Does gravity make me stronger?

There are still chapters left until the book is officially completed, plus there are side stories featuring individual storylines for Aine and Akari.

Chapter 293, Page 289: A Band for Life (The End)

offstage.

Kaguya Shinomiya swayed to the rhythm without realizing it, while Ai Hayasaka's suppressed laughter drifted slowly from beside her ear: "Kaguya-sama, you're all talk and no action?"

Sensing intense malice emanating from the girl beside her, Kaguya Shinomiya immediately held her breath, forcibly suppressing the pounding emotions within her.

"Hayasaka, please explain the meaning of your previous statement, 'I say one thing but mean another.'"

"It's when you really like something, but you have to pretend you hate it."

Kaguya Shinomiya rested her chin on her hand and thought deeply for a moment: "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't think this band called 'The End' is that great."

"Dear viewers, this is a classic example of 'saying one thing but meaning another'."

A hint of unease flickered across Kaguya Shinomiya's icy face: "Hayasaka, why are you talking to thin air?"

Hayasaka Ai gently shook her head: "Don't worry about it, Kaguya-sama. After all, I can only be the one to make sarcastic remarks when I'm with you."

"A tsukkomi (complaint) actor?"

To be honest, Kaguya Shinomiya felt that her maid had been talking more and more inexplicably these past few days, and it seemed she would have to discipline her more strictly when she got back.

Turning our attention back to the stage, under the dazzling spotlight, the members of the End Band shone like diamonds.

"That guitarist was so timid when he went on stage, but when the drums started playing behind him, his whole demeanor changed completely."

Hayasaka Ai immediately replied, "Goto Ichiri is currently a first-year student at Shuka High School and is also an online content creator."

"UP host?"

"It means online blogger."

"I see, so it was experience gained online?"

"I heard that a month ago, the child even wore a mango box on stage because he was so nervous."

As if it had hit a funny bone, Hayasaka Ai's lips twitched, and this rumor also made Shinomiya Kaguya silently hold her forehead.

"However, this also highlights the other party's growth."

Hayasaka Ai suppressed her smile and said seriously, "Yes, Kaguya-sama."

The three songs that ended the band's performance were all old tunes, but even so, the improvement in their chemistry and familiarity with each other brought about a dramatic change in the overall effect.

They were certain that this was the best live performance since the tourism festival.

Thank you everyone for your support!

Hongxia greeted the fans in the audience, wiped the sweat from her brow, and walked off the stage with her teammates.

Next, several members of the Mygo band took the stage.

"Why is there one more?"

Kaguya Shinomiya suddenly frowned and turned her scrutinizing gaze to the unfamiliar girl at the back of the group.

Like her, other Mygo fans stared in astonishment.

Amidst everyone's questions, Su Shi picked up the microphone and explained, "This is one of the members of our band before it was formed. He is participating in our performance as a special guest."

Upon hearing this blunt introduction, Hachiman immediately covered his face, while Ijichi Seika, after a brief moment of stunned silence, thoughtfully took out her wallet.

"Hachiman, how much does your girlfriend usually charge for an appearance?"

"No, this time it's free."

"Really? But they've basically already put AveMujica's name out there?"

Just as Ichiji Hoshika said, many of the surrounding audience members were already discussing Xiangzi's true identity, and some of them were even quite right in their guesses.

"What's the story with the former Mygo members? Can any longtime fans explain?"

"Idiot, you don't know Mutsu-chan and Shoko-chan from AveMujica?"

"what?"

Although he was wearing a mask and a baseball cap, many longtime fans still recognized Xiangzi. Just as they were about to take out their phones, they were stopped by Ijichi Hoshika.

"Excuse me, photography is prohibited here."

The slight upturn of his lips, coupled with his expressionless eyes, deterred the still-probing viewers from openly attempting to film him.

New fans are still lamenting that they can't record Xiangzi's timeless classic, while old fans are already popping champagne.

"Crychic has teamed up! Oh my god, I'm crying!"

Wakaba Mutsu: What about me?

"The first song we're bringing is 'The Starry Night'!"

Gao Songdeng stood in the spotlight, holding the microphone, and sang the first line to the rhythm of an electric guitar.

Lost at the crossroads, wandering in the sea of ​​people...?

The pop music playing through my headphones can't express the longing in my heart.

Originally, there was no keyboard in "The Starry Night," so when Xiangzi joined in temporarily, he could only play some simple chords. But even so, it was the only way for Xiangzi to reconnect with Crychic.

After the first song, Gao Songdeng, panting, looked at everyone behind him, took the microphone, and gazed affectionately at Xiangzi.

Welcome back.

"Yes, I'm back."

Before she could finish speaking, Yao Lena seized the opportunity to start the next song.

The intro, which evokes cheers from all Mygo fans, begins with the gentle sound of an electric guitar.

"The next song we'll play is 'Spring Shadow'!"

A wavering gaze, a weary heart...?

Takamatsu Akari gazed back at the stage, at where Hachiman stood, her eyes filled with tenderness: "Am I the only one in this world, utterly alone?"

I don't know if the feelings in my heart can be conveyed, but the lamp still sings with heartbreaking intensity.

"Thoughts overflowing from the depths of my heart, in the instant I came to my senses, shimmering, shimmering…?"

"Hot tears, hot tears wet my face, why does your palm feel so warm to me?"

"Please, please, please don't leave me again from now on?"

...

In the lounge, the previously noisy room immediately fell silent when Hachiman entered. Even he paused for a moment, wondering if he had done something wrong.

Is everyone here?

"Yes, we are all waiting for your answer, Hachiman."

Su Shi appeared somewhat calmer, but still seemed to be itching to make a move.

Hachiman glanced around and scratched the back of his head: "When did you all get the illusion that the outcome is up to me?"

Everyone: ?

Aine was the first to react: "Wait a minute, if Hachiman doesn't make a judgment, how will we know... Ah, did Hachiman plan this all along?!"

Liar and villain Hachiman!

"No, to be honest, I really don't understand what you're talking about, Chihaya-kun." Hachiman shook his head, puzzled.

Shiina Tatsuki crossed her arms and said somewhat impatiently, "We came here to perform because you told us to, don't try to get away with this."

It seems she cares a lot about this result.

From her perspective, at least they won the competition, right?

"Have you forgotten this in your entire lives?"

Hachiman's words left everyone speechless.

"what?"

Indeed, Hachiman Hikigaya did not consider himself a great person, and thus he could only resort to dirty tricks: "This match is a lifelong matter, and I will give the result when everything is over."

...

The victory celebration banquet was held in Saaria.

"Although the afternoon's stage performance was great, I still feel like I was tricked by Hachiman."

Nijika muttered, while Yamada Ryo, while showing off his baked snails, said, "Hachiman is a jerk, haven't you guys seen that yet?"

Kita quickly explained, "Ryo-senpai, I think what Hachiman said is very romantic, like a band for a lifetime or something."

Upon hearing this, Yamada Ryo suddenly put down his chopsticks, looking at him with a smug expression: "See, this is what happens to girls who are deceived by scumbags, just like I said."

Kita: "???"

"Hey, I'm still here."

After Hachiman finished speaking, he took a bite of tomato spaghetti. If he let Yamada Ryo across from him continue spouting nonsense, his innocence would be completely ruined.

Sitting next to him were Xiangzi, Su Shi, and Goto Ichiri.

Su Shi and Xiangzi were like a newlywed couple, constantly feeding Goto Ichiri with food.

So, is he superfluous?

"Hachiman, ah~"

Just as he was thinking this, Su Shi cut a piece of beef and handed it over. Hearing this noise, everyone else turned their attention to him.

No, the pressure to feed animals in this place is just too much.

Seeing that Hachiman didn't move, Sosei pushed the fork forward a little more, indicating that the meat was going to be shared.

"Su Shi..."

"Ah~"

Ignoring all the strange looks, Hachiman took a bite and quickly swallowed: "It's delicious, thank you."

Su Shi smiled, pursing her lips.

"You guys." Iji Tomoka, her face flushed, poked her head out from the back seat, with a drunken Hiroi Kikuri hanging beside her. "Can you guys be a little less reserved? Can't young people be a little more cheerful?"

Hiroi Kikuri raised her glass: "Yeah, everyone, let's get hyped, until we're drunk! Hiccup~"

Hachiman glanced at the scene of carnage and complained to Nijika, "Ijichi-kun, your sister seems to be drunk."

"Haha, I'll give my sister a good talking-to when I get back." Hongxia touched her nose guiltily.

"What?! Hongxia, I'm your older sister!" Ichiji Hoshika exclaimed, then suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. "Ah, Shizuka, you're here too! Drink more, let's drink more! What?! You said you're no longer single?! Traitor!!!"

"Senior, I am Kikuri, not Shizuka-senpai."

The two female alcoholics toasted each other, and then the sound engineer grabbed them by the back of the neck and dragged them to their booths.

So, alcoholics are such troublesome creatures...

"Speaking of which, what are everyone's dreams?" Hongxia suddenly put down her chopsticks and asked the people around her, "Like becoming a star, or finding aliens or something?"

"How sudden." Yamada Ryo, his mouth full of oil, complained, "But my dream is to become rich and buy all the basses in the world."

Wait a minute, don't you have any money at home?

Aine raised her hand high: "Hi, I want to perform at the Budokan!"

Shiina Tatsuki immediately sneered: "Heh, with your mediocre guitar skills?"

"Of course everyone should go together, including Riki!"

"Hmm." Aine's straight shot caught Shiina Tatsuki off guard: "Well, if you can keep up with the training, it's not impossible."

Deng stroked the glass in his hand and said softly, "As for me, I'm happy just to be with everyone."

"So Tomorin's dream is to stay with us forever?"

"Ah, um." Deng nodded obediently.

"This is really a dilemma," Aine said, crossing her arms with feigned seriousness. "If I agree, wouldn't the lighthouse's dream seem rather cheap?"

"Idiot Aine, I'm never leaving Tou again." Shiina Tatsuki directly expressed his loyalty.