Want to be human, but cube-like

Page 155

Volume 2: Chapter 223 There's more than one option: crychic

On the floating island, a blue-haired girl with pigtails is sitting alone in a small tavern.

She stared nervously at the black gemstone on the table in front of her, her mind still replaying what Alex had just said.

Is it really okay to just leave it like this...?

It's clearly a dangerous item that could potentially hatch another witch...

As she pondered this, Xiangzi looked conflicted. She hadn't expected Alex to be so carefree, not caring at all whether the thing was dangerous or not, and had just kept it at home as a decoration for several months.

After telling me where this thing came from, he acted completely indifferent, casually tossed it to me, and went to take a shower.

Xiangzi held the Seed of Sorrow as if it were a hot potato; she didn't know what to do with it, so she had no choice but to take it back to the Sky Island.

At least if any problems arise, it will be easier to handle them on the Sky Island.

...Although it had been several months since it was released and nothing had happened, it should be safe, but Xiangzi was still a little scared when she thought about the possibility that the Seed of Sorrow might hatch that Banker Witch again.

However, it is also possible that the special environment of the Sky Island is why nothing bad has happened.

I hope I'm just overthinking it.

"Aha……"

Leaning on the table, Xiangzi gave a small yawn.

She was a little sleepy.

Since the start of the new semester these past two days, Xiangzi has had to spend a lot more time thinking about things. She already has to balance her studies and running the hamburger shop, and during her breaks she also has to take time to check on Alex's mental state, which has really made her quite tired.

Especially today, not only did she almost bump into a lamp, but her communication with Mu also encountered some problems that she couldn't handle for the time being.

I was just startled by Alex, but now that I've calmed down, the pent-up weariness is starting to wash over me.

Perhaps hiring another new employee would be a good option?

Xiangzi began to seriously consider the idea that Alex had proposed not long ago.

This way, she can have more private time to deal with her own affairs.

It's about Mu, about Crychic, about her father, and... about what she'll do in the future...

Xiangzi never imagined that he would stay in this burger joint with Alex forever.

She will always have to leave.

The two were just slightly close friends who knew each other's secrets.

Just like when she first learned that Alex and Aine were dating, her first reaction was to move out to avoid suspicion.

After learning that Aine might be connected to Alex's true identity, she simply informed Alex and offered some advice, without interfering in their meeting or conversation in any other way.

Xiangzi's rationality kept telling her not to get too involved in Alex's romantic relationships.

She has told herself countless times that their connection, even now, is only based on an exchange of interests and should not be mixed with anything else.

Even so, Xiangzi's sentimentality would always lead her to do or say unnecessary things to Alex without realizing it.

Sometimes, Xiangzi even felt that it was all because he had meddled in other people's business that things had turned out this way.

If I hadn't told Alex back then that her feelings for Aine as her mother were wrong, would things have been different?

Although she was only in this place that seemed to be at any moment

A spark was thrown from beside the exploding barrel of explosives, and it was this spark that ignited the fuse.

She does bear some responsibility.

Therefore, Xiangzi also felt guilty.

Once Alex has fully learned how to communicate with others in this society and can handle problems independently, then Xiangzi should find an opportunity to leave.

But she felt that the most troublesome thing right now was Alex's mental state.

Xiangzi was genuinely worried that Alex might develop depression as a result, or rather, she seemed to be experiencing some depressive emotions that she couldn't resolve on her own.

Ultimately, it all comes down to Aine's situation...

Thinking this through, Xiangzi took out his phone and glanced at the Line message that was still unread.

"Ugh……"

She sighed softly.

As long as she can't contact Ai-yin, Alex's inner turmoil will remain unresolved.

She could only try to get Alex to focus her attention on other things.

Expanding your social circle is a great approach.

But Alex, who always relies on Xiangzi, almost never goes out to communicate with others unless absolutely necessary.

Now that he knows she's met a magical girl, Xiangzi is actually quite happy for her.

Perhaps this is a good start.

If this Seed of Grief is truly that important to the magical girl, then Alex might actually be able to persuade that magical girl to work at the hamburger shop.

Moreover, besides Alex's matter, Xiangzi also needs to think about himself.

She still needs to find a way to help her father cheer up.

However, she hasn't received any more calls from the police station in the past two months, which has made her feel much more relaxed.

These days, besides paying the rent and utilities for his father's rented room, Xiangzi only brings him some food from the hamburger shop every few days to visit him.

Although every time she saw her father, she could only helplessly watch him curled up in bed, drunk, at least he ate all the food properly and didn't waste any.

Putting aside her father's situation, Xiangzi herself had an idea: she wanted to find a job that was more suitable for her.

After all, you can't rely on working to make a living forever, even if it's easier to work part-time at a burger shop than elsewhere.

"band……"

The words Mu had said to her resurfaced in Xiangzi's mind, stirring up an idea she had just hesitated over.

If Xiangzi were to ask herself what she was good at, the first things that come to mind are her piano skills and her ability to compose music.

Or you could say that she had experience forming a band.

And since we're going to make this our job...

"Commercialization...of a band?"

Xiangzi murmured something under his breath.

This was something she had only known the concept of before, but had never actually understood.

After all, in the past, she only regarded the band as an extracurricular activity for a rich girl. She only admired it because she saw the band performances of her seniors at school. She never thought that one day she would associate the band with money.

So, who should the members contact?

Crychic fans...?

No, he and they could never reconcile. Apart from Mu, the others should all hate him to the core.

With a slightly dim look in his eyes, Xiangzi put the idea aside.

Since Mu says that a band must be formed, then try asking her what she thinks.

Xiangzi thought back to the dejected look on Mu's face after the Crychic rehearsal.

Even if Mu wants to form a band, Crychic isn't the only option.

…………

P.S. Xiangzi's feelings for Alex now are actually the same as when he said he wanted to move out in chapter 170. There's a huge conflict between reason and emotion. On one hand, he doesn't want to get involved in Alex's private life and relationship issues, but on the other hand, he can't help but worry and does things that are unnecessary, just like when he was with the lamp during Bai Xiang's time.

I touched on Xiangzi's thoughts in the part where Alex and Aine had their falling out, but only briefly, because there wasn't enough space to dedicate to her in that part.

Volume 2: Chapter 224 I will protect everyone

I really want to escape...

The gentle sound of a guitar echoed in my ears. It was a familiar, warm melody from the past, but after the sound of the piano strings was changed to the sound of the guitar strings, it felt strangely sad.

The little gray-haired girl gripped the microphone tightly, her head bowed, not daring to lift her eyes even slightly, afraid to see her unsightly reflection in the mirror, and the disappointed looks of her companions behind her.

Although no one has ever seen her that way.

Several days have passed since that rehearsal on the second day of school.

These past few days, they've come to Ring almost every afternoon after school to rehearse in the practice room that Lixi had reserved in advance using his employee status.

But after so many days, everyone's practice results are still, as always, very poor.

To be precise, it was the lamp; she was completely unable to speak, which caused the rehearsals to make no progress whatsoever.

Whenever she picks up the microphone, Deng remembers Xiangzi's accusations against her, and the online comment, "The lead singer is working too hard."

The guitar version of "Spring Shadow" still played in her ears, the only one missing her own voice, but in Deng's mind, only a series of sharp tinnitus beats covered up all other sounds.

Can't do it.

She simply couldn't bring herself to sing anymore.

Despite wanting to run away, the idea that they had to form a band together only became more and more ingrained in their minds.

This small practice room seemed to have become a cage imprisoning her, and the unfamiliar spring shadow was like a shackle, tightly binding her limbs and making her unable to move.

My body felt so heavy that I almost suffocated.

"..."

At one point, the drumming stopped.

The guitar stopped abruptly, while the bass melody faded away a few beats later.

"That's all for today."

Looking at the dejected Deng with worried eyes, Li Xi spoke up.

Because Deng has been unable to speak, their rehearsals these past few days have all been conducted without the lead singer. Li Xi hopes that this method will allow Deng to gradually adapt, return to her previous state, and be able to sing.

But clearly, her idea was useless.

In fact, it seems to make the light even more uncomfortable.

"It's okay, Xiaodeng. Take it slow. It's normal to feel a little out of sorts after not training together for so long."

Su Shi, who had been somewhat absent-minded during the ensemble, put down her bass and first tried to soothe the restless Deng with her gentle voice.

"By the way... how about we go get something to drink together? It'll be a good way to relax."

She clasped her hands together and said softly with a smile.

"lamp……"

Without answering Su Shi's suggestion, Li Xi just stared at the lamp's back with annoyance and called out softly.

"I...I want to go back."

The lamp was swaying.

She said this softly, then picked up her backpack and left the practice room.

The brightly lit room made her feel suffocated.