Mygo, you guys seem to be getting a bit heavy-hearted.

Everyone except Yanming agreed that he was the leader of the band, and he was the only one stubbornly insisting on his own opinion.

Yanming politely declined, saying, "I'm not good with words."

Miao Meng insisted: "Just a sentence or two is enough, you don't need to be too eloquent."

Yanming blushed: "This isn't quite appropriate..."

Oblivionis chimed in, "That couldn't be more fitting, Yanming-kun."

Yanming was about to break down: "I think we should still..."

"Shy?"

Miao Meng's words shattered the barriers in his heart.

"You're the one who's shy, you jerk!"

Miao Meng revealed a smug look on her face: "Then say a few words."

Deng also quietly offered his support: "Mr. Yanming, it's okay... no one here will laugh at you just because you can't speak properly..."

Lena simply found a glass goblet from somewhere, filled with what appeared to be juice, and handed it to him.

"……Fine."

It seems that this group of people has no intention of leaving themselves a way out.

Youtianji Ruomai (gritting teeth)

You better remember this!

And that Toyokawa Xiaoxiang over there! I saw you smirking just now, your mouth was practically stretched to your ears. I'll make you laugh your fill when we get back!

Yanming secretly finished writing in his notebook, then, going along with their wishes, stood up from his seat with an open and honest manner, raised his wine glass above his chest, cleared his throat, and said loudly:

"Today is an important day. We gather here to raise our glasses to achieve different goals. We seem to be very close, but in reality, we are at odds."

At this moment, the summer heat made his cheeks slightly red, and the sun outside the window had dropped to its lowest point, where it could still emit its last rays.

sunset.

The young men and women set aside their own unnecessary thoughts, and, in keeping with the atmosphere, raised their glasses together to toast this ordinary yet wonderful youth.

"In this twilight, let's drink to our absurdity, our confusion, our band, and most importantly, to ourselves."

The eighteen-year-old boy recited the blessing in a voice that was neither loud nor excited, yet it didn't feel out of place at all.

It was this kindness hidden in the ordinariness that wove together the fragile bond between them, adding a touch of brilliance to their short journey together.

Penguins want to become human.

The cat wants a place to stay.

The octopus wants to forget the past.

The mouse wants to achieve great success and fame.

But at this moment, and only at this moment, in this brief moment of less than a second, these thoughts—whether of responsibility, ideals, pursuits, or obsessions—are temporarily abandoned by their respective owners.

Pure.

A self full of flaws.

Extend the cup in your hand.

"Bang—" *5.

"Cheers." *5.

……

【Task Settlement】

Current task: Help Gao Songdeng rebuild the band.

[Current completion rate: 99% → 100%]

[Rewards for completing the task are being distributed]

[System loading, please wait.]

The last time this progress bar appeared was a few weeks ago.

After loading, Yanming was given a ridiculous skill that was completely useless and even had a negative effect.

Therefore, he no longer has any expectations for it.

He cared more about the task itself than the reward.

'Reorganized band', it really does mean exactly what it says... Although it's very casual, the current [Dysis] truly has everything a band needs.

A standard five-member band structure consisting of a guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, drummer, and vocalist.

And it has everything from lyrics and music composition to the most important "soul".

Who would have thought that Yanming's initial plan was for only two people, Deng and himself, to perform on stage, and only one musical instrument?

Such a twist of fate, isn't it also a kind of destiny?

"Everyone, make sure you have your things. If you need to use the restroom, hurry up now, because it will be our turn after the next band finishes."

The five men stood in the dimly lit backstage area, their nerves constantly stimulated by the rousing rock music and the enthusiastic shouts of the audience behind the door.

"Little Lamp, are you nervous?"

As the most seasoned veteran in the band, Yanming asked.

Deng held the notebook, which she had kept close at hand ever since she found it, and felt her heart pounding.

She should have been very nervous.

But for some reason, my heart just won't beat faster.

Even though Su Shi, Li Xi, and Mu were all watching from below the stage... this could very well be their final farewell in the true sense...

"Mr. Yanming."

"Are you prepared for the consequences, regardless of success or failure?"

"I will."

Deng nodded heavily. "Compared to me, Mr. Yanming, Xiaoxiang needs you more."

After saying that, the lamp secretly glanced at Oblivionis, who was hiding silently in the shadows of the corner.

“'Xiao Xiang'...she is 'that person', right?”

In fact, Yanming had already guessed this, but he was only now confirming it.

"Yes, I'm sorry I didn't tell you that."

Yanming patted Deng on the shoulder twice as usual and said calmly, "It's okay, leave it to me."

Oblivionis: "..."

Yanming walked up to her: "Xiao Xiang".

"Little Lamp told you, didn't he?"

"Yes."

Yanming admitted it without any hesitation.

Xiangzi lowered his head, his tone enigmatic: "That's right, I'm the one who broke up the band and drove the band members to their deaths, the 'villain' they called."

"Ah--"

Yanming chuckled softly.

There was not a single word of comfort, because there was no need to say those sentimental and affected words anymore.

At this moment, only those with exactly the same experience can resonate with each other.

"Me too, exactly the same."

"..."

"Lift your head up, for the sake of the little lamp."

"Thank you, Yanming..."

Chapter Seventy-Three: The Three Members of Team C

……

"Where are Xiaodeng and the others?"

Nagasaki Motoyo looked around, but still couldn't find that familiar blue figure in the crowd.

She wore a floral print dress today and styled her hair up, making her stand out from the crowd of students who came to watch the live show.

It's like a pure, divorced socialite who has infiltrated a JK (high school girl) group.

"Xiang sent me a message."

Ruo Ye Mu suppressed the slight upturn of her lips and honestly answered Su Shi.

It's precisely this tendency to not say everything that can sometimes really make people anxious and frustrated.

"Xiangzi sent you a message? What does that mean? Can't you just say what you mean all at once?!"

Shiina Riki crossed her arms over her chest, and like Suze, her eyes kept scanning through the overlapping crowd, trying to find a certain figure.

Mu lowered her eyes: "I'm not your mouthpiece..."

You always yell at her, do you really think she has no temper?

Su Shi tried to persuade them, but her words clearly favored Ruo Ye Mu from the same school: "Alright, alright, we haven't seen each other for a while, let's not fight, okay? Mu, what did Xiao Xiang say?"

"Soyo..."

Mu's lips curled upwards by a single pixel.

Being a mouthpiece is also quite good.

"Xiang said she was with the lamp."

Mu paused for a moment, then finally finished speaking, "She said we'll see them soon."

Xiang didn't tell her exactly when it happened, as if he was hiding something from her as well.

...But it doesn't matter, she just needs to listen to Xiang.

That's good too.

Nagasaki Motoyo started picking at her nails again. It was a habit of hers; she would do this whenever she was thinking or scheming, which had turned her once delicate hands into the pitted and uneven state they were in now.

"That means... Xiao Xiang really will come..."

I need to find out why Xiaoxiang hasn't replied to the messages I've sent her these past few days... and I also need to find out what exactly happened that day.

The five members of Crychic finally managed to gather together with some preparation... Xiao Mu had already told her in advance to speak on her behalf, and if Tatsuki Shiina were there, she would also agree...

This time, the advantage lies with us!

Shiina Tatsuki snorted coldly: "She really knows how to act like a big shot, and she even dragged the broken light down with her."

"Don't say that, something must have happened on the way."

With Crychic's imminent resurgence, Su Shi was in a very good mood and patiently comforted Li Xi.

After all, they'll still be playing in a band together in the future, and she doesn't want the relationship between the drummer and keyboardist to become too strained.

Despite her joy, Nagasaki Motoyo, who considered herself to have thought of everything perfectly, didn't forget the important matter. She gently looked down at the little cucumber spirit beside her and whispered:

"Xiao Mu, have you remembered what I told you before?"

Mu nodded stiffly. Although her face was expressionless, one could still sense a hint of reluctance in her.

"But……"

She didn't want to put Xiang in a difficult position...

"I'll be very happy if Xiaomu does what I say."