How can my simulation be a real love?

Chapter 160 Taking Steps Towards the Future [5k]

Kazami Mei's lips twitched slightly. He didn't delve into the topic of his girlfriends' conversation, but instead asked in a subtle tone, "There are less than ten minutes before we go on stage. How are everyone's preparations going?"

"There's absolutely no need to worry about Desuwa!"

Toyokawa Shoko glanced at the other girls beside her out of the corner of her eye, then, as usual, extended her right hand and gently touched her chest, revealing a warm smile with a dignified and polite demeanor.

Standing here, she didn't seem to be the cold and aloof Oblivionis, but rather the gentle and sunny [Toyokawa Shoko], as soft as moonlight, causing a hint of realization to flash in Kazami Mei's eyes.

But he quickly realized what he meant and asked in a slightly teasing tone, "Are you sure there's no problem?"

"Please don't underestimate us, Ming!"

"Even though it's been a year since we've performed together, the chemistry we've built up is still there, and everyone has grown a lot in the past year. It's just a performance on stage... no problem at all!"

Toyokawa Shoko's confident and serious expression was quite convincing, but not far away, Miss Su Shi lightly twirled a strand of hair with her fingertips, speaking in a subtly meaningful tone—

"Although that's what Xiao Xiang said, there were still coordination problems during yesterday's ensemble performance."

"Well, that's because I wasn't feeling well yesterday..."

"And what did you say during the rehearsal this morning?"

Shiina Tatsuki rolled her eyes and casually made a sarcastic remark. Her coordinated attack with Nagasaki Motoyo left Toyokawa, who had been standing with her hands on her hips and a smug look on her face, speechless.

"Is there such a thing?"

Kazami Mei raised her eyebrows in surprise.

As the keyboardist for Ave Mujica, Miss Xiangzi undoubtedly possesses a professional level of skill, or even higher. She can remain calm and composed even under pressure at the Budokan, so why did she turn out like this at a live performance held at RiNG?

It seems like the young lady has become more and more naive since she started dating.

Toyokawa Shoko knew she couldn't refute the established facts, so she could only silently accept it, her cute face flushed red. However, her strong sense of pride wouldn't allow her to lose face in front of Kazami Mei, so she puffed out her cheeks and spoke seriously—

"Anyway——"

"All the training these past few days has been for today's performance. Once we're on stage, there won't be a single problem! Ming, just watch from the sidelines. I'll prove it to you with my actions!"

With that, Toyokawa Shoko gracefully turned around, her skirt swirling like flower petals, its folds exquisitely beautiful. She stepped onto the stairs first and walked towards the stage, leaving the four girls looking at each other in bewilderment.

"That guy seems to be getting more and more unreliable."

Shiina Tatsuki, covering her forehead, sighed slightly in frustration. She lowered her arms, which she had been holding to her chest, picked up two drumsticks from the table next to her, and stood up to follow Toyokawa Shoko.

"Is that even a question? There's only one reason, isn't there?"

Nagasaki Motoyo glanced at Kazami Naru not far away, which made Shiina Tatsuki also understand.

No, you're blaming me for this?

Mr. Kazami, who was being stared at by several girls, rolled his eyes. He felt so wronged that he wanted to stand on the table and prove his innocence in the most extreme way possible!

"But I can understand Xiaoxiang, after all, the reason we can be so noisy and chaotic right now is because there's a fool secretly working hard behind the scenes, right, Lixi-chan?"

You're using veiled criticism to insult someone else, aren't you?

Shiina Riki stood there stiffly, unsure whether to hold her arms or leave them by her side. Only when everyone's eyes were on her did the girl, whose pretty face had flushed with a touch of radiance, cough once.

"—Indeed, I should thank you."

This is bad luck.

Kazami Mei was momentarily at a loss for words, and his subtle expression was naturally noticed by Miss Riki, causing her head to gradually heat up as she tried to suppress her shyness.

"Why that expression? Is there anything else you want to say?"

"Isn't there a thank-you gift or something? Where is the sincerity in expressing gratitude?"

"……what?"

Shiina Riki stared wide-eyed in disbelief as Kazami Mei pointed to her cheek with a serious expression. The blatant hint made her grit her teeth in embarrassment and indignation, and even Wakaba Mutsu next to her couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.

Nagasaki Motoyo glanced at the time on her phone with feigned nonchalance, then casually said in a slow tone, "At this rate, the performance time is almost up. I guess there are only a few minutes left?"

These words made Miss Lixi blush and hesitate for a long time before she finally spoke, word by word—

"You'll remember this..."

Tweet!

After giving Shiina Tatsuki a kiss, she picked up her drumsticks and turned to leave. The blush that seemed to spread to her ears made her even more adorable, which made Kazami Mei suppress the urge to laugh out loud and barely control her expression.

"Did I go a little too far in flirting with her?"

"Lixi-chan is just saying it, but what she's really thinking... well, who knows?"

Nagasaki Motoyo smiled and narrowed her eyes. Her teasing words instilled fear in people. At this moment, she was practically at the top of the predator-prey chain here. Even Wakaba Mutsu secretly clenched her fists.

"...I also want to thank Ming."

Her words, devoid of any emotion, fell to the ground like crystallized raindrops. Not to be outdone, the pretty little wooden girl leaned in and gave her a kiss. Then, she pulled the flustered Takamatsu Deng along, making her complete the process of 'thanking' as well.

He originally just wanted to tease Lixi, but it turned into a competition.

"Now only Xiangzi is left? But it's also her fault for running away first without permission."

Nagasaki Motoyo lightly tapped her cheek with her index finger, then tiptoed and kissed Kazami Naru on the cheek. Afterwards, she picked up her bass and walked towards the stage with a big smile, and Komaki waved and followed.

Only Gao Songdeng remained, still holding his notebook and not having left.

"Narrator, are Aine-chan and Rakuna-chan here too?"

"Everyone's already watching from below the stage, so you can rest assured."

"--Very good."

Upon hearing this, the little penguin seemed to have a huge weight lifted from its heart, and a relaxed smile gradually spread across its face. Then, it gently nodded in the direction of Kazami Naruto, and its gentle eyes gradually turned firm.

Seeing this, Kazami chuckled softly and gently patted her head.

"I was worried you might be nervous before going on stage, but it seems I was worrying for nothing!"

"Go on stage and give this 'farewell' performance a good show!"

The girl paused for a moment, then nodded even more firmly.

"Ok!"

……

My heart was pounding, and my fingers gripping the microphone were turning white from the effort.

The audience below was sparse and focused on her. She was no longer intimidated by this stage, which she had stood on many times before. At this moment, she simply stood firmly in the center of the stage, stood tall, and looked at the front.

"Thank you everyone for coming to this performance, but before the music starts... I have a few words I'd like to say."

Gao Songdeng held the microphone with both hands, his eyes gradually becoming filled with genuine emotion.

"In the past, I was lost on the road of life, knowing nothing. It was Xiaoxiang who held my hand and made me understand what human emotions are. I have always been very grateful to her."

Toyokawa Shoko paused for a moment, then gently narrowed her eyes.

"But things don't always go as planned."

"We will also have problems... and we can't say the important things. Although what happened in the past cannot be undone... we can still move forward and keep moving towards the future."

Gao Songdeng raised her eyes and spoke with unimaginable seriousness. Her focused and determined demeanor was completely different from her usual image, making people want to catch up with her and follow in her footsteps to stand beside her.

Suddenly, the girl paused for a second.

She suddenly noticed the black-haired boy in the audience. He was still wearing a proper staff uniform, but he was holding a pink glow stick that was completely out of character for him, and he was waving it gently with a smile on his face.

The black-haired boy opened his mouth, as if to say something.

Although Takamatsu Akari, who was far away on the stage, could not hear his words clearly, she could strangely understand what he wanted to express. The girl's eyes widened, and the voice that belonged to Kazami Mei seemed to have entered the depths of her ears.

【Go ahead! 】

At that moment, she gripped the microphone with a bit more strength.

A continuous flow of emotion and power seemed to originate from her heart and instantly spread to her limbs. This caused the little penguin, whose voice had been trembling slightly, to widen her eyes and then gradually raise her voice to shout.

"This live performance is for our 'past'! And also for our 'future'!"

"Even when the performance ends, our friendship will never end!"

Gao Songdeng understood what this performance truly meant.

They want to say goodbye to the CRYCHIC of the past, and give a real farewell to that belated 'end'. But the disbandment of the band does not mean that their souls are no longer connected, and the beautiful feelings they have will not disappear!

Please listen to our song – "Spring Shadows"!

The gentle, melodious sound of the keyboard opened the melody at that moment, and the extremely gentle tone echoed throughout the venue. The intense emotions seemed to condense into a visible entity, conveying this feeling to everyone.

The girl's voice was still as soft and gentle as ever, but now it was filled with a spiritual power, expressing her heartfelt emotions with steady singing skills, and climbing the ladder step by step on the melodious tune.

What does this feel like?

Most of these audience members only learned about the live show by chance. Before that, they had no idea that such a performance existed. They were just casually listening to the show to pass the time, but they did not expect to experience such a strong impact.

Standing in the crowd, Kazami Mei couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth in a smile.

"...You've really grown up."

In the past, she couldn't even sing aloud. Even if she did, she would struggle due to insufficient lung capacity. Therefore, she could only shout desperately.

But now, she is growing little by little.

Compared to the timid little penguin she once was, she has now grown to an astonishing degree.

She no longer needs to 'shout', yet it is a 'shout' from the bottom of her heart.

Kazami Mei simply closed her eyes slowly, letting the emotions that belonged to her infect her whole body, immersing herself in the performance with the other audience members around her, until the end of the song quietly arrived like the passing of time.

The song ends.

As the audience gradually came to their senses, they applauded enthusiastically, and enthusiastic cheers and expectant shouts echoed throughout every corner of the concert hall. However, the lead singer on stage, who was the center of attention, had slightly red eyes and pursed her lips.

“Thank you very much!”

The girl's final, desperate bow of gratitude marked the end of the performance.

The people on stage suppressed their excitement and escorted Gao Songdeng back to the preparation room. What followed was a barrage of praise and compliments, leaving the previously somewhat saddened little penguin stunned.

"Light! You're absolutely amazing!"

"This performance was absolutely fantastic..."

Takamatsu Akari was constantly praised by Shiina Tatsuki and Toyokawa Shoko, making her feel a little lost while holding the microphone. Seeing her blank expression, Nagasaki Motoyo, who originally wanted to praise her as well, couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, alright~ Everyone should calm down now."

"Don't you know what to do if you can't see the little light?"

Shiina Tatsuki and Toyokawa Shoko, who were initially very excited, immediately calmed down. They exchanged a somewhat embarrassed glance, barely managing to suppress their overly excited emotions, and apologized to the little penguin.

"No, it's okay."

Takamatsu raised his eyebrows slightly, trying to put on a serious expression.

Just as she was about to say something, the door to the band's preparation room was suddenly pushed open from the outside. Kazami Mei, with a smile on her face, waved at her and then deliberately made way for her.

A pretty, pale pink figure flashed by, and the next second, Takamatsu Akari was tightly embraced by a cherry blossom-like girl.

"Dengdeng! You're amazing!"

"Aine-chan?"

Takamatsu Akari didn't seem to have recovered from the sudden shock. She instinctively hugged Chihaya Aine and then gently patted her back, as if trying to comfort her excited feelings.

Chihaya Aine suddenly looked up, her eyes slightly red, and said, "I saw everything from the audience! You really... really tried your best this time!"

"Thanks……"

A blush crept onto the little penguin's cheeks; she was starting to feel shy.

"Next time, for our live performance... I'll try even harder!"

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

Kazami Mei reached out and pinched Penguin's smooth cheek with a hint of annoyance, then handed her the notebook. This made Takamatsu Akari's eyes light up, and she carefully took it.

Seeing the girl's reaction, Kazami Mei couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Lamp, is there anything else you want to say?"