Gravity Girl Shining

……

After the sound check, Uehara Hibiki walked off the stage with Chihaya Aine and Kaname Rakuna, and walked towards Toyokawa Shoko and her group.

"Mu, we should go."

Carrying the guitar case and guitar bag, Shoko Toyokawa and Mutsu Wakaba walked towards the stage.

As they passed each other, Uehara Hibiki gave her an encouraging look. Toyokawa Shoko nodded slightly, then took Mutsu's hand and walked onto the stage. In the audience, Hachiman Kailing and Meowmu fell silent, and together with Uehara Hibiki and the other two, they watched this decisive moment.

On the stage, Toyokawa Shoko and Nagasaki Motoyo stood face to face. This was the first time they had been so close since their separation in Asukayama Park two weeks prior. Their eyes met briefly in mid-air, then quickly parted.

Finally, Shoko Toyokawa took a deep breath, pulled Wakaba Mutsu, and bowed deeply to the remaining three members of Crychic.

"sorry."

These three simple words contain so much unspeakable emotion. It is an apology to the past and a farewell to the future.

Nagasaki Suyo's eyes instantly reddened, but she fought back the tears. Shiina Riki turned away, fingers tightly gripping the drumsticks. Takamatsu Deng nodded gently. She had already completed her self-reflection and reconciliation with Xiangzi. Now, facing Wakaba Mu...

No words were spoken, but their inspirations collided invisibly. Just by nodding to each other, they understood each other's intentions.

Yes, no more words are needed.

Shoko Toyokawa silently distributed the printed sheet music to everyone. "Song of Wanting to Be Human II" was the original version of the song that Shoko Toyokawa had written for Crychic. Now, it became the last song that Shoko Toyokawa had written for Crychic.

Just like fate.

"let's start."

Toyokawa Shoko said softly, her fingers falling on the keyboard, and just like in her memory, her keyboard took the lead in leading the performance.

When the first note sounded, everyone's heart trembled. Initially, each person's performance was filled with their own emotions, but they conflicted with each other. Takamatsu's singing was filled with reluctance, Shiina Tatsuki's drums were a bit chaotic, Nagasaki Soyo's bass was low and restrained, and Mu's guitar was as precise as ever, but it was mixed with other tones.

This is normal. After all, except for the composer Shoko Toyokawa herself, this is the first time that everyone else has seen the music score for this song. Not to mention practicing together, even individual practice by each member has never happened before.

But soon, Toyokawa Shoko's keyboard sounds were like a gentle net, gently capturing and integrating everyone's scattered notes one by one. She seemed to transcend ordinary performance and instead communicate with each of her former teammates with her soul.

……

(Lyrics) [I'm looking for a home, looking for happiness, and I don't want to lose it]

"I'm sorry, Sushi, I took away your happiness."

"But now, you have a new home, so I want to tell you..."

"I wish you happiness!"

……

(Lyrics) [You dancing in the light are so far away that I can’t hold you back]

"I'm sorry, Lixi. I gave you the light without your permission, but your musical dream died halfway."

"But now, you still haven't given up your dream and still want to play your own music. It's really great."

"I wish you success!"

……

(lyrics)

[When you whispered that you wanted to be human, the words and tenderness I offered didn't resonate.]

Because everyone’s happiness is different, it has been like this since the beginning.

"Deng, I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you until the end and let you become a human."

"The hand you are about to hold is no longer mine."

"But... I still want to continue to be your soulmate, and I still want to continue to be friends with you."

"I also want to witness you become human!"

……

Toyokawa Shoko's fingers danced on the keys, and her golden eyes reflected the figures of each member. She used her superb technique to control every timbre on the stage, making them a pure emotional catharsis.

It was as if the words of the soul were conveyed to the heart, and everyone on the stage felt Toyokawa Shoko's emotions, the sincerity and sadness.

Then, tears flowed from my eyes and gathered into this river of sadness.

Gao Songdeng's tears sparkled in the light, and her voice trembled with tears, but her singing never stopped. Instead, she evolved and ascended all the way in the surging emotions in her heart!

(Lyrics) [Even so, I want to open my arms and reach out. Because no matter how many times I miss you, this is the cry from my heart.]

Chapter 127 The last spring shadow.

When the last note of "Song of Wanting to Be Human II" dissipated into the air, the five people on the stage were still immersed in the aftertaste, tears blurred their vision, but no one reached out to wipe them away.

Shoko Toyokawa's fingertips were still on the piano keys, and she looked at the people on the stage, stunned for a moment.

This was her first time on stage after a year. In her last performance, she was still the eldest daughter of the Toyokawa family, her father was still the sincere and reliable man, and Toyokawa Shoko was still full of beautiful dreams for the future.

But now, everything has changed.

But... fortunately, she has found new "relatives".

Shoko Toyokawa looked at Hibiki Uehara in the audience, who was smiling and applauding her.

That's right, Shoko Toyokawa will not give up, she will not be defeated.

Although there are no audiences and her former band was disbanded by herself, now, standing on this stage, this is a new beginning for Toyokawa Shoko.

Her golden pupils reflected the lights of the stage, like solidified amber. Shoko Toyokawa suddenly realized that she would no longer be blocked by sadness.

The silence lasted for a few seconds until Shiina Riki swallowed his tears, raised his hands and crossed his drumsticks. The crisp "tap, tap" sounds were as firm as a heartbeat.

"One more song."

Her voice was low but firm, and her eyes swept over the other four people.

There was no unnecessary communication, not even a glance of confirmation, everyone knew what song was going to be played next.

Toyokawa Shoko's fingers returned to the keys, and the prelude to "Kasuga Shadow" flowed out like flowing water. As Crychic's only song performed on stage, every note seemed to have been etched into everyone's bones. Whether it was Crychic's past or MyGo's present, this song carried their shared footprints.

This time, there was no unfamiliarity and confusion as in the previous song. Even without rehearsal, they were able to coordinate seamlessly. The five people's voices were like interwoven silk threads, tightly and smoothly woven into the same picture.

It's like stepping back in time to the best days of Crychic.

But this is just an illusion.

Shoko Toyokawa knew that Crychic was over.

Offstage, Hachiman Kairin's brow furrowed slightly. As a legendary mercenary, she had participated in over thirty bands, and the disbanding of those bands had often been accompanied by quarrels and resentment. But now, a group that had clearly fallen apart could instantly rediscover its former rapport, reconciling through music. The scene of farewell seemed so unfamiliar to her that it was almost blinding.

That tacit understanding, that trust, that bond that could be reattached even if broken, made Yawata Kailing's chest surge with an indescribable emotion - was it envy, or jealousy? She couldn't tell.

Hachiman Kailing has never had such a "band". This kind of bond, this kind of trust, is exactly what she has always longed for but never got.

"It's really amazing..."

Miao Meng sighed softly, but her eyes were fixed on Toyokawa Shoko.

"She was crying her eyes out just now, but now she can play the piano so steadily. This young lady is even more interesting than I thought. I never thought she would be so sentimental... In that case, joining her band shouldn't be too bad."

Hachiman Kailing did not respond, but just glanced at her coldly.

"Why? Don't you think so?"

Miao Meng tilted her head and teased in a deliberately light tone.

"A young lady who values ​​friendship and loyalty is much easier to deal with than a cold, technical geek. At least she won't kick someone out of the band just for one mistake."

"You are quite calculating."

Hachiman Kailing finally spoke, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"It's a professional habit."

Miao Meng shrugged and returned his gaze to the stage.

"But I do understand why you hesitated. A 'band' like this is truly enviable."

Hearing Miao Meng's answer and recalling her little thoughts, Hachiman Kailing couldn't help but smile, turned to Miao Meng and spoke.

"Are you willing to give your entire life to me?"

"what?"

Miao Meng looked puzzled.

"What kind of chuunibyou line is that? So corny! Are you confessing your love to me?"

"These are what Toyokawa-san said when he invited me."

The corners of Hachiman Kailing's mouth curled up in an almost invisible arc.

"Forming a band is such a serious matter for her."

If Miao Meng joined the band just to gain popularity, then it is obvious that when she wants to quit, Toyokawa Shoko will not let her go. It seems that Hachiman Kailing has already seen Miao Meng's tragic future.

Miao Meng was stunned for a moment, then waved his hands exaggeratedly.

"Wow, such a heavy line. Are you forming a band because you're planning to get married? That's too much! Isn't a band just about playing music together?"

Hachiman Kailing did not refute, but a corner of her heart quietly loosened - perhaps, this "heaviness" was what she had been looking for.

On stage, Kasuga Kage's melody gradually reached its climax. Takamatsu Tomo's voice resonated with Toyokawa Shoko's keyboard, these two soulmates constantly understanding each other's feelings. Nagasaki Soyo and Wakaba Mutsu's melodies intertwined, their eyes meeting as if they were offering an apology. Shiina Tatsuki's drums, powerful as an engine, drove the band forward.

……

(lyrics)

Heart-wrenching and endearing (harmony)

I feel like I can understand it right now.

Makes people happy and obsessed (harmony)

Shining on me who can't cry.

The light gently carries me along.

……

Then, as the melody changed, Deng looked at Wakaba Mu. Although Wakaba Mu said her guitar couldn't sing, Deng could still "hear" her emotions, her love for everyone, and her apology to everyone.

So... no need to apologize anymore, no need to blame yourself anymore.

The melodies of Toyokawa Shoko and Nagasaki Suyo intertwine, keyboard and bass blend into one, and all the missed opportunities and regrets are now faced with openness. Even if we are no longer bandmates or schoolmates...but the friendship we once had does not need to be severed, and the memories we once had do not need to be forgotten.

Even though she is about to form a new band, Toyokawa Shoko will never forget Crychic for the rest of her life. Nagasaki Suyo got the perfect answer she longed for.

When the final note fell, the stage fell into silence. No one spoke, only standing there quietly, taking in the lingering sound of the music. The five of them wiped away tears and smiled at each other. All the misunderstandings, regrets, and reluctance to part were finally resolved in that moment.

Crychic will completely become a memory, but they will continue to move forward with this memory.

This is a farewell and also a new beginning.

Gao Songdeng spoke first, her voice trembling uncontrollably due to crying.

"thank you all."

Toyokawa Shoko nodded gently, her eyes sweeping over each member before turning to the audience. Although only Hailing, Nyanmu, Uehara Hibiki, Aine, and Rakuna were present, she still bowed deeply, her voice firm and sincere.

"Thank you."

Applause broke out from the audience, and Uehara Hibiki, Chihaya Aine and others applauded, and the applause was full of respect and blessings.

After stepping off the stage, Toyokawa Shoko walked straight towards Hachiman Kailing. There was a hint of fatigue on her face, but more of relaxation and relief.

"Hachiman-san, have you thought about it?"

There was a hint of expectation in Toyokawa Shoko's voice, but those golden pupils made Yawata Kailing feel a kind of inexplicable pressure, as if many bad things would happen if she refused.

Hai Ling was silent for a moment, staring into those golden eyes, as if to stimulate the madness in her heart, and finally nodded.

"Well, I agree to join your band."

Shoko Toyokawa was visibly relieved and continued.

"That's good. I've recently inquired about the mercenary market and have raised enough money to pay you. Of course, if you want to raise the price, I can consider it."

But what Hachiman Kailing said next stunned both her and Miaomeng. Hachiman Kailing shook her head, her tone calm and generous.