The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"...Don't come over here—just stand there and don't move, or I'll call for help!"

At this point, Ping Xin knew he was misunderstood again. Huh... why did you say again?

"...Sorry, I didn't mean any harm. I just ran over here thinking I'd run into an old friend. After all, usually no one else comes back to this park except me. Oh, and these cute little guys—"

Could it be that the person who sang here that day was... him?

As if to demonstrate Ping Xin's harmlessness, kittens with bright eyes emerged from branches, grass, and slides, their bellies bared with anticipation as they approached the kindhearted person they hadn't seen for a few days. Because Ping Xin often comes here to feed stray cats in exchange for the right to pet them, this once deserted little park has gradually become a gathering place for the neighborhood's cats.

"—Want to touch it?"

Noticing that the girl known as the "Lonely Songstress" standing not far away seemed to be interested, Ping Xin suddenly understood why an unexpected guest suddenly came to this usually deserted park. He hoped that she still remembered the way back.

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

Chapter 4000 Its Name is Afterglow ()

"I failed..."

Do I really look that scary?

At this moment, Ping Xin, who had just been distracted for a short time and recalled what happened last night, had this question in his mind:

After all, not only was Ran constantly saying his expression was scary, but even his sister, Asuka Matoki, who he'd spent the longest with, thought Hirayuko was a cunning, treacherous villain. Could he really have that evil face? Yet, he looked perfectly ordinary... Hirayuko sighed again, recalling his failed attempt to get an autograph from a young idol as a fan yesterday.

"But there's no time to think about those things now. After all, today is the day that determines success or failure—"

It was a make-or-break day, but it was actually Afterglow's first solo performance. While the venue was supposedly larger than their usual small LiveHouse shows, the most special thing about today was that Mizukuri's father, Mizukuri Mei, would be there to watch them.

Although Heishin felt that Mizukami would not continue to interfere with her daughter Mizukani's band activities as long as her academic performance and flower arranging skills were not affected after her daughter's health was guaranteed, Heishin had originally made this agreement to encourage the father and daughter of the Mizukani family, who had entered a cold war after their quarrel, to sit down and have a good talk, but as expected, plans can never keep up with changes.

Pingxin never expected that Mizukuran would actually muster up the courage to go alone and talk to her father Mizukurume.

Hirayuko originally thought that after the conversation, the relationship between father and daughter would have eased, and there would be no need for the clichéd "father comes to see the performance and is impressed by the child's performance" plot. Wouldn't it be wonderful to just reconcile as before? But who knew that the rebellious red highlights really lived up to their reputation. After the conversation with her father, she insisted that she must come to the performance and personally issued a "challenge" (invitation letter) to express her determination.

Afterglow's music is not as insignificant as he thinks. He will definitely use their music to convince his stubborn old father!

Wuhu~ Now, Miss Lan, who has handed over the final judgment and decision-making power to her father Mei Zhumei, will "wield the blade of rebellion" against her father today, trying to defeat her father spiritually.

So Asuka Maheishin, the witness of the father-daughter quarrel and the initiator of the reconciliation between the two, was also invited to the LiveHouse called "CiRCLE" to watch Afterglow's performance and witness the final outcome of the quarrel between the father and daughter of the Mitake family -

"But, Uncle Mizuki, you look so suspicious..."

"You're the one who looks suspicious from head to toe, Hirashin-kun..."

A young man wearing a baseball cap, mask and sunglasses, a three-piece suit that gave the impression of a suspicious person, and a prim and proper uncle wearing a mask and sunglasses, who was wearing a simple dark kimono, stared at each other in front of the door.

"...Anyway, let's go in first. It's not good to block the door."

"That's true. Then I'd like to trouble Mr. Pingxin to lead the way."

Feeling the gazes directed at him from the crowd of mostly girls, Ping Xin couldn't help but put on his hood to make himself more suspicious, and then hurriedly walked into the Live House with the newly arrived old father of the Mitake family.

"...This LiveHouse, called 'CiRCLE', is a practice and performance venue for many nearby young bands, especially girl bands. Its main clientele is young women aged 10 to 20+. The entire venue can accommodate about 500 people.

It is also one of the most famous LiveHouses in the vicinity, and of course it has all the necessary business licenses. It is also well-equipped with safety passages, alarms, emergency supplies and power supplies to deal with earthquakes, fires, typhoons, etc. Therefore, there is basically no need to worry about Lan and the others' safety here.

I think it would be better to add a security gate and deploy bodyguards, but that would be very un-Rock-ish.

"We'll consider your suggestion later. Could you please stop talking in the middle of the street? At least please remove your disguises first. A customer has already reported two suspicious-looking men to me in the store."

Do I really look like a villain? I feel like a lot of people have said that...

*I suggest you dress like a decent person before asking others.

"This ordinary-looking lady with black hair and brown eyes, who always wears a blue and white striped crew neck T-shirt, a black jacket, and jeans, regardless of the season, is Ms. Tsukishima Marina (月島まりな), a staff member here. If you come here again, you can just ask her to lead the way."

The three people present were Hira Nobu with black hair and dark eyes, Tsukishima Marina with black hair and brown eyes, and Mitake Mei with black hair and pink eyes. The person who looked the most fashionable was actually an older man?

Ping Xin, who feels disappointed with his "ordinary" appearance: I can't accept it!

"Mr. Hirayukoshi, you're always so annoying dressed like this...and you even brought friends this time. We're just here to watch a show, so why can't you dress more casually?! Also, this isn't that kind of place. What do you mean by referring to someone?!"

After leading the two away from the center of the road to a seat in the corner, Tsukishima Marina used a hand knife on Hirayobu, and then found that she could not attack?

"...How much padding did you put on, Hirashin-kun? It's true that boys develop rapidly during puberty, but aren't these 'special effects' you added too much?"

At this point, I will never complain back, Ping Xin secretly swore in his heart -

"...This is Mr. Mitake Ume, the current head of the Mitake family, a century-old school of flower arranging. This is his first time here, so I'm here to help him scout the area and pay his respects. If he gets lost here in the future, please be kind, Marina, and take care of him."

What the hell is a scouting trip or a visit to the dock? The only way we argue here is with "confrontation." This isn't some yakuza boss's place. And what's the point of getting lost? I'm not a kid anymore... This young boss is nice, but sometimes he doesn't behave or speak humanly. Marina has developed a formidable ability to read people's expressions; otherwise, how could she possibly understand this well-armed boss?

*Board: Two bands perform together, and the audience votes afterward to determine the winner. However, given the common "first move, loser" curse, whether this method is actually fair is debatable...

"Meizhu... could she be a relative of Miss Lan? Looking closely, they do look a lot like her."

Tsukishima Marina had a flash of inspiration and successfully grasped the key clue.

For Mizukami, who'd been frequenting various high-class social circles for years, it was quite new for others to think of him not as the head of the Mizukami family or a master of flower arrangement, but as "Mizukami Ran's father." This experience alone was enough to satisfy him. In a sense, he was truly a man who easily satisfied himself...

"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Meizhumei. Please take good care of me in the future." After taking off her mask and sunglasses and putting back on her glasses, Meizhulan lowered her head solemnly.

"Please...please raise your head! This is what I should do. I should be the one asking your daughter to take care of you."

Marina, who has been laughing and joking with beautiful girls here for years, has never seen such a scene. Even if she did, she would be the one bowing to others, let alone a big shot from a "century-old family" or "Bitake Ryu".

What should I do?

——Marina looked at Mitakemei who still had her head down, and mouthed something to Hirashin.

Ping Xin saw this and the corners of his mouth curled up wildly under his mask, then he silently looked away——

...This guy, isn't he too petty?!

Tsukishima Marina is a shrewd fool. Jimei encountered a vindictive boss, Guo Nan, today. Who among my family members understands?!

However, Ping Xin was not a devil. After enjoying the awkward formal conversation between the two of them (in simple terms, it was serious and full of honorifics) for a few minutes, Ping Xin finally decided to end this torture.

"...Speaking of which, the inside tickets Lan gave us come with all-you-can-drink service. Uncle Meizhumei, is there anything you'd like to drink?"

"Please let me get it for you two!"

Seeing a chance to escape, Tsukishima Marina only wanted to run away quickly, and did not think at all that she would have to return the things she took.

*Goodbye, cage!

"Although that young lady just now seemed to be as uncommunicative as you, I could tell from her attitude that she truly loves this job. I feel relieved that Lan is working with such a person."

Have you completely shed the stern father image you first encountered and transformed yourself into a taciturn daughter slave? Such a character will 100% become a comedic character later on, right?

"...Yeah, after all, everyone in this world is a good person."

"Ping Xinjun is also a very outstanding person. Isn't there a saying in your hometown: 'People who are close to vermilion will be red, and those who are close to ink will be black?'" To be able to spend every day with such outstanding people, you must be an outstanding person yourself."

"...That might be a good idea. We still have a few minutes until the show starts, so let's wait here for a while. I hope Ran and the others won't get too nervous—"

"No—since she can already say that, Mizukuri will definitely be able to do it after she grows up. After all, that child looks exactly like me when I was young."

Seeing Ping Xin's worry, Mei Zhumei, the father of the person involved, comforted him with a calm and confident look, with a hint of pride and showing off visible to the naked eye.

No, what exactly did you two talk about that day? Did you not reach a reconciliation by arranging flowers with fists (crossed out)? It's obvious that I should be on Mizukuri's side, while you're on the other side, waiting to be reformed and redeemed. How come it's the other way around? Ping Xin once again gave up thinking. Human emotions are always so unpredictable.

Taking off his baseball cap and sunglasses, Ping Xin attracted the attention of the women around him, which doubled his pressure. It seems that such a high-end place with high traffic, dense crowds, and a majority of women is too difficult for me...

Hirayuko lay on the table, waiting for the escaped Ms. Marina to bring him a cold drink.

......

Backstage, Afterglow Lounge——

"Wow, I'm so nervous..." Ordinary people usually feel pressure before going on stage, and Tsugumi Hanazawa let out a normal whine.

"Don't be so nervous...Okay, thrush a little~thrush a little~"

Aoba Moka sat leisurely on the sofa in the lounge, looking like a seasoned actress. Although she appeared completely calm, she was still a little nervous inside, but she had to be the most relaxed person in the room.

"Thrush a little...thrush a little...? Woo woo, I don't understand~!" As expected, this kind of radio wave system is still too early for ordinary people.

"Okay, since Tsugumi is so nervous, don't say weird things like that. It will just mess up her head, right?" Tomoe Ueda came to the rescue in time, successfully avoiding the Bad End caused by the sudden loss of members before going on stage.

"What's so strange about that? Mocha-chan is so relaxed. Ah... Come to think of it, Ran, you're not nervous at all. Are you getting nervous like me, Mocha-chan?"

"...After all, everyone has worked so hard, so I have to give 100%... no, 1000% of my strength."

After being beaten by society (Ping Xin), Meizhulan began to mature gradually. She faced the test without being arrogant or impatient. In time, she will surely become an excellent adult.

"So reliable~ Huh~? Lan, why do you seem so clumsy~?"

Mizukari blushed when Aoba Moka pointed out that she was actually very nervous.

"I'm sick!"

But now she really still needs to calm down. After all, this is the first time her father has come to see the performance, and it is also Afterglow's first independent live. Now she is as nervous as if she is speaking in front of parents as a student representative.

"This is the first time I've seen Lan so nervous..."

"After all, today's performance is different from usual. It's not just our first solo live, the mood is different too. There were even flower baskets outside the door."

"Ahh—you mean the two flower baskets that read 'Wishing Miss Mei Zhulan a successful performance' and 'Wishing the Sunset Red Band a successful performance, and we'll treat you to a delicious dinner tonight'—you can tell who sent them at a glance?"

"Excuse me, is Miss Mizukari from Afterglow here? Just now, your father... Anyway, an old acquaintance dressed suspiciously and a middle-aged man who was a stranger and visiting for the first time brought some gifts."

Tsukishima Marina knocked on the door and walked into the lounge holding two boxes of snacks. One couldn't help but sigh that she had to work as a receptionist and help backstage as well. She was really a hard worker.

"This... is a donut from a famous donut shop, right? They've been really popular with trendy young women lately. There's a long line every day just for this limited-edition secret recipe."

"Sniff—this smell is from the freshly baked bread from Yamabuki Bakery, right? I recognized Little Mocha right away. Heishin really knows his stuff, after all. So, the other one is..."

Everyone looked at Mei Zhulan who took the two boxes of snacks. Her face was even redder than before.

"Really... this is so embarrassing...!"

"Ahahahaha! What a good father."

Tomoe Udagawa laughed heartily. As expected of a handsome man with busty breasts, even his laugh was unique. I hope Hirayuki will watch and learn from him.

"I waited in line for a long time for this donut but I couldn't buy it! Lan's father must have put in a lot of effort to get it, right? Let me try it!" said Uehara Himari, the hottie with the best figure and the most fashion sense among the five.

If Pingxin saw this, he would definitely say that this scene was quite similar to the "Dad sends you milk" scene in the early years.

"Just don't eat too much and affect the performance later... Ah—Mocha, I saw that one first!"

After a bit of playful banter, it was time to go on stage, but Mizukari wasn't nervous at all. Standing beside her were her four most trustworthy childhood friends, who had given up their usual playtime to hone their skills, putting in the same amount of sweat and effort that no one else could!

It's okay, just perform as usual!

......

"...There are so many people here. Are they all here to see Lan and the others' performance?" Mei Zhumei, who thought her daughter was just making a fuss, was shocked by the dense crowd of audience members in front of her, with almost no space between them, as soon as she entered the performance room.

"...Of course, after all, they are Afterglow--"

This time it was finally Ping Xin's turn to be proud and complacent. After all, he almost died suddenly in order to teach them well.

As the lights shining on the stage flash, the performance officially begins!

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

Chapter 56 True Color

With a slightly relaxed guitar sound, the performance officially began——

As if responding to the guitar's call, the lead guitar, drums, bass, and keyboard burst into life one after another, their five distinct melodies gradually blending into one. The painstakingly honed playing techniques, the deep bond and understanding between these childhood friends, betrayed no trace of their hard work, and the perfectly blended sound of the five at this moment was the ultimate testament to that effort.

"...It's become quite outstanding."

"......Yes, thanks to your guidance, Hirashin-kun."

"...No—I only provided a tiny bit of help. After all, they were the ones who put in the real effort. I'm confident that even if I hadn't existed from the beginning, they would have gradually reached the pinnacle. Uncle Meizhumei, I can guarantee that the efforts they put in are absolutely beyond your imagination."

So... I didn't realize that Ran had grown into what she is now. Why didn't I notice it sooner? In the nearly pitch-black studio, only the dazzling light above the stage shone. The girl standing in the center of the five people, gleaming, was none other than his daughter.

......

変わることがとても簪かった

I'm afraid of change

Today's luck is lost and timid

You will lose your current happiness

立ち向かわないまま