Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 57

After waving goodbye to Ms. Nagasaki, Genjiro and Nagasaki Motoyo went to check on the other girls as promised.

On the way, he took out his phone and searched on social media platforms using keywords such as "CryCHIC" and "Spring Film". Sure enough, he found many videos recorded by viewers and posted online, as well as related updates and comments.

After several rounds of review, the feedback was mostly positive. While many people mentioned the change in style, there wasn't much dissatisfaction. After all, it's not uncommon for songs from the same band to have vastly different styles, let alone the difference between covers and original songs.

Overall, public opinion and perception online are currently quite positive. If this trend continues, it's likely that CryCHIC will soon be included in the list of emerging well-known bands.

While pondering such matters, Gen Xudou chatted casually with Nagasaki Motoyo beside him before arriving in front of the first girl.

"Xu Dou, Su Shi, you've arrived?"

While chatting with her friend about her recent situation, Toyokawa Shoko caught a glimpse of two people approaching from the corner of her eye. Her bright golden pupils immediately lit up, and she turned around to greet them warmly.

As she spoke, Misumi Hatsuka, who had just been talking to the other person, and Junda Mana beside her, also subconsciously looked in the direction the girl was looking.

"You're here~" Nagasaki Motoyo waved with a smile.

"Yes, Su Shi's matter is settled."

Nodding, Gen Xudou and Nagasaki Motoyo walked over naturally and stood side by side with Toyokawa Shoko—of course, in order not to leave any unnecessary impression on Shoko's friends, the two had now loosened their grip on each other's hands and maintained the normal distance between close friends.

The boy nodded slightly to the pretty girl in front of him, who wore a gray baseball cap, casual women's clothing, had blonde hair and purple eyes, and a delicate face. He greeted her gently without being distant.

"You must be Chu Hua? It's nice to meet you."

"Ah...no, no, this is the right place. Xu Dou, it's nice to meet you."

Like most people who see him for the first time, Mikasa was momentarily captivated by his perfect face. After regaining her composure, she quickly bowed slightly to return the greeting.

When she looked up, she glanced nervously at Toyokawa Shoko's expression.

The girl still wore that friendly and elegant smile, watching the interaction between her two friends with a smile in her eyes, showing no sign of displeasure because of her little slip-up.

Sanjiao Chuhua breathed a sigh of relief, her expression no longer tense.

After greeting her, Yuan Xudou didn't forget the other girl beside her.

He turned his head to face Junda Mana and nodded again.

"This must be Ms. Junta, right? It's a pleasure to meet you too."

After all, she was a friend of Toyokawa Shoko and a friend brought by Mika Mikado. There were two layers of relationship between them, so it was not appropriate to call her by her first name out of courtesy.

However, the chestnut-haired girl in front of her seemed much more lively and outgoing than Mitsumi Hatsuka.

Despite the boy's polite but not overly familiar greeting, Junda Mana smiled sweetly, her energetic girlish voice leaping from her soft, cherry-red lips.

"Just call me Mana-chan, idols shouldn't be addressed with overly distant terms."

"Also... um, should I call you Xu Dou, or would it be more comfortable to just call you Xu Dou directly?"

...Girl idols are really enthusiastic.

However, communicating with such an active and outgoing person was not difficult for him. Now that he could completely control his smile, Yuan Xudou immediately showed a very friendly smile and answered her question tactfully.

"Just a classmate is fine."

Looking at his smile, Junda Mana, who had just been able to remain calm about the boy's peaceful appearance, finally couldn't help but be momentarily dazed.

But soon, she regained her senses and immediately stood on tiptoe to carefully examine the boy from head to toe, a strange excitement flashing in her bright chestnut-colored pupils that matched her hair.

"I've been wanting to ask you this for a while now—Xu Dou, do you have any plans to become an idol?"

"...?"

Did we jump the conversation a little too fast? Weren't we just introducing ourselves? How did we suddenly bring up this?

Not only was Yuan Xudou, who was directly questioning the other party, surprised, but Xiangzi and Su Shi, who also heard the words, couldn't help but turn their heads and cast questioning glances at him.

"M-Mana-chan..."

Realizing something was wrong, Mikasa quickly tugged at her partner's clothes and whispered a reminder.

"Xu Dou is also a member of [CryCHIC]."

This statement has the suspicion of trying to poach someone's talent—although she knows that her cheerful and sunny friend doesn't have that kind of idea, she just thinks that the young man might be very suitable for the profession she likes.

When she first met Junta Mana, the other woman suddenly brought up this topic. Since Mikami Hatsuka herself was also interested in the idol industry, she accepted her invitation, and that's how the two of them formed their current duo.

Even without malice, it's still not a good idea to say such things in front of a young teammate.

Reminded by Mikasa Mikasa, Junda Mana realized that she had said something a little strange in her excitement. She quickly put her fair hands together in front of her chest and apologized to the three of them.

"Sorry, sorry, I just felt that Xu Dou's temperament and appearance were too suitable for him to be an idol... Mana didn't mean to break you up!"

“It’s alright, we understand that Ms. Mana didn’t mean it that way.” Toyokawa Shoko shook her head and kindly accepted her apology. “It’s just that in the future, we hope Ms. Mana can be a little more careful about this kind of thing.”

“Hmm, Mana understands…”

Sumita Mana nodded in frustration.

It's hard for a normal person to feel any ill will towards this incredibly friendly and energetic girl.

"Well, after all, Heo Doo-jun is just that good-looking, so it's reasonable that he would be considered suitable for debuting."

"Su Shi...stop fooling around."

To ease the slightly serious atmosphere that had arisen from the previous conversation, Nagasaki Motoyo smiled and gently, almost teasingly, helped Junta Mana out of the awkward situation. Minamoto no Koto also cooperated, adopting a somewhat helpless expression and responding to her words in a calm tone.

Then, Toyokawa Shoko, who immediately understood the two's actions, joined in.

"That's not wrong. Miss Mana, you can't be blamed for this."

"The three of you... no, the camaraderie within your band is truly wonderful!"

The atmosphere relaxed again, and the slight awkwardness and disappointment on Junda Mana's face quickly vanished. Her mood brightened once more, and she gave an envious exclamation before cheerfully pulling her partner aside.

"However, my relationship with Hatsuka-chan isn't bad either—right, Hatsuka-chan?"

Accustomed to her partner's lively and unrestrained nature, she wasn't startled by her sudden big move, but she didn't respond with the same energetic enthusiasm either. Mikasa Hatsuka simply smiled and nodded, affirming what the other person said.

A gentle, subtle smile appeared on the girl's beautiful face, and her light purple eyes were clear and bright, showcasing a stunning static beauty.

Then, she turned to look at Toyokawa Shoko and spoke softly.

"Xiangzi, your performance was wonderful. Thank you for inviting me."

Upon hearing this, the girl responded with a bright smile.

"No need to thank me for this. Next time you perform on stage, Chuhua, remember to invite us too! I'll bring everyone from [CryCHIC] to support you."

"Yes, I will definitely let you know in advance when 'Sumimi' performs."

"Then we'll head back now. Goodbye, Xiangzi."

Mikami Hatsuka and Junda Mana bid farewell to the three of them.

Once the idol duo disappeared from sight, Xiangzi and Su Shi simultaneously turned their gazes to Yuan Xudou.

"Should we look for other people next?" Nagasaki Motoyo asked softly.

The boy took out his phone and looked at the group chat and private message history, then immediately shook his head.

"No need, they've already met with their family and friends, let's go backstage now."

Chapter 81 Summer Surprise (Two chapters combined, bonus chapter 3/17)

Pushing open the door, the three returned to the lounge.

As Yuan Xudou said, the other three girls had already met with their relatives and friends and returned to their rooms.

Moreover, it seems that everyone was quite satisfied.

Kneeling on the ground, with her notebook to one side, Takamatsu Akira hums softly as she shakes her head; Shiina Tatsuki, her face flushed, her straight black hair twirling between her fingers, lost in a happy memory; and Wakaba Mutsumi, holding her guitar with quiet elegance, a faint smile playing on her usually indifferent face.

They were probably praised by their families. For girls their age, receiving approval from their families is a very joyful thing. Especially since Deng, Lixi, and Mu usually don't receive enough encouragement from their relatives.

Deng's innate psychological state makes it difficult for her parents to show her care and affection, as they always struggle to find suitable topics to discuss. Lixi is burdened by her older sister, and no matter what achievements she makes, she cannot openly accept praise from others if she cannot surpass her sister's. Not to mention Mu's situation... Her family atmosphere has never been very good.

However, their shared band gave them an opportunity. 【CryCHIC】was not only a second home for the six girls, but also a bridge that allowed them to communicate and connect with their original families, and a way to prove themselves.

Just as minors always yearn to break free from the protection of adults and stand on an equal footing to declare their independence, bands serve as a means for them to showcase themselves and gain recognition.

What one person cannot do, six people can do together. This is one of the original intentions behind the formation of 【CryCHIC】: to allow each person to find something that complements the others, and ultimately to form a perfect collective from imperfect individuals.

Understanding, trust, help... we have everything we need.

For example, right now, noticing Yuan Xudou and the others coming in, the three of them spontaneously gathered around before any call to action was given. The group quietly sat down in a circle and began their meeting after the performance.

Starting with Shoko Toyokawa, this informal yet extremely serious discussion began.

Everyone did a great job!

Smiling as brightly as the sun, the girl announced in a proud tone:

"It was a perfect performance—we were absolutely on par with other professional bands!"

She gracefully pressed her heaving chest and scanned the room with bright eyes.

Everywhere you look, you see the team members' confident and affirmative eyes.

"The singing of the lamp, the drumbeats of Lixi, the bass lines of Sushi, the guitar accompaniment of Mu, and the arrangement of Xu Dou and me... and most importantly, everyone's abundant emotions. Without a doubt, we have done our best."

"The overwhelming emotion that fills my heart after the performance... This is the magnificent hymn we have created together, a hymn linked to our 'destiny'!"

"The word 'pregnancy' and such... isn't the choice of words a bit strange?"

"Also, why do you have to emphasize 'me and Xu Dou'?"

Shiina Tatsuki muttered a complaint under his breath, but it clearly did little to dampen Toyokawa Shoko's excitement.

She tilted her head slightly, her sky-blue silk hair cascading down her shoulders like a torrent, her bright expression showing no sign of distress.

"I think this word is very appropriate. Does Lixi have any other opinions?"

"...No, please continue."

Pregnancy—thinking about it carefully, it doesn't sound too bad, does it?

"Thank you, then I'll continue." Toyokawa Shoko nodded politely in thanks.

The ritualistic use of the term "young girl" to describe a noblewoman, along with the occasional slightly overly ornate embellishment, is something everyone is used to. It's not particularly difficult to understand anyway, and if all else fails, there's always Yuan Xudou as an intermediary translator to convey the simplest and most accurate meaning, avoiding any communication difficulties.

Having resolved a minor incident, Toyokawa Shoko resumed her topic.

"So, we need to hold a decent celebration banquet this time too—after this performance, advertisers and sponsors should come knocking. Don't worry about the budget, everyone please feel free to suggest suitable venues for the gathering!"

"First and foremost, I want to go to the restaurant I mentioned before."

After finishing her speech, Toyokawa Shoko quietly stepped down, giving up her seat in the discussion.

"Hmm, a restaurant..." Shiina Tatsuki frowned and thought for a moment before speaking uncertainly, "Michelin, how about that?"

She wasn't the kind of extravagantly wealthy young lady from a privileged background; the more upscale dining places she could think of were the kind that ordinary people had heard of.

"Hmm, let's consider that an option then." Toyokawa Shoko turned to the others. "Mutsu, what do you think?"

"...The sushi restaurant I used to go to was alright."

"Deng, what about you?"

"Ah, I... I thought the restaurant last time was pretty good..."

After collecting opinions one by one, the six of them discussed and voted, and unanimously decided to go and try the restaurant that Xiangzi had been recommending.

Anyway, money isn't a big problem now, and the girls are curious and want to see the world. There are only six of them, and with Xiangzi leading the way, there's no need to worry about making any fools of themselves.

"Okay, then it's settled. I'll let everyone know in the group chat when the time is set."

Having fulfilled a wish that couldn't be achieved last time, the girl smiled even more happily and moved the meeting to the next agenda item.

"Then, it's time for the arrangements after the victory celebration banquet."

When this was mentioned, the other four people, who were initially very excited, visibly deflated.

After the celebration party... there will be no band practice, no music, no companionship, only the academic hell of the upcoming final exams...

Genjiro and Toyokawa Shoko, who are both very talented and can easily get good grades, don't need to care about this. But they really need to make up for the time they neglected their studies because they were focused on the band.

"Alright, everyone, there's no need to be so discouraged."