The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"Well... I'll wait for you to bring your people over. We can discuss it in detail after the confrontation is over."

"Okay, Ayako won't let you down. After all, she's the 'second best drummer in the world'... By the way, what about our order? How about rock-paper-scissors? 1, 2... 3"

Ah, I won—

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

Chapter 72: Poaching

"Yeah, Bang... Actually, this is my first time—"

"Speaking of which, where's your instrument? Or are you a dedicated singer like me?"

“......Ah——” Ping Xin stood there in a daze.

"...You didn't remember it until now, did you?" Minato Yukina felt like he was suddenly deflated.

After all, it's hard to simply say you like or dislike someone like Ping Xin. There are times when you like him and others when you dislike him, but there are also times when you love and hate him. Of course, putting aside his personality and appearance, the constant stream of his performances is enough to catch people off guard and make them feel a mixture of love and hate.

*This kid might be able to play opposite Gotham's richest man (

Although Ping Xin's main alias is a lone legend with a thousand martial arts skills and a one-man army, he still needs to have something to work with. He can't just go on stage and perform air music, right?! If he does that, he'll definitely cry before the audience can even laugh...

"Now I can only borrow someone temporarily. Do you know anyone who can help me with the backstage band?"

"No acquaintances, but there is one stranger, and he seems quite easy to talk to..."

Yukina:?

Please turn on the microphone to communicate, thank you!

Although she didn't understand Ping Xin's riddle, she just followed it. After all, she didn't want to win unfairly.

"excuse me..."

Just as they were about to knock on the door, Hirashin and Yuki heard an argument in the backstage lounge.

"...No! I can't cooperate with you anymore!!"

Could this even lead to an incident? After all, we're bandmates. How can we just go to hell and leave tonight? ... Ping Xin would soon realize that he was too naive. After all, not every band was as united as Afterglow.

"I'm just stating the truth—practice like this won't lead to anything going forward. We need to change the band's overall mindset. No matter how we try to muddle through with performances, if we don't raise our fundamentals, we'll definitely be overtaken by the bands that come after us. Did you see the audience's reaction just now?"

The second voice was cold, yet tinged with a subtle emotion, like a flame frozen in a cold crystal, creating a contradictory and unreal beauty. Ping Xin realized that this was precisely the purpose of his trip.

"But...even so, we're still high school students, right? Ever since you joined, everyone's been so busy with practice and schoolwork that they haven't even had time to sleep!"

"...Saya, I understand your ideals. But besides band skills, don't you have anything else important?"

"...No, I only have the guitar! If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have spent the time and energy to form a group—"

dong dong dong-

"...Excuse me, please!"

Ping Xin deliberately knocked hard on the door, interrupting the unpleasant conversation. After all, if they really had to part ways, surely amicable separation would be best? Besides making the scene more appealing, it could also be a favor. Thanks to his observations of humans in two lifetimes, Ping Xin still had some confidence in his timing.

"You are... the gentleman from before. What's wrong? Is there something wrong with your health?"

That gentleman... I'm just a high school student. No, now's not the time to complain, Ping Xin looked away and said with a very arrogant look -

"...My name is Asuka Ma Heishin. Anyway, I'm here to recruit you. Miss Hikawa Sayo, you can just call me Heishin."

"...Do you also want to form your own band? This... Heishin-san."

Hikawa Sayo's brow furrowed slightly, clearly not understanding the situation. It was no surprise, considering even Yukina, who had been with him all the way, had no idea what to do, as she was already considering how to fight Hirayobu and Hikawa Sayo if they were both on stage.

"...someone does want to form a band, but it's not me but...this person—"

Ping Xin slightly moved aside, revealing the solitary singer behind him whose figure was completely covered by him (155cm)

"What? It's that Yukina?! Doesn't she always travel alone?!"

One of Hikawa Sayo's short-haired teammates exclaimed.

"Minato Yuuki...even I've heard of it—but I'm still a member of this band, so I need to discuss it with my current teammates."

"Saya..."

Seeing that Hikawa Sayo actually considered their feelings, the team members felt much better. Now that they thought about it, even though Hikawa Sayo could sometimes seem a little unkind, she still helped them a lot. Furthermore, her "criticism" was, in a sense, quite fair. After all, their skills were truly lacking, and they hadn't fully integrated their opinions when they first brought her in, which ultimately led to this situation.

"...Saya, our current strength is indeed unable to meet your requirements, so we respect your opinion...Isn't everyone else thinking the same?"

The remaining four people exchanged glances and successfully reached a consensus, even the one who had argued the loudest and was the most emotional just now.

As expected, everyone is happy to save face for each other as long as they're given a way out... It seems that no matter which country, people always compromise, Ping Xin thought.

"I understand... Then, from today on, I will officially be leaving the team. Thank you all for your care so far. I apologize for your inconvenience."

Hikawa Saya, carrying her guitar case, followed Minato Yukina outside to discuss follow-up matters. Finding a guitarist who matched Yukina's philosophy was quite a surprise. While neither of them seemed particularly sociable, given their similar philosophies, they should probably get along well...right?

After watching the two walk away, Ping Xin hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak to the people in the room, "...There are many bands that have disagreements due to personal philosophies. You don't need to blame yourself. After all, everyone pursues different things.

...Whether you're just an amateur enjoying band activities or aspiring to become a professional band member, I think just enjoying the music itself is enough. Being able to tolerate and acknowledge differences is also a very rock spirit...

I'm sorry for saying so many self-righteous things, so I'll take my leave now——"

After bowing to them, Ping Xin closed the door and left, leaving the members in the room looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Should we...try to give it another try?"

"...I'll give it a try after I get enough sleep."

"Me too."

"Me too!"

Sometimes parting does not mean the end of a story, because it often means the beginning of one or more new stories.

......

"...During the last song, I was careless and the chord change at the end was late. I'm so sorry that you heard such a poorly done piece of music."

There was a hint of dejection in Hikawa Sayo's voice, a feeling that she was serious. But... no way, Miss Hikawa. If that's true, then you're being too arrogant! If "this level" is considered "poor," then 99% of performances in the world would be considered poor. After all, who can guarantee they won't make mistakes?

"! It's a little late, but it's so little that no one would notice."

If that could be considered a "miss," then she was really very strict with herself. Maybe I could get along with this person—at that moment, Yukina, who was always strict with herself, felt like she had found a kindred spirit.

"Your name is Saya, right? I have a suggestion... I hope you can form a band with me."

Yukina formally invited her.

"Eh? I thought you were just trying to get me out of this—"

Hikawa Sayo is a typical person who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Although she looks like a cold beauty, it does not mean that she is completely ignorant of the ways of the world.

"...Interrupting your conversation was just my own decision, but it is true that Yukina wants to recruit people to form a band... I'm sorry to eavesdrop on your conversation, Miss Saya." Hirashin said after interrupting the conversation again.

"No, I know for sure it's because we argued too loudly, this... Heishin-san."

The serious Saya seemed a little uncomfortable with calling someone by their first name when they just met, but considering that the other party was her "benefactor" who poached her, she might as well treat it as a way to build a good relationship with her future teammates.

"Yuuki, you'll be the first to attack, don't forget the time. I'll be waiting downstairs with Sayo to enjoy your performance—"

"I understand. I will do my best!"

When it comes to things related to music and singing, Yukina Minato is always full of fighting spirit, but Hirayuma won't lose to her!

......

"Hirashin-kun...why would you poach me? I practice diligently, but I don't think I'm worth poaching."

Hikawa Sayo, who serves as the discipline committee member, has always been upright and straightforward in her speaking style.

"Nothing, just... fate. It just so happened that she was looking for band members, and we just so happened to meet here. It just so happened that an irreparable rift had developed between you and your former teammates. It's hard not to want to take action in this situation."

"I see...? But I can only give you an answer after I see Yukina Minato's performance in person."

She's quite strict with people who might be her future teammates, but she's even stricter with herself, which is not something to get angry about. Hikawa Sayo, an interesting woman—

"...By the way, can you lend me your guitar? I impulsively challenged you to a duel with your future lead singer, but you're the only guitarist I know here right now."

"?"

Hikawa Sayo now fully understood that Asuka Maheishin was a good person with a somewhat strange side.

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

Chapter 73: Professional fans should dare to make judgments!

"I'm an old fan who has been fighting in various LiveHouses for many years. I have seen K-ON, SICK HACK, Glitter☆Green, Afterglow, which famous girl band in Tokyo have I not seen?" said a male fan who looked very experienced and wore black-framed glasses.

"Oh—I wonder what this brother has to say?"

"Who is Minato Yuki? She's a lone singing diva who's incredibly famous in this area. She's been approached by talent scouts multiple times but has rejected them all. I don't need to explain her worth, right?

Who are you, ParadoX? I've never even heard of them! It seems the only recorded performance was once on Afterglow's debut day, but not many people knew about it.

Can he beat him? Of course not! Let me ask you, how can a famous singer with thousands or even tens of thousands of fans lose against a nobody?

The fan, who looked very curvy, spoke very logically, while Ping Xin, who was passing by, was very upset.

"But...isn't this too arbitrary? After all, he is the singer's rival." asked a more cautious fan.

"Then I'll put it right here... Minato Yuuki will definitely defeat ParadoX, definitely!"

Second hair? !

Pingxin wanted to fight back immediately, but considering the prospect of being surrounded and beaten up by fans, he decided to distance himself. You can have your momentary pleasure, but don't worry, because no matter the outcome, keyboard warriors will definitely help you stir up trouble.

"...Hmm? Ako, why are you hanging out with Ms. Lisa?"

Hirayama and Hikawa Sayo arrived late, and upon entering, they saw Ako and Lisa Imai happily chatting in the back row. And Rinko Shirogane... Rinko was battling her social anxiety and had no time to pay attention.

"Brother Pingxin, do you know Sister Lisa?! When I went to the dance club for club activities before, Sister Lisa said that I performed very well~"

"Yeah, Xiao Yazi is worthy of being Tomoe-san's sister. The choreography is quite innovative~"

Isn't that a bit chuunibunny? Now that you mention it, Hirayuki would love to see it if the chance arises. But you're the drummer in the band, so forget about dancing for now. And as for the dance club...is it the next school festival? For some reason, Hirayuki has a sinister feeling. Nothing's happened yet, but it feels like something's about to happen. Could this "world" of a high-fidelity stand also contain elements of the Red King? Looking at the stand in his field of vision, Hirayuki contemplates something daring.

"Speaking of which...who is this?" Lisa Imai asked, looking at Hikawa Sayo who was following behind Hirayobu without saying a word.

"Ah, it's the sister we met before!" Yazi said in surprise.

"This is Hikawa Sayo, Yukina Minato's... quasi-teammate? The future guitarist. Second, this is Imai Lisa, Yukina's good friend. This is my neighbor's sister, Udagawa Ako, and her friend Shirogane Rinko." Hirashin introduced several people one by one. This is when the middleman comes into play.

*In reality, it's possible that the two families lived a few hundred meters apart. The concept of a "Dongguo" community is somewhat different from the more common concept of a neighborhood. Pingxin refers to the "next door" because of the "girl next door." It's clear that what he says isn't necessarily completely true, so please keep this in mind.

"Hello, I'm Hikawa Sayo. Currently... I'm a solo guitarist. As for forming a band... I'll have to see it in person before I can give you an answer."

Hikawa Sayo's response was concise and powerful, neither seeming distant nor fawning. In just a few words, she managed to convey the impression of a person with considerable personality. This, coupled with the unique nature of her identity, immediately captured the attention of the people present.

"Hello, I'm Yukina's childhood sweetheart, Lisa Imai."

Is she hiding it? Was she worried her bass skills weren't enough, so she didn't directly claim to be the bass player? Judging from her expression, there's no conflict between Lisa and Sayo's roles. Add to that the "string scratches" on her nails, and Hirashin can easily guess that Lisa Imai practices bass.

"Hello! I'm Udagawa Ako! I'm good at the jazz drums, and I'm currently looking for band members!"

Ako Ueda was so excited that she even forgot her own middle school character, although to her it seemed to be just a cool performance.

"...Nice to meet you. I'm Shirogane Rinko."

After that, there's no further information. It seems that Shirogane Rinko's social anxiety is even more deeply rooted than Hirayama's. Background +1.

Wait, this person seems to be my classmate Shirogane. What a coincidence! I didn't expect to see a classmate in a place like this. Just like Heishin said, there really are so many coincidences... Maybe today will be her lucky day?

*Hiroshiwa Sayo is just an ordinary girl besides playing guitar, so it’s reasonable for her to have such cute thoughts, right?

And so, the five people in the future Roselia met for the first time—

Yukina Minato: What about me?

"...By the way, Ako, I've already arranged an internal referral for you. As long as you pass the interviews with Minato Yukina and Miss Hikawa Sayo, you'll be able to join them."

"Really? Thank you, Ping Xin brother!"

Ako excitedly embraced him, and Pingxin spun him around before putting him down. Their interactions sometimes resembled those of father and daughter, sometimes siblings, and oftentimes, peers. It's easy to say that magical people always have magical ways of communicating.

"Hirinobu-kun, I haven't confirmed joining Minato-kun's band yet. Besides, can such a young child really get our approval? Yukina and I are not kidding."

Hikawa Sayo frowned. As the discipline committee member, she naturally had absolute suppressive power over lively little girls like Ako when she was angry.