Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 143 Shiina Maki also wants to join the band
"What about you?"

Ji Yexue turned to look at Niijima Rie, who looked bewildered, and asked, "Are you leaving the company too? Or are you staying?"

Rie Niijima is a second-year student. She hasn't heard much about the rumors surrounding the two student council presidents, only that their relationship is ambiguous. She hasn't heard of any love triangle stories yet.

"This, this..."

Rie Niijima stammered, turning her gaze to Fumiki Matsumoto and looking at him for help.

She really wanted Matsumoto Fumiki to explain to her why he was able to decide to leave the company so quickly.

But how could Matsumoto Fumiki dare to cricket in front of the two chairmen?

Mentioning it briefly is fine; Ji Yexue won't mind. But to explain it clearly, especially in front of her and Qiu Yuecheng, would inevitably displease Ji Yexue.

Akizuki Makoto, who had been silent until now, stepped forward and concluded, "In short, Matsumoto is worried that the chairman and I will disband the band again because of our emotional entanglements."

"Will...will this happen?"

Rie Niijima looked uneasy; she didn't want to experience that atmosphere again—it was like hell.

The joy of working together when the band was formed was erased by the somber and awkward atmosphere of that period.

"I don't think so."

Akizuki Makoto rejected the possibility. He would definitely not let his personal matters affect others, so he would try his best to avoid it.

Of course, he was also confident that he could avoid this situation from happening.

Ji Yexue glanced at him, said nothing, but her eyes flickered slightly.

After hesitating for a moment, Rie Niijima replied softly, "If it doesn't require me to explain myself again because of this emotional entanglement, I... I would be willing to stay."

"New Island..."

Matsumoto Fumiki looked at Niijima Rie with a hesitant expression, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

"It's alright, let's leave it at that for today. You guys can go back now."

Ji Yexue paused for a moment, then continued, "If you're willing to stay tomorrow, come and report after school. I have a few more questions to ask you."

"Okay, okay, then we'll be going now."

"Goodbye, President and Vice President."

Matsumoto Fumiki and Niijima Rie bowed to the two of them in unison, then turned and left the Light Music Club's activity room.

Before leaving, Matsumoto Fumiki returned the key to the activity room to Himeyasu. Since he had applied to leave the club, the key should naturally be given to the other members of the Light Music Club.

Now that Ji Yexue has arrived, even if she is not the president of the club, or even a member of the Light Music Club, her status is far superior to that of the president.

Ji Yexue turned her head to look at Qiuyue Cheng beside her and asked with a smile, "Do you think Niijima will come tomorrow?"

"I think... I guess."

Akizuki Makoto wasn't sure either, but he felt there was a high probability he wouldn't come back.

Ji Yexue told them to leave first and give a reply tomorrow, because she wanted Matsumoto Fumiki to explain clearly to Niijima Rie about their complicated relationship and the rumors of a chaotic love triangle.

Having already experienced a relationship dispute that led to the band's disbandment, how could they possibly gamble again?

"Let's go back to the student room and prepare the recruitment posters for the Light Music Club."

"it is good……"

Afterwards, Ji Yexue and Qiuyue Cheng returned to the student council room, finished their own work, and then personally went to customize the recruitment posters for the Light Music Club.

Now that the first semester is almost over, under normal circumstances, freshmen should already have clubs, not to mention sophomores and juniors, so basically no one will join.

But this is normal.

With their involvement, things were no longer normal for K-On! Club.

I wouldn't say it would attract a huge crowd, but it certainly wouldn't be deserted either.

Therefore, when they were designing the posters, they should have emphasized the current situation and circumstances of K-On!

Ji Yexue could also use her power to post the recruitment poster in the most prominent place on the bulletin board so that all students in the school could see it.

The posters were finished just as the club activities ended at 6 p.m.

Akizuki Makoto and Hime Yuki left the student council room together. When they arrived at the floor where the craft club was located, they said goodbye to each other and went in different directions.

"Dongzi, it's time to go home."

Makoto Akizuki picked up Fuyuko and took her away from the school, along with Maki Shiina.

They are neighbors after all, and Shiina Maki and Fuyuko are in the same club, so it would be strange if they didn't walk home together.

On their way home, Qiuyue and her brother shared what had happened at school that day.

Dongzi had lunch with several friends and seemed to be having a good time.

"Speaking of which, my brother is going to start a band soon."

Akizuki Makoto scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "The president said he was going to participate in club assistance, so he chose the Light Music Club and is preparing to form a band."

"?!"

Hearing this, Shiina Maki, who was silently following behind, suddenly looked up and stammered, "Akizuki, Akizuki-kun, you just said... you want to form a band with the president?"

"Ah, yes."

Akizuki nodded and smiled helplessly: "After all, providing assistance to the club is indeed my duty as the vice president, and I can't refuse."

Dongzi asked curiously, "Is brother going to sing?"

"No, I might play guitar; I'm not good at singing."

"The guitar is so cool!"

Dongzi's clear, innocent eyes brightened, and she looked at Qiuyue Cheng with admiration.

This made Akizuki Makoto even more embarrassed, since nothing was certain yet, and he couldn't say for sure what position he would be assigned to in the end.

According to Ji Yexue, there's no rush to determine positions; let's gather all the people first.

She is an all-rounder and can play any position, but her best skill is probably as a keyboardist because she is good at playing the piano.

She has no experience with guitar, bass, or drums, but is confident she can master them quickly.

"This this……"

As Shiina Maki watched the Akizuki siblings chatting happily, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

If Akizuki Makoto and Hime Yuki form a band, doesn't that mean they'll have more opportunities to spend time together?
Besides, forming a band is bound to spark a romance, right?
We worked together towards a common goal, sharing laughter and tears...

"No, no, no!"

Shiina Maki grew increasingly terrified. If she remained passive and waited for her fate, Akizuki Makoto would definitely be snatched away by that philandering cat, Himeyasu.

She really miscalculated. Recently, Ji Yexue and Qiu Yuecheng haven't been in close contact, and Qiu Yuecheng's attitude towards Ji Yexue has been lukewarm. So she overlooked this scheming cat who was eyeing Qiu Yuecheng covetously.

"Akizuki-kun!"

Shiina Maki mustered her courage and called out to Akizuki Makoto's retreating figure. Akizuki Makoto immediately stopped, turned around, and asked with some confusion, "What's wrong?"

"That, that..."

Shiina Maki stammered and hesitated for a long time, until Akizuki Makoto was almost getting impatient, before she hurriedly asked, "You, you mean forming a band, is it to perform together? You mean... with President Himeya?"

"That's definitely necessary, it seems we also need to participate in a competition."

Akizuki answered truthfully, and guessed why Shiina Maki had suddenly asked him the question—it was simply because she felt a sense of crisis and was anxious.

But there's no use in being anxious. He had previously told Rie Niijima that he wouldn't cause a scene in the Light Music Club because he knew Maki Shiina wouldn't be coming to the club.

Maki Shiina is currently a member of the craft club, and she has an introverted and socially awkward personality. How could she possibly join a band and perform in public?
But unexpectedly, Shiina Maki actually...

"Me too."

Shiina Maki bit her lip and tentatively asked, "C-Can I join too?"

"what?"

Akizuki Makoto was immediately stunned, wondering if there was something wrong with his ears.

He actually heard Shiina Maki offer to join the band?

"I also want to form a band with Akizuki-kun, is that okay?"

Shiina Maki's eyes were full of hope, but her tone was also filled with anxiety, as if she was afraid of being rejected.

"No...do you know what you're saying?"

Makoto Akizuki took a deep breath, suppressing his astonishment, and continued, "You're a member of the craft club now, how can you join the Light Music Club?"

"This one……"

Shiina Maki didn't know how to answer the question. She couldn't just quit the craft club to join the Light Music Club, could she?
Joining the craft club wasn't just about club activities; she also needed to earn a living through it.

“Shiina, I understand what you’re thinking, but this isn’t something you can just join on a whim.”

Akizuki sighed, looking utterly helpless, and said, "Putting everything else aside, can you even get past the guild leader?"

Shiina Maki wants to join the band, but Himeya Yuki definitely won't allow it.

If she doesn't agree, there's nothing he can do, since he's the vice president and has less say than the president.

"I-I will work hard!"

Shiina Maki still refused to give up, fearing that if she backed down this time, the distance between her and Akizuki Makoto would widen considerably.

She couldn't even imagine how brazenly Ji Yexue would have raided homes if she weren't there.

She still vividly remembered the forceful kiss she received at Akizuki Makoto's doorstep last time.

"Shiina, how are you going to work hard? You're a senior in high school now, you have to take care of your grades and earn money at the same time, how are you going to have time for a band?"

"I really can try my best, Akizuki-kun, you have to believe me!"

"Alright, fine..."

Seeing how stubborn Shiina Maki was, Akizuki Makoto could only sigh and compromise.

"I don't care, but whether you want to join the Light Music Club isn't up to me. Go talk to Himeya, I won't speak up for you."

Anyway, his opinion is irrelevant; Ji Yexue will bring Shiina Maki back to reality and bring her to her senses.

Although this is cruel and unfair to Shiina Maki, there is no such thing as fairness or justice in this world.

"I will work hard!"

Although Shiina Maki was afraid, her eyes were incredibly firm, and she secretly resolved that no matter the cost or what she had to do, she would persuade Himeyasuki.

Even if it meant kneeling down and begging Ji Yexue, or serving Ji Yexue like a slave, she would still join in.

She can't just sit here and wait to die, or she'll lose everything.

Fuyuko, who hadn't said a word until the two finished their conversation, asked, "Brother, is the band fun? Why is Maki-neechan so eager to join, and Yuki-neechan wants to form one?"

"...I don't know, maybe it's just really fun."

Akizuki Makoto was too embarrassed to explain the complicated love-hate relationship between them to Fuyuko.

Dongzi probably doesn't understand the intricate and chaotic situation they're in.

"Have fun, big brother!"

Dongzi laughed and didn't say anything more. She looked innocent and cute, making people feel sorry for her.

Akizuki Makoto patted her little head, his heart filled with tenderness.

After that, the three of them stopped talking about the band and continued chatting about everyday trivialities.

After arriving home, Makoto Akizuki parted ways with Maki Shiina. Before entering the entrance hall, he couldn't help but say, "Shiina, just do your own thing. There's no need to keep an eye on President Himeya all the time."

He didn't mean to favor Hime Yuki when he said this; he just felt that Shiina Maki's personality made it impossible for her to compete with Hime Yuki for affections.

She had always been timid and submissive in front of Ji Yexue, often yielding to her. Even when Ji Yexue attacked her face-to-face, she would endure it without daring to voice her opinion.

Even if Ji Yexue agrees to let her join the band, it will only be a form of torture for her.

It's fair to say that Maki Shiina's choice was purely irrational and a recipe for her own misery.

“Akizuki-kun, I’m just doing my own thing.”

Shiina Maki clenched her fists, her eyes resolute, and said, "I want to form a band with Akizuki-kun and lend a hand. Is that not allowed?"

"...Okay, whatever makes you happy."

Akizuki Makoto sighed helplessly, turned and walked into the entrance hall, closing the door behind him.

Maki Shiina can indeed appear very strong at times, even if her strength comes at the cost of facing terrible things.

Seeing that determined look in her eyes, he could no longer persuade Shiina Maki to give up.

After returning home, Akizuki Makoto took out his phone and sent a message to Hime Yuki, conveying Shiina Maki's desire to join the band.

He estimated that Maki Shiina would be the lead vocalist, since she sings quite well.

Not long after the message was sent, Ji Yexue replied with just three words: "I understand."

It was brief, but it fully demonstrated her complete indifference.

"Sigh, if Shiina really joins, it'll definitely cause some emotional entanglements..."

Akizuki Makoto slumped onto the sofa, rubbing his temples in pain.

For some reason, he always felt that Maki Shiina could really join the band.

The problem is that his sixth sense is always very accurate. Whenever he feels inexplicably uneasy or restless, something bad is bound to happen.

Now, he can only pin his hopes on the fact that Ji Yexue will reject him without hesitation, otherwise things will definitely get very complicated.

He couldn't even imagine what the future would hold for the band after Maki Shiina joined.

(End of this chapter)