People are in animation, but they can connect to reality

Rupa took out the remaining bread and eggs from the refrigerator and walked to the kitchen, where the sound of chopping and cutting could be heard.

Satoshi Ebizuka was not fully asleep yet. She worked until very late last night and was drowsy in her pajamas. Satoshi Ebizuka was lying on the other side of the table, occupying the entire table with MMK.

For breakfast, Rupa made fried eggs and topped them with leftovers, along with bread, her staple food.

"Ms. Lupa and Satoshi Ebizuka want to form a band."

During the meal, Asagi mentioned this specifically. After that, Asagi stole a glance at MMK's face, observing her expression.

Asagi is very anxious because Rupa and MMK haven't talked about the band yet.

"Oh."

What Asagi didn't expect was that MMK's reaction was very flat, without even much emotional fluctuation. Asagi frowned, wondering what was going on.

Did MMK think Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi were newcomers and didn't want to team up with them? Not really. Putting Ebizuka Satoshi aside, Rupa looked older than MMK, so someone like that couldn't possibly be a newcomer. MMK definitely knew all this.

Asagi felt a little disappointed because of MMK's reaction.

And Ebizuka Satoshi added fuel to the fire and sneered.

The situation was a little awkward, and then Rupa stepped forward to help Asagi out and said,

"I heard that Miss MMK is a guitarist?" Rupa smiled.

Rupa has a mature older sister vibe that makes people feel at ease. Therefore, MMK has no objection to Rupa.

MMK nodded, put the bread in his hand into his mouth and chewed it slowly. Asagi noticed that when MMK was eating, his eyes would unconsciously drift towards the window, but at that time, MMK's attention was not here.

"I'm the bassist, and Xiaozhi is the keyboardist. Don't be fooled by Xiaozhi's age; she's quite talented and has even won a national gold medal."

Rupa proudly introduced Ebizuka Satoshi, and Ebizuka Satoshi responded by rolling his eyes at Rupa, who pretended not to see it.

"Kawaraki Momoka."

MMK used very concise sentences to introduce himself. MMK seemed unmotivated, even not paying attention. This state is very dangerous.

Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi were both thoughtful people, and MMK's attitude clearly rejected them. Since MMK was not interested, Rupa had no choice but to close the topic.

Everyone was silent, eating their food bite by bite, which made the room feel depressing.

"I'm sorry, I have to leave first, otherwise I'll be late."

Asagi looked down at his phone. He couldn't stay here for too long. Today was Saturday and he had classes in the morning.

After saying that, Asagi put on his backpack, grabbed the uneaten bread on the table and stuffed it into his mouth, then ran out. Because he was too relaxed, he actually forgot about time.

Chapter 19 Return to Hometown

After breakfast, Ebizuka Satoshi walked into their isolated [Music Room], where Ebizuka Satoshi and Rupa worked, composed and recorded.

There are many items placed in the small room, making it look a bit messy.

But MMK did not leave. She held her chin with one hand, tilted her head, and stared at her guitar in a daze. The guitar lay there quietly, motionless, as if waiting for its owner.

Rupa did not disturb MMK, nor did she drive her away.

MMK just sat there, head tilted, eyes fixed on the guitar, but his mind was thinking about other things.

"Hey? Drop out of school and go to the big city? Play in a band?"

"Can we really? Will anyone listen?"

"The risk is too great."

"Believe me, we will succeed."

Back then, familiar faces sat on the steps of our high school campus, discussing their futures. MMK was the most decisive and resolute person back then. So, she and her classmates and friends gave up their studies, braved family pressure, and resolutely came to this unfamiliar city to fight for their future.

Countless nights, they worked desperately to be able to practice, compose music, and hold live performances.

Looking at the guitar, MMK tilted his head to the side, facing the window. Outside, he could see the blue sky, the light, and the gentle sound of music.

The sound of music came from the room where Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi were, very faint.

MMK stood up and approached the room. She came to the sliding door of the room and stood there for a long time, not knowing whether she should go in. After thinking for a long time, MMK gritted her teeth and walked into the room.

Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi tilted their heads and looked at MMK who had come in without permission. Unlike Rupa's smile, Ebizuka Satoshi didn't like the feeling that MMK had entered someone else's secret space without permission.

"Oh, sorry, I heard you were recording a song, so I couldn't help but walk in. If I disturbed you, I'll leave right away." MMK walked in and saw Rupa sitting in front of the computer adjusting the music, while Ebizuka Satoshi was waiting for the rhythm to start.

But Lupa shook his head.

"Please feel free to do so."

MMK found a place to stand and watched them quietly. The two people in front of her reminded her of herself who used to work hard to compose music.

Many people don't like others intruding into their private space, unless they are close and trustworthy people.

As Lupa finished debugging, Ebzuka Satoshi cleared his throat and slowly hummed the song that Asagi gave them, "The Name of Life."

Although the soothing melody sounded, mixed with the lyrics' confused words about life and the future, MMK felt like he was being judged.

It's the midsummer sunshine, the sunlight filtering through the treetops and swaying on your shoulders, the broken white balloons, the petals scattered by the wind. An invisible river carries them, singing as it flows.

Secrets, lies, and joy are all children of the God who gave birth to the universe.

Facing the future, my heart trembles with anxiety. I will eventually remember my own name, cherishing it so much that I want to call it out. That life is a place I can return to, the summer sunshine that never fades at my fingertips.

As the fragmented lyrics reached MMK's ears, he felt a dull pain in his heart. Facing the future, his heart trembled with anxiety.

After a while, the melody of Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi fell, and the room returned to silence. Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi looked at each other, and they showed their joy for this recording.

They were satisfied with the recording, but one take wasn't enough. They needed to try other styles.

Looking at the performance of Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi, MMK had a question in his mind and couldn't help but ask.

"If you can write such a good song, why did you look for me?"

Yes, why did they ask her to join? MMK looked at Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi, and her heart was in pain.

I am just a wandering, second-rate street singer. No matter how hard I try or how hard I struggle, I am not liked by the public.

I tried many times and kept telling myself that one day my songs would be recognized and accepted.

However, reality always comes faster than delusion.

For them, he had to compromise, compromise, and compromise again. In the end, he still betrayed them and escaped alone in disgrace.

"This kind of music can be played well even without someone like me. Even if it's not my style, the emotions conveyed by beautiful things are the same. It will definitely be liked and loved by many people."

MMK leaned against the wall and, in a self-deprecating tone, affirmed the efforts and achievements of Rupa and Ebizuka Satoshi.

After saying that, MMK turned and walked to the door, reached out to open the sliding door, and planned to leave the room.

"Ms. MMK, are you giving up?"

Rupa called out to MMK, and MMK's body froze in place, she felt she had been seen through.

"Is this all Miss MMK?"

Rupa stood up and walked over to MMK. At that moment, MMK's gaze dropped, as if it had lost its luster. In a split second, MMK quickly adjusted his expression, appearing his best.

"I plan to go back, back to my hometown." MMK said with his back to Rupa.

"You know what I'm talking about, right? I'm just not popular anymore. I can't even make a basic living from performances and music, so I ended up having to work like crazy."

As MMK spoke, he made the motion of cutting vegetables. In fact, MMK wanted to express the state of working, but it was not standard.

This was the only thing Rupa couldn't deny. Music and performances alone couldn't support him. Before becoming famous, every street singer with a musical dream was stuck in a repetitive cycle of street performances and part-time jobs.

I support myself by working to supplement my music.

"I'm not like you, who can compose such good music. I once composed a good song, and I thought I could make more and better ones in the future. But the truth is, talent is something that only a few people have. Most people only have a flash of inspiration that quickly fades."

MMK crossed his arms and showed a helpless expression.

Asagi took the tram to school. This time, he saw Takamatsu Deng at the school gate, a child who looked weak and even a little timid.

Gao Songdeng was squatting on the side of the road, picking up something.

"Hey, long time no see, Deng-san."

Asagi came forward to greet him. Takamatsu Deng was frightened like a rabbit, trembling and getting hairy all over.

She turned to look at Asagi, blinking. Her eyes looked innocent and bewildered.

"Have you forgotten me? On the first day of school, you knocked me down and ran away without saying a word." Asagi waved his hands, trying to regain Takamatsu Deng's lost memory.

Chapter 20 Giving Up Music

"You are? The one who got hit."

Takamatsu Deng stared at Asagi for a long time, and finally remembered what happened at the beginning of the school year. She was running in a panic and accidentally knocked down a boy, and because she was timid, she didn't have time to apologize properly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice."

Gao Songdeng thought that she had only whispered an apology and had done nothing else, so she ran away in fear. She stood up straight, bent down very formally, and bowed.

"Hey? You've changed a lot. Did something good happen to you?"

Asagi felt that the Takamatsu Deng in front of him was completely different from when he first met her.

"Ah."

Gao Songdeng nodded.

"There was a transfer student named Chihaya Aine in our class, and we became friends."

“Making friends is indeed a happy thing.”

The two chatted intermittently as they walked.

"We're going to form a band."

Gao Songdeng said this with a slightly happy look.

"what!"

Asagi was stunned for a moment. He had not expected Takamatsu Deng to act so quickly. However, there was nothing he could do about it, as Asagi's time was limited. There were many things he could not attend to, and he had no reason to intervene.

Otherwise you will be treated as a fool.

"Well, congratulations, Deng-san."

"Ah."

That was all Asagi could say about Takamatsu Touma.

"Good morning, Asagi-san."

As soon as he arrived at the classroom and sat down at his seat, Kotobuki Nanaha, who was nearby, greeted him with a smile. Asagi was startled. If it was just a normal greeting, it would be fine, but this kind of greeting by name was very lethal.

As expected, upon hearing Kotobuki Nanaha's words, everyone around them instantly turned their heads to look at Asagi. The relaxed atmosphere of laughter and conversation between students in the classroom disappeared in an instant, replaced by a chilling silence.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you talking?"

Kotobuki Nanaha tilted her head. As the instigator of this terrible incident, doesn't she have any awareness at all?

"Oh, Kotobuki-san, good morning."

Asagi's mouth twitched as he responded helplessly.

"Are we close enough to call each other by name? What did you do secretly to win Kotobuki-san's heart? Why didn't you even tell me?"

Tanabe, who was standing by, grabbed Asagi and pulled him in front of him, complaining and feeling angry in pain.

What? Asagi was completely bewildered. He and Kotobuki were completely innocent, as innocent as scallions and tofu. But Tanabe's questioning was simply a way of proving their innocence. That didn't make sense.

"I don't know why Kotobuki-san is so close to everyone. Maybe she's just easygoing and likes to call people by their first names."

“Wuwuwuwuwu…”

Because Kotobuki Nana is the recognized beauty in the class, Asagi's explanation is completely unconvincing, but what else can he do?

It was obvious that Tanabe didn't believe his nonsense at all, and he wouldn't believe it either. But it was the truth, the truth.

He was not familiar with Kotobuki at all, they just chatted briefly.