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

"Investment?" Xiangzi asked, holding a ponytail with dissatisfaction, lightly brushing it across the boy's exposed arm.

Kiyono casually took her smooth blue ponytail in his hand and gently twirled it around his fingertips. "That's right, invest!"

"I have high hopes for Xiangzi's potential. Investing in a soul that is destined to shine brightly in the future, and a band that will surely move people's hearts, is a sure-fire investment with an incredibly high rate of return."

"So, Miss Xiangzi, please allow me to become Ave Mujica's first investor, and to pave the way for your music with my pen."

Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath unconsciously. She froze. The girl unconsciously took a step back, only to find that her right ankle was weak and could not support her body at all. The girl's body swayed as if she were drunk. If Kiyono hadn't stepped forward in time to hug her waist, the back of the girl's head would probably have kissed the telephone pole behind her hard.

"Besides, even if Xiangzi loses money, I can still trick you into going home to inherit the family business and giving it all back to me," Qingye said with a smile in her ear.

I'd already decided it was you...

Blushing, she hugged the boy in front of her, burying her head in his chest and nuzzling him gently like a cat, so that she wouldn't have to see the culprit's face for the time being.

"Kiyono-kun, the band... will be a success."

"I know your voices will surely resound throughout the night sky."

"I'm going to find everyone at Crychic tomorrow to settle things with them. Kiyono-kun, you have to come with me."

"Never."

"Hmph, that's the investor's duty."

The girl suddenly took a half step back, the night wind blowing her sky-blue hair. She quietly reached out and hooked her fingertips around the boy's little finger.

The warm light from the izakaya across the street bathed her smile in its gentle glow.

"The contract is established, Kiyono-kun."

..........

crychic.

This name is like a spell, once embodying all their aspirations. That beauty remains unforgettable to this day. So even though the strings are broken and the light has faded, that almost illusory beauty still entwines their hearts like vines, making them indulge in nostalgia and chase after illusions in confusion, chasing after the illusions born in that spring.

until today.

The band's sole driving force, Toyokawa Shoko, contacted them again.

The unfinished sheet music was still buried deep in the drawer, and the gentle aura emanating from the piano seemed to linger.

The weight of that promise, along with the name "Toyokawa Shoko," slammed heavily into everyone's hearts with immense force.

What surges in my chest—is it the anticipation of reunion, or resentment? Or perhaps a bewildering mix of pain and confusion?

With these feelings in mind, their first reaction was...

*

[Groups without Toyokawa Shoko]

[Nagasaki Motoyo: Shoko, Shoko really came to find us! Kiyono-kun, what kind of magic did you use?!]

[Shiina Tatsuki: Ugh, this is so annoying! I have absolutely no idea what expression to make when I look at that guy... Hey, Kiyono, you better think of something!]

[Takamatsu Akari: Kiyono-kun, can we... still be like before?]

[Wakaba Mutsumi: Kiyono, let's play in a band together. ?]

Looking at the long message in the group chat, Qingye felt her hand holding the phone suddenly become much heavier. Why did all these gravity girls come after me? Xiangzi alone is already troublesome enough!

He took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the oxygen in the room into his lungs, and then breathed it back one by one.

After offering some simple words of comfort to the girls, Qingye put down her phone, placed her hands behind her head, and gazed absentmindedly at the ceiling.

Once Xiangzi resolves his issues with Crychic, this special simulation should officially come to an end, right?

Although Tongzi was being deliberately mysterious, it all boils down to Xiangzi's personal storyline! Once we win over Xiangzi, we can easily end this simulation!

Hmph, what simulation that can't end without ○○? I easily speed-completed it...

The boy felt smug.

But... I have a feeling that he might have forgotten something?

?036."Spring Shadow"

2 PM, Ring rehearsal room.

Today was a gloomy day with dark clouds. Dim light shone through the glass windows, illuminating the familiar yet unfamiliar wooden floor of the rehearsal room. The air was filled with the scent of old musical instruments, pine resin, and a sense of time standing still.

Nagasaki Motoyo held her right arm with her left hand, staring blankly at the crisscrossing gray power lines and street scene outside the window. Her carefully combed flaxen hair fell to her waist as she tried to maintain a perfect posture, but her constantly pursed lips and slightly trembling toes betrayed her mood.

Exactly the same as that day...

It feels like I'm back in that rainy night again...

I could hear my friends arguing and disagreeing, but this time the story will be different, right?

Nagasaki Motoyo gazed out the window, using the reflection to observe her former teammates.

Shiina Ritsuki sat in front of the drum set, arms crossed, brows furrowed, and undisguised anxiety emanating from her. How annoying! Of all things to do, she had to see Shoko's face. What was she supposed to say when she saw that face later? Oh well, Kiyono was here too, so it shouldn't be too bad, right?

Takamatsu Akari huddled in the shadows next to Riki, kneeling on the ground, holding a notebook and drawing something.

Ruo Yemu remained quietly seated on her small stool, head bowed, wiping her guitar, like a delicate doll, her inner thoughts impossible to discern.

Time ticked by, and only their breathing filled the rehearsal room. Every subtle sound seemed amplified: the rustling of Su Shi's skirt, the trembling of Li Xi's toes—

——Click.

The doorknob of the rehearsal room turned slightly.

All sound suddenly stopped.

The girls turned around at the same time, fixing their gaze on the door that was about to open.

The next moment, the door was pushed open.

A figure appeared in the backlight, slender, elegant, proud, and beautiful, as if nothing had changed. It was Toyokawa Shoko, the captain who led them forward and then abandoned them.

She stepped into the rehearsal room.

Xiangzi's gaze swept over the familiar faces in the room, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

They gazed at each other, neither speaking first; the silence was like a layer of frozen ice.

at this time--

"Sorry, sorry, I was a little delayed on the way."

A bright voice echoed throughout the practice room.

Kiyono walked in from behind Shoko, a gentle smile on his face that seemed to dispel dark clouds, shining brightly and so beautiful that one wanted to be intoxicated by the smile.

The boy was carrying a paper bag that looked like it contained snacks and drinks. He naturally walked half a step to Xiangzi's side, his gaze sweeping across the room, and his smile became even gentler, carrying a strange sense of comfort.

At that very moment, something incredible happened. The heavy, stiff atmosphere in the air began to slowly dissipate, and the girls showed expressions of relief. The corners of their lips even involuntarily curved upwards, as if there was nothing to worry about as long as this person was there.

Even the expressionless Wakaba Mutsu shifted his gaze from Shoko to Kiyono, a faint ripple appearing in his eyes.

After saying this, Kiyono said no more, took a step back slightly, and left the center position to Xiangzi.

Toyokawa Shoko turned her head slightly and met Kiyono's gaze. The boy encouraged her silently with his eyes. She smiled and took a deep breath. The expression on her pretty face became calm and firm.

It doesn't matter.

She had made up her mind.

She has a burning, unwavering will in her heart.

With Kiyono behind her, no matter what happens, she will forge ahead bravely.

Therefore, therefore—

"Keeping everyone waiting."

Toyokawa Shoko spoke first, her voice firm and straightforward.

“…It really has been a long time coming,” Nagasaki Motoyo murmured.

"First of all, I want to apologize to everyone."

Shoko Toyokawa slowly and deeply bent over.

She wants to apologize to everyone, to those who believed in her, supported her, and followed her.

I'm sorry for putting all the blame on you.

I only care about my own pain and despair. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for hurting you all by leaving without saying goodbye.

Let's put a perfect end to our interrupted dreams and regrets today.

what--

said it.

Xiangzi was somewhat dazed. All those things she had never wanted to face, all those things she wanted to forget, all those things she absolutely did not want anyone to know, all those things she wanted to confide in but was met with indifference... she said them all.

How do others perceive me these days? Probably arrogant, aloof, terrible, and clueless...

She admitted that she had indeed become like this, but... but...

Now, she has finally become the Toyokawa Shoko she can be proud of again.

It has nothing to do with money or talent; it's just about having the ability to always look straight ahead and make decisions about what's important according to your heart.

She will no longer feel ashamed of herself.

It was Kiyono who brought her back here.

Thank you, thank you, I like you the most.

After Toyokawa Shoko recounted her story, they all looked bewildered and at a loss.

Is everything Xiangzi said true?

So... that's the truth of the matter?

Her father lost 16.8 billion yen and was kicked out of the house. He became an alcoholic and was forced to transfer schools in Tsuki no Mori to work and earn money...

The girls' worldviews were greatly impacted.

"Xiangzi...how could this be..."

Su Shi murmured unconsciously, and almost burst into tears halfway through. In fact, she had also considered this possibility, but she rejected it because the Toyokawa family was too powerful, and such a thing was too cruel.

If it were an ordinary young lady from Tsukimori, she might not be able to truly understand such feelings. However, throughout her elementary school years, her living environment was very poor, and her mother would come home very late every day, looking exhausted. Xiangzi must have had a hard time like that too.

Nagasaki Motoyo could no longer contain herself and hugged Shoko tightly.

"Su, Su Shi?" Toyokawa Shoko's face turned red, and she was at a loss for words.

"Why didn't you say so sooner? We could have helped you figure out a solution." For the first time, the gentle girl's voice carried a hint of reproach.

"Feel sorry……"

Toyokawa Shoko bit her lip, only able to utter those two words. She didn't know how else to answer, because without Kiyono, she would still be stubbornly gritting her teeth and living alone.

Feeling the warmth of her companion, she sighed softly, wondering why she hadn't noticed it sooner.

"You've worked hard, Shoko." Nagasaki Motoyo gently stroked her hair, her expression overflowing with maternal love.

"Well, it's not that hard..."

Shoko Toyokawa shyly pushed Su Shi away, secretly glancing at Kiyono, her cheeks flushed, a shy smile on her lips, and her eyes filled with unspoken affection.

Such an obvious action was naturally noticed by others, and the girls looked over as well, their expressions suddenly realizing what was happening.

However... what puzzled Xiangzi was that Su Shi and the others didn't seem too surprised... What was going on?

Kiyono clapped his hands without changing his expression: "Congratulations."

But no one criticized his joke. Nagasaki Motoyo stared intently at Shoko, one hand gripping the hem of her skirt, and whispered:

“Now that Xiangzi is back here, it means you also want to continue with Crychic, right? Let’s go back to the past! Now, our hearts are in sync, aren’t we? Don’t worry about the cost or time; even if we only rehearse once a week, it’s fine…”

The lead singer and the drummer remained silent; the familiar Xiangzi and the warmth of the past gave them the same thought.

Still using Crychic... Kiyono shook her head, the current version has been updated a long time ago!

In silence, Toyokawa Shoko gently pressed her hands against her chest—