Momoi Taro wants to form a "don" brother duo, but it's a music anime.

Page 14

Moreover, she also wanted to hear her father's thoughts.

Taro didn't hesitate, taking off his shoes and putting on the guest slippers. He followed Suze through the room, which resembled a luxury hotel, and was then invited to sit on the sofa.

"Is black tea alright?" Su Shi put the delivery box aside and asked gently. Taro nodded, and Su Shi took the teapot and cup, pouring Taro a cup: "I apologize for the poor hospitality..."

Taro took a sip, nodded, and commented, "Hmm, if I had to give it a score, it would be 20."

Su Shi is almost settled in Bengbu. You've overstepped your bounds. That was just a polite remark. Why are you making a judgment?

"How blunt..." Su Shi thought to herself that she still needed his help, so she could only swallow her anger and hug the express box to her chest. Su Shi had never liked people who spoke so bluntly. Before, when she was in the band, she also disliked Deng's lyrics, and Xiao Mu's sudden outburst also made her dislike him. Now she had encountered a heavyweight.

"Why doesn't Father come to see me..." Su Shi took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and asked softly while holding the express delivery box.

“I don’t know, but,” Taro said in a low voice, “this package is very well-known in our courier company.”

"famous?"

“Yes, Mr. Ichinose has been sending this package repeatedly over the past few years, to your original home address.” Taro said in a deep voice, telling Ichinose’s story: “I was unable to accompany my daughter as she grew up, I was unable to witness her growing up, but at least I hope this gift can accompany you and witness your growth in my place.”

“He had been sending this package since the second year after his divorce, but he couldn’t find your house. Then he entrusted the package to me, and it took me about a month to finally find your house.”

"Did your father give you a lot of money?" Su Shi was a little curious. Although she didn't know how the other party found her, it couldn't have been easy no matter how she thought about it. If it had been easy, they should have found her much earlier.

"They offered it to me, but I didn't take it," Taro replied frankly.

"Why?" Why would someone help me when there's no benefit to it?

"Because of current industry regulations..."

Su Shi couldn't help but interrupt, "What I mean is, why are you helping me! Why are you helping my dad deliver this package without asking for any reward? Or is there some other reward my dad promised you?"

Taro paused for a moment, then spoke again: "I believe that the bonds between people are extremely important, and among them, the bonds of family are particularly special, bonds that cannot be severed no matter what. If such bonds cannot be connected, and even feelings cannot be conveyed, it would be such a pity."

"Aren't you going to open it and take a look?" Taro said calmly. "It's a gift your father carefully prepared for you."

Su Shi looked at the delivery box and slowly reached out her hand...

Chapter Twelve, I read

"That's true," Miss Su Shi's voice, which was originally so sharp it was slightly unsettling, became less sharp. She took out a small knife and gently cut open the tape, revealing a perfectly intact little gift box filled with bubble wrap.

Su Shi patiently peeled back the layers of foam paper and took out the gift box, which was about the size of a shoebox. Was it a picture book? Su Shi wondered to herself. Finally, she slowly opened the box, and it looked like a book. Su Shi carefully took the book out of it.

It was a book with a very plain cover, titled "To My Beloved Daughter." The book was quite thick, but it didn't seem to have many pages. She unfolded the first page, revealing a three-dimensional house of moderate size.

Su Shi recognized it immediately; it was their old little home. The bottom left corner of the book was secured with a Velcro closure made of lace. Su Shi untied the Velcro, revealing a beautiful piece of amber behind it. The bottom right corner of the book featured a series of photographs.

"This seems to be a pull-out type; it unfolds when you pull it out," Taro mentioned briefly.

Upon hearing this, Su Shi grasped the other side... and unfolded it to reveal small cards, each containing a photo of herself as a child. The setup was easy to revert; simply turning the knob on the side would retract the card album.

Su Shi turned to the second page. The 3D illustration on top was a large, animated version of herself, and below it were many small paper figures moving around, probably her father's image of herself.

Page three, page four… Su Shi turned the pages one by one, and Taro used his knowledge to explain some of the little tricks in the book to her. The later pages also had small cards that could be unfolded, but none of them had cards inserted; they were all empty, perhaps because they didn't have enough material.

The entire book is almost entirely handmade, but the paintings inside seem to have been commissioned and are very exquisite.

After turning the last page, Su Shi slowly closed the book. She wiped her eyes and said, "If... if it could have been delivered a little earlier, that would have been great."

If it had been delivered sooner, she wouldn't have had to desperately cling to the band like a drowning person grasping at a straw. That was the thought that crossed her mind… but…

Now, it's impossible. I absolutely cannot give up on rebuilding Ku Lai Xi Ku... absolutely not!

Miss Su Shi revealed a very determined look in her eyes. Suddenly, a thought struck her. She remembered what the deliveryman had said earlier. And... if he was a deliveryman, maybe he could find out where Xiangzi was? Even if he didn't know, with his amazing resourcefulness, he might have a way.

She unconsciously fiddled with her fingers, her gaze slowly shifting to Momoi Taro, and asked in a very gentle voice:

"By the way, we've been talking for quite a while now, and you still don't know the deliveryman's name? The deliveryman already knows my name, but let me introduce myself again. My name is Nagasaki Motoyo. And the deliveryman's name?"

"Momoi Taro."

"Mr. Momoi, you just said that you value the connections between people, right?" Su Shi put her hands together and asked in a very, very gentle voice, "Actually, I also had a connection that ended before. It would be best if you would like to hear about it."

"Interesting!" Taro downed the rest of his tea in one gulp, slamming the cup down with a snap. "Tell me about it!"

"Actually, I used to have a band. Everyone in the band is very kind. During the days when my father was not around, they were always there for me." Su Shi slowly recounted, a genuine smile appearing on her face. "We formed a band and became a community of shared destiny. Our first live performance was a great success, and we said we wanted to do it again."

“I really like everyone…” As she spoke, Su Shi’s expression began to turn sad: “But… after our first live performance, one of the members of our band suddenly said he was leaving…”

"Then? What do you want to say?" Taro glanced at his watch and said, "If there's anything you want to say, just say it."

“I…I want to rebuild the band, but I don’t know how to do it…” Su Shi’s face was filled with sadness.

"Impossible," Taro replied bluntly to Su Se. "You can't possibly do that."

"Huh...?" Su Shi looked at Taro in disbelief: "Why, why did you say such hurtful things!"

"I was just telling the truth." Taro crossed his arms, unwavering in the slightest: "The band is a cursed destiny. It's impossible to do without the corresponding resolve. Either everyone in the band has the resolve, or they have the powerful strength of me."

Upon hearing Taro's answer, Su Shi broke out in a cold sweat, inwardly cursing.

[What kind of answer is this...? This person is so narcissistic.]

Taro glanced at the bass bag in the corner of the room, which was covered in dust: "A friend of mine once said that wise people seek strength within themselves. Right now, you are very weak. It is your own band, but instead of making an effort, you seek help. I don't know how good you are, but judging from the marks on your fingers and the dust on the bass bag, you probably haven't been practicing for very long."

Su Shi was speechless for a moment, and Taro didn't say anything either, but got up to leave. Su Shi, still frozen in place, didn't react much. No, that's not how it is; she had been contacting everyone else properly all along…

But everyone is ignoring their own messages; I'm definitely not doing nothing. And, as long as Xiangzi comes back… if Xiangzi comes back, everyone will come back.

As for practice... it's not too late to practice when everyone can come back... I'm really willing to do anything as long as the band can come back.

"By the way," Taro said, turning back just before leaving, "a child asked me the same question today, and I gave the same answer."

"Her answer was that she wanted to learn from my strength. She was a very timid child, and she would drop the stones she liked on the ground because she was afraid, but she still tried her best to convey to me that she wanted to become as strong as me."

He likes stones…and he's risking his life? Su Shi's astonishing wisdom raced through her mind. This description…it really is that person…I have to find a way to keep him here, Momoi Taro. I'll use him as a starting point to reconnect with everyone I've known through thick and thin.

"Wait! Mr. Momoi! I also want to learn from you how to become stronger!"

Taro, who had just changed his shoes and was about to leave, smiled and said, "Interesting. Let's give it a try. Tomorrow at 5 PM, go to a RiNG store in Ikebukuro. You know the address, right?"

Su Shi nodded and said firmly, "I know, I will go!"

I hope it's the person I'm thinking of.

at the same time……

"I see. It's because you felt it was your own fault that you didn't come..." Li Xi stood next to Xiao Deng, who was curled up, looking like a frightened little animal. Li Xi sighed, "I didn't expect Xiao Deng to take the initiative to ask Taro to be her apprentice."

"Hmm... Master Taro is really amazing." Akari muttered softly, "He said things he wouldn't normally say in a 'normal' way."

“Yes, he always does a lot of things his own way.” Li Xi lowered his head slightly and listed them: “He plays the guitar very well, he can play the drums very well, he can arrange music, write lyrics... he can do everything very well.”

“Hmm… I think it’s amazing too.” Light said softly, nodding slightly in response: “So if I can grow to the point where I can keep up with Master Taro, I’m sure I can prevent the band from breaking up again.”

"Has Deng decided to form a new band?" She looked at Deng nervously, as if waiting for her answer.

"Now... not now. If we do, the band will break up again..." Deng struggled to express his true feelings.

"I see." Li Xi looked down at the bridge, her feelings somewhat complicated.

"Lixi...chan?" Xiaodeng looked at the somewhat disappointed Lixi, and tried to muster up her courage to say what was on her mind: "Will you come and play the drums then?"

"!!!" Li Xi suddenly turned around, tears welling in her eyes: "I have to come, I absolutely have to come! As long as Deng invites me, I will definitely come!"

“Hmm…when the time comes, I’ll invite Xiao Lixi first.” Deng’s voice was soft but firm: “This time…we absolutely, absolutely want to be in a band for life.”

"Yes! I'd be willing to spend my whole life with Akari!" Riki made a vow, a vow without a trace of falsehood. Even if he was useless, Akari would still be willing to be with him... Even after seeing someone as strong as Taro, she still wanted to be with him?

"Well then, I'll leave you here. Be careful, Lamp. See you tomorrow." Li Xi greeted Lamp with an excited smile.

"Okay, see you tomorrow..." Deng watched Lixi leave until darkness swallowed her figure before turning back to walk home.

The next day, at Tsukimori Girls' Academy—

"Good morning, Mu." Su Shi composed herself and, pretending nothing was amiss, arrived at school the next day to find Mu watering the cucumbers. "Are you busy with the horticulture club's activities today too?"

"Hmm..." Ruoye Mu tilted her head and looked at Su Shi who was coming over. She put the water bottle in her hand flat and said softly, "Su Shi, it's fixed."

Although it was only a little bit, Su Shi seemed to be in a really good mood.

But Su Shi's expression darkened upon hearing her words. Why would Xiao Mu say such a thing? Did she look broken? Even if she was broken, what did it mean to be fixed? Ku Lai Xi Ku hadn't returned yet, so why say she was fixed? Was she trying to deny her feelings for Ku Lai Xi Ku? Was she implying that she could live well without Ku Lai Xi Ku?

Last night, after being provoked by Taro, Suze heard Wakaba Mutsu say those words and couldn't help but make connections. Then she thought that Mutsu didn't seem to be that kind of person. So she returned to her gentle smile.

But Ruoye Mu had already seen that instantaneous change in expression. She realized once again that she had said the wrong thing. She didn't know how to make amends, and what if she spoke again and hurt Su Shi? So, she chose silence.

Seeing that Mu remained silent, Su Shi had no choice but to ask, "Has Xiangzi contacted Xiao Mu? How did it go?"

When Ye Mu heard Su Shi's question, she raised her head almost imperceptibly, glanced at Su Shi lightly, and then lowered her head in fear.

"I'm sorry, Mutsu, I spoke without thinking." Suze hugged Mutsu tightly, seemingly very nervous. She thought back to what Taro had said yesterday. What could she do? She had done everything she could… had she? She wondered. If she and Momoi Taro switched places, could she find Suze's house in Nagasaki? Clearly not.

Ruo Ye Mu naturally didn't resist Su Shi's hugs, even though she always knew that Su Shi always had ulterior motives when she hugged her. But Mu didn't care; she cherished Su Shi as a friend.

Su Shi held the slightly cold body of Wakaba Mutsu in her arms, pondering the topic they had just discussed. Was it that she herself was still inadequate...? She felt a little lost, unsure of what to do, but out of social instinct, she released Wakaba Mutsu's petite frame.

"Oh, I think I know where the light is." Su Shi clasped her hands together and said with a smile, "Maybe I'll even see Li Xi. I'll invite them to form a new band then, Xiao Mu, why don't you come too?"

Wakaba Mutsumi silently looked away and softly replied, "I'm not going. I have ballet class later."

"Oh, is that so? Courses must be really busy. Well then, after I and Deng reunite in the band, I'll invite Xiao Mu to join. That way, once the four of us have formed the band, we can invite Xiao Xiang back."

Su Shi's expression didn't change much. Ruo Ye Mu's refusal was within her expectations. In fact, she would have preferred that Mu not go, because Ruo Ye Mu had contributed a lot to the disbandment of Ku Lai Xi Ku last time. If she were to invite Deng this time and say something surprising again, everything would be ruined.

"Xiang won't come back." Hearing Su Shi's seemingly muttered words to herself, Ruo Ye Mu didn't dare to look at the other person at all, and just kept her head down.

"...Mumu always says things I don't want you to say." Since Mumu had brought it up, Su Shi felt there was no need to continue the conversation. She left with a sullen face. Her mood was already bad today because of that inexplicable person last night, and her conversation with Ruoye Mumu had been a series of mishaps.

Beneath her seemingly mature social facade lies only a 16-year-old girl. She struggles to suppress her urge to lose her temper and leaves school.

Left alone, bewildered, was Wakaba Mutsumi... Had she said something wrong again? She had only spoken the truth. Every time she opened her mouth, things would get worse.

She recalled once again what Xiangzi had said about Taro-senpai at the coffee shop yesterday. Could she also be cured by speaking the truth like Taro and be able to heal Xiangzi? She wanted to heal Su Shi just as he had healed Xiangzi.

So, Wakaba Mutsumi made a decision. Tomorrow afternoon, she would go see him… that senior Taro whom Shoko had mentioned.

Chapter Thirteen, They Made Their Move

"Good morning, Xiaodeng~" Aiyin greeted Deng with a smile, carrying her guitar on her back.