Aspiring to be a girl in a band

Well... at least take a good shower, that way you might feel more refreshed when you wake up.

That's what Xiangzi thought.

Thanks to Japan's long-standing bathing culture, even the old, low-rent apartment she rented was equipped with a bathtub, though she never used it.

After all, showering is much cheaper than taking a bath.

However... it seems we can splurge a little today.

Xiangzi rummaged through his bag and found the two keys. He held them in his hand and smiled sweetly.

Although I suffered a lot today... it wasn't entirely without reward.

I finally got back a little bit of what was rightfully mine.

The hot water gradually overflowed, Xiangzi turned off the hot water valve, and then... began to undress.

After quickly rinsing herself in the shower, she put her legs into the bathtub.

The water temperature was just right, so Xiangzi felt relieved and lay down in the bathtub.

"So warm..."

For a moment, Toyokawa Shoko felt her consciousness becoming as hazy as the fog in front of her.

Those things that had been bothering her life have finally disappeared completely, and she is now experiencing a long-lost sense of security.

No more strange people will come to her house in the middle of the night and bang on the door.

Tears welled up again, dripping into the bathwater.

A complex emotion welled up in her heart, and Toyokawa Shoko suddenly realized that her threshold for happiness had been lowered to such an extent.

The warmth from the bathwater alone brought her a little comfort, and she was so happy that she shed tears...

Xiangzi rubbed her eyes, and this time her tears stopped easily.

She submerged herself back into the water, savoring the long-lost sense of security.

……

After taking a shower, Xiangzi put on his pajamas and returned to his cubicle.

She can finally...rest.

Almost the instant she lay down on the bed, sleepiness overwhelmed her.

You need to get a good night's sleep.

She still remembered that person's instructions.

Go back and get a good night's sleep.

But... just thinking about that person made Xiangzi feel a little less sleepy.

Doesn't this make it seem like I've gotten used to her orders...?

Never mind... I should just go to sleep.

In the end, Xiangzi's wild thoughts couldn't overcome her sleepiness.

She slowly closed her eyes.

……

As the first rays of morning sunlight shone into Xiangzi's room, she slowly woke up.

In the instant she regained consciousness... she realized a very serious problem.

She was so tired last night that she forgot to set an alarm.

So Xiangzi quickly took out his phone from under his pillow and glanced at the time.

8 o'clock……

It’s over.

She remembered clearly what that person's request was.

I must see you when I wake up.

Is it too late for me to leave right now...? If not...?

Countless possibilities flashed through her mind.

She had no idea what new ideas that tyrannical ruler, full of wicked pleasure, would come up with to torment her.

Xiangzi quickly got out of bed and hurriedly finished washing up.

During the washing and grooming process, she also carefully checked her appearance.

My complexion is so much better than yesterday, and the puffiness around my eyes is almost gone.

Will this satisfy her...? Xiangzi didn't know, but the pressure in her heart had indeed lessened considerably.

Next, she went to her wardrobe and began to choose... what to wear today.

These clothes were her everyday outfits when she was a young lady from a wealthy family.

Although it looks a bit old now, it's still a genuine designer brand, so...

I don't want to make myself look cheap...

Xiangzi thought helplessly, and at the same time, she smiled self-deprecatingly.

Even a newlywed wife would rarely be so attentive to her husband.

Yet, they have to rack their brains to... curry favor with the people they hate the most.

……

It took Xiangzi quite a long time to finally return to his former home.

It was almost ten o'clock by then.

Standing at the iron gate, just as Xiangzi was about to take out his key to open the door, he heard...

"Xiangzi?"

A familiar voice rang out behind Toyokawa Shoko.

She turned her head in shock.

Standing before her was Nagasaki Motoyo.

"That's great... I was thinking that if I waited here, I might be able to see you."

Nagasaki Motoyo's tone was unusually excited.

"Why...are you here?"

Toyokawa Shoko suddenly felt a little irritated, so her tone became somewhat cold.

She had no time to waste with Nagasaki Motoyo right now; she was in a hurry to see Arakawa Kirika, and every minute wasted now would only deepen her anxiety.

"Xiangzi...you're sweating a lot...did you go for a morning run?"

Seeing the sweat beading on Toyokawa Shoko's forehead and hearing her slight panting, Nagasaki Motoyo guessed that she must have gone for a morning run, after all... the name "Toyokawa" was clearly written on the signboard of the building in front of them.

She could never have imagined that the building no longer belonged to the person in front of her.

Almost instinctively, Nagasaki Motoyo took out a handkerchief from her bag and affectionately pressed it against Xiangzi, wanting to wipe away his sweat.

however……

"Snapped"

Xiangzi pried her hands off.

Toyokawa Shoko felt annoyed as she looked at Su Shi, who was fawning over her.

I'm really in a hurry right now... Can't you stay away from me?

Nagasaki Motoyo... How come I never realized she was such an insensitive person?

In Xiangzi's eyes, Nagasaki Motoyo's image became increasingly unpleasant.

No longer intending to pay attention to Su Shi, Xiangzi quickly pushed open the iron gate and crawled inside.

"I have nothing to say to you, you should leave now."

With his back to Nagasaki Motoyo, Shoko said coldly.

"Could you... let me in? I want to have a good talk with Xiangzi about Crychic and about everyone else."

Nagasaki Motoyo gripped the iron gate with both hands, humbly pleading with the other party to let her into the house... but...

Letting you in... How could that be possible...?

The thought of Arakawa Kirika's fury upon seeing Nagasaki Motoyo, this uninvited guest, enter her territory sent chills down Shoko's spine. She absolutely could not allow Nagasaki Motoyo to enter.

"I left Crychic a long time ago. Your business has nothing to do with me anymore, so please don't come looking for me again."

Shoko Toyokawa tried hard to control her emotions, hoping to use words to send Motoyo Nagasaki away.

Even after being snubbed like this, Nagasaki Motoyo showed no sadness on her face and continued to smile as she looked at Shoko.

“I believe Xiangzi must have had his own reasons for not being able to do so... so I will definitely reorganize Crychic, and then everyone... can be together again.”

Recombining Crychic...

Now Xiangzi finally understood Nagasaki Motoyo's thoughts, but at that moment, her feelings towards Nagasaki Motoyo changed from annoyance to contempt.

She stared coldly into Nagasaki Motoyo's eyes.

"Since you love the past so much, then you might as well drown in your memories."

But she, Toyokawa Shoko... had to move forward.

Toyokawa Shoko gave Nagasaki Motoyo no chance to speak again, and turned around and strode into the room.

Volume One: Chapter Twelve - Getting Along

Only after closing the door did Toyokawa Shoko finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She was so glad she had the key to the front door... otherwise she really wouldn't know what excuse she could use to get rid of Nagasaki Motoyo.

Xiangzi straightened his collar and then looked around at his surroundings.