The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

Speaking of which... the Red and White Songs Contest is a music show divided by gender, with female artists in the Red Team and male artists in the White Team. The two teams perform songs against each other to determine the winner. It seems ordinary now, but if transgender magic becomes popular in a few years...

What a hassle, so let’s not let it become popular, Ping Xin thought.

"Brother, ah~~~~"

"Open your mouth...how does it taste?"

"...ordinary."

When Hiranobu was away, most of the work was handled by his most trusted sister, Asuka Batoki. Fortunately, the system Hiranobu had worked so hard to build hadn't let him down, so even if he disappeared for a few days, there was no problem. However, Hiranobu felt guilty about working overtime while worrying about his missing brother.

So even though Xiaoxiao was acting coquettish and clingy several times more than usual today, he didn't say anything. It's just that with your figure, sitting on his lap and leaning on his arms waiting for food, isn't it a bit... Never mind, after all, you are the ones I love——

"Really? It's a rare opportunity to make soba noodles together..."

"!...Brother made this, it's delicious."

"If it tastes good, eat more. Open your mouth."

"Ah~~~~"

Because buckwheat noodles are thin and long, they represent a steady flow of life and a healthy, long life in Eastern culture. Furthermore, their easy breaking symbolizes a desire to put an end to the year's hardships and worries, preventing them from carrying over into the new year. Regardless of the specifics, for Heishin, delicious food is a good custom.

"Really, you're pretty enthusiastic when you're not eating."

"Ah, I really want to eat what Nel-senpai made, it's so unpalatable—"

"...You bastard!"

Well, this behavior is more like their unique way of communicating than quarreling, so just ignore it for now.

"It's really not good to just eat without cooking... In that case, let's all make Osechi together tomorrow. I gave the shadows a day off this year, and they usually prepare it, so I want to give it a try this year too."

Osechi is a traditional Eastern cuisine. In addition to being served in beautiful high-end black boxes, it also pays attention to the ingredients and dishes inside.

The ingredients that are usually needed in the New Year's food box include black beans (symbolizing health), fish roe (prosperity of descendants), small fish (praying for a good harvest), red and white fish cakes (red symbolizes joy, white symbolizes holiness), Date rolls (wisdom and knowledge), chestnut paste (yellow, symbolizing wealth), kelp (health and longevity), shredded radish with red and white vinegar (red and white for joy), shrimp (longevity), burdock (long-lasting happiness), boiled food (mainly root vegetables), etc.

Honestly, he still prefers hot Yan Guo cuisine... But it would be boring if he hadn't tried it in all these years, wouldn't it? After all, the meaning of life is to try and be touched.

And since we all cook and eat together, it feels like New Year’s Eve dinner, doesn’t it?

Seeing Hirayobu's smile, the two of them stopped arguing and watched the live show together, leaning on the table, the sofa, and Hirayobu. The annual Red and White Song Festival not only features veteran heavyweights but also popular young artists, making it a fun event for all ages.

Everyone enjoyed the peaceful time without saying a word until the New Year's bell rang.

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year--"

"Happy New Year~"

"Happy New Year."

It’s so nice to have such a simple and happy life.

......

...

..

After that, it’s time for the good kids to go to bed, and it’s also time for everyone to be rewarded——

Although we can’t fire New Year’s Eve fireworks because of the small hours, it might be a special experience to greet the sunrise together with everyone.

"Wearing new panties on the first day of the new year is really refreshing...don't you agree?"

But no one in the house responded.

"Well, no wonder, after all, everyone stayed up all night... Good night——"

After tucking them in, Pingxin gently closed the door. Speaking of which, no one had washed the sheets after the Shadows' holiday. So, I'll just do it myself. As for why I don't need to wash clothes... is there any need to wash disposable items?

The power of the ripples increases the repulsive forces between different types of organic matter, and all the "stains" are expelled. Then, simply wash it in the washing machine and let it air dry. Ripples are really convenient, aren't you right, "Killer Queen"?

......

Of course she didn't reply, but Pingxin could sense that she was somewhat angry.

"Sorry, sorry, I was just kidding. After all, using mental power to lock onto the stain and then blow it up is too tiring."

Okay, so what to do next...

Oh my, this is——

Chapter 97: Running away from home, and then picking up a beautiful girl with small animals

"Koito, Koito... are you listening? What we're going to do next..."

"Hey!...Ah, Enka-chan...Sorry, I was just thinking about something." The girl called Koito was obviously walking absent-mindedly, and was startled by her question.

It’s not that Enka’s voice is loud or her tone is scary, it’s simply because she is a shy, cute girl who is like a little animal.

"Ha... You can't walk without looking at where you're going."

Although Higuchi Enka is often sharp-tongued and unsympathetic, she is not a heartless villain. This is especially true when facing the girl in front of her, Fukumaru Koito, a childhood friend she has known since kindergarten and whose friendship is now approaching ten years.

"We're going shopping together later, do you want to go?"

“!…Yeah, I’m going!”

"Is that so... Then let's go home, change our clothes, and then meet up at Asakura's house. That's it."

"..."

Fukumaru Koito watched Higuchi Enka's back, only to see her take a few quick steps and catch up with Toru and Hina who were walking in front.

"That's great, everyone—"

What's so good about it... Is it that "everyone" is together, or that they are different from me, taller, better-looking, or both...

Koito looked at the kimono she was wearing. It fit her well and was very cute, but this piece of clothing was actually bought two years ago. Therefore, she looked at the three people in front of her with envy, deep envy.

It's not that I want prettier or more beautiful clothes, I just want to catch up with them and be like them—

Higuchi Enka, who was walking ahead, seemed to sense something, or perhaps was simply worried and turned back. Seeing Koito looking a little absent-minded, she couldn't help but remind him, "...Koito, you're not going this way, are you?"

"Ah!..Um, sorry, Enka-chan...Thank you, I'll be leaving now."

"Well, remember to watch the road."

After standing still and watching Koito's back walk in the right direction, Enka continued to catch up with the two people in front. Asakura Toru, Higuchi Enka, and Fukumaru Koito had known each other since kindergarten and were together in elementary school. Ichikawa Hina joined the group in elementary school as the fourth person.

However, due to family requirements, Fukumaru Koito went to a different school from the other three when she was promoted from elementary school to junior high school, and she also had to attend a private school (cram school) on a regular basis, so her contact with the other children gradually decreased.

Although she could have a holiday during the Chinese New Year and enjoy a short break with the other three, it was never pleasant to watch her friends chatting about unfamiliar topics without being able to join in the conversation. If one day everyone stopped caring about her or she felt like she "didn't belong," then everything would be over. Fortunately, that wasn't the reality.

"...Come on, Koito."

Higuchi Enka is a person with a delicate heart. She is also the one who always holds Koito in the "big family" to prevent her from getting lost. Although she seems to be indifferent on the surface, in fact, she just doesn't want to disturb Koito because she knows that the child is trying hard to come back to them.

"Ahh?~, what is Enka-senpai saying?"

"No, it's nothing..."

"Eh, so stingy~... As expected, I still like Toru-senpai more—"

"Umm...ah, yeah~"

These two guys are really...

"You should also look ahead (at the road)——"

......

...

..

"Everyone... is really amazing—"

Unlike me...

After her morning hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year, usually on January 1st), Fukumaru Koito felt completely off. She'd already met several times this year, trying to connect with everyone, but each time we met, everyone had something new to talk about, and the memorized text she'd prepared for so long was useless.

"I see. It's like when a group of friends play games and they switch to another game every few days. I finally learn how to play, but they've already moved on to something else. I've experienced this before, and it's really annoying..."

And everyone has grown taller and become more beautiful, especially Hina-chan, unlike me——

"Eh~~ But I think small ones are cute too."

Ah, really? Hehehe...

But I don't know why everyone has become an idol, and if this continues I'm going to be left behind again... I finally convinced my dad and mom to let me go to the same high school with them, but it would be meaningless if I can't be with everyone, I want to be with everyone too!

"Hey, that's really impressive... Let's do it then."

But, but I'm different from everyone else. They're cuter than me... and they've been training for about six months. Even if I could convince my parents to become an idol again, would I be able to keep up with them? Would I be a drag? Would I... be disliked, treated like someone I didn't need?

"Is that so... I don't know, but if you don't try, nothing will happen, right?"

But, but...!

"If you do it, you might fail, but if you don't do it, you'll definitely fail. It's clear which side you should choose, isn't it? Now that we have our goal, all we have to do is work hard."

"...yes!"

...Huh?

"Who...am I talking to?" Fukumaru Koito covered her mouth.

What she just said should have just been in her mind, there is no way anyone could have heard it!

Unless... unless it is——

"Pya~!"

Yo...A ghost?! Or a monster?!

"It's hard to say... maybe I'm Kami-sama~"

“Kami-sama!… Is it true…?”

Ah, I believe it——

This kid... isn't she a little too gullible? She's so gullible that it makes me feel guilty. Ugh... I can't joke with this type of person until I get to know each other a little better. This is a bit of a mistake.

"Meow~?"

"Ah, it's a kitten! So cute... Ah, could you be Kami-sama!?... But you don't have two tails like the cat, could it be..."

Yes, you should be suspicious now, right?

"I see. You must be a messenger from God, right?"

“Meow~ meow~~”

I don't know how to explain it to you, because Vanilla, I'm just a little kitten.

"Ah, are you responding to me? Sorry, I don't understand."

No, no, no, this isn't the time to apologize, is it? You look so eager to try it!? Are cute kittens really that attractive to pretty girls?

Bigger than God!?

Apparently, a certain "God-sama" was jealous—

"...Yo, thinking about me?"

"...Pya~!"

Chapter 98: This question is very simple, meow~

With the little black cat named Sheriff still standing on his shoulder, Ping Xin silently descended from the tree and spoke behind the girl. Unfortunately, he seemed to have underestimated the shocking power of his old trick and even overestimated the girl's psychological endurance. Fukumaru Koito screamed, and her whole body froze in place.

"Hey, you...are you overreacting a bit? Usually when I use this trick, people don't react this much."

Or maybe they're just used to it? If that's the case, I'm really sorry...

"..."