bookbashuk Page 106
Page 106
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Just as they reached the intersection of the shopping street, a familiar figure came into view.
"Oh ho ho!" A gentle yet slightly surprised voice rang out.
The lamp raised its head, its eyes widening slightly: "Shuangshi...?"
Nagasaki Sase—a first-year high school student at Tsukimori Girls' Academy and a former CRYCHIC bassist—stood not far away, tilting her head slightly as she looked at them. Her long hair swayed gently in the wind, and her eyes held a hint of confusion and complexity.
"Lixi, and the lamp... Where are you going?" Shuangshi's gaze lingered on Chen Xiao for a moment before shifting away, but the tips of her ears turned slightly red.
“We’re going to participate in the band demonstration audition,” Li Xi replied calmly. “If we pass, we’ll get the opportunity to perform in a formal show.”
Shuangshi's expression froze instantly: "A band...?"
Ai Yin added with a grin, "That's right! The new band is called MyGO!!!!!, does Shuang Shi want to join too?"
Shuang Shi's face suddenly turned cold: "What a joke...!"
Her fingers clenched unconsciously, and her voice trembled slightly: "How can you give up on CRYCHIC's memories so easily? You... found a new band so quickly?"
The lamp lowered its head, its voice weak: "Shuangshi..."
Chen Xiao stepped forward, smiling at Shuang Shi: "Since you care so much, why don't you come and watch our performance?"
Shuang Shi bit her lip, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.
Chapter 112 After taking down Shuangshi, who will be the next prey?
Chen Xiao's slender fingers gently brushed against Nagasaki Sōse's cheek, the warmth from his fingertips causing Sōse to unconsciously hold her breath. He leaned down slightly, his gentle, warm voice whispering in her ear, "What? Sōse-kun, do you want to come and see?"
Shuang Shi was momentarily stunned by the handsome face so close to hers, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She hastily turned her face away, her long black hair tracing a graceful arc in the air: "I won't go look!" Her tone was firm, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her wavering.
Chen Xiao's smile deepened. This seemingly gentle but actually proud girl was becoming more and more adorable the more she looked at her.
"Let's go then." He waved to Deng, Ai Yin, and Li Xi behind him. The three girls immediately followed him and headed towards the studio.
Shuangshi stood there, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt. Only when the four figures were about to disappear around the street corner did she bite her lip and quietly follow them.
The studio was brightly lit, and the audience seats were filled with viewers and serious judges who had come to watch the assessment. The stage lights gradually dimmed, signaling that the performance was about to begin.
"Are you nervous?" Chen Xiao gently squeezed the lamp's hand.
Deng shook his head, a determined light shining in his amber eyes: "With Brother Chen Xiao here... I'm not afraid."
Aiyin playfully flashed a V-sign: "Don't worry! We've practiced for so long!"
Lixi gripped the drumsticks tightly and snorted coldly, "Just don't hold me back."
As the announcement began, the four walked onto the stage. When the spotlight shone on Chen Xiao, the audience erupted in deafening screams.
"It's Chen Xiao, Chiba's number one male god!!"
"My God! He actually came to participate in the band audition!"
"That senior who plays the piano is so handsome!"
Chen Xiao stood calmly in front of the microphone, his slender fingers gently plucking the bass strings. The intro to "Silence" flowed out slowly, and his deep, gentle voice instantly captivated the entire audience:
"Only the piano kept me company all day..."
In the shadows at the side of the stage, Shuang Shi unconsciously held her breath. She had never seen Chen Xiao like this before—under the spotlight, he seemed to glow, his melancholic and affectionate voice striking the softest part of her heart.
When the song reached the line "I don't have this talent, to tolerate you and accept him," Shuang Shi felt as if her heart had been violently clenched. She instinctively pressed her hand to her chest, only to find that her eyes were already wet with tears.
After a few seconds of silence, the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause. The judges whispered among themselves, their faces filled with amazement.
“Next…” Chen Xiao suddenly turned the light on and handed her the bass, “It’s your turn.”
Deng's eyes widened in surprise, but encouraged by Chen Xiao's gaze, she accepted the instrument. Ai Yin and Li Xi also adjusted their positions in unison.
As the intro began, Sose's body suddenly froze—it was "Haruhi Kage," CRYCHIC's once-famous song.
The lamp's voice was clear yet melancholic, as if recounting a longing for the past. The interplay of light and shadow on the stage made her slender figure appear exceptionally lonely.
Shuangshi's fingernails dug deeply into her palms. She should be angry, she should rush up and question them about why they were playing this piece. But her legs felt as heavy as lead, and she could only stand there, letting the memories flood back like a tide.
As the chorus began, a warm figure suddenly appeared behind the lamp. Chen Xiao gently embraced her, their harmonies blending perfectly into the main melody. Ai Yin's guitar and Li Xi's drumbeats became even more energetic, giving the entire song a fresh new vitality.
This is not a simple repetition of the past, but rather... a rebirth.
Shuangshi's tears finally welled up. She finally understood the lamp's choice—not to abandon the memories, but to move forward with them.
As the last note faded, the entire audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again. Several judges even stood up to applaud.
"MyGO!!!!! Congratulations on passing the test!"
Aine jumped up excitedly, and Riki also smiled, a rare sight for her. Lamp, hugging her bass, looked at Souse in the audience with teary eyes.
Sōse's voice echoed in the studio, trembling with barely suppressed rage: "Why did you sing 'Spring Day Shadow'?! Everyone's gone, why did you have to sing 'Spring Day Shadow', Akari?!"
Deng froze, her bass guitar slipping slightly from her hand, a flicker of panic and hurt crossing her amber eyes. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Chen Xiao immediately stepped forward, gently shielding the lamp behind him, and placed his warm hand on her shoulder: "It's alright, lamp." His voice was deep and firm, like an invisible wall, keeping out any harm from the outside world.
Shiina Tatsuki rushed straight to Souse, her short black hair standing on end in anger: "What's wrong with you?!" She grabbed Souse's collar, "The band may have disbanded, but the lyrics for 'Haruhi Kage' were written by Touka! She's more qualified than anyone else to sing this song!"
Shuangshi's eyes were red and swollen, tears welling up but stubbornly refusing to fall. Her body trembled slightly, as if suppressing some emotion about to erupt: "You simply don't understand... those are memories of the five of us, not something that can be easily—"
"You're just unwilling to accept it," Chen Xiao suddenly said, interrupting Shuang Shi.
His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire studio.
All eyes were on the handsome young man.
Chen Xiao walked slowly toward Shuang Shi, each step seemingly treading on her heartbeat: "You're jealous, jealous that Deng can bravely face the past, while you're still stuck in the same place."
Shuang Shi suddenly looked up, tears finally streaming down her face: "I didn't—"
“You do.” Chen Xiao was already standing in front of her, his slender fingers gently wiping away the tears on her face. “You want to play ‘Spring Shadow’ more than anyone else, don’t you?”
Shuang Shi froze. Chen Xiao's words were like a key, precisely unlocking the lock on her heart. Those suppressed emotions surged out like a burst dam—resentment, longing, loneliness, and...desire.
"I..." Her voice choked with emotion.
Chen Xiao didn't give her a chance to argue, and pulled her into his arms. Shuang Shi struggled instinctively, but he held her tightly.
“Souze,” he whispered in her ear, his voice incredibly gentle, “MyGO!!!!! Welcome to the team. You can continue playing ‘Haruhi Kage,’ but not as a memory, but as a new beginning.”
Shuang Shi's body gradually relaxed, and finally, as if she had lost all her strength, she collapsed into Chen Xiao's arms. Tears soaked his shirt, but she no longer cared.
“…Bastard.” she muttered, but then reached out and grabbed Chen Xiao’s clothes tightly.
Deng cautiously approached and gently took Shuangshi's hand: "Shuangshi... let's be together, okay?"
Ai Yin joined in, grinning, and said, "That's right~ It's more lively when there are more people in the band!"
Li Xi snorted and turned her face away: "...Whatever."
Nagasaki Sase abruptly shook off the lamp's hand, turned, and rushed out of the studio. Her back looked particularly defiant under the light, her long black hair drawing sharp arcs in the air with her hurried steps.
"Shuangshi!" Deng wanted to chase after him, but Chen Xiao stopped him.
"Leave it to me." Chen Xiao winked at them, a confident smile playing on his lips.
Ai Yin covered her mouth and chuckled, "Brother Chen Xiao is going to use 'that' method again~"
Li Xi rolled her eyes: "Tsk, what a jerk."
Deng's cheeks flushed slightly, but she still nodded: "Brother Chen Xiao...you must bring Shuangshi back."
Rain began to fall from the sky, the fine rain wetting the streets. Shuangshi walked alone in the rain, without an umbrella, letting the rain soak her long hair and school uniform.
"Why are you following me?" She suddenly stopped and said without turning her head, "You're not a member of our old band."
Chen Xiao, holding an umbrella, walked slowly to her and said, "Because I think you want to play 'Spring Shadow' again more than anyone else."
Shuangshi's body trembled slightly, raindrops sliding down her cheeks, indistinguishable between rain and tears: "There's no going back... Everyone is already..."
"Why do you have to go back?" Chen Xiao suddenly stepped forward and held the umbrella over her head. "Isn't it better to keep moving forward?"
Shuang Shi raised her head and met Chen Xiao's deep eyes. At that moment, she seemed to see that melancholy and affectionate boy on the stage again.
"You don't understand..." Her voice choked with emotion, "That was a shared memory for all five of us..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chen Xiao suddenly threw down his umbrella and pulled her into his arms in the rain. Shuang Shi was stunned. The cold rain lashed at them, but Chen Xiao's embrace was so warm it made her heart tremble.
"Chen Xiao, you...!" Just as she was about to struggle, Chen Xiao lowered his head and kissed her lips.
The kiss carried the coolness of rain and the burning heat of a young man, leaving Shuangshi's mind blank. She tried to push him away, but her hands had already gripped his clothes tightly without her realizing it.
When Chen Xiao finally released her, Shuang Shi's eyes were red and swollen, tears mingling with the rain as they streamed down her face: "You...you bullied me..."
“Join MyGO!!!!!” Chen Xiao cupped her face and said earnestly, “I promise you, I will bring back all the former members.”
Shuangshi's eyes widened in shock: "Why... are you helping me?"
Through the rain, Chen Xiao's smile was gentle and dazzling: "Because I love music." He paused, then leaned closer to her ear, "Of course, I love Shuangshi even more."
Shuangshi's face flushed red instantly. She wanted to retort, but found that her voice was choked with sobs and she couldn't speak.
Chen Xiao gently wiped away the rain and tears from her face: "So, do you want to believe me?"
The rain intensified, but the atmosphere between the two gradually warmed up. Shuangshi took a deep breath and finally nodded slightly.
"……Um."
"Can I come to your house for a while?" Chen Xiao asked.
"why?"
I want to know more about you!
Shuang Shi was attracted by Chen Xiao's handsome face and gentle temperament, and couldn't help but nod. It seemed that for Chen Xiao, he didn't need any tricks to win over any woman.
Gentleness is his surefire way to win people over.
Raindrops pattered against the window, casting dappled light and shadow in the Shuang family's living room.
Chen Xiao handed over a hot towel and gently wiped Shuang Shi's wet hair.
"I can do it myself..." Shuang Shi tried to take the towel, but Chen Xiao gently dodged it.
"Don't move." His voice was deep and gentle, and his fingertips brushed against her earlobe unintentionally, causing a slight tremor.
Shuangshi's cheeks flushed, and she awkwardly turned her head away: "You... don't think that this will make me forgive you for kissing me in the rain..."