People are in Mygo, and I can write their personalities.

"Wait a minute..." Ai-yin, who hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise, spoke up, "Don't we still not have a drummer? A band can't function without a drummer, can it...?"

"Let's use a recording for now."

Shoko Toyokawa thought about it and felt that it was not appropriate to just bring in a new drummer. After all, no matter how you looked at Riki's situation, she felt that she absolutely could not do anything to completely exclude him from Crychic.

“But…” This was Su Shi’s voice.

"Su Shi, Li hope will definitely come back, please believe me?"

"She's already on Nanami Natsuki's side, are you sure... Never mind, let's not talk about her for now, okay?"

Because of the presence of Kodama and Aine, who were not involved, Nagasaki Motoyo was not very keen on discussing Tachibana's issues at length.

However, she already had some other ideas in mind, such as bringing in another drummer.

To be honest, her obsession with Lixi wasn't as deep as her obsession with Xiaoxiang. Even though she and Lixi had gotten to know each other better during this time, the more she understood, the clearer it became that there seemed to be a natural barrier between them.

Su Shi admired Li Xi's outward persistence, but when she discovered that Li Xi was only doing it out of necessity and that the real Li Xi was someone who wanted to escape herself and embrace shortcuts, Su Shi realized that she and Li Xi might not be on the same path.

Xiao Xiang is unaware of these things, and she doesn't need to let Xiao Xiang know them now. Since everyone has the opportunity to reunite, Nagasaki Motoyo feels that she needs to step up and take on a lot of responsibilities and work, instead of pushing everything onto Xiao Xiang as before and only enjoying her own comfort in the background.

The band needs to be managed... Su Shi understands this very well now, and that's why she doesn't want the unstable Li hope to return to the band.

"Are you going to write a new song?"

The usually quiet Xiaodeng immediately addressed another crucial question, leaving Xiangzi and Sushi speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Fortunately, Su Shi stepped forward and made a relatively reasonable suggestion in the end:

"Let's not consider creating new songs for now. We haven't gotten back into sync yet, and I don't know how good Ai Yin's voice is."

"Huh? Me...me..."

When Aine's name was mentioned, she spoke haltingly. Others might not know, but how could she not know her current level?

Since her apprentice intensified her practice, she has been trying to practice guitar at home every weekend, but each time she is deeply shocked by her own level of skill, or rather, shocked in the opposite way.

"Um, I mean... a new band should have new songs, right? And look, Xiaodeng seems to think so too, right... Xiaodeng..."

"Ah."

"See?"

"Hey, I'm telling you," Nagasaki Motoyo looked at Aine again with a scrutinizing gaze, "you're not just a half-baked amateur, are you? Are you so reluctant to start rehearsing right away because you're afraid of exposing yourself?"

"What...what are you saying! How could I possibly..."

"Su Shi, don't be like this... Aine meant well." Toyokawa Shoko didn't want everyone to get into this pointless argument, after all, what she feared most right now was the negative emotions on everyone's faces.

"Xiao Xiang, your current situation... well, I think it's still more like Haruhi Kage..."

"no!"

Su Shi looked at Xiao Xiang, who was becoming somewhat agitated, with some surprise. She didn't even realize that there was anything wrong with her suggestion, but looking at the struggle on Xiao Xiang's face... she felt like she was seeing her past self.

Still can't let go of Li hope...?

Why did you do this? Li Xi did something to wrong you, Xiao Xiang. Even at the very end, that girl was still stubbornly denying it, saying that she hadn't been abusing your talent for a long time... Who believes that?

Xiao Xiang, you're just too gentle. It's really not worth it for a fool like you who's so stubborn.

But that's just the kind of person Su Shi is. She hopes everyone can get back together, but she hopes even more that Xiangzi can get out of the shadows of the past.

"Su Shi, I can try composing. I won't lose to that guy."

"Are you really capable? Oh no... Xiao Xiang, I'm not doubting you, you know your current situation..."

"Don't worry, Su Shi." A resolute glint flashed in Toyokawa Shoko's eyes. "Although I may not be able to write particularly amazing songs, I still have the basic knowledge of composition and arrangement, don't I?"

"..."

Su Shi hesitated, but this hesitation only lingered in her mind for a moment. Perhaps... she also hoped to hear the new song that Xiao Xiang and Xiao Deng collaborated on?

"Let's call it a day then." Su Shi sighed, and glanced at Aine with a sharp look. "But I think we should use Haruhi Kage as practice for now. Tomorrow... let's go to Circle and book a recording studio for a rehearsal. I'll also call Mutsu over to come along."

"Huh?"

"Are you alright, Chihaya-kun?"

"I...of course I have no problem."

Chihaya Aine tried hard to control her inner turmoil, and after everyone officially parted ways, she fiercely raised her little fist in the direction where Suze had left.

"What a despicable guy!"

"Ughhhhh... This is so frustrating! Why can't I get a word in edgewise from the very beginning? Isn't this supposed to be a new band? Why do I feel like a complete outsider?!"

Chihaya Aine was starting to regret it. She felt that she probably shouldn't have joined such a bad band, but... she really wanted to form a band with Kotomi and also wanted to see what had happened in her little apprentice's previous band.

On her way home alone, Aine pondered the specific gains and losses. Of course, she also quickly reviewed the information she had gathered as an eavesdropper that day.

First, she could draw a conclusion: that Riki... seemed to be a very good friend of Nanami Natsuki. Riki probably shared the same thought as her, feeling that Nanami Natsuki shouldn't be treated like that by Suze and the others, which was why she stood firmly by Nanami's side.

The world is inherently bad, but things become good in the future—this is an unshakeable conclusion.

Secondly, there was a brief disagreement regarding the performance of the song "Haruhi Kage".

Regardless of Xiaodeng's attitude, the thoughts expressed by Nagasaki Motoyo and Toyokawa Shoko truly confirmed one of her conjectures:

Xiangzi was a substitute used to replace Xiaoyue.

Perhaps she felt uncomfortable because she remembered that the song belonged to the former captain, Xiaoyue, or perhaps the blue-haired girl's pride wouldn't allow her to play someone else's song. In any case... Xiangzi was fighting for her place.

She hoped she could completely replace Xiaoyue's former position, whether it was composing or playing keyboards... but the problem was that this girl's ambition was supported by Su Shi, who currently had the most say in the band.

Damn it!

Are you really going to abandon your former teammate, Xiaoyue, like this? Nagasaki Motoyo... when you excitedly and eagerly pulled Xiaoyue onto the stage to reunite with her in your old band, you didn't act like this at all!

"But the problem is, Xiaodeng still doesn't want to talk to me about Xiaoyue..."

Aine, who had thrown herself onto the sofa, looked at the message from Xiaodeng on her phone that said "I don't know Nanami" and felt very frustrated.

"Yeah...maybe I really am an outsider to this band that already has a certain prior relationship with us."

Should she agree to join that band with Erina and the others? If that were the case... she would probably get a lot of attention, right?

"And Su Shi even hinted that I should play that 'Spring Shadow' piece well tomorrow... Wait, you didn't even add me as a friend and send me the sheet music! Isn't this deliberately making things difficult for me...?"

"Hmm? Right... I can ask Xiaoyue."

Aine, who jumped up from the sofa, immediately thought of her good apprentice. However... she hadn't told Xiaoyue yet that she was Chihaya Aine. Would it be a bit abrupt to say such a thing so abruptly?

But then again... since I haven't revealed my identity, can't I just naturally inquire about Crychic's past as an outsider?

Thinking this, Ai Yin put her phone back in front of her, found Xiao Yue's LINE number, and sent her a carefully considered message:

[Chihaya Aine: Nanami, did you practice your guitar diligently today?]

After some time, Aiyin received a reply:

[Natsuki Nanami: Ah, I haven't started practicing yet today because something came up.]

Some things... I guess it refers to what happened in the coffee shop? It's really tough on her little apprentice. She suffered such a great injustice but didn't say anything. Of course, it's also possible that she talked to Lixi about these troubles and received some comfort.

But as her mentor, she also wanted to do something for her disciple...

[Chihaya Aine: Speaking of which, Nanami, you must have learned other musical instruments before, right? Like the piano or something?]

[Natsuki Nanami: Yeah, I did study piano, but I'm only so-so at it.]

That's considered average?!

Xiaoyue, you're so modest!

[Chihaya Aine: Nanami, have you ever been in any bands before?]

[Natsuki Nanami: A band? I've never been in one...]

"Is she unwilling to talk to her, her master, about those painful memories from the past?" Aine felt somewhat disappointed, but it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.

However, Aine did not want to give up so easily. Even though what she said next might reveal her identity, she still wanted to get more information from Kozuki.

[Chihaya Aine: But I remember seeing your performance from the audience before, although I only just remembered it today. But I remember you were pulled onto the stage by a girl, and you played that song together as the band Crychic, right?]

This time, the wait was longer than ever before.

Even Aine felt a little regretful, wondering if her words had offended the girl, and was already preparing to send an apology.

But just as she was typing her apology, Nanami Natsuki's reply arrived.

[Natsuki Nanami: So you saw it... Yes, that was indeed my band, but now that band has nothing to do with me anymore, and I don't want to hear anything about them anymore.]

Sure enough!

Chihaya Aine jumped up on the spot, and only after the excitement subsided did she suddenly realize that her emotions seemed rather impolite, even though Tsukiko across from her couldn't see her reaction at that moment.

However, things are becoming clearer now, as long as I can find out from Tsuki what happened in those few days that made Nagasaki Motoyo turn against Tsuki.

Chihaya Aine... your efforts were worthwhile! You are the most righteous, kindest, and most ethically exemplary beautiful girl!

Chapter 100 Xiangzi: Does Mu actually have a split personality? (5700 words)

"Xiao Xiang, this is enough."

At the JR subway exit on the east side of Ikebukuro Station, on the Tobu overpass, Shoko and Akari stood silently by the railing. It was Akari, who was about to leave, who finally spoke, breaking the silence.

"...Little Lamp, are you still blaming me?"

"Huh?"

Gao Songdeng's voice carried a hint of doubt; perhaps in her view, the one who had failed from beginning to end was herself.

“I shouldn’t have said that to you… I was just thinking… well, I don’t know what I was thinking at the time.”

To nitpick about the lead singer's skill level when the band is on the verge of collapse? This is clearly nitpicking and a way to divert attention.

Moreover, Xiaodeng's hard work is evident to all. In just one month, she went from not being able to make a sound at the beginning to being able to perform a whole song on stage without running out of breath or forgetting the lyrics... This has already surpassed some professional players, right?

How could she be dissatisfied with such a result? How could she say anything negative about it in front of others? Apart from the fact that she was so focused on escaping at the time that she didn't consider even the slightest thought of everyone present, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't find any other reason.

"Little lamp...it's all my fault."

"Xiao Xiang?"

"I've been thinking about it, and if I had been able to see things from your perspective back then, maybe none of this would have happened. The band could have continued, but I ruined everything."

"..."