Aspiring to be a girl in a band

Clearly, Arakawa Kirika's way of playing left a very deep impression on her.

Looking at the food in front of him, Xiangzi swallowed hard.

She hadn't eaten all morning and had to take care of Arakawa Kirika, so it was impossible for her not to be hungry at this time.

Arakawa Kirika hadn't touched most of the food on the table.

After all, Arakawa Kirika is both willful and picky about food.

One minute it's the color, the next it's the shape...

Xiangzi seemed to understand why the servant had prepared so much food, which was clearly far more than one person could eat.

Because even the servants couldn't figure out Arakawa Kirika's preferences, they could only do a little bit of everything.

Just as Xiangzi was about to start eating, the thought that the food in front of him was Arakawa Kirika's leftovers made him feel uneasy.

But she didn't want to fight hunger, and...

It would be such a waste not to eat it.

Xiangzi thought to himself, and then reached out his hand.

...After a while...

Arakawa Kirika silently calculated the time, and when she felt it was about time, she turned her head and said to Shoko.

"Help me change my shoes, and then... come with me somewhere."

Arakawa Kirika's orders are absolute.

Xiangzi immediately stopped eating, then reluctantly glanced at the food on the table, after all, she hadn't had such a delicious lunch in a long time.

If she could… she would like to take another one.

After retrieving Arakawa Kirika's shoes from the entrance, Shoko carefully placed them in front of her, then looked up at her.

Eyes facing each other.

The atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment, and a hint of doubt appeared in both of their eyes.

I already brought it... Why is she looking at me like that?

Xiangzi thought to himself.

Arakawa Kirika spoke first.

"Your hearing seems to need improvement."

Shoko Toyokawa quickly realized that "help me put on my shoes" meant she wanted him to put them on for her himself.

Xiangzi lowered his head, his expression showing slight resistance.

Changing clothes is fine, but helping someone put on their shoes...

Xiangzi bit her lip lightly. It wasn't that she couldn't accept it, but... perhaps she needed a little more time to get used to it.

She half-squatted down, and then...

He reached out and grasped one of Arakawa Kirika's feet, then carefully lifted it up.

Arakawa Kirika has a perfect foot shape, and even through a layer of stockings, Shoko can still feel it clearly.

From the heel to the semi-circular arch of the foot, to the delicate and dainty toes... everything felt so natural.

It's as if it was created specifically for people to hold in their hands and admire.

Arakawa Kirika's feet didn't smell bad, and besides that, Shoko noticed something else.

That is, when I held this foot, my fingertips accidentally brushed against the sole of her foot. At that moment, Arakawa Kirika's foot clearly made a small backward movement, as if it had triggered a knee-jerk reflex.

Moreover... the other person's toes were also accompanied by a slight tremor.

Xiangzi subconsciously looked up, wanting to confirm the other person's reaction.

The emotion of "pleasure" in Arakawa Kirika's eyes quickly faded, and then her gaze hurriedly averted, looking away.

She... is actually super ticklish, right...?

Seeing Arakawa Kirika's reaction, Shoko confirmed her suspicions.

Therefore, she couldn't help but have the idea of ​​playing a prank.

I wonder what her reaction would be if I were to tickle the soles of her feet really hard...

But she quickly dismissed the proposal in her mind.

Xiangzi dared not gamble that Arakawa Kirika's mood would be as good as yesterday's. If she really dared to do something that would damage the other party's dignity, it would likely have very serious consequences.

He quickly helped Arakawa Kirika change her shoes and then stood up straight again.

...The two walked out of the house.

Toyokawa Shoko saw that the car that had delivered the food earlier was now parked at the door again.

Upon seeing Arakawa Kirika walk out the door, the previously very capable-looking maidservant hurriedly and attentively came forward to greet her.

Although in return, she was ignored by Arakawa Kirika.

The maid opened the back door for the two of them, then watched Arakawa Kirika get into the back seat with Shoko before returning to her own driver's seat.

Arakawa Kirika didn't exchange any words with the attendants after getting into the car, and the engine started immediately.

It was as if they already knew Arakawa Kirika's destination.

An eerie silence filled the car, making Xiangzi, an outsider, feel extremely uneasy.

She stole a glance at Arakawa Kirika.

The other person was reclining on the back of the car seat, gazing at the scenery outside the window.

It's really strange. No matter what, she's one of our own people... Why won't Arakawa Kirika even say a polite word?

For a moment, Xiangzi couldn't help but feel sorry for the maid in the driver's seat.

But then she realized how ridiculous she was.

How could she possibly have the right to feel sorry for others? She was nothing more than Arakawa Kirika's plaything.

Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere didn't last long.

They arrived at their destination quickly.

Xiangzi certainly recognized where he was.

The city's most bustling commercial district, if you had to make a comparison, would be like Ginza—a place where even breathing costs money, a place that sucks up cash.

Xiangzi herself had attended many social dinners here as a young lady.

But Arakawa Kirika's purpose in bringing her here was clearly not to attend a banquet, since it was only just past noon.

Following Arakawa Kirika, Shoko arrived at a clothing store.

Volume 1: Chapter 15 The 17th Level of Hell

Toyokawa Shoko quickly noticed that the clothing store in front of her was different from what she expected.

It's important to understand that in such a prime commercial area, even jewelry stores, gold shops, and luxury goods stores can only secure a very small shop space.

The size of this clothing store is astonishing, almost the size of an underground parking lot.

What puzzled Xiangzi even more was that the shop's decor... was full of extremely strong personal characteristics.

The ambient lighting in the store is all dim, which is strange enough.

Looking at the paintings on the walls...

A brown bear caught a salmon. Its sharp teeth tore the salmon's body in two, and the orange-yellow roe inside the fish burst out and scattered all over the ground.

An unknown insect fell into a spider web. Its repeated struggles before death only made it more and more tightly wrapped in the spider silk. Not far from it was a swarm of spiders. (I) (VII) The shadow of the spider.

Next, the pride of lions divided up their prey.

Sharks attack a school of sardines, as if they're enjoying a live buffet...

These murals all seem to express the same theme—hunting.

The answer is obvious.

In Xiangzi's view, the purpose of this shop is not to serve the general public at all, but rather... to serve a single person.

She looked at Arakawa Kirika.

Arakawa Kirika was also quite pleased with Shoko's surprised and uncertain expression.

She nodded slightly.

"You guessed right, this is indeed my shop."

Xiangzi couldn't help but swallow.

Today, she once again experienced the variability of the world.

Let alone her current family's decline, even her former self... in Arakawa Kirika's eyes would be no different from a poor person.

she thinks.

The two continued walking forward.

Toyokawa Shoko clearly saw that a serious-looking shop assistant was following them not far behind.

Xiangzi learned a lot from the other person's expression.

Knowing the owner's personality, I dare not get close easily, but I am also afraid that if I am too far away, I will not be able to provide service as soon as the owner calls.

They truly embodied the concept of being extremely cautious to the extreme.

"This will do."

Arakawa Kirika stopped in her tracks.

Xiangzi looked up and saw that the entire wall in front of him was covered with clothes.

Even with just a quick glance, Xiangzi noticed that the clothes were all designed to a high standard, and the color schemes... were full of Arakawa Kirika's style.

She felt like she understood a lot.

But what she was more curious about was why Arakawa Kirika had brought her here. If she was short of clothes, she could have simply given an order and someone would have brought her what she needed.