Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 82

While Toyokawa Shoko is undoubtedly a very important member of CryCHIC as the leader, the most special person in the eyes of the band members, Gen Xudou, is still there as the mainstay. Losing her is not an absolutely fatal blow.

...However, while others were beginning to feel a glimmer of hope and preparing to act according to his plan.

Only one girl closed her eyes in even greater pain.

"I will find a way to bring Xiangzi back—"

—It's impossible.

Even Xu Dou couldn't do that.

Xiangzi... will never return to the band... all these plans are useless...

A look of sadness flickered in her golden pupils. Ruo Ye Mu looked up and saw Yuan Xu Dou, whose brows were furrowed with deep weariness, yet who still maintained his spirits as he pondered the direction and future of the band.

However, the more he gives... the more painful it becomes.

Knowing the truth, Wakaba Mutsumi understood that it was no longer a conflict that could be reconciled or discussed.

That's why seeing Xu Dou still trying to find a solution, clinging to hope while doing futile work... made me feel so heartbroken for him.

Even if I told Xu Dou, it would be of no use; it would only make Xiangzi and him suffer more... Even if I wanted to help them, I was useless and couldn't do anything right.

'If this continues... Xu Dou will become unlike himself...'

...I cannot accept that such a thing happening.

Therefore, it must be stopped...

"Then, everyone be prepared for next time..." Yuan Xudou was still arranging the next tasks.

A trembling, low voice, as if it might be extinguished at any moment like a candle flame in the wind, ruthlessly interrupted all his thoughts.

"I...don't think the band will be happy at all..."

"...I want to quit [CryCHIC]."

Ruoye Mu stood up and walked towards the door of the practice room amidst everyone's stunned gazes.

—And that's the end.

As long as I can protect Xu Dou... I don't care if I'm disliked...

"...Mu...?"

However, even though he had made up his mind, when he heard Xu Dou's trembling voice, which sounded hollow as if something had been ripped out, he still felt as if his throat was being choked, a painful and suffocating pain.

I feel like throwing up.

Overwhelmed by the pain in her heart, Wakaba Mutsu held back her tears and forced herself to move toward the door.

Perhaps they already understood that the destruction of [CryCHIC] was a foregone conclusion; perhaps they had become numb from the torment of this period, and had even exhausted the strength to question... or perhaps, Ruoye Mu's words finally shattered that sliver of hope and laid the truth before everyone.

There's no point in stopping her.

"...Don't say things that hurt yourself, Mu."

In the end, Yuan Xudou did not try to stop him.

...Unlike Xiangzi, although Mu was also filled with pain, he did not make this decision against his will.

He... even understood a little. But because of that, he felt even more pain.

This band... will no longer bring joy to people.

Therefore, sacrificing oneself to end it—that is the best choice.

But... it shouldn't be you who makes the sacrifice—

That's why Yuan Xudou said those words. What they meant was—'I don't blame you.'

"..."

Ruo Yemu didn't turn around and stumbled out of the room.

After leaving RiNG, I wandered aimlessly through several streets, and unconsciously wiped my face.

The tears I thought I had held back now flowed clearly through my palms, forming a sorrowful stream.

She slowly squatted down on the side of the street, burying her head between her knees.

Chapter 116 A Broken Home / Our Home

Yuan Xudou pushed open the door to the practice room for the third time.

The room was empty and quiet, with no lights on, except for a black-haired girl sitting in front of the drum stand with her head down.

Shiina Riki, whose face was obscured by the shadow cast by her waist-length, straight black hair, heard the door being pushed open and slowly looked up at Gen Xudou standing in the doorway.

"...Where's the light?"

Shiina Tatsuki had been sitting here for a long time; she was sent a private message by Genjiro Tomo that asked her to come.

Therefore, she was unsure if it was just the two of them.

"...I sent a message." Yuan Xudou said calmly, closing his eyes and opening them again. "Deng didn't reply to me."

"……Yeah."

Upon hearing this answer, Shiina Tatsuki was surprised to find that she wasn't too surprised.

Despite this, Takamatsu Akira, who usually listens to Gen Xu Dou the most, chose to run away this time.

...After all, what was about to happen was perhaps too cruel for her. Even Shiina Tatsuki herself spent a long time mentally preparing herself at home before replying to Minamoto Koto's message.

She's even wondering now if running away, like Deng did, would be the best outcome.

But she still came after all.

"Where's Suze?" Shiina Ritsuki asked someone else.

“I didn’t let her come.”

So, everyone has arrived.

In this practice room that was once filled with the laughter of six people, only two people remain, speechless—the one who first formed the band and the one who joined it last.

In the long silence, Shiina Tatsuki felt her heart begin to race anxiously. She looked at Gen Xudou, trying to find that familiar trust and composure that had always made her feel so at ease in his eyes.

However, in his dark eyes, there was only a gloomy weariness, like a volcano that was about to go out.

With Toyokawa Shoko gone, he could still maintain the band's normal activities; but Wakaba Mutsumi's departure truly shook the most important thing.

Realistically speaking, no matter what, he couldn't possibly be both a keyboardist and a guitarist at the same time, especially since Xiangzi and Mu were already the two most technically skilled members of the original band.

On a deeper level... Wakaba Mutsumi's words shook Gen Xudou's idea of ​​continuing to maintain the band.

If this continues, Toyokawa Shoko's situation will become a heavy burden on everyone's hearts. With this matter in mind, the remaining five members can no longer be as carefree and relaxed as before, regarding the band as a refuge where they can let their guard down; instead, it will become a source of added pressure.

This is completely contrary to his original purpose. Continuing like this will only cause everyone to suffer.

The beautiful, happy vision of managing and protecting the band as a family that supports each other... was personally denied by Shoko Toyokawa, who put forward this hope, in the most cruel way.

A band... cannot become a family.

The wishes, feelings, and promises placed on it...

We promised to walk this path together, hoping to witness the realization of our dreams together, and vowing to share the burdens of life with each other...

...In the end, it was just an unrealistic, wishful dream.

Those who believe all of this will become reality are too naive; being abandoned is their own fault.

But at least...

I want to give CryCHIC, and our family, a dignified ending.

"Lixi."

With his head slightly lowered, Gen Xudou didn't notice the gradually stiffening expression on Shiina Riki's face.

His voice was gentle, yet carried a deep sense of melancholy, like the scattered leaves being swept up in the bleak autumn wind.

"It's time to finish."

"Everyone shouldn't be bound by [CryCHIC], let me disband them..."

"...Are you kidding me?!"

Shiina Tatsuki stood up angrily.

She walked quickly to Yuan Xudou, met his surprised gaze, and grabbed his collar.

Hearing the news she least wanted to hear, she finally couldn't suppress the frustration that had been building up inside her. All the sadness and dissatisfaction she felt about recent events erupted at that moment, and she lost control of her emotions.

"What do you mean by 'shouldn't be bound by [CryCHIC]'?! Why disband them?!"

"Weren't you the one who cared the most about this band?! Didn't we agree to stay together?! We've been through so much together, how could you so easily decide to end it?!"

"Are those things something that can be so easily let go?!"

Tears, whether of sadness or anger, slid down from his purplish-red pupils, and Shiina Tatsuki's angry voice was tinged with sobs.

She clenched her teeth tightly, refusing to let the weak sobs escape her lips.

"Didn't you say I was an important companion?! You were the one who told me you would help me achieve my goals!"

"I trusted you so much—!"

“You——!”

The final, heaviest rebuke was left unsaid by Shiina Tatsuki, who retained the last shred of rationality.

She grabbed Yuan Xudou's collar, her shoulders trembling. Her loud outburst suppressed the soft sobs in her throat, and the whimpers were barely audible.

"Xu Dou, you lied to me..."

"I have never been more important than anyone else..."

"...I won't come again."

Before Yuan Xudou could refute, she let go of his hand and left the practice room without looking back.

Just like Toyokawa Shoko and Wakaba Mutsu back then.

"..."

The door was slammed shut.

In the practice room where only one person remained, Gen Xudou stood alone, the wrinkles on his clothes caused by Shiina Riki looking like scars, conspicuous and unforgettable.

He slowly walked to the center of the room and sat down in his usual spot.

Just like always, I watched their rehearsals and performances with a smile, chatting and having fun together, looking ahead.

Now, there is only emptiness and silence there, and instruments that no one touches.

Yuan Xudou placed his hand on his face and breathed softly.

Then, little by little, inch by inch, the shoulders drooped down.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Perhaps a few minutes had passed, or perhaps nearly half an hour had passed, Yuan Xudou, who was unaware of this, walked out of RiNG.

He stood at the shop entrance, looking around with a slightly bewildered expression, as if it were his first time there.

It's not that I really don't know the way... it's just that I'm a little lost, wondering what I should do next and where I should go.

His life had become largely intertwined with the band. The sudden change left everyone bewildered.

Someone gave him the answer.

Nagasaki Motoyo, who was waiting on the street, saw Genjiro Koto walk out of the store, and he saw him at the same time.

"Su Shi...? Didn't I tell you not to come..."

Nagasaki Motoyo did not answer his murmurs.

She walked to Yuan Xudou's side and carefully took his hand. His soft palm was as gentle as her bright, watery blue eyes.