Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 19

"...Keep it up!"

She encouraged Gao Songdeng in a low voice.

The five people dispersed, leaving space for the girl to sing.

Yuan Xudou stood closest to Gao Songdeng, his handsome face filled with focus as he intently watched the girl's every move in the center of the crowd.

Takamatsu looked up and met the eyes of the boy in front of him.

Seemingly drawing courage from his earnestness, she picked up the microphone, brought it to her lips, and slightly opened her mouth—

Then, I felt the gazes of other people.

Shiina Tatsuki's scrutiny, Toyokawa Shoko's expectations, Nagasaki Motoyo's concern, Wakaba Mutsumi's indifference...

Under the gaze of those eyes, a mixture of various emotions yet all waiting and hoping for the girl's singing, Takamatsu Akari opened her mouth, only to find that she couldn't utter a sound.

In my memory, scenes of being misunderstood and unable to integrate into the group every time I tried to express myself to others flashed before my eyes.

—I can't do it.

No, there's no way to be like everyone else...

...I will disappoint them...

"Tatsuki-kun...!"

Upon noticing that the girl's petite body was beginning to tremble and her soft, dreamy amber eyes seemed to be overflowing with tears, Toyokawa Shoko realized something was wrong and immediately stepped forward to stop it.

Yuan Xudou was one step ahead of her.

The moment Gao Songdeng's fingers began to visibly tremble as he held the microphone, he had already walked up to the girl, taken the microphone from her trembling hand, and then supported her shoulder, leading Gao Songdeng away from the gaze of the crowd.

He blocked the view of the others with his arm, then turned around to face the four people with different expressions.

"Lights can't do that yet."

Yuan Xudou calmly and in an unquestionable tone declared to them.

A silent stillness enveloped the practice room like a shadow.

Chapter Twenty-One: Let's Get Along Well, Li Xi

"Hey, what do you mean by 'can't do it'?"

Finally, Shiina Tatsuki broke the silence.

She frowned, crossed her arms, and looked at Yuan Xudou, who had a calm expression, and Gao Songdeng, whose body was half-hidden by him and who seemed to be trembling. Her deep purple eyes revealed a look of worry, but her words were not very polite.

"She's the lead singer, right? It's not like she can just laugh it off by saying 'can't do it'."

"Besides, I just realized that Deng doesn't seem like the type to sing loudly on stage, right? Why make her the lead singer?"

"Mr. Lixi..."

Upon seeing Shiina Tatsuki questioning the two of them in a very aggressive tone, Toyokawa Shoko instinctively wanted to step forward to prevent her from getting into a bigger conflict with Genjiro.

But before Toyokawa Shoko could get close, Wakaba Mutsu, who had been standing beside the girl, pulled her back, shook her head slightly at Toyokawa Shoko who was looking back at her in confusion, and parted her lips slightly, her cool voice reaching the girl's ears.

"Xu Dou, I have something to say."

"..."

Shoko Toyokawa hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to trust her best friend's judgment and stopped where she was.

Nagasaki Motoyo, who had originally planned to stand with Genjiro immediately, noticed that the boy shook his head at her and did not continue to step forward.

"Shiina-san."

The other three stood by, and Takamatsu Akari was also unable to speak. All eyes in the room spontaneously turned to Minamoto no Koto and Shiina Tatsuki, who were facing each other.

Yuan Xudou remained calm, showing no excitement whatsoever at the girl's earlier question.

"I know you're worried about the condition of the lights."

"...Huh? I...I didn't—"

Ignoring the other party's flustered explanation, which seemed to have hit a nerve, Yuan Xudou bluntly stated what he wanted to say.

“You value this band a lot, which is why you speak so directly. You want every member of the team to reach a high enough level, believing that this will make the band excellent.”

First, reveal Shiina Tatsuki's true thoughts to make her feel understood. This will prevent misunderstandings and attitudes from causing conflict in subsequent communication.

"..."

Unable to refute, the girl's face flushed slightly, but she still spoke up defiantly.

Even so... what does this have to do with the lamp?

"Are we discussing why we should make Light the lead singer?"

Without realizing it, her thoughts changed from "questioning" to "discussing".

Having keenly noticed this, Toyokawa Shoko gained a deeper understanding of Minamoto no Koto's behavior in dealing with Shiina Tatsuki alone.

If other people go over, with so many people talking, the scene will definitely become very chaotic, and no one will be able to clearly explain their point of view. In the end, it will definitely make Shiina Ritsuki have doubts.

Only by having a single person directly address her questions and provide clear answers, as is the case now, can we avoid further questioning later.

Among those present, Gen Kōdō, who knows Takamatsu Akari best, is indeed the most suitable person to face Shiina Tatsuki alone.

Just as Toyokawa Shoko was beginning to understand the boy's thoughts, he also responded to Shiina Tatsuki.

"The reason why we made Deng the lead singer is because this is the place she should be in."

"The lyrics for the song 'Lamp' are the lyrics for our band's original composition. Only she can best express the emotions contained in the lyrics."

This reason was clearly not enough to convince Shiina Tatsuki, and her brows furrowed again.

"But she can't even sing now—"

"It's not possible now, but it's not that it will always be impossible."

Gen Xudou soothingly patted the top of Takamatsu Tou's short gray hair, which was hidden behind him. The trembling in his body had gradually subsided.

I didn't sense any disappointment from him regarding his recent act of running away.

Takamatsu Akari looked up in a daze at the boy who, in her eyes, simply being seen meant a sense of security.

His gentle profile still exudes that comforting and trustworthy tranquility.

"I can't sing in front of you because we're not familiar with each other yet."

"Not daring to sing loudly in front of others is not something that cannot be overcome."

"Shiina-kun, standing here at the lantern festival means you've already made the preparation to change yourself and show yourself under everyone's gaze. As the lead singer of the band, that's enough."

"When everyone can understand and get to know each other... her voice will definitely not disappoint you, Shiina."

Even though he had never actually heard Gao Songdeng sing, Yuan Xudou believed that as long as she could express her inner feelings, those emotions that had been suppressed and brewing... would surely transform into the most moving songs.

"But……"

Shiina Riki felt that she was close to accepting Genji's idea.

However, he still harbored doubts about that timid and fragile girl who evoked a protective instinct in him.

She was no longer sure whether she spoke out of anticipation or worry.

"...Even if we accept each other, the lamp can sing before us...but what if we go to the stage..."

Gao Songdeng cannot possibly regard all viewers as trustworthy people. When that time comes, she will inevitably have to go through the same situation as today, facing the scrutiny and expectations of more strangers.

Shiina Tatsuki worried that the girl would be overwhelmed by such pressure, and that the band, which was so important to her, would suffer an unbearable blow.

She couldn't accept this outcome, so she preferred to put on a fierce expression to question and accuse, rather than regret not pointing out the problems she had discovered earlier when the band's survival was truly at stake.

Facing Shiina Ritsuki's eyes, which were filled with expectation and a little unease, and longing for a reason he could accept, Minamoto Koto nodded slightly, understanding what the other was thinking.

"When that time comes..."

Gen Xudou looked at Toyokawa Shoko, indicating that it was time for her to appear.

As a "team member," Genjiro has already convinced Shiina Tatsuki. Now it's time for Toyokawa Shoko, who is subconsciously recognized as the "captain," to make the decisive conclusion.

"When that time comes, it will be up to us, who are connected by 'fate,' to provide support for Deng."

Noticing the boy's gaze, Toyokawa Shoko, who had been listening silently, immediately understood his meaning. She stepped forward and firmly told Shiina Tatsuki her thoughts.

"Helping Deng speak out in front of everyone is one of the original intentions of me in creating this band."

"Choosing Deng as the lead singer of the band was a decision made jointly by Xu Dou and me. We both believe that only Deng's shouts can perfectly express the emotions of our songs and touch everyone's heart."

"If she can't sing loudly on stage... then we'll help her overcome that."

Toyokawa Shoko placed her fair hands in front of her lower abdomen, bowed slightly to Shiina Tatsuki, and a hint of earnestness appeared in her noble eyes.

"Lixi, this is my personal wish."

Would you like to join us in helping Deng make her voice heard?

In an instant, everyone's eyes were focused on Shiina Tatsuki.

Under such intense scrutiny, the girl felt similar pressure to that experienced by Takamatsu Akari.

She touched the back of her neck with some irritation, her slender fingers constantly fiddling with her smooth, glossy black hair.

Then, he uttered words that sounded like he had given up on himself.

"...Since you've all said so, how could I possibly refuse?"

Then, Shiina Tatsuki raised her head, her purple eyes looking intently at Toyokawa Shoko, who was smiling happily, and Genji Koto, who remained calm and gentle.

"...I look forward to hearing Akari's singing in the future, and I will do my best to help her."

"besides,"

Shiina Ritsuki turned his head and met the boy's eyes.

She solemnly lowered her head to him.

"I apologize for questioning you earlier at the coffee shop."

“You are indeed a trustworthy band member, Yuan… Xu Dou.”

After listening to the boy's defense of Takamatsu, Shiina Tatsuki truly felt the boy's dedication and sincerity towards the band, and finally accepted him as an important member of the band from the bottom of his heart.

Therefore, in order not to create a rift between them, the girl did not hesitate to apologize for what she had done before.

Yuan Xudou raised an eyebrow.

Even though he understood that Shiina Tatsuki was just a straightforward person, he couldn't help but be a little surprised by the other's frankness.

"Then, I accept your apology."

He nodded.

"From now on, let's get along well as comrades. Riki-kun."

Chapter Twenty-Two: Xiangzi Wants You to Be With Her

After that, the atmosphere eased, but the group, who were no longer in the mood to practice, formed an online chat group called 【CryCHIC】 under the leadership of Toyokawa Shoko. They agreed on a time to meet next, then began packing their things and went home.

Throughout the ordeal, Gao Songdeng, still reeling from the recent defeat, kept his head down, silently following the instructions of the others without uttering a word.

Even if I wanted to show my concern for her, I wouldn't know how to start in this situation...

Worried about Takamatsu Akari's condition, Toyokawa Shoko decided to let Wakaba Mutsu go home first, while she would accompany the girl home before turning back.

Shiina Tatsuki left alone.

Gen Xudou and Nagasaki Motoyo walked out of RiNG together.

As the warm breeze of spring gradually turns into full bloom, the blossoming and withering flowers tumble and mingle indistinguishably with the bright yellow of the afternoon.

As the gentle breeze caressed her, Nagasaki Motoyo pressed down on her slightly disheveled long hair, then looked up at the boy beside her.