Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 142 Shiraishi Rin's Changes
“I don’t mind participating in community aid, but what about our regular jobs?”

Makoto Akizuki raised a question: although their workload wasn't heavy, they weren't so free that they could also participate in other club activities.

Judging from Ji Yexue's intentions, it's probably to help the Light Music Club win a championship in a certain competition. After all, the Ji Ye family's motto is either not to do it at all, or to do it to the best of their ability.

If Light Music Club had the talent, that would be fine, but according to the information provided by Himeyasu, the band is teetering on the brink of collapse due to emotional turmoil.

The lead vocalist is a womanizer who joins the Light Music Club to find love, which leads to several other members falling for her at the same time, thus creating a love triangle.

The group originally consisted of seven people, but now only one man and one woman remain, and it is said that they are also considering leaving.

"Why not just reduce it and let other members share some of the burden?"

Ji Yexue crossed her arms and said matter-of-factly, "I've calculated it. We'll free up our lunch break time, then hand over your work to someone else, and you can help me with my work. That way, we'll have about two hours a day for club assistance."

Ultimately, most of the student letters that Akizuki Makoto reads every day are meaningless and could easily be handed over to someone else.

If all else fails, just recruit more student council members; the world has no shortage of black slaves.

"...Fine, you're the president, you're in charge."

Akizuki Makoto had no further objections. Ji Yexue had insisted that he participate in the club's aid program, so how could he refuse?
After all, Ji Yexue's reasons were reasonable and aboveboard.

"Let's meet at the Light Music Club after school, you know where it is, right?"

"I know, I've memorized every club. Don't underestimate me, I'm the vice president after all..."

Makoto Akizuki muttered to himself, then suddenly changed the subject, saying, "But speaking of which, is choosing Light Music Club really the right choice? Aren't they all going to disband?"

Ji Yexue picked up her teacup, took a sip of tea, and said calmly, "It doesn't matter if we disband. We can just recruit more people. What I need is support from the club. I don't care who the recipients are."

"...They really are reckless and unruly."

Akizuki Makoto didn't know what to say. He didn't know why Ji Yexue had suddenly gone crazy and insisted on getting involved in gang aid.

This project is not necessary; it depends on individual willingness.

In any case, this was the first time Ji Yexue had participated in club assistance during her three years as student council president.

"Whether it's composing, or guitar, drums, bass, piano, or singing, I'm confident I can learn them all in a short time."

Ji Yexue raised her fair and delicate chin and said proudly, "So even if they withdraw and I find a few people who have never been exposed to music and have no musical talent at all to join the Light Music Club, I can still let them pass off as inferiors and win the competition."

She was so confident because, although it was said to be a club-sponsored event, they would actually participate in the competition alongside the club members.

This is equivalent to directly bringing in two powerful outside helpers, while everyone else is just an insignificant accessory.

Ji Yexue's words were arrogant, but with her talent, she certainly had the right to say so.

With wealth and talent combined, what in this world can't she do?

After that, the two discussed the details of the club's aid while eating lunch, until the preparatory bell rang to signal the end of the lunch break.

Ji Yexue and Qiuyue Cheng packed up the tea set together and returned to their third-grade classroom, where they said goodbye at the classroom door.

……

The two afternoon classes are both non-essential classes: one physical education class and one music class.

Looking at Shiraishi Rin, who was lagging behind the main group and running slowly in the girls' group, Akizuki Makoto couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of reality that she was able to stand up.

Although the PE teacher was understanding that she had just recovered from her leg injury and could skip the morning exercises, Shiraishi Rin did not agree and insisted on running with him.

It's true that she has very poor stamina. While the other girls had basically finished running, she had only run two-thirds of the way and was already panting heavily, looking like she was about to die.

Upon seeing this, Akizuki Makoto's impression of her inevitably changed somewhat.

Although it's unclear whether Shiraishi Rin acted that way intentionally, she at least put in the effort to run.

It's July now, and the daily temperature hovers around 33 degrees Celsius.

Under such circumstances, making someone with very poor physical strength run 800 meters would undoubtedly be a severe form of torture.

After the morning exercises ended and the PE teacher dismissed the students, Akizuki Makoto went to the vending machine in the schoolyard and bought a drink.

Just as he was drinking heartily, Shiraishi Rin also happened to come here to buy water.

When they met, it was Shiraishi Rin who greeted them first.

"Thank you for your hard work, Akizuki-kun."

"You're the one who's really had a tough time."

Akizuki noticed that Shiraishi Rin was drenched in sweat, with clumps of wet hair clinging to his skin.

Even now, she still seems to be recovering, her breathing is slightly rapid, and she is panting softly.

"You've changed."

Akizuki Makoto blurted out those words without thinking, and the moment he finished speaking, he immediately realized that he had said something unnecessary.

"Sorry, I was just rambling on. Don't mind it."

"It's ok."

Shiraishi Rin smiled, bent down to pick up the drink she had bought from the vending machine's exit, and then turned and left.

"Something feels off..."

Akizuki scratched his head, a faint sense of unease lingering in his mind.

Although I've felt this way many times, the current Shiraishi Rin is completely different from before.

They had the same appearance, but their inner selves were completely different, making him feel utterly unfamiliar with them.

Although her leg ailment was the source of Shiraishi Rin's drastic personality change, it's not like her personality changed so quickly just because her inner conflict was resolved.

According to Reika Komatsu, Rin Shiraishi had surgery a week ago and recovered. How could such a big change have occurred in just one week?

The way Shiraishi Rin has treated him in the last two days has really made him feel like a stranger.

"Never mind, what does this have to do with me..."

After a moment of confusion, Akizuki Makoto shook his head.

Whatever happened with Shiraishi Rin, it was none of his business. He wouldn't pry into the reasons behind Shiraishi Rin's drastic change in personality, or whether there were any hidden secrets.

Even if there were some hidden reasons, it would be none of his business.

As long as he isn't involved, even if Shiraishi Rin commits murder and arson, he won't care or interfere.

Now, he just wants to avoid getting involved with more abnormal women to avoid repeating the same tragedy as Shimizu Rei.

When a person's inner desires get out of control, it's not surprising that they might do something incredibly crazy.

……

At 3:25 PM, after school.

After picking up his schoolbag and saying goodbye to everyone who greeted him, Akizuki Makoto headed to the Light Music Club on the fifth floor of the club building.

Music clubs are located on higher floors to avoid disturbing other clubs. When he arrived at the Light Music Club, Ji Yexue was already there, waiting for him at the entrance.

As Ji Yexue watched him approach, she said, "Let's wait a little longer, the people from the Light Music Club haven't arrived yet."

"I never imagined that a mere squabble over jealousy could break up a band that had been together for over a year. It's truly..."

Qiu Yuecheng remarked casually, but upon noticing Ji Yexue's meaningful gaze, he immediately fell silent.

I almost forgot that he himself is also someone who gets caught up in a chaotic situation.

If Shiina Maki weren't so timid, and if Himeyasuki weren't so uninterested in bullying the weak, they would have already started a war using their superpowers, resulting in a bloodbath.

Just like Shimizu Rei, because she was annoyed by Hime Yuki's hostility towards her, she used her superpowers to attack Hime Yuki.

"You have no right to say that."

Ji Yexue crossed her arms, a hint of teasing in her smile.

"..."

Qiu Yuecheng remained silent, feigning death with his eyes downcast and his mind closed.

After a while, the only two remaining members of the Light Music Club arrived; one was a second-year student and the other a third-year student.

The man's name is Matsumoto Fumiki, a third-year student who plays the drums.

The girl's name is Rie Niijima, a second-year student, and she plays bass.

When they saw Qiuyue Cheng and Ji Yexue waiting at the door, their expressions showed a hint of fear and shock.

Although they had been contacted beforehand to offer club assistance, they never expected that the two student council presidents would condescend to help their club, which was on the verge of disbanding.

Furthermore, he said he would take them to participate in the competition and win the gold medal.

"Good afternoon! President and Vice President!"

"You have worked hard!"

When the two approached Qiuyue Cheng and Ji Yexue, they immediately bowed at a ninety-degree angle to greet them.

This made Qiu Yuecheng and Ji Yexue exchange a glance, thinking to each other in unison, "Are they some kind of monster? Why are we greeting them so respectfully?"

Ji Yexue said calmly, "Get up first, let's go inside and talk."

"Okay, okay..."

Matsumoto Fumiki immediately took out the key, opened the door to the activity room, and welcomed Himeyasu and Akizuki Makoto inside.

Because he is a third-year student, he is currently serving as the president of the Light Music Club.

The activity room is not large, just a standard classroom size. The walls are covered with soundproofing cotton, and some musical instruments are placed in the center of the room.

Originally, this place should have had musical instruments such as bass, keyboard, guitar, and drum set, but now there is only a drum set.

The missing equipment was taken away with the other members who left the club, leaving only the drum set and bass.

"I already have a basic understanding of your situation, so I won't waste any more words."

After looking around the room, Ji Yexue turned to the two remaining members of the Light Music Club standing at the door and said, "Next, I'm going to ask you a few questions. Just answer truthfully, and I'll consider your fate based on your answers."

If these two members of the light music club don't satisfy her, she will definitely make them leave the club and select other members to form a band.

"Please ask us your question, and we will answer you honestly!"

Matsumoto Fumiki and Niijima Rie both stood up straight in unison, almost as if they were about to be told to stand at ease or stand at attention by Himeyasu.

"The first question is, do you still want to stay and accept our assistance to form a new band?"

"This one……"

Matsumoto Fumiki and Niijima Rie looked at each other, having actually pondered the question for an entire afternoon, but still unable to make a decision.

It's not that I don't trust Ji Yexue, but I feel too much pressure.

Moreover, having already learned from past mistakes, they were afraid that another chaotic situation would cause the band they had worked so hard to assemble to fall apart.

Rie Niijima is a second-year student and may not know Makoto Akizuki and Yuki Hime, but Fumiki Matsumoto is a third-year student like them.

The feud between the two presidents a while back caused quite a stir.

Thinking of the rumors about that chaotic scene, Matsumoto Fumiki raised his hand and said weakly, "I... can I ask a question first?"

"I'm the one asking the questions now, why are you asking me questions in return?"

Ji Yexue frowned slightly, scolded him, and then said, "Never mind, ask away."

Matsumoto Fumiki scratched his head and tentatively asked, "Sorry, I just wanted to know, are you two dating, Chairman?"

"...?"

Ji Yexue and Qiuyue Cheng were clearly taken aback when Matsumoto Fumiki asked such a question.

"No."

After a brief moment of surprise, Ji Yexue shook her head in denial, and did not ask Matsumoto Fumiki why he asked if they were dating.

"..."

Matsumoto Fumiki fell silent, a hint of hesitation flashing across his face, but he finally took a deep breath and said resolutely, "Then I'm sorry, Chairman, you don't need to ask me anymore. I've decided to leave the club."

If Ji Yexue and Qiuyue Cheng were dating, that would be fine, but if they weren't, how could he dare to stay?

The most common topic of discussion in bands is romantic entanglements. Over 90% of the time, high school bands break up and disband because of this.

"Eh?"

Rie Niijima was somewhat surprised and asked, puzzled, "Matsumoto-kun, why did you make a decision so quickly? What happened?"

"Niijima, I don't want to repeat the same mistake."

Matsumoto Fumiki smiled bitterly, saying helplessly, "I'm afraid that the band will disband again due to emotional disputes, just like before."

"..."

Akizuki Makoto touched his nose somewhat awkwardly; he couldn't rule out the possibility.

The community aid will continue until December, and nobody knows what will happen during that time.

Shiina Maki refuses to give up, and Himeyasuki relentlessly pursues her. There are still unresolved issues between him and Shimizu Rei. Isn't this situation already a deep predicament?
"I'm sorry, President, I was rude."

Matsumoto Fumiki turned his head, bowed deeply to Himeya Yuki, whose expression was icy, and continued, "Perhaps it's just my overthinking, but having already learned my lesson once, I don't want it to happen again."

"Okay, then you should leave the club."

Ji Yexue nodded calmly. She couldn't refute Matsumoto Fumiki either, and she was equally clear in her heart that she and Akizuki Makoto were currently in a complicated relationship.

The purpose of the club's assistance was to create opportunities to spend time with Akizuki Makoto. If Akizuki Makoto were to be stolen away by some philanderer before December, she would definitely stop providing club assistance.

(End of this chapter)