All the people who like me are other people’s girlfriends! ?

The rent was expensive, and her father had become a drunkard and couldn't afford it. She didn't have enough money either, so she could only awkwardly beg the landlady to extend the lease for two more days.

The work was also very hard. Because she was too young, she could only find jobs with minimum hourly wages that didn't require her to show her face in public. She was hesitant about making money with the piano, but this was her last resort.

Daily necessities are expensive, so when she came to the mall, she could only painstakingly compare prices repeatedly before finally buying the ones with the highest discounts.

Because she was exhausted from balancing school and work, she would almost fall asleep as soon as she got home, and she had much less time to go to the band. It was then that she realized that music was a luxury and that being able to freely develop her hobbies was a very happy thing.

Life is like a hammer, smashing and flattening her edges, one blow at a time.

They lost all face and all self-respect.

How long did this transformation take? A month? Or two months? She couldn't remember, and she didn't want to remember; her heart had become numb and cold.

Although this kind of life was unbearable, she gradually persevered. What she found most unbearable was—

She discovered that she was not as elegant and strong as she had imagined.

Her heart was constantly changing with material things, becoming tainted by the mud.

She hoped her father could pull himself together and kept trying, but she also hated his decadence and inaction, leaving everything to her, even making her buy him beer. She resented why she was the only one who encountered such a thing, and envied Su Shi and the others for their carefree lives. More than once, she wanted to quit her job, and when she woke up, her pillow was already soaked with tears...

She could no longer lead her Crychic friends forward without any confusion, just like before.

She thought she could achieve what her mother expected: "being in hell but having a heart in paradise." But as it turns out, when she was actually in hell, she would gradually change.

I am too weak.

This filled her with panic, unease, and self-loathing. Toyokawa Shoko wanted to always be the proud version of herself, which was the only thing she had left.

"Qingye-kun..."

She unconsciously recalled that the last time she encountered difficulties, it was Kiyono-kun who guided her onto a new path. At this moment, deep in her heart, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope that he would hold her hand.

During this time, she did not tell Kiyono about her situation.

She stubbornly refused to seek his help.

She had helped Qingye when he was in trouble, and she had said that they should help each other, but she couldn't let go of her last bit of dignity.

Is it because I've secretly fallen for him?

Because I still have feelings for him, I don't want him to see my vulnerable and helpless side. I can no longer face him with the same mindset as before, so I hope that in his heart I will always be a bright and beautiful flower, not the girl I hate now.

She has nothing left.

She personally disbanded the band that had been the source of so many hopes for them.

She chose to run away from the budding, beautiful feelings that had just begun to blossom.

If she could, she would also like to chase her dreams with the band members, gradually build feelings for the boy she likes, hold hands, and sit on a park bench. But, but…

"Qingye-kun..."

She closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.

In my dream, countless images and shadows flickered.

[It is precisely because you are suffering so much now that you should be even happier in the future.]

Want to form a band with me, Kiyono-kun?

We are a community with a shared destiny, playing music together.

I really want to be human.

Springtime shadows are our song...

【Kyono-kun...】

022. Speedrun Mygo (Part 2)

In the coffee shop, while Kiyono and the others were talking, a girl with silver hair naturally walked to the music area, plugged in her guitar, and the piano music stopped, while the melodious and gentle guitar music began to play, like a folk song.

Kiyono looked up at her. He recognized the girl; she was the boss's granddaughter, who came and went like a wildcat, and was considered the young lady he was to serve.

"Are Kiyono-kun and Kosho still in contact?"

Nagasaki Motoyo's gentle voice made Kiyono turn around and meet her gaze.

"She hasn't replied to me yet." Kiyono shook his head, his expression somewhat strange as he said this. This was the first time he had witnessed Daisho-sensei's withdrawn state.

"I see... Even Kiyono-kun can't get in touch with Sho..."

Nagasaki Motoyo lowered her eyes and murmured softly. Her heart, which had just been at ease, was raised again. With Xiangzi's attitude so resolute, could they really still find her?

As this thought crossed her mind, she subconsciously looked at the quiet and peaceful Wakaba Mutsu on the other side. Now, the only one who knew Shoko's whereabouts was still her childhood friend Mutsu... Should she give Kiyono a hint?

The doll-like girl trembled slightly. She didn't look at Nagasaki Motoyo, but instead looked at Kiyono, her eyes unconsciously filled with a hint of fear.

She understood Su Shi's meaning perfectly well. She was confident in rejecting Su Shi, but not in resisting Qing Ye... Xiang Ke had seriously instructed her not to tell Qing Ye.

But Kiyono certainly wouldn't make things difficult for Mutsu, who was caught in the middle—besides, why go through all that trouble to open a big box?

"I have a way to find Xiangzi, so don't worry."

He smiled and said that Ruo Yemu's tense body relaxed slightly, and she felt at ease and peaceful, even having the illusion that she could simply entrust everything and her life to him.

"I'm really sorry to trouble you, Kiyono-kun."

Nagasaki Sosei smiled at Kiyono, but then she stared at the boy, as if she had thought of something, and her smile gradually faded, her expression becoming complicated.

"May I ask another question, Kiyono-kun? Why did you help us?"

Kiyono wasn't a member of Crychic—and even the other members of the band didn't try to change her mind. Only Kiyono agreed without hesitation. She knew it wouldn't be an easy thing, as could be seen from Xiangzi's barbed attitude.

Ruo Yemu didn't speak, but just stared at him.

However, Kiyono's answer took the two girls by surprise, leaving them looking astonished.

"Hmm... because it looks cool?"

He flashed a bright smile.

“…Handsome?” Nagasaki Motoyo repeated, puzzled.

"Lend a helping hand to girls in trouble...or is it simply wanting to become a hero like in novels or comics?"

His eyes were very warm, filled with tenderness.

He has experienced two different lives and chosen different attitudes towards life. Last time, he became a hero of the Yukinoshita family, and he did not regret his choice. This time, however, he wants to truly realize his ideal life, which does not conflict with protecting Yukinoshita.

"It's that simple?"

Nagasaki Motoyo was stunned. She had thought that Toyokawa Shoko was already the most dazzling and radiant person in the world, but Kiyono was even more straightforward and surprising. She was passionate, gentle, and dazzling, just like a superhero from TV...

They had something in common: a strong yet gentle spirit that radiated a burning passion that always drew people to them. She felt that Kiyono was even more formidable than Shoko.

"This is not simple at all."

She saw the boy smile at her, revealing his teeth.

"This is a choice of attitude towards life."

"Even if there are no benefits?" Nagasaki Motoyo was silent for two seconds, then tilted her head.

"As long as you hold each other's hands at the very end, whether it's letting go or deciding to start over, and then say in your heart, 'Thank you, Kiyono-kun,' that's enough."

*

Ring's facade is made entirely of transparent glass, so every time the sun sets, the store is gently bathed in warm light. At this time, the band members gather together, facing the counter with an almost intoxicated expression on their faces, their gazes fixed on the exceptionally handsome faces that appear particularly striking in the interplay of light and shadow.

As the setting sun withdrew its light, the girls also left in an orderly fashion, because Kiyono had already finished get off work. Their expressions were satisfied, as if they had just returned from being bathed in the holy light of the snow-capped mountain peak.

Just as Kiyono finished cleaning the store, he suddenly looked up as if sensing something and met a pair of sharp, amethyst-like eyes.

His gaze shifted to the right, and beside the black-haired girl stood another girl with her head down, her expression obscured, as if trying to hide herself in the shadows.

Is it... Shiina Tatsuki and Takamatsu Akari?

Thinking of the Moon Forest duo at noon, Kiyono instantly understood.

He paused for a moment, then brought over three cups of tea and walked over.

"that……"

Shiina Riki saw him walk to the table, pursed his lips, his expression a mixture of embarrassment, and two blushes appeared on his usually handsome face.

"Could...could I take up some of your time?"

"Perhaps it was destined that two lost children would meet in the dark of night. Young guest, please tell me your troubles. If it is Miss Shiina, then ten glasses of champagne will suffice."

It's clear that Mr. Top Performer is very skilled.

"Where did this champagne come from?! Is this a host club?!" Shiina Riki complained, and Takamatsu Akari couldn't help but look up as well.

"Ms. Shiina, you may not know this, but after investigating recent sales and customer satisfaction, the wise manager has already planned to transform the café into a place for female customers to de-stress. The inventory is already full of all kinds of champagne. By the way, I'll also get a promotion and a raise when the time comes."

Kiyono brushed his bangs aside, his tone filled with smugness and joy.

"Isn't that just a host club?!" Shiina Tatsuki complained again.

A soft chuckle came from the side. The black-haired girl looked to the side in surprise and saw that the lamp had been amused by them.

Could it be... that this guy is deliberately trying to ease the tension?

Shiina Tatsuki gave him a complicated look, truly impressed by him... Although she was completely unaware that all her reactions were genuine.

"So, what's bothering you? If you don't mind, tell me about it."

Kiyono sat opposite them, his eyes deep in the night, seemingly able to draw people in, and every move he made was full of the warmth of a haven for the soul.

Shiina Tatsuki glanced at Takamatsu Akari, took a light breath, and spoke directly:

"Xiangzi disbanded Crychic, and maybe... I was partly to blame."

If she had restrained herself a little, perhaps they could have parted amicably.

"So it was just a band breaking up. I thought it was something serious. Shiina-san, Takamatsu-san, do you know that in this place, countless bands disband for various reasons every day, and countless dreams are shattered every day? Most of the girls who come to me crying are doing the same thing."

Kiyono shook his head, raised the water glass on the table as if it were sparkling champagne, his eyes glazed over.

Both girls were taken aback. After thinking about it carefully, it seemed that was indeed the case... However, "crychic" meant something different to them!

Shiina Tatsuki raised an eyebrow; she didn't believe the other person couldn't see that.

The boy sighed, feigning profundity, then looked at Gao Songdeng and said:

"So, what's the reason?"

After a brief silence, perhaps emboldened by the relaxed atmosphere, Gao Songdeng hesitated for a moment before whispering:

"I think...it's probably because of me."

"what?"

Before the black-haired girl could retort, Kiyono interrupted her.

"But didn't Shiina just say that Shoko disbanded Crychic?"

"Xiangzi quit because... I sang badly."

The lead singer lowered her head again, obscuring her expression, but anyone could sense the substantial loss within her, that inorganic feeling, as if she had lost all emotion, even the surrounding air was tinged with sorrow.

Kiyono fell into a brief moment of contemplation. This must be what Akari's inner turmoil was like. His understanding of the original plot was like Schrödinger's cat; he could remember some famous scenes, but many of the connecting details were blurry. Not to mention that the timeline had changed now, and they had all become high school students—he didn't know if it was because the entry didn't work on memories of the past life.

"I think Xiangzi didn't just leave because of you."

The sudden softening of her voice made them subconsciously stare at Qingye. They noticed that Qingye's expression was no longer as flamboyant and lively, but rather quiet and gentle, with starlight flickering in her eyes.

Takamatsu just stared at him.

In a moment, she suddenly superimposed the boy in front of her with Toyokawa Shoko, who had saved her.

"Do you remember what Xiangzi told you before?" Qingye asked.

Gao Songdeng nodded quietly. Those images seemed to be engraved in the deepest part of his memory, unforgettable. "I want to be human..." "Your song is the cry of my heart..." The emotions from that time also surged up.

"Does Gao Song think that Xiangzi, who can tolerate and support you even when you can't sing, would complain about your singing skills?"

Kiyono's words gradually pulled her out of the swamp of self-doubt and self-escape. She began to try to face the problem squarely. If she had to describe her opinion of Xiangzi, it would be that he was almost like a god.

“I can guarantee that! Deng’s songs are absolutely the best!” Li Xi chimed in from the side.

"..."

"Those words must have been spoken with urgency, with prayer; the real Xiangzi must have wanted to say—"