Chapter 224

We cannot allow this child, who is similar to ourselves, to ultimately reach the end of that path of destruction.

Thinking about it carefully, all of this is someone's fault.

Whether it's the character of the shattered Miyako Shizuka, the personality breakdown of Wakaba Mū, the other members of Crychic who have already disbanded, or the yet-to-be-entered Chihaya Aine Sumiida Mana...

Toyokawa Shoko, you really are the cancer of our Bang Dream!

So far, he has also conveniently rescued Kanau —even though it was her own choice.

Saving another cute and innocent child along the way isn't a big deal.

The simplest solution is to directly prevent the formation of Ave Mujica, and then nothing will happen.

Even if we really have to establish it, we have to remove Wakaba Mū from it and make her give up becoming Mujica's guitarist.

Given her current state of not even having a strong sense of self, she is not yet ready to step into that abyss.

Forget about helping Toyokawa Shoko; at best, she could only use herself as fuel to fuel their burning.

That would be pointless except for playing house with the young lady.

That guy with the worst Bando-ri guitar skills, who can't play any of them, should just be forever sealed away in some corner.

If Wakaba Mū can one day develop a distinct and strong sense of self and be able to control her extraordinary talent, perhaps she can be released as a spice of life.

Otherwise, it's best to avoid it from happening again.

"Mutsuko-chan, what are your hobbies?"

Just like calling him Anwa Subaru, he still felt that calling him Mukomi was more natural.

"?" Wakaba Mū glanced at him, then turned back, "Growing vegetables."

"Anything else?"

He certainly knew that, but it shouldn't be considered a hobby.

Another period of somewhat agonizing silence ensued, but Ogura Asahi didn't feel embarrassed or neglected at all.

Once you get used to her way of speaking and thinking, you won't find her difficult to get along with at all.

Having spent so much time in the fast-paced society outside, her approach was actually quite refreshing for him.

"... Guitar"

"Oh, I see. I also really enjoy musical instruments; I can play a little guitar too. Playing an instrument when you're alone is a great way to relax and unwind, isn't it?"

Wakaba Mū was startled again, and subconsciously turned to look at him.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Ogura Asahi smiled.

He guessed that if her inner thoughts could speak, they would be saying, "What he's saying is exactly me!"

Perhaps a certain interjection will be added before or after?

"Hmm~ That's right." Wakaba Mū shook her head slightly, a subtle change in the lines of her face, indicating a positive direction.

"Oh, that's good then." He touched a newly formed cucumber and said to himself, "Recently, a lot of students are following the trend and forming bands, but I don't think music should be like that."

"Shouldn't the most important function of music and musical instruments be to make ourselves happy first?"

"Compared to bands that experience both joy and sorrow, formation and disbandment, and just casual fun and the pursuit of youth, their own feelings are the most important thing."

"Of course, there are some positive examples, but from what I've seen, most people have actually faced dissolution and dissolution crises."

"A band isn't necessarily suitable for everyone -- sometimes I can't help but think that."

"Mu Zimi, what do you think?"

He put down the small vegetables that were slightly damp and turned to ask her.

Wakaba Mū closed her eyes slightly, a few complex emotions and pain would appear in them, revealing the most changed expression of the day.

Thirty seconds later, she parted her cherry-colored lips slightly. "I... I never..."

At this point, she paused, her voice trembling slightly, and stopped speaking.

"If you can't say it, you don't have to say it." He stroked her light green hair and comforted her softly, "But even if you don't say it, I think you should ask yourself from time to time what you really want... Hey?"

"I thought so."

Facing her large, golden eyes, as captivating as a doe's, Ogura Asahi smiled, lowered her hand from hers, and turned to walk away.

"That's about all for today, I'll head back now, but I'll come again."

"Next time I come, I'll show you the gift I prepared for you. Goodbye."

He waved to her with his back turned, picked up his large brown bag, and walked out of the school.

Sometimes I really don't understand the school's leadership. Why do they design the bags in this school for spoiled young ladies to look like small travel bags? Is it to train the girls' physical strength?

What he told Wakaba Mū wasn't entirely fabricated lies.

For ordinary people, pursuing results with some utilitarian motives is acceptable, but for those who have the means, it's completely unnecessary.

So what if you have talent?

When you have more money than you can spend, is it really necessary to make things difficult and confusing for yourself in order to fully utilize your talents?

Even if one is accused of wasting their talent, ultimately, a person's life is something only they can choose to achieve.

For example, Shiina Mashiro, who gave up art to pursue manga; or him, who was always secretly said to have an abundance of talent; or even Wakaba Mū...

She could even abandon her instinctive acting skills, let alone the guitar, which had many alternatives.

Wakaba Mū gazed at the receding figure, the dark blue silhouette against the white backdrop, he murmured softly, "Strange person?"

After thinking for a while, just as his figure was about to disappear, he changed his approach.

"Elf?" She turned her head to the side.

"Mmm..."

"A gift, I'm looking forward to it."

Stepping out of the school gate, Ogura Asahi looked around, found his family's car, and walked over.

I don't know why, but even though it's a school for young ladies, many of the students here choose to walk to and from school... It seems that what Nagasaki Sōse said to Chihaya Aine wasn't entirely false, just obviously so.

To say that there are no people here who would be driven to and from school in luxury cars is simply absurd.

He saw several cars already, and considering that the club activities might end or people might want to temporarily spend time with friends, there must be quite a few more.

He had to leave now, or he'd miss his job, and he didn't want to get another scolding from that sharp-tongued pretty girl.

Enter the car,

"Young Master, did it go smoothly?" Yashiro Ichiyo asked worriedly.

"Of course, don't you know who I am?"

"Phew~ That's great~"

"Don't be so nervous. There will be many more things like this in the future. You'll gradually get used to it."

"... Do you want to continue?"

"Isn't that obvious? This is just the beginning."

"..."

It wasn't until the car started moving slowly that he remembered something.

Come to think of it, isn't the house of that rock-holding penguin right behind this school?

Ya Lei, Ya Lei, the two penguins from Bando-ri, are actually lead singers?

More than twenty minutes later,

The car arrived at Shimokitazawa, where Sakurakoji Talent, who had already changed his clothes, stepped out and ran towards the Starry with practiced ease.

"Good morning!"

Good morning!

After greeting the somewhat shy PA, he moved closer to Ichiji Hoshika: "Good morning, Manager!"

"Stop yelling in my ear, do you want to die?" Ichiji Hoshika frowned, pushed his head away in disgust, and said calmly, "Good morning."

"Teacher Shizuka and that aloof woman haven't arrived yet?" He looked around.

"If she hears you say that about her, you can forget about asking her to cover for you—not yet, she should be here in a little while."

"I see. What about Nijika and the others?"

"Recording studio," Ichiji Hoshika took a sip of juice, her eyes darting around, "That thing I mentioned last time, did you actually do it?"

"What is it?" Sakurakoji Talent was taken aback.

"You really want to die, don't you?" Ichiji Hoshika clenched her fists, gritting her teeth as she looked at him.

This guy treated me so badly last time, and now he's already forgotten?

"Ah, wait! I remember now!" He coughed lightly, recalling that he had promised her a week ago to help Kessoku Band's business.

To my shame, although he agreed, he hasn't really offered any real help these past few days. At most, he's just used them as an excuse to keep Yukino Shita Yukino tied to this place...

However, it seems she still owes me a favor?

He hadn't wanted anything before, but now... his eyes drifted to her mature, full lips.

Manager, since you're not planning on finding a boyfriend anyway, how about...

"W-What are you looking at!" Faced with his somewhat unsettling gaze, Ichiji Hoshika awkwardly looked away and scolded him softly.

"Nothing, I just remembered that the store manager seems to still owe me one more condition~" He chuckled and lay down next to her, his eyes sparkling even more.

Once the thought came to mind, I couldn't suppress it!

"You... you haven't done anything yet, how dare you make demands?" Ichiji Hoshika, her face slightly flushed.

Although I don't know what he's planning to do, it probably isn't anything good.

"If I get a reward, I'll be even more motivated!"

"Trying to get something for nothing? Produce some tangible results first!"

"Ha..." Seeing her wary look, Sakurakoji Talent slumped onto the table in disappointment.

I was hoping for another 5%, but it looks like that's not going to happen today.

"Okay, what's been bothering them lately?"

"You're asking me?" Ichiji Hoshika stared at him with a deep, unsettling gaze. "Have you not paid any attention these past few days? And you still expect a reward from me?"

"Ahem! You know I'm pretty busy on weekends..."

"I've never seen you be particularly hardworking before."

"Didn't I ask Yukino Shita to help Bocchi improve his personality? Doesn't that count?"

"Hmph, who knows what you were originally planning? Maybe you just wanted to keep her here, after all, that child is quite pretty," Ichiji Hoshika sneered.

"..."

Are all women this perceptive in this regard? Sakurakoji Talent swallowed hard.

Seeing that he remained silent, Ichiji Hoshika sighed and shared her observation, "Nijika and the other two seem to be troubled because their skills are not as good as Bocchi and Kyoko's."

"In addition, they seem to want to try performing in other livehouses to expand their band's influence."

"If you have any ideas, give it a try."

"Hmph~ I see," he said, resting his index finger on his chin with a slight smile. "Let's put the former aside for now. The latter should be pretty easy, right? Doesn't Rakuna's family run two livehouses?"

"They're all acquaintances, so why don't we just let them try it out over there first?"

Speaking of which, kittens, Bocchi (often used as dog names)... Kessoku Band somehow manage to assemble a cat and dog duo without anyone noticing?

"Yes, that's what they think too. They said they'd go over and check it out in a couple of days."

"I see." Then he needs to be careful to avoid being seen by them by chance.

"Then I'll go check on Nijika and the others, and look for ways to improve their skills."