Page 223
Page 223
However, the boy, who was deep in thought, heard snickers beside him.
When Banami came to her senses, she looked at the smiling blonde girl, and as she looked at her, she blushed.
Banami deliberately said fiercely, "What are you laughing at? Am I that funny?"
"No...no, I just felt that it's really different when you're here, Yuuki-kun. Just now, Yutenji-san and Saki-chan were arguing so fiercely that their faces turned red, but as soon as you spoke, their attitudes cooled down." Hatsuka said in a light voice.
It seems that even though the atmosphere with the new band wasn't great, it didn't stop her from being in a really good mood.
"Are you happy?" Banami asked.
Chu Hua looked up at the sky and said, "Well, although you still can't see many stars in this sky, I think I..."
Then, Chu Hua turned to look at the boy, her face slightly flushed, and said, "I have found my own star."
Chapter Seven: Stars and Us
The blonde girl said softly, "I have found my star."
Therefore, she no longer needed to constantly look up at the sky, searching for that elusive star in the starless sky.
However, when she saw that the boy's face was also burning hot, Mikasa realized just how ambiguous her words had been.
"Um... that's not what I meant. I meant that being able to form a band with Saki-chan is already a blessing for me," the blond guy hurriedly explained.
When she explained it this way, Banami seemed a little disappointed and said, "Oh, that's not what I meant."
That means, of course, that the star that belongs to her refers to Banami.
Seeing the boy's condition, Chu Hua was almost in tears, and said, "I...I..."
Then I heard Banami laugh out loud and say, "Idiot, I understand what you mean. Thank you for treating me like one of your stars."
After saying that, Banai walked forward with light steps. Chu Hua was slightly taken aback, and then her nose felt a little sore.
In fact, for Sanjiao Chuhua, neither remuneration, fame, nor lowering her own value are important to her.
Most importantly, she could form a band with Xiangzi, preferably for a lifetime, and have this boy by her side.
For Chu Hua, this is already happiness. But if you were to ask her which of these two things is true happiness, Chu Hua doesn't want to know.
She ran to the boy with light steps, like a puppy, and circled around him happily.
"Hey, you're such a big star, a beautiful girl with so many fans, and you're just hanging around me like this, so easily satisfied, is that reasonable?"
"Give me a little more greed! SUMIMI's fans are going to cry."
The boy seemed somewhat indignant as he spoke.
"Then let them cry. I'm not Sumimi's Misaka Hatsuka anymore, I'm just... Yu-kun's childhood friend." Hatsuka said in a light voice.
Perhaps she was just too happy today, because she was much more straightforward than usual.
However, it always makes Banami's heart flutter.
Damn it, you despicable golden retriever, you actually launched an attack!
Banami mimicked Teacher Daisho's humming twice and said, "You fickle woman who gets bored easily, have you ever thought about Ms. Donut... oh no, Junda Mana's feelings? You always treat her as a backup option."
"You always have to have donuts, but never have to have Saki-chan. You've really gone too far."
Chu Hua was a little stunned when the boy suddenly accused her like that, but her face quickly turned red with embarrassment.
"Um, I... I'm not..." But upon closer reflection, Chu Hua couldn't explain it.
Because what Yuuki said was true. After all, for her, SUMIMI was work, but SAKI-chan was her life...
Chu Hua's face immediately turned ashen.
"You wouldn't be realizing how awful your behavior really is only now, would you?" Banami asked suspiciously.
"But, but what should I do, Xi-jun?" the golden retriever said in a slightly pleading voice.
Although she was grateful to Mana and liked Mana very much, Saki-chan was different to her.
Banami gently stroked her head and said, "Of course, you have to treat everyone equally. You can like Saki-chan the most, but you can't let Donut-chan feel neglected."
After all, you're partners, aren't you?
Hearing Banami's words of comfort, Hatsuka felt a little relieved. In the past, she had only been chasing after Saki-chan, which made her neglect the things around her.
If you think about it carefully, isn't her behavior just treating Mana as a backup option?
Even Xiangzi thought things through more thoroughly than her, suggesting that she perform in the new band wearing a mask, so that at least for the time being, it wouldn't affect SUMIMI and Junda Mana.
Arriving at the vegetable pancake shop, while Banami was taking her order, Hatsuka, finally feeling guilty, started calling Junta Mana.
"Hey, why is Hatsuka-chan calling so late?"
"Haha, I was just about to sneak a bite of pudding when Miss Kurohime caught me. I was just scolded for not controlling my weight."
"Chuhua, how's it going on your end? Is the new band doing well?"
"That's great, Chuhua, you must keep it up!"
"Hey, are you really going to bring me back donuts? I love you the most, Hatsuka-chan!"
After hanging up the phone, Chu Hua took a deep breath and looked up at the half-moon night sky. If it weren't for Banami's reminder, she would have almost forgotten how lucky she was to have met Junta Mana as her partner.
Although she couldn't be the favorite of Mana-chan, Mana was indeed a partner worth cherishing for Hatsuka.
Hmm, although I'm very grateful for Xi-jun's reminder, I still feel that his theory of maintaining balance is somewhat strange.
But when Hua walked back to the pancake shop, he saw the boy sitting on the table in front of the shop, with a row of glasses placed there, as if they were for decoration.
"So, have you managed to appease your 'backup plan'?" Banami teased.
Chu Hua felt increasingly uncomfortable upon hearing this word, and even she couldn't help but feel annoyed, saying, "Xi Jun, don't use such language. I will take good care of my relationship with MANA from now on."
Although she had made a mistake, she still felt a little wronged, after all, she had been criticized by the boy.
"Alright, I admit I misspoke. I'll give you an apology gift," Banami said softly.
Chu Hua looked at the boy holding up two chopsticks with slight surprise; it seemed he had gotten them from the pancake shop.
Then, he skillfully tapped his two chopsticks on the rim of the glass, making a crisp sound, and the water inside the glass rippled slightly.
"Huh?" Chu Hua was somewhat surprised to find that the sound produced by the side-by-side glasses was like the different levels of water in a band.
"Never played it before?" Banami said, somewhat teasingly.
"I've heard of it, but I've never actually played it like that." Chu Hua couldn't help but sit down opposite him.
Then, the boy used two chopsticks to gently tap the glass, quickly "playing" a melody she was familiar with.
"This is 'The Line'?" Chu Hua said somewhat lightly.
Banami nodded slightly and said, "Yes, let's test it out a bit."
After saying that, he poured a little water from the second cup into the third cup, and then tapped it lightly. To the girl's ears, the pitch was even better than before.
Then, he began to play a melody that Chu Hua had never heard before, and said with a light laugh, "This song is called 'Stars and Us,' and it's dedicated to my dear Miss Misaka Chu Hua."
Hearing the boy's half-joking words, the girl's heart trembled slightly.
*Living in constant fear, losing my home every day
We kept hesitating and wavering.
The mirror reflects the streets of yesteryear.
Despite attempts to piece together fragments of the past
But no matter how hard they try, they slip away like grains of sand through their fingers.
The boy's clear, slightly melancholic voice drifted through the desolate streets on the night breeze.
Chapter Eight Rhinoceros Beetle
As Sanjiao Chuhua was immersed in this song she had never heard before, a crowd gradually gathered near the pancake shop.
This world is a golden age of music. Japan in this world has a musical and artistic atmosphere reminiscent of Vienna in the previous life, with street performers often singing to earn a living.
And every time a popular song emerges, it becomes a hot topic in society.
People are used to gathering around to enjoy performances whenever someone is singing on the street.
When Banami finished singing "The Stars and Us," the people lingering in front of the pancake shop couldn't help but applaud.
"Hey, isn't this my boyfriend?"
"I know him. It seems like he hasn't been doing live streams or dating reality shows lately."
"Who is the blonde girl next to him? She's wearing a baseball cap and I can't see her clearly, but she looks somewhat familiar."
Hearing the commotion in the crowd, Banami quickly grabbed Hatsuka and ran away.
If tomorrow's headlines feature something like "SUMIMI's guitarist, Mitsumi Hatsuka, meets her boyfriend at night," then that would be truly disgraceful.
Although Misaki Hatsuka often exudes a heroic feminine charm under the spotlight, perfectly complementing the cute style of Junda Mana, at this moment, this act, which resembles stealing a moment of intimacy, still makes her blush with nervousness.
"Phew, I forgot that my songs are all top-notch hits that can resonate with heaven and earth. It wouldn't be good if someone recognized you," the boy said with a hint of self-praise.
Chu Hua nodded somewhat sheepishly, thinking to herself, "Xi Jun's songs are just good, just amazing."
If she actually said it, the guy next door would probably be embarrassed and blush.
"Actually... I don't mind," Chu Hua said softly.
Banami looked at her with some confusion. "What are you suddenly saying?"
Chu Hua blushed slightly and clenched her fists, saying, "Even if I'm recognized, I... I don't mind."
Banami paused for a moment, then slapped her on the forehead and said, "Why are you always thinking such wonderful things? You don't mind, but I do."
I still want to live the life of an ordinary high school boy.
You're so calculating, the beads on your abacus are practically jumping out of my face. Please be a little more reserved, Miss Golden Retriever.
Chu Hua gently touched her forehead and said, "Oh."
Because the pancake shop was now crowded, they had to turn back and head back to the coffee shop.
However, after walking halfway, Banai realized and said, "Damn it, I forgot to take the pancake."
Now they all look empty-handed.
"Do we want to go back?" Chu Hua asked blankly.
"Never mind, at most I'll get a few laughs from Miaomeng and Xiangzi when I get back." Banami shrugged lightly.
"It's all your fault, you've made such a mess of things that we can't get anything done." The boy shamelessly shifted all the blame onto the girl.
"I'm sorry," Chu Hua said, sounding a little aggrieved, and subconsciously apologized first.
Having made the superstar Chu Hua feel wronged and take all the blame like a wronged wife, Banami felt incredibly relieved and skipped back, humming the little tune she had just heard.
Chu Hua lagged behind, watching his back and couldn't help but smile foolishly as she followed behind him.
For Mitsumi Hatsuka, this young girl doesn't want much, in fact, it's far too little compared to her status as an idol star. But right now, she can definitely feel the taste of happiness.
Being able to form a band with Xiao Xiang, and being able to walk side by side with Xi Jun.
Being scolded by him is a kind of happiness...
Suddenly, Hatsuka, who was a little distracted, bumped into Banami's back.
The girl looked at the boy who had suddenly stopped in his tracks with some confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I saw something interesting, wait a minute." As soon as he heard this, Banai ran to the woods in the park by the roadside and took something off a tree trunk.
Chu Hua tilted his head slightly, and when Banai returned, he had a "I'm awesome" look on his face. He handed the thing in his hand to Chu Hua to see, which turned out to be an "insect".
"Holy crap, Chu Hua, look! It's a rhinoceros beetle! They even have these in Japan? I hope I won't get arrested if I catch it and take it back with me."
Banami is now just like a brat who's shown off to his friends after skipping ten stones in a row.
But when Hua saw the rhinoceros beetle, his face turned pale and he instinctively took a few steps back, as if he were terrified of insects.
Seeing that Banami tilted her head slightly, she asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
After saying this, he threw the rare rhinoceros beetle back onto the tree and came to the girl's side.
"No...it's nothing. I guess I was a little short of oxygen while I was in a crowd." Chu Hua shook her head gently.
"That's a real shame, since you love rhinoceros beetles so much," said Banami with a hint of regret.
"Hmm..." Chu Hua simply nodded, looking somewhat at a loss.
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