Teacher Daxiang, let’s form a lifelong band!

【"Why?"】

[“No reason, this is an order! I am your girlfriend, and now I order you not to go!”]

【“…”】

"What if I insist on going? Xiangzi, you should know how much the band means to Yutenji Wakamu. You'll ruin her. Your father ruined you before, so are you going to use similar methods to ruin other people's lives now?"

"What does Yutenji Ruomai's life have to do with me? Lu Li, we're a couple, you should listen to me!"

[Looking at Toyokawa Shoko, who was already a little hysterical, you sighed.]

"Xiangzi, I'm not disobeying you. I just want to help you atone for your sins."

【Hearing your words, Toyokawa Shoko became even more excited. 】

"Atonement? I did nothing wrong, why should I atone? Lu Li, I know you love me. Just listen to me and cut off contact with those two people, okay? I know you love me the most, and you'll agree to anything I ask. Just like last time, just listen to me this time too!" As she said this, Toyokawa Shoko's expression, which had been a little angry just now, instantly softened.

[And you, seeing this scene, feel chilled to the bone. When did your lover become like this? ]

"Xiangzi, I'm sorry, I can't listen to you this time. This time, you are really wrong."

[“Lu Li!” Realizing she couldn’t change your mind, the gentleness on Toyokawa Shoko’s face immediately vanished, replaced by a certain madness.]

"Lu Li, do you think I don't know you're hanging out with those two?!" As she said this, Toyokawa Shoko threw several photos from her bag at your face.

You said nothing about Xiangzi's actions, but silently bent down to pick up the photos. Your eyes fell on the photos. These photos were of you, Yutenji Wakamugi, and Hachiman Kailing having dinner at the barbecue restaurant. Each photo had a time stamp on it.

"Xiangzi, you hired a private detective to follow me?" A trace of anger, unprecedented in your heart, gradually arose. You had never imagined that Toyokawa Xiangzi's desire for control had reached this level.

"Yes! You're my boyfriend, everything about you belongs to me. I'm protecting you!" Toyokawa Shoko openly admitted your question.

"So what did you find out? Did I betray you?"

【“…”】

[Of course, she didn't find out anything. Although the three of you occasionally get together, your undivided love for her is undeniable.]

Even if it was just a party, it was enough to make Toyokawa Shoko unhappy.

"Lu Li, I'll tell you this once. Those two aren't worth your concern. I'll be removing them from the band soon. By then, they'll have nothing to do with you and me. It's not too late for you to sever ties with them now."

"In time? In time for what?"

[“In time to earn my forgiveness.”]

"Why do I need your forgiveness, Xiangzi? Does that mean I don't even have the right to be free and make friends?"

"You do, but your friends can't be these two. I'm telling you once, cut off all ties with them!"

“I can’t do that.”

"Can't do it? Then don't do it! Lu Li, who do you think you are? You're just my current boyfriend. I can dump you at any time. Do you understand?"

【“…”】

【"Currently, boyfriend, just?"】

[In the midst of a heated argument, Toyokawa Shoko finally said the words that she absolutely could not say.]

"Xiangzi, are you serious?" At that moment, your expression changed. The gentleness and calmness you once had were gone, replaced by a seriousness that Xiangzi Toyokawa had never seen before.

"I...I'm not...I'm serious!"

[Seeing your expression change, a flash of fear flashed across Toyokawa Shoko's face, but that fear didn't last long. Now her status is completely unequal to yours. For her, she should stand higher than you. It's you who needs her, not her who needs you.]

After thinking this through, Toyokawa Shoko became bolder.

"Lu Li, delete the contact information of Yutenji Ruomai and Yawata Hailing immediately. This is an order!"

“I can’t do that.”

"Can't do it?" Toyokawa Shoko sneered. Then, she took out her phone and gently slid her finger across the screen, finally landing on a number marked "boyfriend."

[Do you want to delete this contact? yes or no]

[Under your gaze, Toyokawa Shoko pressed yes]

"When you've achieved that, let's be together again."

Volume 1: Chapter 28 This time, it was Hachiman Kailing

[It's a dry summer day, but it's raining in Tokyo, the raindrops are dripping.]

You strolled through the rain on the streets of Shimokitazawa, watching the people rushing to and fro to avoid the rain. The image that came to mind was Xiangzi's heartless face as he left not long ago.

"There's no such thing as the right five. Are you the only one who's truly right?"

You smiled bitterly. So this was Toyokawa Shoko's answer. You know, it's not that Shoko doesn't love you anymore, it's just that in her heart, there's more hatred than love. The bad experiences in the past have made her heart as hard as iron. She won't trust anyone anymore, even if that person is you, the one she loves.

【Back home, you stayed awake all night.】

[The next day, you found Yutenji Wakamugi and Hachiman Kairin.]

"I'm sorry, I failed." You recounted the outcome of your negotiation with Toyokawa Shoko yesterday to the two people. However, you didn't tell them that your relationship with Toyokawa Shoko had deteriorated. You simply told them that you had failed to persuade Toyokawa Shoko.

"Wow, wow, what am I going to do now?!" Yutenji Wakamugi was terrified. She'd put all her eggs in the Ave Mujica basket, counting on it to provide her with a lifelong livelihood. But she hadn't expected to be kicked out of the band before she could even begin to benefit from it.

"Miyamu, do you believe me? I have a way to help you." Seeing the panicked Yutenji Wakamu, you whispered softly.

"Believe it!" Yutenji Wakamugi couldn't help but believe it. Right now, the only people she could rely on were Hachiman Kailing and you.

"Nyanmu, do you remember? I'm a light novel author." Under Yutenji Wakamu's expectant gaze, you mentioned your past identity.

"Remember, remember..." Of course she remembers that you were a light novel writer. It's more like she'll never forget it.

"Miao Meng, I was terminated not because of any problems with my work, but because my reputation was not good at the time. A good work can stand the test of time. So, if you don't mind, I can give you this work of mine. You can use it to get through the difficult period after being fired. During this process, I will teach you how to write light novels. You should be able to make a living from it later."

[That's right, you lost your status as a light novel writer not because your works were bad, but because you chose to sacrifice yourself for the band. Your reputation has indeed been ruined along with your sacrifice, but your works are still very good.]

"Is it possible?!" Hearing your words, Yutenji Wakamugi was both happy and afraid. She was happy because your method seemed to be feasible, but she was afraid because she was worried that she wouldn't be able to continue as a light novel writer.

"Of course, Meow Meng, you're actually a very smart person. I believe that as long as you study hard, you can become an outstanding light novel writer."

"Then... let me try?!"

"Well, of course I have to give it a try. How about this? During this time, I'll revise my aborted work a little bit and give it to you. You can serialize and upload my work while learning how to write light novels from me."

[And just like that, you found a way out for Yutenji Wakamu.]

About two weeks later, an announcement appeared on Ave Mujica's homepage, announcing that the band's drummer had terminated his contract for personal reasons. Along with this announcement, a new drummer was also announced. You didn't know who the new drummer was, but you figured it might be the type of person Xiangzi was looking for.

【Yutenji Wakamugi has officially been removed from the band.】

[Although she was kicked off the band, Toyokawa Shoko wasn't so cold-blooded as to want to kill Yutenji Wakami. Shoko gave her a fairly generous compensation. With this money, Yutenji Wakami, now having enough to eat and drink, gave up her original rental and rented a low-rent apartment next to yours. From then on, you and Yutenji Wakami became neighbors, and she became a frequent visitor to your home.]

Although you haven't written light novels in a while, your talent is still alive and well. You simply translated your aborted work into Japanese and handed it to Yutenji Wakamu. The new work immediately became popular with readers as soon as it was released online. In just a month, the editor who had visited you before appeared in front of you again.

"She was once Mr. Shi Shao's student. No wonder..." Upon discovering that the author of the new novel he was about to sign was actually your student, the editor revealed a look of astonishment. This editor actually admires you greatly, and he's been brooding over the publisher's previous termination of your contract. Unexpectedly, he'd be lucky enough to sign another light novel about you this time, and he's delighted.

"Teacher Si Shao, I will use all my resources to promote this work!" Perhaps as compensation, or perhaps because the work was truly excellent, the editor promised to do his best to help Yutenji Wakumai. He also left Yutenji Wakumai with the best contract terms he could offer from a publishing house.

[After the editor left, Yutenji Wakamugi rushed to you and hugged you excitedly. She burst into tears in front of you.]

"Lu Li, thank you, really. Without you, I don't know what I would do..."

"Don't cry, this is just the beginning. Most of the content in this work is actually mine. If you want to make a living from this, you need to continue learning from me."

"I'll study hard!" Yutenji Wakamugi patted her plump breasts and promised you.

Yutenji Wakamugi took the contract and returned to her own home next door, happily alone.

After Yutenji Wakamu left, you picked up your phone. You looked at the date on it, and the light in your eyes quickly dimmed.

[Your lover, Toyokawa Shoko, hasn't contacted you for a whole month.]

"Xiangzi, have you really given up on me?"

[Just as you were mumbling to yourself, the official Ave Mujica account you follow released a new personnel change announcement.]

【This time, it's Hachiman Kairin. 】

Volume 1: Chapter 29 We Will Always Be in a Band

"Xiangzi, have you made up your mind?"

In the rehearsal room, a calm Hachiman Kairin stood in front of Toyokawa Shoko. Her face was as calm as if nothing had happened. She was not panicked, not afraid.

“My decisions are never good or bad, only executed or not.”

"Is that so? Goodbye then." Unlike the panic that had gripped Yutenji Wakami when she left, Hachiman Kairin had a look of relief on her face when she said goodbye.

Finally, she could finally leave this band, leaving this band that was like a prison to her now.

In the past, Hachiman Kailing was always troubled. She loved this band because it contained friends she once thought she could trust with her life, and also a boy she had grown to admire. But then, one thing after another happened, the person she admired sacrificed himself for the band, and her friends gradually became unreasonable, leaving her confused.

[Should I continue to stay?]

She wanted to leave, but this band was the result of everyone's hard work, and the person she admired had sacrificed for the band. If she left, then what would that person's sacrifice have been for?

[But if she didn't leave, the friends who were drifting away and the band that was becoming increasingly unfamiliar to her would become unbearable for her.]

[She hesitated and wandered endlessly, and could only choose to endure. However, the more she endured, the more painful it became for her.]

【But fortunately, someone made the choice for her. 】

“Goodbye, Xiangzi. I hope the band gets better and better, and I hope you can have the life you want.”

Hachiman Kailing turned neatly and walked out of the rehearsal room. Her figure was so free and easy. The moment she walked out of the door, the sunlight outside the window shone on her body. Everyone else in the room seemed to see a shadow in her departing back.

[This shadow is called: New Life.]

[The legendary mercenary bassist, she seems to be back...]

"Xiangzi, are we wrong?"

Watching another member leave, guitarist Mutsuki Wakaba cautiously looked towards band leader Shoko Toyokawa, who was standing before him. Facing Shoko's current state, even as a close friend, Mutsuki Wakaba didn't dare directly question her. Therefore, Mutsuki said "we" instead of "you."

"My decision will never be wrong." Toyokawa Shoko's voice was heavy and hoarse.

[In the dictionary codenamed Oblivionis, there is no such word as mistake.]

Even though she felt a great deal of turmoil in her heart when she saw Hachiman Kailing leave, she would not admit that she was wrong.

【The Emperor can’t be wrong! 】

"Xiangzi, Hailing did nothing wrong." Ruoye Mu said timidly.

[Yes, Hachiman Kairin is not Yutenji Wakumai. If the previous Yutenji Wakumai did have some shortcomings that could be found, then Hachiman Kairin has no shortcomings at all. Whether in terms of skills or attitude, Hachiman Kairin is a qualified member. She is not wrong.]

"Mu, it's not enough for band members to be without fault. Hachiman Kailing is no longer suitable for our band, and being unsuitable is a fault in itself."

If you want to accuse someone of a crime, you can always find a pretext.

【She has the final say on whether it is right or wrong.】

“Xiangzi, I feel like this…”

[With a clang, Toyokawa Shoko's fist landed heavily on the table.]

"Mu, you're going to resist me too?!" Toyokawa Shoko's eyes, as cold as winter, fell on Wakaba Mu.

“Xiangzi, I…”

"Mu, don't forget, it was my uncle and aunt who negotiated with you to allow you to pursue your passion as a musician. If it weren't for me, you would have been sent away by them to study acting. You're rebelling against me, are you trying to give it all up and go back to being an actor, something you don't enjoy?!"

【“!!!”】

[Hearing Toyokawa Shoko's words, Wakaba Mu's pupils trembled. ]

"Xiang... Xiangzi, I'm sorry." Ruoye Mu lowered her head, her voice choked with sobs and fear. At this moment, Ruoye Mu was like a child who had made a mistake, her body trembling, and she felt isolated and helpless.

Seeing that Wakaba Mu was frightened by her, Toyokawa Shoko immediately walked over to Wakaba Mu and gently hugged her. In just a moment, the sternness on her face turned into a kind of hypocritical tenderness.

"Mu, I'm not forcing you. You're my best friend. We agreed to work hard together in this band. Don't worry, the band will be fine. As long as you listen to me, you can keep doing what you love..."

"Is that so?" Ruoye Mu trembled as she looked at her friend, whom she no longer dared to look into his eyes.

"Of course, I can't be wrong, right? Amoris, Mu is a little tired, you should take her home to rest."

[Amoris is the new drummer that Toyokawa Shoko recruited earlier. She didn't bother to remember her name because names weren't important to her at all. All she needed was a drummer codenamed Amoris.]

Accompanied by new drummer Amoris, Wakaba Mutsu trembled as he left the rehearsal room, guitar in hand. After they left, only Toyokawa Shoko and lead vocalist Sankaku Hatsuka remained in the rehearsal room.