You are Toyokawa Shoko, then who am I?

Really...

Very magical feeling.

"You, like my sister, have incredible talents, but perhaps you're just too amazing. Like the stars in the sky, you only admire their beauty when you look up, and don't think about standing at the same height. Or perhaps it's because you said we've known each other for ten years, and in that alternate timeline, it feels like I've always been by your side. Anyway, whatever the reason is."

"...When I'm with you, I don't feel that lingering haze in my heart anymore."

The girl's words were not embellished with fancy words, but only expressed simple and unpretentious emotions.

It looks like a small flower blooming on a cliff.

The aesthetics that humans have cultivated throughout history have nothing to do with it. It does not possess the description of words, the kneading of clay, the reconstruction of paintings, or the freezing of photography, nor does it need to possess them.

It will not be picked up in a flower shop, have its roots cut off, its branches pruned, and then rolled into thin plastic paper with other brightly colored flowers, accompanied by people's lengthy and noisy words as the beginning of a confession.

It's there.

As long as you look over, you will see its thin and slender body swaying slightly in the breeze, as if waving and greeting you.

No need for excessive modification.

Because its existence itself is a kind of beauty.

simple.

warm.

And it goes straight to people's hearts.

"Originally, I just wanted to hone my skills by your side and help you connect with Su Shi. I also wanted to repay you for helping me pass the interview out of loyalty."

"I could clearly look at you with a clear conscience, but ever since we sat on the lawn together and watched the fireworks, I feel like a player has been inserted into my brain. No matter what I do, I will think of what you said to me..."

"It was like this the day before yesterday, it was like this yesterday, and it's like this today... I don't know why my heart always follows you, but after meeting Mu, I finally understood what I was thinking."

Shiina Riki released his hand, took a step back, raised his sight carefully, which was no longer blurred by the watercolor like before, exhaled, and spoke seriously.

"You told your boss yesterday that you wanted to be my lifelong partner."

"Xiang, I feel the same way now. Whether as a drummer or as myself... these are my true feelings."

"I still have something to say to you, but I... honestly, I can't say it, and I don't think I'm qualified to say it right now."

Shiina Riki turned her eyes away uncomfortably, bit her lips hard a few times, which she had bitten many times before closing her eyes and speaking out.

"So, could you please... wait for me for a moment? I hope that one day, I can stand in front of you confidently, proudly, and honestly tell you—"

I like you.

Shiina Riki said frankly in his heart.

In fact, something as heavy as a lifetime is much harder to express than "I like you" which is youthful and light like a cloud.

But for a girl with sincere love.

Compared to a word like "a lifetime" which lacks a sense of reality.

A direct confession of feelings should be more specific and leave no room for tact.

but.

All the long speeches she said were actually no different from confessions. Realizing this, she froze in place. In an instant, embarrassment and shame immediately swept from her fingertips to her mind.

Am I being too long-winded...

Am I too troublesome...

After all, was it too close for me to hug her right from the start?

Countless complicated thoughts rose from Shiina Riki's mind.

It was also at this time.

She heard the person in front of her speak.

"Okay, I promise you."

Just a simple sentence.

But it suddenly cleared away all the voices in my mind.

Shiina Riki widened his eyes slightly.

A heart beating in the chest.

It reached its highest value at this moment.

"Although I told you on the stairs that I would wait for you until you accept yourself."

Toyokawa Sho sighed, "Alas, you really didn't listen to me..."

"No! I listened! I just wanted to confirm again-"

Li Xi quickly shook his hands to explain himself.

"Okay, I'm just kidding."

Toyokawa Sho stretched out his dog paws and pinched the girl's slightly round cheeks. The girl did not resist, but closed her eyes embarrassedly and let the other party rub her cheeks at will.

Look at her look.

I guess even if we kiss each other later, you won’t say much.

They look like they are more than friends but less than lovers.

In fact, the real affection level is already above that of lovers, the only thing missing is marriage.

I guess when I go home at night, I will start thinking about where to buy a house in the future and how much money I need to earn to ensure a stable and worry-free life.

you're right.

But this is Shiina Riki.

A natural body, powerful stats, and a much higher favorability than expected. He cares about your every move even more than a girlfriend does, silently remembering any words you say. He remains silent most of the time, but once he gets the chance, he'll deal high amounts of true damage...

Yes, I have been a fan of black hair since a long time ago.

You know, she's incredibly strong.

"Ryo-senpai said he went down to get some water, but he hasn't come back in a while. I guess Shinji-san is holding him back."

Toyokawa Sho asked, "Ritsuki, is there anything else you want to do? It's still early for the next year. I can teach you to play drums. Of course, if you want to learn guitar, that's fine too."

"Don't you want to re-record that song?"

Li Xi blamed himself a little, "I was crying the whole time, and the drum rhythm was totally off. I can do better if I play it again."

"No need to do it again, the one we just had was great, our emotions were very strong."

Toyokawa Sho smiled and said, "And did you notice? Even though it was our first practice, we actually sang it from beginning to end without missing a beat or making any mistakes. It's amazing, isn't it?"

"So that's really..."

Li Xi also realized it later. She had not practiced the piece systematically for the first time, but she was able to play it so smoothly until the end... Although it was magical, she did not find it incredible.

Because the answer was standing right in front of her.

The reason why I can play well is simple.

Because the person you admire, the person you like, the person you trust, the person you hope to be with forever... is right beside you.

Just looking at his back.

I feel the power constantly emerging from within me.

Follow this feeling and beat the drums.

Of course there is nothing wrong with that.

"Xiang."

Li Xi tried to call out the name.

"what happened?"

Toyokawa Sho looked at her.

"That time on the stairs, you said you owed me a lot... Actually, I didn't do anything. I just sent Mu a few messages and made a phone call. It's nothing."

"But in my opinion, Lixi, you really helped me a lot. It's all thanks to you that I can laugh so easily now."

Toyokawa Sho shook his head.

"Then, in return, can I ask you to do me a favor?"

Oh?

Toyokawa Sho stroked his chin with interest.

This guy Li Xi actually pointed out the skill of asking questions?

"What's the favor? Feel free to ask."

Toyokawa Sho nodded in agreement.

"Hey... Look, didn't you record this song specifically to send to comfort Mu?"

Li Xi felt a little embarrassed.

"That's right."

Toyokawa Sho seemed to have vaguely guessed someone's intention.

"So that's it..."

"Can I sing a song for you too?"

Li Xi blushed.

"No, no, this song is enough for me! I want to... want to..."

"think?"

Toyokawa Sho moved his face closer.

"I want you to... record a message for me, or something..."

Li Xi's eyes shifted, and he quickly found a legitimate reason, "Didn't I say I wanted to be a drummer worthy of you? So, I just want to take a word from you as a beacon of encouragement for myself!"

"That's it..."

Toyokawa Sho pretended to be in deep thought.

Lixi nodded, then looked seriously at someone who had been teasing her.

"I promise you."

Toyokawa Sho felt that the time was about up, so he gave an accurate answer, and then as he expected, he saw Li Xi's visibly happy expression.

The intention is written on his face.

Really easy to understand.

"Well, Lixi, what do you want me to say? I'll use your phone to record it for you."

"Um……"

Li Xi began to think quickly.

It doesn't take much thought to know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The timing of this sentence will largely determine your future path, and also determine whether you can be fully recovered when you pull an all-nighter.

So what should Xiang say?

If I could make him say I like you...

No, no, no, that's not realistic.

Come on, Lixi?

It felt too brief.

You can definitely do it?

It feels like I'm forcing myself...

Seeing Li Xi's distressed look, Fengchuan Xiang thought for a while, took Li Xi's mobile phone, turned on the recorder inside, pressed the red start button, and said softly.