They are really too low!

Chapter Sixty-Eight: Do You Want to Play in a Band Too?

To be honest, Hoshino felt that today was quite a coincidence.

The band's drummer works here, and now he's met a girl who claims to be a bassist. Hoshino is just one lead singer away from completing the band.

Even so, Hoshino had noticed Nagasaki Motoyo quite early on.

After all, there weren't many people in the coffee shop on the second floor. She was the only one sitting in the corner, and she was wearing sunglasses and a hat, making her very conspicuous.

I never expected that she was the bassist who had been eavesdropping the whole time.

"Hello, my name is Hoshino Mi." Hoshino Mi did not reveal his thoughts and politely stated his name.

At the same time, he checked Nagasaki Motoyo's panel.

[Target: Motoyo Nagasaki]

[Intimacy: 8]

[Status: I must revive the band and bring smiles back to everyone's faces.]

It's strange that his intimacy level is much higher than Shiina Riki's, since he and Nagasaki Motoyo should have just met.

"So you're Hoshino-kun. Mutsu has been mentioning you to me these past few days." Nagasaki Motoyo had already heard Hoshino Mi's self-introduction, but she still pretended to be slightly surprised.

Although she knew that Hoshino was very likely to notice that she was eavesdropping.

"Did Xiaomu mention me?" Hoshino paused for a moment, then slowly smiled.

Just by looking at him like this, Ruo Yemu vaguely guessed what he was thinking. He would definitely bring it up casually next time, and the more shy she was, the more he would keep asking.

Ruoye Mu was a little shy because she could actually imagine that scene.

However, seeing Nagasaki Motoyo and Shiina Tatsuki beside her, her mood immediately plummeted again.

Witnessing this scene, Nagasaki Motoyo skillfully concealed the surprise in her eyes. At this moment, almost like Toyokawa Shoko, a thought flashed through her mind.

Would Ruoye Mu actually make such an expression?

“Mutsu and I are classmates,” Nagasaki Motoyo explained to Wakaba Mutsu, smiling slightly. “Would you like to sit down and chat for a while?”

Hoshino glanced at Shiina Tatsuki, who turned his gaze away, seemingly disdainful of continuing the argument.

"What do you want to talk about?" Hoshino put his guitar down and sat in the nearest seat.

"Hmm, what does Hoshino-kun want to talk about?" Nagasaki Motoyo sat opposite Hoshino Mi, and then saw Wakaba Mutsumi sitting next to Hoshino Mi, her eyes immediately becoming even more playful.

The two seemed to have a better and closer relationship than she had imagined. Was it more than just friends?

I happened to run into the bassist and drummer; maybe I can ask them some questions about the band.

Hoshino was about to speak when he suddenly remembered that Wakaba Mutsumi had remained silent, so he changed his question and asked, "What's the difference between a bass and a guitar?"

"Huh?" Nagasaki Motoyo's eyes widened slightly, then she chuckled. "I thought you were going to ask about bands. Hoshino-kun, do you want to play bass too?"

Hoshino noticed that she had a gentle smile, with her eyes crinkling into crescents. She was wearing a white dress that revealed her flawless white arms, and she wore a silver bracelet, making her look particularly poised and elegant.

It is worth mentioning that she has a well-developed figure. When she leans forward slightly, her full and soft breasts will gently touch the edge of the table, pressing a soft crease into her clothes.

"I'm just curious. I've heard that the most mysterious and indispensable member of every band is the bassist." Hoshino didn't look at the girl's big rabbit much, but just felt strange. She should be going to school today, so why is she wearing casual clothes?

“Hoshino-kun’s praise for bass is really high. It makes me happy.” Nagasaki Motoyo smiled shyly. “However, my bass playing is just so-so. I honed it through club activities, so it’s not as good as others.”

Hoshino remembered that Toyokawa Shoko had mentioned that the bassist was someone she had recruited from the school's brass band.

"If I had to say what the difference is between bass and guitar, I think guitar is probably more fun, since bass players can't play solo, it only makes sense when they're in a band."

As she spoke, Nagasaki Motoyo rested her elbows on the table, crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and looked at Hoshino Mi with a smile.

That's certainly true; bassists are usually part of the rhythm section of a band and can't function without the band.

However, what she said was as good as nothing at all.

"So, Nagasaki-kun has been in many bands?" Hoshino asked.

“No.” Nagasaki Motoyo still had a smile on her face. “This is my first time playing in a band with Mumi and the others. I had never played bass before Xiaoxiang invited me.”

You've never done this before, does that mean you practiced it on the spot?

Although I don't know their exact skill level, judging from the skill levels of Toyokawa Shoko and Wakaba Mutsu, I estimate that Nagasaki Motoyo won't be too bad either.

Hoshino felt like he had encountered a genius. No wonder Toyokawa Shoko and Wakaba Mutsu were only surprised by his performance at first, but later they were not surprised at all.

"I just heard Hoshino-kun mention the band. Does Hoshino-kun know Sho too?" Nagasaki Motoyo asked, seemingly casually.

Hoshino noticed that Wakaba Mutsu was starting to get nervous, probably because he was afraid that he would reveal Toyokawa Shoko's situation.

“I know her, she’s Xiaomu’s friend.” Hoshino said casually, “But we rarely see each other, and I haven’t seen her for a while recently.”

He defined his relationship with Toyokawa Shoko as that of a friend of a friend, so as to stop Nagasaki Motoyo from inquiring further.

"I see. I haven't heard anything about Mutsu having a boyfriend before. I'm a little surprised." Nagasaki Motoyo hid her feelings with a smile, unconsciously playing with her fingers. "By the way, does Hoshino-kun play in a band?"

Hoshino noticed her subtle movements and wondered what she meant.

At that moment, Shiina Riki walked past Hoshino Mi with a blank expression, and with a bang, the latte he had just ordered appeared on his table.

Hoshino watched Shiina Tatsuki's departing figure, then looked at the latte in front of her.

Tsk, this guy's personality is really obvious.

“Hoshino-kun?” Nagasaki Motoyo called his name softly.

"Why are you suddenly asking this?" Hoshino came back to her senses, took a sip of coffee, and found it tasted a little sweet.

"I'm just a little curious, since bands often come here to practice." Nagasaki Motoyo said casually, without revealing her true purpose.

“A band…” Hoshino thought for a moment, “To be honest, I’m really curious about what it’s like to see a band perform live. It must be very interesting.”

As Wakaba Mutsu was drinking her mango juice, she heard Hoshino Mi say this and suddenly raised her pretty face, looking at Hoshino Mi in surprise.

"So you mean it?" Nagasaki Motoyo probed slightly to see if he meant what she thought.

“I don’t have a band, but having one would be helpful to me.” Hoshino paused, realizing her meaning wasn’t clear enough. “I plan to go see other people’s performances next time and see instruments other than guitar.”

Learning guitar alone is not enough. Hoshino needs to learn more about other instruments and their place in a piece of music so that he can continue to learn about music arrangement.

However, he didn't need to tell Nagasaki Motoyo these things.

However, his words had a different meaning when they reached the ears of the two girls.

Ruoye Mutsu had been thinking about how to increase the time she and Hoshino spent together. Just when she thought she could only wait silently to meet, Hoshino Mi suddenly mentioned that he was interested in the band.

In that instant, Ruo Yemu's heart fluttered.

A bold idea inevitably flashed through her mind—if she and Hoshino Mi formed a band, would they be able to spend more time together?

Thinking of this, Wakaba Mutsu secretly glanced at Nagasaki Motoyo.

Nagasaki Motoyo's idea was even simpler: Hoshino Mi really wanted to kidnap her Wakaba Mutsuki!

Who would believe such a vague statement as wanting to see the band perform live?

If he's interested in bands, doesn't that mean Hoshino Miya wants to form a band?

Nagasaki Motoyo felt that she had seen through Hoshino Mi's thoughts; he was definitely thinking about recruiting members, but there weren't enough people right now.

Even so, Nagasaki Motoyo did not rush to stop Hoshino Mi. Wakaba Mutsumi was not the key; the important thing was Toyokawa Shoko.

If we let Wakaba Mutsumi join Hoshino Mi's band, will it upset Toyokawa Shoko? Can we bring Toyokawa Shoko back?

Once Shoko Toyokawa returns, their lead singer will definitely return, and then Tatsuki Shiina will also return. With her bassist added, the former C group will be resurrected.

However, Nagasaki Motoyo knew that everything was predicated on Toyokawa Shoko.

Will Wakaba Mutsu and Hoshino Mi be able to seduce Toyokawa Shoko back?

At that moment, the two girls exchanged a knowing glance, then guiltily looked away.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: I Can Teach You Guitar for a Lifetime

"If Hoshino-kun wants to see a live performance, you can actually watch it here too."

As she spoke, Nagasaki Motoyo looked as if she was reminiscing.

"I remember that bands often performed here, such as Poppin'Party and Morfonica, and most tickets were probably around 1500 to 3000 yen."

Hoshino was somewhat surprised; she hadn't expected Hoshino to seem so knowledgeable about these matters.

However, what Hoshino didn't know was that Nagasaki Motoyo's school itself had many students who played in bands.

The band that Nagasaki Motoyo just used as an example included several of her school's seniors.

"Thank you." Hoshino Mi planned to check the advertisements for the show later, as these kinds of shows usually have a schedule.

“Don’t mention it. You’re Mutsu’s friend, so you’re my friend too.” Nagasaki Motoyo smiled, then carefully examined Hoshino Mi’s school uniform. “By the way, is Hoshino-kun a student at Toyonosaki?”

She was a little unsure because Tsukimori and Toyonosaki were not very close schools, so she observed for a while before tentatively asking.

“Yes, I’m a second-year high school student this year,” Hoshino replied.

Nagasaki Motoyo was somewhat surprised and even more confused as to how Hoshino Mi became friends with Wakaba Mutsumi.

Logically speaking, Ruoye Mu is not the type to wander around often. Could it be because of his family?

"No wonder you seem so composed. Looks like I should call you 'senpai' (senior)." Nagasaki Motoyo had just finished speaking when she saw Hoshino Mi give her a strange look. "Eh, did I say something wrong?"

"No, it's just that I'm not used to being called 'senior' by a beautiful girl all of a sudden." Hoshino took a sip of coffee to calm herself down. She could only say that as expected of her friend who came from the same band, her moves were exactly the same as Toyokawa Shoko's.

Nagasaki Motoyo was taken aback. Wasn't he being a bit too blunt?

"Haha, I think Hoshino-senpai is very good-looking. He must be quite popular at school, right?"

"It's not as amazing as you think, and there aren't any female students as pretty as you at my school."

"Hey, is this the latest way to compliment someone?"

"I'm telling the truth."

Hoshino knew what she was thinking; she wanted to figure out her relationship with Wakaba Mutsu, especially to find out how he and Wakaba Mutsu met, or who the intermediary was.

Motoyo Nagasaki and Mutsumi Wakaba were classmates and bandmates, which suggests that she was familiar with Mutsumi Wakaba's personality and social circle.

It's really strange that Hoshino Mi suddenly appeared.

As a result, Hoshino led the conversation further and further astray until even he himself didn't know what nonsense he was talking about.

Nagasaki Motoyo was clearly struggling to maintain her composure, and her smile became strained.

"How about we exchange contact information?" Nagasaki Motoyo finally took out her phone.

Seeing that he had no reason to refuse her, Hoshino added her as a friend.

“It’s great to have met Hoshino-senpai today.” Nagasaki Motoyo held her phone, as if she wanted to keep it in her heart. “I always thought that no one would play with Mutsu. With Hoshino-senpai with Mutsu, I can finally rest assured.”

“Actually, I was even more surprised. After seeing you, I finally understand what it must have felt like for Mu to play in a band before.” Hoshino suddenly laughed.

"Huh?" Nagasaki Motoyo tilted her head. "I don't quite understand what Hoshino-senpai means?"

"The literal meaning." Hoshino saw him put away his phone and found it particularly amusing.

A grumpy drummer, a scheming bassist, a maverick keyboardist, and a taciturn guitarist.

Although she didn't know the lead singer's situation, Hoshino Mi felt that their band belonged to a very rare type.

Even without Toyokawa Shoko's departure, their band probably wouldn't have lasted long, right?

Even so, I feel somewhat sorry for Wakaba Mutsumi and Toyokawa Shoko.

Seeing his expression, Nagasaki Motoyo smiled somewhat awkwardly, but inwardly she was filled with doubt and uncertainty. What exactly did he mean just now?

Immediately afterwards, Nagasaki Motoyo began to get irritated; she hated this kind of opponent.

……

By the time Hoshino stepped out of RiNG's door, the shadows of dusk had already spread across the entire street.

"Aren't you going to stay and chat with them for a while?" Hoshino turned to look at Wakaba Mutsu beside her. It was a rare encounter with her former teammate, but she hadn't said a word from beginning to end.

“We have nothing to talk about.” Wakaba Mutsu first shook her head, then hesitated slightly and asked in a low voice, “Were you angry just now…?”

"Angry?" Hoshino paused for a moment, then laughed. "I'm not angry, I just don't understand."

If Mutsu looked confused, she looked adorable, and Hoshino couldn't help but reach out and pat her head, completely forgetting that this was a very impolite gesture.

“My friend Mutsu is so cute, and she plays the guitar so beautifully. If I had a friend like that, I would cherish her for a lifetime,” Hoshino said. “But some people don’t even say hello, so I’m a little annoyed. But don’t worry, I won’t argue with your friend.”