A band simulator, but all girl-heavy!

By the time Aoi reacted and counted the number of participants with Ms. PA, they were gone. Asking the people around them didn't yield any results. They must have slipped away when no one was paying attention.

Why did they come suddenly, and why did they leave suddenly, Aoi didn't understand either of these two things. She originally planned to take the opportunity to ask them indirectly at the dinner party, but in the end she never had this chance.

Was he unhappy because he lost the warm-up live match? How could that be possible... Aoi was quite familiar with the GBC simulator and knew what kind of people they were. Although they were all childish, they wouldn't get angry in such an occasion.

Was it because, as the only underground indie band, they felt embarrassed to be in the company of a bunch of kids? Or was it because Aoi had done something today that disillusioned them, causing them to not want to join?

There seem to be a lot of possibilities...

Or maybe everything was just as Aoi had worried before, which was the guess she thought was the most unlikely and unreasonable.

That was also the possibility that Aoi was most unwilling to accept.

What if Ci Tuan came to the performance this time because he saw the ending of the previous simulation of the martial arts hall and wanted to meet Aoi, but ended up leaving disappointed because he was not selected?

What if this so-called simulator really has the ridiculous effect of memory sharing?

From the very beginning, when she first opened the simulator and met everyone in Crychic, their every detail would be shown to everyone through the simulator's screen at night, including every choice Aoi made in the simulator, every word she spoke, every failure, and every attempt.

All of this remains in everyone's memory, echoing, brewing, and swirling...

What if all this isn't just a game?

When she thought of this possibility, Aoi felt herself instantly drenched in cold sweat. A panic and sense of crisis so strong that it made her brain go blank rushed through her, and it took a long time to dissipate.

Saotome Aoi believes that she has never been someone who likes to play with other people's feelings. She hates seeing others sad in front of her, and she hates seeing others cry even more.

Because of this, Aoi, who has been pampered since childhood and has never been seriously scolded by her mother, actually has a very poor ability to accept negative emotions. When she thinks about the difference between her behavior in the simulator and in reality, she can't help but think about how deeply hurt others will be.

Aoi gradually felt uneasiness filling her chest, and could only watch as the restless dark energy in her heart gradually expanded and flowed through her blood to every corner of her body.

This emotion doesn't seem to go away, it just keeps swelling and getting bigger.

When everyone came to a large conveyor belt sushi restaurant nearby under Xingge's leadership, Aoi felt that she could no longer calm down to deal with these relaxing and joyful things. There was only one thing she wanted to do most now - that was to make sure that all this was just her own fantasy.

After all, no matter how she used realistic logic to analyze and comfort herself, it was useless. It was only her one-sided statement, her self-delusion in the crisis. Even the most absurd things could be the truth of the matter. Blindly trying to convince herself was just deceiving herself.

She couldn't actually deny the possibility that everyone retained the simulator's memories.

So... she had to do something - not to make amends, of course, but just to prove that she was right.

If everyone really retained their memories, then all of this would no longer be something she could remedy. Just thinking about it made her brain buzz, and she lost all her determination and courage...and the only way to prevent all this from happening was to deny it all.

"Xiao Kui, Xiao Kui~ Let's sit over there! I want to sit next to you~"

Kita's voice came from beside them, cheerful, lively and sunny. She was like a real little red sun, always radiating light around everyone.

The people who left the band are actually all the same: the gentle and considerate Hong Xia, the individual and steady Liang, the lonely but very reliable Pochi at critical moments... These children all think that Aoi is their real band member, and hope to follow her and continue on the road to the martial arts hall as Aoi said.

But what about the others? Mygo... Crychic... and the band T0GENASHITOGEARI.

The simulator is just a simulator, and all this can only happen in the simulator... Otherwise, what on earth is the meaning of everything Aoi has done so far?

"Next, we're going to perform with everyone from Mygo. Should we sit with them?"

Aoi's eyes were a little gloomy, but she still had a smile that was no different from usual, and she pulled Kita and several others towards the target location.

Takamatsu Deng and the others were already sitting quietly in their seats. They seemed to be talking about something, but the moment they saw Aoi, all their words stopped at the same time, and their eyes were all focused on her.

"Hello everyone~ We're going to be performing together next time, so please give each other some pointers, okay? Can we sit over here?"

Aoi smiled softly at the few of them.

"Of course! Please take a seat..."

Su Shi was almost the first to react. Before anyone else could answer, she had already pulled out an empty seat next to her, and the smile on her face could not hide her excitement.

"Thank you."

Aoi nodded, and sat down with the band members, and saluted the people around them who looked at them.

At this moment, Kita and the rest of the band members were sitting on her left, and Nagasaki Suyo and all the Mygo members were sitting on her right.

It was as if she was half in the reality she lived with day and night, while at the same time she was immersed in the simulator world she would dive into every night. The two worlds were separated by an invisible dividing line, connecting different memories, different people, and different bits and pieces.

As I turned my head, I saw the blue sea and sky of the Izu Peninsula, as if painted in oil, and the happy smiles of the girls on the beach; while looking at the other side, I saw the girls by Lake Motosu, at the foot of Mount Fuji, and the gorgeous starry sky and Milky Way that enveloped them.

Both memories are very precious, but the difference is that Aoi has never been able to regard the simulator part as reality. She just thinks that everything is a game and a golden finger that she can use to repay the favor and end the band.

She did nothing wrong...

She once thought about getting to know everyone in the simulator, becoming friends with everyone, and helping everyone as much as possible.

Even though she thought it was all just a game, she never doubted the fact that everyone was her friend...

"Nagasaki Suyo-san."

Aoi didn't know how long she thought about it. She turned her head slightly and stared at Su Shi beside her without a smile on her face. She asked in a low voice with a somewhat nervous tone.

"I've actually been curious... why did you agree to come to the warm-up review?"

196

Chapter 196 The answer doesn't matter.

Aoi doesn't actually need an answer, and the answer is not what's important.

What really matters is that you don't need that bad answer.

Her eyes seemed to be gazing at the world calmly, but the biggest waves to date had already been stirred up in those emerald green eyes. The plain emerald green lake surface seemed to be filled with mysterious underwater caves, and the surging undercurrents washed over her fragile heart.

Being stared at by such eyes, Su Shi was a little at a loss for a moment, because she rarely saw Aoi without a smile. The only time she saw it was in her dreams, in the memory that belonged to Crychic, when Xiangzi shook off Aoi's hand.

Aoi didn't cry at that time, not even when they made a fuss about it afterwards. Instead, she remained expressionless, without a smile on her face, just like she is now. Her warm and lovely cheeks no longer had any warmth, but instead felt as clean and cold as a snowy mountain.

People are like this. Once they get used to someone smiling, it will be difficult for them to accept other expressions including crying, anger, and indifference. The strangeness brought about by this unfamiliarity can easily destroy the sense of security brought by a solid relationship.

Aoi... is she angry?

Su Shi's heart skipped a beat, as if a stone had sunk into a bottomless pool. She could not see the direction or the bottom of the lake clearly. The inexplicable panic eroded her like cold water, leaving little of the joy of winning the warm-up meeting.

She couldn't find any reason why she had made Aoi angry in the short time. The only possibility she could find was that the Mygo band won the warm-up performance.

Doesn't Aoi actually want them to win?

"Why...are you suddenly curious about this?"

Su Shi had a stiff and shaky smile on his face. He asked cautiously, carefully observing the expression on Aoi's face, "Because... Xiao Kui, you came to invite us."

"That's right~ I'm also surprised that I asked such a question. I'm really sorry."

As if the sun had pierced through the gray clouds, the warm sunlight once again descended upon Su Shi's sight. Aoi once again revealed her clear and soft smile, blinking at Su Shi with bright eyes, "I'm glad that everyone is here to help. I had a lot of fun performing at the previous music festival... I also hope to stand on the same stage with you."

After hearing these words and seeing the smile on Aoi's face, Su Shi was a little at a loss.

She liked Aoi's smile, and had always liked it very much. She was willing to accept it even if she only stared at Aoi's smile for the rest of her life. But at this moment, she always felt that there was something deeper and heavier hidden under Aoi's smile, but she just didn't want to show it to her.

She originally suspected that Aoi would prefer the band Youci Wuci to be the opening band. Although this would make inviting Mygo unnecessary, the previous dispute with An and Subaru still made Su Shi involuntarily consider this possibility.

That girl said that she was Aoi’s childhood friend, and that she would definitely get a spot in the opening band... What if all this was arranged by Aoi, and what Aoi wanted?

But Aoi in front of me said, "I hope to stand on the same stage with Mygo"...

"We are the ones who should say this..."

Su Shi lowered his eyes slightly, a barely perceptible uneasiness rippling in his eyes, "If it weren't for you, Xiao Kui, we might have gone on stage in the worst condition, and ended the festival with the worst performance..."

"I just don't like people crying in front of me, that's all."

Aoi smiled slightly and shook her head gently, "If I can avoid a bad memory by just trying a little, then why wouldn't I do it?"

However, Aoi still performed the song on the stage.

That song "Light" that belongs only to Crychic——

This sentence seemed inexplicably harsh at this moment, which made Su Shi gradually stunned. He was unable to respond to Kui's words in time, and just listened blankly as Kui continued to speak.

"I understand. So you're here to participate in this warm-up to repay my help last time..."

Aoi murmured with a smile.

"no."

Su Shi took a deep breath and finally released his emotions from his lips.

"Eh? Why?"

Aoi asked doubtfully.

"Because... I also said that I want to stand on the same stage with Xiao Kui. This is the only reason why we are here."

Nagasaki Suyo had no idea what Aoi was thinking, nor could she guess what was in Aoi's heart. After all, she had always been so helpless and lonely, like a stranded fish, longing for a relationship as warm as home and thirsting for love.

How could someone like her understand how Aoi, who could equally release this warmth to everyone around her and bring everyone together, was like the embodiment of love?

Therefore, all she could do was to tell Aoi her true inner thoughts, nothing more.

"Back then, I showed you our worst side... But I want to use the next live show to convey our changes and our determination to you."

There was determination in Su Shi's eyes.

"I see... I understand. I'm really looking forward to seeing you at our next independent live show."

Aoi pulled the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a not particularly natural smile.

The uncertainty remains.

Their conversation sounded like they had no recollection of any of that... but it seemed that this possibility could not be ruled out.

Looking at Su Shi in front of her, Aoi felt as confused as a ball of tangled wool, and for a moment she didn't know how to start speaking.

Su Shi's conversation naturally reminded Aoi of their 'first encounter' at the music festival, and it also matched all the circumstances at that time. She did see Mygo and the others looking miserable at that time, and it was natural that these girls who took the band seriously would want to prove their abilities.

Everything seems to be pointing towards Aoi's expectations. After all, a simulator is just a simulator, and there is no such thing as memory sharing.

The Ci Tuan were originally fans of the band End. Maybe it was just that Renai wanted to take this opportunity to play with her favorite band in her free time, so she came to today's warm-up review. She left early just because she was not familiar with everyone and did not want to mingle with these female high school students, that's all.

But... she still didn't get a definite answer and still felt a little uneasy.

At this moment, Aoi felt like a madman who was trying to prove whether humans could fly or not, and he would not give up until the other party produced evidence that he could not fly.

However, in reality, the most direct method is to simply ask, "Do you have the memory of the simulator?" This simple and crude method, no matter what the result is, Aoi will definitely get the information she wants to know.

But she just couldn't ask.

It was strange enough to ask someone who might be completely unaware of her own unfounded worries and chaotic fantasies. Add to that the repeated worry about a panic and disaster that she had completely fabricated, and Aoi felt as if she had turned into a paranoid and neurotic guy.

Maybe she should stop letting her mind wander and focus on what's right.

"...Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom."

Aoi breathed a sigh of relief, and after a brief ideological struggle, she decided to go to the bathroom to wash her face and wake up.

She might need a short period of alone time to calm herself down and adjust her state, at least not to worry everyone who ended the band.

After all, all this is just a non-existent fantasy caused by her paranoia and neurosis, isn't it?

She comforted herself in this way, stood up, smiled apologetically to the band members, walked towards the bathroom, and left Kita's worried gaze behind her.

197

Chapter 197 What is your relationship with Aoi?

The dinner party is still going on.

The cheerful and lively atmosphere among the girls has not changed since the beginning. The high school girls who usually have small stomachs liberate their second stomachs like a bottomless pit in front of sushi. Even though the plates are piled up one after another, they show no intention of finishing.

However, the organizer of this dinner party did not look as cheerful as the others. On the contrary, she, who was always as bright and warm as the sun on weekdays, was as quiet as little Pochi at the dinner party. She was absent-minded when eating sushi. Only when Kita, who was sitting next to her, tried to feed Play did she return to her usual cheerful expression.

The dinner party was probably only halfway through. She stood up, smiled apologetically at the people around her, whispered "I'm going to the bathroom" and left, leaving Kita alone looking at the direction she left with a worried expression, not knowing what to say.

Aoi is worried.

I believe that it's not just her who has noticed this. My bandmates who have left the band should have noticed this...

But Aoi was obviously very happy this morning. The turning point of everything seemed to be when the results of today's review meeting came out and she decided to hold the dinner party.

Kita thought that even if it wasn't her, suspicion would naturally fall on some other group of people...

That is suspected to be Mygo from the Aoi-zen band.

During the dinner party, Aoi seemed to be intentionally sitting next to these people, and even whispered to the bassist named Nagasaki Suyo next to her for a while.

From then on, Aoi always acted like she was worried about something, but she still had to put on a smile and tell them that she was fine...