Chapter 98

“So you two are officially together?” Kamiya Suzune stared in surprise at Amuro Yuu and Sawano Haruko sitting side by side—the boy, oddly enough, the more shy one.

Haruko’s cheeks flushed red: “No, we’re just more than friends but not quite lovers—but if we can keep going like this…”

Haruko didn’t finish her sentence, only exchanged a glance with Amuro Yuu and smiled sweetly.

Though Kamiya Suzune had a poor impression of Haruko, she still got along well with Amuro Yuu, and seeing this, she smiled and offered her congratulations: “Then let me congratulate you both in advance.”

The other male members of Aileshe wore expressions ranging from shock to envy to gloom.

Luo Quan watched from a distance, seeing Amuro Yuu’s blissful face, and all she could think of was a line from a classic cartoon: “Poor Tom is being toyed with at her fingertips.”

Though Luo Quan had never had a girlfriend, she was no stranger to the game—she knew exactly what state both sides were in when a goddess dangled a little sweetness to her devotee. Back then, she and Amuro Yuu now were nearly identical!

Of course, Luo Quan wouldn’t be foolish enough to expose this illusion now—this was the devotee’s happiest moment; whoever shattered his dream might as well take his life.

So let Amuro Yuu savor the sweetness of love—even if only temporarily.

“Luo Quan, Haruko asked me out today, so I can’t make it to band practice…” As Luo Quan drifted off, Amuro Yuu had already walked up to her, apologetically asking for leave.

Luo Quan smiled: “It’s fine. We’ve just started learning the sheet music anyway—President and Xia Zi didn’t show up either. Go ahead.”

“Even if you’re not officially a couple, you can still go on dates openly?” After they left, Kamiya Suzune leaned close to Luo Quan and whispered.

Luo Quan raised an eyebrow: “Maybe ‘not quite lovers’ is just an excuse. They might already be together—just too shy to announce it.”

“It’s good for Yuu, at least after all that effort, he’s finally getting something back.”

“Maybe. If they really become a couple, then so be it.”

…………………

Before they even left campus, Haruko pulled her hand away from Amuro Yuu’s.

Amuro Yuu looked at her in confusion, thinking he’d done something wrong.

Haruko explained: “It’s too hot in summer. Sweat sticks—I don’t like it.”

Amuro Yuu sighed in relief: “Then don’t hold hands. We’ll hold hands again when it cools down… By the way, where are we going?”

“Let’s go to Tokyo Disneyland. I’ve never been there.” Haruko’s eyes sparkled with longing.

“Tokyo Disneyland…” Amuro Yuu frowned slightly. Disneyland was notoriously expensive—a single ticket cost 8,000 yen, not counting photos or meals; altogether, it would likely cost over 20,000 yen.

Though Amuro Yuu’s family was decently off—his parents earned well—20,000 yen was half his monthly allowance.

“Will the tickets be too expensive? I can pay half,” Haruko asked cautiously, looking at him with the demeanor of a thoughtful lover.

“No way,” Amuro Yuu refused instantly. At a moment like this, even half a year’s allowance had to be spent if needed.

“I’ll buy the tickets right now!” Amuro Yuu pulled out his phone to book online.

“By the way, what sheet music did Luo Quan mention just now?”

As he booked, Amuro Yuu replied: “It’s the song we’re performing in the competition—Luo Quan just wrote it. It’s an excellent rock song!”

Haruko asked curiously: “Can you send me the sheet music?”

“Right away.”

After booking the tickets, Amuro Yuu sent the sheet music to Haruko.

“‘Re:Make’… The lyrics are great… and the melody is so pleasant!” As a member of Aileshe, Haruko had musical training and could read sheet music.

After getting Luo Quan’s score, she hummed the chorus—her first impression was that it was incredibly beautiful.

Haruko sincerely praised: “No wonder it came from Quan’s hands! Someone as beautiful and talented as Quan must be the dream of so many—don’t you think, Yuu?”

Amuro Yuu’s expression turned serious: “Luo Quan is truly a goddess. Everyone admires her—but I only love you.”

Haruko covered her mouth and laughed: “Don’t get so tense—I’m not jealous.”

Amuro Yuu scratched his head, grinning foolishly: “Tickets are bought. Let’s take the train to Disneyland.”

“Mm…”

That night, Haruko snuggled against Iwaki Eiji, holding up her phone like a treasure: “Master Iwaki, I have a surprise for you.”

“What surprise?” Iwaki Eiji sipped red wine, his gaze wandering over Haruko.

“Today I got the song Amuro Yuu’s band will perform in the competition—it’s just written by Luo Quan, probably not even registered with the Japan Music Copyright Association yet.”

“Really?” Iwaki Eiji’s eyes lit up. He’d only sent Haruko to mess with Amuro Yuu, that insolent commoner—but now there was an unexpected bonus.

“Send me the song—I’ll have someone check it immediately!”

Haruko instantly sent the song and lyrics to Iwaki Eiji, who immediately dispatched it to the copyright association for plagiarism verification.

The reply came quickly: it was a completely new song!

“Haruko, you’ve done an incredible job!” Iwaki Eiji kissed her hard, overjoyed.

In his last clash with Luo Quan, he’d been utterly humiliated—defeated completely—and he’d learned he couldn’t confront her head-on.

But now, Haruko’s accidental act had helped him immensely! Iwaki Eiji’s restless heart, which had calmed only days ago, stirred again—he was ready for his second strike against Luo Quan!

This time, he would crush Luo Quan utterly—even…

Iwaki Eiji didn’t voice his deepest thought—perhaps because Haruko was beside him, or perhaps because even he found the idea too absurd.

Even a salted fish dreams of turning over—what’s wrong with a rich heir like him indulging in a little fantasy?

“Master Iwaki, what will you do with this song?”

Iwaki Eiji wore an air of supreme confidence: “First, secure the copyright—but tell no one. I’ll wait until they’ve perfected it, then reveal it publicly!”

“As for you, stay by Amuro Yuu’s side during the day and keep misleading him—give him a taste of sweetness, then when he’s hopelessly hooked, I’ll strike with thunder! Then, I’ll make him despair—body and soul.”

Haruko pouted: “But Amuro Yuu is so stupid. Being with him is torture.”

“Just endure,” Iwaki Eiji tightened his arm around her shoulders. “When this is done, I’ll make you my official girlfriend.”

“Really?” Haruko’s eyes lit up. She immediately kissed him passionately—more eager than Amuro Yuu had ever been.

Meanwhile, Amuro Yuu was up late carving wood, preparing to handcraft a guitar.

He’d learned this craft from his grandfather and never had the chance to use it—just as Haruko’s birthday neared, he planned to give her a deeply meaningful gift, one that would also serve as their token of love.

Since it was his first time, he wasn’t skilled—unconsciously, two cuts appeared on his hands—but this didn’t dim his passion; instead, he saw them as marks of love.

“When Haruko gets this guitar, she’ll be overjoyed!” Amuro Yuu smiled inwardly.

The next day, in Aileshe’s practice room, Amuro Yuu covered his mouth and yawned long and deep.

Kamiya Suzune frowned: “We haven’t even started practicing, and you’ve yawned five times already. And what happened to your hand?”

Everyone turned to look at Amuro Yuu’s left hand—two bandages were visible.

“I accidentally cut myself last night with a knife. The wound isn’t deep—it won’t affect my drumming,” Amuro Yuu said, yawning again.

Kumoii Akira frowned: “You look exhausted. Why don’t you rest today? We’ll practice on our own.”

How could he not be tired? He’d spent the whole day at Tokyo Disneyland—played on land, then in water—and stayed up late making the guitar. Getting to school on time was already a miracle.

Amuro Yuu laughed: “It’s fine. Once I get into the groove, it’ll be fine. Rock music’s greatest strength is how it wakes you up.”

“True. Let me get the energy going!” Kumoii Akira picked up his guitar and swiftly strummed the opening of “Re:Make.” Amuro Yuu followed with his drumsticks—the fast, lively rhythm instantly lifted everyone’s spirits.

Then Kumoii Akira’s powerful singing echoed like thunder—now, even if Amuro Yuu had been half-asleep, he was wide awake.

Luo Quan’s choice of song truly suited Kumoii Akira’s voice—he was perfect for rock with screams, never worried about cracking, his volume was his advantage.

Since they’d perform three songs, Luo Quan didn’t intend to hog the spotlight—so Kumoii Akira would sing this one. The other two? She’d handle them herself. She hadn’t decided which yet—there was still over a month; no rush.

After finishing the song, everyone was drenched in sweat—but their expressions radiated pure joy, especially Kumoii Akira, who suddenly felt reborn.

“I can finally sing out loud!” Kumoii Akira’s voice brimmed with endless joy.

As Aileshe’s president, Luo Quan had helped him fulfill a lifelong wish.

Luo Quan smiled: “This is just the beginning. Soon, we’ll sing out loud before the entire school—and all of Japan’s university students.”