A Week in the Working Life of Saki Toyokawa (Thanks to Dourenbi686 for the Silver Treasure Chest) (Continued)

Busy, busy, busy, busy!!

Riki was just as busy as Sakiko. He was needed as the music director for every live performance. He had to adjust the music and the rhythm of the members' performances in accordance with the theme of each live performance. The tight schedule put Riki under a bit of pressure. Both of them were fully committed to the live performances.

In the two days since returning to Tokyo, Riki discovered that the two of them had only exchanged fewer than twenty words. This was completely different from the shy and nervous demeanor she had imagined. To her surprise, Riki found that the reason for their lack of conversation was that they didn't need to talk at all for simple matters; a single glance was enough for them to understand each other.

Riki suspected that the Sacred Kara had connected the two of them, but soon discovered that there was no Kara, only Karaoke.

Due to his busy work schedule, Sakiko asked the school for a week's leave. As an outstanding student who always received scholarships, the principal approved it without hesitation.

During the rehearsal, the conversation between Riki and Sakiko gradually made the other staff members nervous, and they watched the two of them with concern.

"Sakiko, you played it wrong just now. Follow my Musical Score," Riki said.

"I did it on purpose. This way, the effect on set might be better. I trust my judgment," Toyokawa Sakiko said.

"I've already considered that..."

"No, I think this is the best."

After the rehearsal ended, Miaomeng cautiously approached Riki and asked, "Riki, did you and Sakiko have a fight? Why have you two been talking so rudely to each other during rehearsals lately?"

Riki was taken aback. "Sakiko and I have a very good relationship. We didn't argue; we were just having a normal conversation."

"I think you two are a bit too nervous about the live performance. Should you relax a little?" Miaomeng asked.

Even Miaomeng, a money-obsessed person, felt that Riki and Sakiko had been placing too much emphasis on live performances lately, and were overly focused on urbanization.

"No need, I think it's fine." Riki shook her head, then asked curiously, "Why do you think we're arguing?"

"You ask why I feel like you two are arguing?"

Mikumura Shioka scratched her face and looked at the strange Toyokawa Sakiko opposite her with an awkward smile, "You guys were really rude to each other during the rehearsal. Usually, Riki is more gentle in her speech, Sakiko is more tactful, so I'm a little worried."

Toyokawa Sakiko was stunned for a moment, then smiled with relief and said, "It's okay, Riki and I are just really looking forward to the live performance, so we don't care about this at all."

After taking the subway home, Toyokawa Sakiko felt it was incredible. Although she and Riki had been talking less lately, she felt that their understanding of each other had increased a lot.

Previously, I would worry about the other person's pride and personality and try to express myself tactfully. But recently, I can say things directly without fear of offending them, because we understand each other much better now.

"Riki..." Toyokawa Sakiko peeked out from the bathroom, her hair slightly damp and dripping with water. She smiled lightly at Riki in the living room and said, "I'm out of shampoo, could you get it for me?"

Riki responded, opened the shampoo package and handed it over, intending to glance at it casually, but found that the bathroom door was already closed, and Sakiko's soft laughter could be heard from inside.

The only thing that hasn't changed is... Riki still wants to be a little slutty.

Riki pondered, feeling increasingly manipulated by Sakiko.

However, the five-fingered girl could no longer satisfy Riki. Only her real girlfriends could bring Riki to the peak. Riki could only let Sakiko control her for the time being, and then he could control her properly later.

Although she was just working hard, Riki felt that her affection for Sakiko had recently increased to 1000%.

This might be the Tyndall effect.

Because she needed to focus entirely on Mujica, Riki sent a bowing emoji in the Mygo group, indicating that she would be temporarily absent for a week. Aine expressed her dissatisfaction, so Riki could only say that she would spend more time with them after this period. Riki also received a new message from Sumiida Mana, whose profile picture was a donut from Ginza confectionery shop, with a selfie in front of her face.

Mana: [I've already added Hailing- chan on Line. We've made plans to go to the dessert shop together next weekend. I'll ask her carefully, but I think Hailing -chan probably doesn't like Riki.]

Riki: [Why do you say that? Do you think you, Mana, would like me if you were Hailing?]

Mana: [I'm sure gyubou...]

A jumble of words came from the other end, and after a while, a complete sentence came through.

Mana: [Mana definitely won't like you. You're a bad boy who likes multiple girls. You need to change!]

If I only like you, will you like me back?

Riki: [Strategist Mana, please continue to relay Hailing's intelligence. May your military prowess be excellent.]

Mana: [I'm not a strategist!]

That's right, you're a member of the disciplinary committee.

After taking a shower, Riki Toyokawa Sakiko chatted for a while about the live performance. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they got hungry in the middle of the night. They exchanged a glance and smiled.

"I'll cook the noodles," Riki said, standing up.

"Hey, Riki can cook noodles now?" Toyokawa Sakiko walked over with her hands behind her back and teased, "She was really bad at cooking noodles when she was at Riki's house before."

Didn't you say my cooking was alright?

"That's because I wasn't as familiar with Riki back then as I am now. If it were our relationship now, I could say whatever I wanted," Toyokawa Sakiko said with a light laugh, wagging her index finger.

"Really? So what's our relationship now?" Riki asked casually.

Toyokawa Sakiko blushed slightly. The spaghetti in the pot began to soften and release its aroma. The blush on her face looked quite charming. The cool summer breeze blew in through the cracks in the window, but her face remained burning hot.

"Um..." Toyokawa Sakiko stammered, her face flushed, "Of course, it's because we ate noodles together!"

She was perfectly able to say anything just now, but now she's too shy to speak.

Sakiko saw Riki's smiling face.

"You bad guy, Riki is bullying people..." Toyokawa Sakiko pouted as she looked at Riki.

"I'm sorry," Riki said.

"The apology lacked sincerity."

I'm very sorry.

"Okay, I forgive you."

Sakiko looked at Riki, and the two exchanged a soft smile.

The wind chimes hanging by the window swayed in the breeze, producing a crisp and melodious sound, almost as if they were laughing.

On August 1st, the first live performance was held at the Budokan. Mujica was the headlining guest. Unlike the last time when they were guests who joined Roselia, this time they were enough to be the main force of the live performance, and the enthusiastic response from the audience proved this point.

Mujica was once a band heavily promoted by investors. Although they rose quickly, they faced a lot of skepticism. But after today's live performance, no one will say those things anymore. Mujica is a truly talented band, on par with Roselia and RAS.

As for viewers who care about whose performance is stronger, they can go to the anonymous 5ch forum or Wang Feng's forum.

In the backstage dressing room of the Budokan, Miaomeng lay on the sofa, barely breathing, as stiff as if she hadn't been breathing for two days.

"Nyan, watch your skirt, it'll be seen," said Hachiman Mairin, glancing at Riki.

Why are you staring at me, cool girl?

Did I see it?

I did look at it, but only critically; I was just about to remind her to be mindful of her posture.

Toyokawa Sakiko pushed open the door and walked in, saying helplessly to Riki, "As expected, Riki's suggestion was better. If I had listened to me, we probably wouldn't have achieved today's results. How can I become as good as Riki?"

Just arm yourself with my invincible mindset.

"Did the performance go well?" Riki asked. The audience certainly enjoyed it, but the organizers also had their opinions.

"Yes, it went very smoothly!" Toyokawa Sakiko nodded excitedly.

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Toyokawa Family seems to be one of the organizers this time, so they might have received preferential treatment again."

"Don't think like that. Mujica is already a well-established band. Even if you're not from the Toyokawa Family, they would still invite us," Riki said.

Toyokawa Sakiko smiled and said, "That's true!"

Riki glanced at the calendar on the wall. Today was the first live performance, and the next one was at the Tokyo Opera City, the day after tomorrow.

This time, Riki could offer less help, not because Riki Music Paper Manufacturing couldn't keep up, but because...

At the Tokyo Opera City, Riki looked at the script in her hand at the rehearsal venue, then looked up at Toyokawa Sakiko, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

With such a dark and profound worldview, Sakiko still went and created this kind of script; she must really love this worldview.

Is she inherently this immature and chuunibyou (a Japanese term for someone with delusions of grandeur)?

"I can't remember all those lines..." Miao Meng lay sprawled on the stage, throwing a tantrum. She looked up and saw Riki standing upside down on the stage. "Riki, can you come on stage for me?"

"Can your bank card help me receive money?" Riki asked.

Miao Meng was silent for a moment, then pushed herself up from the floor and said excitedly, "I think I can hold on a little longer."

"Alas, slaves to money," Riki sighed.

Miao Meng retorted, "You have a problem with my dream? What kind of slave is Riki?"

O slaves.

That sounds really weird.

No, my fate is a sleeping slave, yet within me shines a golden spirit.

"Speaking of which, why was Riki the same as usual at the previous Live shows, but you and Sakiko have been so attentive at the last few shows?" Miao Meng suddenly asked curiously.

"Because I am a slave to money," Riki said.

Miao Meng's forehead vein throbbed, and her eye twitched. "Really?"

She turned to chat with Hachiman Mairin, only to find her sitting on the edge of the stage, resting with her phone in her hand.

"Hailing -chan, if you film a video, Sakiko will say it's destroying your worldview." Miaomeng walked over and asked curiously, "Who are you chatting with?"

Hachiman Mairin said, "I've been chatting with Mana a lot lately, and she seems quite interested in topics related to romance."

Miaomeng immediately became curious. "Sumimi's Mana? What type of boy does she like?"

After thinking for a moment, recalling the characteristics of the boys Mana had mentioned liking over the past few days, Hachiman Mairin looked at Riki on the stage and said, "Someone like him."

Hachiman Mairin looked at Riki, and after a while, she suddenly remembered something and typed it into her phone's notebook.

[Liked by Mana, -20 points]

The performance at Tokyo Opera City went very well.

On August 5th, when Riki woke up, she found that Toyokawa Sakiko had a low-grade fever. Usually, Sakiko would wake her up, but today Riki woke up even earlier than Sakiko. The recent high-intensity schedule had put too much stress on her body, and now she finally couldn't hold on any longer. After all, she was just a high school student, and her body was not as resilient as an adult's.

But today is the last live performance.

After thinking for a moment, Riki decided to cancel the performance. At worst, she would have to pay the penalty, even though it would mean losing all the money she had earned from the previous live performances. Sakiko's debt would also have to be delayed for a while. Riki was prepared to write a lot of songs and sell them to earn money to pay off the penalty.

As for what he wanted and what happened with Sakiko, it was nothing compared to Sakiko's health.

"No..." Toyokawa Sakiko opened her eyes and sat up, saying to Riki, "Riki wants to cancel the Live performance, right? We can't do that."

"Health comes first," Riki said.

Toyokawa Sakiko shook her head, still looking at Riki with a determined gaze.

"No." Riki shook her head. "Let's give up this time. It's just a low-grade fever now, but what if it suddenly spikes close to the live performance?"

Toyokawa Sakiko grasped Riki's hand; her palm was burning hot. She looked at Riki with pleading eyes, her gaze filled with determination.

"It will damage your body," Riki said.

Toyokawa Sakiko looked at Riki and said firmly, "I'm counting on you, Riki."

She would regret missing today's live performance for the rest of her life.

Riki paused. He was a boy who had always been opinionated and persistent since childhood. Although his mother was a strong and capable woman, she still respected his choices in matters such as wanting to apply to Haicheng University or studying music. Riki did not like his choices being forcibly changed.

This time, Sakiko is determined to stick to his choice. Is Riki going to impose on Sakiko what he doesn't like?

Riki looked up at Sakiko's determined eyes and said seriously, "Okay, I'll listen to you. But if the fever gets so bad that it affects your health, I'll stick to my decision and take you to the hospital first."

Both of them had their own unyielding principles.

Riki did it for Sakiko's health.

Sakiko wanted to become part of Riki's family.

"Yes, I agree." Toyokawa Sakiko looked at Riki, her laughter as melodious as silver bells.

I like Riki because she thinks of me in this way.

For Riki's sake, I cannot just collapse like this.

Upon arriving at the scene, Riki discovered that Toyokawa Sakiko's fever had not worsened, which was good news, but it also made Riki worry about her health.

"Riki..." Before putting on the Mujica mask and going on stage, Toyokawa Sakiko turned back to Riki and smiled, "Watch my performance closely!"