Teacher Daxiang, please teach me how to play Kasuga Shadow!

But why did she suddenly have the idea of hiding in the closet?

It was clearly just an accident last time, and that experience was extremely embarrassing to talk about. Someone like her would never think of going back to that dark and enclosed space again.

But when Xiangzi went home directly after school instead of going to the company to work in customer service, she found that only a place like this that could accommodate her, even with her hunched back, could provide her with enough sense of security.

She couldn't see anything visible, but she could pretend that she saw the entire night sky; she couldn't move her body, but she had a sense that the world was approaching her; she couldn't hear any other sounds, because here her breathing was the only white noise.

As expected, Xiangzi's tears rolled down her cheeks, but she also made a secret oath.

Let her weak self stay in a space like this that only she knows. After she walks out, she will no longer be that shameful coward.

She needs money and someone who can help her keep going.

Maybe... Mizushima Ayano would be the best choice.

"Ding~"

The sudden ringing of her cell phone startled Xiangzi. Fortunately, her father outside didn't seem to notice her strange behavior. Xiangzi breathed a sigh of relief, then groped for her cell phone in the dark and turned on the screen.

The sender was none other than Mizushima Ayano.

When she saw the name, her first reaction was a sense of security, just like the natural sense of security she felt when the other person reached out to her in the closet last time.

But when Xiangzi saw the specific content of the message, her face suddenly became stiff.

[Did you write the song "Kasuga Shadow"? ]

Before Xiangzi's trembling fingers could type out words that could express her conflicted feelings, Ayano's next message came.

After listening to it again, I found that this piece is indeed very nice. I didn't realize you were so talented, Xiangzi. Why don't you teach me how to compose and arrange music? I'll give you a 3000 yuan salary increase, paid daily.

It was rare to receive such direct praise, and with such great sincerity, that for a moment Xiangzi didn't even notice the word "hard of hearing" at the beginning of the sentence.

Ok……

Otherwise, let this be the starting point of her rebirth, and it is time to truly say goodbye to her past.

After hesitating for at least three minutes, Xiangzi finally made up his mind and typed a reply on his phone:

【no problem. 】

Chapter 18 How about we optimize the drummer? (2/2)

"Soyo-san is really a good person~"

After leaving RiNG, Aine held Ayano's hand and kept talking about the good things about a certain brown-haired girl in her ear.

It can be seen that her family member is in a very good mood now.

The lie was forgiven on the spot, and the band's plan was also confirmed.

It’s almost the same. Although there may be a lot of troubles in the future, for Aine at the moment, it seems that the other party has not thought about the distant future.

But Ayano always felt that something was wrong.

She considers herself to be a very observant person. Many people inadvertently reveal some personal habits when they speak or do things, and these habits may not even be noticed by themselves.

For example, Nagasaki Suyo, who always looks kind, likes to play with her fingers from time to time while talking.

This is an obvious personal habit, but Ayano currently cannot tell what kind of mental state the other person is in when he does this.

However, Su Shi's tendency when talking and chatting is too obvious. When it comes to the topics of herself and Aine, the other party always shows some curiosity, but this curiosity will soon slip to Xiaodeng and Li Xi.

He looks like an expert, but... not an expert enough.

“Aine.”

"What's wrong Ayano?"

"Stop laughing! Someone who doesn't know you would think you've become rich overnight." Silently moving away from the brightly smiling face in front of her, Ayano explained calmly, "Don't you think this Suyo-san is a little strange?"

Ayano stopped and looked at the sun setting in the distance, and suddenly said these words which were a bit disheartening.

As if sensing her emotions, Aine hesitated at first, then quickly "reacted".

"Ayano-chan, it's okay, don't put too much pressure on yourself.

You've always been there for me, and now it's my turn to be there for you, isn't it?"

"Pressure? What kind of pressure?"

Does this little guy really think he is a rookie?

Should she pretend to be tone-deaf just to consider Aine's feelings?

Forget it, let’s see how this guy performs in the future.

"Actually, I know that Ayano isn't particularly interested in bands. The reason you agreed to join might be because of my escape from London...

Actually, you don't have to accommodate me like this. I'm not that fragile.

Of course, I can guarantee that Ayano-chan, you won't regret it. Music is actually something that can easily bring people closer together and also make it easy to have fun.

And watching from the audience and performing on the stage are different feelings, really... Although what I say may not be very convincing, I think Ayano-chan will definitely be able to experience that kind of happiness firsthand."

"Really? Of course I believe you."

Ayano smiled, looking at Aine who had misunderstood her meaning. She didn't explain, "But I didn't agree to form a band just for you. Don't be so narcissistic."

Aine curled her lips. She really wanted to find a way to soften Ayano's mouth. Ayano was really too stubborn right now.

"But that drummer is so troublesome, ahhhh... I really want to optimize her!"

After stamping her feet, Aine suddenly smiled mischievously and said, "Hehehe, how about Ayano, you be the drummer?

In fact, a keyboardist is not necessarily necessary for a band. Many bands can exist without a keyboardist.

But a drummer is essential for us, but look at that Lixi, with her bad temper, she might just chase us with a drumstick and hit us in the butt if she gets angry."

In front of Ayano, Aine spoke much more casually, blurting out her thoughts without thinking, and she didn't need to care about what others thought anyway.

"Well, it's not impossible..."

"Huh?" Seeing that Ayano seemed to be really considering it, Aine quickly waved her hand and explained, "I was just kidding, Ayano, calm down."

"But spanking you is really attractive, isn't it~"

"……What?"

Realizing that she was being fooled again, Aine immediately threw herself on Ayano. However, she felt a little tired after playing around for a while, so she just lay on Ayano naturally. Her soft pink hair caressed Ayano's neck, giving Ayano the illusion of being kissed by the breeze.

The two found a place and sat down slowly.

The long steps in front of them now looked like the shadows of the passing of time, and the people walking on them were the lights that illuminated the past.

As for them, sitting at the top of the stairs, it was as if they had stopped in the long river of time. They watched the lights of the thousands of houses in Ikebukuro slowly light up. Aine felt that at this moment, she was extremely greedy for this atmosphere where there was no need to talk and there would never be any awkwardness.

"Ayano-chan, how about I give you some extra lessons?"

Suddenly, Aine thought of something and turned to look at Ayano and said.

"Make-up lessons? Just you?"

"What do you mean? I have learned a little bit after all."

"Really? Then it must have taken you a lot of effort to memorize how many keys there are on the piano, didn't it? You must have worked really hard."

"...Don't go too far!"

Ayano smiled and explained gently, "It's okay, I've found a very professional teacher to teach me."

"……OK then."

At this point, Ayano patted Aine's shoulder and stood up. "Let's go. If you don't mind the dirt on the floor, I'll mind your dirty hands touching everything."

"...Ahem."

There is nothing much to say, time is also

When it was time to eat, they couldn't really just sit there.

Of course, even though Ayano and Aine no longer live together like they did when they were children, there is still a path they can walk together.

While riding the train, Ayano listened to the other person chattering away, giving her some basic knowledge about the band, while she took out her cell phone and looked at the message Shoko sent her.

I can only say that after the money was added, Xiangzi's attitude did become more positive.

Not only did she prepare a test on the knowledge points of the previous class, but she also included introductions and installation methods for some software used in composition and arranging.

It seems that as long as you don't actively provoke this hedgehog, under normal circumstances, Shoko Toyokawa is indeed a very cost-effective tutor.

Although Ayano felt that she didn't really want to take the initiative to provoke the other party.

“Aine.”

"A lot of people can't hear the bass, but if someone is sensitive to it... huh? What's wrong, Ayano?"

Aine, who was talking nonstop, was interrupted by Ayano, and her expression was obviously confused.

"Do you need me to be there for the band's affairs these days?"

"If we finalize the other members, we will definitely practice together, right?"

"That's it..."

Ayano thought about it and felt that if she could arrange her schedule a little tighter, it would be fine to come back every night and study music with Xiangzi.

But I just don’t know if the other party can make time for her.

If it really doesn't work, then I can only find another way myself. She is not really a big shot, it is impossible for her to keep raising the price like this. After all, she has to live on her own.

Frugality is a long-standing tradition in their family.

Just at this stop, Aine got off the bus. Ayano, who was finally able to focus on her work, decisively opened the chat box and typed:

Xiangzi, are you free later? My class will start around 8pm. If possible, I can temporarily vacate a room for you. You can sleep here tonight and have dinner there too.

[I will explain this to Aine, and she will call me in advance if she wants to come next time.]

[Of course, if that’s not possible, just pretend I didn’t say anything.]

After sending these, Ayano closed her eyes and dozed off.

----------

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Shoko Toyokawa had really had enough, she had really reached her limit.

Looking at the mess in the kitchen that she hadn't cleaned up and her father who ordered her out to buy some wine after seeing her, Xiangzi felt that she had never hated her home so much.

Is the money she earned just to let someone live a life of poverty and numb herself?

"Xiangzi... Dad was wrong. It was Dad who didn't give you the life you wanted."

Seeing Xiangzi's anger, Xiangzi's father, who was drunk, softened his attitude a little, but only she knew that after just one night, everything would become as bad as before.

There is no one outside to relieve the pressure of her life, and when she returns home, this pressure will only multiply and return to her.

Sometimes she finally had some positive emotions but had no one to share them with. If she told her father, it would only turn the positive emotions into negative ones.

This is the huge cage called "family", which belongs to her alone.

If possible, Xiangzi really wanted to escape, the farther away from here the better, as long as he could ensure his father's survival.

"Xiangzi...the wine at home is gone..."

"Enough, enough, enough! You have time to talk like this! Why don't you go out and work? Do you still think you are the same person you used to be?!"

"call……"

Fell asleep?

Haha ...

Toyokawa Shoko smiled, but it was a smile that was almost broken, a smile that made her feel helpless, and helpless about what she and others could do.

Suddenly, her defenses collapsed and she sat down on the ground. Looking at the messy house, she really saw no hope at all.

The cell phone slipped out of her pocket, and at that moment, she saw the message from Ayano that she had received at some unknown time.

Chapter 19: You don’t even know how to use a washing machine? You’re truly a young lady (1/2)

This was the first time I saw Ayano send me such a long string of messages.

But... moving out?

She really picked the right time. If Xiangzi hadn't broken down and collapsed on the ground at this moment, and hadn't looked at the dirty and messy living room with a frown and suppressed emotions, she would probably have rejected such a proposal without hesitation.