My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

"Ginger soda, please."

. .

Chaoyang also took out the skewers that were originally intended for the people in the store to try and put them on their table.

He then moved a chair over and sat down.

"Since you're here, this meal is on me."

Maruyama Aya quickly waved her hand in refusal.

"We can't accept that, we'll definitely pay for it properly."

"No need, but if you really feel bad, you can come and work at this store occasionally."

The true nature of the dagger is revealed as the sun rises.

"Producer... no matter what, even if it's an idol's part-time job, it should be something like a trendy cafe. If it's about selling fan service, it should be something like a maid restaurant or an izakaya... that's really not good."

Qian Sheng rejected the proposal on behalf of everyone, but immediately volunteered himself.

"...But personally, I wouldn't mind helping the store manager."

I need to quickly build a closer relationship with the producer.

"Well, I'll pass on that part-time job. It seems pretty boring, but I do come here occasionally. This is the first time I've ever heard of something like this. Working in a suit and tie at an agency during the day, and then grilling skewers at an izakaya at night wearing a headscarf and apron. Haha, I definitely have to tell my sister about it."

Hina smiled and directly refused.

"Don't come here to take up a seat if you're not going to work! My family has a very high table turnover rate! ...By the way, do you have an older sister?"

"Yeah, my older sister is really amazing! Although she's a little scary, I love her the most! That's why I started learning guitar, because I admire her."

"So you're a siscon? Your sister's guitar skills are amazing? Even better than yours?"

"Of course!"

Hina answered happily, seemingly very proud of her older sister.

"But recently I've actually become quite interested in Ayaka and the producer."

"me?"

"Hey?"

Both Asahi and Maruyama Aya were somewhat surprised.

"Well, after all, it's not normal for an izakaya owner to run an idol company."

As for Aya-chan, she's really interesting too! No matter how many times she practices, Aya-chan still makes the same mistakes in the same places, right? I'm thinking, you clearly practice more hard than everyone else, right? If it were me, I definitely wouldn't make those mistakes. I just can't figure it out. And why doesn't she get discouraged when she can't do it? I just can't understand it, it's so funny.”

"Hmm... Hina-chan, you're not complimenting me, are you?"

"of course not."

Maruyama Aya just sighed; she wasn't angry at all, or rather, she had gotten used to it after spending so much time together.

The same applies to others.

"Does Momoka-san have a bad relationship with this idol group? This girl seems like she's about to start a fight."

"Maybe that's just how they get along. Don't be nosy, they haven't said anything."

Meanwhile, Qin Yin, with a bead of cold sweat trickling down her forehead, was silently complaining to herself.

Is this group of people really a team?

Chapter 58 Why make such a fuss over just a meat bun?

Today's work is finally over. Aine, Maruyama Aya and the others had already finished eating, said goodbye and went home.

"Then be careful on your way back, Kotone."

Chaoyang, Rencai, and Taoxiang were heading in the same direction, while Qinyin had to go in the opposite direction alone, so they had to part ways in front of the shop.

"Yeah! Store manager too~~ Don't work too hard~ See you tomorrow~~"

As Kotone's bouncy figure gradually disappeared from sight, Momoka and Nina, having changed their clothes, came out, bathed in the morning sun.

"...Ah, Subaru said he got a lot of meat skewers from a friend and is on his way to my house...I've already eaten quite a few skewers today, shopkeeper, would you like to come over and have some meat buns?"

"Hmm? It's already not very appropriate for a man like me to go to a woman's house in the middle of the night. Besides, to be honest, I've only met Miss Anhe once, so we're basically strangers."

"It's okay, it's okay. I often give her your skewers too, so let's eat together. You've always taken such good care of me."

Tao Xiang simply waved her hand dismissively, telling Chao Yang not to mind such a trivial matter.

"Is that so? Then I won't stand on ceremony."

. .

Soon, the three of them returned directly to Taoxiang's house, where An and Subaru, who had met Chaoyang a few times before, were already waiting in front of the door with plastic bags in their hands.

"Good evening, thank you so much for bringing us meat so late at night."

Tao Xiang, who was leading the way, called out from afar and raised her hand to greet An and Subaru.

"It's better to keep things quiet at night, lest the neighbors complain... Ah, good evening~~"

She was still scolding Momoka, but when she saw that Asahi was following behind her, she immediately switched to a super ladylike mode.

Chaoyang simply put two fingers together and waved them in the air as a return gesture.

"Hmm~ Good evening, I'm here to shamelessly mooch a meal."

"Haha, no need to say that. I also often receive gifts from Mr. Hiraishi from Ms. Momoka."

"Alright, alright, stop standing at the door making awkward conversations, come in first."

Tao Xiang had already unlocked the door and was standing in the entryway talking to the three people who were still outside.

Nina seemed a little reserved when talking to An and Subaru, cowering behind Asahita.

. .

"I just heated up the meat buns, everyone eat up... and then drizzle some soy sauce on top... Hey! Why are you taking them away?"

Tao Xiang returned from the kitchen with a plate of hot meat. After everyone sat down around the table, just as she picked up a small bottle of soy sauce to pour over the meat buns, Chao Yang quickly moved the plate away from the table.

"What do you mean by 'what'? Of course, it's to save the meat buns. Even if you want to eat like that, please put them in your own bowl and pour the sauce on them yourself, okay? You really are quick to make decisions for others without thinking."

Even if that method tastes really good, you still need someone's permission.

"...I'm sorry...it's true, I always seem to be doing this kind of thing."

After hearing Chaoyang's words, Taoxiang seemed to be thinking about something.

"Oh, oh, oh, I'm fine with eating it however I want. Although I agree that it's better to ask first, Mr. Hiraishi's tone is a bit too blunt~"

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit strange, An and Subaru tried to smooth things over.

"Huh? What's wrong, Momoka-san?"

Renna also noticed that Momoka looked a little strange and asked her about it.

"It's nothing, you guys eat first. I suddenly remembered that we don't have any beer at home, I'll go buy some."

After saying that, she immediately got up and left the room. With a series of footsteps, you could hear her walking to the entrance, opening the door, and leaving the house.

"Huh? Just one casual remark from me really hit her that hard?"

An and Subaru, on the other hand, were not worried at all and took it all in stride.

"It must involve things from the past. Well, Mr. Hiraishi, you don't need to worry too much about it. Everyone has a past they don't want to look back on, and then they will be triggered by memories and fall into sadness. In this case, it's best to let her stay alone to recover her emotions."

However, Chaoyang couldn't let it go after hearing this.

"...I still can't let go of these things, so I'll go and see for myself. I'm also quite curious."

"Please do as you wish, and bring her back quickly, I'm about to miss the last bus."

"I know, at worst I'll reimburse you for the taxi fare."

After saying that, Chaoyang got up and ran out of the room.

As a result, Nina seemed somewhat uncomfortable about spending time alone with An and Subaru.

"Ah. Well then, I think I'll go check it out too!"

"Nina-chan...would it be better if I quit? Hmm~how should I put it, after all, I'm not stupid. I can tell you've been avoiding me. It must be painful for you to keep forming a band like this, right? A band like this will fall apart sooner or later if you're not of one mind."

At this point, An and Subaru picked up the meat, put it on their plate, and poured sauce over it.

"Wow~ What kind of taste does Ms. Momoka have? This is not tasty at all."

Hearing An and Subaru say that, I was also curious about how bad the nina was, so I tried it myself.

Rather than saying it tastes bad, it's more accurate to say that the fluffy crust becomes less palatable after coming into contact with the sauce. Compared to its original soft texture, it does taste rather unpleasant, though the flavor is barely passable.

"It really doesn't taste good."

An and Subaru then resumed their previous conversation.

"It's okay to compromise on these small things, but eventually you'll feel unbalanced. Why doesn't the other person compromise in return? So it's better to speak up if you have any complaints."

Rencai spoke up at this moment.

"No... it's not exactly dissatisfaction... ah... how should I put it..."

Nina suddenly felt like she was in a lot of trouble, and started pulling at her hair, which startled An and Subaru.

An and Subaru were also wondering if it was a bit inappropriate for them to suddenly be so proactive in opening up to each other. After sighing, they stood up.

"Ha... Well, then let's leave it for you to think about next time. I'll head back now."

. .

On the other side, the rising sun catches up with the peach blossoms in the breeze outside.

"Huh? You guys are overthinking it. I really just went to the convenience store to buy some alcohol and enjoy the night breeze."

"Don't try to be tough. Your expression just now clearly made it seem like I have a lot of stories to tell. I apologize for what happened earlier. You kindly invited me here, and then you suddenly said those things."

Tao Xiang spoke with some impatience.

"...I've already told you you're overthinking it. Do you really think I'm such a narrow-minded person that you'd get angry over something so trivial?"

Chaoyang replied after adopting a thoughtful expression.

"Hmm? Hard to say... Did what I just said remind you of what happened to the band before?"

"..."

"Judging from your silence, I guessed right... How about we buy a couple of beers and chat while we talk?"

Chapter 59 Give Me Back My High School Diploma!

"You little rascal~ You want to confide in me? You're a hundred years too early~~"

Tao Xiang walked directly in front of Chao Yang and flicked his forehead.

"That's a real shame. I was hoping to trigger this event to get into the Momoka route."

Tao Xiang immediately said with a grin.

"Unfortunately, this route isn't available in the game yet. Maybe we'll have to wait for the next DLC, or maybe we can get a patch right away with around 100 million coins."

"I'll embezzle 100 million from the company account and transfer it to you right now!"

"Idiot! Do you really want to go to jail?"

“That’s enough joking around, but every time you have that lingering look on your face, it’s bound to make people around you feel a little uncomfortable. Xiangzi told me this from the beginning.”

"...You really want to hear about my embarrassing past?"

"It's not that I want to, maybe I'm being a bit disgusting... but I still don't want you to live in pain. Lately, I've been noticing that your expression changes when I say certain words."

"Was it really that obvious?"

Tao Xiang sighed softly, somewhat helplessly.

"...Okay, it's nothing that needs to be hidden. Let's go over there and buy two beers, then sit down in the park and talk."

. .

As night deepened, a faint chill filled the air.

A gentle night breeze caressed the two as they strolled leisurely. They entered a nearby convenience store, and Tao Xiang casually grabbed two cans of beer before heading towards the nearby park.