maybe it’s because of the growth period, it really doesn’t seem to fit me now…

But to be honest, no one will see this thing, so it doesn't matter if it's a little casual, right? At least that's what Qiu Hui thinks.

“Isn’t this bad? Don’t you feel uncomfortable holding it in normally?” Aine asked with some concern, “Based on your current size, if you continue to wear that style, I think it won’t be suitable.”

"Ah, uh... maybe?" Qiu Hui subconsciously stretched out her hand and gestured in front of her chest.

As for the size not being right... maybe it is a little bit?

“How about we go check it out together next time when we have some free time?” Aine suggested.

"It's okay, I can go by myself." Qiu Hui declined politely, feeling a little embarrassed.

Just as Aine said, since we are all women, this topic should be... very normal.

But for some reason, when talking about this topic with Aine, Akie still felt a little resistant.

Chapter 26: Each Other's Night

Thanks to Akie's efforts, Aine was able to divert her attention away from the topic of underwear.

After that, there was another meaningless chat.

The two of them were killing time on irrelevant topics until Aine took the initiative to end the conversation.

"I still have homework to do tonight, so I'm going to hang up now?"

"Yeah." Akie nodded, "After all, the final exams are coming up soon. To be honest, I also want to review a little bit."

“Ah, and we’re going to have a study session with everyone tomorrow, right?” Aine seemed a little excited, “I’m looking forward to it! I will definitely let Senior see me show off my skills!”

"I'm looking forward to it too." Qiu Hui smiled. "To be honest, after chatting for so long, I'm not sleepy anymore. I might as well get up and review."

“Then let’s do our best!” Aine said with a smile, “I had a great time chatting with my senior tonight, thank you very much! Bye!”

"Bye-Bye."

Qiu Hui ended the video call and put the phone aside.

"call……"

Sitting up from the bed, Qiu Hui walked to the computer desk.

Taking out her textbook and exercise book from her schoolbag, she decided to have a rare chance to study hard tonight.

Tomorrow is a study session. Although the main purpose is to study, it is also a good opportunity to enhance the relationship between each other.

In order to liven up the atmosphere, in addition to doing the exercises, Qiu Hui also decided to make some preparations for the study session in advance.

When we say preparation, we actually just organize the questions we plan to ask in advance and make the expression as clear and specific as possible.

After all, the main activity in a study session is to ask each other questions. If you don't know what you want to ask in advance, you will definitely be at a loss for words and end up in an awkward situation where everyone is doing their own questions.

So, which subject should I start with?

If you start with the most difficult math first, you will definitely give up immediately. Start with the relatively easier history, geography and foreign languages.

In order to get herself into the right state, Qiu Hui decided to start with the relatively simplest English.

Since she had to communicate with her parents in three languages ​​since she was a child, high school English questions were as natural to her as eating and sleeping. If doing math problems was like doing pull-ups, then English was at best a warm-up exercise like expanding her chest and twisting her waist.

Scanning the clause introductory words one after another, Qiu Hui relaxed with the reading comprehension questions while thinking about her next plan.

……

"Hey, tomorrow is study session, what are your plans, Ryo?"

Facing his friend's question, Liang, who was lying on the bed, responded in a very empty tone: "I don't have any plans. You forced me to come here in the first place."

"Don't make it sound like it has nothing to do with you!" Hong Xia said unhappily on the other end of the line, "You'll be the one who fails the course, not me, okay?"

"Ahh... That's so troublesome." Liang's eyes were empty. "I have dedicated my soul to Beth. Now I don't have time to think about worldly knowledge..."

"Even if you don't have time, try to find some free time!" Hong Xia said righteously, "Think carefully about what it was like when you took the high school entrance exam, and pick up the academic ability you had back then!"

"But then I won't have time to think about the band." Ryo said as if it was true. "Hey Nijiya, is it okay even if the precious memories of you and I forming a band are gone?"

"Of course it doesn't matter, because it's impossible for it to cease to exist!"

Hong Xia on the other end of the phone sighed angrily.

"Really? I don't care about you anymore! Anyway, you have to prepare yourself! I have something else to do, so I'll hang up first. Bye!"

"Good night. Bye."

After hanging up the phone, Liang glanced at the clock.

Although I didn't practice today, I still feel so tired for some reason.

How about just getting ready for bed?

OK, it's decided. I'm going to sleep now.

So, Yamada Ryo turned off the lights in the room.

……

"Hong Xia."

Ichichi Hoshige put the milk next to Hongxia.

"It's a good thing to study hard, but don't work too hard." Xingge gestured to the wall clock and said, "Go to bed early."

"Thank you, sister, but I'm not sleepy yet." Hong Xia smiled and shook her head, "I feel like I can still study for a while longer."

"Really? Then you decide for yourself." Xingge sighed, "After all... I'm a sophomore in high school. I feel like I'm old enough to make my own decisions."

Xingge looked a little melancholy, and this change in expression was also noticed by Hongxia.

"That's true... After all, Akiie is also a second-year student." Nijixia smiled, "When I think about the fact that she's probably still worried about something I don't understand, I feel like studying hard."

"Yeah?"

The name mentioned by her sister caught Xingge's attention.

"You mean her?" Xingge shook her head. "Well, I think it's better not to use that child as a role model. She doesn't look like someone her age at all."

"Um……"

Hong Xia studied her sister's expression.

The tacit understanding between the sisters made her sense of a hint of worry.

"Sister, do you know anything?" she asked.

"...I don't know anything." Xingge shook her head guiltily, "It's just that I have this feeling."

"That's it."

Hongxia put down the pen in her hand, picked up the milk beside her and took a sip.

She seemed to want to say something to her sister, but in the end she didn't open her mouth.

……

In the Goto household, in the closet of Goto Ichiri's bedroom.

"In other words, Kita-san, can you give me some tutoring? Thank you so much... To be honest, I've been focusing too much on the band lately and haven't paid much attention to studying..."

As always, Goto Ichiri expressed a negative view on his future.

"Well, after all, for someone like me, studying doesn't make any sense..."

"No way!" Kita said seriously on the other end of the line, "I will help Xiao Yili!"

"Thank you Kita..."

At this moment, Goto Ichiri suddenly realized something.