After being elected as the governor of Tokyo, he will debut as a band!

“Mr. Hack, I’d like to leave for a moment. Please tell Deng and the others not to come looking for me after their performance. Also, tell Deng that their performance today was very successful, and I… am very satisfied…”

"...Don't trust your live performance. Afterwards, the members of 'Mizhong' will probably have a celebration party with us at Sickhack, right? If you leave now, the celebration party might not be very meaningful to them, right?"

Aoyama glanced at Toyokawa Shoko and felt that she didn't need to put so much pressure on herself, so he wanted to persuade her to stay.

Toyokawa Shoko simply clenched her fist with her back turned to him, then uttered a sentence:

"Even you are more willing to think about them?"

“…Excuse me.”

After saying that, she tried to leave through the exit of the performance hall.

But at that moment, she heard a "tsk" that was crystal clear to her.

The click of the tongue wasn't loud, but the displeasure it contained was undisguised, piercing straight into Xiangzi's heart.

The old saying from next door, "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger," immediately came to her mind. There is also a similar story in Japan called "Chushingura," both of which remind people of the dangers of serving those in high positions.

The joy or anger of a person in a high position can completely change a person's fate, and for a minor like Toyokawa Shoko, who is not even strong enough to protect himself, such variables are even more unavoidable.

Moreover, she was hoping to save her father, Toyokawa Kiyoko's, fate through Aoyama Mukoto, which made Aoyama Mukoto's impression of her even more influential.

Upon recalling this cruel truth, Toyokawa Shoko's face turned deathly pale.

She had completely cast aside the self-loathing and regret she felt after hearing the song "Spring Shadow," and now only "fear" remained in her mind.

I... I upset Governor Aoyama...

What will become of my fate?

"Um, Aoyama..."

Shoko Toyokawa blurted out Aoyama's true identity without thinking.

“No, Haksan… I misspoke just now, I hope you won’t take it to heart… Vadashi still wants to… continue training (xuexi) by Haksan’s side…”

"Miss Toyokawa, you don't have to do this."

Aoyama shrugged. "I didn't say anything, did I? Every band manager has a different style of managing their band. You might have your own method that Ms. Takamatsu and the others would approve of."

“Mr. Hack, I would really like to hear your opinion.”

Toyokawa Shoko desperately wanted to turn away, but she didn't dare, so she could only say these insincere words.

Her fists were clenched tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh, hidden beneath the hem of her skirt.

"My opinion? Would Miss Toyokawa even listen to my opinion?"

Aoyama spoke in a calm and straightforward tone, without a hint of sarcasm. However, Toyokawa Shoko knew that this was the dignity of those in positions of power, just like her grandfather, Toyokawa Sadaharu, who could maintain his composure and demeanor even when he was burning with anger.

“I believe that if a band manager firmly believes that she can have absolute control over the band without having to establish any emotional connection with the band members, then she will definitely be a typical tyrannical manager. Such a manager will not and will not bother to listen to any opinions.”

"Is this the kind of orchestra manager you are, Ms. Toyokawa?"

"I……"

"At least from my perspective, that's how you positioned yourself just now."

"No, I didn't... I just believed they would..."

"Do you believe they will unconditionally obey your opinions? Because you think that as long as they obey you, they can become a famous band, become big stars? Their music will be understood by countless music fans, and they will find their true home?"

"Well."

Toyokawa Shoko was stumped by Aoyama's barrage of questions.

She couldn't refute it because that's truly what she thought—

If you cooperate with me, we will definitely become better. Why not cooperate with me?!

Aoyama turned around and looked at Shoko seriously. "How should I evaluate your idea? Even extraordinary figures like Yoshida Shoin and Takasugi Shinsaku had to constantly lecture, travel, and even risk their lives to gain a group of staunch supporters. Miss Toyokawa Shoko, do you think your personal charm is superior to theirs?"

"The seat that Endo Yoshiki is sitting in should be given to you."

Aoyama's words left Toyokawa Shoko drenched in cold sweat.

She felt her mind was completely confused...

My initial plan was to use Deng, Lixi, and Sushi to help me achieve my goal...

But even the most clumsy con artist, before achieving their goal, will use sweet words to satisfy the emotional needs of their victims…

But I feel that they should listen to my opinions as a matter of course... But if I were to ask them, to touch them, and to say those sweet words that make me feel terrified, could I really do it?

If I can't do all of this, doesn't that mean that my current goal of leading the "Children of Lost Weights" to the top of the girls' band is destined to fail?

Do I... do I really have the ability to succeed?

Just as Toyokawa Shoko was beginning to have a deep-seated self-doubt about her leadership abilities, a reassuring voice appeared in her ear.

"Xiao Xiang, what's wrong? You don't look well!"

Ijichi Nijika came to Shoko's side and stared at him from the side.

She stared at him for a moment, her face deathly pale, then pulled a piece of chocolate from her pocket, tore open the wrapper, and stuffed it into Toyokawa Shoko's mouth.

"Mr. Hack, are you teaching Xiaoxiang how to run a band? Don't be too harsh, she's only a first-year high school student, and she's already done a great job!"

She raised her head, her eyes wide with displeasure as she glared at Qingshan.

Isochachi Music Awards: 052 Soyo, do you want to be a keyboardist?

"Xiao Xiang is only a first-year high school student, and he has already done a remarkable job!"

Ichi Nijika glared at Aoyama with displeasure.

"Was Hacksan better than Xiaoxiang when he was in the first year of high school?"

Aoyama touched his chin somewhat dejectedly.

When I was in my first year of high school... I think I had just started forming a band with Hoshika? Back then, our souls were still fused together in a mess. Let alone managing the band, it was even a little difficult to talk to other people properly. We would often lead Suzumiya Hyakubi to fight with the yakuza, with a spiked club in our guitar case, hacking our way from one end of Taihei Street in Kamurocho to the other.

Hmm... Considering this, I really don't have the right to educate Toyokawa Shoko.

After all, apart from being a bit awkward in personality and having some difficulties with self-awareness, they don't have any other problems... and they also have the "family change" debuff.

As he thought about it, Aoyama couldn't hold back any longer.

"Ahem, Nijika, it seems you have some misunderstandings about me. I was already a well-known figure in Kamurocho when I was in high school. The local shopkeepers praised me highly, and I was also a famous figure at school. From the first year of high school to the third year, everyone who saw me gave me a thumbs up. Not to mention the band, Hoshika and I were known as the Twin Pillars of Shimokitazawa back then."

"Oh, I know, I know."

Ichiki Natsume stared at him sideways, with an expression that said, "You can lie to me, but don't lie to yourself."

"But I heard from my sister that Hacksan was socially awkward when he was in his first year of high school. The longest he went without speaking a single word to anyone else was a month."

"Your sister dragged you into the band, and at the beginning, Haksan's drumming was terrible; he would break holes in the drumhead all the time."

"But if I had to say, Hacksan did have one advantage that no one else could match when he was a freshman in high school: composure. Even if he forgot the lyrics while singing on stage, he could continue the performance as if it were a pure musical piece without changing his expression or skipping a beat. If anyone asked, Mr. Hacksan could calmly tell them, 'I sang, but only in my heart.'"

"...Wait a minute, Xingge, why does he tell you everything?"

Although Aoyama's movements didn't change much, with his right hand still resting on his chin, the veins on his forearm were bulging, clearly showing his awkwardness in suppressing his emotions.

After giving Qingshan a lecture, Hongxia gave Xiangzi a warm smile.

"Xiao Xiang, look, Mr. Hack also had his share of embarrassing moments in high school, so don't let him intimidate you! We're still high school students, and we have plenty of opportunities to improve ourselves! So it's okay if we don't do well in some areas, just start working hard from now on!"

But Toyokawa Shoko's face showed a mixture of surprise and doubt—

Are you sure it's okay for you to tell me about Governor Aoyama's dark past?!

Although Japan doesn't practice "murder to silence witnesses" these days, what important person in the world would want to be friends with someone who knows about their shameful past?

Haven't you noticed that when successful people write their autobiographies, they always make up a unique, distinctive, and inspiring account of their childhood and youth experiences, filled with both positive energy and setbacks?

Could it be that he will disappear from my life after today?

While Xiangzi was worried, Qingshan was also quite depressed.

His situation more than ten years ago, not long after he transmigrated, was quite different from Toyokawa Shoko's current situation. At that time, his two souls had not yet fully merged, and he had problems with both his own perception and his perception of the outside world. In other words, he suffered from "transmigrator psychosis," so it was inevitable that he would do some incomprehensible things.

But Toyokawa Shoko is a normal person.

Is it something to be proud of that a normal person is more reliable than a mentally ill person?

……

In short, after being lectured by Aoyama, Toyokawa Shoko didn't want to leave early. Nijika's banter successfully prevented Toyokawa Shoko from further self-collapse due to excessive mental exhaustion.

The reason why Hongxia came over to talk to Xiangzi and Qingshan was because the performance of the "Child of Lost Weight" band had ended. They probably saw that Xiaoxiang was teetering on the edge because of what Qingshan had said, so they quickly left the stage in order to check on the situation as soon as possible.

In no time, everyone, including Hiroi Kikuri and the other two who were resting backstage, gathered in the lobby outside the performance hall.

Chihaya Aine first found Pochi and returned Pochi's crystal hairband.

"Thanks to the power my master gave me, otherwise today's performance would have been terrible."

"No, it wasn't my doing..."

"You must be Pochi, the one who's been teaching Chihaya to play guitar these past few days? You've really worked hard."

"She still lacks training. If she were skilled enough, her mindset on stage would be different... Oh, hello."

Nagasaki Motoyo and Shiina Tatsuki both gathered around Pochi and greeted her.

After all, Ai Yin had been praising Boqi's technique to them, almost to the point of calling her a guitar god like Jimi Hendrix.

When Boqi saw Su Shi, he wanted to greet her politely, but when he met Li Xi's hawk-like eyes, he couldn't even breathe properly.

"Well then, it's rare that both Sickhack and Mizuki's live performances were so successful, let's go have a celebration party!"

Hiroi Kikuri held Rakuna in one arm and had her arm around Shoko in the other.

"Rinrinko and Shoko just gave me my performance fee. Hiroi-neechan is a real tycoon now! Just tell me what you want to eat, and I'll buy it for you!"

"Then, four... five matcha parfaits!"

Yoro's loyalty to matcha will never waver.

"I...I can do anything."

Xiangzi answered in a low voice.

"Eh?"

When Ai Yin, Li Xi, and Su Shi heard Xiang Zi's soft, sweet voice, they all showed expressions of shock.

They had discussed holding a celebration party before the performance, since it was a group activity and problems could easily arise if it wasn't planned in advance.

But at that time, Xiangzi's answer was just three words: "I'm not going."

Moreover, his tone was completely detached, like a complete stranger.

But now, she actually agreed, and her voice was so gentle.

Aine and Riki immediately realized that this must be related to the scene they saw on stage where Xiangzi was being lectured by Haksan. Aine and Aoyama were relatively more familiar with each other, so they went to ask him about the situation.

Only Su Shi felt that it was their performance of "Spring Shadow" that awakened the softness in Xiangzi's heart. The kind and gentle Xiangzi was back. Her rationality was overwhelmed by the intense joy, and she went straight for it.

"Xiao Xiang, I felt it on stage just now: 'Spring Shadow' cannot be without a keyboardist."

As she spoke, she also pulled on...

He took Xiangzi's hand.

Toyokawa Shoko paused for a moment, her expression turning ferocious for a split second, but the next moment, she glanced at Aoyama Mukai's back, then forced a smile and revealed a doll-like expression.

"Su Shi, are you thinking of switching to being a keyboardist?"

Igomachi Music Awards: Episode 053 - Suze's Girlfriend Power Unleashed

The subsequent celebration banquet went fairly smoothly.

Hiroi Kikuri, a drinker and gourmet, quickly found a Genghis Khan barbecue restaurant near RinG that she had eaten at several times before, and led three bands, a total of 14 people, there in a grand procession.

The owner of the barbecue restaurant was also an acquaintance of Hiroi. When he saw such a big business deal, he thought that Hiroi Kikuri had finally come to her senses and signed with an agency, and was then taking the agency's female artists out for a meal... After all, Hiroi Kikuri had been in the independent music scene for so many years, and could definitely be called a "senior".

Perhaps to encourage repeat customers, or perhaps simply out of friendship with Hiroi, the owner of the barbecue restaurant not only let them use the large private room with two long tables that could accommodate twenty people at the same time for free, but also gave them four of their signature barbecue platters.

Although the girls were careful about maintaining their figures, they had spent a whole day rehearsing and then the actual performance, which had taken a toll on their energy. Now that they were finally relaxed, they suddenly had a big appetite.