Am I being simulated by their love affair?

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After hearing the girl's honest words once again, Jun Matsue suddenly realized that Yosei Kurusu seemed to be looking in the direction of his seat when she said those words.

"Are you looking at me when you say this? Is this considered criticism?" he asked the girl next to him.

"I'm not criticizing you~" the girl shook her head vigorously, "but Songzhi is also someone without dreams, right? Being the 'King of Part-Time Jobs' and all that, isn't it just about wanting to make a lot of money?"

“That’s right.” Jun Matsueda shifted his position, resting his hands on the sofa. “I need money to satisfy my desires in life, that’s all.”

The girl shook her head more vigorously, her long pink hair flying wildly and hitting his face with a sharp, painful thud. "Then I still hope that Songzhi can have a dream."

"Or rather, do you have a goal?" Kurusu Yosei tilted his head. "The joy of moving towards it is something that money can hardly buy!"

"So I'm so happy to see Pine Branch getting ready to perform on stage!" The girl's radiant smile was even more vivid than what was on the television screen.

"Maybe a band will become Songzhi's dream? Playing drums is something you can do for a lifetime!"

The girl got up from the sofa, first pretending to sing loudly, then changing to a clapping motion with both hands.

"I hope that Songzhi can also experience the joy I am feeling now!"

Matsueda Jun realized once again that Kurusu Yosei's thoughts were more delicate and warm than he had thought.

"July 10th, right?" The girl walked to the TV, covered her own close-up image, picked up the calendar on the TV cabinet, and circled the date with a pen.

"Then I'll be Songzhi's fan, okay? Songzhi, can you make me fall in love with you?"

"If you get hooked, it'll only cause more trouble, won't it?" Songzhi said with a smile. The annoyed girl grabbed a cushion from the seat and threw it into his arms.

"That's the most annoying thing about you!"

Although July hasn't even started yet, its tenth day has already become a highly anticipated day. The girls keep this date in their hearts and are each making preparations for their appearance.

However, the band's first performance came even more suddenly than a July rain shower.

Chapter 311 Unit Two, Appointed in a Time of Crisis

It was the last day of June, during the band's usual afternoon rehearsal, when Izumi Mizuki's phone, which was on the cabinet, suddenly rang.

A sharp, urgent bell suddenly pierced the music, completely destroying the harmonious melody. Jun Matsue put down his drumsticks, and Maki Yamami, who was sitting not far away, looked up in confusion.

To stay focused during practice, Minister Izumi's phone is usually on silent. A sudden ringtone means either the girl is having a bad day, or something important has happened.

Yamami Maki had just arrived at the practice room. She had sneaked over after noticing on the security camera that the band had no visitors that day.

The girl frowned slightly as she watched Izumi Mizuki answer the phone. Today was a rare day when no one came to visit the band and she had free time. It would be a real shame if she couldn't practice because of an unexpected event.

Maybe it's a good thing? The girl thought about it again. Even if the practice was canceled, Matsueda would probably stay. Maybe she could take this opportunity to show him around the area?

"Do you have time this afternoon?" Izumi Mizuki put down her guitar; it seemed the call wasn't going to end anytime soon. "I am free."

"A band?" The girl holding her phone turned around and looked around at the people in the room. "They should be free, right? I'm not sure."

"Two hours later?" Her tone rose slightly, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Let me ask."

"Okay, I'll get back to you shortly."

Izumi Mizuki put down her phone, and all eyes in the room turned to her. The girl cleared her throat and said, "Chikamatsu has a performance opportunity today. The performance is in three hours, but the audition needs to be done an hour earlier."

Jun Matsue remembered the name. Chikamatsu was the first livehouse they auditioned for, not far from Shimokitazawa. He glanced at his phone; it was 5 p.m.

"So, are you going?" the girl asked directly.

“I can.” Jun Matsue is usually free when he’s not working part-time. He’s at the company today shooting new promotional photos, so no one is urging him to go home.

“Me too~” Miyamura Aya raised her hand. Her schedule was basically the same as Matsueda’s. When she wasn’t working part-time, she would study in her apartment.

"Hmm..." Bassist Xiaoxing looked around, her expression a little troubled, "I was originally planning to go out with my boyfriend tonight..."

"Sachi-chan!" Aya Miyamura hugged the girl's arm. "You can play with your boyfriend anytime, but performance opportunities are rare!"

"Okay, okay," the girl nodded helplessly. "Can I free up some time?"

"Then I'll reply to Chikamatsu that I can play?" Izumi Mizuki typed quickly on her phone and pressed send.

"We need to submit the setlist, and the livehouse needs to make new posters." She looked up. "Re:Re and Paranoid Parade, is that alright?"

"No problem!" Caijiang raised the microphone. "I definitely won't sing the wrong lyrics again!"

“In that case, we still have two hours before the audition, so let’s say half an hour is for travel time.” Jun Matsueda tapped his fingers on the drumhead and began to calculate.

"We still have an hour and a half left. Should we practice a few more times?"

"Let's take a break first." Xiaoxing took off the straps and hung the bass on the wall. "I need to call my boyfriend."

During the short break, the girls came out of the room one after another, taking the opportunity to breathe fresh air and adjust their state. Jun Matsueda did not intend to pick up the drumsticks again, but sat in a chair and massaged his forearms.

"So... we're going to have a performance soon?" Yami Maki finally came to her senses.

"It really came as a surprise," Jun Matsueda nodded. "I had no idea I was going to be on stage."

"Chikamatsu said the band that was supposed to open for the night can't make it." The practice room door opened again, and Izumi Mizuki came back and took a sip of water.

"The flight was delayed and hasn't arrived in Tokyo yet. Luckily, we're nearby, so they contacted us."

"I see." The boy nodded. "After all, our performance fees are relatively cheap, so it's understandable."

"The boss is very generous," the girl said, putting down her water bottle. "He said the performance fee will be doubled."

The boy nodded again, "After all, the situation was urgent, so it's understandable."

I don't know which sentence made the senior laugh, but the corners of Yamami Maki's mouth turned up slightly.

After finishing her water, Izumi Mizuki left, leaving only the two of them in the room. Yamami Maki looked at the boy still sitting in front of the drum set and asked, "Shall I take everyone there later?"

"Your senior gave you a ride?" Jun Matsue looked at the girl. "You got your driver's license?"

It's hard to imagine whether the senior student is clumsy or skilled at driving.

“I mean, let the studio drive us there,” Yami Maki waved her hand. “The studio’s van, that way we can take all of everyone’s instruments.”

"You can bring the drum set too!" the girl added.

"Should we bring the drums too?" Jun Matsue asked, somewhat surprised. "We can use the ones provided by the venue."

"No way!" Yami Maki shook her head firmly, showing a bit of her senior's demeanor at this moment. "Matsueda-kun, you'll be using the drumsticks I gave you, right?"

"Since I'm using my drumsticks, I'll play the best drums!"

"I'll be there too, so I really want to see Matsueda's best performance."

The girl's eyes flickered, indicating that this matter was not open to discussion and was settled.

“…Then let’s listen to what senior says.” Jun Matsueda took out his phone and sent a message to the other members.

Although the senior student was just an observer, she was probably the one with the most serious attitude, he thought to himself.

Tomatsu basically doesn't care about his drumming skills. Even if every single one of his drumbeats is off-beat, the girl will say it sounds good without hesitation, and will act as if she has heard heavenly music.

If it were Mochizuki, she would probably scold him while saying, "Only I can stand listening to this kind of drumming."

Kurusu will probably ask him how he felt after the performance, "As long as Matsueda is happy, it's fine~" Matsueda Jun can even imagine her tone.

And Yamami-senpai really cares about whether he plays the drums well or not, as if the drummer isn't Matsueda Jun, but herself.

However, the girl's wholehearted anticipation does not feel harsh or heavy; instead, it can become a driving force to move forward.

"Maybe this is the magic of my senior?" Jun Matsue said subconsciously.

"Hmm?" Yami Maki tilted her head, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

"It's nothing." The boy smiled. "Let's practice a couple more times after everyone has rested, and do it in our best condition."

An hour and a half seemed exceptionally long at school, but flew by in the practice room. Yamami Maki was the last to leave the room, locking the door behind her as she watched the band members carrying large and small bags down the hallway.

"Let's go!" Caijiang's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Sitting in the spacious van, Yamami Maki gave Matsueda Jun her usual smile. After the van started moving, the girl suddenly thought of a question.

Perhaps it was because everyone was a little nervous—

Neither Matsueda nor Aya-chan seem to have informed Yuka and the others about the upcoming performance.

Chapter 312 The wind on the stage blows the girl's bangs

The van went over the speed bump, and the machinery in the trunk rattled a little louder.

Those were all the girls' treasures, and their gazes turned to the back row, except for Yamami Maki, who stared out the car window in a daze.

Should she inform Yuka...? She was still struggling with this question.

If I don't inform Yuka, and she finds out that Matsueda performed early and that her senior was also there, how am I supposed to explain that I didn't inform her?

The girl thought about it for a while, and finally decided to take out her phone. Just as she was about to send a message, Jun Matsue, who was sitting opposite her, spoke up.

"Doesn't Cai-chan often talk in your group? Should we tell them about today's performance?"

"Hmm..." Aya Miyamura frowned as she thought, "How about we just call it a day?"

"If we rush into this performance and it doesn't go well, wouldn't it be awkward to call them over?"

"Let's treat this as a rehearsal! With this experience, the actual performance on the 10th will definitely be even more perfect!"

The girl looked up and asked the only audience member present for her opinion, "What do you think, Yamami-neechan?"

"Uh, are you asking me?" The senior's smile was a little hesitant. "...I think what Aya-chan said makes sense."

"Then it's decided!" Aya clapped her hands. "We won't tell Tomatsu-nee and the others this time."

Now she even had a reason to keep it a secret. Yami Maki breathed a sigh of relief, put away her phone, and looked at Matsueda Jun sitting in front of her.

Their gazes swayed along with the carriage, appearing and disappearing in the dim light filtering through the city.

The van arrived at the bustling neighborhood of Shimokitazawa in just ten minutes. Chikamatsu Livehouse is located on the basement floor of an old-fashioned shopping mall. You can see the inconspicuous entrance and Chikamatsu's logo by following the steps that extend down from the roadside.

The main entrance was very ordinary, no different from the security door of Jun Matsueda's apartment. The manager was a young man who was standing on the street waiting for the band to arrive. He saw Jun Matsueda as soon as he got out of the van.

"Good evening, Izumi-san and Matsue-san~" The shop manager greeted the two tallest members of the band. "I thought I wouldn't see you until July, thank you all for today!"

"It's alright," Izumi Mizuki said in her usual calm tone. "It's not like we're not going to pay appearance fees."

"Hahahaha." The young man laughed awkwardly. Even though he and the girl had known each other for a long time, he was still not used to her straightforward way of speaking.

"Your appearance fee will be paid after the performance." He waved to the van. "If you have any large equipment, use the back door; you can't get it in through the front."

Maki Yami carried the guitar, bass, and drum kit into the venue, along with effects pedals and various accessories. She watched her busy companions go up on stage to test the sound, and then go down to rest.

The ceiling in the underground space wasn't high, and considering the protruding part of the stage, Jun Matsueda was a little careful when he came off the stage—he almost hit the ceiling when he stood up with his drumsticks in hand.

"So, are all the preparations for the performance complete now?" Yami Maki asked, watching the boy put his drumsticks into his bag.

As the first band to open the show, all of their equipment was left on the stage, but Jun Matsue deliberately put away his drumsticks—they were a gift from his senior, and it would be troublesome if someone took them.

"It's basically done. We just need to check it again on stage to make sure no wires have been kicked off." Izumi Mizuki answered the girl's question, and Yami Maki then realized that there were other people present.

"If it's okay, then I'll be ready to let you go." The manager walked into the performance space. "It starts in half an hour. You guys can come over to the bar and have a few drinks."

Chikamatsu has the same setup as most small livehouses: the front is a bar-style reception area selling soft drinks and band-related merchandise, and the back is accessed through a short, dark corridor, without even a dressing room.

Instead of going to the bar, the girls stood behind the curtain on the side of the stage, watching as the shadowy figures representing the audience gradually filled the space below.

"There are quite a few people here." Jun Matsue looked around. Chikamatsu's side could only accommodate 150 people, and there were already 70 or 80 people standing below the stage.

“Chikamatsu is a well-established performance venue in Shimokitazawa, with a large audience,” Izumi Mizuki explained from the side. “Many bands from all over the country have performed here.”

"I want to leave the stage!" Aya Miyamura's eyes sparkled. "I want to try what it's like to mingle with the audience!"

"Take that passage, don't just climb over the railing." Izumi Mizuki pointed to the passage on the side of the stage.

“I’ll go with you,” Jun Matsue said, looking at the senior student beside him. “I’ll also take her downstairs.”

"Huh?" Yamami Maki blinked. "Should I go down?"

"The view from the front of the stage is definitely better than standing on the side," the boy said with a smile.

Jun Matsueda walked ahead, clearing a path for the girls behind him. Aya Miyamura ran to the front desk to get a drink of water, while only Maki Yamami followed behind him.

"Right here," the girl whispered. She was now standing in the center of the audience. "Any further in, and the sound might be too loud."

The two stopped in their tracks. The stage lights were still dim, and the girl was surrounded by the slightly swaying shadows of the audience. The small space gradually warmed up as the breathing increased.

"Some people in the audience might be running and jumping around later, so please be careful, senior." Jun Matsue patiently reminded her, "Keep your belongings in your pockets, or they'll be hard to find if they fall out."

“Okay.” Yamami Maki nodded obediently and moved a little closer to the boy.

"Shall I go on stage first? It's almost time." Jun Matsue walked into the darkness behind him.