A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"…So what?"

The costume chosen by Hoshino Ai was the exclusive performance costume designed for her by Chihaya Tetsuya.

On the other side, although Sanjiao Chuhua had not changed her clothes yet, the black starry sky-themed dress had already been placed on her seat.

"Since you said you'd be performing under the name [Summer Zodiac], then you should at least show some respect, right?"

Having said that, Hoshino Ai glanced at Sankaku Hatsuka with a serious look without a smile.

"Or are you here just to serve as a 'foil' for that new band?"

"……of course not."

Sanjiao Chuhua shook her head, then went to her seat and picked up the long skirt.

"Once I step onto the stage... I don't intend to be anyone's 'supporting role'. Including you, love."

"Well, that's right."

After hearing this, a touching smile suddenly appeared on Xingye Ai's face.

"Well then, let's be the most dazzling 'troublemakers' and 'ruin' today's Live."

Chapter 57: Awakening of the “Buffer Zone”

"Why did [Summer Zodiac] suddenly participate in today's live, and even appear before us?!"

After seeing the program schedule, Shiina Riki asked the senior who invited them to participate in this live with a look of shock.

"Isn't this weird? Shouldn't such a popular guest be the last to appear?!"

"Regarding this...we have also discussed it with Summer Zodiac, but it seems they have other plans tonight, so they can't perform at the finale."

Senior Li Xi shook his head:

"Based on our negotiation results, the current order of appearance is the optimal solution to preserve the rhythm of the entire live show as much as possible."

"So... they're going to use our band as a 'buffer zone' after they leave?"

A hint of anger began to appear on Shiina Riki's face.

"This arrangement is too unfair to us!"

"..."

After hearing Shiina Riki's complaint, the senior hesitated for a moment, then sighed slightly.

"Of course I'm aware of this, but... Summer Zodiac's popularity and commercial value are simply too high. It's a cash cow that every livehouse must strive for at all costs. So, we have to make concessions to their demands."

"But--"

"Running a livehouse is different from running a school party, Lixi. To RiNG, and to society as a whole, your new band's influence and value are incomparable to anything else, not to mention Summer Zodiac. I don't doubt your abilities and talent, and I'm fully confident you'll become a super-popular band in the future. But right now, at today's live performance... you're truly the 'weakest' of all the guests."

The senior shook his head with regret.

"So I'm sorry, Lixi. Today... I have to inconvenience you for a while."

"why is it like this……"

Shiina Riki lowered his head with an unwilling look on his face.

"It's my first live show, but I encountered something like this..."

For Tatsuki Shiina, who was eager to prove herself in this live performance, this news was like a bolt from the blue.

She could even imagine how awkward and deserted the atmosphere of today's live show would be after Summer Zodiac left the stage.

"…………"

On the other side, Nagasaki Suyo, who had also listened to the other party's explanation, thought for a moment and suddenly said:

"Actually, this order of appearance isn't necessarily a bad thing for us."

"……what?"

Shiina Riki couldn't help but look back at Nagasaki Suyo, his eyes full of confusion.

"What good can it do except to serve as their victim?"

"Although most of the guests here today are here for Summer Zodiac, that doesn't mean they will all leave after the show. For us, who don't have any fan base to begin with, this is practically free audience."

Nagasaki Suyo said calmly:

"If we can attract this audience through our performance... then we might even gain more fans and exposure than we originally anticipated from this live. While our fate as their 'buffer zone' is bound to remain unchanged, at least we won't be completely in vain."

“…Isn’t this way of thinking too optimistic?”

Shiina Riki shook his head.

"Although I only happened to see Summer Zodiac's music video online, their talent definitely matches their current popularity... Do we really have the ability to divert the audience's attention from them to ourselves?"

"That kind of thing... I don't know either."

Facing Shiina Riki's doubts, Nagasaki Suyo shook her head very frankly and said:

"After all, I've only participated in one live performance, so I don't have a clear idea of ​​what a stage or performance is like. But—"

Having said that, she suddenly picked up the bag in her hand.

"At least in terms of clothing, we definitely won't lose to any band today...even [Summer Zodiac]."

"..."

Hearing this, Shiina Riki was stunned at first, and then she couldn't help but look at the bag in her hand.

"So, our costumes, like Summer Zodiac's, were designed by Chihaya-san."

"To be precise, it should be the joint achievement of that guy and Xiangzi."

Nagasaki Suyo said:

"Compared individually... our costumes certainly can't compare to the one that guy made for Hoshino Ai, but as a whole, our costumes are definitely not inferior to theirs! So, even if we face the [Summer Zodiac], we won't be completely defeated! We might even be able to beat them in some aspects!"

"…………"

After hearing this, Shiina Riki remained silent for a long time, and then he showed a helpless bitter smile.

"You've become a completely different person since you met Xiangzi that day."

"After all, the experience that day completely untied the knot in my heart. It was also from that day on that I found my own goal."

Nagasaki Suyo gripped the paper bag a little tighter.

"And at the end of the day, no matter how bad the situation is, what we have to do won't change, right?"

"Oh! You two are here so early."

Suddenly, Chihaya Aine's voice was heard from behind the two of them.

But when the two looked in the direction where the sound came from, they both showed expressions of great astonishment.

"What's this in your hands?"

"Eh? I just saw it was for sale downstairs, so I bought it."

As Chihaya Aine spoke, she winked at Takamatsu Deng beside her, and then the two of them turned on the cheering light sticks in their hands together -

"When I bought it, a fan next to me told me about the Summer Zodiac colors. Hoshino Ai's is red, and Hatsuka's is gold... Both are very bright."

Having said that, she suddenly raised her head and asked the two of them.

"Speaking of which, should our band choose a color scheme? I'm leaning towards pink, and the lights seem to be leaning towards blue... What do you guys think?"

"You are really..."

Looking at the guy in front of him who had no anxiety at all and instead talked about the future with a positive attitude, Shiina Riki suddenly felt that his previous hesitation was completely meaningless.

Yes, as Su Shi just said, no matter what, what they are going to do next will not change.

Whether it's Deng who is seeking change, Li Xi who is eager to prove herself, Su Shi who is looking for a new home, or Ai Yin who is pursuing higher popularity, everything they need must be realized one by one with this Live as the starting point.

So, from now on, they just need to focus on the Live as originally planned!

"By the way, where did that stray cat go?"

"Oh, she just saw her brother outside the cafe and is pestering him to buy her food."

"…………"

Perhaps, compared to these fearless guys, she who is always looking back and forth is the biggest fool.

"Come on, everyone."

After taking several deep breaths, Shiina Riki, having made up his mind, put on a serious expression again and said to everyone:

"Even if we serve as a buffer zone, we will bring the strongest shock to the audience!"

Chapter 58: Preparations before the Opening

Because there were too many spectators, in order to avoid crowding as much as possible, Chihaya Tetsuya and his group directly chose the seats at the very back.

However, even so, the constantly moving crowd around him still made Chihaya Tetsuya feel quite uncomfortable——

"...Chihaya-nii seems unused to this kind of situation."

Looking at the slightly troubled expression on Chihaya Tetsuya's face, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly felt very curious.

"So you really prefer a quiet place?"

"No, I'm just simply not good at dealing with crowds."

Chihaya Tetsuya said as he stepped back again, and only when he leaned against the wall did he finally show a somewhat relieved expression.

"Because my physical strength is not enough to cope with the force of the crowd, so..."

"...That's it."

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko hesitated for a moment, then retreated to Chihaya Tetsuya's side and stood right next to him.

"Will this make you feel better?"

"..."

Feeling the support from her shoulders, Chihaya Tetsuya was startled at first, but soon he felt her thoughtfulness from the warmth that gradually came from her.

[The live show is about to begin. Please turn your phones to silent mode...]

At that moment, the announcement from the speakers enveloped the entire Livehouse. For a moment, the clamor of the crowd was instantly drowned out by the overwhelming volume.

Just as Toyokawa Shoko was still trying to adapt to the sudden loud noise, a breeze suddenly blew past her ears. Immediately afterwards, a tingling sensation as if an electric current passed through her ears, accompanied by Chihaya Tetsuya's low voice -

"Thank you, Toyokawa."

"!?"

Chihaya Tetsuya's sudden voice and kiss close to her ear made Toyokawa Shoko instinctively move aside. Then, a visible blush quickly spread from her ear to her entire cheek.

Fortunately, as the announcer was broadcasting, the lights in the Livehouse gradually dimmed, so Shoko Toyokawa's rapidly changing expression was not noticed by others.

But even so, the unbearable itchy feeling just now still made Toyokawa Shoko feel extremely shaken.

(This sudden attack is so cunning!)

Although she knew that Chihaya Tetsuya had no intention of teasing her, it was precisely this unconsciousness that made people feel anxious.

"...You seem very happy, Xiangzi."

Mu's voice also came from the other side of her.

"Do you want me to push you in that direction again?"

“There’s no need to do this unnecessary thing.”

Toyokawa Shoko blushed and objected:

"Rather than that, why don't you stand on the other side of Chihaya-san? He's having trouble handling this crowded environment."

"No."

Wakaba Mu answered without hesitation:

"If that happens, I won't be able to concentrate on watching the live show."

"……?why is that?"