Tokyo Heart Thief's Daily Life

Guitarist Pochi.

Bassist Ryo Yamada.

Drummer: Ichichi Nikka.

…And then, there’s lead singer Ii Serina.

Jinna looked at the crowd of people below the stage and shrank her shoulders timidly for a moment:

"Everyone...do I really need to go?"

She looked at Hong Xia tremblingly:

"Hongxia-chan, didn't you say that you originally planned to just play music and not sing? Then can I go down..."

"Ah, that's what I originally thought. I don't have enough time to practice."

In contrast to Renai's nervousness, Hongxia smiled brightly:

"But let's think about it. Since you, Nina, are so good at singing Momoka-san's songs, it would be a waste if we didn't show off! And it just so happens that Pochi-chan can also play the [Hollow Box], right? Then let's do it again! Let the audience see it!"

"Uh-huh!"

Pochi was on stage for the first time, and although his hands were sweaty from nervousness, he was indeed working hard to tune and prepare.

Of course she was very scared.

Even playing in front of a few people in the light music section would cause him to malfunction, let alone playing in front of so many strangers in the audience today.

......but.

So many people who have encouraged me are watching.

Senior Luo Zhen, who gave me a place to stay and allowed me to meet so many friends.

Although I didn't quite understand the literary lines, I thought they were probably encouraging my classmate Fengchuan.

There is also Renai, who is as introverted (? ) and socially anxious (??) as herself, and may even be more dysfunctional than herself (???).

The saying goes well.

When a socially anxious person meets someone who is more socially anxious than himself, he will burst out with a sense of superiority: "I must set an example for her!"

Pochi has a similar feeling towards Nina, and he arbitrarily treats her as a girl with even greater social anxiety than himself.

But Pochi doesn't even know until now that Nina is just short, has a cute round face, and a childish hairstyle.

But Renai has actually passed her 17th birthday, which means she is two years older than her!

To this rock senior who is older than himself and has realized his dream of dropping out of school early.

Pochi, who knew nothing, took it upon himself to take care of her!

——Also, Sister Taoxiang is also in the audience!

Pochi saw the idol that both he and Nina like, the original author of the "Hola no Bako" that they were about to perform.

She stood with Luo Zhen, looking at him with a magical smile, making it difficult for Pochi to tell what she was feeling.

But no matter what...if I don’t work hard now, when will I work hard?

Hong Xia: "Well, everyone, get ready. It's time to go on... 1, 2! 1, 2, 3!"

As Hongxia beat the drumsticks, the [Empty Box] without Momoka began.

Unlike the Momoka + Nina pair's practice yesterday, Pochi didn't even have time to practice with Hongxia and the others. He was really forced to do it.

But even so, she did catch up... although it's true that she did catch up.

"Ah, snapped it."

Xiangzi was watching the performance very seriously and felt sorry for Pochi's mistake.

After all, he was on stage at the last minute and was extremely nervous, so it was no surprise that something unexpected happened to Pochi.

She kept her head down and played hard the whole time, not even having time to look at her companions around her, and rushed forward on her own.

This disrupted the rhythm of the other teammates and the guitar took over the beat.

Xie Liang, who had the best technique, could barely keep up, and the heavy wall of sound from the bass supported the performance.

But Hongxia's drum beats started to become chaotic, forcing the girl to grit her teeth and try hard to keep up.

......At this time, Rencai is served!

"[Are we helpless because of this useless map?]"

Now comes the chorus where the rhythm changes.

Jina's singing voice, which was full of emotional tension, suddenly became infinitely gentle.

She picked up the microphone, strode across the stage, and walked directly in front of Pochi with her back to the audience!

She was even almost close to Pochi's face, forcing the guitarist, who was lowering his head, to notice her.

"[The result of showing off might still be the same]"

......!

In the six or seven seconds of the song, Nina's voice, which contained an overwhelming amount of information, directly penetrated Pochi's body and mind.

"[You fill your own empty box to overflowing, yet you still pry into other people's boxes]"

"[I can't even muster a poor polite smile.]"

Nina started walking again.

When she picked up the microphone, she was simply the king of the stage, controlling all the rhythms with her singing.

Pochi gritted his teeth and stomped his feet, going all out in the section of the performance that was about to reach its climax!

——Nina likes this song the most! They all like it!

And the idol's original creator is in the audience! She has to stand up!

This is a tribute to Momoka's guitar... I must play it well!

"......ah?"

That is when Nina's singing paused and the audience cheered along with the sudden wonderful performance.

Luo Zhen and Tao Xiang were stunned almost at the same time.

They saw Pochi's sudden surge in playing power.

Focused, precise, and emotional playing.

And that classical guitar that doesn't suit her age...

Taoxiang immediately turned around and looked at Luo Zhen in disbelief:

"That girl, is she [Guitar Hero]?"

“…I just discovered that, too.”

Luo Zhen and Taoxiang were equally surprised.

The playing technique and the guitar are just like the top-tier "Guitar Hero" on the video site.

Taoxiang has always regarded her as an imaginary enemy.

He admitted that her technical level was comparable to his own, but at the same time he felt a complicated resentment that she never composed original compositions.

She guessed that the guitar hero was a high school student, but she never thought she would be such an introverted girl...

"...Is that so? Such an outstanding girl is right next to you."

Taoxiang suddenly smiled with relief.

The surging black mud melted her heart, along with her remaining pride and self-esteem.

She was genuinely happy for Luo Zhen, and also for her promising juniors like Renai and Pochi.

And amidst the passionate performance and the excited cheers of the crowd...

There will be no place for her anymore.

***

117. Peach Fragrance is Not a Beach! (6k)(10/10)

Night was approaching, and it was time for the date to change.

Luo Zhen opened the creaking sliding door and returned to his shabby doghouse.

“—I’m back~!”

Miss Shrimp and Celery was the first to pass under his armpit and lively into the entrance.

She straightened her back, stood on tiptoe, and took a deep breath of the musty smell of the old house.

It obviously couldn't possibly smell good, but the silly girl still giggled:

"Hehehe, this feels so warm and cozy. Luo Zhen, Sister Taoxiang! Let's have a celebration party!"

"It's too late now. No."

Luo Zhen ruffled the silly girl's head lovingly and spoke earnestly like her godfather.

The performance at [Various Stars] was a huge success and they became the most popular band among all the performing bands that day.

Under the dim lights, the enthusiastic cheers and applause from dozens of audience members made the four girls on the stage extremely happy.

Of course they were extremely excited and even celebrated hugely after it was over.

It was not until Toyokawa Shoko had to go back that Luo Zhen and the others disbanded.

At the beginning, Luo Zhen actually wanted to send Xiangzi back.

But the girl was very stubborn and refused to tell Luo Zhen her specific address.

So Luo Zhen had no choice but to send her to the platform where she got off the train, and watched her walk away before going home with Taoxiang Renna.

Naturally, Renai had no plans to return to her rental house today.

Luo Zhen loosened both of her braids, letting her thin, soft brown hair fall loose.

......Looking at it this way, the girl's hair has just grown to shoulder length, which makes her look more feminine than when it was braided.

"Hmm? Luo Zhen, what's wrong? Why are you staring at me?"

Miss Celery, who was fried till soft, tilted her head and blinked her big round eyes at Luo Zhen.

......Luo Zhen suddenly felt that she was even more adorable.

After surviving in the temple with her a few months ago, this girl is still as tenacious as ever.

She came all the way to Tokyo without compromising, and even in such a helpless situation, she still insisted on being herself and blossomed with her talents.

Luo Zhen was also touched by today's performance. Her singing was really contagious.

But fortunately, Luo Zhen resisted the urge to kiss her on the forehead.

After all, although she looks very small, she is not a child younger than herself, and she will be angry if you kiss her forehead.

So Luo Zhen immediately smiled maliciously and pinched her nose:

"I just thought you smelled of sweat and your hair was wet."

"Hurry up and take a shower, then go to bed. Your private school doesn't have weekends off, right? You have classes tomorrow, don't doze off."

"Goooo...Are you my dad!?"

As expected, the disciplined Rencai immediately became angry.

She shook off Luo Zhen's arm, pulled her eyelids and made a face.

But fortunately she was obedient and immediately ran into the bathroom and closed the door.

She has already brought her spare clothes here, and it seems that she is planning to live here permanently.

Luo Zhen nodded in satisfaction.