Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

Maybe it's because this guy's face is too alluring, that must be it. Seriously, hasn't this guy ever acted in any Kamen Rider movies? Hasn't a talent scout come up with an idea for him?

After introducing herself, Aine's smile remained, but in her heart she was already comparing Akira's face with the actors who played the main characters in Kamen Rider in her memory.

Of course, she could never know what turbulent emotions Xiao was experiencing after seeing her.

Chihaya Aine, she is a woman who can be considered another mother to him, alongside Nagasaki Motoyo.

This is not to deliberately ignore the existence of the real mother, Mutsuka Wakaba, but compared to these two women, Mutsuka's way of taking care of the child is indeed not like that of a mother.

If I had to compare, Nagasaki Motoyo is like a grandmother who discovers her daughter has suddenly brought home a child and is forced to take on some of the responsibility of raising him, taking meticulous care of the child's daily life; Chihaya Aine is like a grandfather who was preparing to enjoy his retirement with his spouse but suddenly finds himself with a precious grandson, thinking only about where to take the child and what toys to buy him, even laughing heartily if the child accidentally falls to the ground—

Mu is like that clueless daughter who doesn't know how to take care of a child but has already brought a baby home and has to rely on her parents to raise the child together.

How could a family of four not be considered a happy family?

The topic has gotten a bit off-topic. Standing in front of him now is Chihaya Aine, a young girl who has not yet become his reliable aunt, Aine, who could be considered his mother.

"Hello, my name is Kazama Akatsuki. Chihaya-san."

"Oh, you can just call me Aine."

Chihaya Aine waved her hand. Although she felt a little shy being called by her first name by a boy, especially one who was quite good-looking, she had only been called by her last name in middle school and didn't want to experience it again in high school.

"Okay, Ai-yin."

Xiao Qiang resisted the urge to blurt out the word "Auntie," and found that he could now introduce himself freely using a surname that didn't originally belong to him.

"Thank you for your concern. I'm fine, I was just a little worried."

The caring look in the girl's eyes was exactly the same as the concerned look in Aunt Ai Yin's eyes many years later, which made Xiao unconsciously lower her guard.

"Well?"

Upon hearing this, the pink-haired girl immediately blinked, her bright, lively gray eyes filled with curiosity.

Others might think that Chihaya Aine seems to lack social boundaries, but Akatsuki doesn't care about that.

It was precisely because she didn't adhere to such social boundaries that she was able to accept him, the child adopted by Mu, so quickly.

"It's nothing serious... I just got a lecture, and I felt like I was in the wrong place."

Xiao remembered Aunt Aiyin as understanding and kind, so she spoke her mind without any pretense.

"Eh... I don't know the specific reason, and since Kazama-kun isn't going to say, I won't pry," Aine said, standing next to Akatsuki with her arms crossed, leaning against the parasol next to the shop just like him. "But, well, someone who shouldn't be here still ended up showing up..."

She pouted and smiled, revealing her prominent little tiger teeth, which looked especially adorable on her energetic face.

"Doesn't that prove you're a very special being?!"

"..."

For a moment, Xiao was a little lost in thought. He vaguely remembered that Aine had also given him the same advice when they were children.

When Mutsu first led him into the unfamiliar Wakaba family home, the young boy resisted the unfamiliar environment and his difficult-to-get-along-with grandmother, not to mention that Mutsu was not good at comforting children.

"Auntie Aiyin... Am I not suited to live harmoniously together?"

So he once secretly confided this grievance to Chihaya Aine, who took him out for ice cream, with a worried look on his face.

"Don't mention it! Akatsuki, it's already amazing that you've managed to hold on until today. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have been able to survive for even half a month under that Minami-san!"

"…Really?"

"Yeah, we were initially wondering if Mu could manage to take care of the child for a little over a month, but we didn't expect you to be so resilient... Wait, I shouldn't have told you this! Xiao~ I said don't call me Auntie anymore, call me Sister Aiyin from now on, okay? I'll buy you the latest game console!"

"But Aunt Su Shi told me to treat everyone equally and not to be bribed by anyone..."

"Waaaaah—why is Soyorin like this?!"

The faded memories gradually disappeared from her mind, and in Akira's eyes, Aunt Aine was replaced by the lovely, youthful-looking Chihaya Aine with a vibrant smile.

So, just relax and do what you want to do!

She didn't seem to notice that Xiao had just been lost in thought, and she was as easygoing and gentle as if she were comforting a peer she had just met that day.

"...You're right, Aine."

And this appearance is exactly the same as the Aunt Aiyin in Xiao's memory.

Even though other people's attitudes toward him have changed, Chihaya Aine remains the same.

"In that case, could we exchange contact information, Aine?"

After calming down and returning to normal, Xiao launched this surprise attack with lightning speed.

“Eh, eh?”

Of course, at least to Chihaya Aine, who was caught off guard, it was a surprise attack.

It's understandable that she might overthink things. It's hard not to have doubts when a handsome guy you just met and were chatting with suddenly asks for your contact information.

"I just think we might have a lot in common."

Seeing Aine's stammering, somewhat helpless expression as she struggled to find the words to refuse, Xiao couldn't help but chuckle.

"After all, you stopped because you saw me [like this], right?"

He raised his hand again and gestured in the air, as if plucking non-existent guitar strings.

“Ah, ahahaha…”

Chihaya Aine, feeling quite embarrassed that her little scheme had been exposed, scratched her head. She had indeed started talking to the handsome boy because she saw him behaving so nonchalantly.

If possible, since we've already started talking, maybe I can ask him to teach me how to improve my guitar skills.

"If you know any girls who want to form a band, you can introduce them to me!"

After exchanging contact information, Chihaya Aine grinned.

Little did Xiao know that while she outwardly agreed to accept her social media account, she was actually quite conflicted inside.

This moment may well be a pivotal juncture where history might be altered.

Chapter Twenty-One: She's Just My Aunt (3k)

Making history unfold as Xiao remembers it is actually very simple.

He didn't need to do anything, not even to bring Chihaya Aine and Shiina Tatsuki together early on. He could simply stand by and let everything proceed as planned.

The original members of MYGO gradually reunited, but Toyokawa Shoko tragically died young before she could even plan her new band, causing Hatsune Miku and the others' project to be aborted—

This incident caused Mu to languish in grief for over a decade after losing half of his body, while the members of Mygo were bound together by this accident for a lifetime.

This time, they've truly been in a band for life.

May they forever remember someone who passed away more than a decade ago, and may they spend the rest of their lives remembering Toyokawa Shoko and the pain caused by her death.

It's easy to stand idly by, but how could Ye Xiao possibly watch these aunts who raised him step into the same river again and fall into the same pain for decades?

Although he had no feelings for his deceased aunt, Toyokawa Shoko, she was, after all, the most important person in Mutsu's life before she brought him home, and also a vibrant and multifaceted life.

By entrusting him with the power to change the fate of so many people, isn't God being a bit too cruel?

Forget about these annoying problems for now—whenever Xiao encounters something that gives her a headache, she especially wants to go to the practice room and practice with the instruments.

Whether it's tapping on the drums, fiddling with the guitar, or even just lightly tapping on the keyboard to play the twinkling melody, it calms his restless heart a little. This is a habit he gradually developed under the influence of his teacher, Li Xi.

However, having traveled back decades, he clearly doesn't have the means to do so. Although the sorrow he felt was relieved by Aine's encouragement, he still had nowhere to vent it... and so on.

As her thoughts wandered, Xiao thought of something.

He grinned and then started walking back towards the Ring dessert shop.

……

……

"Hey...you mean you were only out for a short while and you already exchanged contact information with a girl?"

Back at Ring Dessert Shop, Akira bumped into Anna Hanami, who was packing her belongings and preparing to leave, at the entrance.

"Oh dear, I thought you weren't coming back, Kazama, so I was planning to head home."

Although he said such pitiful words, Banami saw that Anzu didn't want to blame him at all. Instead, his face was full of envy, jealousy and hatred, thinking, "Damn it, we all came out to play together, why is it that you are the only one who is so lucky with women?"

If I had to put it into words, it's like the look a guy gives you when he can't stand seeing you suffer, let alone when you're driving a Range Rover.

And she didn't seem surprised at all.

"Well, you're different from the grasshopper type after all. Your physical attributes are really good, so it's understandable that you have good luck with women... I paid for your meal just now, so remember to treat me to dinner later."

Anna gently flicked the receipt in her hand. The two of them ate nearly four servings of dessert—of which Kazama Akira alone accounted for three-quarters of the consumption.

Banami couldn't quite understand how someone could eat more than her. The key was that Kazama ate so elegantly that no one could tell he was enjoying his meal.

"Then again..."

Seeing that the receipt hadn't been taken back, Banai's seemingly casual gaze lingered on Akatsuki for a brief moment.

"Kazama, does your promise to those two girls still stand?"

She didn't say it explicitly, but Xiao knew she was referring to the collaboration with Li Xi and Le Nai.

"of course."

As Akira nodded without hesitation, Banami's brows, which had been furrowed with concern, instantly relaxed.

"Oh, I see."

I had a feeling that she suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

Wait a minute, why is she so concerned about whether or not she has to play a duet with someone else?

"...Could it be that, Banana saw you..."

"W-What's wrong? I'm fine."

"Are you...?"

Sensing something was amiss, Xiao squinted and carefully observed the blue-haired girl's expression, taking in her unnatural demeanor. Finally, she drew a conclusion—

"Are you also thinking of going but too embarrassed to say it out loud?"

"........."

The result of the deduction came out of Akatsuki's mouth, and Banami remained silent for about ten seconds.

"You found out... haha."

"Just say you're interested. I'm not going to turn away any of you, Banami."

Seeing this, Banai forced out a weak laugh, something like, "Oh dear, I've been found out." Akatsuki, meanwhile, took the receipt from Banai's hand and checked how many desserts she had eaten.

He also twitched the corners of his mouth. Well, this might have to be compensated by inviting Banami to a few more performances.

"Speaking of which, since you're planning to perform with members of that CRYCHIC group, Kazama..."

Banami pouted and turned her head towards the dessert shop, which drew Akira's attention back to Shiina Riki, who was still inside, working with a cold expression.

"What about her former teammates? Are you planning to invite them too?"

Banami's question made Akira focus her attention on Su Shi, who was trying to talk to Riki but had no success and was quietly drinking red tea in her seat.

"Su Shi? It depends on whether she wants to come or not."

Xiao had only agreed to perform with Lena on a whim, hoping to take this opportunity to play a piece and relax—it was uncertain whether Lixi would join in, let alone Su Shi who had suddenly arrived.

“Ah, no… I mean,” Hanami’s expression was somewhat taken aback for some reason, “besides that Nagasaki-san, the drummer’s other teammates… I thought you would try to invite them too, Kazama.”

The remaining members of CRYCHIC... well, that's Muhe Xiangzi and Deng, the three of them.

"That kind of thing is impossible, isn't it?"

Leaving aside Xiangzi, with whom he had a rather strained relationship, Mu, who had always followed Xiangzi, hadn't even caught a glimpse of the lamp.

For some reason, Banami looked somewhat disappointed.

"Okay, I'm just curious if it's possible to reunite these disbanded band members through your arrangements, Kazama."

"You have a pretty twisted sense of humor, don't you, Yaiba?"

"No, I was just being very pure... curious, um, curious."

The blue-haired girl cleared her throat. She couldn't very well start by saying, "I'm just curious what kind of achievement I'll get after you unlock all five members' names."