Does gravity make me stronger?

Thinking about this, Hongxia felt a tightness in her chest and a sense of unease in her heart.

Although a band is a four-person affair and there's no need to compare oneself to others, she still has a competitive spirit and hopes to gain the recognition of Aine and the others.

"Cool, Kita-chan, Pochi-chan, do your best!"

"Oh, um."

Goto Ichiri nodded cautiously, then looked down at the audience with trembling eyes. Just as her gaze was about to meet Hachiman's, she quickly looked away.

"Manager, is there something dirty on my face?" Hachiman asked curiously.

"No, he's definitely a gigolo," Ichika Hoshika teased.

Who is the gigolo?

I'm not a gigolo!

Have you ever seen a gigolo working himself to the bone for double the salary?

They should be cattle and horses!

Okay, okay, we know you're a beast of burden.

╭∩╮

Chapter 148, Page 146: Mango Box

"Pochi-chan, are you alright?" Kita asked with concern, seemingly noticing something was wrong with Goto Ichiri.

Goto Ichiri shook his head, forcing a pathetic smile: "I'm fine."

This doesn't look like anything's wrong at all!

"If you're not feeling well, I'll talk to the manager and we can reschedule the assessment next Friday." A hint of unease flickered in Kita's eyes.

"It's okay, I don't want to be a burden to everyone."

Despite saying that, Goto Ichiri knew perfectly well that she probably couldn't even unleash half of her full strength right now.

The reason for this is all because of that kiss last time, which made her keep having impure thoughts.

Not only can they not concentrate at all, but they also blush easily.

For example, right now, the lip monster appeared in Goto Ichiri's retina and ran from one side of the stage to the other without stopping.

Stop it, my imagination!

Her mind was racing like it was on a highway, teetering on the edge of going berserk.

Especially after seeing Hachiman, he was unable to concentrate on the guitar.

Meanwhile, in the audience, Ijichi Seika clapped her hands and blew the starting whistle.

"Get ready and let's begin."

Kita's palms were sweaty as he nervously held the microphone and said, "Um, we are the End Band, and next we will be performing 'Guitar and Loneliness and the Blue Planet'."

Upon hearing this, Hongxia took the drumsticks and struck them four times in mid-air.

The next moment, Yamada Ryo and Kita successfully started playing the music, but Goto Ichiri was a step too slow.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Goto Ichiri awkwardly picked up his guitar, head down, not daring to look at everyone's expressions.

"It's okay, let's try again."

Hongxia crossed her drumsticks again and struck four crisp blows, setting the drumbeats in motion.

This time, Goto Ichiri successfully kept up with the pace.

"On a sudden afternoon downpour, I felt incredibly irritable because I didn't have an umbrella."

"How am I supposed to know what mood the sky is in?"

Kita's singing voice is quite different from Takamatsu Akari's; although it is not as expansive, it is more powerful.

Hearing this, Hachiman was about to breathe a sigh of relief.

However, the solemn expression on Ijichi Hoshika's face made him anxious again, even though he had just relaxed.

Is there a problem?

"This is a huge problem."

Ichika sighed and shook her head.

After a period of adjustment and collaboration, the band's performance was significantly better than their first show, but the skill levels of the four members still varied greatly.

Leaving aside Kita Ikuyo, who is just starting out, the drummer and bassist haven't corrected any of their bad habits.

Furthermore, the guitarist became even more withdrawn...

Such a performance would hardly attract passersby on the street, let alone in a LiveHouse.

If things continue like this, it will be difficult for Ichiji Hoshika to pass their test.

"stop!"

Just as the chorus began, Ijichi Seika shouted something, interrupting the band's performance.

Then, in a cold and stern voice, he reprimanded, "What's wrong with you guys? You're all listless. Have you not practiced at all?"

On stage, Hongxia and the others kept their heads down and didn't say anything.

Practice, of course, was done.

But they didn't know why, as soon as they got on stage, they forgot all about what they had practiced.

"Let's do it again."

Ijichi Seika shook her leg and said somewhat angrily.

Beside him, Hachiman sat up slightly, his gaze fixed intently on the four members of the EMO group on stage.

The others were fine; perhaps they were just a little nervous.

Only Goto Ichiri's condition was a bit strange; she seemed restless from the very beginning on stage.

Whenever their eyes met, Goto Ichiri would look away as if she had been electrocuted.

Could it be that she's still dwelling on what happened last time?

Thinking this, Hachiman opened his mind and heard Goto Ichiri's struggling thoughts: "Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate... Oyster, I still can't see Hikigaya-kun's face."

So, it really was my problem?

Although he had guessed something before, hearing Goto Ichiri's thoughts confirmed his suspicions even more.

That kiss last time really had a big impact on her.

Some people might ask, "Isn't it just seeing kissing?"

It's no big deal.

I watch it every night.

Hachiman also felt it wasn't that exaggerated.

But everyone's feelings are different.

It's like coming across a philosophical video; some people might chuckle knowingly, but that's about it.

However, some people develop a deep psychological association with this, and whenever they see two boys doing something gay, they hallucinate that Van and Billy King are involved.

Goto Ichiri was probably the same.

This phenomenon is very common and doesn't require much intervention; it usually subsides on its own after a while.

But the key point is...

There wasn't time to desensitize Goto Ichiri.

If the assessment had proceeded as originally planned and started on Friday, Goto Ichiri probably wouldn't have reacted so strongly.

The problem is that the assessment was moved up to today.

and so.

What should we do now?

There are two ways to solve a problem: one is to solve it as usual, and the other is to eliminate the problem itself.

Since Hachiman was unable to resolve Goto Ichiri's obsession for the time being, he chose to eliminate the problem itself.

Since Goto Ichiri is annoyed by his presence, why doesn't he just leave?

"What are you going to do?"

Just as Hachiman was about to leave the scene, he was stopped by Ijichi Seika.

"Um, I'm going to the restroom."

"You have only a few minutes to stay here quietly."

Hachiman was puzzled by Ijichi Seika's commanding attitude.

With her keen observation skills, she couldn't possibly fail to see why Goto Ichiri had lost her usual level of performance.

"If this continues, your sister's hard-won opportunity to perform on stage will be lost," Hachiman asked tentatively.

"So that's what you were thinking."

Ijichi Seika used her arm as a support, propped her chin up, and said leisurely, "Is it possible that they are simply not skilled enough?"

"Possibly." Hachiman nodded obediently, then retorted sharply, "So, I can't help?"

"Are you the kind of person who meddles in other people's business?"

"Absolutely not, it's more like slacking off is the best thing to do, but... I am, after all, an honorary member of the End of the Band."

Ijichi Hoshika chuckled coldly and tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair.

"Then you shouldn't have left even more."

"why?"

Hachiman looked over curiously.

"Think carefully about what those children will think if you leave now."

"Is that what you think? Even Hachiman couldn't stand it anymore, saying we're really terrible or something."

"Anyway, if it were me, that's what I would think."

Hachiman's pupils contracted.

How could he not have considered that?

Despite saying there was nothing to worry about on the surface, the girls who were being evaluated and whose bands were ending must have been very sensitive inside.

If Qi leaves at this moment, even for just a short while, it will hurt their self-esteem.

"Hachiman, you sometimes get caught in a strange cycle of rationality. It's not that it's bad, but you should also pay more attention to how others feel about you."

Ichi Seika said coldly, without looking to the side.

"You are also a force that keeps them playing. If you consider yourself a member of the band that will end, you should stay here and watch over them until the end."

Does Ichiji Hoshika mean that he should just stand by and watch?

Perhaps doing this won't hurt their self-esteem, but what will the result be?

Should we give up this opportunity to perform on stage?

Hachiman closed his eyes, pondered for only a few seconds, and came to the answer.

I'm sorry, I can't do that.

"Thank you, manager," he said calmly.

"Good to know, so just observe from the sidelines. Sometimes failure is part of life... Wait a minute, what are you doing?"

Please don't mind me.

Hachiman moved a few steps, grabbed a box, and then forcefully put it over his head.

At the same time, the band played the intro for the third time.