People in Tokyo, the world is clear

"It's about why it ended up being a part-time job...it's not a long story!"

Miss Qingshan said so.

Lin Sen dragged the girl to a circular commercial complex and found a table and chairs under a parasol in the corner of an open-air square.

He sat with his hands folded across his legs like a criminal on trial, showing a strange nervousness. He looked away and pointed at the bulging backpack and guitar bag beside him:

"I figured that a posh area like Setagaya would have more leisurely and refined listeners. So, I originally planned to bring my music here and sing, as you said... for self-promotion."

"and then?"

"As a result, plans cannot keep up with changes..."

Miss Qingshan lowered her eyes awkwardly, then raised her face again and tried to maintain her composure:

"Although I've subconsciously told myself not to work part-time, that coffee shop is in urgent need of staff, and the daily wage they're offering is really, really high! So, it's only natural to just go with the flow! Don't you think so..."

As she explained this, she, who had always avoided eye contact, finally glanced at the expression of the young man sitting opposite her.

This statement should be reasonable.

Quietly observing the other person's unchanged expression, Qingshan Xiazhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but the tension surrounding him still did not disappear in the slightest.

I still feel a little guilty.

because--

In fact, she lied.

At first, when she stood in front of the teahouse early this morning, her thoughts were simple and firm.

After tossing and turning all night and wandering all day, Qingshan Xiazhi decided to use this place as the venue for today's singing performance.

Her voice and her music have proven to be unsuitable for noisy and impetuous places such as bars and discos.

But for those who want to move from the underground stage to the top, it seems that there is only one way. Or, to get someone to support you and participate in some event that can lead to your debut.

However, she was a complete nobody. She had no formal education, no relevant connections. She had spent two years in Tokyo, struggling to make a living, meeting people who shared both similar and different interests.

Well, as that guy named Xiao Linsen said, the only thing we can do is find another way.

Wandering around, promoting himself by singing and playing guitar on the streets. Only by mustering up courage and losing face can there be a glimmer of hope.

Miss Qingshan was very grateful for someone's timely help. So, in order not to disappoint him, she also wanted to do her best.

This was probably what drove her to stand in front of the cashier with her luggage on her back in the beginning.

At that time, the middle-aged man dressed as the store manager, who was unaware of the truth, seemed to be shocked by her aura, and it was obvious that she was not just here to drink tea and had bad intentions.

"Um...what's going on?"

Could you please give me a chance and allow me to perform a few background music that would be suitable for you?

She, Qingshan Xiazhi, is probably no longer the person who stuttered even when introducing herself before the opening.

So, making this request should be an easy thing to do.

I could have expressed it directly and loudly. It seemed like it would be like this from this spring onwards.

Out of habit, she subconsciously glanced around and prepared to execute this idea.

It was at that moment that suddenly—

For some unknown reason, a strong sense of unease and timidity came over him like a violent storm. Almost at the same moment, Qingshan Xiazhi felt a tremor as if he had been struck down on the spot.

For a moment, I couldn't utter a word.

It seems to be due to the only reason.

What's missing...

At that moment, she suddenly realized that there was no one around her.

Then, out of nowhere, the discouragement, fear, and uneasiness that had tormented her time and again during that difficult journey returned with a vengeance.

That was the eternal stumbling block on the road to pursuing my dreams before I met him.

...and therefore, nothing can be said.

What's going on?

I had this self-doubt. But in the next second, I suddenly realized the answer——

One person is missing.

Every time I can sing out loud, it feels like there will always be an audience around me.

The one who always told her, "You can do it" and "Just do it."

Normally, I always seem to resent that kind of exaggeration and blindness, even subconsciously feeling it's unnecessary. But, like the anesthetic during surgery, the moment the dosage runs out, the previously suppressed wounds and pain surge back, along with fear.

Strangled the throat.

So the girl who thought she was brave at that time almost didn't have the strength to breathe.

She desperately wanted to say, "Please give me a chance, I want to sing."

She was about to succeed.

However, when it comes to the last word, the last word that makes up the speech is not the one that was predetermined.

Instead, it becomes a more familiar, more comfortable phrase:

“I want to work.”

It was at that moment that Qingshan Xiazhi, who was discouraged by regret, discovered.

I don’t know when, but now, it seems that no matter what I do, I can’t do without someone’s support.

...But, this can't be done.

Financially, I'm already dependent. Does that mean I'll also be dependent on you for my daily activities after deciding to pursue my dream?

...No, no.

I can't be a troublemaker. That would be too much.

Who wouldn't hate this kind of clingy guy?

I tried my best to get rid of those complicated thoughts and decided to do the work that I got by chance well.

After all, she was only 24 years old and had only a little life experience. After working for two hours, Miss Qingshan slowly figured out a solution.

No, it shouldn't be. After all, my current state of mind has definitely grown compared to last year or even earlier.

Chihiro⒐⒍Mio﹄⒉㈥卍⒎Mio

We should not repeat the vicious cycle of fear and anxiety caused by cowardice.

It might be because I've been focusing all my attention and thoughts on Xiaolin these past two days. In short, I haven't adjusted yet.

Let's divert your attention first.

Suddenly, I remembered the book "The Last Kiss" that I loved in my bag. It seems that I heard that Mr. Goki has a new work on the shelf for a long time.

Well, it’s decided!

In a few days, I will buy that new book and read it carefully to reset my emotions and subconscious mind!

Maybe I could get some inspiration, or even courage, from it. Independent of Kobayashi, I could write some new songs, and then go out and successfully perform them on my own...

So during my lunch break, I took out the book "The Last Kiss", which I had read over and over again, and read it again roughly.

It's like using white paint to slowly fade away an increasingly intense shadow in my mind.

It seems like I'm getting better!

That's how it should be!

But when the girl was smiling and concentrating on her work, delivering the tea in her hand to the next group of customers, she saw a figure sitting at a seat writing something in the sun.

Yes, Xiaolin?

What are you writing?

Why, suddenly, you become so elegant.

I've never seen him like this before...

The Jiu Ling

My heart beat faster for a moment, but it quickly calmed down.

Come to think of it, it seems like this is always a coincidence. We always run into each other in various places.

So, let’s go say hello later, when things are over?

It's always been like this. I can't let some strange thoughts today change the routine.

That's what we should have done.

However, when they were about to part, the boy sitting opposite that guy said something that made his heart stop.

Itsuki teacher?

...

W-what?

Qingshan Xiazhi could hardly remember the emotional journey he had gone through at that time.

She probably only remembered that she, who had always been carefree, actually wanted to turn around without much hesitation at that time.

Run!

She was almost there again, Miss Qingshan was about to succeed.

Unfortunately, even if the active and passive identities of the parties in contact are reversed, the fact of the chance encounter does not change.

A hand reached out from behind her and pressed her shoulder.

Afterwards, Miss Qingshan pulled him over.

Just like she always did, she took the initiative to move forward.

I mean, what the hell are you doing...

Even "confused and confused" probably cannot summarize the current state of Miss Xia Zhi.

All in all, she is very conflicted now.

I met Xiaolin again and stayed with him - happy, joyful, and secretly delighted.

Therefore, I realized that I was becoming more and more dependent on this guy - entangled, distressed, and unable to find a solution.

I deeply understand that this shouldn't be the case. They are just friends, and they probably only see me as a friend. They shouldn't be and should not become the mainstay of my daily life - self-blame, resentment, and even secret hatred.

When I keep repeating and muttering to myself, I even feel a strange sour feeling that makes my heart itch.

Qingshan Xiazhi tried his best to keep himself in a normal state.

It was a pity that she had always been the kind of girl who looked free and easy and refreshing. The slightest abnormality would be noticed by those who cared.

Then she heard the young man in front of her say:

"I think I've figured it out a bit. Qingshan, maybe this is your first time trying to do something like this alone, which is why you backed down right at the finish line and fell into your comfort zone as a part-time worker."

"..."

"It's okay. You'll always feel embarrassed if you're alone. And today, I'm free. That's how embarrassing things are. It'll be much better if you get someone along."

"..."

"Speaking of which, there's something else I need to tell you..."

"..."

"Qingshan?"

that is...

"Wow!!!!"

For a moment, Miss Xia Zhi understood more deeply the word "breaking defense" that the man in front of her often said.

It's really broken.