People in Mygo are emotional firefighters.

She understood. Her situation seemed similar to Deng's—neither of them had any friends to give gifts to—but there were still differences.

Deng doesn't know how to connect with people; she longs for it but is at a loss. As for Lixi, she probably just... doesn't care about those people.

So she doesn't need extra tickets, nor does she need anyone to comfort her by saying "it's okay to have few friends." She simply doesn't care.

Thinking of this, Zhenyu couldn't help but smile, and the slight guilt she might have felt for mentioning the lantern tickets dissipated.

Chapter 182 Aine: Cai Cai, please help, Zhen Yu!

Shiina Tatsuki didn't say anything more. He took out his phone, quickly swiped his finger across the screen, opened an audio file, and handed it to Mayu.

Ishikawa Mayu glanced subconsciously at the filename on the screen—"Demo_13".

His eyelids twitched involuntarily.

In less than a day, he went from nothing to thirteen versions? And that doesn't even include drafts that might have been abandoned along the way... Just how much time and effort did this guy put in? No wonder he even skipped school classes; he probably didn't get a good rest last night either.

A mix of surprise and clear heartache quietly crept into his heart. He could imagine Li hope sitting alone in her room, building from scratch, repeatedly adjusting, overturning, and starting over with a blank audio track. He could picture how tired those purple eyes, always filled with impatience or focus, must have been under the cold light of the screen.

But he didn't ask her, "Did you stay up all night?", nor did he say, "Don't push yourself too hard."

He instinctively felt that for a girl like Shiina Tatsuki—persistent, earnest, pouring all her passion into her music—any words related to the "process," whether caring or praising, would seem pale or even superfluous at this moment.

Her willingness to go to such lengths speaks volumes. And what he could offer, or rather, what he intuitively felt she truly needed, was not words, but something else entirely.

For the next few minutes, neither of them spoke. Only the melody flowed in the air, occasionally interspersed with the subtle sounds of fingertips tapping on the screen to mark timestamps. They were immersed in the same musical world, even their breathing seemed to synchronize with the rise and fall of the music.

-----------------

The door to the rehearsal room was gently pushed open, making a soft sound.

Chihaya Aine was the first to peek in, her pink ponytail swaying playfully with her movements. Next came Takamatsu Akari, who quietly followed behind Aine, her light brown eyes scanning the room like gentle detectors. Nagasaki Motoyo brought up the rear, her steps elegant, a gentle smile as always on her face.

What the three of them saw was Ishikawa Mayu leaning back in a folding chair, and Shiina Tatsuki sitting behind the drum set, leaning slightly forward and staring at a tablet. The two were more than a step apart, not exchanging a word, yet an indescribable aura of tacit understanding filled the air.

Ishikawa Mayu had just finished pondering the direction of a certain chord and felt a dryness in his throat. He subconsciously reached for the water bottle at his feet. Just as he looked up, his gaze met a pair of bright, silver-gray eyes in the doorway, eyes that were filled with curiosity and an excitement that was hard to describe—whether it was "catching someone red-handed" or "seeing something interesting."

It's Ai-yin.

She clung to the doorframe, half her body leaning in. Her pink ponytail swayed gently as she tilted her head slightly. Her smile was so bright it almost overflowed. She stared straight at him, then quickly glanced at Lixi, who was still engrossed in her work.

Upon seeing this, the thoughtful look on Ishikawa Mayu's face was instantly replaced by a gentle smile. He raised his hand and naturally beckoned towards the door.

"Hey, you've come at the right time." His voice carried a hint of relaxation from just getting out of deep thought, yet it carried clearly in the quiet rehearsal room. "What are you doing standing at the door? Come on in. Come and listen to Teacher Lixi's latest demo."

"You finished the new one so quickly? That's amazing."

Nagasaki Motoyo's voice rang out, seemingly a little softer than usual, but her gentle tone and perfectly timed surprised smile had returned to normal. However, upon closer inspection, one could still detect that the smile hadn't fully penetrated her eyes.

Shiina Tatsuki was pulled a little out of her musical world by Mayu's voice. She didn't notice Suze's strangeness. She just frowned slightly, turned her head to glance at Mayu, and said with a hint of annoyance at being interrupted and her habitual disdain: "...Why did you have to say that?"

Although she complained, her fingertips were already on the screen.

The melodious tune flowed from the speakers, instantly filling the entire rehearsal room.

As the song ended, Lixi's gaze fell directly on Gaosong Deng, who was standing quietly beside Aiyin and listening intently.

"……How about it?"

Her voice was slightly lower than usual, with a hint of tension that was barely perceptible.

Takamatsu Tō kept her head slightly lowered, her light brown bangs obscuring part of her expression. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her fingers unconsciously rubbing against each other, as if trying to capture every subtle ripple that the melody had stirred in her heart.

A few seconds later, she slowly raised her head. Her eyes, which always carried a timid expression, were now unusually bright, like amber washed clean by rain.

"It's...warm." Her voice was soft, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly. "I...will work hard with Aine."

Shiina Tatsuki didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly, the lines of his lips unconsciously softening a bit.

"I see."

However, this rare and gentle atmosphere did not last long.

“Um…” a voice, clearly hesitant and guilty, interrupted.

Chihaya Aine raised her hand, a fawning smile plastered on her face, her silver-gray eyes gleaming with pleading, and cautiously suggested, "Tachiki... um... could you... slow down the tempo of this guitar piece a little bit?"

The moment the words left his mouth, the gentleness on Shiina Ritsuki's face froze instantly, and his voice turned several degrees colder:

"No, that would take away the feeling of speed."

Aine immediately looked at Mayu pitifully, her eyes filled with "Nana, Mayu, save me!"

Seeing Aine's expression, Ishikawa Mayu couldn't help but chuckle. He shook his head and turned to Lixi, whose face was not friendly, with a smile, saying, "Alright, alright, Lixi-sensei, calm down. I'll go and talk to our guitarist and vocalist."

As he spoke, he stood up, walked to Ai Yin's side, and naturally took her wrist, leading her to a relatively quiet corner on the other side of the rehearsal room.

Shiina Tatsuki watched the two figures walk away, pursed her lips, but ultimately said nothing more. She simply picked up her tablet and sent the demo she had just played, along with the corresponding sheet music, to the band's group chat.

"Alright, don't let Riki's fierce appearance fool you," Ishikawa Mayu led Aine to a corner, let go of her hand, and looked at her still somewhat sullen and aggrieved face, speaking gently, "Actually, she's thought things through quite a lot."

Ai Yin raised her silver-gray eyes, blinked, and seemed not to quite understand.

Zhenyu smiled, leaned against the wall with a slight relaxation, glanced at Lixi who was buried in her tablet in the distance but whose ears seemed to be turned slightly in their direction, and said in a lower voice, "When we were discussing the arrangement framework yesterday, it was she who brought it up herself, saying that the guitar part should be designed as... well, 'beginner-friendly' as possible."

"Besides, this isn't the final version. As Lixi just said, it's still being adjusted. It will definitely be fine-tuned based on your actual practice."

Aine's eyes lit up, and she subconsciously looked in Lixi's direction, thinking to herself that Lixi was indeed a hypocrite, putting on such a fierce face even though he had clearly considered it. The grievance on her face completely disappeared, replaced by a mixture of understanding and a little bit of smugness as if she had "caught something," like a little devil who had discovered a secret.

Seeing the change in her expression, Zhenyu smiled helplessly and shook his head, continuing, "So, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just give it your all from now on. The music is static, but people are dynamic. And..." He paused, his tone gentle yet firm, "Lixi and I can both tell whether you're putting in the effort or not."

"Oh—" Aine drawled, nodding knowingly, her toes unconsciously rubbing against the floor. Her earlier discouragement and anxiety had been replaced by renewed energy. "I know! I'll try my best!" She clenched her little fist, then leaned closer to Mayu, her silver-gray eyes gleaming mischievously, and whispered, "But… if you find it too difficult to keep up during practice, Mayu, you have to tell 'Tanuki' for me!"

Chapter 183 Su Shi: Only the Final Choice Remains

Just as Mayu was gently comforting Aine, the door to the rehearsal room was suddenly pushed open rather rudely from the outside, making a soft "bang" sound.

Lena walked in, dragging her suitcase as if no one else was there. She went straight to Lixi's side and casually glanced at the sheet music file that was still on the tablet screen in Lixi's hand.

Startled by the sudden intrusion, Shiina Tatsuki looked up, a hint of confusion flashing in her purple eyes, and muttered under her breath, "...The stray cat is here."

Yao Lenai seemed not to hear the muttering. She dragged her suitcase to the tablet stand next to Lixi as if no one else was there, leaned down slightly, and her heterochromatic eyes fell directly on the sheet music displayed on the screen.

Just as her gaze began to sweep across the sheet music, she spoke, her voice as flat as her gaze:

"I want to play in a band."

Shiina Ritsuki crossed her arms, her brow furrowed, clearly not expecting such an unexpected situation:

"...I didn't prepare your part."

Lena scrolled to the bottom of the screen and quickly browsed the entire score.

Then, she straightened up and said in a nonchalant, calm tone:

"It's okay, I'll play."

Before she finished speaking, she had already turned around, walked to the side, squatted down, deftly opened the case, and started connecting the effects pedal and the amplifier.

Next, Lena's pick danced on the strings, and notes flowed out, but not as a faithful reproduction of the score. Instead, she freely painted her own vibrant colors on the framework of the original piece.

Some of the modifications subtly coincided with certain directions of modification that Mayu and Lixi had just discussed, but overall, she gave the melody more complex techniques and a stronger personal style, and also suddenly elevated the guitar part, which Lixi had deliberately "simplified," to a level that made Ai Yin hold her breath.

As Rana's performance deepened, Shiina Tatsuki's purple eyes gradually filled with focused thought. New ideas were constantly emerging in her mind, and her fingers unconsciously tapped non-existent drumbeats on her thigh. Clearly, some new musical inspirations were colliding and sprouting in her mind.

Standing in the corner, Chihaya Aine's silver-gray eyes clearly revealed a complex emotion.

Just then, a warm hand gently landed on her head, soothingly stroking her soft pink hair.

Aine subconsciously raised her head and met Ishikawa Mayu's gentle gaze.

"Scared?" He lowered his voice, almost blending into the ongoing guitar music, with a hint of a smile.

Aine nodded honestly, almost imperceptibly, and muttered softly, "...It's amazing. But it feels even harder..."

“Then don’t ‘think’ about it.” Ishikawa Mayu’s hand slid down her hair to her shoulder and gently patted it, but his gaze was fixed on Rana, who was completely immersed in her improvisational performance not far away. “Rana’s technique is indeed top-notch.”

“But what’s even more impressive about her isn’t how fast her fingers run or how complex the chords she plays.” He tilted his head slightly, gesturing for Ai Yin to listen. “Listen, what she’s playing now is quite different from what’s written on the sheet music, isn’t it?”

Ai Yin subconsciously focused and listened intently.

Indeed, Le Nai's performance was subtly different from the guitar part of the demo played by Li hope. The notes flowed with a casual yet vibrant rhythm, sometimes passionate and sometimes melancholic, as if unseen emotions were surging within them.

"Your skills may not be able to keep up with her right now. That's normal, there's no need to feel ashamed or anxious about it."

Ishikawa Mayu gently patted Aine's shoulder.

"But... as long as you don't keep thinking 'I can't play this well' or 'I might make a mistake there,' and you don't shut yourself off timidly. On stage, close your eyes, think about what you want to express in this song, think about what you want the audience to feel... and then, just play it out and sing it out."

"Put all your heart into the strings and the microphone. Just pour your whole being into the music, and that's enough for me."

"I...I understand!" Chihaya Aine stared blankly at Mayu, then took a deep breath, her silver-gray eyes brightening again. "I won't think about it anymore! I will...I will try to put everything I want to say into the music!"

"Mm." Ishikawa Mayu looked into her eyes, which had regained their fighting spirit, and nodded gently.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lena's guitar music started playing. Lixi immediately stood up and unceremoniously pulled Zhenyu to his side.

"If you have a new idea, come here." She said succinctly, not even giving Ishikawa Mayu time to react, before suddenly raising her head to look at Rana, who was still immersed in the world of music.

"Hey, stray cat. Remember to come and check in every day for the next few days."

"Huh?!"

Two surprised exclamations rang out almost simultaneously.

Nagasaki Motoyo covered her lips, her pale blue eyes widening slightly, filled with unprepared astonishment. Chihaya Aine exclaimed, her face a mixture of shock and disbelief. Even the usually quiet Takamatsu Akari opened her mouth slightly, her light brown eyes reflecting innocent surprise.

Yoru tilted her head slightly, her heterochromatic eyes slowly moving between Riki and Mayu. She didn't respond immediately, and her face didn't show whether she agreed or refused, as if she was pondering the fun of this "command".

In that brief moment of silence, Chihaya Aine moved first. She blinked hard, shaking off her last bit of hesitation, and a bright smile, a mixture of determination and welcome, bloomed on her face. She walked a few steps to Ryuna and extended her hand generously.

"Yo-kun! I'm Chihaya Aine, guitarist and vocalist! From now on... nice to meet you!"

-----------------

The slight stinging sensation at her fingertips made Nagasaki Motoyo's smile even more perfect. She stood quietly on the edge of the commotion, watching Aine energetically reach out to Rakuna, watching Riki pull Maho aside for an eager discussion, and watching Tohru's gaze follow her friends, a warm glow reflected in her light brown eyes.

How great.

Everyone has new goals, new partners, and new music.

Crychic... that band that once felt like home, the first time she felt needed and cherished, the place with Xiao Xiang's piano, Li Xi's drumbeats, Deng's vocals, and the warmth she herself carefully maintained... seems like just a fleeting interlude in their lives, so easily covered up and replaced.

Li hope... lamp...

How could you...

How can they act as if nothing has happened and be so engrossed in building this "new home" without Xiao Xiang?

Nagasaki Motoyo's gaze finally settled on the vibrant figure of the pink-haired girl. The stinging pain in her fingertips became clear and cold, spreading all the way to the depths of her heart.

Yes, since we cannot reach the distant moonlight, nor can we change the established warmth of the sun around us.

So, in order to make it possible for that broken, yet unique, "home" to be pieced back together...

All that's left is to get rid of this overly bright and obtrusive "outsider".

Before Sunday.

Chapter 184 (Two Chapters Combined) An Unexpected Encounter with Mu

After having dinner with Nagasaki Motoyo, Ishikawa Mayu walked alone on the shopping street in the evening.

The sun had just set, leaving a lingering trace of faded orange-red on the horizon before gradually sinking into the indigo twilight. Streetlights were already twinkling in, casting warm yellow halos in the deepening dusk. The sidewalks were still quite busy, but the pace was more leisurely than during the day, the air filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and the scent of oden wafting from a convenience store in the distance.

He slowed his pace, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of shops on both sides—the windows of the boutique stationery store displayed exquisite notebooks and pens, the mannequins in the fashion store wore the latest styles, and the display cases of the dessert shop were filled with colorful cakes and puddings.

Tomorrow is May 27th.

Motoyo Nagasaki's birthday.

Ishikawa Mayu's gaze slowly swept across the shop windows, but her heart felt like it was being warmed by a small stove.

When Su Shi ate today, the faint weariness in her eyes seemed to have faded somewhat, and the curve of her lips when she spoke was much more genuine. Seeing her slowly returning to her usual self, the worry that had been hanging over him because he had noticed her poor condition finally eased a little.

What should I give as a gift?