Does gravity make me stronger?

Page 287

While the group was chatting, the auditions began.

The first band has already entered the room.

The bands that finished performing were scheduled to perform in the middle, which was just right. This allowed them to observe the strength of the bands before them, and also prevented them from becoming increasingly nervous because their names were listed later in the lineup.

Because not all of them are professional bands, management is somewhat complicated, but if explained properly, the manager can also enter the performance hall with them.

"What should I do? I'm so nervous."

Hongxia also felt a little uneasy. To win this kind of selection competition, mindset is indeed the most important thing.

In this regard, one has to admire Yamada Ryo's composure.

Thinking of this, Hachiman couldn't help but cast an admiring glance at Yamada Ryo, who hadn't reacted at all. However, the next second, Yamada Ryo clutched his stomach and started looking for a toilet.

"My stomach hurts a little, I need to go to the restroom first."

"Mou, it's almost our turn, Liang, don't be late!"

After complaining for a while, Hongxia's unease vanished, and she became even more worried about Yamada Ryo.

Soon, when the band finished their performance and came on stage, Hachiman followed them into the room.

There were five judges in total, all of whom were musicians who had appeared on the posters. Hachiman clenched his fist at just the right moment, then glanced at Asahi Natsumi.

Captain, I'm counting on you.

"Oh, watch me!"

Hongxia rubbed her slender arms.

...

Let's rewind to a few hours earlier, at the hotel where the band was staying after their performance.

After the band ended, the four members sat on the sofa, adjusting their state in their own ways.

Goto Ichiri held her phone, raised her eyes to observe everyone, opened her mouth and closed it, then opened her mouth again, repeating this many times.

"Poch-chan, what's wrong?"

Kita, whose Pochi language level was 10, caught her hesitant gesture.

"that..."

Goto Ichiri took a step back uneasily, his eyes darting around.

Other people looked over, which made her even more hesitant to speak.

"It's okay, you can talk about anything. We're the 'Unity' band, you know."

"Although there's rarely a sense of unity."

Nijika muttered a comment from the side, then took Kita's place and said, "Well, anyway, Pochi-chan, if you have anything to say, just say it, and we'll figure something out."

"actually."

Goto Ichiri struggled to crumple his trouser leg: "Can I come to the stage opening this afternoon?"

Chapter 274, Episode 271: Guitar Hero

The three of them witnessed Goto Ichiri's inner turmoil, her timidity, and her courage, but the problem was...

Hongxia crossed her arms, her eyes darting around awkwardly, then she scratched her cheek with her fingertips: "Boqi-chan, I understand what you mean, but this afternoon's performance didn't include the opening segment."

What?!

The sudden blow left Goto Ichiri feeling lost and confused.

"Oh, no? You were clearly going on stage to perform?"

"After all, it's a selection performance. At most, there will only be a segment where the members introduce themselves. Besides, it's not even certain if there will be any audience members present."

Hongxia explained a few words to the careless little pink-haired girl, who clutched her chest and staggered back several steps, almost spitting out a mouthful of blood.

So all the mental preparation she just did was for nothing?

"...I don't know about the private Marseille."

A shadow fell over Goto Ichiri's doll-like, delicate face.

"Don't worry about it, Pochi-chan. Besides, you actually volunteered to do the opening ceremony. Is there a reason?"

Hongxia leaned closer with concern, and her warm body made Goto Ichiri want to crawl closer, but she shook her head haphazardly.

"Well, it's nothing, I just have something I want to say."

"Oh, who do you want to say it to?"

Goto Ichiri, her bangs obscuring her eyes, stared at her toes and murmured, "Hachigaya-kun..."

"really."

Hongxia raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a smug expression that said, "So, what will Pochi-chan say when she goes on stage?"

"I...I...I..."

Goto Ichiri spoke haltingly, making Nijika frown in frustration: "Sue?"

"Confess!"

After saying this, Goto Ichiri gathered her long hair to her chest and buried her head deep in it.

I'm so embarrassed, I just want to die...

"Confession?"

Reflecting on her words, Hongxia was still not quite there when she heard them: "Oh, I see. It's such a small thing... Sigh, confessing, to Hikigaya-kun?"

The overly natural words coming from the mouth of the socially awkward Goto Ichiri actually carried a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

Hongxia paused for a brief second, then suddenly widened her eyes.

"Confession——!?"

The waiter who had been working at the front desk looked up impatiently, and Hongxia quickly covered her mouth, making an apologetic gesture.

"Ah."

Goto Ichiri's trembling, moist voice drifted out from her beautiful cherry-blossom hair.

"real or fake?"

If I remember correctly, didn't Boqi's confession fail?

A rematch?

That lonely little classmate?

Like Nijika, Kita and Yamada Ryo were also frozen in place, staring at her without saying a word.

Much later.

Goto Ichiri raised her face, which was flushed red.

"that..."

"I'm sorry, Pochi-chan, we were really scared just now." Nijika took a deep breath. "But it's okay, we've recovered now. So... why today?"

When asked the core question, Goto Ichiri's gaze lingered on her toes.

"Because if we don't act now, it will be too late."

His thin words revealed a hint of unease and anxiety.

Yes, Goto Ichiri was greatly hurt after being politely rejected by Hachiman during her last confession.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, she will keep this love sealed in her heart for the rest of her life.

but.

After the hot spring trip, Goto Ichiri's mindset subtly changed.

"This is my last chance."

She opened her palm and stared at the lines on it. The thick calluses on her fingertips were not the marks a high school girl should have, but they were her precious memories.

Goto Ichiri is a child who hates trouble and dislikes leaving her comfort zone.

Practicing the piano is undoubtedly a tedious and boring thing. Although it is very fulfilling to play a complete piece, Goto Ichiri is not really interested in music itself.

Although things didn't go as planned, her original intention in practicing the piano was simply to make more friends.

So here's the question: if she didn't bring any friends with the guitar, why was she able to keep going in junior high school?

I guess it's because I like it.

Similarly, her fondness for the boy also allowed Goto Ichiri to break free from the shackles of her personality.

"We'll help if Pochi-chan is willing... but the prerequisite is that we have to overcome the altitude barrier."

Hongxia really wanted to support her teammates' relationships, but they were in dire straits themselves, and if they failed the audition, they wouldn't even have a chance to go on stage.

The child said, "I...I will do my best!"

Goto Ichiri pounded her chest, her eyes seemingly burning with fire, and murmured in a weak voice, "Because I am the real guitar hero."

Four...

Back to the audition site.

Hongxia clenched her fists, never expecting that the guitar hero would actually be Boqi-chan...

Having overheard Boqi's mutterings, Hongxia quickly went online to check and, based on the guitar brand and the gestures of her playing, was almost certain that she wasn't lying.

"Having a guitar hero in our band gives us a real sense of confidence!"

"What guitar hero?"

Yamada Ryo strolled over leisurely, and Nijika blurted out all her guesses from that morning.

"What?! Pochi-chan is a guitar...!"

　 "Shh!"

Nijika raised her index finger, seemingly reminding Yamada Ryo not to reveal the secret.

"Hmph, I knew that Pochi-chan was different from everyone else."

Yamada Ryo breathed a sigh of relief and casually tossed his short hair.

You know nothing.

Hongxia mentally complained, and quickly relayed the news to Kita. So now, apart from Goto Ichiri herself not knowing that her teammates knew she was Guitar Hero, everyone else knew her true identity.

"Number 23, the band is about to end. Please have the band leader raise his hand to signal when you are ready."

The temporary host on stage held up the microphone and spoke in a cold tone, while the judges below the stage whispered among themselves, seemingly not taking this third-rate band with a mere thousand fans seriously.

I feel somewhat at ease.

No one paid attention to them, and there were no extra expectations, which allowed Goto Ichiri to thrive.

She gently stroked the guitar strings, the comforting scent of the guitar dispelling the dizziness that had been lingering since morning.

Ah, so quiet, in excellent condition.

After strumming the strings a few times to confirm that the guitar was in perfect condition, Goto Ichiri gave Niji Natsu a look that said, "Ready, ready."

"We are ready."

With a "buzz" sound!

The roar of the electric guitar begins, signaling the end of the band's performance of their first song, "Guitar, Loneliness, and the Blue Planet."

...

After the piece ended, Goto Ichiri wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. From the very first note, she had kept her head up.

Therefore, she noticed every move the judges made.

There is a play!

Everyone loves our songs!

Although we don't know how the judges would rate them, everyone was clearly enjoying themselves, and their happy expressions didn't lie.

Their abilities aren't as bad as you might think!