area51novel Page 105
Page 105
Chen Xiao smiled: "No problem."
He reached out and gently placed his hand on Shiina Tatsuki's shoulder: "Trust me, this will be a brand new beginning."
Shiina Tatsuki glared at him and slapped his hand away: "Stop touching me!" But her tone wasn't as harsh anymore.
Gao Songdeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
A night breeze swept through the window, carrying the warmth of summer.
Chen Xiao looked at the two girls in front of him and chuckled inwardly.
Chapter 111 Along with Akari, Aine, and Riki, Nagasaki Souse is also joining.
"Let's get started. I won't be satisfied with just playing the piano." Shiina Tatsuki leaned against the bar, arms crossed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation beneath her short black hair. She tried to maintain a cool expression, but her slightly reddened earlobes betrayed her inner turmoil.
Chen Xiao smiled and her long, slender fingers landed on the piano keys once more. The moment the first note sounded, the entire coffee shop fell silent.
"Ahhh! He's Chiba's number one male god!"
"Chen Xiao, a student from Zongwu High School!!"
"So handsome! He's practically a piano prince!"
The female customers screamed incessantly, some even standing up in excitement. Shiina Tatsuki pursed her lips and whispered in Takamatsu Akari's ear, "Akari, you'd better watch out for this playboy."
Gao Songdeng lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting together. She couldn't possibly tell Lixi that she had already slept with Chen Xiao, could she?
At the piano, Chen Xiao leaned slightly closer to the microphone. As her clear voice filled the air with the melody, the entire space seemed to be enchanted:
"Only the piano kept me company all day."
A sleeping cello, quiet and old-fashioned…
He perfectly translated the lyrics of "Quiet" into Japanese, every syllable brimming with emotion. Shiina Tatsuki's body trembled involuntarily; the melody pierced her heart like an electric current.
"...I don't have that talent to tolerate you and accept him."
Don't worry too much, I'll be fine.
As the last note faded, the café fell into a brief silence, followed by thunderous applause. Takamatsu Akari was already in tears, and Shiina Tatsuki's eyes were also red.
"Chen Xiao! I love you!!"
"Please go out with me!!"
The crazed female fans swarmed forward, but Chen Xiao quickly grabbed Li Xi and Deng, and the three of them fled into the backyard in a disheveled state. Shiina Li Xi slammed the door shut and leaned against it, panting heavily.
"Phew, that scared me to death." Chen Xiao laughed helplessly. "This is the trouble of being too charming."
Shiina Tatsuki gave a soft hum, but her cheeks flushed: "You sang...not bad."
"Just not bad?" Chen Xiao suddenly moved closer, trapping Li Xi between himself and the door. The faint scent of mint emanating from him made Li Xi's heart race.
"What are you doing?!" Lixi tried to push him away, but found that she couldn't muster any strength in her arms.
“Li Xi,” Chen Xiao’s voice was deep and gentle, “join my band.”
Shiina Tatsuki turned her face away, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest. She could feel Chen Xiao's warm breath brushing against her ear, and his deep eyes seemed to see right through her disguise.
"I..." Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's.
Gao Songdeng chuckled softly from the side: "Li Xi finally knows why I'm with Brother Chen Xiao, right?"
Finally, Shiina Tatsuki bit her lip: "...I understand! Okay, I'll join!"
Chen Xiao smiled with satisfaction, but didn't immediately release her. He gently lifted Li Xi's chin, and, to her astonishment, slowly moved closer...
Just then, the back door was suddenly pushed open, and a figure with long pink hair rushed in.
"Oh dear~ Did I come at the wrong time?" Chihaya Aine blinked her big eyes and looked at the three of them mischievously.
Shiina Tatsuki shoved Chen Xiao away abruptly, her face flushed red: "N-No, it's not what you think!"
Ai Yin playfully stuck out her tongue: "It's okay~ Anyway, it's not bad to have another Li Xi in Brother Chen Xiao's harem!"
Chen Xiao shook his head helplessly, while Gao Songdeng shyly hid behind him. The night breeze gently swept through the backyard, carrying the warmth of summer and the throbbing of youth. Ai Yin and Deng exchanged a glance, their pink and amber eyes sparkling with mischief.
"So, Brother Chen Xiao, where are you staying tonight?" Ai Yin asked, tilting her head.
Deng lowered her head, but secretly raised her eyes to peek at Chen Xiao's reaction, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Shiina Tatsuki's eyes suddenly widened, her short black hair almost standing on end: "Wait... Chen Xiao, you're living with Chihaya Aine, Akari...?!"
Chen Xiao gave an innocent smile: "It's not really living together, I just occasionally visit their house..."
"Damn it! You scumbag! You disgusting scumbag!" Li Xi stomped her feet in anger, her ears turning so red they almost bled.
She turned to run away, but Chen Xiao grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her against the wall.
"Lixi..." Chen Xiao's voice was soft and gentle, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe, "Are you jealous?"
Shiina Tatsuki went limp, her back pressed against the wall, her legs trembling involuntarily. She could clearly feel Chen Xiao and that dizzying aura emanating from him.
Aine and Deng exchanged a knowing glance. "How about we stay at Lixi's house tonight?" Aine suggested, her eyes sparkling.
"That seems like a good idea." Chen Xiao chuckled, his left arm naturally around Ai Yin's waist, his right hand pulling the lamp into his embrace, and he looked up at Li Xi: "What do you think?"
Lixi bit her lip, her gaze shifting between the three. Finally, she turned her face away, her voice barely audible: "...Whatever you want. But you have to follow the rules!"
"That's good, at least in my house, they won't do anything outrageous..." Lixi comforted herself.
Shiina Tatsuki's room was surprisingly tidy. The light blue sheets were printed with star patterns, and sheet music and drumsticks were neatly arranged on the desk. The wind chimes by the window tinkled crisply in the night breeze.
"Let's go take a shower first~" Ai Yin suddenly announced, turning on the light and heading towards the bathroom. As she passed Chen Xiao, she tiptoed and whispered in his ear, "You have to seize this opportunity, Chen Xiao-gege~"
Deng blushed and added softly, "Lixi...she's actually very gentle..."
The moment the bathroom door closed, only Chen Xiao and Shiina Tatsuki, frozen in place, remained in the room. The sound of running water soon followed.
"Um... I'll get you some clean clothes..." Before Li Xi could finish speaking, Chen Xiao picked her up and gently placed her on the bed.
"Chen Xiao! Wait... they're still washing..." Li Xi's protest was silenced by a deep kiss. Chen Xiao's fingertips traced the buttons. Li Xi's drumming was so good... he wondered if she was just as outstanding in other areas?
"Be quiet...don't let them hear..."
[Ding! Host has successfully won over the key character, Shiina Tatsuki!]
[Unlock New Ability: Rhythm Control!]
[Reward: Band coordination increased by 100%!]
The system notification sounded in his mind, but Chen Xiao had no time to pay attention to it at the moment.
The sound of water in the bathroom continued, and the faint sounds of Ai Yin and Deng's laughter could be heard.
When Ai Yin and Deng returned to the room, drying their hair, they found Li Xi huddled in the corner of the bed, wrapped in a blanket, her face as red as a tomato. Chen Xiao, on the other hand, was leisurely leaning against the headboard, playing with a drumstick in his hand.
"Did we... come back too early?" Aine blinked, revealing a mischievous smile.
The lamp immediately lowered its head, its ear tips turning bright red.
Chen Xiao opened his arms wide: "You've come at the perfect time, tonight is a special night for the band members..."
Lixi grabbed a pillow and threw it at him: "Go to hell, you scumbag!" But her voice no longer contained the initial anger; instead, it carried a hint of coquettishness.
"But we have to rehearse tonight!" Chen Xiao tossed the guitar to Ai Yin, then the microphone to Deng, and finally hugged Shiina Riki in front of the drum set stool.
Chen Xiao began instructing the three in their practice. A night breeze drifted through the half-open window, gently stirring the curtains. Chen Xiao stood in the center of the room, his fingers lightly tapping on the metronome, producing a crisp, rhythmic sound.
“Alright, girls,” he looked around at the three girls with a confident smile, “since we’re going to form a band, we have to take it seriously. Aiyin, your guitar fundamentals are good, but your sense of rhythm needs improvement.”
Ai-yin stuck out her tongue, her long pink hair swaying gently with her movement: "Hey~ I really tried my best."
Chen Xiao walked behind her, placed his hands on hers, and guided her to press the strings: "Look, this chord transition should be smoother." His chest pressed against Ai Yin's back, and his warm breath brushed against her ear.
Ai Yin's cheeks flushed instantly, and her fingers trembled slightly: "Brother Chen... I can't concentrate like this..."
"Then focus." Chen Xiao chuckled, deliberately whispering in her ear, before walking toward the next member.
“Lamp,” he knelt down in front of Takamatsu, his amber eyes reflecting her shy expression, “Your voice is beautiful, but too reserved. When you sing, you need to let go of yourself, like…” He paused, then suddenly began singing the chorus of “Trails of the Stars,” his voice gentle yet powerful.
The lamp's eyes lit up, and she hummed along softly. Gradually, her voice became clear and firm, blending perfectly with Chen Xiao's harmonies.
“Very good,” Chen Xiao nodded approvingly, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead with his fingers. “That’s it.”
Finally, he approached Shiina Ritsuki's drum kit. Ritsuki immediately tensed up, his hand unconsciously tightening its grip on the drumsticks.
“Lixi,” Chen Xiao knelt on one knee in front of her, looking directly into her eyes, “Your technique is undeniable, but…” He suddenly grabbed her wrist, “It’s too tense. Drumming isn’t a battle; you have to enjoy the rhythm.”
Lixi wanted to retort, but found herself unable to look away. Chen Xiao's hand was warm and strong, guiding her movements: "Feel this rhythm, just like a heartbeat..."
With his guidance, Lixi's drumming gradually became smoother and more emotional. Her cheeks flushed, but she couldn't deny the feeling of being guided...it was very comfortable.
"Now, let's play together once." Chen Xiao picked up his bass and stood in the center of the three. "Trails of the Stars, get ready—"
Music echoed in the small bedroom. At first, it was a bit chaotic, but under Chen Xiao's direction, the four people's voices and instruments gradually blended into one. Ai Yin's guitar, Li Xi's drums, Deng's singing, and Chen Xiao's bass intertwined to create a beautiful melody.
"That's awesome!" Ai Yin jumped up excitedly as the song ended. "We really can form a band now!"
The lamp also revealed a rare, bright smile: "Hmm! It feels... very different."
Li Xi turned her face away, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up: "It's...it's alright..."
Looking at the three girls, each with a distinct style yet equally radiant, Chen Xiao felt a surge of satisfaction. He opened his arms wide: "To celebrate the official formation of MyGO!!!!! band—"
Ai Yin immediately threw herself into his arms, and Deng shyly moved closer as well. Li Xi hesitated for a moment, but was ultimately pulled into Chen Xiao's embrace.
"Wait! Who gave you permission—"
"Lixi," Chen Xiao whispered in her ear, "I really liked the drumbeats tonight."
Lixi immediately fell silent, blushing as she buried her face in his shoulder.
The next morning, as sunlight streamed down the streets, Chen Xiao walked with the three members of MyGO!!!!!—Takamatsu Akari, Chihaya Aine, and Shiina Tatsuki—on their way to the band's performance hall.
Ai Yin linked arms with Chen Xiao, her face beaming with a bright smile: "Brother Chen Xiao, we're sure we'll pass today's test!"
The lamp nodded gently, its amber eyes sparkling with expectation: "Yes...we will try our best."
Li Xi walked a little behind, her expression still indifferent, but the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned: "Hmph, as long as you don't hold us back."
Chen Xiao glanced back at her, a playful smile playing on his lips: "Li Xi, the drumbeats last night were perfect, let's continue our discussion about drumbeats tonight."
Li Xi's face flushed instantly, and she turned her head away, saying, "Shut up!"
Ai-yin and Deng exchanged a glance and secretly smiled.