Three-person band

[You peaceful life has been disrupted once again.]

[You were initially unwilling to join the “study group,” but seeing Teacher Li Tiansuo’s kind face, you agreed. Teacher Li is a renowned educator with excellent ethics and reputation. He genuinely cares about you, and you understand that.]

“This time, the version of me in the simulator isn’t some clueless newbie. This feels more like a real person.”

After the simulator began collecting Yuxuan’s data last time, it stopped generating overly “anthropomorphic” scenarios. This time, things felt much more normal.

[Your impression of Dong Qian is similar to most people’s. To you, she’s a cold, emotionless study machine. Coming from a wealthy family and excelling academically, she naturally carries a certain pride, leading the girls in class to secretly call her “the Young Miss.”]

[This isn’t a compliment. It isolates her by class, making all the girls instinctively distance themselves and exclude her.]

[After school, Dong Qian invites you to her house to study together. She’ll tutor you. You’re reluctant—you were supposed to play music with Rin tonight. But remembering Teacher Li Tiansuo’s kind, square face, you sigh and get in the car with Qianqian.]

[You message Rin: “I can’t make it today.” She replies: “Busy? Being busy is good. Go ahead.”]

“Wow, that’s exactly the kind of thing Senpai Rin would say—such a heartless woman.”

[Through your interactions, you discover Dong Qian is actually very gentle inside. She just learned to protect herself with a cold exterior. Since she’d be excluded anyway, she might as well build a wall early.]

[When Dong Qian explains problems, she uses the clearest, most concise language. Her tone is different now—patient and gentle. Only when you’re too slow does she occasionally snap and scold you.]

[You, being sensitive, realize she isn’t the “Young Miss” others describe. She’s just another lost soul like you. You wonder—why, when everyone has their own struggles, can’t people understand each other? Why do people hurt one another? Does hurting others ease their own pain? You choose to treat Dong Qian with kindness.]

[You and Rin reschedule your practice to weekends. These two days are sacred—just for you two. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” You play until late every time. Since you live alone, staying out late is no issue. Rin, meanwhile, is practically abandoned by her mother.]

[You both have the freedom others dream of, yet your souls are equally lonely.]

[In countless dark nights, your and Rin’s souls resonate in the darkness. You understand each other perfectly—yet an invisible wall stands between you. Neither can cross it.]

“Is this the downside of rushing the relationship? Rin feels like a total friend now.”

[Your relationship with Dong Qian continues to grow.]

[You occasionally cook for Dong Qian to thank her for tutoring you.]

[You learn she also loves cooking—but her skills are terrible. She makes abstract dishes like “Pie in the Sky,” “Bitter Melon Cake,” “Intestine Milk Tea,” and “Tomato Sauce Mapo Tofu.”]

[Her taste buds seem abnormal. Yet she thinks your cooking is delicious. The bad news? She also thinks her own “food” tastes great…]

[You care for each other. Shared experiences create deep emotional resonance.]

[Your grades improve significantly, but your cooking skills slightly decline. Is it because “playing chess with a bad player makes you worse”?]

[You and Rin form a band. You’re the lead vocalist and guitarist; Rin is the bassist. Your striking looks and professional skills quickly win over the entire school at the music festival. You gain minor fame. The number of love letters in your desk drawer is enough to fold paper airplanes for a year.]

[You and Rin win multiple awards at school. Now, it’s time to conquer a broader stage.]

[Your understanding is so strong, you don’t even need words to coordinate. What you think, she thinks too. Without discussing it, you both secretly signed the other up for the provincial competition.]

“Hahaha, what a pair of troublemakers—signing each other up, only to realize they’ll both have to perform together.”

[Dong Qian has secretly been following your band. She envies your deep connection and fighting side by side. She dreams of joining you one day.]

[It’s time to name your band. Since stage announcements require a name, Rin lets you decide. The name you choose is…]

[a, Kula Xi Ku]
[b, Done For Band]
[c, mygo!!]
[d, Mimi Zhi Yin (Decadent Sounds)]
[e, White Season]

“Why does every single one of these names feel like a bad omen?!”

“I’ll just pick a familiar one. I choose d.”

[You selected option d.]

[You name your band “Mimi Zhi Yin.” You think the name creates a contrast with the heavy metal rock image. Rin mocks your naming taste, calling it “like an 80s granny.” You give her a playful chop, and the two of you wrestle in the empty classroom, knocking over several desks.]

[Thanks to your superb skills and flawless coordination, you win the provincial championship without a doubt. The band “Mimi Zhi Yin” officially debuts.]

[Countless agencies want to sign you, but you reject them all. Both of you are fiercely independent, unwilling to be bound by contracts. Your ultimate goal is to perform at Tianjing City People’s Stadium—the highest-level venue in the country.]

[To perform there, your band needs at least three provincial championships. You’ve already won one. The next two won’t be hard.]

[Dong Qian wants to join your band. She’s been watching you and Senpai Rin for a long time, envying your bond. She wants to be part of it. She’s trained in piano and can be your keyboardist.]

[Out of friendship, you don’t refuse—but turn to Rin for the final decision.]

[Because of you, Rin naturally agrees.]

[And so, your trio band is officially formed!]