The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

Chapter 49: One More Question

"So... what does brother think of Miss Eve? Do you plan to marry her?"

"Pfft—cough cough cough cough... Xiao Xiao, this isn't a surprise, it should be called a shock!"

I actually drank coffee with my nose, which was a strange experience, but this is what life is all about.

But at least don’t ask in front of others!!!

Unexpectedly, Wakamiya Eve did not show any embarrassment, but instead sat in the seat opposite the Asuka siblings.

"Are you planning to pursue me, Mr. Hirayuko? But I hope my future partner is someone with a genuine and peaceful heart. Although Mr. Hirayuko is a good person, I still prefer—"

"Bushido!" x2

Wakamiya Eve and Asuka Batoki smiled at each other, and their feelings for each other deepened. But all this was based on the persecution of Hirayobu. Should honest people be persecuted?!

"...Alright, alright. Having just said that romance comes from the unknown, I'm too embarrassed to say anything like 'absolutely impossible' now. But Eve thinks the same thing, right?

But how can most people think of getting married the first time they see someone? So-called love at first sight is just a embellished version of lust!

"Well...but my parents fell in love at first sight when they were overseas—"

"Lady Eve, this is the folding fan signed by General Yufang that we promised you. Please accept it."

Ping Xin interrupted the "witness" and attempted to bribe him in court.

"Is this General Amabo's autograph? Truly Bushido! Ahem... Well, I think it's better to get to know each other better before considering such things. But there must be true love at first sight!"

How could the real General Amabo be bribed? That's un-Bushido! Only Hirayobu loses both his wife and his army.

"Okay, okay, I get it... You can have some of my cake too. Lady Eve, could you please be quiet for a moment? A true General Yufang wouldn't interrupt a witness while he's listening."

Ping Xin rubbed his brows and pushed his Black Forest cake over.

"Oh oh—I see."

Eve Wakamiya opened her folding fan, fanned herself twice, and then began to taste the delicious Black Forest cake. Although she often had leftover cake as an employee benefit when she worked here, this did not make her feel that she had "tasted enough."

"...Anyway, I haven't thought about it! It's true that I usually look confident in everything, because having reliable sources of information makes me look powerful. But when it comes to interpersonal relationships, you know me—

I've always been the type to go with the flow (and act like a complete jerk). As for love... I'll wait until it really gets to that point. How the future will develop is forever unknown to God and the earth. Anyway, I don't know."

Ping Xin took a sip of his cappuccino and silently added two sugar cubes. Without cake, Ping Xin could only rely on other sources of sugar as a meal replacement.

"So what are you guys talking about? Did Mr. Hirashin find a girlfriend?!"

Most women are always curious about gossip, but if it involves love, then all women are likely to be interested, and Eve Wakamiya, the female warrior from Northern Europe, is no exception.

"Yes, my brother actually went against his usual norm and invited four beautiful girls, each with their own unique characteristics, to our house today. It's hard not to think of animals in spring... Excuse me, it's more about rosy youth."

"...But don't the five members of Afterglow usually visit Mr. Hiranobu's house?"

Eve said after swallowing the cake, it was obvious that this little bit was not enough to shut her mouth.

"Yes, yes. When you are little, don't become the kind of person who thinks about everything in terms of love and has a love-brained brain that is full of pink!" Ping Xin also agreed.

"That's right. Then let's include the five members of Afterglow in the discussion... Bro, who do you like?"

"oh oh--"

After hearing even more explosive gossip, Wakamiya Eve didn't even eat the cake next to her mouth. After all, how could a mere Black Forest cake be as interesting as the love gossip of an acquaintance?

"So don't be in love!"

A letter to the two "enthusiastic people" who watched the fun and did not mind making trouble, and frantically added fuel to the fire. Give each of them a knock on the head as a punishment -

Does it sound good? If it sounds good, it means you have a good brain!

"But if I have to say... it's definitely Karin. After all, being around her makes me feel safe, just like being around her when I was little. As expected, people still pursue motherhood... ahem, a sense of security (loudly)!"

But Nilu is also good, with a straightforward personality. Normally, we can get along as a friend, but when something happens, she really helps.

"It's not impossible for Asuna, but it's still a bit too difficult for me right now. If Karin hadn't been there to neutralize the 'imaginary aura', I would have been killed like a fish that has come ashore, a vampire that has been exposed to the sun, or a giant of light that has been petrified by an evil god—"

"Hmm...what's Miss Eve's opinion?"

"Hmm, General Yufang still thinks the criminal is trying to change the subject. Where are the five from Afterglow?!"

You might as well have the last name Tokugawa. Why are you so bloodthirsty? As expected, girls are irrational when it comes to love gossip. They're just like the funny roommates in the dormitory who like to stir up trouble with such things.

"A pound of pears (I have objections)! Could it be that you have feelings for the little brats next door? They are the children I raised. Can't there be pure friendship and master-disciple relationship between men and women?" Hirashin slammed the table and pointed at Wakamiya Eve in front of him... and then silently pointed at Asuka Batoki.

The prosecutor was supposed to sit across from me, but why is he sitting next to me? Is this the true story of enemies and me being one?!

"Miss Eve, what do you think?"

What do you mean? Do you think you are Li Fang?!

"Hmm... As expected -"

"Bushido!" x2

The two men high-fived and laughed, as if they were friends who had known each other for many years and had a tacit understanding. Ping Xin collapsed on the table and gave up thinking.

Ping Xin: The story of three people, yet I don't deserve a name. I shouldn't be here, I should be under the table...

Speaking of which, I have to do final practice with Afterglow, and on Sunday I'm taking Mizukuri's dad, Mizukuri Mei, to see their livehouse performance. Starting next week, I'll have to help Karin with her homework every day after school, and there's that unfinished book... So, I'm pretty busy now. When did this all start?

For some reason, Ping Xin felt a little happy.

Seeing that Ping Xin seemed to be thinking seriously, Tokiya temporarily put aside the idea that "teasing his brother is fun" and asked one last question -

"So here's the last question... Why is my brother so angry about my mistake?"

"...Is that even necessary, little fool——

Of course it’s because we are family. How could real family members just stand by and watch each other make mistakes? "

Ping Xin smiled slightly, but turned away embarrassedly after he finished speaking.

Looking at Ping Xin's profile with his eyes slightly narrowed and a smile on his lips in the sunset, Asuka Mashi felt the emotions surging in her heart at that moment, and she felt as if she understood something -

This is probably love.

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

Chapter 4000: Going to the store to buy some bread ()

After paying the bill, the Asuka siblings set out on their journey home again, though it was only a matter of crossing a block or two. As expected, when they returned home, the five members of Afterglow were practicing. Their performance today was as energetic and close as usual, but it's not good to be too tense all the time. With this in mind, Hirashin went out again and went to Yamabuki Bakery on the shopping street.

"Welcome—oh~ isn't this Ping Xinjun? What made you think of coming to my place?"

The person speaking was Yamabuki Wataru, the owner of Yamabuki Bakery. Hiranobu and her daughter, Yamabuki Saya, were old acquaintances. After all, there were only so many people their age in this shopping district, and everyone was generally familiar with each other. However, Hiranobu's relationship with Yamabuki Wataru was much better than his relationship with Mitakeume.

After all, he had traveled the West with his parents for many years in his early years. What country's bread had he not eaten? Even the mosquito cakes from Africa...that one wasn't very good, but at least he had seen it.

Pingxin believes that after meeting basic survival needs, people should learn to enjoy life. This doesn't mean extravagance and luxury, but rather knowing how to please oneself. Having just recovered from bed rest, his frail body could only support him wandering around, requiring him to consume dozens of times more nutrients daily than the average person to maintain normal activities. But he couldn't just eat high-nutrient porridge like space food every day, could he?

So, even though his health wasn't quite allowing it, Pingxin, accompanied by his little friend, went to every food-related restaurant in the area. But after trying everything, he couldn't just rest on his laurels, right? So, he went to each restaurant, "finding faults," and, relying on his rich experience, he offered his opinions.

Fortunately, he does have some insight and sometimes (along with his shadowy "shadows") provides protection. Otherwise, he would have long ago gone from a virtual e-sports player who boasts about speeding his wheelchair to a true Otto citizen. Many of Yamabuki Bakery's current products are the result of repeated refinements by Hirayobu and Yamabuki Wataru. They even sell some cakes unique to Yan Country, making them quite popular among the surrounding students.

From the beginning, the impression of Hirayukoshi on the shopping street changed from "a wealthy dog ​​owner who fell from the sky" to "a young man who was difficult to communicate with", then to "a picky and introverted boy", and finally to his current "an outstanding young man who is not good at talking". If adults are optimistic about him, they will usually encourage their children to spend more time with him. This is the starting point for Hirayukoshi's ability to get along so well with young people of similar age. However, the key to his subtle transformation into the king of children and the uncrowned king lies in...

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

After all, who wouldn't love a neighbor who treats you to food and drinks every time you see him, who has countless game consoles, CDs, and cartridges at home, and who can even give you Kamen Rider and Giant of Light suits? Moreover, once you get to know him, you can easily discover his gentle and soft nature.

He is a humble person and speaks nicely. Coming to the Heike mansion is like coming home?

No, it’s more comfortable than home!

"Good afternoon, Brother Watashi... Of course I came to the bakery to buy bread. Did I come here to buy coffee? Hahahaha——"

Ping Xin immediately began "stocking up," frantically clearing out the bread on the shelves. It could be said that after his "reviews" and improvements, all the bread in this bakery had only complementary shortcomings, not dead ends, so it was no problem to buy it blindly.

"Ahahaha—Brother Pingxin still has such a good appetite. Speaking of which, a batch of bread will be out of the oven soon. Do you want to sit here for a while and wait for the next batch? After all, bread smells best when it's fresh out of the oven."

Yamabuki Wataru also emerged from behind the counter and patted Hiraishin's arm affectionately. "Wow, you've grown so much stronger in just a while? Not bad, not bad, you're quite fit." If he's in poor health like his wife, he might have to worry about his grandson's health.

Using the business-like flattery techniques from his previous life, Ping Xin easily controlled the flow of the conversation. Though he was timid offline, he was very proactive online. But... men were, after all, easier to deal with. Ping Xin could brag and joke freely, much more easily than with women.

"Hey~ Our Bread Saint Miss is here too." Ping Xin greeted the girl with brown hair, blue eyes and a ponytail who walked in from outside.

"Why is Pingxin here? And what about the bread saint? Stop teasing me... Dad—didn't you tell me that the bread was almost out of the oven and asked me to come and see the shop? Then why are you still standing here?"

A girl carrying a schoolbag pushed open the door and walked in. It was Saya Yamabuki, the daughter of the man who had just been chatting so happily with Hirayama. As expected, most girls would throw a punch when facing their fathers, not even giving him face in front of acquaintances.

But then again, Sa Ling is also wearing a Western-style school uniform. I haven't seen a sailor uniform since I traveled through time. Could it be that this traditional school uniform, which can be said to be the symbol of Eastern students, has been eliminated? Has it really become the tears of the times? (Sad)

Pingxin cries.jpg

"Haha, then you guys start chatting first. Young people should have more topics to talk about than an old guy like me, right? Then I'll go see how the bread is baking--"

"Brother Genshi is still young and in the prime of his life. Let's work on new bread together next time when we have time!"

"Sure, sure. I'll go check out the kitchen first."

Yamabuki Watashi pushed the door open and left, leaving only Asuka Maheishin and Yamabuki Saya inside. An eerie silence descended upon the shop. This happens all the time, right? It's like when three friends hang out together, but A and B get along well, and B drags C into the group. While the three of them can talk naturally when B is around, when he's not around, the remaining two might be at a loss for words.

"How is your mother...Ms. Chihiro doing recently? Is there anything I can help you with? After all, you, your father, and I are all friends, so you're welcome..."

Pingxin evaded the question. To be honest, he didn't want to be the neighborhood auntie trying to enlighten others, but there were some things only he could bring up. There were some things he couldn't say to close family members, and even more so to strangers. He could only speak to friends and acquaintances like Pingxin, who were at the "right" distance.

"Mom is indeed feeling much better after taking the supplements you sent me. I often make her medicinal meals according to the Yan Country secret recipes Brother Pingxin gave her, and she's feeling much better now—thank you so much!"

Yamabuki Saya gave Hirayobu a perfect 90-degree bow, which, emotionally speaking, was a great gesture. Hirayobu neither dodged nor declined; doing so at this moment would have been disrespectful. Furthermore, from a purely mundane perspective, accepting thanks or even gifts after helping others is the proper thing to do; it would have made both parties feel better.

"Is that so... So CHiSPA is really closing down? When you came to me for drum lessons, you said you were looking forward to playing with those three friends."

Hearing Hiranobu's blunt question, Saaya couldn't help but cross her arms. Hidden behind the counter, her left thumb wrinkled the right sleeve of her school uniform.

"..."

"Well... I don't mean to blame you. After all, I only taught you the basics and got you started. The rest of the skills are all the result of your own hard work... I just feel it's a bit regrettable. Can you accept this?

Moreover, you are willing to give up your time with friends outside for your mother who is in poor health, and come back home to help with housework, run the store, and take care of your younger siblings. I personally admire your behavior very much.

I'm not saying this to force you to do anything, I just hope you can think more about yourself besides your family. Your parents, brothers and sisters definitely don't want to see you with any regrets..."

I'm the one who did something wrong, so why are you so nervous, Hirashin-san? You're just like everyone in the shopping district says, a "strangely nice guy." Thinking of this, Yamabuki Saya felt better, and her expression gradually returned to her usual gentle and cheerful self.

"Thank you for your concern, Hirashin-san...but this decision is the result of careful consideration. Although I feel sorry for Xia Xi, Zhenjie, Wenhua, and you who taught me, I don't regret it. Rather, if one day I see my overworked mother lying in a hospital bed, then I will regret it so much that I want to die!"

Yamabuki Saya spoke her heart out face to face, eye to eye.

What? Doesn't this make me look like a bad guy? If that's the case, then I'll just be a bad guy to the end—

"...If you really feel sorry, then make a promise with me."

"...A promise?"

"You're in your third year of middle school now. By this time next year, you'll likely have been promoted directly from the middle school department to the high school department of Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy. By then, you'll surely be able to see a different landscape than you do now, right?"

"you mean...?"

"I hope that when you're in high school or even college...if a friend asks you to form a band again, I hope you won't refuse outright—at least give it a try.

Auntie's health is gradually improving, and once your brothers and sisters grow up, they should be able to help her share some of the pressure. It's not nice to say this, but you can't stay here forever, right? Even if this is your home.

Of course, I won't deliberately arrange for others to get close to you or urge you to "get back together" with your former teammates. After all, I really hate forcing others to do anything, especially my friends.

Pingxin spread his hands. He had done everything he could. Now it all depended on the person's wishes.

"But...is this okay? Because—"

Yamabuki Saya seemed very hesitant, her heart wavering. After all, it had come to this, who wouldn't be moved? As expected, there were many good children in this world, so they were the most likely to be "deceived" by him who had inherited the dark will of his previous life.

"First of all... no matter what decision you make in the end, whether it's suffering or letting go, it's your own life, your own story, and I have no right to interfere.

Secondly...if people really like something from the bottom of their hearts, then no matter what job they do or where they are, there will always be a place for that thing in their hearts, and there will always be a sparkle in their eyes.

Yamabuki Saya, there is something like this in your eyes—"

Can I see it in my eyes? A love for music, a love for playing the drums, or a love for the act of working together with friends towards a goal?

"Yohoo! Here comes some freshly baked, steaming hot bread... Why do you all have those expressions?"

Yamabuki Wataru, wearing heat-insulating gloves and clutching a large basket of freshly baked bread, entered from the back door. He looked in surprise at his daughter and her reliable friend. But their expressions didn't seem like they were arguing, did they? Could someone explain what was going on? The old father, completely unable to keep up, could only stare blankly at Hirayuko, attempting to communicate in secret.