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

Yes, she pushed everyone away. Xiao Xiang became like that, Li Xi disappeared without a trace, Xiao Mu lost contact due to some misunderstandings, and she didn't even dare to disturb that little lamp that was still a blank sheet of paper.

In the end, the only person who would listen to her was the very culprit who had caused her such a terrible ordeal.

What is this? Stockholm syndrome?

"Heh..." Su Shi chuckled self-deprecatingly, sliding down the wall and curling up in the dimly lit corner of the living room. "Nanami Natsuki, do you think I'm ridiculous?"

"A little," the person on the other end of the phone said bluntly.

"Yes, I think so too." Su Shi closed her eyes, and the tension that had been building up for so long finally snapped. She didn't want to pretend anymore, nor did she want to maintain any semblance of dignity in front of that person.

"I'm so anxious... I'm really anxious."

Her voice was as light as a breeze, yet it was filled with deep weariness. "I want to make the band work, I want to make Toyokawa Shoko regret it... But I really don't know what to do."

"I used to think that as long as everyone got together, as long as that song was played, everything would come back to normal. But now... Xiangzi is gone, and Lixi is gone too."

"The rest of these people... Chihaya Aine, always laughing and joking, you can't tell what she's thinking at all. Does she really care about the band? Or does she just think it's fun? And that guy who suddenly appeared, Hayashi Koko... He's so skilled, but he wears a mask and says nonsensical things."

"I don't know how to trust them... I'm afraid that if I give my heart, I'll only get betrayal and separation in return. I don't have Xiao Xiang's convincing charm, nor Li Xi's pure persistence... I'm just someone who only knows how to calculate and force things..."

"A troublemaker?"

“…Shut up.” Su Shi retorted weakly, but didn’t get angry as usual.

She truly felt like a clown, desperately trying to hold onto a shattered dream among a group of people she didn't know and couldn't trust.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Then came Nanami Natsuki's unique voice, which carried a hint of mockery yet was surprisingly clear.

"Sister Su Shi, aren't you overthinking things?"

"what?"

“That pink-haired brat… oh no, Chihaya Aine, she doesn’t have as many thoughts as you think.” Nanami Natsuki’s voice was tinged with amusement. “She’s just a simple-minded idiot. She wants to form a band, she wants to be in the limelight, and she also wants to be with kids like Kotomi who have ‘unique worldviews’.”

"That's all. There's no conspiracy or scheming. She's the kind of person who'll beam at the slightest bit of kindness, and a single compliment can send her soaring to the heavens. Just give her a stage, make her feel needed, and she'll follow you around like a puppy."

"Is...is that so?" Su Shi was somewhat stunned.

"As for that Lin Guzi..." Nanami Natsuki paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts, or perhaps suppressing a laugh, "She is indeed a friend of Lixi and Xiaomu. I'm not lying to you about that."

"Think about it, Lixi, that stubborn tsundere, even though she says she doesn't want to care anymore, and says she wants to elope with me... cough cough, anyway, that kind of thing. But can she really let go in her heart?"

"That Lin Guzi is the 'proxy' who obtained Li hope's drumming ability. She was brought in by Li hope to fill the void after her departure, and to prevent your mess from falling apart completely."

"And I can tell you this with full responsibility: Lin Guzi is someone who truly wants a place to belong. She needs it more than anyone else, and even all of you combined... probably don't value this opportunity as much as she does."

"She's just not ready to face herself and you all yet, that's why she's wearing a mask, but I hope you can believe me, Sister Su Shi..."

"Believe you?"

"Oh, we're old friends, can't you give me some face? Look, whenever you want to call me to confide in me, I'll answer immediately, right? Even though I have a bad temper, I smell good, you used to be..."

"Shut up! Don't bring up those things!" Su Shi's face was a little flushed, clearly thinking about the past when she mistakenly took her frantic behavior towards Nanami Natsuki as "love".

However, Nanami Natsuki was indeed unusually serious. Although she still exuded an air of superiority, every word she uttered clearly reached Su Shi's ears and heart.

"So, Nagasaki Motoyo, don't always feel like you're fighting alone, and don't always think so badly of others."

"Even Shiina Ritsuki, whom you've scolded countless times... she's trying to help you in her own awkward way."

The phone hangs up.

The busy signal echoed in the empty living room.

Nagasaki Motoyo held her phone, remaining motionless in that position for a long time.

The moonlight streaming in through the window illuminated her profile.

Lixi......

So, was that drummer who looked exactly like Li Xi really arranged by Li hope?

So, even though he said he was breaking ties and even though he had left, that guy... was still secretly concerned about this place?

Even Chihaya Aine, who seems a bit flamboyant, isn't as bad as I imagined?

A feeling called "guilt," mixed with a long-lost "warmth," quietly spread through Su Shi's heart, which had long been cold and dry.

If that's really the case...

If everyone is still working hard in different ways...

So, could she perhaps... look forward to that future a little longer?

Chapter 134 Can dolls also... you know? (5100 words)

"Phew... I'm exhausted. Shiina Tatsuki, are you trying to murder your husband... no, I mean, your master?"

Pushing open the door, Nanami Natsuki collapsed onto the entryway carpet without any regard for her image. Even the simple act of taking off her shoes felt like torture to her, having just finished her night run.

These past few days, Li Xi has been completely obsessed. He's not only ruthless to himself in music creation, but also in physical training, and he's even targeting this innocent girl who just wants to be a couch potato.

According to Li Xi, "As Mujica's guitarist, your stamina isn't even enough to last half a live show. If we hold a concert at the Taipei Arena in the future, do you want the audience to see you faint on stage?"

Natsuki remembers replying at the time as... "Is it an art form for a beautiful girl like her to faint?" And that was it. Riki, rolling her eyes, forcibly dragged her off the sofa and took her for a night run.

Of course, Li Xi is right... but isn't thinking a bit too far ahead about the giant dome?

She didn't have such lofty ideals; she just wanted to live a good life in the present.

"Lixi? Get me a glass of water..."

Natsuki called out weakly, but the only response was the clatter of keyboard keys and the occasional click of the mouse.

She struggled to lift her head and saw Shiina Ritsuki, who had returned home long before her after shaking her off, sitting cross-legged in front of the coffee table in a corner of the living room. Her wet hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she was wearing loose loungewear, clearly having already taken a shower.

At this moment, Lixi was wearing headphones, staring at the computer screen with fervent and focused eyes, her fingers flying across the keyboard, as if that small screen held the most attractive thing in the world for her.

"Tsk...this guy."

Nanami Natsuki pouted, feeling a little annoyed at being ignored, but mostly a sense of accomplishment as a "teacher".

Look, this is the "genius" composer she created.

Although the creative process was somewhat perverse... because Lixi is currently wearing her clothes and her pantyhose.

Who would have thought? Shiina Tatsuki, the super cool keyboardist and composer of the currently popular band Ave Mujica, is actually a female pervert who bullies the poor little one in the band in private and even steals the other's underwear to wear for inspiration?

If word gets out, those female fans will probably... well, it's hard to say whether they'll be disappointed or excited.

"Hey, I'm calling you! You stinky Lixi!!!"

Natsuki got up, walked behind Riki, and poked her still-wet cheek with her finger.

"...Stop fooling around."

Li hope didn't even turn his head, but just shook his head impatiently, as if shooing away an annoying fly. "This melody is crucial. If it breaks, I'll tie you up and use you as a drum."

"..."

Well, now the roles have reversed, right?

However, Nanami Natsuki wasn't angry. She leaned over and glanced at the densely packed audio tracks on the screen. Although her limited music theory knowledge wasn't enough for her to see the whole song at a glance, the repressed, frenzied yet strangely beautiful melody definitely had a Mujica feel to it.

"Alright, alright, great composer, you can continue with your work. I'm going to take a shower."

Natsuki stood up and stretched, feeling uncomfortable as her sweaty, sticky clothes clung to her body.

"By the way, where's Lin Guzi?"

"You mean Metis... She's charging in your room," Lixi replied casually, her fingers still moving.

"Charge?"

Natsuki paused for a moment, then realized. Oh right, although Metis now has this expensive silicone body, it is still essentially a high-end doll. Although it doesn't need to eat, the parts used to "clamp" and rotate certain private parts and the miniature motor that makes the eyeballs move still need electricity.

Who told Nanami Natsuki to buy the highest-end stuff? You could even say that if a top-notch makeup artist were to do Metis's makeup, it would be so realistic that no one could tell the difference.

Oh right, another thing is that the waterproof function is amazing. After all, if it weren't waterproof, those otaku wouldn't be so willing to spend money to buy it.

"I'll go see her."

Pushing open the door to the second bedroom, the same room where Hatsuka had spent the night, Nanami Natsuki immediately saw Metis sitting quietly by the bed.

She—or rather, it—was in a state of near-standby. Her glassy eyes stared unfocused ahead, and she wore the same black trench coat she had worn during her first appearance, remaining motionless, truly resembling an exquisitely crafted display piece.

"Metis?"

Natsuki called out softly.

The next second, those eyes instantly lit up, as if they had been infused with a soul. Metis turned his head sharply, and upon seeing Natsuki, a bright, almost exaggerated smile immediately bloomed on his face.

"Natsuki-neechan! You're back!"

She jumped off the bed with such fluidity that it was hard to believe she was a silicone doll.

"Sister Lixi said she was busy and told me not to bother her, so I can only play here counting sheep... I've already counted 13,000."

"What?"

"How about we go eat roast lamb tomorrow, Natsuki-neechan?"

“It’s not impossible, perhaps we could also call on Takamatsu Akari… wait, why did I think of calling Akari?” Natsuki touched her wonderfully soft golden curly hair. “How is it, Metis? Are you getting used to this body?”

"Mmm! This is amazing!" Metis waved her arms excitedly. "I can run, I can jump, and I can even play the drums! Is this what it feels like to be alive? Natsuki-neechan, thank you so much... *sobs*"

Looking into Metis's pure and innocent eyes of gratitude, Nanami Natsuki felt a rare sense of accomplishment rising within her.

Although she severely misled Xiao Mu and manipulated Xiangzi, she did give him a new life, at least for the little personality that was originally trapped in the depths of his consciousness.

For no apparent reason, Nanami Natsuki suddenly felt like she was a mother, and then, because of the word "mother," the image of Nagasaki Motoyo popped into her mind.

Hmm, it's probably just because the other person called me before I went out tonight.

It's not that I'm lusting after that big, horny sow.

"Well, since you're my 'creation,' it's only right that I treat you well." Natsuki gave a haughty snort, then her gaze fell on Metis's heavy clothes.

"Speaking of which, you haven't changed your clothes yet, have you? They must be covered in dust and sweat... Even if you don't sweat, you must feel dirty inside, right?"

"Huh?" Metis blinked, seemingly not quite understanding the concept of "dirty".

"I'm going to take a shower anyway." Nanami Natsuki's eyes darted around, and a signature mischievous grin spread across her face. "Little Metis, want to shower with your older sister?"

"Take a bath?" Metis tilted his head. "But I'm a doll. Can dolls take baths? Won't they get wet and break?"