Chapter 578

Perhaps because she was very satisfied with the last live performance, her attitude has improved a lot recently.

"Good evening, Asahi -san!" Chihaya Aine greeted warmly.

"Good evening~" Takamatsu Akari nodded shyly.

"..." Nagasaki Sōse stared blankly at her Bass, unusually silent.

Ogura Asahi casually glanced around the room, then nonchalantly held up the gift bag. "I brought some snacks from home. Has everyone had dinner yet?"

"Wow~ Lucky~!" Chihaya Aine was the first to run forward, took the bag, and started looking for her favorite snacks. "Thank you~ Asahi- san Love!"

"It's too greasy to eat now."

"They have Drinks inside too?"

"..."

Shiina Rikki put down his drumsticks and silently walked over.

Five minutes later, he asked about today's action plan.

Although his skills are the best here, in order to reduce his burden, he still delegates the miscellaneous tasks such as practice and meeting plans to them to discuss in the group, and then Shiina Rikki takes the lead.

"So, what's the reason you came today? Is it just for regular practice?"

Shiina Rikki sipped her Vitamin C Drinks, her pink tongue licking the chocolate. "On one hand, and on the other hand, I think we should probably start preparing for the second song."

"The second song?" Chihaya Aine, whose cheeks were puffed out by the mousse, automatically chimed in.

"Hmm, the live performance next weekend is about ten minutes long, right? I think we could do two songs."

[Note: Since Rikki booked the recording studio for the anime until the end of the month, it is speculated that the live performance will be at the end of May.]

"Ah, I think so..." Chihaya Aine, wearing large black-rimmed glasses, nodded, then said listlessly, "Ha~ I don't feel very motivated."

"What did you say?!"

"Because~" she shrugged, putting on a smug expression, "We've all participated in such big-scale live performances, haven't we? This kind of extra intermission time that's been given to us is really nothing special~"

"You bastard..." Shiina Rikki gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, suppressing the urge to lecture her.

This guy, he gets all excited at the slightest bit of kindness.

"Ha..." she sighed softly, not that she didn't understand her feelings.

Originally, this should have been their first performance, but no one expected that, because of someone's connections, their debut would be on such a grand scale, and they even had to Band Showdown several veteran bands...

She gave Chihaya Aine a cold glance. "Instead of having this much free time, you might as well practice a few more times. You made a mistake at the very beginning last time, didn't you? Don't make a mistake on an even smaller stage next time."

"Th-that is..." Chihaya Aine awkwardly scratched the back of her head. "Well, it was my first time, and there were so many people around."

Takamatsu Akari watched the two quietly. When their conversation was interrupted, she quickly jogged to the side where her bags were, took out her notebook, and walked up to them.

In the center of the notebook is a red sweet pea flower, and at the top are the words "Cultivate a rich imagination." The brand of the notebook is A TempoNotebook. Ogura Asahi guesses that it is probably taken from the Italian musical term atempo.

"These are... lyrics?" Shiina Rikki quickly stepped forward.

"Hmm." Takamatsu Akari nodded slightly.

"Could it be a new song?" Nagasaki Sōse, who had been quiet until the beginning, spoke calmly.

"Yes, Aine-chan asked me to write this." Takamatsu Akari handed the notebook to the eagerly waiting Shiina Rikki.

"Huh? It's for me?" Chihaya Aine was taken aback, then a little happy. "That's why..."

She held out her hand to Shiina Rikki: "Let me see, let me see~"

Shiina Rikki turned to the side with a look of disdain, her eyes fixed intently on the pages of the book.

"Wait, why?! Let me see it..."

"Shouldn't I have the right to see what I've asked you to do?"

Last time, she was worried that the first performance would be too difficult, so she tried to ask Takamatsu Akari to write a song that was easier, but she didn't expect that she could only write lyrics - that was before he joined the band.

Observing this scene that felt both familiar and different, Ogura Asahi's heart fluttered. Was "Azure Sky Companionship" about to arrive?

"I understand," Shiina Rikki said, his eyes sharpening as he read through the lyrics. "I'll compose the music!"

"Huh?"

"Huh? Rikki-chan, you can compose music too?"

"Even though we're still practicing." Shiina Rikki looked up and met her gaze, then turned away. "The lyrics were written by Akari, so I'm composing the music!"

"Eh..."

"What's with that expression?" Shiina Rikki glared at Chihaya Aine, clearly annoyed.

"Because..." Chihaya Aine, unfazed, turned to Ogura Asahi as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "In terms of composing skills, shouldn't Asahi- san be the better one? Aren't we going to give her a composing role?"

"..." Several people, including Shiina Rikki, fell silent at the same time, forced to admit this.

From the perspective of the band's overall interests, entrusting the task to the person who is most skilled is undoubtedly the best choice.

Shiina Rikki's heart sank, and her fingers tightened their grip on the notebook. Even so, she...

Ogura Asahi knew exactly what she was thinking. He gave her a flippant look and then refused, "I don't need to. Let Rikki handle it this time."

"Huh?" Shiina Rikki was stunned, staring at him in astonishment.

"Eh~ why?"

"Because I'm rather lazy, and I don't have much free time." He shrugged, feigning helplessness. "If possible, I hope everyone can help me with some tasks like Rikki does in the future~"

Chihaya Aine pouted slightly, reluctantly accepting, "Okay, what a shame~"

"The lyrics that Tomori wrote for me, combined with Asahi- san's music, would definitely be the best~"

"Taki, you'd better do your best! Don't let Tomori- chan's efforts go to waste!"

"You bastard!" Shiina Rikki gritted his teeth. How could this person be so infuriating!

"I have some experience, so feel free to contact me anytime if you need help with composing or music theory!"

Her anger vanished instantly, and she looked up at him sheepishly. "... Won't this bother you too much?"

"It's alright, it's alright~ Just Rikki it an investment in the Mirai. If you grow up, things will be easier for me in the future!"

"Thanks..."

Chihaya Aine, lounging in her cream puff at the rest area, asked another question, "But isn't the time too tight? There's only one week left, you know?"

"It should be fine, I can just take a day off." Shiina Rikki tossed her shiny Black Stockings, completely unconcerned.

"Wow~ He's totally a delinquent... Ah, I wasn't talking about Asahi- san, was I?"

"It's okay, I already consider myself a delinquent anyway." He reminded Shiina Rikki, "But don't skip the exam, okay?"

"..."

Why are you silent? You're making me nervous...

Ha~

Fortunately, he had a second trick up his sleeve; he also took out a few sheets of printed paper from his luggage.

Since the two songs for the live performance were already set in stone, he didn't care anymore. Anyway, he had been struggling with the idea of playing "KASUMIKAGE" to make Toyokawa Shoko turn evil.

"And this one?" the others who noticed his movements asked curiously.

He raised the corners of his mouth mysteriously, his expression filled with anticipation. "Actually, Rikki, Little Tomori, and I all thought the same thing..."

Not at all. He had just written and printed this in his apartment this afternoon after listening to Wakaba Mū's account, before coming here. The ink still faintly smells of ink.

"Thinking of the same thing... Could it be a new song too?!" Chihaya Aine perked up.

Having learned from her previous experience, she immediately put down her Drinks, rushed to him before anyone else, and took the page of the guitar tablature.

The title at the top, in bold black text, read: --

""Fierce Loneliness Attacks" ("Fierce Loneliness Strikes")?"

The other three also came over and crowded together, each taking their share from his hands.

Shiina Rikki glanced at the lyrics, which were almost entirely repeated, and gave him a conflicted look. "... So you were already prepared?"

Ogura Asahi gently tapped her forehead. "Yes, so you don't need to rush. The most important thing right now is to finish the exams."

"..."

Although Hanasakigawa's academic attitude had become so lax that when she saw the assembly notice, she shouted "I'm not feeling well" in class and rushed out the door with her things, the teacher still considerately Kokoro inquired about her health and told her to take care of herself...

And he didn't really care what music they played together, but--

Given the current atmosphere, he had no choice but to choose this song.

He walked over to the guitar case, took out the guitar, plugged in the strings, adjusted the Effects Pedal, and smiled at the four of them, inviting them, "Want to give it a try?"

The four looked at each other, chuckled, and quickly walked to their respective positions.

After practicing for a period of time, they officially began playing together.

"..." Nagasaki Sōse stared at the sheet music, her feelings a complex mix.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she always felt that the Bass in this song...

Are you ready?

Shiina Rikki glanced around, then shouted "Ready!" and they banged their drumsticks together. "One, two, three!"

The clear guitar sound is accompanied by crisp, sharp snare drum and swift, calm bass drum, progressing in an orderly manner with consistent rhythmic intervals and resounding drumbeats that control the overall flow.

But after a short while, the guitar, which had just seemed ordinary and had a clear sound, suddenly became dark, hoarse, and wildly silver.

The distorted, rough sound effects, coupled with the sharp and cold Glissando solo, instantly tear the air apart, creating a poignant, dark sense of struggle and an aggressive core that firmly grips the eardrums of every listener.

At the same time, Takamatsu Akari's voice acting is also excellent:

"It's appropriate to live and breathe properly (even if you live in confusion, you still continue to do this)"

"Who is the one who is attached to someone and can barely make ends meet?"

"The support is gone and the support is lost (even if the support is lost, the support will still be carried on)"

"The next place I'm going to stay is the place I'm going to live in."

It's as if someone who is too lonely and can't stand being alone has accidentally grasped that overly warm and dazzling treasure and is unwilling to let go.

Even if it means losing yourself, you're unwilling to easily let go of the broken relationship you're holding onto and let it slip away.

Before clearing away obstacles and cutting ties with the past, they rush into the next relationship.

The violent, distorted, and rough guitar sounds rang out again, the catchy melody repeating endlessly, seemingly accusing and mocking that person for being despicable and weak.

The dark tone stopped, and the vocals continued:

"It's a good thing to be a bonded person this time."

"It's a relationship that only happens when the occasion arises."

"..."

The deep, heavy, and powerful Bass sound, with its dark, turbulent rhythm, firmly held back the guitar's wild mockery, as if it were making its own rebellion.

The Glissando and accented notes, far surpassing those of other pieces, are sinister and captivating, creating an exceptionally deep sense of oppression amidst the seemingly frenzied guitar virtuosity.

The more frenzied the guitar melody became, the more steady, calm, and icy the Bass became, as if it were none of his business.

But the deep, resonant tone hidden beneath the surface of the song's catchy, energetic melody is what truly captures the song's deepest pulse of loneliness.

" Cut the end of the line and lower the eyes at the broken red line."

"Loneliness abounds and tears flow endlessly"

"Who knows this? (No one knows this)"

"また Fierce Loneliness Attacks (violent loneliness strikes again)"

"..."

The lyrics seem to say that, though unwilling, the red thread that saved him from loneliness has finally been broken, and the shattered magic mirror of joy leaves only a lonely person with endless tears.

In the empty room, the image of a young girl hiding under the covers and crying her heart out naturally emerged in the minds of all the listeners.

But no matter how much she cried, no one would hear her, and no one would turn around.

All that remained was a loneliness even more intense than before.