No! I Object

"Sing already—" Qian Huanyue held the microphone out in front of Hii Hibiki.

"Eek!" Hii Hibiki raised a hand in surrender, putting on an utterly pitiful expression as she pleaded, "Can I just dance?"

"Of course." Wearing an expression that said, Why didn't you say so earlier? Qian Huanyue naturally relented. After all, she wasn't a devil.

Hii Hibiki let out a breath of relief, then marched up to Yangliu Xiying somewhat angrily and viciously tickled her armpits.

"Ah—hahahahahahahaha..." Yangliu Xiying barely resisted before Hibiki tickled her into nonstop laughter.

"That's what you get for ignoring me! Hmph!"

"Ah, I was wrong." Yangliu Xiying waved a hand in surrender. "Hibiki."

Of course, if she truly wanted to resist, Hii Hibiki—without Nameless Angel activated—would never have been able to handle Yangliu Xiying, who specialized in offensive power.

It was merely the indulgence of a close friend.

"Honestly..." Hii Hibiki withdrew her hands. In the end, she had gone easy on her, tracing her friend's features with her fingers.

Smooth, medium-length blue hair, golden eyes, and features that looked especially sharp when expressionless, yet somewhat blank because of her usual demeanor. She was exceptionally perceptive and clever in certain matters, and very gentle toward her friends.

"I've decided!" Hii Hibiki rubbed her hands together, her spirits exceptionally high. "You're coming with me to become an idol too!!"

Once Yangliu Xiying stopped laughing, she answered somewhat blankly, "Huh?"

"Hurry up and change into an idol outfit, you!" Hii Hibiki planted her hands on her hips, looking as though refusal was not an option.

"But I can't sing or dance, Hibiki."

"Then go learn!"

Unable to overcome her friend's persistence, Yangliu Xiying let out a soft sigh and could only agree indulgently.

"All right, Hibiki."

Qian Huanyue's violet eyes shifted, and suddenly, inspiration struck.

If even Yangliu Xiying had temporarily joined the idols, wouldn't that leave Kurumi excluded? That wasn't fair.

"San-san~" She turned and leaned close to the black-haired girl who had been watching with a smile, her voice turning sweet.

Kurumi elegantly covered her curved lips with one hand, her crimson right eye widening slightly. "Ara, it seems I can't escape either."

Before Qian Huanyue could speak, she took the initiative to continue, "Since everyone is so enthusiastic, naturally I'll accompany you to the end..."

"That's great!" Qian Huanyue happily hugged Kurumi while holding back her strength, not making her uncomfortable as she had last time.

"Ara—"

Nia Honjo was a Spirit who, like Qian Huanyue, stayed in Kurumi's home. Or rather, with her clones supporting her, she no longer had much reason to go out.

Under Qian Huanyue's complicated gaze, she had become a complete shut-in who never left the house.

Rather than accompanying Qian Huanyue to that Neighboring World, she had chosen to stay home. At this moment, when she should have been sleeping soundly—

It's getting late, wake up—

A slender hand gave her a push, only to be slapped away irritably.

Whoever it was, don't disturb my sweet dream!

Though it was already noon, and Spirits did not need sleep, Nia still retained human habits and was sleeping peacefully.

Wake up, Nia-nia.

The blanket had sealed her away. She couldn't open her eyes.

"Wake up, Nia-Nia~"

Not wanting to wake up, Nia pulled the blanket over her head.

...Hm.

That gentle voice vaguely sounded a little impatient.

With a snap of Hibiki's fingers—

Nia Honjo opened her eyes again and instantly became fully awake. There was no room in sight anymore. This was the Neighboring World, wasn't it?

"Little Qian?! What is it? Do you need something from me?"

"Nia-Nia!"

Qian Huanyue handed her a notebook containing lyrics in an especially pitiful tone.

"Can you help me evaluate this?"

"Eh, I'll take a look." Wearing an expression that said, What am I supposed to do with you? Nia took the notebook. It contained some lyrics, along with sheet music for the arrangement.

After seeing the song title, Nia scratched her cheek awkwardly. The words of praise in her mind suddenly got stuck.

Her mind was filled with only one thought: What the hell is this?

[Seraph of Thousand Blades] was playing the song in an incredibly absurd manner.

"Love's Lingchi"

♪ Love's lingchi, forever~ forever~ ♪

♪ Tearing you apart, holding you tight ♪

..."

At a glance, Nia Honjo could take in the entire accompaniment score. Though it was pop metal and the rhythm of the accompaniment was quite good, the lyrics were still somewhat horrifying. She looked toward Kurumi beside her for help, only to find her looking rather amused.

Kurumi elegantly covered her lips with her sleeve, mischief gleaming in her eyes. No. You. Have. To. Think. For. Yourself.

Ah!! I'm doomed.

"Ahahaha... The rhythm is really good..."

"And the lyrics...?"

"Needless to say, they're very distinctive!" Though they really didn't need to be distinctive to this extent!

"Is that so..." Qian Huanyue looked exceptionally relieved, smiling with narrowed eyes. "Hearing you say that, Nia-Nia, I can finally be completely at ease."

Although I'm happy you trust me—

But! Could you doubt yourself a little more, please?!!

"Lately, it's been nothing but fighting and killing. I put some of my own emotions into the song and lyrics, and I feel much more refreshed now." Qian Huanyue narrowed her eyes, wearing an expression of pure satisfaction.

What kind of life have you been living lately?!!

Nia suddenly felt that she had somehow become the designated straight man. That feeling was truly not good.

Hii Hibiki did not mind lyrics like these. With her experience as a first-rate producer, this would instead highlight Qian Huanyue's contrasting side. It might have an especially good effect onstage. Perhaps some people would be into this sort of thing.

Other than matters of principle, Yangliu Xiying would hardly ever want to oppose a decision made by Qian Huanyue, her savior.

In a sense, as a Quasi-Spirit born and raised in the Tenth Domain, certain instincts for battle had been etched into her bones. She admired powerful people like Qian Huanyue the most, and through the filter of her admiration, even felt that her lyrics possessed an artistic quality.

As for Kurumi, this Kurumi was the one who doted on Huanyue the most. She felt that the main purpose of coming here with Huanyue was to have fun and relax, and she thought such lyrics were quite interesting as well. Perhaps they could even become a nice memory in the future.

They might even become her dark history. After all, Kurumi herself had no shortage of things she once thought were cool that later became dark history.

There was even a hint of schadenfreude in it.

As for Qian Huanyue, she had written both the composition and the lyrics herself. She had done this precisely because she wanted to see how delicious everyone's shocked expressions would be.

But unexpectedly, there were none. That was why she had dragged Nia-Nia over, to let her get some fresh air. Even without this, she would have found an excuse to pull her over later.

A girl staying cooped up at home every day—

Would get stifled.

"Since... everyone has no objections," Qian Huanyue said with a light smile, seeming about to make the decision.

"No! I object," Hibiki's voice rang out.

Nia could not help turning her head, wanting to see who was brave enough to say that.

Qian Huanyue's violet eyes instantly lit up.

Rather than feeling embarrassed or angry at being contradicted, she looked at the blonde Quasi-Spirit girl who had spoken up with an almost encouraging, intensely interested gaze.

Everyone's gazes turned toward the Quasi-Spirit girl. She had a head of dazzling golden hair, and compared to the other Quasi-Spirits, her appearance was especially striking—beautiful as a Spirit.

The girl frowned slightly, looking especially disapproving of their hasty decision.