The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"What? It's Afterglow!"

Even Hikawa Saya, who spent most of her time practicing, knew the name. It was a girl band made up of five ninth-grade students with professional-level skills. Unfortunately, their goals were different, and there were no vacancies. Saya had once considered joining a band of that caliber and proving herself.

“Afterglow…”

Even Minato Yukina, who clocks in and out of various livehouses every day, has heard of this name. In fact, she was at their first independent live a few days ago. If they also participate in FWF, they will be a formidable opponent.

"Afterglow's jazz drummer, Tomoe Udagawa, the world's best drummer, is Ako's older sister, right? Ako's goal is to become the second best drummer in the world, second only to her sister!"

...At this point, Pingxin's heart was calm. He was not even as excited as before when someone said "Yuki will definitely beat Pingxin in seconds". Why should he compete with a child... Damn it!

Hikawa Sayo was a little hurt when she heard the word "sister" and Ako's target, but now she has to focus on the bigger picture.

*Classic "Do Big Things"

"Ahahaha - I'm just a regular guy who recently got back into bass~"

Lisa Imai flinched a little. She didn't think her skills could keep up with Yukina's pace.

"..."

Shirogane Rinko said nothing, but if you looked closely you could see that her hand holding the teacup was trembling slightly, and she was struggling inside.

"Hirashin-san, we need a companion who has the ability and ambition to step onto the Future World Fes stage with us. Shirogane-san may have won a prestigious competition, but the way she and Imai-san are acting now makes me untrustworthy."

Hikawa Sayo was moved and a little disappointed when she saw Lisa Imai who got away with it and Rinko Shirogane who didn't say a word and didn't even make eye contact. After all, how can someone who doesn't even have confidence in his own skills satisfy others?

"Don't worry, don't worry... I know you're worried that I'll force people in, but in the end they still have to be personally reviewed by you and Yukina, Sayo.

First of all, it's impossible for everyone to be born knowing how to play guitar or bass, right? Technique, to put it bluntly, is the 'marks' left by daily practice. As long as you're truly committed and find the right method, it's not difficult to learn an instrument in a month or two. Besides, Lisa and Rinko already have a foundation—"

"but......!"

"...The most important thing is that they've all found their own goals and beliefs. Since they've put so much effort into developing such exceptional skills, you should understand what Saya is saying, right? Why have you been able to persevere? What are you striving for?"

"...I understand. Please continue."

Just as Hirayobu had said, Hikawa Sayo practiced guitar so diligently because of a certain unyielding reason within her heart. If their resolve was similar to hers...then a temporary lack of skill would be acceptable.

"Ako decided to join because she saw Yukina's handsome performances and beautiful singing voice. Liza even gave up her usual fashionable manicure to help Yukina realize her dream. As for Rinko... can you speak, or should I speak for you?"

"..."

Shirogane Rinko was silent, brewing, and waiting. Now she had to make the final decision by herself.

After a nervous performance at a piano competition left her with a traumatic memory, she briefly gave up playing the piano. But as expected, love is love, and nothing can change it. Even if one can distance themselves from or escape their inner thoughts, their true feelings will never change; she still loves the piano!

When she was little, Rinko was even worse at talking to people than she is now. She couldn't even have a normal conversation with the children around her. Her only good friend was Yashiro Ruyu. However, her piano teacher taught her that she could express her feelings through the piano, which became the reason why she fell in love with the piano.

After finally emerging from the shadows of elementary school, Shirogane Rinko now only plays the piano by herself at home. But since meeting Ako, her life has become more colorful. She no longer commutes to school alone, plays online games and dungeons by herself, or secretly plays the piano when no one is home.

She wanted to change herself, but it was difficult, truly difficult. Lost in the crowd, Shirogane Rinko was like a lonely, helpless drowning person, clinging to Udagawa Ako as a lifeline. Entering the Live House, even standing near the bar, where the crowds were the least crowded, made her feel terribly uncomfortable. But in the end, she chose to stay with her friend Ako, even if it made her face turn blue.

But Platinum Rinko now wants to change, wants to try to take the first step——

A friend named Ako Udagawa gave her her initial courage, Yukina's singing opened her eyes to a new world of music, and Hirashin's two songs and the final encore with Yukina were the final weight that tipped the scales. Her former teacher taught her that music and piano could convey her feelings, and now she muster the courage to express her feelings!

If all this is "fate" as Ping Xin said, then now is the best time for her to step out of her comfort zone and face herself bravely!

"...Yuuki's singing is very...different...I've never heard music like this before...I'm very...really very moved! And...I also want to change myself, and I also want to play with Ako!" In the second half of the song, Shirogane Rinko almost screamed out her heart with a hoarse voice.

"Shirogane-san, you..."

Hikawa Sayo had never imagined such a scene—

That girl in the same class he'd never spoken to, that quiet girl with long black hair who never actively engaged in conversation, that girl who'd been alone since the start of the school year, Shirogane Rinko, she'd actually managed to "shout" out. Perhaps it was just like Hira Nobu had said, they all had their own reasons, their own determinations, they were all warriors, ready to go into battle at any moment!

"...Lisa, you're the same way, right? If you quit now, my first song of the day will be in vain—"

There are many reasons to give up, but the only reason is not to regret it. Shirogane Rinko has made her own choice and brought out her own [Awakening].

What about you, Lisa Imai?

Inspired by the courage of others, Lisa Imai also decided to take this step -

"Yuuki, I really want to give it a try!... Because I'm worried about you. Yuuki gets lost sometimes when she's alone, doesn't she? And she used to be so cute when she was little, but now she doesn't smile anymore, and I can't even find my friends..."

As Lisa spoke, her voice gradually turned into tears.

Ah...you're crying. This is a little bit difficult... Ping Xin shrank his body and tried to reduce his presence. At this time, no matter what he did, it felt inappropriate, so he chose to be a harmless little mushroom.

"...Wait, Lisa?!"

Yuki's panicked, aloof lead singer instantly transformed into a cold little girl who couldn't take care of herself and wasn't good at communicating! It's said that the fastest way to become close to someone is to share secrets, and the second fastest way is to see each other's distress. Simply put, it's like the so-called "three irons of life" -

After the lead singer's personal image was "gloriously sacrificed," the group gradually became familiar with each other through conversation, even the socially anxious Shirogane Rinko mustered up the courage to join in. Just a bunch of pretty girls chatting, Hirayuko felt completely out of place. So, he snapped his fingers, and the attendant who had been waiting outside the door wheeled in a food cart.

"Don't get too excited yet. Eat your food first or heat it up after it cools down. Let's finalize the follow-up procedures first—"

"...This is?!"

“What a nice smell…”

"Wow, this looks amazing, can I take a picture?"

"Ya Zi wants this black one, it looks very handsome!"

"..."

"...Please feel free to take whatever you like. If you don't have enough, just order more."

Ping Xin very gentlemanly asked the five girls to choose first.

"...It's just right. I'll share my thoughts before you guys choose—

First, let's consider the question of Liza, Ako, and Rinko joining the band. I've said before that I'll only offer advice and won't make decisions for you, and that's still the case. It's up to you to earn your keep through your performances.

While someone I know well is definitely better than someone I just picked up from the outside, if they lack the skills, they can only be provisional members. If a provisional member can't transform themselves and meet the requirements after my brutal training, and someone else takes their place first, don't cry and regret it. In this case, can all five of them be okay?"

Once he gets into work mode, Ping Xin can analyze the current situation as quickly as possible and weigh the pros and cons. Now, he discards all emotions as if he is negotiating a business deal, and just tells the five people the current situation in the most straightforward way.

"That's fine with me... What's Minato-san's opinion?"

Hikawa Sayo is as serious as ever.

"That's great... I'm the same way. Liza, even if you're my childhood sweetheart, I won't let you off during the review..."

"Yuukina... I understand. Half-hearted awareness will only bring about undesirable results. I will work hard!"

Lisa Imai smiled and held Yukina's hand under the table, while Hirashin next to her could see it clearly due to the height difference.

"So it's decided... My current goal is to qualify for the Future World Fes at the end of the year. It's on December 12th after Christmas, which is more than half a year away. Since we formed the band directly here without all the hassles, we have plenty of time."

*Private setting. I couldn't find the specific time when I checked, so the author made slight changes based on the rhythm of the plot.

But judging by the tone, that thing is definitely coming, right?!

as predicted--

"but...!"

Anyone want to see it? .jpg

Chapter 79 Your Names

"...But before that, the band needs to perform a few shows and build up a certain level of fame. We need to build up a certain level of fame and fans, otherwise we won't even make it past the initial preliminaries. Plus, with countries focusing on music and cultural exchange in recent years, our best option for the official qualifying rounds is to participate in one of the upcoming international music festivals."

And the target I chose is the summer music festival I mentioned earlier!"

Ping Xin struck a classic pose of a certain commander, but no one noticed because they were all eating.

"Ping Xin, is that the Tokyo Summer Music Festival that my sister and her band, Afterglow, are participating in? Could it be that Ako can perform on the same stage with my sister?!"

Ako Ueda was very excited, but she didn't know that her straightforward words touched the sore spot of another sister present.

"...Udagawa-san, if you just want to perform with your sister, then you should join their band instead of here. Our goal is to reach the top, so they are 'enemies'."

Hikawa Sayo's tone was unkind. Udagawa Ako was stunned by the sudden attack; this was not the band she had imagined (her sister's band).

"Okay, okay... Actually, they can't really be called enemies, right? After all, they've already confirmed their appearance. Just treat each other as competitors and work hard, Sayo-san." Hirashin tried to smooth things over.

"But... the registration period for the Tokyo Summer Music Festival should have passed long ago. Afterglow and the others should have been selected through the preliminaries, right?" Yukina, who often pays attention to news in the music industry, noticed a loophole in Hiranobu's words and asked.

"Leave that to me... You just need to practice and participate in live performances to gradually build your reputation. I'll naturally help you solve the rest of the problems when the time comes."

Ping Xin was as mysterious as a riddler—after all, he couldn't possibly say that this international music festival, which has been expanding in recent years, was funded by me and I invited friends from abroad to help organize it, right?! That would be a bit absurd. Even science fiction writers wouldn't easily adopt such a setting. Only Mary Sue novels and domineering boss novels would do that, right?

*The above remarks represent only Ping Xin’s personal opinions.

Seeing Yukina and Hikawa Sayo still frowning, it seems like having too high moral standards isn't conducive to making money. They definitely won't be good at operations in the future...

Ping Xin added, "Bands with talent and reputation will be invited, and in that case, they won't have to take the assessment. All I can do is find ways to recommend you for an interview, but the final result will depend on your own music."

After Ping Xin said this, the expressions of the two gradually relaxed. Even friends could not tarnish their music.

"The current tentative plan is to: perform live to gain popularity and fans → hone my skills and then participate in the Tokyo Summer Music Festival → participate in Future World Fes. This is a three-step strategy.

Anyone else having any questions so far?"

Hirayuki took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and looked at the five people gathered around the round table. The band girls stared at each other for a moment, then all turned their gazes to Minato Yukina.

"...Alright, Leader, it's time to make the final decision."

"...I think it's a good idea. It's settled—"

"Tokyo Summer Music Festival...it's such a big stage I never imagined."

"Ako will also work hard - RinRin, let's work hard together!"

"...Yeah, Xiao Yazi."

"Since everyone has no problem with it, I'll start eating too--" Ping Xin rubbed his hands together, rubbing his hands together as he worked on a whole piece of Italian crispy pork belly roll on the table, and the accompanying knife was polished to a shine.

"Wait a moment, I have one last question—"

"...Yukina?"

"Minato-kun?"

"...Please speak, the food will get cold if you don't hurry up--"

Seeing the seriousness in Yuki's eyes, Heishin put down his cutlery and waited for her questions.

"Asuka Maheishin...why are you helping us to this extent?" Minato Yukina asked this question without any concealment.

Although she did not sense any malice in Hirayuki, and the two had some differences in their understanding of music, these were understandable things after all. After listening to the entire plan, Minato Yukina suddenly realized that she knew nothing about the man in front of her. If a person really had no desires, then why would he appear here?

"Why... Firstly, this is something we agreed on beforehand, and I'm also very interested in how far your music can go. Secondly, it's purely personal. I hope you can defeat that band that's currently on the rise, Afterglow!"

"...What's going on? Aren't you their 'mentor'?"

Yuxi frowned. This... could it be some conflict of interest? Could something like what happened between them, like what happened with their father?

"Beat my sister's band? Why, Ping Xin?!"

Yazi, the sister's little fan, was also panicked. On one side was her sister, whom she loved the most and regarded as an idol, and on the other side was the big brother next door who had helped the two sisters. She was caught in a dilemma.

"It's actually very simple, because someone kicked me off the sofa--"

"...sofa?"

"...ha--?"

"Ahaha, that sounds interesting."

A completely unexpected answer, though it sounded completely nonsensical... but it wasn't unacceptable? But you two are actually close enough to sit on the same sofa... Their curiosity about Ping Xin increased.

"Mizukane, a third-year student at Hanaoka Girls' Academy who will be entering next year, the next heir to the century-old Mizukane school of flower arrangement, and the lead singer of Afterglow, logically speaking, juggling these three identities should make her life very fulfilling, even too busy to handle everything—"

But during Golden Week, he actually lay on my sofa every day, and today he even kicked me off! Is this reasonable? This is extremely unreasonable! This lazy guy is no longer an ordinary junior high school student, he must be dealt a heavy blow!

"What should I say..."

Hikawa Sayo had an expression that said "I lost".

"...What a unique reason, hahahaha—"

Even Lisa Imai couldn't help laughing.

"Come to think of it, my sister did say before that Sister Lan is indeed a bit lazy now..."

"I understand... You don't want to see them settle for the status quo, so you want us to compete with Afterglow, right? Then I'll take this commission—"

Yuki was very serious.