The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"No, no, no, no, no, ah... Sorry, senpai. I just feel that I'm really not good at being a maid. Even if I participate in the cultural festival, I won't be of any use."

Ah, that’s it. Compared to the celebrities on TV, the success of my classmates is more difficult to accept.

"Is there anything strange about this?"

"Yeah...that's true. I'm just like that anyway. I'm ugly, I don't speak well, and I'm bad at studying and sports..." She didn't expect that this time she couldn't even get comfort from Ping Xin, which made her very disappointed.

Hei Xin stopped him mid-sentence, using his free hand from cooking to pick up the fried chicken he was holding with his chopsticks.

Fried chicken nuggets?

Chapter 94: The End of Their Cultural Festival

There were also some slightly scalded fried chicken nuggets, their golden, crispy skin concealing juicy, white meat. The dopamine rush of favorite food and favorite people finally pulled Goto Ichiri out of his somewhat self-destructive mood.

"Chicken nuggets...but why?"

There weren't any fried chicken nuggets on the menu here, so why are they on it now?

"That's because I made it secretly, of course... After all, you really like eating this, don't you?"

Eh, for me...?

...【Especially】for【me】?!

For a moment, Goto Ichiri didn't know what to do. Fortunately, he just stood there chewing and savoring the juicy fried chicken in his mouth, watching Hiranobu make a perfect omurice dish at an amazing speed while she took the time to feed him.

"You should be feeling better now, can you listen to me for a few words?"

"Eh..." She was slightly surprised as she focused on his back, her mind empty. "Well - of course!"

"Huhu... Sure enough, it's fun to slack off while others are working, and eating your favorite food at the same time, which makes it even happier, isn't it?"

After teasing Goto Ichiri a little, Hirayuko continued to cook while giving her some advice, as if chatting: "Maybe you really aren't suited to being a maid, and you can't become a chef like me, but isn't that normal?"

"ordinary...?"

For Goto Ichiri, perhaps "ordinary" is a very good word, because at least when described in this way she can regard herself as an ordinary person.

"A king has his own talents, a chef has his own talents..."

"Dio's line..."

When Hirayoshi heard Goto Ichiri accurately state the source, he stopped moving for a moment because of surprise, but it was only a moment. After all, he quickly remembered that he had already given the story of JOJO to the world.

I just didn't expect that Goto Ichiri would also watch and memorize the lines in the movie carefully. Is this kind of charm really something that everyone, young or old, men or women, will care about?

"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. While you might not be a qualified maid, you're still a guitar hero, the lead guitarist of the band. You're not a complete failure, but a person with real talent and achievements... I can guarantee that."

"senior......"

When Goto Ichiri is with Hirayobu, he always feels a sense of security from the bottom of his heart. There is a "mutual understanding" between the two people who are both in the negative role, the mutual attraction between the guitarist and the socially anxious person, and the natural attraction between men and women.

Although everything was wonderful and comfortable when she was with Ping Xin, she also felt a little unwilling, an unwillingness that made her practice guitar for two more hours than before.

If you feel very comfortable getting along with someone and everything seems to be going well, then the other person is often superior to you in terms of strength and emotional intelligence, so they can tolerate you like this.

I want to be pampered but I don’t want to be pampered like a child. I want to be protected but I don’t want to be protected like a child. I want to be praised for being cute but I don’t want to be praised like a child.

Human emotions are always very complicated, and women's emotions are even more complicated, and girls in love are the most extreme. Even Goto Ichiri will become entangled at such times.

But now she...

Do you really have the qualifications to walk shoulder to shoulder with your predecessors?

Goto Ichiri didn't want to give the answer, but no matter who said it, even if it was her own evaluation, the final result would most likely be negative, and a complete negation.

"What's wrong? Why are you showing that expression again?"

I don't know how long I stood there, but when I came to my senses, Ping Xin had already turned off the stove, then leaned back casually, looking at her face with a smile.

"Senior, is the cooking matter okay? Am I getting in your way?!"

The more I think about it afterwards, the more guilty I feel, and the more I compare myself to others, the more inferior I feel. But it is precisely because they are so dazzling that I yearn for them and pursue them, even if I know I don’t deserve them, I still want to pursue them even if it means getting hurt!

"No, we just ran out of ingredients. After we finish serving these guests outside, we can go home as usual. It's really relaxing~"

No, you who can finish nearly a hundred servings of food in two hours, and Hong Xia senior, Kita-chan and others who can attract so many customers, no matter who they are, they are not ordinary at all, right?

She habitually looked at her nose and shoes, but today Goto Ichiri couldn't do that because Heishin lifted her chin with his hand, forcing her to look directly into those dark pupils.

"Then let's get back to the topic... Actually, there's really nothing to worry about—"

Hey, what do you mean?

"No one is born omniscient and omnipotent. You envy those who have put in so much effort and sweat behind the scenes. Just like you, other people can't imagine how much effort you put into practicing guitar, right?"

"But, I..."

"No buts!" Ping Xin was unusually angry. "If you want to do something, you should muster up the courage to try, and then go for it. Regardless of whether you have talent or opportunity, you should do your best to strive for a result you won't regret—"

"I won't regret it...the result." Goto Ichiri thought thoughtfully.

“If you don’t want to look back on your life with regrets when you’re old, if you really want to do something, if you really love something, then you should take action!”

Goto Ichiri didn't know why Hira Nobu was so excited, but it must have something to do with his inner thoughts. After hearing these words, she suddenly became curious about Hira Nobu's inner thoughts.

"If you are really interested in maids or cooking, and if you feel embarrassed or inconvenient to ask others for help, you can always come to me. I will make time for you..."

"senior......"

"So don't give up easily, don't blame yourself—

Like I once said: 'If you don't believe in yourself, believe in me who believes in you'...right?"

Goto Ichiri certainly knew this and was deeply impressed by it, but...

The face is too close!!!

"Hello, hey...Ah, he fainted. How am I supposed to explain this..."

Amidst everyone's surprised expressions, Goto Ichiri was carried out of the kitchen by Hiranobu in a princess-like posture.

......

...

..

"There are less than 30 minutes left until the live begins. Let's relax a bit and then get back on track~!"

"Oh——!" x3

"...Oh~?"

Hey, are we going on stage already?

Goto Ichiri, who had just returned from his dream, was still in a daze——

I'm going to perform at the Shengxiang Festival, is that true?

Chapter 95 and the End of Their Cultural Festival

"Wow~~~~"

Peeking out from behind the scenes at the stage and the audience, Ijichi Hongxia couldn't help but sigh and started to feel a little nervous.

"I visited yesterday, but isn't the Shengxiang Middle School gymnasium a bit too big? And how many people are there that have packed it all in?!"

When she came here to watch the JOJO stage play before, Shengxiang’s studio had already left a deep impression on Hongxia, but she didn’t expect that there were other masters here.

"After all, the Shengxiang Festival lasts a long time and attracts a large number of people. Besides the students of our school and the visiting middle school students, there are also people from the public besides family members, and even scouts and major companies come here to observe and poach talents.

As for the number of people in the venue right now...it's definitely over a thousand."

“Oh, I see… Eh—1000 people!?”

Hong Xia was so surprised and nervous that her hair started trembling rapidly. What on earth is the principle behind this? She was super curious.

"Don't worry about the quality of the performance. It's fully equipped with the latest and greatest screens, sound systems, and stage equipment. Even in the last row, you can enjoy the performance. Everyone will be able to see every move on the stage clearly~"

"That's not the question... And wouldn't that make me even more nervous? Brother Pingxin, you're really playing tricks on me again!"

Even Hong Xia, whose tolerance is so strong that she can be called maternal, will occasionally get really angry, but even at this time she will only hit you lightly. To be honest, isn't this just acting like a spoiled child?

Loli mom, actually cute!

*Commander-in-Chief, when did you come?

"Speaking of which, your family will be here today, right? If you want them to witness it with their own eyes, it would be best to give them a heads-up and take them to the special seats ahead of time~"

"Yes...but is this okay?"

"Hehehe...In Shengxiang Middle School, my rights are unlimited!"

Hirayuko knew Goto Ichiri was worried about whether she could perform in front of so many people, whether she could show her achievements to her family. But that was precisely why he didn't point it out, didn't blindly encourage her.

This was a challenge she had to go through, a threshold to her future, a moment for her to transform from a chrysalis into a butterfly. No one else should or could interfere with her challenge, especially not him, who could truly influence the outcome...

So Hiranobu just patted Goto Ichiri on the shoulder, looked straight into her eyes, and fully demonstrated his trust and encouragement. That was enough.

"Speaking of which, where are Liang's parents? They haven't come to see you once since the band ended. Didn't you tell them about what happened this time?"

"...Next time, definitely next time."

It may not be the same next time, right?

Seeing Yamada Ryo's expression and guilty conscience, Pingxin knew that the old man was grumbling again, but he couldn't just interfere in other people's family affairs. Just like the test Goto Ichiri faced just now, this was also a difficulty that only Ryo could overcome on his own.

Yamada Ryo's family cannot be said to be wealthy, but as they run a hospital, they are very good in terms of financial resources and social status. They are basically the pinnacle of ordinary people (who are not involved in any black or white things).

Ryo's parents, both high-level intellectuals, unexpectedly doted on her when she was a child. However, the 10-year-old Yamada Ryo rebelled and began to get involved in rock music, which was completely opposite to her parents' interests.

But her open-minded parents did not criticize her outright, nor did they say anything like "I am your father/mother, so you should listen to me." They just respected Yamada Ryo and neither encouraged nor explicitly opposed her.

This resulted in Liang, who was originally determined to go against them, having plenty of pocket money from his family and a good education, so he couldn't turn his back on them and keep his distance, but he also couldn't give up his favorite music and follow their arrangements. He was stuck there, unable to move forward or backward.

"Ryo's grades are steadily improving, and the band has also achieved a lot. I think now might be a good opportunity to talk to your parents again—" Ping Xin persuaded earnestly.

Liang and C&C have happy families in different situations, and Pingxin has met his father-in-law and mother-in-law several times and confirmed that they are good parents and have a good relationship with them.

Therefore, this time he will not use various agreements and benefits to coerce and induce the other party to cut ties on their own initiative as he did in the past. Instead, he will persuade Yamada Ryo to cherish her parents who can understand her.

"Let's talk... I'll find a chance."

Although it seemed that Yamada Ryo was trying to delay, Ping Xin could also feel that she was not lying and was indeed determined, so he didn't need to say anything more.

Needless to say, Ijichi Nijika's older sister runs a livehouse. And Ijichi Hoshika will be bringing Hiroi Kikuri to the show soon. After all, they're university seniors, so it makes sense for her to help out, right?

"Then finally..."

"Hey, Senior, why are you looking at me like that? If it's my family..."

Kita Ikuyo, the last one left, hesitated when she spoke. She hadn't expected the senior to pay attention to her parents, but she didn't know whether she should be happy to be mentioned in this situation.

Because his parents are civil servants and his mother is a meticulous person, they are opposed to Kita's dream of becoming a band member in the future and hope that Kita will aim to continue his studies.

Because his parents (mainly his mother) did not support him, Kita rarely mentioned the band at home, and would hide in a cardboard box when practicing singing. He never expected that there would be two "skin-suit people" in such a small band, it turned out to be a coincidence.

From the names of her mother Kitoku Ruyo and herself Ikuyo, we can tell that her mother is not only strict in character, but also a bit old-fashioned.

But judging from the fact that she agreed to the father giving his daughter such a funny name, she should not be so stubborn. She is probably more inclined to the type of person who believes that seeing is believing and speaking the truth.

But this is even more strange. Ping Xin has been tutoring the students, and Kita, who originally had good grades, has also improved. The band has also made visible progress. Why is it not working...

Facing Hiranobu's questioning gaze, Kita Ikuyo chose to change the subject—

What would happen if the senior knew that her mother continued to oppose her band activities because she suspected that she was in a relationship and was worried that the senior, a scumbag, would take action?

Maybe things will get better, but more likely they will get worse, so she can only try to change her mother's mindset bit by bit, but what should she do in the end...

Chapter 96: End of the Band's Sacred Festival

"Yudai, if you can't solve the problem yourself, just come to me... If boys are inconvenient, the band's 'family' can also be relied on."

"...yes!"

Kita responded with a smile.

Although they can also turn from a band family into a real family depending on the situation, this is still unknown, and now they only have one thing to do -

"Okay... then it's almost time to head backstage for final preparations and confirmations. Let's all head to the lounge for the final mobilization."