Girl idols are meant to be exploited!

"I...I will try my best."

Su Shi gritted his teeth and whispered.

She raised her head, and although her eyes were a little red, they were more determined than before.

"very good."

Hoshikawa Taku finally spoke, his eyes falling between the two of them, "Then let's begin the competition."

“The content is very simple.”

He said slowly, "The two bassists will each have half an hour to practice the new song for the performance, and then they will each play it with the members of 'Thorns Without Thorns'. Finally, the members of 'Thorns Without Thorns' will vote to decide who is more suitable to take the stage for the official performance."

This rule is particularly biased towards Su Shi.

Because Su Shi had already practiced with the band members for a day in advance, but Hachiman Kailing had just arrived and had not even seen the music score.

However, Hachiman Kailing did not raise any objections, but just nodded calmly.

"Okay, I agree. Give me the music."

There was no nervousness in her eyes, and she seemed to have enough confidence in herself.

Kairei Yawata is known as a "band mercenary". She serves as the bassist of thirty bands at the same time, and she can perfectly control various music styles.

She held the music sheet that had just been distributed in her hand, glanced at it, and without saying anything extra, she put on her bass and gently played a few notes.

The moment the fingertips touched the strings, the practice room suddenly became quiet.

It's not because she used any fancy techniques, but because of the rhythm and cadence that flowed out naturally. There was no need for deliberate expression. Just by plucking the strings, the notes seemed to jump freely in the air.

Her playing is casual and free, with precise rhythm and exciting tension, like a wild horse galloping on the stage without losing control.

Momoka, Nina, Aine, and Shoko all opened their eyes wide almost at the same time.

"That's what it feels like!"

Taoxiang exclaimed softly, her face full of amazement.

That’s right, what they want is this kind of casual yet passionate feeling!

Su Shi also realized that she might not be able to beat the other party and her heart sank, but she still held the bass and the music sheet and started practicing seriously.

Half an hour passed in a flash, and soon it was time for the competition.

During practice, Hachiman Kairei showed a rhythm that surprised everyone, and during the official performance, Hachiman Kairei brought out this feeling to the fullest.

In just the first rehearsal, the five people coordinated perfectly as if they were in perfect sync, as if they had been rehearsing for weeks.

This tacit understanding was not achieved through adjustment, but was a "resonance" established instantly thanks to Hachiman Kailing's extraordinary adaptability and understanding.

Su Shi stood aside, her palms slightly sweating, but she did not give up.

She took a deep breath, walked to the front of the stage, and silently picked up her bass.

Although her heart felt heavy as lead and her fingers trembled slightly, she still adjusted her breathing and played along with the others.

She had memorized the music score long ago. She tried hard to block out the noise and emotions around her and played very seriously.

However, that seriousness became a shackle, causing her to lack the most crucial "passion" - her tone lacked variety and her rhythm was very dull.

Especially after Hachiman's natural performance, her performance seemed more like a clumsy imitator, being ruthlessly weighed down and crushed.

Even the most gentle listener cannot convince himself to ignore the gap.

When the song ended, the air felt terribly heavy.

No one said a word, not even a polite compliment.

Su Shi slowly put down the bass and moved his lips, but no sound came out.

"that……"

Taoxiang finally stood up, with struggle and apology in her eyes.

"I really think you've done your best, Sushi."

She paused, gritted her teeth, and said, "It's just...bands do need to be compatible. Su Shi, you've performed very well, but...we just aren't a good match."

This was the most tactful "no" she could say.

Su Shi lowered her head so that no one could see her red eyes, and her voice was so soft that it was almost swallowed by the air.

"……I see."

She turned around slowly, and before leaving, her eyes subconsciously looked at Shoko Toyokawa, the person she had been trying to get close to during their getting along but always felt a distance from.

Xiangzi was also looking at her at this moment, but his expression was still cold and calm, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.

Su Shi felt a bitter feeling in his heart, like some unspoken emotion stuck in his throat, and in the end he could only say:

"Xiangzi, you...come on."

She whispered, then turned and left the practice room.

Her back looked lonely and desolate, like a shadow walking outside the spotlight, gradually disappearing from everyone's sight.

The practice room was quiet for a long time and no one spoke.

Hachiman Kairei was quietly tuning her bass, her face expressionless but her eyes slightly pensive.

While the two bassists were competing, Hoshikawa Taku and Aine did not go in, but waited outside the door.

Because Aine was worried that her presence would affect Su Shi's performance, she paced anxiously back and forth outside the examination room like a parent waiting for the exam to be over.

Although she had expected it, when Su Shi walked out in a daze, Aine still felt a sudden pain in her heart and felt sad for her.

"I'm sorry...I didn't seize the opportunity."

Su Shi forced a smile.

"No, it's not your problem, it's just that it's not suitable!"

Aiyin quickly stepped forward to comfort her.

"Stop comforting me."

Su Shi smiled bitterly and shook his head, lowering his eyelashes, feeling so depressed that he could hardly breathe.

"I know what my performance is like...Aine, keep going. I'll... not bother you anymore."

As she said this, she turned around and seemed to be about to leave.

"Mr. Xingchuan, please think of another way!"

Aine anxiously hugged Hoshikawa Taku's arm again and begged for mercy.

Aine hardly ever bothered Hoshikawa Taku when it came to her own affairs, but these past few days, because of Su Shi's affairs, she went to Hoshikawa Taku to plead for mercy one after another.

"Wait, are you ready to leave now?"

Hoshikawa Taku stopped Su Shi.

It wasn't because Aine was acting like a spoiled child, but because Hoshikawa Takuma didn't really want to let Suyo leave just like that.

Su Shi was stunned, stopped, and looked back in confusion: "...What else can I do?"

"Have you forgotten your original purpose and put the cart before the horse? As long as we can reconcile, it doesn't really matter whether we form a team or not, right?"

"That's right..."

Su Shi was stunned for a moment, then nodded in reply.

"Then it's too early for you to give up now."

Hoshikawa Taku paused and gave a meaningful smile, "Even if you can't be her teammate, you can still be her assistant."

"……assistant?"

"Assistant, logistics, temporary manager... you name it. Every band needs someone to manage the team, responsible for communicating with the team and coordinating the schedule."

"Lupa was originally in charge of this, but she's busy performing with the band Extension Line and can't do this. If you'd like, you can be the one in charge of logistics."

Hoshikawa Taku tempted him, "Don't you want to be close to Xiangzi? This position is more convenient. You can even find a chance to be alone with her."

Seeing Su Shi's eyes getting brighter and brighter, and his heart was getting more and more moved, Xingchuan Taku paused and said, "Of course, I can't pay you for this. Your work is completely voluntary..."

Su Shi said without hesitation: "It doesn't matter! I'm willing to work at my own expense!"

"That's what you said."

Taku Hoshikawa nodded with satisfaction, finally getting another free laborer.

"That's not bad either."

Aine is also happy for Suye.

Although Su Shi did not get the job to be Xiangzi's teammate, she actually had more opportunities to interact with her, and... Su Shi would also have more opportunities to come to the office, and she would be able to see her more often!

"Su Shi, come on, I'll also give you some advice!"

Aine encouraged with a smile.

"Thank you."

A soft look flashed across Su Shi's eyes, and he thanked her sincerely.

If it wasn't for Aine pleading for him, Hoshikawa Taku wouldn't have given him a second chance.

"If you agree, come with me to my office and sign a temporary contract. I remind you that I won't stop you from approaching Xiangzi, but you must do your job well. Otherwise, I will fire you without mercy."

"That's natural."

Su Shi nodded, "I also know something about the operation of the band."

Su Shi has experience in CRYCHIC and Mygo, so he is a "professional" in handling these matters.

……

After defeating Nagasaki Suyo head-on, Hachiman Kairei successfully applied for the position of bassist of [Thornless].

Taku Hoshikawa paid her, and she had to come to the office on time for rehearsal after school every day.

Although she is already a well-known "mercenary" in the music industry, in fact, she is only a first-year student at Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy High School, and going to school is still her main task.

Not only is she a freshman in high school, but most of the band girls that Taku Hoshikawa is in contact with who are still in school are also freshmen in high school.

Even though Miao Meng looks mature and charming like a college student, she is actually only sixteen years old. She still goes to school as usual and needs to do homework every day.

However, although they are all very young, they are all at least 16 years old, can rent a house and work independently, and have reached the age to have "sexual life".

Of course, Hachiman Kailing doesn't have any sex life. Her time after school is basically filled with part-time work in the band, and she doesn't even have much time to rest on weekends.

Two of her classmates have a similar pace of life.

One is Tatsuki Shiina, and the other is the big star Hatsuka Mikado.

Hai Ling has an average relationship with Sankaku Hatsuka, but is a close friend of Shiina Riki. She has been following her band and knows that their band is now on the "edge of disintegration."

She hesitated for a long time, and finally walked to Lixi's desk during break and tapped her desk gently.

"Lixi, I recently... joined a new band and became the backup bassist."

"Isn't this quite normal?"

Li Xi flipped through the textbook without even looking up, his voice cold, "You're in more than one band. Is there any need to tell me specifically about this?"

Li Xi's tone was a little irritable, even a little sarcastic.

Because although Mygo has not disbanded yet, it is already dead in name only, with only her and Takamatsu Deng left.

With only one drummer and one lead singer, it was impossible for them to perform. During this period of time, they even rarely met each other.

Li Xi felt a little regretful. If she had known this would happen, she would never have made Nagasaki Suyo's "conspiracy" public.

If she had forced Su Shi to stay, MYGO might have been able to continue.

At least...she can still see the lights every day.

She is very upset now and doesn't want to talk to anyone.

Until Hai Ling slowly said: "When I went to this band, I met Nagasaki Suyo and... Toyokawa Shoko."

These words surprised Shiina Riki greatly.

Equally surprised was Sanjiao Chuhua, who pricked up his ears.

What's going on? Xiangzi is going to form a band! ?