Tokyo Psychic

Then, the girl with short gray hair at the edge of the crowd began to retreat, as if she was about to run away at any time.

Beside her, the girl with long dark brown hair turned around and looked at her, immediately revealing an expression that was almost panic-stricken.

Even though the performance hadn't started yet, the streets of Shimokitazawa South Exit Commercial Street seemed to be filled with large-yield remote-controlled bombs. Anyone had to press a switch to trigger a chain reaction that would reduce the entire venue to ruins.

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(My sleep and sleep schedule is gradually getting back to normal! There's another chapter around 3am... I should be able to update more tomorrow during the time of the living.)

(Also, the chapter I accidentally posted before, "Abandoned Project", has been changed into a special extra chapter "Hamzi's Copper Smelting Diary" to prevent subscribers from wasting money.)

(If the chapter is still marked as "cancelled", click "Refresh this chapter" in the upper right corner to read it normally.)

083. Don’t Say “For a Lifetime” (Five-in-One)

The sun shines through the clear blue sky. The weather is relatively cool, but it makes people feel a burning heat growing like weeds in their hearts.

This heat continued to grow, and soon melted through the heart, carrying the remnants of the heart down like rushing water.

Jing Qinrencai lowered her head and stared at the tip of her shoes. The front of her black sneakers was covered with a white toe cap, which she had carefully wiped with a wet wipe before going out. It was dazzlingly white in the direct sunlight.

She mustered up her courage and raised her head with all her strength, and saw the noise of the crowd coming at her like a tsunami, overwhelming and overwhelming.

There was no chance for fear or cowardice, and the sail of reason was overturned in an instant.

He tried to tense his whole body to become a reef to resist the surging tide. Water splashed on his body and white mist surged, but he pretended to be strong and looked embarrassed.

Countless seagulls were circling in the sky, chirping and mocking.

Jing Qinrencai stared blankly at the noisy crowd in front of her. Just standing there seemed to have given her all.

My heart was beating very fast, like the lightning and thunder in rain clouds, with a rumbling sound. The huge lightning split the endless noise, leaving behind the emptiness that permeated the sky and the earth.

The streets of Shimokitazawa are still noisy, but my heart has instantly become distant.

While the lead singer was in a trance, Kurusu Akatsuki plugged in the guitar and said behind her, "Jingqin, it's time to introduce our band to the audience."

A familiar voice sounded in her ears, and Jing Qinrencai actually found a kind of courage beyond her upbringing and habits from her nervousness.

Jing Qinrencai picked up the microphone very slowly and said in a trembling voice, "Hello everyone... We are..." Only then did she realize that the microphone was not turned on.

There was immediately a sound of friendly laughter around, which made Jing Qinrencai almost ashamed.

When she raised her head again with a flushed face, she found a familiar figure in the crowd in front of her.

The new lead singer of "Diamond Dust" was also surprised that he was discovered by Jing Qinrencai just when he looked up. He simply stopped hiding and waved to her enthusiastically. Then, his compatriots next to him quickly held down his baseball cap and pushed it down to avoid attracting further attention.

Jing Qin Rencai looked back at Kurusu Xiao for help, like a frightened kitten that had strayed into the jungle, her eyes filled with frustration, confusion and panic.

Kurusu Akatsuki followed her gaze and saw her former best friend who had been declared "out of ties" by Jing Qin Rencai.

At the same time, Kawahara Momoka, who had finished adjusting the speakers, also noticed the sudden and drastic change in Ii Serina's mood. She also discovered the "diamond dust" mixed in with the crowd.

But no matter how good those girls are at disguising themselves, they can't resist the years of daily companionship.

Although she always calls herself a "reliable adult", Kawahara Ki Momoka was a little stage fright for the first time... Maybe it was guilt, or maybe it was that she was eager to prove something, but at the same time she was worried that the whole band's performance might fall apart, making her lose face in front of the band members who had been unilaterally cut off by her.

The Phantom Thief has never had any experience taking care of a companion...

But he can imitate Kotone Shiomi - the captain of "SEES" who is full of charisma and majesty.

He turned around and looked at the girls in the band, who all had different expressions on their faces. "It seems we're still missing some necessary 'rituals' before the performance begins."

"ceremony......?"

“The unique sense of ritual of a rock band.”

"You mean... 'giving the middle finger,' 'metal salute,' 'slay,' 'opening champagne,' and taking off your clothes before putting on a towel?" Yamada Ryo raised his middle finger towards Kurusu Akatsuki, as a gesture of both contempt and respect for the bad atmosphere that Kurusu had created in the band by openly flirting with Toyokawa Shoko during this period.

This is not a contradiction - Yamada Ryo despises Kurusu Akatsuki for being a real person, and a super real person who eats grass in his own yard. At the same time, he also respects him for being able to implement the spirit of rock into every move of his daily life. He is full of righteousness, but he is a scumbag to the core.

Kurusu Akatsuki calmly gave her a middle finger, expressing his disdain for the girl's lavish spending habits, while at the same time respecting her low moral standards for asking Toyokawa Shoko for a "borrowing" of money... She was so rock 'n' roll. Yamada Ryo was the most rock 'n' roll girl he had ever met.

The only thing she lacks from being a famous rock musician is a party with a decadent private life.

Does our band qualify as having a "debauched private life" or "partying"? Kurusu Akatsuki looked around at the diverse group of beautiful girls. He considered himself a gentleman, and he certainly wouldn't toy with a young girl's feelings. So, he stared at Yamada Ryo with a sigh, then gestured back at her with a pistol pointed at his temple: "Slay!"

What he actually meant was, "The show is about to begin, and my guitar will overwhelm the whole audience."

However, Kurusu Akatsuki still doesn't quite understand the various rock memes -

The "Slay" gesture in most cases actually means "I'll kill you in an instant" and is done for the audience to see.

So, with this gesture, Yamada Ryo successfully misunderstood Kurusu Akatsuki's intention... Her pupils trembled violently as she looked at the only male member of the band in disbelief. "Instant kill" us? Finally unable to contain his swelling desire, was he going to eat everyone up after the performance? Amamiya Poseidon!

She couldn't help but wonder. Based on her current speculation, with the goodwill Renai and Xiaoxiang had built up for him, they might actually agree. Then, with Hongxia's gentle personality and her many aspirations and dreams for rock music, if faced with the possibility of the band's imminent collapse, she might even join them, feeling wronged and reluctant... And even an adult like Momoka wouldn't mind entrusting herself to a super-handsome guy with such a promising future... This was so rock 'n' roll, it felt strangely cool... Was it just my imagination?

Yamada Ryo quickly cleared the chaotic thoughts in his mind, looked at the band members in front of him, and imagined a group of people living a decadent life in a rented villa or office in the future. Then he punched his palm with sudden realization.

It would be better for this kind of band to end quickly!

In her heart, the family education of the hospital family turned into a strict mentor, roaring and pressing a restless demon into hell. She did it, but before leaving, the demon-like Yamada Ryo took off his small leather shoes and smashed them on her face, leaving a dirty shoe print.

Jing Qinrencai watched them interacting by making middle finger gestures and subconsciously wanted to imitate them.

Shoko Toyokawa quickly stood up, clenched her fist, and explained to her what "giving the middle finger" meant.

Jing Qinren's expression immediately became awkward, and then she glared at Kurusu Akatsuki and Yamada Ryo with some anger, as if she had suddenly forgotten the people around her. She was no longer so nervous and timid. Her dissatisfied eyes showed that she wanted to say something lecturing... But the courage she mustered only lasted for a moment, and soon she lowered her face dejectedly, without saying a word.

Momoka Kawahara was amused by this group of high school students, and the worries and panic that had been lingering in her heart dissipated a lot.

Kurusu Akatsuki raised his hand. "Since we're the 'End' band, we should show some unity at times like this."

"Do you put your hands together and yell 'Three, two, one, go for it' like the Koshien team?"

"It's a bit too embarrassing... Xiaoxiang? Xiaorencai?" Before Yijizhi Hongxia could finish her words, she found that two girls in the band had consciously put their hands together.

Toyokawa Shoko and Isen Nina had been running with Kurusu Akatsuki in the impression space for a long time, and they almost subconsciously obeyed the orders of the thief - after all, in a place where dangers were lurking everywhere, only by executing Kurusu Akatsuki's arrangements at the first time could they avoid getting hurt. Over time, everyone got used to not thinking about the correctness of Kurusu Akatsuki's orders, but executing them as quickly as possible.

Yamada Ryo grabbed Ichichi Hongka's hand and placed it on top of hers. "Why are you suddenly so passionate?"

Momoka Kawahara smiled helplessly and folded her hands, "So our band's theme is something as broad as 'unity'?" She really thought that Kurusu Akatsuki had come up with some earth-shattering band-specific entrance pose.

"Three, two, one..." At the beginning, everyone was counting down like a stick.

But when the word "come on" is heard, I can't help but raise my voice a little, and then I feel the warmth flooding my face, and the corners of my mouth unconsciously rise up, turning it into a happy smile.

"come on!"

With the cheering like a baseball team, the band members returned to their positions.

I am still nervous and still worried, but I have the courage to move forward and will not stand still.

Jing Qinrencai held the microphone and looked at the lead singer of "Diamond Dust" and her former close friend standing in the crowd with an extremely complicated look in her eyes.

She wanted to introduce her current band confidently and fluently, just like the scene she had dreamed of countless times.

But when she opened her mouth, the sound that came out was still trembling with frustration and shame. "I...we are Shimokitazawa's 'ending band'...our first song is 'Because I can't be someone else'...Thank you all for your support..."

As if to save her stammering introduction, the pick in Kurusu Akatsuki's hand suddenly swept across the strings, making an extremely fast and sharp sound, like a long sword drawn from its sheath, instantly splitting the awkward and embarrassing atmosphere.

The distorted behemoth that has accompanied this body for many years roared its own roar for the first time in a performance.

At the same time, the persona "Dioscuri" stepped out from behind him, the black guitar in his hand flashing with dazzling lightning as the pick rubbed against it.

Both the audience and the people passing by in the distance were involuntarily quieted down by this sound that seemed to strike directly at their hearts.

The thief pushed up his glasses and surveyed his surroundings with an almost contemptuous look.

Shoko Toyokawa loosened her clenched fist and pressed it on the electronic keyboard.

She is no longer the little girl whose self-esteem would be hurt by other people's words and gazes.

One person pedals a bicycle on the concrete floor, delivering newspapers. Another person answers phone calls filled with emotions and accusations in a crowded office. Another person hides in a corner of the school during lunch break to eat and read. Another person secretly plays the piano in a temporarily unused piano room...

The countless pains and troubles that Shoko Toyokawa had accumulated during her lonely time were all completely released that night in Shibuya with the cry of "Persona".

She found herself smiling as she looked at the bustling crowd in front of her. Kurusu Akatsuki, who was standing in front of her, seemed to sense something and turned back to look at her. They both saw burning flames in each other's eyes...that was the boiling power of the soul.

......

In the crowd, Toyokawa Shoko's former band members all raised their heads and looked at the girl they hadn't seen for a long time.

Unlike the rainy day when she quit the team, when she was numb and confused at the time of leaving, her face is now filled with a smile that makes people admire her so much that they forget to breathe.

Enjoying the performance, enjoying the band, enjoying everything in the moment... Such sincere and passionate emotions, as the girl's ten fingers dance on the black and white keys, become a cheerful and positive prelude.

Jing Qinrenai trembled all over. She turned her head to look at Toyokawa Shoko. The kind of pure happiness without any impurities seemed to pour over her like a rainstorm.

At the same time, she had to look at the other band members nervously and awkwardly.

Everyone responded to her clumsiness with smiles. There was no blame or anger in their eyes, only sincere expectations that made her want to cry.

[Nina's voice is very clean, with a special sense of transparency, and her breath is quite stable. She is very talented in singing...] The praise from Momoka Kawahara, Nina's idol, vaguely resurfaced in her ears.

"Hey, this breath control ability... you were born for rock and roll!" This was what Yamada Ryo exclaimed after seeing her chasing after Kurusu Akatsuki in the recording studio while singing the entire song in sync with the band's accompaniment.

"No matter what the result is, we must sing our best. This is our 'first time'. I'm nervous, but I have to give it my all and leave no regrets!" This was the encouragement from Ijichi Hongka before the performance.

[No matter what kind of pain you have experienced, try to vent it all through singing——] This is the firm voice of Toyokawa Shoko.

【...】

"It doesn't matter how scared you are, I'm still here." Kurusu Akatsuki said this in a nonchalant tone.

"It's okay even if you're scared and want to run away. No matter how many times you try to escape, I'll catch you back... After all, you're a hard-earned member of my club."

Faces whose details could not be seen clearly, along with their voices and expressions, once again lingered around Jing Qinrencai.

But this time, they are no longer the ridicule and sarcasm of the bullies.

There will no longer be any phantom pain in my body from those people punching and kicking me...

The girls' laughter and the thief's hug together created a very wonderful feeling, like an invisible thread, pulling her out of the haze of the past.

At the moment when the effect sound of the fusion of the approximate whistle and Irish bagpipe falls, representing the end of the prelude.

There seemed to be a voice in her heart shouting -

Must sing it!

Jing Qinrencai, who kept looking around, held the microphone with both hands as if praying, placed it on his chest, then closed his eyes and hummed softly as if mocking himself.

"Who is dyed by someone, who is the color of someone else (you cannot become someone else if you are not influenced by someone else)"

"Dream is a dream, laugh is a dream (I thought it was just a dream, so I tried to laugh at it)"

"..."

In the crowd gathered around, fans of both "Morfonica" and "Diamond Dust" were looking at each other in confusion.

The performance of this newly formed band completely exceeded their expectations.

“This song is surprisingly good.”

"What a touching prelude!"

"Hmm, the lead singer's voice is so beautiful, with a sense of struggle and resistance in it... I suddenly understand why Ms. Momoka switched to being a guitarist!"

......

At the same time, as the performance progressed, the girls in the crowd who had played in a band with Toyokawa Shoko in junior high school had different expressions.

"Is this the lyrics written by Xiangzi?" Nagasaki Suyo asked softly to her friends who were becoming increasingly unfamiliar with her.

“‘Even ordinary conversations can prick the heart’, ‘How can I express something as lonely as this?’…” Wakaba Mu lowered his head and chewed on the lyrics, then clenched his palms tightly.

Feeling the same emotions flowing from the lyrics, Takamatsu Touma and Shiina Riki, who were asked questions by Nagasaki Motoyo, both had complicated expressions that made them speechless.

Especially when he heard the lyrics "Let's throw away all the lies that made each other lose their sincerity", "No matter how many times, as long as I can sing with you", and "Say goodbye to all the unnecessary things that are no longer needed", Gao Song Deng almost covered his face, trying hard not to cry, but the tears still flowed out bit by bit.

Nagasaki Suyo approached Gao Songdeng, trying to comfort him, even forcing a smile, "Don't worry, Xiaoxiang...she will definitely come back..."

She had no idea that Wakaba Mu, who was left there with his head lowered, had his nails almost completely sunk into his palms, leaving deep marks oozing with blood.

......

at the same time.

On the other side of the crowd, the girls of "Diamond Dust" looked at Momoka Kawahara of the band, looking at the former lead singer who had abandoned them, abandoned their dreams, and escaped from reality.

"That's what Momoka is really thinking... She's definitely struggling internally."

"Only she can write lyrics like this, right?"