Keep It Up, Big Brother Picking Cotton!

That is, electronic keyboards and synthesizers.

Just like the three Guitar Soul, they can also switch careers to become "accompaniment guitar" and "bass guitar" respectively.

Not long ago, the band welcomed the addition of Drum Soul, which signified the beginning of the band's flourishing future.

Everyone can say one thing --

They said things like, "Our band is really doing well!"

Incidentally, aside from the Piano Soul, it feels like the entire band is female... at least judging from their voices.

This left the Piano Soul somewhat helpless, wondering if she should also become a woman and debut as part of an all-girl band, which would probably boost her popularity.

After all, the hype is there.

During a break from practicing chords, the Guitar Soul asked the Piano Soul, "I'm thinking about a question that's related to our band."

What's the problem?

In the silence of the Piano Soul, the Guitar Soul spoke up and asked, "What should our band be called?"

Ah, well... it's not a very crucial issue.

But it is indeed a serious question.

However, the Piano Soul didn't care much about this. "Isn't any name fine?"

"Let's call it KDA—Keyboard Drum Accordion. It has some Wind City characteristics, which is nice."

Piano Soul was clearly quite dissatisfied with the band name that Guitar Soul casually mentioned. "How tacky! And why aren't there any other instruments?!"

Both of them used to be bassists, then became guitarists, and later one of them went back to playing bass—two instrumental souls.

Ugh, naming things is so troublesome.

In short, the two younger brothers (or sisters) of the Guitar Soul immediately chimed in, echoing their leader's point of view.

"That's right!"

"Savior—"

That's true. It's not appropriate not to have another instrument name, so let's change it... Piano Soul has always been indifferent.

"Then let's go with Heartsteel."

These words provoked dissatisfaction from others, and even the Drum Soul struck his drums to express his refusal.

Guitar Soul was even more annoyed, complaining, "You act all nonchalant, but you still keep naming things around pianos and keyboards?!"

The two younger sisters immediately chimed in.

"Food and drinks ↗ ah ↑"

"Ninety--"

"..." But the Piano Soul genuinely didn't care about that; he felt somewhat speechless. "It doesn't matter what..."

"But shouldn't we be more concerned with the song itself than with what the band's name is?"

When it came to the Piano Soul, the Drum Soul responded in a rather cute voice, "Didn't Master Cong Yu provide the piece?"

Yes, Cong Yu provided many popular songs for everyone to play. Although they were of different styles and not band songs, they were all quite nice to listen to.

The song "Wind City Little Tune" by WBX, which was frequently played in the 22nd Group bar, was also chosen for their debut performance.

Of course, the tickets for the first official debut were basically all snapped up internally by the group...

The livehouse chosen by everyone for their debut is also owned by the 22nd Group.

If the response is good, they will leave the small venue and perform in a slightly larger venue.

The tentative booking is for a recording studio owned by the Yuan'an family, which is managed by Director Nagashima Utako... Yes, she's an acquaintance.

If the response remains positive...

Lady Cong Yu arranged for them beforehand to perform at the stadium under the Wind City Magical Girl Agency... Yes, it's related again.

Then came the performance by Central City.

Ultimately, if they really become famous, then they'll be arranged to perform at Central City Stadium...

This is the legendary dream destination for all musicians—commonly known as the Central City Dome.

With abundant resources and the help of professional musicians to compose lyrics and music, there's no guarantee it will be a hit...

However, the chances of becoming famous are still quite high.

All I can say is that having too much backing is what happens.

"That's true, sigh..."

The Piano Soul sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "We have indeed gained a lot, but... it's a bit of a pity."

"We anticipate gaining fame, money, self-sufficiency in all aspects, a powerful background, and a smooth-sailing future."

"But it avoids the arguments, disputes, leaving the team, running away from home, requests to stay, conflicts arising from economic gains, and the anxieties of composing lyrics and music..."

"These are all essential things you have to experience to form a band. Without them, it's practically the same as not forming one at all."

As he spoke so earnestly, the Piano Soul sighed slightly. He was immediately met with a gaze that seemed to come from nothingness itself.

What's wrong?

"Piano Soul, it's one thing for you to say these things to us, but don't say them to other band members outside."

"Otherwise, it will incur public wrath," she said earnestly, referring to the job change to Bass Soul.

At that point, those band members will probably grab all sorts of instruments and smash Piano Soul's piano to pieces.

Do you know what a "black hand" is?

I've hit all the piano keys for you!

I'll make you fly if you dare to show off!

"Ah... okay."

Although I don't really understand, since Piano Soul seems to think this way, I'll stop discussing it.

I've just decided that next time I go back to the bar, I'll bring up this topic with my quirky colleagues from the other bands that perform there.

Sometimes, I really envy those Piano Soul who have no money, no power, no influence, no songs, and no fame... That's pure music!

(A pure musician: I f*** your mother! I'm #%JPY...)

Sensing the topic was veering off course, Guitar Soul quickly corrected it. "So, what should our band be called?"

We've come full circle, back to the very beginning.

"Yes, we're promoting the Wind City, right?"

"Indeed...then let's add the place name to the band's name for now, tentatively let's call it 'Wind City'."

"Then, we are fantasy characters, a dreamlike team composed of soul instruments powered by magic."

"A band that is both human and non-human?"

"Then let's tentatively choose a name from a fantasy character in a fairy tale. Do you have any catchy and easy-to-remember band names?"

"..."

"Hey! It's decided, let's call it..."

"The Wind City Alice Fantasy Orchestra"

Chapter 767 Keep it up, big brother picking cotton!

"Abandon... A, B, A, N, D, O, N--"

Nagashima Koki was memorizing English words, looking quite serious. But anyone familiar with English dictionaries would know the problem.

"Abandon" is the first word in the dictionary.

The Rap King is giving me a headache... It's fine for me to come over for vacation, but why am I here to memorize vocabulary?

This is a place for singing, can we please stop memorizing vocabulary so rigidly? You've been memorizing for ages and you're only getting to the first word?

Furthermore, in normal life, many words in dictionaries are rarely used... If you're learning a foreign language, it's not appropriate to memorize vocabulary from a dictionary.

"Stop reading, stop reading, you won't remember it like this."

Rap King said this, he covered his face with the sheet music to rest, troubled by Nagashima Koki's studies.

It's not the learning process itself that's frustrating, but rather that Nagashima Koki's learning ability, learning style, and even her learning progress are all quite worrying.

"Huh? Why can't I study yet?"

Nagashima Koki's eyes widened immediately, her expression one of disbelief. "My mom would be all smiles if she saw me studying, so why are you doing the opposite, Black Uncle?"

Isn't that obvious?

The Rap King rolled his eyes and couldn't help but complain, "Does any normal parent have a problem with seeing their child studying?"

From the perspective of Rap King and normal parents, parents naturally hope that their children will study hard.

However, it's worth mentioning that...

"My father would object."

As she spoke, Nagashima Koki recounted her past experiences. "If he came home and saw me reading, he would drunkenly slap me twice... and if I didn't escape quickly enough, I would get a severe beating."

What? Such a thing exists?

The Rap King's eyes widened immediately, realizing this was the legendary domestic violence... So, even in Japan, there are drunken fathers like this?

With this in mind, the Rap King immediately became serious.

"Your father..."

Before the Rap King could finish speaking, Nagashima Koki spoke up first to explain, "It was already taken care of by Cong Yu."

As she said this, Nagashima Koki chuckled and began to talk about her career plans... Yes, it was still the same career plan.

I've mentioned it to Cong Yu before, talked about it with my mom, and discussed it with the boss, the Doctor, and Little Shadow.

Now it's time to talk to Uncle Black and see if he supports us.

Actually, I have a dream.

Nagashima Koki began with a standard speech that most United States would be familiar with, which startled the Rap King.

Is the next thing going to be something like, "The son of a former slave will be able to sit with the son of a former slave owner"?

But clearly, the Rap King guessed wrong.

Nagashima Koki didn't plan to give any speech, but instead told the Rap King about her dream of becoming a legendary horse hunter.

The Rap King was sweating bullets listening to it.

Stop hunting, stop hunting.

The term "black uncle" sounds a bit unsettling... wait, what black uncle?!

He was clearly tanned!

Thinking to himself that it was impossible, even he knew it was impossible, the Rap King decided to stop thinking about the topic.

Let your child memorize words if she wants to...

It's much better than listening to her plan some kind of horse hunter career.

Amidst these reflections, the Rap King got up, took a bottle of cola from the refrigerator, and adjusted his sunglasses.

Before he could even say anything...

The Rap King had already realized that Nagashima Koki seemed to have stopped talking about her career plans and had inexplicably fallen silent.

Turning his head, the Rap King looked at Nagashima Koki behind him.

.

Then I saw Nagashima Koki's eyes, which were like a shattered kaleidoscope, layers upon layers of iridescent glass.

Having switched to [Nagashima Eye] mode, Nagashima Koki looks around curiously... it's unclear what she's looking at.

"Thump--"