The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

He actually fainted!?

"Anyway...anyway, let's go to a place with fewer people first. This way, Miss Yili will feel better, right?" Although things were...well, far beyond his expectations, this little difficulty was not enough to overwhelm him.

"That's true... I'll leave it to you then, young man. I'm so sorry." said the father, whose bangs were so long that they even covered his eyes, giving him a "protagonist-like" look.

"Stare——" x2

After Hiranobu effortlessly lifted Goto Ichiri into his arms, the eyes of Goto's mother and sister, Erri, became sharp. But soon, the lady, as if remembering something, returned to her smiling face, while sister Erri was very interested in the cat on Hiranobu's shoulder.

Although we have a Jimmy Henry (pet dog) at home, who can resist a cute little cat?

......

...

..

"I never thought that the people in the Food Research Society would be wiped out just because the mushrooms were not fried thoroughly... Are they all idiots?" When the news that he often saw in his previous life really appeared in front of him, Ping Xin felt a mixture of joy and annoyance. If he had known earlier, he would not have shown them any "negative examples", although he was still very happy.

"But is it okay for us to come to the Student Council room without permission? It should be very busy during the school festival, right?"

Goto Naoki, in stark contrast to his daughter Goto Ichiri, is known for his social skills. While he's usually the least socialized person at home, he's the loudest person outside. Meanwhile, his wife, Goto Michiyo, observes Hira Nobukazu's activities at school with great interest. Even during the school festival, there are some areas where they can't go, like the fourth floor, which is off-limits.

And what about Goto Ichiri? She's holding the little black cat Sheriff, who's a bit speechless about his owner's "betrayal" behavior, and she's completely lost in thought. Anyway, this isn't just one or two attacks, one or two days a day, sister? (Indifferent)

"It's okay, it's okay. The president should be personally leading a group of people to the front line right now. Even if there are still people, there won't be many left. And not far from here is where the teachers usually stay. They are all on holiday today, so this floor should be the quietest place."

Hiranobu led the way, and the Goto family, relieved, followed him to the student council room. As expected, there was only one person inside.

"President Ping Xin, why are you here... and who are they?"

Chapter 52: Interesting Woman

"I see... I see. Please feel free to relax here. The sofas, chairs, water dispensers, and other things are all at your disposal. However, please do not touch the computers and file cabinets that contain important information."

"Now that the last bit of work is done, Yuuka, go enjoy the Shengxiang Festival. Don't forget to say hello to Liyin Noah for me."

"Yes, I'll be rude first." After saying that, Yuxiang closed the door and left

After Yuuka left, the Goto family finally had a chance to observe the student council room.

It was probably larger than a typical classroom. At the far end, against the wall, away from the door, stood two metal cabinets filled with important paper documents. Besides a glittering gold clock, there was also a large whiteboard on the wall, which usually contained recent schedules. Although the student union had already begun using the group function of messaging apps for notifications, this method was a better way to keep members informed of what they needed to do.

In the center of the student union room is a huge rectangular table. Judging from the quality of the wood and the exquisite patterns carved on it, you can tell that it is definitely very expensive. The most intuitive association is that it looks very similar to the tables used by large companies and conglomerates in meetings that appear in some TV dramas.

Naturally, there are chairs placed next to the desk, and the most eye-catching one is definitely the one placed at the top. With its high-quality materials, ergonomic design, and shiny black leather backrest, it's clear at first glance that this is the pinnacle of executive chairs!

"This... can I do this?"

"Erli!?"

Seeing that his daughter actually expressed her thoughts first, Goto Naoki was anxious, really anxious!

You know, in the company he can only sit on the bench every day and sleep from time to time, and he also has to worry about getting a stiff neck and hurting his waist. Now, an opportunity to experience the luxury that only directors can have is right in front of him, and he must sit down today!

"Haha, of course you can. After all, chairs are made to be worked on, cute little Erli." Heishin stroked Goto Erli's head and the cat in her arms, his favorability level rising. "By the way, there are drinks and snacks here too. Please feel free to enjoy them while you wait."

“Wow, it’s cake!”

"Ah, what a fragrant black tea."

"Haha, but... Hey, is it really okay for us to relax like this?" After losing the fight with his youngest daughter Erri for a seat, Goto Naoki sat down on the sofa with his wife. Honestly, this place, which doesn't look like a student union, has a strangely homey feel to it with its beanbags.

"Haha, my name is Asuka Hiranobu, so you can just call me Hiranobu. As for what's going on here... I think I still have some face. The girl with the twin tails you just saw is Hayase Yuuka, the most hardworking and capable accountant in the student council. Besides her, I also have a good relationship with the secretary, the president, and others."

So, drinking the black tea Noah brought and eating the cake Yuka brought shouldn't be a problem, right? It's a pity that Liyin didn't bring any snacks, otherwise I would have eaten her to my heart's content.

After waiting for a few minutes, Goto Ichiri, who was talking in his sleep, suddenly jumped up from the sofa. Then he saw his family, except for himself, sitting together with a very familiar man, eating cake and drinking tea. What a happy family...

Oh...where is my seat?

But when everyone turned their eyes to her, Goto Ichiri knelt down like a tiger in the office, and shouted, "I'm so sorry, so sorry, I forgot the card you gave me in my clothes, and the clothes got wet and washed away, and the important card inside... I tried many times afterwards, but there was no solution. I'm so sorry, I'll go wash my neck right now!"

"Ah...it doesn't really matter if something like that gets lost or broken. We'll meet again sooner or later if we're destined to. Rather than that, have you come across anything else that needs my help? And since you're here today...are you interested in attending Shengxiang Middle School?"

Honestly, I originally thought she was a high school student just by looking at her figure, but I didn't expect she was only a junior high school girl... Tsk tsk, this is really scary~

"Big brother, are you and my sister friends?"

"friend!?"

"really?"

No, no, no, why are you so surprised? Do you think your daughter/sister has a girlfriend?

"Well... although it's a bit rude to ask, you don't have any friends, do you, Ichiri-san?"

"Ah... yes, a gloomy person like me really shouldn't go out. I should stay in a dark corner where no one is, and slowly rot—"

"Haha, it's very similar... I was in a similar situation when I was sick at home. At that time, I had no friends except my younger sister. It was a very difficult time when I think about it now... Please keep up the good work, Miss Ichiri. I believe you can make friends too."

The second time I saw Ping Xin express his true feelings, this sincerity that can really be felt makes people feel at ease and yearning. This is one of the reasons why Ping Xin, although he claims to be not good at socializing, can always build good relationships with others.

Just like how he had just established good relationships with the other members of the Goto family, sincerity is the eternal stepping stone.

"Sister, keep going!"

"Yes, Yili, mom and I will always support you!"

"Yeah, so go ahead and do it with peace of mind~"

"Erli, Dad, Mom..."

The encouragement from strangers and family filled Goto Ichiri with determination. But as for courage, well... maybe she still needs to work on it before she can make friends. Thinking of this, her social phobia started to flare up again.

Strangers are so scary. I don’t want to work. Being born as a human being…

"Hmm, it looks like I still have a long way to go... By the way, if you don't mind, would you like to be my friend? I happen to be a bit knowledgeable about musical instruments, so if you mind, I can introduce you to other girls. I also know some girls in bands, so maybe they can be of some help to you."

"Friends, friends, friends!? No, no... I'm sorry, I don't mean to say you can't do it, but I'm so ugly, my grades are bad, and I'm useless except for playing the guitar... I'm just a useless paramecium-"

Hmm...this symptom looks a bit serious?

"Although I haven't seen her studying and playing the guitar in person, but at least in my eyes... Goto Ichiri is a very cute girl. She can get at least 9 points out of ~" Hirayuko unconsciously touched her heartstrings as he casually lifted her bangs that covered her eyes.

"!"

"Ah... is this a faint?"

"This... seems to be too stimulating for my sister."

I see... Goto Ichiri, you're really a—

"...Interesting woman~"

Chapter 53: Don't you want to see the performance?

"...Interesting woman~"

Someone sighed like this, but the voice didn't come from Hiranobu or a member of the Goto family, nor did it come from the little black cat named Sheriff. Instead, it came from a white cat outside the door.

"Kurona-chan? Why are you here too? Are you here alone?"

"Every year during the school festival, many bands prefer to perform at their own schools, so I, an old woman, just closed the shop and came here to play with my granddaughter. Pingxin, you don't mind, right?"

"Boss!? You you you...how did you get here? And you even found your way here!?" The person following behind Kaname Rakuna as a guardian was Tsuzuki Ushifune, the head of Livehouse SPACE, the birthplace of the famous girl band, a thin but powerful white-haired old woman.

"I'm the one who brought her to the school festival this year. It just so happens that she's old enough to start junior high school."

"I see, so you came here first because you know someone there..." It would be better to ask what's going on with those parents, and whether they're in their own world again?

Is it true that the parents truly love their children and it was just an accident?!

“It’s actually this gentleman!?”

"Husband, do you know this old lady?"

"Yeah, after all, I'm a retired guitarist. I must know the seniors in the industry who are the source of the current girl band trend. I just didn't expect to see him here..." And he seems to be very familiar with this young man named Asuka Maheishin. Who is he?

"Master, matcha~"

"Ah... there are no matcha flavored snacks in the student council room. This is a headache..." Because of the awakening of the Stand Killer Queen, Ping Xin's attraction to cats has reached a new level. Although it is not as "attracting bees and butterflies" as before when she was not fully awakened, it feels much better overall.

If I had to say... I'd say I'm more charming and elegant in the eyes of cats, right? Secondly, maybe it's because I look so much like a cat, but even a pseudo-cat girl like Rakuna, who lacks ears, a tail, or whiskers besides a cat's mouth, has been influenced. Ever since I became her apprentice, she's been constantly calling to come over and play (and learn).

Fearing that the child would have problems from staying up late, Hirayobu always sent someone to pick her up. Over time, she also established good relationships with the women in the shopping district and Hirayobu's family. After all, apart from the fact that she is the granddaughter of the boss, Tsuzuki Shifune, she is also a very cute and unique child. Even Yamabuki Bakery and Yuze Cafe are considering enriching their matcha menu.

"But my class is opening a cafe that should have matcha cake. You can take grandma there later to check it out. If all else fails, there should be matcha-flavored treats in vending machines or in the student shopping street outside."

"Okay~" Kaname ran out in a flash. She really looked like a cat as she forgot about her guardian (grandmother)... But does she know the way?

As expected, Rakuna, who realized this problem just after running out, immediately returned to the student council room.

"Don't be so impatient... Speaking of which, Asuna, Karin, Akane, and Nel are going to have a band performance on the big stage outside later. Don't you want to go and see it?"

"Um...but Matcha—"

"By the way, you should know Karin-sister, the one in black. She's a pretty good cook. After the performance, take her to the 1-A cafe, and she'll definitely make you a matcha cake." Hirashin said in a gentle and persuasive manner, but this scene...it looked like he was coaxing a child!

"I know!" After saying that, she ran out again, but this time she didn't forget to bring her grandmother with her. Could it be that the boss's strong body was taken away like this? Ping Xin questioned this.

After the grandparents left, Hirayuko turned to Goto Ichiri and asked, "Since you also play an instrument and want to form a band, why don't you go and see their performance?"

"I, I, I can't do it! People like me——"

"I think since you have skills that would make your retired guitarist father proud, Ichiri-kun, why don't you think a little more highly of yourself? Otherwise, your father would be too pitiful."

Feeling the gazes of the two men, father Goto Naoki immediately began to pretend to wipe away tears, but uncle, you... even if you really shed tears, no one can see your eyes!

Seeing that Goto Ichiri was still hesitating, Hirayukoshi stopped pressing. After all, forcing others was unpleasant for him, and he wouldn't do something that made him feel uncomfortable unless it was absolutely necessary. So he turned around and continued to explain the special admissions process to the Goto couple.

"Actually, the special admissions process for Shengxiang Middle School can be very simple or very complex. Complex cases might require the assistance of specialists, but Yili's case falls into the relatively simple category."

"How exactly do you say it?"

"Well... if you want to be more formal, you can provide relevant official examination level certificates and live performances, but in her case--" Ping Xin stopped talking halfway, but everyone understood.

"Looks like I need to work harder now, Xiao Yili..."

"No no no... No way! No no no no no, and not no way... but but but I can't do it, Oyster!"

"Haha, actually, there's no need to worry too much... As long as you explain the situation, they'll make special arrangements. The principal here is quite open-minded and keeps up with the times. As long as Yili has the real talent, there will be absolutely no problem... No, I also believe she will definitely pass."

"!"

Believe?

I...I? But I only have my guitar...No—

Because I only have the guitar, and because playing guitar is my only "advantage," I have to do this. I absolutely must! It's not just because I want to stop working, but also because I want to repay my dad, mom, and Erli. Even someone like me wants to meet their expectations, as well as the expectations of this very friendly (and socially anxious) senior...

Hey, speaking of which——

What is his name?

“Ah..Ahhhhhhhhhh…th- ...

Stop saying "nage" all the time. It might get into trouble in the West. Do you also like Sunny Rainbow Little White Pony, Miss Goto Ichiri? He wanted to laugh, but he couldn't let the other person's hard-earned courage go to waste.

"Come along, let's go see the show."

Ping Xin extended his hand.

"No, no, no! That, that...what I want to say is!"

"Just think of it as a way to study for the future... I'm looking forward to the day when you find your bandmates and we perform together at the Shengxiang Festival next year—"

"!"

It turns out...he still remembers it.

Chapter 54: The Evil-minded Senior

"Does this make you feel better, Ichiri?" Because the other person was extremely socially anxious, Pingxin deliberately didn't call him by his name as usual. This is the detail!

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Well... although it looks a little suspicious, it does work. At least now she has enough energy to observe her surroundings——

"Ah... Speaking of which, Senior... why do you carry these things with you?"