How can my simulation be a real love?

The performance this time was so outstanding that it almost made one wonder if the previous failure was intentional.

"This performance was much better than the last one, but this piece could probably be played even better."

"Don't always look at things from a 'professional' perspective. For them, who have just started to seriously form a band, this performance is already a great success. In the near future, they will become more and more excellent until they can stand on the same level as Mujika."

Kazami Mei, who hadn't shown any emotion just moments before, suddenly laughed. Under the gaze of the two girls, he 'retorted' in a rather cheerful tone.

It was as if he himself was standing on the stage, not just a few girls.

"Stand in the same position as Mujika."

Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath; she did not deny it.

While it may seem like she was just casually using Mujika, which the two of them created, as an 'example,' Toyokawa Shoko saw it as the boy beside her testing her attitude. Kazami Naruto had invited her over today so that they could ease their tensions a bit.

If she were to show a tough attitude, Kazami Mei would naturally be sensible and stop provoking her negative emotions. However, Toyokawa Shoko herself knew that the boy beside her was only doing it for her own good.

In reality, she really didn't need to strain her relationship with them any further.

Initially, Toyokawa Shoko felt a strong sense of guilt and indebtedness towards the little penguin she had hurt, but Nagasaki Motoyo's constant 'entanglement' changed her attitude.

Her initial guilt gradually turned into annoyance and anger, making it impossible for her to have any further connection with her former CRYCHIC companions.

But now Nagasaki Motoyo has really given up on CRYCHIC. They have all let go of the past and embarked on new paths, no longer indulging in past memories, and standing by Naruto's side, choosing to look to the future.

Having thought this through, Toyokawa Shoko let out a long sigh, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke softly—

"...I'll go over and say a few words after they finish their performance."

40

Chapter 40: Same as that day?

The performance was gradually coming to an end.

The physical exertion of performing three high-intensity original songs in a row is unimaginable. As the drummer, Shiina Tatsuki was completely focused on gripping the drumsticks throughout the entire performance. She was so engrossed in the music that she didn't even notice the audience's reactions. Her pounding heart seemed to become one with the rhythm she was striking.

As the girl slammed down the final drumbeat with her right hand, which was gripping the drumstick tightly, the final melody finally dissipated perfectly into the air, and the bright spotlight made the glistening sweat on the girl's face clearly visible.

The moment she looked up at the top of the stage, the girl finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Wow!

The continuous applause came from all around, like surging waves one after another.

The moment the exhausted girls looked up, they immediately felt the enthusiastic cheers and applause from the audience. Occasionally, they could also see a few audience members turning around to talk to their friends with excited and joyful expressions.

The relief and smiles on the faces of the audience seemed to give their weary bodies a boost of strength.

Shiina Riki gently squeezed the wooden drumsticks under the light, and a tingling, numb sensation gradually spread from her muscles to her whole body.

"Success..."

A sense of fulfillment and joy welled up in her chest like a tide, and Shiina Tatsuki, her shoulders trembling slightly, looked up at the team members beside her.

Even the most skilled cats had fine beads of sweat on their delicate faces, but this snow-white kitten squinted its eyes, pursed its lips, and wore a very satisfied and adorable smile.

Compared to the last time she said she was 'bored,' her expression had changed dramatically.

"Thank you so much everyone! We are Mygo..."

The little penguin, whose voice was slightly hoarse from singing so hard, was now earnestly addressing everyone with the microphone in hand.

Even the introverted Takamatsu Toki couldn't hide her joy. In the past, when everyone played the same piece at the cultural festival, they had experienced such a heavy blow. However, through hard work, training, and cooperation, they were able to perfectly perform the piece in less than half a month.

It would be impossible for them not to be excited.

For example, Miss Aine, holding a guitar and humming a tune—

She hadn't made a single mistake until the end of the performance, and her mood was at its peak. She tilted her head slightly, revealing her cute little tiger teeth, and even though she hadn't seen her proud boyfriend yet, she had already started playfully making a heart shape with her hands.

For the girls on stage, this performance is no longer just a simple 'revenge battle' against the band that ended their careers; it is also a demonstration of their 'efforts' to Kazami Naru.

This time, he was not disappointed—

"Where should that guy be right now, somewhere in the audience?"

The enthusiastic applause from the audience was still echoing in his ears, but Shiina Tatsuki on stage was not immersed in this sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

She opened her beautiful, deep purple eyes wide and secretly observed the dark audience seats, trying to find the figure she most wanted to see in the dimly lit LiveHouse.

As expected, Shiina Tatsuki spotted the black-haired boy standing in the right corner.

The guy looked over with a smug, slightly annoying smile, blending into the crowd and becoming one of the contributors to the 'applause'. Their eyes met precisely in mid-air.

Shiina Tatsuki's heart skipped a beat when she received 'affirmation' from Kazami Mei's eyes, and a hint of tenderness flashed across her usually cold and alluring face.

"Fool……"

Shiina, who was muttering under her breath, gave Kazami Mei a charming look with her pretty face slightly flushed. She was about to get up and go back to the preparation room when her movements suddenly froze in an eerie way.

Because in the instant she stood up, she vaguely noticed other problems.

She saw a familiar figure beside Kazami Mei.

The light blue shawl and twin ponytails were very eye-catching in the performance hall, and Shiina Tatsuki would never mistake the other person's appearance.

"Xiangzi?"

Filled with astonishment, Ms. Shiina couldn't help but speak softly.

Even such a faint call was clearly heard by Nagasaki Motoyo beside her, causing the girl, who had been smiling slightly, to immediately frown and follow Shiina Tatsuki's gaze to look into the distance.

Wait, why is Xiangzi here?

"Eh?"

Chihaya Aine, blinking her beautiful eyes, naturally noticed Ritsuki's unusual behavior. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at Nagasaki Motoyo, her subtle gaze seeming to ask her, 'Did you call these devils here?'

This left Miss Su Shi, who was pursing her cherry lips, speechless with bitterness. She had indeed wanted to revive CRYCHIC before, but the fact that Toyokawa Shoko was here had absolutely nothing to do with her!

She had already given up on reviving CRYCHIC.

With many questions swirling in their minds, the group had no time to ponder further. As the next band was about to take the stage, they could only carry their instruments back to the preparation room. Even the little penguin carrying a notebook looked around, observing the others.

Everyone refrained from mentioning Toyokawa Shoko.

……

After MyGo's performance ended, Ms. Toyokawa, with mixed feelings, followed Kazami Naru to the band's preparation room.

Behind this door are her former companions from 【CRYCHIC】, these companions of 'shared destiny' also represent the weakness that Toyokawa Shoko cannot kill.

If she continues to dwell on the beautiful memories of the past as before, then the weakness she finally managed to kill will be resurrected, just like Frieza.

Shoko Toyokawa, her fingers trembling slightly, took deep breaths as she reached out and gently grasped the doorknob of the preparation room.

"Are you nervous?"

The words from beside her slowed down Toyokawa Shoko's wildly beating heartbeat slightly, and Kazami Naruto, who had already noticed her inner struggle, seemed to have a hint of concern in his eyes.

Even though 'CRYCHIC's' past was nothing more than trivial matters to him, the person beside him seemed to take it as his own responsibility.

Gradually, the girl's trembling fingertips began to calm down.

"Ming, don't underestimate me, okay?"

"This is something I had to face sooner or later!"

Ms. Toyokawa, whose words were gradually becoming more serious, seemed to have unconsciously regained the imposing aura and tough attitude she had as the leader of 'AveMujica'. Born with a noble and elegant demeanor, she naturally possessed the grace and generosity of a young lady, and at this moment, she would never lose face in front of her beloved.

This is my struggle to survive (JPG).

Seeing that these young ladies before him didn't seem to be forcing themselves, a slight smile appeared on Kazami Naruto's lips. He then spread his hands in a helpless expression and responded—

"As expected of my boss, I can finally rest assured now."

"Of course!"

Shoko Toyokawa proudly raised her fair neck like a swan, then turned to the expressionless Mutsuka behind her and said softly, "Mutsuka, could you please wait for me outside this time? I want to handle this matter myself."

"I see."

After Wakaba Mutsuya nodded in agreement, Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath and reached out to grasp the doorknob.

"and many more!"

"W-what's wrong?!"

The spark of courage that had just been ignited was immediately extinguished by a single sentence from Kazami Mei.

Shoko Toyokawa, clearly a little annoyed, glared at the mischievous boy beside her. But he simply reached out and gently tucked a few strands of her beautiful black hair behind her ear, smoothed them out, and then released them with a light laugh.

"He's my 'boss' after all, so I have to maintain a perfect image at all times."

"……Thank you."

As she gently rubbed her blue hair, Toyokawa Shoko's pretty face flushed a faint rosy hue. She whispered her thanks to Kazami Mei.

Having fully prepared herself mentally, the girl took a deep breath and finally pushed open the door that had shut out the 'past'.

She seemed to have returned to that rainy day once again—

The moment you step into the preparation room, you immediately draw all eyes to the room.

Chihaya Aine, who had been chatting away with everyone, blinked. When she turned her head, she found that Nagasaki Motoyo, who had been expressionless just moments before, had narrowed her eyes, and Shiina Tatsuki, whose personality was already irritable, had furrowed her brows even more.

"Xiao Xiang...?"

Holding her laptop, Takamatsu Akari murmured softly with a somewhat sad expression. At the moment she saw the little penguin, Toyokawa Shoko also felt a mix of emotions.

Before Toyokawa Shoko could say anything, Shiina Tatsuki, who was standing behind her, immediately stepped forward and pulled the little penguin behind her, his eyes warily fixed on Shoko not far away.

Shiina Tatsuki, whose personality was already volatile, wore a sour face and said in a cold tone with considerable hostility, "Toyokawa Shoko, what are you doing here?"

Having long been familiar with Shiina Tatsuki's personality, Toyokawa Shoko was not annoyed. She simply exhaled a breath of stale air, and her amber eyes, which had been shimmering slightly, gradually hardened.

Under the silent gaze of the girls, the girl spoke slowly and deliberately: "...I'm going to explain things clearly about what happened with CRYCHIC before, and I'm also going to apologize to everyone."

"apologize?"

Shiina Riki seemed somewhat incredulous as she murmured this unfamiliar word. She couldn't believe that the arrogant woman who had once been so high and mighty would one day come to apologize.

To this day, she still remembers that rainy day when this woman, suddenly filled with dissatisfaction, rushed over, disbanded the band, and severely hurt the fragile little lamp.

"Why are you coming here to apologize now? We don't need someone like you to apologize now!"

Bull Demon King, my good brother, why is your aggression so strong?

As Kazami Mei followed Toyokawa Shoko into the preparation room, his lips twitched. He leaned against the door and gently shook his head at Ms. Riki, who was not far away. Seeing this, Takamatsu Akari also seemed to feel a little sorry for her.

Clutching her notebook, she reached out and tugged at Shiina Ritsuki's sleeve, her voice tinged with sadness as she said, "Ritsuki, don't be like this. Let's hear what Xiaoxiang has to say first..."

At the same time, Shiina Tatsuki's expression began to soften after being comforted by Kazami Mei and Takamatsu Akari, and the anger that had risen because of Toyokawa Shoko gradually dissipated.

After all, she's a typical soft-hearted person who's easily swayed by gentleness but not by force. If she hadn't been holding this grudge for so long, she wouldn't have gotten so angry.

"...Then I'll do it for the sake of the lamp."

After saying that, Shiina Tatsuki crossed his arms and snorted coldly, seemingly intending to listen to what Toyokawa Shoko had to say.

"I have no other intentions; I've come here specifically to apologize."

"My decision to disband CRYCHIC was my own doing, but I can't explain the specific reasons in detail. I caused a lot of harm to you all at the time. My unilateral departure from the band was purely selfish and I didn't seriously consider your feelings at all."

"So, I'm sorry."

As she finished speaking, Toyokawa Shoko bowed slightly to the three girls in front of her.

No matter how 'sharp' Ms. Lixi was at the beginning, she obviously did not expect that Toyokawa Shoko would actually apologize. Faced with this situation, she did not know what to say for a moment, and could only put on a calm and composed demeanor with a cold face.

Not far away, a faint sadness also flashed in the eyes of Nagasaki Motoyo, who had been silent for a long time. Even though she had long given up on rebuilding CRYCHIC, she still could not forget the warmth of that 'home'.

But she really didn't expect that Xiangzi, who had such a stubborn personality, would actually come to apologize.

"..."

Nagasaki Motoyo, who arrived first, couldn't help but turn her gaze to her husband in the distance.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, Kazami smiled slightly at her. Seeing this, Nagasaki Motoyo could only sigh inwardly, staring at Toyokawa Shoko not far away with mixed feelings.

Even Xiangzi, did he undergo such a change because of Ming?

With sadness in her eyes, Takamatsu seemed anxious and quickly stepped forward to explain, "Xiao Xiang... actually, back then I..."

"No, it's not the lamp's fault."