Chapter 169: We are just good friends online

[The holiday is coming soon. You and Vill-V are discussing your plans as usual, and at the same time, you are talking about the universities you will apply to... You are naturally moving towards your own goal and plan to continue studying medicine, but Vill-V is a little strange - she plans to study mechanical engineering.]

[According to her own words, as the greatest magician in the future, how could she not make her own magic props? By then, her performances will definitely be taken to a higher level!]

[You just smiled and wished her the best... You believed she would succeed, after all, she was Vill-V.]

[However, in order to prevent Vill-V from getting too cocky, you still gave her a few stern warnings, telling her not to study any magic that was too dangerous... If she got hurt, it would be a headache for you, and if she failed, it would be even worse.]

[Then you discussed what you were going to do during this vacation... Vill-V had already made an appointment with her parents to go on a trip and have some fun. After all, the next semester will be a busy school year of exam preparation. You should have some fun during this last relaxing vacation, right?]

[Well... although you know that Vill-V doesn't need to worry about this, you are the one who needs to worry... because a music school has heard about your talent and situation and is planning to come and snatch you away... even though you have clearly stated that you just want to treat music as a hobby, they still don't intend to give up and continue to persuade you relentlessly.]

[Luckily, the other party is very polite and their words are not offensive, otherwise, you would have lost your temper.]

[As for the holidays...I'm afraid you're a bit busy]

[First, you want to go back to the original church to take a look. Although you no longer live there and you are not familiar with the children and clergy there, no matter what, it is your original "home" and you want to go back and take a look.]

[In addition, you also want to go see Sister Teresa. I haven't seen her for a long time. you heard that her health has been getting worse recently. You have to go see her as soon as possible.]

[Then you go meet the people that Father Enrique took you to meet... Although they taught you a bunch of messy knowledge, a few of them are still very useful, such as the "meditation", which can keep you calm for a long time and help you concentrate a lot... It's a pity that you will see those strange "existences" during the "meditation", but it doesn't have much impact.]

[The only headache is that the theological scholar who taught you "meditation"... seems to be a bit paranoid and fanatical about faith, and his attitude towards you is even more so. He looks like a fanatic, which makes you quite distressed... If you meet him, you will have to face his fanatical words and attitude. If you don't meet him, it doesn't seem good either. After all, what he taught you is indeed useful. In a sense, he is half your teacher.]

[Sigh... it's a headache, but in the end, you still decide to go see him. After all, he has helped you anyway.]

[Then you have to visit the old man, the gang leader. As the master who taught you boxing and kicking, you naturally have to thank him. In addition, you have a pretty good relationship with the old man's son, Li. But somehow, the relationship between the old man and Li is a little subtle... It can't be said to be good, but it's not bad either. In short, it's very strange.]

[But it doesn't matter. Li has invited you to go to the Far East to play, and you can bring Yin, his... uh... girlfriend? Go back to her hometown. After that, Li also plans to take you to their school to have a look. There is also a famous music high school near their school. Li's uncle happens to be a teacher there. They heard that you have a good talent for music, so they plan to take you in for a tour.]

[This is really a bit too much to plan. Fortunately, you registered a small account online to post some of the music you played and the melodies you composed. You also attracted a lot of fans along the way. In this way, you have an extra income. Otherwise, it would be difficult for you to plan your itinerary for this holiday. The travel expenses alone would be life-threatening.]

[Oh, by the way, speaking of this small account you registered... there are really a lot of things to talk about]

[As I said before, a music school found out about your talent and situation because someone found you through this trumpet. To be honest, when you learned the details, you only had one thought... (obscene words)]

[Although this incident was somewhat offensive, at least it did not cause any serious consequences. The other party apologized and explained that they were only there to "rob people", so you did not pursue the matter.]

[And then, this trumpet has attracted a little too many fans... It's just some melodies and songs you wrote casually, are they so attractive? It's really weird.]

[However, among these fans, you also met someone you could chat with very well. Although you didn't know who she was, judging from her words and the way she usually referred to herself, she should be a girl. Your online nicknames were also quite interesting. Hers was "Glittering Gold" and yours was "Shining Stars"… At that time, you were happy about this for a long time.]

[you heard that she seems to be a student as well, and she studies music. And the school location she gave herself... seems to be in the city where the Li School is located? Uh... could it be the music high school you are going to attend later? It shouldn't be such a coincidence, right?]

[But since we are in the same city... maybe we can meet right? That would be great, hehe...]

[…hiss…oh no, could it be that what Vill-V said was right? Are you really in an online relationship?]

[In short, it is in this subtle state of mind that you welcome your respective vacations]

————————

"No, I'm telling you, Brother Li... isn't it inappropriate to hang around someone else's school during the holidays?"

"What's the matter? Anyway, the school is open for the day, so it's okay to come here early... Besides, I told you that it's a holiday now, and the rules are not strict. No one cares. Didn't you see that no one stopped us when we first entered the school?"

Li waved his hand and said casually.

"Isn't that because the teacher is leading the way, he doesn't care about us?"

"Hey, why do you care so much?"

Li said casually, and reached into his trouser pocket, but was immediately held down by Nozomi.

"Hey, Brother Li, don't even think about taking the cigarette. Smoking is harmful to your health. And Yin asked me to keep an eye on you... and don't you think about where this place is..."

"Alright, alright, you're the only one who talks too much and nags."

"If you don't mind, I have some candy here for you to hold in your mouth."

"...You kid, you've already prepared for this, right?"

"Hmm~"

"…Tsk, bring it here!"

Li curled his lips, snatched the candy from Nozomi's hand, opened one and put it in his mouth, and stuffed the rest into his pocket.

"But speaking of which... after walking around for so long, you really don't have any ideas?"

"What?"

"Switch to music, develop your talent... or something like that, or are you really determined to study medicine? I heard that this path is quite difficult."

"Which road is easy, Brother Li?"

"Right."

"And to be honest, the reason why I wanted to study medicine in the first place was pretty funny."

"Oh? Tell me about it?"

"I just wanted to beat him up, and in the end, he looked miserable and felt pain, but in the end, the hospital diagnosed him with only minor injuries... I saw a news report about a [senpai] who stabbed someone more than a dozen times, but in the end, the hospital diagnosed him with only minor injuries."

"Good fellow, your excuse is even more ridiculous than mine..."

Li complained subconsciously.

"I just want to learn a few more languages so I can go back and argue with the old man."

"Your excuse is a bit far-fetched... But if the old man heard it, he would probably beat you up, right?"

"Look at what you said. Whether the old man can beat me now is another matter!"

"At least you can't scold him. Well... you still can't scold him now."

"You kid?!"

"Ha ha..."

...

The two of them were joking and walking on this campus that did not belong to them, seeming somewhat out of place with the surrounding environment and atmosphere.

Just when passing by the practice room, Li suddenly spoke again.

"Hey, kid, why don't you give it a try?"

"Brother Li, can you please be more self-aware? This is not our school..."

"What's the big deal? Anyway, since you're here, you can borrow the instrument to practice a little. It's fine as long as you don't break it... And look at yourself, your eyes are almost popping out."

"I was just thinking that the instruments used for practice here are so expensive... It really deserves to be a specialized music school. I heard that the tuition here is quite expensive."

"That's true... Wait a minute..."

As Li was speaking, he used his terminal to contact his uncle. After getting his uncle's consent, he gestured to Nozomi and asked him to follow him.

"Come on, kid, pick a deserted spot, and don't damage the instrument."

"...No, Brother Li, do you really need to do that?"

"That's how you use your privileges. I like you, so it won't hurt to help you."

"Okay... I'll just practice casually... If you need any help later, Brother Li, just tell me."

"Just practice casually... If other people hear what you say, they will probably die. And... ahem, I do have a favor that I need your help with."

"…So you're waiting for me to say that, right?"

Nozomi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He closed the door of the practice room, sighed helplessly, and said.

"Tell me, Brother Li, how can I help you?"

"Didn't you give me a massage once before? It felt pretty good, so I wanted to learn it."

"Why? Do you want to give it to the old man or to Yin?"

"…I think both."

"Okay, I'll teach you when we get back... It's not that difficult actually, just memorize a few positions and control the strength and you'll be good to go."

"…Are you sure it's just [a few]?"

"Hey~ This is what you asked for, Brother Li, so you have to stick to it, okay?"

"I always feel like I've dug a hole for myself... Never mind. It doesn't matter."

Li curled his lips and subconsciously wanted to take out a cigarette from his pocket, but under Nozomi's gaze, he paused for a moment, and finally smacked his lips, reluctantly took out a candy, and put it into his mouth to relieve his craving for cigarette.

Then Li looked at Nozomi who was adjusting his sitting posture and trying out the tone. After thinking for a while, he took out the terminal and turned on the recording mode.

"Brother Li?"

"It's okay, just play yours."

"No...why are you still recording it?"

"Shut up, don't think I don't know that you will record it and post it online."

"…How did you know that?"

"Look at what you said. Of course, it's because I followed your Smurf account. Please, people who are familiar with you will be able to recognize it as yours just by looking at your figure, okay?"

Li responded casually.

"Okay, just play your music. I'll cut out the first part and your face won't be included in the video. Don't worry."

"…."

Nozomi seemed helpless... 'What the hell, why did all the familiar people pay attention to me? Although I didn't feel much, I still felt an inexplicable sense of shame... Forget it, it doesn't matter, don't care so much.'

Nozomi slowly gave up thinking about complicated things and instead focused on the black and white piano keys in front of him, putting his thoughts and emotions into the melody that was about to be played... This was his habit and also his respect for music.

Slowly, as the fingertips jumped, the music flowed quietly like water, with only tenderness, as if to help everyone soothe their spiritual pain.

But after the song, along with the end of the video recording prompt sound, the applause of Li also rang out.

"Great, great. Every time I listen to your performance, I feel like it's a waste of talent if you don't develop in this direction... By the way, this is another melody I haven't heard before. Did you write it?"

"I just played it as I felt like it..."

"So you didn't write it in advance, and you thought of it at the last minute? You're really good..."

"Music is like this. Once inspiration strikes, a melody will come out easily. However, the subsequent revisions and writing of lyrics will also take a lot of time... Okay, Brother Li, let's go."

"You're leaving now... Never mind, that's fine."

Li's tone seemed a little disappointed... It seemed that he really liked Nozomi's songs.

"I'll send you the video when I get back... Do you need me to help you edit it?"

"No need. Just cut out the part where we were chatting. It's not a big deal. I'll help you massage your body after we get back. You can remember the points and strength."

"Since you said it's not a big deal, I'll just cut it for you."

"...Okay, thank you, Brother Li."

"Oh, by the way, we have a chef apprentice here. He should help us cook a meal tonight. You can try it then. His cooking skills are pretty good."

"Then I'm looking forward to it, but..."

"Hey wait... don't tell us that oily food is bad for the body, or that eating healthy is bad, okay? I'll beat you up."

"Look at what you said... Occasional indulgence is fine. After all, the appetite still needs to be satisfied. And aren't you too stereotyped?"

"It just saves you from nagging."

"I'm sorry for being so talkative..."

"Ha ha..."

...

So the two of them joked with each other and slowly walked back to their residence.

But at dinner time...

ring ring--

A special prompt sound rang out, and Nozomi skillfully took out his terminal. Looking at the person who sent the message, a smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong with you, brat? What's that expression?"

"You're smiling so happily... your girlfriend?"

"Look at what you're saying, it's just an online friend who was having a good chat."

Nozomi smiled helplessly.

"Really? I don't believe it... male or female?"

"It should be a girl, right?"

"Okay, okay, I get it! Fast forward to the offline meeting! Then fast forward to the love and wedding! I want to eat at the feast!"

"What do you know... Is there nothing else on your mind except love and gossip?"

"No, there's still food."

"…"

Nozomi rolled his eyes and then ignored him, instead focusing on how to reply to the other party's message.

■■Month 8th 19:56

[Golden Brilliance]: Are you here (city name)?

[Shining Star]: Yes, I came here to visit a friend, and by the way, I visited the famous high school here under his guidance.

[Shining Star]: I can only say that the school here is really great, the musical instruments in the practice rooms are all very good. Alas... they are all things I can't afford.

[Golden Brilliance]: So... do you need me to give you a few?

[Golden Brilliance]: Of course, they are not new. They are some musical instruments that I discarded. Although they are not very good compared with the ones in school, they are not bad either.

[Shining Star]: ...To be honest, you scared me a little just now. A musical instrument of that level can't be given away just like that.

[Shining Star]: You told me that you were also a high school student, right? Is your family rich? Even if so, you shouldn't give such a valuable gift to someone you haven't even met, right?

[Shining Star]: And I don't need it. I've said before that I just do it as a hobby. I can just play it casually. I don't need a very good instrument.

[Golden Brilliance]: I see... It's a bit of a pity. My parents said that your talent is no less than mine. If you can also pursue a career in music, you will definitely be very brilliant.

[Shining Star]: I always feel like you are bragging in disguise... But never mind, just think of it as you are praising me.

[Golden Brilliance]: Haha... If you can do it, then why not shine your own light? I have the confidence.

[Golden Brilliance]: But it's really a pity. I'm out with my family at this time, otherwise I would at least be able to go to your school to see you.

[Shining Star]: Oh? You really are studying there... That's great, but we'll talk about meeting offline later.

[Golden Brilliance]: What? Are you shy?

[Shining Star]: Yes, I'm afraid of disappointing you.

[Golden Brilliance]: It doesn't matter. Your music can let me touch your emotions and soul... I believe we can get along very happily, and appearance will not be a barrier between us.

[Shining Star]: I was just joking... but now that you say that, I feel embarrassed.

[Golden Brilliance]: I know, but I'm serious too.

[Shining Star]: Ha... Thank you for your understanding. Um... But it's a pity that I have plans later, so I can't wait for you here~

[Shining Star]: Let's meet again someday. How about letting me listen to your music?

[Golden Brilliance]: Okay, I'll let you hear it.

...

"Eden, who are you chatting with? You look so happy?"

"Nothing."

In response to his father's question, Eden just smiled and put away her terminal.

"It's just a good chat with an online friend."