Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 18

Her once infallible keen intuition had lost its effectiveness on the boy. She could only vaguely tell from the slightly gentler look in Yuan Xudou's eyes when he first arrived that he was in a fairly good mood.

'This is the interesting person that Xiangzi specifically mentioned…'

Wakaba Mu tilted his head.

...How amazing.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After the self-introductions, having gotten to know each other a little better and developed a sense of mutual understanding, the group prepared to head to the practice room to showcase their current playing abilities so that they could better coordinate and work together in the future.

Before leaving, Toyokawa Shoko called out to Minamoto Kōtō.

"Xu Dou, could you come with me for a moment?"

"Ok?"

"It's about some things regarding the band's plans, and I'd like to talk to you about it privately."

"it is good."

The boy nodded in agreement, greeted Nagasaki Motoyo beside him, and then got up and left the round table with Toyokawa Shoko.

The two walked to a corner of the coffee shop. The girl peeked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them before lowering her voice and whispering instructions to the boy.

"Xu Dou, please keep your voice down later..."

"Are you going to talk about Shiina-kun?"

Toyokawa Shoko paused, seemingly not expecting that Genjiro had guessed her intention so quickly. Then, the bright smile on her face turned into a helpless expression.

She sighed softly, then nodded.

"Hmm. Xu Dou, you really noticed."

“Lixi, her situation is a bit special… I’ve been looking for a drummer for a long time but haven’t found a suitable candidate. Lixi was recommended to me by her older sister.”

“‘She speaks frankly, but she doesn’t mean any harm.’ That’s what Lixi’s older sister told me.”

"It was my fault for not coordinating beforehand, because I felt that this method might have helped Lixi accept your presence more quickly..."

"Well, I can see that."

Genjiro didn't take Shiina Tatsuki's accusations to heart.

If the other party truly harbors irreconcilable hostility towards him, he will immediately sense it and respond accordingly.

It was precisely because the boy sensed that Shiina Riki's seemingly hostile attitude was actually just her seeking a reason that she could accept from Genjiro and Toyokawa Shoko that he kept ignoring her.

His explanation was no more conclusive than that of Toyokawa Shoko, the band's initiator. Moreover, he believed that she had already made preparations for dealing with the situation, so he entrusted the entire matter to her.

"I can basically understand Shiina's personality, so I don't need to worry about me having a conflict with her."

Genjiro Tomo's calm yet undeniably authoritative words dispelled the slight unease in Toyokawa Shoko's heart.

"I will also be careful not to let her words affect the other members."

"...You're really reliable, Xu Dou."

"Indeed, entrusting these matters to you was the right decision."

Having confirmed that Genjiro had not developed any rift with the band because of Shiina Tatsuki's previous words, Toyokawa Shoko finally smiled again.

Then, as if remembering something, she tilted her head back, her bright, pale golden eyes blinking slightly as she looked at the boy with some anticipation.

"【CryCHIC】, this is the band name I came up with myself, what do you think, Xu Dou...?"

"very good."

Yuan Xudou nodded, offering his praise without reservation.

"You used the homonym of 'classic', right? The combination of Cry and CHIC is also very meaningful. I think this band name is very distinctive."

Seeing that the other person had perfectly grasped the profound meaning behind her name, Toyokawa Shoko's pretty face couldn't help but show a hint of excitement, as if she had met a kindred spirit.

“That’s right! I believe that while our music expresses our innermost feelings, it should also be refined and elegant… It’s great that you understand, Xu Dou. This makes communication much easier when composing!”

"Ah."

Yuan Xudou nodded calmly, unaffected by her excitement.

Chapter Twenty: Unable to Be Like Others

"We're back, everyone. We've kept you waiting."

Shoko Toyokawa pushed open the door to the practice room and looked around.

Wakaba Mutsu sat alone in the corner holding his guitar, Shiina Tatsuki was fiddling with the drum set in the room, while Nagasaki Motoyo and Takamatsu Akari sat together, talking about something.

A faint sense of detachment filled the entire room.

...As expected, the words just spoken were not enough to make everyone lower their guard and become closer.

Having anticipated this scene, Toyokawa Shoko was not disappointed.

She clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"Now, let's show off the instruments we're responsible for. Lixi, would you like to start?"

"……Can."

When called upon, Shiina Tatsuki picked up the drumsticks, made a slight adjustment to the angle of the drum kit, and then played a smooth drumbeat.

"Thank you, then next, it's Mu..."

As Toyokawa Shoko directed everyone to perform, Genji Koto, who followed her in, closed the door to the practice room and headed towards where Nagasaki Motoyo and Takamatsu Akari were.

He had just found a seat next to Nagasaki Motoyo when the girl eagerly turned her head toward him.

"Xu Dou-jun~ What did you and Xiangzi-chan talk about alone just now?"

She gently swayed her long, glossy brown hair, her voice soft and casual, as if she were simply curious about the content of their conversation.

"These are just some of the band's future plans."

Of course, it was impossible for Genjiro to tell Nagasaki Motoyo that he had just been talking to Toyokawa Shoko about her in Shiina Riki's presence.

Before entering the practice room, the two had already discussed their plans. To be precise, they did talk about the band's future development outside for a while.

Therefore, when faced with the girl's question, he didn't need to think about how to avoid the topic and simply told her what the two of them had discussed.

Nagasaki Sosei and Genji started chatting, while Takamatsu Akira, who had just been talking to the other person, was a little stunned.

During their conversation, Nagasaki Motoyo spent most of the time trying to find topics to talk about, while she only occasionally responded to the girl in a very soft voice, saying a few words here and there.

Now, she has even less opportunity to join in the conversation between the two of them.

Takamatsu Akari glanced at Gen Xudou, then at Nagasaki Motoyo, a hint of disappointment on her face. She lowered her head quietly, murmuring softly in a voice so faint that no one else could hear her.

'Xu Dou…'

"lamp."

The boy's sudden call startled Takamatsu Akari, who had been lost in her loneliness. She blinked her innocent amber eyes, slowly raised her head, and looked at him hesitantly.

Did you hear what I just said?

"Is the lead singer position okay?"

He didn't hear the girl's murmurs, but was only concerned about whether Takamatsu Akari's condition was up to the task of being the lead singer. Gen Xudou's gaze passed over Nagasaki Motoyo, who had consciously turned to the side, and looked at the girl with a blank expression.

"……what."

After a moment of distraction, she realized Yuan Xudou's intention and spoke somewhat slowly.

"do not know."

'have no idea……?'

Caught between the two, Nagasaki Motoyo couldn't understand the meaning of those words.

Although she had just chatted with Takamatsu Akari for a while, she could only remain patient and gentle with this girl, whose way of speaking and logic seemed to be different from ordinary people. She was completely unable to understand what the other party wanted to express.

Nagasaki Motoyo couldn't help but turn around to look at Minamoto no Koto, only to find that the boy's face did not show the same confusion as hers.

Just as she was about to ask the boy, Takamatsu Akari, what he meant, Toyokawa Shoko's voice called out from afar.

"Su Shi, it's your turn next—"

"Ah, okay!"

Nagasaki Motoyo subconsciously stood up from her seat and responded in a louder voice.

Then, she turned to look at Yuan Xudou.

"Go."

Even though he could see the girl's confusion, Gen Xudou had no intention of answering her on the spot.

After all, Gao Songdeng's inner world cannot be explained in just a few words. If Su Shi wants to know, he can explain slowly when the two of them return home.

"……Um."

Although she was puzzled and quite curious... since Yuan Xudou had said so, the girl, who probably understood his thoughts, respected his decision.

After watching Nagasaki Motoyo pick up the bass and walk towards Toyokawa Shoko, the boy turned around and faced Takamatsu Akari.

The girl who was alone with Yuan Xudou looked much more relaxed. Her body, which had been somewhat tense, gradually relaxed, and she looked at him intimately and carelessly, like a defenseless little animal.

"I don't know... I guess I just tried it."

"Ah."

Gao Songdeng nodded faintly.

"I've sung at home before..."

"I can sing when I'm alone."

However, things might be different once you're on stage.

That's why she said she didn't know.

Having fully understood her meaning, Yuan Xudou didn't say much, but simply asked a question calmly.

"What about the presentation later?"

Gao Songdeng did not respond and timidly lowered his head.

"...Don't worry too much."

He reached out and gently patted the girl's delicate shoulder.

"Just do your best. I'm here, things won't get to the worst."

"...Hmm. [Unintelligible characters]"

"I believe in Xu Dou."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Deng-kun—you're next!"

Upon hearing Toyokawa Shoko's call, Genjiro and Takamatsu Akari both stood up.

"coming."

He waved to the other person, responding on behalf of the girl, and then led her to the other four people.

"Teng-san..."

Toyokawa Shoko looked at Takamatsu Akari, who dared not raise her head under everyone's gaze, with some concern, and hesitated whether to hand her the microphone.

In the end, she steeled herself and placed the microphone in her delicate palm.

Now that she has taken on the role of lead singer, Gao Songdeng will have to sing in front of everyone sooner or later... Being soft-hearted now is pointless; it will only delay the inevitable outcome and attract more criticism, and will not bring any benefits.

Moreover... Xu Doutong is still here, he won't sit idly by.