A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

……

Ah, was it an illusion? It seemed like everything she was thinking about really had nothing to do with the performance...

Including Su Shi, who had only revised the plan with herself from the perspective of the exhibition. As for what to play and how to arrange the process, neither of them had considered it at all.

……

But is there really a problem with this? As the one with the worst musical skills, these shouldn't be her responsibility. Instead, they should be the responsibility of Li Xi and Lenai. As for what Deng said, I wasn't focusing on the performance... Are you worried about making mistakes during the performance? But I think I performed well enough in the last live, right?

What, after all, was the fun and self-interest that Le Nai was talking about? Everyone was already standing on such a great stage, and everyone was about to sign a record contract... In her eyes, wasn't that enough?

"Lena obviously loves Live the most...what on earth does she think is wrong?"

Chihaya Aine scratched her head.

Even if the plan for this street performance is not approved, it will not have much impact on the entire joint exhibition and the band's next new songs, but Chihaya Aine always feels as if there is a fishbone stuck in her throat, which is annoying.

Smart and sociable, she knew full well that this momentary disagreement could easily develop into deeper misunderstandings and conflicts over time. Her decision, especially now, clearly diverged from Lenai's philosophies. If she simply let it go, she feared there would be more rejection and confusion like today's.

Although she doesn't often use words like "lifetime" or "forever" like Deng, she still wants the band to last for a long time.

So, how should I resolve this subtle contradiction between myself and Lenai?

After a very brief hesitation, Chihaya Aine got up and opened the door.

"Brother! I have something to discuss with you!!!"

……

"I see. To put it simply, you don't understand why Lenai rejected you."

After listening to his sister's story, Chihaya Tetsu also put down the pencil in his hand.

"I actually don't quite understand a lot of that girl's words and actions, but this time I can still understand her... Aine, your plan with Sushi is a bit too hasty."

"Eh?!"

After hearing this, Chihaya Aine immediately showed a rather confused expression.

"But I think Sushi has thought it through very carefully, right? This kind of street performance not only shows off your costume, but also attracts passers-by! And when we return with our instruments, we might even attract quite a few customers..."

"Well, from the perspective of my brand and the joint exhibition, this plan is indeed very good, but Aiyin... this band doesn't belong to just you and Sushi."

Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head.

"Perhaps you and Sushi can indeed prioritize my affairs. But can Lena, Riki, and Deng do the same? Why did they form this band with you, and what exactly are they pursuing?"

"……what."

Hearing this, Chihaya Aine suddenly opened her mouth wide.

So, in the beginning, she was eager to make the band debut in the mainstream in order to compete with Hoshino Ai... But now, the "threat" of Hoshino Ai has disappeared, and she and Suyo, under Xiangzi's planning, naturally transferred this part of the purpose directly to promoting [StarrySky].

But for the other three, they haven't actually found their next goal yet, or in other words, what they are pursuing is no longer the same as themselves and Su Shi.

“Aine.”

"Yes?"

"You said before that you hope to become the leader of this band, right?"

Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"If that's the case, what you need to do is not just to impose your own ideas on the entire band, but to communicate and coordinate with everyone and reach a consensus. So, it might be helpful to recall why they joined this band in the first place."

"..."

Deng's wish was to make a change and stay with everyone for a long time, while Lixi not only wanted to continue forming a band with Deng, but also hoped that his musical skills could be further improved.

As for Rakuna… though I don't quite understand, the most excited and focused expression Chihaya Aine has ever seen her express was during RiNG's first performance. While she still displayed exceptional playing skills during their supporting performance at the K-Arena in Yokohama, she didn't quite share the excitement she'd displayed during her first live performance. The most crucial difference between those performances was that they weren't performing as supporting players, nor were they performing for others; they were simply expressing their own feelings and thoughts.

This is probably the self that Lenai was talking about.

"But if that's the case, then this seemingly hasty plan...is actually all I have in mind."

Chihaya Aine said with a troubled look on her face:

"Because for me right now, my brother is my only driving force. No matter how much I think about it, I will only make plans centered around you—"

"...If that's the case, then you might as well tell everyone this idea in a more direct way, and then let them judge or discuss it."

Facing Chihaya Aine, Chihaya Tetsuya suddenly said:

"Although Lenai seems to be denying you, she hasn't actually understood your perspective, has she? Therefore, the two of you haven't been able to establish effective communication... Also, don't dwell on how to convince each other. Instead, exchange ideas, find common ground, and use that to determine your future direction."

Chihaya Aine looked thoughtful, and Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"In order to become the leader of this band, try to understand everyone in the band. This is your next task."

94

Chapter 94: First Band Meeting.

"That's it. Anyway, for the sake of our band's future, my brother asked me to have a good communication with everyone again!"

A week later, on a day off, Chihaya Aine said to the band members in front of her:

"So, today, each of us must clearly state our goals for the next stage and our plans for the band's future!"

"...It's certainly important for everyone to sit down and have a good discussion. But shouldn't we be informed of this before we're invited, so we can be mentally prepared?"

Shiina Riki looked at Chihaya Aine speechlessly.

"He suddenly called someone to his house and then threw such a profound question at us. It would be a miracle if we could answer it!"

"Then think about it for a while. Today is a day off anyway, so everyone probably doesn't have any plans."

"Who said that? I was supposed to go to the fabric factory with Tetsuya, but you suddenly said you had something to ask me to stay this morning."

Nagasaki Suyo looked at Chihaya Aine helplessly.

"Next time you have something important to discuss, please notify everyone a little earlier."

"That's what you said, but Su Shi, didn't you still stay here?"

After hearing this, Chihaya Aine scratched her head with a wry smile on her face:

"I've remembered this time, and I won't do it again next time."

"Really... Well, let's just sit here and think about it for a while. I'll go get everyone some drinks... Lenai."

"Well?"

"Don't mess with the manuscript paper on the coffee table."

"Oh……"

Upon hearing this, Yao Lenai immediately withdrew her little hand that was about to reach for the design drafts.

On the other side, after completing her instructions, Nagasaki Suyo walked into the kitchen with extremely natural steps. Then the noise of the refrigerator opening and cups colliding made everyone present look at each other in confusion.

“…She’s totally acting like a hostess.”

Shiina Riki couldn't help but complain:

"Isn't this integration a bit too complete? Could it be that she has already married into the Chihaya family without us knowing?"

"Well...after all, Su Shi herself has that kind of temperament."

Chihaya Aine, who was already used to this kind of thing, said calmly:

"This isn't the main point. Let's first figure out the band's affairs! Come on, let's start with Li Xi!"

"Huh? Why me first?"

Shiina Riki couldn't help but frown and said:

"I just said that I can't answer it right away, right?"

"Eh? Since Li Xi has always given people the impression of being quite straightforward, I thought you would find it easier to answer this question."

"So it's not that simple! If I could have used 'mainstream debut' to fool people before, now we can be said to have one foot in the door of mainstream debut, right? I haven't had time to think about what happens next!"

Shiina Riki crossed his arms across his chest, looking quite hesitant.

"But... well, if I really have any other goals for the future, it's probably to further improve the band's skills, and one day, to perform on a stage as high as the K-Arena with our own strength..."

A hint of fighting spirit flashed in Shiina Riki's eyes.

"As an explanation and proof to myself."

"Oh, that's good!"

Chihaya Aine couldn't help but applaud Riki's answer:

"It's both serious and safe. Choosing you as the first person to express your opinion is indeed a wise move!"

"I don't know whether you are praising me or insulting me..."

Shiina Riki couldn't help but sigh, and then immediately looked at Takamatsu Deng, who had been in deep thought since the beginning.

"What about Deng? Is there anything you want to do after your mainstream debut?"

"I……"

Gao Songdeng hesitated for a moment, then replied weakly:

"As for me, as long as I can be with everyone forever, that's all I need... If I had to choose a goal, well, it would be to become someone as amazing as Ai."

"Eh, eh?! Tomo... I want to be someone like Hoshino Ai..."

Shiina Riki was shocked at first, but then she couldn't help but imagine becoming an idol and standing in the spotlight like Takamatsu Deng...

……

"It seems... it's not impossible?"

"No, it's not true love! I just want to be as confident as her..."

Gao Songdeng quickly shook his head and denied it:

"As a lead singer, I also hope to have the courage to express my feelings bravely under the spotlight like her."

"So, Deng hopes to become braver than he is now while still maintaining his band membership, right?"

Chihaya Aine concluded.

Gao Songdeng nodded embarrassedly, then resumed his previous sitting position and waited obediently for the others' answers.

At the same time, Nagasaki Suyo, carrying a tray, had returned to the living room.

"We have black tea and juice. Please choose what you want to drink... and here are the refreshments I bought earlier. Please enjoy them."

"Really, she's totally the hostess..."

This time, even Chihaya Aine couldn't help but complain.

After hearing this, Nagasaki Suyo rolled her eyes at her:

"Which of us has the last name Chihaya?"

"Hey, it's me."

"Then stop talking nonsense."

As Nagasaki Suyo spoke, she sat back in her previous seat.

"And I've heard your answers just now, so let me tell you my plan... For the time being, I plan to take our band to the next level."

Nagasaki Suyo said calmly:

"Unlike Li Xi, who focuses solely on music, I'd rather develop the band's actual commercial value... Well, just understand that I hope to become the band's manager after their mainstream debut."

"It's so realistic that it's hard to imagine it coming from a high school student..."

Chihaya Aine couldn't help but grin and sigh:

"Sure enough, since Su Shi came to my house, he has become more and more mature."

"That's not so bad, is it? A band always needs someone like that."

Facing Chihaya Aine's emotion, Nagasaki Suyo said calmly:

"Otherwise, if we really rely on someone like you who's hot-headed and gives orders, we'll be doomed sooner or later."

"I wouldn't say that's too extreme... But you're right, I'm a person who gets carried away easily. All my goals may just be a spur of the moment, and all my decisions may be regretted midway. But even so, I have one most basic goal that will never change no matter what—"