Chapter 173

They must have at least a vague idea of what would happen after the contract was signed, and they also understood what the future would hold.

At that point, they were no longer a small, playful band made up of students, residing in a livehouse.

Instead, they entered the professional world, the adult world, becoming musicians who are subject to rules and requirements.

Ishikawa Hayato patiently waited for them to finish reading.

But after watching, they didn't say anything, instead turning their gazes to Ishikawa Hayato one after another.

Nijika went even further and asked directly.

What do you think, Hayato-kun?

After seeing those requirements, they calmed down and thought about it, and then they understood the meaning behind Ishikawa Hayato's initial statement about the direction of development.

He had already made up his mind before he said those words.

They knew that too.

She just wanted him to say it for sure and agree. If it was Ishikawa Hayato's choice, it wouldn't do them any harm.

They thought that way without even realizing it.

But Ishikawa Hayato looked around at the four of them, a wicked smile on his face.

"But I want to hear everyone's opinions first. This is the direction the band is heading, so naturally everyone should share their thoughts. To avoid my words influencing anyone, I'll speak last."

After he finished speaking, the group was stunned. They hadn't expected him to make such a decision, and for a moment they felt a heavy burden pressing down on them again.

Not just his own, but also the others in the band.

They originally thought today was just a promotion after their level increased.

But they never expected it to be this kind of career, and they weren't even prepared for such an important future plan.

Only Nijika seemed to have made up her mind, but after glancing at the people around her, she didn't dare to speak.

They stared at each other, at a stalemate for quite some time.

Bocchi, sitting opposite Ishikawa Hayato with his fists clenched on the table, glanced at the three silent men, then at Ishikawa Hayato.

She gritted her teeth as if trying to break free of mental shackles, and while others were itching to make their move, she suddenly spoke.

"That!"

Her raised voice startled the people nearby.

Nijika was even more surprised and exclaimed in her heart.

"Bocchi-chan!?"

The other two were also surprised that Bocchi would speak at this moment, but Ishikawa Hayato didn't seem too surprised. He smiled slightly and gestured for Bocchi to continue.

Encouraged by Ishikawa Hayato, Bocchi became even more determined, but her long-standing habit still made her speak faster, blurting out the prepared speech in one breath.

"I... I might not be able to meet the record company's requirements. I'm a little scared of performing on large stages all the time, and if they don't allow me to use dark lyrics, then I won't be able to write lyrics..."

She blurted out everything in one breath, but left half a sentence unsaid in her heart.

Even now, if she were asked to play a cheerful song, she'd probably collapse.

After hearing Bocchi express his concerns, the other three understood why Ishikawa Hayato had done this.

He hopes everyone will express their thoughts, confirm their own intentions, and also understand others' perspectives. Regardless of whether they agree with each other's decisions, at least the final result should be a collective one.

Seeing that Bocchi had finished speaking and was now bowing his head, not daring to face anyone else, Nijika relaxed and smiled as she comforted him.

"I don't think it's as serious as Bocchi-chan is thinking, so don't worry, Bocchi-chan."

"Now, let me share my thoughts."

Although he had spoken to Ryo and Bocchi privately, this was the first time he had said it in front of everyone.

But she wasn't nervous at all; instead, she felt a sense of relief.

She put on a stern face and said very seriously.

"Although... although I want to become a popular band as soon as possible, if I force everyone to do things they don't enjoy, we'll end up doing nothing well."

Kita shuddered upon hearing this and shrank back in embarrassment.

Nijika noticed her reaction and waved her hands with a smile, indicating that she wasn't talking about her.

She looked around at the four people sitting together and expressed her thoughts.

"We've only been together for six months and we've already achieved such results, which is something I never imagined before. I believe that if everyone works happily and diligently, we will definitely achieve our goals no matter what direction we take."

"So whatever choice everyone makes, I can accept it."

After she finished speaking, she nodded slightly and forcefully.

The previously hesitant and silent atmosphere was completely broken.

Kita glanced at Ryo, and seeing that Ryo still hadn't spoken, she leaned forward slightly, as if trying to get closer to the center.

She quickly recalled the events of the past six months and said with a smile.

"At first, I just impulsively wanted to join the band and did some really bad things, but after I seriously joined, I found that everyone was really fun."

Interesting?

The group was taken aback; to Kita called interesting by a top-tier shrew like Kita felt like being looked at like a monkey.

Seeing everyone's Kita expressions, Kita awkwardly stretched out both hands and shook them to indicate that she didn't mean it that way.

She became more serious and continued, her voice tinged with reminiscence.

"The band is a lot of fun, working together with everyone and the shows are all very enjoyable, so whether it's a bit of a stretch or continuing like this, I'm fine with it."

After Kita stopped, all four of them looked at Ryo.

Liang noticed their gazes and looked at them in return.

The next moment, without any hesitation, she raised her hand and gently patted him, speaking in an encouraging tone.

Everyone's points are valid.

After she finished speaking, the other four waited for her to continue, but after a while, they only saw her take out her phone as if she was bored.

After understanding her intention, Nijika's hair stood on end, veins bulged on her forehead, and she got up to grab Liang's collar and call out to her.

"Tell me!"

Ryo glanced at Ishikawa Hayato, and seeing that he had no intention of helping, the corner of his mouth twitched in dissatisfaction.

Her gaze was fixed on the table. She remained silent for a while, and only spoke when Nijika hesitated about whether to let go of her.

"I just want to make my own music. If I have to conform to the masses and make boring things, then music has no meaning."

As soon as she spoke, Nijika loosened her collar and sat back down in her seat.

Liang's meaning is very clear: she will not accept music that is requested.

At this moment, they all knew what the other was thinking, and when they realized that everyone was moving in the same direction, they all breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Seeing that the situation no longer required further explanation, Ishikawa Hayato smiled.

"It seems it's decided then. I'll go reply to the record company's email."

Nijika, Kita, Bocchi nodded subconsciously, but then suddenly felt something was wrong. Ryo's face darkened, and she stared at him unhappily.

The four of them stared at Ishikawa Hayato, who had taken out his phone and seemed to be intently typing.

After a moment, the group realized that if they didn't press him, they would be fooled, so they all called out to him.

"Hayato-kun /Falcon...!"

Seeing that his girls were getting angry.

Ishikawa Hayato reluctantly put down his phone, looking at the group's sullen faces, and resisted the urge to go up and touch their cheeks.

After hesitating for a moment, he expressed his thoughts.

"I want to create songs that can heal some people, songs that resonate with them and give them hope."

His goal has never changed.

Nijika added that she had spoken with him privately several times and knew that his thoughts went beyond that.

"Then, like those public figures who take on social responsibility, they carry hope."

Ishikawa Hayato sighed and responded helplessly.

"That's right."

However, he will only do his best to follow this direction.

The other three understood his thoughts. Ishikawa Hayato also didn't want their song style to become fixed and rigid, after all, his dream couldn't be achieved by puppets.

Now that things were out in the open, Ishikawa Hayato stopped pretending.

He said with a smile.

"There's no need for everyone to be so nervous. It's not like we'll only be on one path from now on. What if we happen to find an independent record label that suits a whimsical band like ours?"

The four of them chuckled softly.

Nijika summarized and made the final decision.

"That's settled then, we'll continue as an independent band! Now let's take a look at the earnings from this show."

"Um?"

Kita tilted his head in confusion. "Didn't you say there would be no appearance fee for this performance?"

"There's no appearance fee, but you can still make money selling merchandise."

Liang's eyes had turned into the shape of money, and he stared at the envelope in Nijika's hand with longing.

Seeing Ryo's expression, Ishikawa Hayato glanced at Bocchi again. He thought Bocchi might be thinking something like, "Ryo-san is like this whenever money is mentioned," or perhaps he was also looking at the money expectantly.

Surprisingly, she didn't; she simply placed her hands on the table and looked down at her arms.

She was already delicate and lovely, but her dejected look made her even more endearing.

Nijika and Liang noticed Bocchi's appearance, but did not interfere.

After the money was taken out of the envelope, the screams of the others also drew Bocchi's attention, who was lost in thought.

Nijika was holding a large wad of cash in her hand. The thick stack of banknotes, including several ten-thousand-yuan bills, made her hands tremble with excitement.

But she still suppressed her excitement and said with a calm and composed expression.

"You two are making a big fuss over nothing. It's just a small amount of money."

Hearing her words, Liang calmed down immediately and asked.

"Are all the surrounding items sold out?"

Nijika looked at her, puzzled. "Really?"

After all, their performance that day was quite good, and they gained so many fans, much better than she had expected. It wasn't surprising that all the merchandise sold out.

"7460 yuan of this is mine, please give it back to me." Liang stretched out her hand with a cute smile, as if asking for her money.

Nijika was taken aback and began to flip through the list that the staff had given her.

Sure enough, there were several items inside that she hadn't put up for sale, and the prices on the tags were particularly high, at least twice the original price of the goods.

Nijika clenched her fists, the veins on her hands faintly visible, and she gritted her teeth as she shouted.

"Yamada...!"

Liang quickly got up and ran away.

The three watched as the two began running around the table.

This scene was commonplace for them.

After running only two laps, Ryo immediately hid in Ishikawa Hayato's arms, signaling with her eyes for him to protect her.

Faced with his girlfriend's request, Ishikawa Hayato had no choice but to turn around and shield Nijika from view, speaking to Nijika, who had stopped in her tracks in a huff.

"Let's just forget about it since they're all sold. Just give her back the money she spent on the items."