People in Mygo are emotional firefighters.

He cleared his throat, preparing to casually offer this option—one that might ease the tension, or even surprise the pink-haired guy—

"Spring Shadows would be good enough."

Shiina Tatsuki's voice was crisp and clear, even a little impatient.

Ishikawa Mayu blinked, swallowing back the words that were already on the tip of her tongue. Instead, with a hint of curiosity and scrutiny, she quietly observed the reactions of everyone present.

The air in the practice room seemed to freeze.

Nagasaki Motoyo's gentle smile froze instantly. Almost instinctively, she raised her hand and gently covered her lips with her slender fingertips, clearly to hide her impending loss of control.

“But…but that song…” Chihaya Aine’s voice broke the silence. She tilted her head, her face full of pure confusion. “I’ve only heard it once…”

Upon hearing Aine's complaint, Nagasaki Motoyo regained her composure and calmed down from her initial shock.

She lowered her hand from her mouth, her fingertips still nervously twisting together, trying to find a reason to refute Li Xi's suggestion:

"but……"

However, the moment she uttered those two words, Shiina Tatsuki's sharp gaze swept over her like a knife, interrupting her mercilessly with a tone that was both piercing and impatient:

"What, are you worried about that guy?"

Nagasaki Motoyo was rendered speechless by Riki's blunt question. She dared not answer directly, so she avoided Riki's sharp gaze. Her blue eyes, which were misty with water, looked at Ishikawa Maho, who was silently observing from the side.

Ishikawa Mayu received Suze's panicked and pleading gaze, and glanced at Shiina Tatsuki, who had already walked to the bag and started looking for a tablet computer. He had a general idea of ​​the situation on the field.

He walked over and stood beside her, his gaze falling on the tablet screen she had just taken out and was about to put on the music stand. On it was the sheet music for "Spring Shadow".

really……

"Lixi, Lixi," he said, his voice calm and devoid of emotion.

Shiina Tatsuki didn't stop what she was doing, but she clicked her tongue impatiently and asked without looking up, "What now?"

Ishikawa Mayu ignored her attitude, looked at the sheet music on the screen, and analyzed objectively: "If it's just a practice piece for the band to practice and improve teamwork... I do think 'Spring Shadow' is good. The melody is familiar to everyone, so you can get into the mood quickly."

"I'm not familiar with it!"

Chihaya Aine raised her hand high, looking quite proud.

“As for Aine,” he turned his head, his gaze falling on the pink-haired girl who was staring at him expectantly, a strange smile on his face, “Anyway, at her current level, it doesn’t matter what she plays, it doesn’t matter which piece she starts practicing.”

"Mayu-kun!" Chihaya Aine immediately glared at him, her cheeks puffed out.

Even if it's true, you can't say it so bluntly; it's too hurtful to a girl's self-esteem!

No girl will like someone so clueless!

Shiina Tatsuki ignored Aine's little gestures and instead glared at Ishikawa Maho with an unfriendly expression. Knowing this guy as she did, she knew that such a seemingly agreeable opening statement would most likely be followed by a "but".

as predicted.

Ishikawa Mayu changed the subject, her tone still calm, but with an undeniable sense of reality: "However, if it is to be a song that the band may perform publicly in the future, 'Kasuga Kage' is probably not very suitable."

Li hope's brows furrowed immediately, and her tone became sharp: "What's inappropriate about it? There's nothing wrong with the music itself!"

If this guy dares to say there's something wrong with Deng's song, she'll definitely smash his head with a drumstick.

“The problem isn’t whether the song itself is good or bad,” Ishikawa Mayu shook her head and raised an index finger. “It’s a copyright issue.”

"Although the copyright of this song belongs to Crychic, our new band cannot perform it without the unanimous consent of all members. As members of Crychic, Xiangzi and Ruoye Mutsu undoubtedly possess some of the rights. If we use this song for public performances without their consent, it would strictly be considered copyright infringement."

"..."

Shiina Riki seemed to choke on something; he opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound immediately.

She was used to dashing around in the world of music, and the complicated real-world rules of copyright and licensing were areas she hadn't given much thought to.

Upon hearing this, Nagasaki Motoyo, who was standing nearby, defended Shoko in her heart, thinking that Shoko was so gentle that she would definitely not sue them.

Takamatsu also widened his eyes slightly, a hint of confusion flashing across his light brown eyes.

She simply liked the song and never imagined that it involved such real legal issues.

Ishikawa Mayu slowly raised her second finger.

“Furthermore,” his gaze returned to the sheet music for “Spring Shadow” displayed on the tablet screen, “this song is a standard solo piece. And since our band now has two lead singers, it probably wouldn’t be very convenient to use it for practice.”

"After all, our band was only formed the day before yesterday, so it's normal that we haven't considered many details."

"Tsk..."

Shiina Tatsuki scratched her hair in frustration. Every point Ishikawa Mayu made hit the nail on the head, leaving her speechless. But this feeling of being bound by the constraints of reality was extremely unpleasant. She looked up, her eyes sharply fixed on Ishikawa Mayu, her tone clearly impatient and questioning:

"So what do you suggest we do now? Are we supposed to write one right now?"

“Writing a poem right now is unrealistic for us. However, I happen to have an alternative.” Ishikawa Mayu paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Chihaya Aine.

"I obtained the official cover rights for Sumimi's 'Here the World'."

As he spoke, his gaze met Ai Yin's, and he gave her a gentle wink.

Chihaya Aine was taken aback at first, then recalled the scene at the karaoke bar that day—she stood in front of the screen, having deliberately chosen this upbeat and hopeful song to dispel the gloom in her heart…

So, he remembered everything. He even went out of his way to prepare the authorization!

An indescribable sweetness, like sparkling water, rose up from the bottom of my heart, instantly dispelling the slight grievance of being bluntly told that my "level was poor".

Chihaya Aine retracted her earlier statement that Ishikawa Mayu was straight, and in her heart cheered, "Mayu-san, love~"

Meanwhile, everyone else's attention was drawn to the news that they had "obtained the rights to cover Sumimi's songs."

A hint of surprise flashed across Nagasaki Motoyo's face, and Shiina Tatsuki also frowned, seemingly wondering how this guy had such connections.

No one noticed the brief exchange of glances between Ishikawa Mayu and Chihaya Aine.

Ishikawa Mayu glanced at Riki, who was still somewhat agitated but had clearly begun to weigh the pros and cons, and softened her tone, offering a compromise:

"My suggestion is that, if possible, we should focus on practicing 'Here the World' today."

He pointed to the sheet music for "Spring Shadow" on Lixi's tablet, "As for this song... if you really want to use it to practice, that's fine. But we'll need to find someone to rearrange it later, at least to make it suitable for two lead singers."

Upon hearing this, Nagasaki Motoyo's heart stirred, and a thought quietly emerged.

If we're going to adapt it... maybe we could ask Shinba-kun to step in and ask Sho to participate in the adaptation?

This would not only resolve the copyright issue but also create an opportunity to connect with Xiao Xiang...

Her fingertips unconsciously brushed across the bass strings, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.

After a brief silence, Shiina Tatsuki looked away somewhat uncomfortably, her voice a few decibels lower than before: "...As for arrangement, I've recently learned a bit and can participate in the adaptation work."

Nagasaki Motoyo's fingers, which had been caressing the strings, suddenly stopped, and the little spark that had just ignited in her heart was extinguished with a "poof." She lowered her eyelashes, trying to maintain a calm expression, but a trace of undisguised frustration still crept into her heart.

Another chance gone...

Hearing Riki's words, Ishikawa Mayu raised an eyebrow in surprise, a slight smile of approval on her face: "Oh? Riki-kun, you also studied music composition? You're really multi-talented."

His words weren't just flattery; they carried a degree of sincerity.

"I'm also very interested in music arrangement. If Lixi needs it, maybe I can lend a hand."

Upon hearing Ishikawa Mayu's words, Shiina Tatsuki first turned her face away as usual, and then bluntly retorted, "Hmph, that's unnecessary."

But her gaze involuntarily swept over the sheet music for "Spring Shadow" on the tablet again, and then glanced at Su Shi, who was dejected but did not object, and Takamatsu, who stood quietly and seemed to accept any arrangement silently.

She had to admit that the solution proposed by Ishikawa Mayu was indeed the most reasonable and efficient one at the moment.

Copyright issues are unavoidable, and "Here the World" is a ready-made solution. The proposed adaptation of "Spring Shadow" also preserves her original intention to practice with this piece, and even...

It might even make this piece more suitable for the current lighting and band, which can be said to be comprehensive.

This guy... is surprisingly reliable in some ways.

The thought flashed through her mind, tinged with a reluctant acceptance. Although her tone remained sharp, her tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

Just as Ishikawa Mayu and Shiina Tatsuki reached a preliminary agreement on the arrangement collaboration, and the tense atmosphere in the practice room eased slightly, everyone, though with different thoughts, had temporarily found their direction—

"Click".

The door to the practice room was gently pushed open.

A white figure slipped in silently, as if she had always belonged there. Kaoru pulled her signature suitcase, which had a black guitar case strapped to it, and her heterochromatic eyes calmly swept over the people in the room before finally settling on the equipment inside.

She walked to the equipment as if no one else was there, placed her suitcase against the wall, and then turned around. Her eyes, each with a different color, swept over the people with different expressions, finally settling on Takamatsu Akari and Ishikawa Mayu.

She tilted her head and asked softly:

"Aren't you coming to play?"

Chapter 76 (3k) Aine, Devastated

Ai Yin was somewhat bewildered by the sudden appearance of the white-haired girl, who acted as if she were in her own home. She looked around, her face full of questions, and asked softly, "Wait a minute, who sent her?"

Her gaze unconsciously fell on Ishikawa Mayu, after all, Mayu and this child seemed to have a good relationship, and Mayu had even treated her to a parfait before.

However, Ishikawa Mayu also looked bewildered and gently shook her head at Aine, indicating that she was unaware of the situation.

In just a few seconds, Yao Lenai had already adjusted the equipment as if no one else was around.

She approached Ishikawa Mayu and Shiina Tatsuki, who were standing in front of the music stand, also somewhat dazed, and calmly focused her different colored eyes on the sheet music of "Here the World" that had been switched on the tablet screen.

Before Shiina Ritsuki could even question this uninvited guest, Yoru Nai had already finished reading the sheet music, picked up her rather old guitar, and walked to the center to start tuning it.

"Den-"

A slightly somber note, carrying a subtle sense of dissonance, rang out.

Kaoru tilted her head slightly, her heterochromatic eyes intently listening to the reverberation. Her slender fingers began skillfully turning the tuning pegs on the headstock, tuning the instrument precisely. Her movements were natural and focused, as if everything around her was irrelevant.

Amidst the subtle sound of adjusting the volume, she raised her head, her multicolored eyes calmly sweeping over the slightly bewildered crowd, and asked again softly:

"Won't you come and play together?"

After recovering from her initial surprise, Nagasaki Motoyo maintained her gentle smile and tentatively asked in a soft voice, "Um... what do you mean by playing?"

Yoro answered calmly, "The band."

After saying those two words, she lowered her head, seemingly focusing all her attention back on the guitar in her hands. With one final, subtle adjustment of her fingers, the guitar's pitch seemed to reach a state that satisfied her.

Then, her fingertips smoothly glided across the strings.

A clear, steady, and captivating melody immediately flowed from the guitar in her hands—the intro to "Here the World."

The notes were precise and expressive, the rhythm as steady as a rock, creating a wonderful contrast with the slightly old guitar in her hands.

This skillful and moving performance was worlds apart from Chihaya Aion's clumsy and noisy chord practice just now.

Ishikawa Mayu watched Kaname Rakuna's smooth and flowing performance without any surprise.

When I heard her improvise at RiNG Cafe last time, I already knew that this girl's guitar skills were definitely at a professional level, only slightly inferior to mine.

He was more worried about Aine now. So he subconsciously looked at Chihaya Aine.

The pink-haired girl stared wide-eyed at Yoro Nai's fingers dancing across the guitar strings. She instinctively hugged the electric guitar in her arms tighter, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

Seemingly noticing Mayu's worried gaze, Aine snapped out of her reverie.

She turned her head somewhat hastily, met his gaze, and tried to pull the corners of her mouth upward, attempting to show her usual energetic smile, but the curve appeared unusually forced and fragile.

She only held on for a moment before quickly lowering her head to avoid his gaze, staring at the guitar in her hands that seemed particularly "naive" in comparison, her shoulders slumping almost imperceptibly.

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

After making a fuss for a while, they still couldn't practice together, so in the end, the group moved to the cafe attached to RiNG.

Kaoru ordered a matcha parfait without any hesitation and was enjoying it as if no one else was there, as if she wasn't the one who had caused such a commotion in the practice room just now.

Ishikawa Mayu stood beside Chihaya Aine, who was looking down, and together with the others, they looked at the "wildcat" who was engrossed in eating with complicated expressions.

Nagasaki Motoyo sat next to Rakuna. She turned her head and whispered to Shiina Tatsuki, who was standing to the side with her arms crossed, "This girl... I think I remember her. She performs on stage occasionally, right?"

Shiina Riki put her hands on her hips, sighed heavily, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Yeah, she's RiNG's 'wildcat'."

Su Shi nodded knowingly, then turned back to Le Nai, a gentle, communicative smile on her face: "Um... your name is Le Nai, right? When you said 'want to play in a band' in the practice room, what did you mean...?"

Yoro Nai looked up from the matcha parfait, a bit of green cream still on her lips, and calmly looked at Su Shi with her heterochromatic eyes, repeating in the same tone as before, "I want to play in a band."

Su Shi's smile froze for a moment, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face, but she still patiently continued to press, "Um... what I was asking was..."

At that moment, Takamatsu looked at Lena, her light brown eyes filled with a straightforward understanding, and softly asked the core question for Su Shi: "Do you want to join the band?"

To get Lena's attention to the light, she nodded decisively, then lowered her head to continue focusing on displaying the parfait, vaguely replying, "Want to play."