In music anime, band girls won't be alone.

"But if I tell you about this, you'll be unhappy too."

"They're probably even more unhappy than me, so I don't really want to talk about it."

Nagasaki Motoyo looked up at him, her expression serious, with a hint of stubbornness in her eyes.

“Zejun, I remember someone saying that sharing happiness with friends doubles the happiness, and sharing sadness with friends halves the sadness.”

"I don't know what's wrong with you, but I think I can help take away half of your unhappiness."

Shirakawa Sawa sighed and slowly began to speak.

"After I left RiNG, I met Xiao Xiang, whom you guys are talking about."

"Would you like to hear more about what happened next?"

Nagasaki Motoyo's eyes darkened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure, even managing a smile as she looked gently at Shirakawa Sawa and nodded.

"And then, Ze-kun?"

Shirakawa Sawa recounted his encounter with Toyokawa Shoko.

After listening, Nagasaki Motoyo remained silent for a while, then spoke with difficulty.

"What...what happened to Xiaoxiang...?"

However, she didn't dwell on it any longer. Instead, she looked up at the boy beside her, a smile returning to her face.

"Ze-jun, do you feel better after you told me?"

Seeing that Nagasaki Motoyo was still trying to comfort him, Shirakawa Sawa was deeply moved. He looked at her earnestly, his tone equally serious.

"Thank you, Sushi."

Nagasaki Motoyo smiled and gently shook her head.

"You're welcome, Ze Jun."

"Since we're friends, I'm willing to share your joy, and naturally I'll share your sorrows as well."

"To be honest, after hearing what you said, I wasn't as sad as I had expected."

"It's more of a feeling of bewilderment."

"I think this is the strength that Zejun gave me, making me stronger."

Nagasaki Motoyo stood up, then leaned down and whispered in Shirakawa Sawa's ear, her voice soft and carrying a faint scent of roses.

"Thank you, Ze-jun."

Volume 1: Chapter 53 It's Time to Change Teachers

After speaking, Nagasaki Motoyo straightened up and looked at the boy in front of her.

"Ze-jun, I'll head back now."

"Goodbye."

Shirakawa nodded, stood up to say goodbye, and then walked towards his residence.

Nagasaki Motoyo walked slowly home, glancing up at the moon every now and then, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

"Xiao Xiang...why is all this happening?"

Why is it that you're never willing to talk things out properly with anyone?

Back home, Nagasaki Motoyo put all the fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator.

Although her material life is much better now, she still retains the frugal habits she developed as a child. She likes to buy groceries and cook for herself, and when she goes out, she usually walks or takes the tram.

I don't spend much of my monthly allowance; I save most of it.

After putting out the fruits and vegetables, she got up and went to the bathroom, put away the box of rose petals, and decided not to use it again.

The thought of relying on Lena's sense of smell still terrified her.

After finishing everything, Nagasaki Motoyo took a shower, then crawled into bed, took out her phone, and sent a message to Shirakawa Sawa.

"Ze-jun, are you home yet?"

Not long after, the other party replied with a message.

"I'm home. How about you?"

A slight smile curved Nagasaki Motoyo's lips as she rapidly tapped the screen with her fingers.

"I've arrived too, I just finished showering."

"I was just getting ready to go to sleep."

Shirakawa Ze replied,

"Okay, then I won't bother you any longer. Good night."

Nagasaki Motoyo frowned slightly, muttered "Really," and then replied with "Goodnight."

……

The next morning, Shirakawa Sawa arrived at the STARRY entrance carrying his guitar and two breakfasts.

The door was now open, and Yamada Ryo was sitting inside playing bass.

Shirakawa pushed open the door, greeted the person, and then went inside, placing the breakfast he was carrying on the table next to them.

Yamada Ryo put the bass aside, looked up at the boy,

"Did you eat breakfast yet?"

Shirakawa Ze nodded.

Yamada Ryo hummed in agreement, and began to speak as he opened the packaging.

"Practice the basics first, I'll listen."

Shirakawa Sawa sat down on the chair next to him, took out his guitar, and began practicing scales and basic chord combinations.

After finishing breakfast, Yamada Ryo took out a music score folder, opened it, and faced it towards him.

Have you ever played this piece?

Shirakawa Ze shook his head.

Yamada Ryo brought over the music stand and placed it on top.

"Read the score aloud first, then play it once."

Shirakawa Sawa did as instructed.

Yamada Ryo listened with a serious expression.

"Your fluency is higher than I expected. It seems you're not just someone who can play things you've already practiced."

"Let's practice this piece this morning, and see how long it takes you to get the hang of it."

Shirakawa responded and then began practicing.

Yamada Ryo moved his chair to face him and stared at his hands.

Every now and then, she would point out some problems with Shirakawa Sawa's playing.

More than an hour later, after hearing the other person play the piece completely and fluently, a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes. Then she got up and lay down on the sofa.

"You can practice freely now, just pay attention to the issues I just mentioned."

"Also, after today's practice, you can find a new guitar teacher."

Shirakawa Sawa nodded, glancing up at Yamada Ryo, who was lying on the sofa with his back to him.

"Senior Liang, thank you for your help these past few days."

"I'll treat you to lunch as a way of thanking you."

Yamada Ryo didn't move, only his voice could be heard.

"No need, Xiaoze."

Shirakawa Ze didn't say anything more, turned a page of the sheet music, and began practicing the new piece.

Around noon, the door was pushed open, and a figure wearing a pink tracksuit and carrying a guitar bag appeared.

Shirakawa looked up and, upon seeing Goto Ichiri, greeted him.

Goto Ichiri clung to the door, only half his head showing, his eyes filled with fear.

"Ah... um... Shirakawa-san, did I disturb you?"

Shirakawa Ze smiled and shook his head.

"No, no, please come in."

Goto Ichiri nodded and then went inside.

After walking a few steps, she saw someone lying on the sofa and was startled. Fortunately, she recognized Yamada Ryo in the next second and calmed down. She then greeted him.

Yamada Ryo didn't move, but simply replied with a sentence.

By this time, Goto Ichiri was already very familiar with STARRY and didn't feel too much pressure in this environment.

In addition, since only Yamada Ryo and Shirakawa Sawa are currently indoors, both of whom are acquaintances of hers, she feels more at ease overall.

After putting down her guitar bag and doing some mental preparation, Goto Ichiri walked up to Shirakawa Sawa and began speaking with a serious expression.

"Um... Shirakawa-kun."

Shirakawa stopped practicing and looked up at her.

Goto Ichiri chuckled nervously, then continued,

"Oh, um, I wanted to say thank you."

"Because these past few days, it's actually been you and Takamatsu who've been busy with all the arrangements for the school festival."

"I saw the ideas you brought up, and they all seemed pretty good, but you didn't offer any suggestions or help in any way..."