The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"Yes, but the reason it's called the middle strategy is that the expected returns can be guaranteed, but it will be very difficult for you, Koito." Ping Xin touched her head again, his tone full of anticipation and a little bit of doting.

Although this is also his personal favorite and most recommended method, after all, it is difficult for people to truly grow without going through hardships.

"N-It's okay. After all, even I can do it if I just work hard!"

Seeing Fukumaru Koito's words filled with determination and fighting spirit, Hirayuko felt a surge of nostalgia, emotion, and touching emotions. So many emotions welled up in his heart as he excitedly responded, "Don't worry, Ito! Mom! Dad! ...Brother will always be with you!!!"

It's a shame that my rare opportunity to improve my brother's favorability was almost defeated by his abstract words. Fortunately, there will be many opportunities in the future! ...That should be it!!!

"You...you're not going to attack such a young child, are you?...Pervert!!!" Mizukuri showed a look of disgust, and it was hard for Pingxin not to suspect that she was going to beat him up "for a legitimate reason" to avenge the diss Pingxin had just given her.

“Eh!…Is that so!?”

"No, no, no, how could that be possible... Were you serious about taking a half step back, Koito?"

"Please, please don't scream so intimately!"

"You actually did it—"

"I did it..."

"No, why are you two so in sync only at this moment? Where's the fierce rival you promised me?!"

The combo of attacks from three acquaintances almost broke Ping Xin's defense. Now that things have come to this, he can only self-destruct!

Hirayuko stepped forward and grabbed Fukumaru Koito's face with both hands, then gently rubbed it... Doesn't this make him look even more perverted!?

"Should we call the police?"

"Are the words of ordinary police useless?"

"Hmm——what are you doing~~" Fukumaru Koito was startled by Hiranobu's sudden approach, and then she felt dizzy by his actions. What on earth was he doing?

It's weird but I don't feel any malice. And although there's no malice, it's still weird!

"Please, remember it quickly. You should have a better memory than them, Koito... If you don't remember it now, I'm going to eat pork chop rice... Ah, speaking of pork chop rice, you know, you actually have to pay for it yourself, although it tastes pretty good."

Brother!?

Fukumaru Koito's mind was in a mess. Could it be that her father was outside... No, that's not right!!!

This kind of address, this way of rubbing his face, and the way he suddenly jumped to a certain topic and started to talk about it on his own, this way of speaking, although he is very knowledgeable, is slightly inferior in quality...

"Ping...Ping Xin brother?"

"Correct... Here, some candy as a reward."

"Wow, it's candy!"

"Haha, after all these years, you still love candy so much. Unlike me, Koito is still Koito after so many years."

"Really? Really! Brother Pingxin, I have grown up over the years!"

"Yes Yes Yes..."

Even though it's only a few dozen centimeters, she's definitely taller than she was in kindergarten. But her round face, twin tails, tiny canine teeth, shy personality, quick-wittedness, and her emphasis on being around others, along with her respect for others... Sure enough, she hasn't changed much.

"...So it has nothing to do with us now, right?" Yukina was ready to hug Neko Jun. After celebrating the first day of the new year with her friends, she went home to change clothes because she had rehearsal in the afternoon.

"It seems that's right..."

"..envious?"

"certainly not!"

But, as expected... maybe a little bit.

Because of her mother's early death, the relationship between Mitake and her father is strained. Therefore, the man she trusts and relies on the most is Hiranobu, even more than her father. Sometimes, she envies Asuna's bravery in acting like a spoiled child, and Fukumaru Koito, who looks like someone who deserves to be spoiled.

But it’s okay this way. After all, Mizukuri is different from them, and Pingxin’s attitude towards her is one of trust and love, and this will not change.

"Ah, be careful on the road... Oh, I don't think I've told you yet—"

What? Is this about another competition?

"Happy New Year...Keep working hard in the new year! I'm looking forward to the [personalities] you guys want to show, Mitakeran, and the [goals] you guys are pursuing, Yukina~"

Yuki nodded and left with Vanilla in his arms. He slept for as long as the group of people were talking. He really was carefree... Mitakeran waved without looking back and gave a thumbs-up, probably cheering for Pingxin as well...

It's still the same, one is not very talkative, and the other is not very frank~

Fukumaru Koito did not say anything to disrupt the tranquility of the moment. She was just observing.

Aside from Yukina and Mitakeran, two people she considered impressive, she was most drawn to her brother, Hiranobu, whom she hadn't seen for years. He was even more cheerful and cheerful than when he was little, taller and more handsome, and seemed even better at communicating with others.

After all these years apart, he must have gone through a lot of hard study and practice to become the formidable figure he is now, right? Hei Xin, who could associate with two such formidable figures, must be quite impressive as well, perhaps even more so than Toru and the others. With someone like him...

Would you still be willing to be with me who has “not changed at all”?

After watching the two go away, Pingxin turned around, smiled, and touched Koito's head, just as gentle and careful as before, as if he was treating his own treasure...

So that's how it is—

It turns out that you haven't changed, brother~

Lowering her head to accept Hira Nobu's pat, Fukumaru Koito smiled cautiously, as if she had some great treasure that she didn't want others to discover. It was a small... insignificant... feeling of secret joy.

"Come to think of it, Koito, you haven't told me your thoughts yet. Although the final outcome has long been determined, which of the three methods will you choose?"

"Please, please tell me like you did before! Which side is right and which side is wrong!"

"Um... no~"

Hirayuko smiled, patted her head, and then replied in the negative. But before Koito could get worried, he continued, "Because in life...most of the time, there's no such thing as an absolutely correct choice. So, when we make the final decision, just choose the one you believe is right."

"..."

"The only thing I can tell you is... that is, don't think afterwards, 'Oh, why didn't I do that?' or 'I should have done this then.'... It's not wrong to think that way, but I don't think it's good."

"No... Why?"

"Because if you think that way, it usually means you didn't do your best at the time, or in other words, you didn't give it your all. So my advice is... after careful consideration, make the choice you believe is right and one you won't regret~"

"!"

I, the choice I think is right, and the one I won't regret...

"...Looking at your expression, you've already thought about it, right?"

"Yes, yes! I want to do it, I want to do it! Whether it's going to school with everyone, or becoming an idol together... I will try to do it all - no, I absolutely must do it!

So please... please, Brother Pingxin, please guide me!"

"Well, I'll help you. The probability of this outcome is 100%. And the probability of you succeeding with my help... hehe, is 1000%~!"

"But...would this be too much trouble for you?"

"No buts... because this is the right choice in my eyes, the one thing I'll regret if I don't do it with all my might."

“!…I understand…Hehehe~”

This child is still as innocent and cute as before. She didn't even consider the possibility that I was just lying to her... She has been like this since she was young. Although she sometimes lacks confidence and opinions, she is more serious and hardworking than anyone else, whether it is towards study or relationships with others -

She must have been very sad when I left, maybe she cried for a long time...

No, I must have cried.

"Well, first let's exchange contact information. I'll find a time to visit you later, and then we'll discuss matters concerning studies and idols with your uncle and aunt. If we get permission sooner, we'll have more time to make use of it and it will be more convenient for us to carry out activities. And..."

Leaving the private school (cram school) and letting him provide one-on-one tutoring will give Fukumaru Koito more free time. After getting her parents' permission, she can also start idol training. However, she will have to see if the company is reliable before making further plans.

"I always feel like Ping Xin brother is still the same as before——"

"Where exactly?"

"He's always reliable, always has a plan... He's always thinking of things I wouldn't have thought of. Even today, some of his childhood quotes make perfect sense to me, even to the point where I can't quite grasp them. So... I think, 'That's amazing!'..."

"Yeah...it's okay to praise me a few more times, okay?"

"Hehe, that's a little different... I used to be more modest."

"After all, I'm really good now, so it's good to have a little confidence in myself... And you made a mistake in one place, Koito-chan~"

"Eh, really?"

"Well... that means you're amazing too, Koito. You've put in so much effort all this time. I don't understand it, but I can imagine it, so you're amazing too... And you'll become even more amazing in the future. Maybe... you'll be as amazing as me~"

“R-Really?!”

Looking at her sparkling eyes, Ping Xin replied with a smile.

"Of course... As long as you work hard, there is hope."

But Toru really did it, a grown man sneaking into a girl group and stuff like that—

You... you are worthy of being my companion who has agreed to be the harem king together since childhood!

Chapter 101: The Unfinished Song Connecting Thoughts

"...I failed—"

Mingming found five mentors and friends, practiced day and night, and spent six months full of sweat and hard work with everyone. He also has so many fans and supporters...

"Yukina-san..."

But I failed, failed to break through the elimination round of the Eastern Division, and failed to enter the finals of Future World Fes——

"Yukina..."

Even I am full of confidence in music, but is there still something missing?

"Yukina-san..."

"Yukina-senpai..."

Tears flowed from her eyes. Even though she was known as an aloof singer, Minato Yukina actually had a delicate and soft heart. Otherwise, how could she write such a touching song?

"I failed..."

Yes, she failed. Only two of the three judges in the elimination round gave her a pass, while one gave her a fail. Even with a 2/3 approval rating, it was still a fail.

What's more, he was known as the most talented musician in modern times. He was only known by the code name PhoeniX and was a weirdo who never showed a single inch of skin even during performances.

But he is also recognized by everyone as the purest musician.

For the sake of fame, he hides all his information.

Not for profit, he released the copyright of the songs and donated all the related income to people in need.

Just for the music—

He never appeared in any situation that was not related to music, and never talked about any issue that was not related to music.

Even if she was rejected by her own father, she wouldn't be as sad as she is now. But does Yukina, who was rejected by PhoeniX, and the music that was rejected by PhoeniX, really have any value in existence?

"You haven't failed...anyone but me would have given you a pass."

Yuki, who had just been crying silently with her head in her hands, raised her head at that moment. Only then did she see the man in black tights who appeared beside her and handed her a few tissues. We can easily know his identity from the mask with a firebird pattern on it.

She looked at her teammates in surprise. Such a person had clearly come to their lounge but they didn't tell her. Why were they just watching? Didn't they really see it?

Feeling somewhat embarrassed and puzzled, she wiped away her tears. The sadness and confusion in her heart were somewhat diluted by the surprise. Then she remembered that everyone seemed to be calling her quietly just now. She just thought it was a comfort and ignored it because she was heartbroken. What a misunderstanding——

"Um...what did you mean by that?"

Seeing that childhood sweetheart Yuki was not in good condition, the usually calm Hikawa Sayo's hands were shaking and it seemed that she was not very good at playing the guitar this time. Not to mention the other super socially anxious Shirogane Rinko, and the middle school girl Udagawa Ako had better not speak, so Lisa Imai took the initiative to ask questions.

"I just came to explain why I didn't pass... I'm sure you, the fans, and the other judges here all have questions. I've already explained what I said before, but seeing you all so upset just now, I gave you some time to calm down. Sorry—"

An androgynous voice comes from behind the mask or somewhere else, their height and body shape often change, and their faces have never been revealed, so many people regard PhoeniX as a group or an organization rather than an individual.

But no matter what, although he/she is dressed strangely, he/she is probably a good person, Lisa made her own judgment.

"The song 'LOUDER' you just sang was fantastic. It's a song we haven't seen before, but it's probably the most complete song ever. You must have been preparing for it for a long time, right?"

"Yes...yes!" Saya answered loudly but nervously.

Hikawa Sayo didn't know how to answer, because at this moment she was extremely excited. She believed that what even her genius twin sister Hina couldn't do, the person in front of her could do, so she could even be said to be a role model and a role model.