Does gravity make me stronger?

Putting aside the question of how others would perceive a girl who frequently goes to the boys' dormitory, she also doesn't have that much free time.

To make ends meet, she only has one or two free evenings a week, and she can only try to complete her compositions and arrangements at school.

So I'm sorry, Hachiman, I can't be with you all the time.

...If only things could be like they were before.

"Snapped!"

Xiangzi suddenly slapped her cheek, her delicate face turning bright red, with even a handprint appearing on it.

She needs to wake herself up really hard!

After a brief period of emotional turmoil, Xiangzi regained his energy and continued composing music methodically on the software.

however.

Having energy does not equal having inspiration.

I sat in front of the computer for several minutes, but no decent melody came to mind.

Ultimately, she hadn't even decided on the tone of the piece. Should she write a cheerful piece or a sad one?

"It's so frustrating, I can't seem to write anything."

Nearby, Hachiman, who was taking a sauna in his quilt, heard Xiangzi's complaints, groggily opened his eyes, and turned to look at the screen.

His movements naturally did not escape Xiangzi's ears.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I disturb you?"

Thinking that her complaints had disturbed Hachiman's rest, Shoko apologized embarrassedly.

"It's alright, how's the music?" Hachiman asked with concern.

"Good progress." Xiangzi gave an abstract thumbs-up, but the software on the screen was completely empty.

Yes, I'm writing it now, referring to creating a new folder.JPG

It seems that all artists share the same essence.

Although Hachiman really wanted to help, he was indeed willing but unable to do so when it came to composing music.

The only skill he possesses related to music is the Level 2 electronic keyboard he stole from Motoyo Nagasaki; his artistic talent is practically nonexistent.

If you ask him about music theory, it's probably like asking a college entrance exam question. He'll just be dumbfounded, throw up his hands, and start giving up in a fit of passion.

No, who are you calling a college student?

By the way, didn't he just acquire a new ability?

Black flash.

Putting aside the somewhat chuunibyou-esque name, its ability can enhance others when used on them, but the extent of the enhancement and whether it affects their thinking and logic are unknown.

Although using Xiangzi now might seem like using him as a guinea pig, it's believed that Tongzi himself is unreliable, but the abilities he's given are still quite good.

I don't like hearing that.

Steaming demon, mud cannot support a vessel?

But how do I use this black flash?

Leave it to me.

[Take this! Black elbow!]

In Hachiman's violently contracting pupils, his right hand inexplicably stretched outwards.

A spirit is vying with me for control of my body!

Then, the elbow, as big as a sandbag, lightly poked Xiangzi in the back.

Hey kid, you've poked it in the wrong spot, haven't you?

This bizarre scene utterly terrified Hachiman, leaving him speechless.

Fortunately, the elbow strike was not particularly lethal, but even so, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Even this cold is almost halfway gone.

Xiangzi, who was focused entirely on the music production software, was startled by the sudden contact.

Turning around, I realized that Hachiman had lifted the blanket at some point, with one hand supporting himself on the ground and the other hand placed on his back in a very strange posture.

At that moment, his right hand was sliding down to his waist at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Hachiman's face turned red. He tried to use his free hand to support himself on the ground and get back to the bed, but it was all in vain.

Even a fish on a chopping board can still perform a water-splashing leap, while he, like a swordsman who has emptied his mind of worldly desires, is already ready to be picked up by the cat cart and taken back to the spawn point.

Oh no, I can't hold on any longer.

The next second, her little hand slipped.

His right hand naturally landed on Xiangzi's waist.

When the ticklish spot on his waist was touched, Xiangzi suddenly felt a jolt of electricity flow from the soles of his feet all the way to the top of his head, making his whole body feel tingly and numb. He couldn't help but let out a shy moan.

"Hmm~"

"?"

Meanwhile, Shoko's face was flushed crimson, and she complained softly, "Hachigaya-kun, please stop teasing me..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Hachiman apologized hastily, but in his heart he was already cursing the system to death.

You actually went for it!

How does it feel to hold?

As for the feel, there's nothing particularly special about it, considering there's a school uniform in between.

No, are you trying to trick me into revealing information?

While Hachiman and the system were bickering, Shoko was surprised by the changes happening inside her body.

For some reason, my mind suddenly became very clear, and my body felt much lighter. My previously blocked thoughts seemed to clear away, flowing freely like sunshine!

Long stretches of inspiration came forth like a geyser.

System: This body allows you to unleash your full power.

Xiangzi: Have you ever seen me at my peak?

Narrator: Through this black flash, Toyokawa Shoko regained the creative efficiency of the "Spring Shadow" period, and even reached a higher level.

This sudden inspiration inexplicably excited Xiangzi, and she became engrossed in creating, constantly editing musical notes on the software.

About an hour later, a demo was completed.

"Wow, this is the first time I've written a complete demo."

Even Xiangzi himself was surprised by the speed at which he had just created the work.

One song per hour, 24 hours a day, that's 48 songs, and 1,000 songs a month!

They could become famous just by releasing a lot of songs!

Could it be that she possesses an innate talent for songwriting?

Of course, she knew that this state of mind was hard-won, and that such moments of inspiration couldn't happen all the time. So, the arrangement would still have to be done step by step.

However, this demo only took a little over an hour, which is still a bit fast.

At this moment, Hachiman also became a little more awake. He sat on the bed and asked, "Is the melody finished?"

He had only asked casually, but to his surprise, Xiangzi smiled knowingly and nodded affirmatively, saying, "The demo is finished, Hachiman, would you like to listen to it?"

Is it that fast?

"Ok."

Then, Xiangzi handed her one earphone, while she wore the other one herself.

It's just sharing headphones, nothing serious.

Gathering his courage, Hachiman put the earphones into his ears.

Xiangzi pressed the play button.

The crisp sound of a piano rang in my ears. The melody was rather soothing, and the style was somewhat like a sweet love song.

In addition, although there was only piano accompaniment, Shoko's soft humming was recorded, which was a bit like an AMSR for Hachiman, whose ears are already a bit sensitive.

Most importantly, the streamer for AMSR is still Xiangzi.

The soft humming of a young girl kept lingering in his ears, and Hachiman couldn't help but bend over and quickly return the earphones.

"How about it?"

Seeing Xiangzi's expectant gaze, Hachiman stammered, "It's not bad, it sounds very good."

“That’s great. I’ll add some instruments later, but the final product will still need a lot of polishing.”

Hearing Hachiman's praise, Shoko squinted her eyes happily.

It was around nine o'clock, half an hour before the curfew in the student dormitory. Xiangzi washed the dishes and chopsticks, packed his laptop into his backpack, and prepared to leave.

"Hachiman, if you're not fully recovered by tomorrow, remember to go to the hospital for a thorough check-up."

Before leaving the dormitory, Xiangzi gave these special instructions.

"I understand. I'll go if anything comes up."

"If something happens, it will be too late..." Xiangzi shook her head helplessly, thought for a moment, and continued, "Hachigaya-kun, could you send me a photo of your temperature tomorrow?"

"Ugh, those kinds of pictures aren't good..."

Hachiman was taken aback.

What outrageous words! Luckily, their thermometer measures temperature under the armpit, not the rectal or oral type.

"Not good? I just wanted to know if your fever would have gone down by tomorrow?" The innocent Xiangzi didn't misunderstand, which made Hachiman feel a little guilty.

"Is it alright?"

“No, if we let Hikigaya get away with it, you’ll just brush it off easily,” Shoko said firmly.

"Okay, I promise you."

"See you tomorrow?"

"I hope to see you tomorrow."

"We'll definitely see him!"

"Be careful walking at night. Contact me if anything happens... police."

"Bye-Bye!"

Outside, it was completely dark, and Tokyo, nearing summer, already felt a bit hot. Many passersby had changed into cooler clothes.

Walking home, Xiangzi walked with a light step, completely unaware that behind the shadow of a tree outside the dormitory, another figure was hiding.

"Xiangzi, you really are here..."

Upon returning from the band's retrospective event, Motoyo Nagasaki gazed at Shoko's departing figure for a long time, her feelings a complex mix of emotions.

She lowered her head and began to browse through her chat history with Hachiman that morning, then looked in the direction where Shoko had gone, her eyes gradually darkening.

Today, she carefully sorted out everything.

She had to admit that she cared for Hachiman Hikigaya more than just friends, but it didn't matter; such feelings were still so vulnerable in front of Shoko, who was the most important person to her.

Therefore, the most urgent task now is to appease Xiangzi and make her change her mind about Crychic.

As for the relationship between Hachiman Hikigaya and Shoko, she actually felt it would be better if they were closer, because she had already come up with a perfect plan that night.

Since Xiangzi likes Hachiman so much, why not just bring him into Crychic?

Xiangzi, can she accept that Hikigaya is in another band?

impossible.

But if their relationship continues to deepen...