Can Lixi look at me alone?

The pink-haired girl, somewhat puzzled but not concerned, deliberately slowed her pace, but she slowed down as well.

trouble.

A gentle smile can be a magic bullet for quickly closing the distance, but it can also be a sign that makes others go too far.

Yuzuki hated this feeling.

Fortunately, the girl was only comparing her face.

"Hello? Are you the keyboardist for Crychic? I'm a fan!"

Yuzuki stopped walking.

Oh, they're fans...

"Um, may I ask... who is your favorite person?"

It should be the drummer, since the drummer looks the prettiest one.

Yuzuki saw her and shook her head with an embarrassed smile.

"I like each and every one of you very much. Please continue your activities. I will always be your fan!"

lie.

Her gentle smile remained unchanged as Yuzuki looked to the side.

"Because the person you like is having a lot of fun in the band. So you want us to continue the band activities, right?"

She was so sensitive to these emotions that she could see through the blonde, purple-eyed girl's true thoughts at a glance.

But even if you know... why say it?

What if she gets angry and starts arguing with me here after I say it...?

She touched the utility knife in her pocket through the fabric with the back of her hand holding the bag.

Am I right?

Is it that obvious?

Mikasa sighed, giving up on hiding it from Yuzuki. After all, this person in front of her was Shoko's companion, and even a fellow keyboardist; the two must be very good friends…

Xiangzi's friend should also be her friend.

"Well... my name is Misumi Hatsuka, and I'm also Shoko's friend... I'm currently doing idol activities in Tokyo..."

To avoid embarrassing her, Yuzuki, who knew absolutely nothing about idols, put the things down and gently patted them with her hands in front of her.

"Wow, that's amazing! So you're Misaki-kun? I've seen your show too..."

I have absolutely no idea, but I think it's okay to say it like this.

But... why is she Xiao Xiang's friend? I'm inexplicably starting to dislike her.

Chu Hua, who was still unaware of Xiangzi's image in Jieyue's mind, tilted her head and, seemingly enjoying the flattery, helped her lift the bag.

"Chika-san...? If I'm not mistaken, right?"

Seeing how enthusiastic she was, Yuzuki bought her a drink and waved with a smile.

"You can ask Xiao Xiang directly, Triangle Student."

Why not ask questions first before striking up a conversation? Xiao Xiang's friend is just as annoying as she is…

She seemed surprised by the answer, but after seeing Yuzuki's smile... Hatsuka thought she was joking.

"Of course we can't ask Xiao Xiang for everything... Also, has Xiao Xiang been practicing lately?"

I don't know why Xiao Xiang seems to have become very busy lately... He often doesn't reply to messages, and even when he does, it's just a few perfunctory words.

She was a little worried... Had Xiangzi, who always seemed so happy, been experiencing something... a problem she couldn't solve?

But even if she were, it probably wouldn't be her turn...

Right now, she's just a minor idol; there's no way she can compare to those rich young ladies in terms of influence...

not to mention…

Miss Chika Yuzuki looks very gentle, and she will definitely help Xiaoxiang if there is anything she needs.

I need to work harder and strive for better... I hope that one day, I can stand on the same stage as Xiao Xiang...

"Xiao Xiang... won't be coming to practice anymore."

After considering it for a moment, Yuzuki, deciding to get a little revenge on Xiangzi, put on a troubled expression and said something that made Chu Hua's mind wander...

"Eh?"

Yes, that's the expression.

Jieyue narrowed her clear blue eyes slightly, appreciating Chu Hua's somewhat worried expression.

"Excuse me... Xiao Xiang?"

When Chu Hua began to press for answers, Jie Yue immediately interrupted her.

The pink-haired girl, clutching her forehead and looking extremely troubled, shook her head vigorously and looked at Chu Hua with a pale face.

"Please don't... I'm sorry, I... I shouldn't have said it..."

The girl's sudden urge to cry made Chu Hua anxiously rummage through her pocket for tissues.

Shouldn't I have said it...? Did Xiaoxiang ask Qianhua to keep it a secret?

She sobbed for a moment and then wiped away the tears she had just squeezed out.

Yuzuki gently played with her hair.

"I'm so sorry... I..."

With her pearly white teeth biting her lower lip, Yuuki, looking quite distressed, was encouraged by Chu Hua's pat on the shoulder.

"It's okay, Xiaoxiang and I are very good friends. So telling me isn't the same as telling anyone else, besides... Qianhua hasn't told me yet~"

I wonder what secret Xiaoxiang asked Qianhua to keep... Qianhua seems so fragile.

Chu Hua felt a slight fondness for Qian Hua, who was so desperate to keep Xiangzi's secret.

Without saying a word, Yuzuki, who was standing beside her, gently tugged at her sleeve.

"What's wrong, Chika?"

Is this guy really Xiao Xiang's friend?

Looks so sunny...

I'm somewhat interested.

"It's okay... just please don't tell Xiaoxiang... what I said."

"Well, I'm afraid she'll yell at me..."

Xiao Xiang will scold you?!

The completely counterintuitive statement made Chu Hua's eyes widen in surprise, but her long-term idol training allowed her to quickly adjust her expression.

But Yuzuki, who was equally adept at controlling her facial expressions, excitedly tapped her thigh with her finger.

The feeling of secretly talking badly about Xiao Xiang made her want to laugh.

But you still have to hold back.

After all… isn’t Mitsukoshi still here watching?

"Xiao Xiang...would he do something like this?"

Sure enough, she's a very curious girl.

"...Please don't ask anymore."

Huhu

It's getting fun!

Volume 1 Crychic!!!: Chapter 79 I Can't Go Back

Chu Hua had a lot to say but didn't want to ask, so she could only help Jie Yue carry her things to the outside of the mall. Before she could decide what to say about Xiao Xiang, Jie Yue hailed a taxi.

Then, before getting into the car, she grabbed Chu Hua's wrist. Squeezing out a few tears, her voice trembling, she pleaded with her…

"Please, please don't... tell Xiaoxiang what I said, please..."

Somewhat worried, Chu Hua could only nod in agreement, then watched her get into the car and drive away...

Why is Chika so afraid of Kosho?

Will Xiaoxiang scold Qianhua, who seems so gentle?

She couldn't believe such a thing could happen, yet she couldn't fathom that Yuzuki had lied to her just for fun.

For now, we can only believe Yuzuki's nonsense.

Just then, her phone vibrated twice.

Xiao Xiang came to see me...?!

……

Unable to understand what had happened, Toyokawa Shoko leaned against the old mattress.

She didn't understand why her father suddenly became depressed, why the family suddenly expelled him, or why her mother wanted her to stay in the Toyokawa family and continue living the life of a young lady.

She is a child of the Toyokawa family; she has her own dignity and her own bottom line.

She couldn't just abandon her own blood relatives like this...

Although her mother actually stopped giving her all her allowance and took away her bank cards, she was not short of money.

Because... she has many friends.

If she wanted, Chika Yuzuki would also lend a helping hand.

All she needs to do is tell everyone about it, and then quietly wait for everyone to help her.

But she... is a child of the Toyokawa family, and she has her own dignity.

This was a bean curd steamed dish she made for her father, her mother, or the entire Toyokawa family.

She only wanted to use her own strength to fight against her family... Moreover, she simply couldn't accept the pitying looks from her friends.

So even if she had to end her band, even if she could only live with her father in a cramped rented room, even if her father had become a useless person who knew nothing but drinking, she did not want to give up.

Dignity is the most important thing.

Having just settled into his rented room, Xiangzi began his long struggle against his family.

But before that…

It's been a long time since I've seen Chu Hua. I wonder how she's been doing lately, and whether her idol activities have been successful.

Although his limbs were a little sore, Xiangzi still had to muster his energy and changed into his usual expensive and exquisite clothes.

She needs to find someone she trusts to talk to and chat with.

Mu...?

You're still in school... Oh, right. As for high school, you definitely can't continue at Tsuki no Mori... You should drop out and choose a school with more scholarships and extra subsidies...

Let's leave these things for tomorrow.

She should go out and chat with Chu Hua now.

Yuzuki, who was chatting with the new Mr. Refrigerator, sneezed. I wonder if it was because Misaka was talking about her.

After making herself something simple to eat, Jieyue began to think about what else the family might be missing.

I just bought some groceries, clothes, and bedding...

That's all she has—air conditioning, a TV… So what's she going to do next?

Are you going to wait here for Xiaomu to get out of school and then come to keep her company?

That's a good idea, but Xiao Mu won't be able to leave school right away.