A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"...He said that in order not to affect your work, he would wait until you finished filming before telling you."

Although she did not directly say what Chihaya Tetsuya wanted to convey, she still conveyed the reason for the other party's delay to Hoshino Ai truthfully.

"But judging from your reaction just now... even if I didn't say it, you probably already know what's going on, right?"

"…………"

After hearing Sankaku Hatsuka's ambiguous answer, Hoshino Ai's eyes and expression began to fall into confusion.

Joy, anxiety, uneasiness, panic, eagerness, madness...

An increasingly dangerous aura emanated from those purple eyes, causing Sanjiao Chuhua to feel unprecedented pressure.

But... it was precisely because of Hoshino Ai's extremely shaken state at the moment that Sanjiao Chuhua felt for the first time that he had come into contact with the truth and essence of this partner.

Her magical charm may indeed be an unquestionable talent, but... her cute, innocent and impeccable idol temperament may just be a disguise she uses to protect herself.

She is not a god, nor is she a natural idol... She is just a girl with a slightly complicated experience.

Thinking of this, Sanjiao Chuhua couldn't help but sigh slightly.

There are still five days until Golden Week... which is also when they will finish filming.

Could she really endure this longing that almost tore her apart for five days?

And when she heard Mr. Chihaya's words that were so brief that they were almost a farewell, could her fragile heart really bear it?

"...Xiangzi, please bless me, nothing will happen next... Even if something does happen, please don't let the blood splash on me..."

Feeling the "active volcano" beside him that could erupt at any time, Sanjiao Chuhua couldn't help but pray devoutly in his heart.

Chapter 24: Stay Here Forever

"Brother, you are back!"

When Chihaya Tetsuya returned home, Chihaya Aine, who had been waiting in the living room for a long time, immediately jumped up and down to greet him.

"I'm telling you, I just finished a new song! Do you want to listen to it?"

"What... so fast?"

Chihaya Tetsu couldn't help but feel a little shocked at his sister's incredible speed of progress.

"It's only been less than a day..."

"Oh, don't worry about it, just sit here first!"

Chihaya Aine forcibly dragged Chihaya Tetsuya, who hadn't had time to change clothes, to the sofa—

"Wow, so light..."

After successfully pressing her brother onto the sofa, Chihaya Aine couldn't help but make a small complaint.

"Brother, do you really eat well?"

"Of course. You should know my appetite best, right?"

Faced with his sister's question, Chihaya Tetsu couldn't help but shook his head.

"I just can't gain weight."

"That sounds really infuriating. Just be thankful that I'm a slim girl."

Chihaya Aine curled her lips, then picked up the guitar and stood in front of Chihaya Tetsuya seriously.

"Next, let the future top guitarist ANON-chan sing a song for my favorite brother!"

After that, she picked up the guitar and prepared to start her performance -

thump—

"……what?"

An extremely strange and muffled sound floated out from her fingertips, making the already not-so-serious atmosphere even more ridiculous.

"What's going on...ah, it turns out my left hand accidentally pressed it! Wait, that doesn't count! Try again!"

After saying that, Chihaya Aine straightened her posture again and began her second attempt——

thump~

An even more out-of-tune tremolo sounded, and this time, Chihaya Aine immediately realized the problem.

"Oops! I accidentally scratched it with my nail!"

"……puff."

Even Chihaya Tetsuya, who is extremely calm and composed, couldn't help but laugh out loud after seeing his sister's series of actions.

“Aine…are you deliberately trying to make me happy?”

"No!!!"

Chihaya Aine's face had turned red due to her repeated mistakes.

"I just wanted to let you know that I was really practicing!"

"Even if you weren't so eager to show it, I would still believe you."

"It's not just because of this, I mainly want you to listen to this song!"

After that, she took a deep breath and finally started playing seriously -

I'm laying here dreaming Staring at the ceiling

Wasting the day away

The world's flying by our window outside

But hey baby thats OK

"..."

As the performance continued, Chihaya Aine gradually began to get into the mood.

Chihaya Tetsuya's expression also gradually changed from relaxation at the beginning to surprise.

Even after only one day of rehabilitation, Chihaya Aine was actually able to play the guitar normally and coherently. Not only that, she was even able to sing along normally while playing the guitar.

【Cause if you wanna go Baby let's go】(Because if you wanna go, then let's go)

If you wanna rock I am ready to roll

And if you wanna slow down

We can slow down together

The country-style guitar melody gently brings these lyrics filled with warmth and love into Chihaya Tetsuya's heart.

Looking at his sister concentrating on playing, Chihaya Tetsuya's expression gradually became moved.

Unlike the song Fengchuan had just recommended to him, although his sister's technique was still a little immature, her focused attitude while playing the song and the emotions contained in the song still touched his heart deeply.

“Is this the power of music…?”

Feeling this unprecedented freshness, Chihaya Tetsu just quietly enjoyed his sister's performance.

........................

"Okay, it's over!"

With a shout that somewhat ruined the atmosphere, Chihaya Aine put down the guitar after finishing her performance.

"How do I play, brother?"

“…It’s very exciting.”

Chihaya Tetsuya applauded his sister and said:

"For a beginner who hasn't played guitar in almost a year, this is really great."

"Really? I can't tell if you're praising me or insulting me!"

Despite saying so, Chihaya Aine still sat down next to her brother with a smile on her face.

"So, besides that, do you have any other thoughts, brother? About this song?"

"Besides that..."

Chihaya Tetsuya thought for a moment, then said:

"The meaning of this song should be that you hope I can spend more time with you at home, right?"

"That's what I meant, but that's not the point!"

After hearing this, Chihaya Aine immediately bumped him lightly with her shoulder.

"I know you're a remarkable genius, and you'll be faced with many difficult and arduous tasks like this one. As your younger sister, I can't help you with your work, but... whenever you feel tired or want to rest, I'll be here waiting for you."

"Whether you want to lie at home all day or go out for a meaningless walk, as long as it's what you want to do, I will definitely accompany you! This is the only thing I, a useless person, can promise you."

“Aine…”

Hearing his sister's serious and warm "confession", Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but feel warm in his heart.

Both Toyokawa and Aine expressed their concern and support for him in their own ways. In this situation, if he was still as cowardly and anxious as before, he would definitely be called the most cowardly man in the world.

"Thank you, Aine."

He reached out his hand and, very rarely, took the initiative to stroke Chihaya Aine's hair.

"I won't push myself like I did last time, but... you're right. If I ever feel truly exhausted again, I'll be asking you to heal me."

"...!"

Chihaya Aine was stunned when her hair was suddenly touched.

Although she often makes some extreme physical contact with her brother, Chihaya Tetsu almost never touches her actively.

If she remembered correctly, the last time Chihaya Tetsuya touched her head was when she accidentally bumped into the door frame when she was a child.

(Hmm…even though it’s still a pat on the head, it feels…completely different from when I was a kid.)

The warmth from Chihaya Tetsuya's palm was so distinct and comfortable that Chihaya Aine subconsciously narrowed her eyes.

And… she didn’t know if it was Chihaya Aine’s illusion, but as Chihaya Tetsuya gently caressed her, she always felt as if something deep inside her body was stirring—

"Oh, by the way, Aine, your pronunciation in the English song you just sang seems a little off in a few places. It would be great if you could correct it."

"Wow! I'm still enjoying the long-lost touch from my brother! Don't suddenly go back to serious mode!"

Chihaya Aine, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, could not help but let out a tragic cry.

"And don't you think it's cruel to tell someone who failed studying abroad that their English pronunciation isn't standard?!"

"Ah...I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize so seriously! Wouldn't that make me look even more miserable? No, as compensation for my emotional distress, you have to keep patting my head... for at least ten minutes!"

"Good good."

Looking at the spoiled girl who was lying directly in his arms, Chihaya Tetsu just chuckled, and then began to stroke her hair gently as she wished.

Perhaps he will still face countless challenges in the future, but as long as Aine is there, he will be able to persevere.

After all, no matter how much time has passed, they will always be a family, even if they are not related by blood... the feelings between them will never change...

……

At least at this moment, Chihaya Tetsuya really thought so.

Chapter 25: Pay special attention to the caller ID when answering calls at night

Although Chihaya Tetsuya had already secured a new commission from Watanabe Office, the live theme and costume requirements had yet to be finalized, leaving her unable to begin work even if she wanted to. Furthermore, Director Hasegawa's order to rest had effectively cut her off from any involvement in costume production.

However, this does not mean that Chihaya Tetsu will have nothing to do.

For example, right now, he was looking at his phone screen while carefully taking notes on a notepad.

"This is the first time I've seen someone taking notes while watching a band live..."

As Toyokawa Shoko spoke, she looked curiously at Chihaya Tetsuya's phone screen:

"By the way... what are you memorizing, Chihaya-nii?"