Crossover Anime: I'm at Shuchiin Academy, and my surname is Uchiha.

Chapter 294 Little Loneliness's Dreams and Reality

Leaving aside Uchiha Ryo and Shirasaki Hana who returned home to rest, Hiratsuka Shizuka, who had rested for a long time before leaving the ramen shop, drove to the Starry Night Bar in Shimokitazawa.

"Oh, it's been so long, Xingge! It feels like it's been months since I last saw you! Anyway, let's start with a shot of shochu!"

With a blank expression, Ijichi Seika took a bottle of liquor from the cabinet behind her and placed it on the bar counter. "Hiratsuka, you're still the same as always. If I'm not mistaken, you probably just came straight from the ramen shop to the bar, right?"

"Tch... So what? This is my life!"

Ichika turned to look backstage and said, "Suddenly I feel like my sister and the others are more reliable than you. They're all so old, yet they're doing the same things as they did back in the Gao Z era."

"Who's that old! By the way, how's your sister's band doing? Does she have the same popularity as you did back then?"

"Hehe, they still have a long way to go, but since they're just starting out, let's take it slow... Right now, they're working hard to improve themselves and the band! I think with their level of effort, they'll definitely succeed."

Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled. "And you? Haven't you been thinking about how to improve yourself lately?"

"I don't want to be told by Hiratsuka Shizuka, who has remained the same for the past ten years, that I haven't improved or anything like that."

"You're underestimating me! I was just on a diet! And do you know how much effort I put in to succeed?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka recounted her challenge of making the devil's ramen.

"Well~ after coming out, I immediately went to the convenience store and bought two ice creams, and then ordered an iced milk tea. After that, I came straight here!"

Ichi Hoshika looked confused.

"Ramen, two cups of ice cream, and a milk tea—are you sure you're trying to lose weight and not gaining it?"

"Stop arguing, you can continue working as a shop assistant. I'm going backstage to check on how your little band is doing."

She got up and kept telling herself that she had actually consumed zero calories that day! She had already burned a lot of calories.

Pushing open the backstage door, the imagined scene of the band practicing did not appear; instead, the four band members were simply doing their own thing.

Kita was scrolling through his phone, Yamada Ryo was leaning against the wall listening to music with headphones on, and Iji Chi Nijika seemed to be doing her weekend homework assigned by the school.

As for Little Loneliness... wait, where did that socially awkward girl with pink hair go?

"It's Hiratsuka... Sister, please be quiet. We just finished practicing and are resting. The most tired one, Kotori, is already asleep."

What? You mean auntie, right?! Even cute little flower has to call her Hiratsuka-neechan, what right do you, a high school student, have to call yourself auntie?

Noticing Hiratsuka Shizuka's gaze, Nijika quickly said, "Uh...sorry, it's because my sister keeps telling me that Hiratsuka-neechan is an old auntie who always comes to freeload on drinks, and I often hear it..."

"Damn it, Xingge! Speaking of which, wasn't Little Lonely sleeping? Where is she sleeping?"

As she spoke, Hiratsuka Shizuka took a piece of chewing gum out of her pocket and popped it into her mouth, then subconsciously opened the large trash can next to her.

"Don't throw it away, Hiratsuka-neechan!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka's hand, holding the candy wrapper, froze in mid-air, while inside the trash can, a girl curled up with her knees bent over, her eyes closed as she drifted off to sleep.

"You...you just let her sleep in the trash can?"

"It wasn't our idea; Little Lonely said she felt very safe inside... We couldn't persuade her no matter what we said, but this trash can is very breathable, so don't worry!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka was speechless. This wasn't a matter of ventilation. And judging from Xiao Gudu's expression, was she sure this was comfortable? She looked like she was in a lot of pain...

Meanwhile, Little Loneliness, fast asleep, wore a bitter expression, not because her sleeping position was uncomfortable, but because...

—A Little Lonely Dream—

Goto's mother stroked little Lonely's head with a serious expression.

"You're still playing guitar! Do you want to starve? Get back to studying for the civil service exam! Stop wasting your time on useless things! Start studying! I'm saying all this for your own good!"

Little Lonely lowered his head, not daring to refute, and just gripped the guitar tightly.

The moment she left home, she appeared backstage at the Starlight Bar, where she met Ichiji Nijika's calm gaze.

"You're late for work again, aren't you? How many times has this happened? Think about it carefully. Once you're in the workforce, no one will patiently help you out. This is really bad... I didn't even manage to organize the warehouse properly before, did I? I didn't even ask you to greet the receptionist... Forget it, I'm tired of nagging you."

Ichi Nijika turned and left. Little Lonely, head down, walked past Nijika with immense self-reproach and saw Ryo squatting in the corner.

"Hey, Little Lonely's here. You should pay me my friend's fee this month, right?"

"Hmm...didn't we...give it to you yesterday?"

"Really? I don't remember. Anyway, stop babbling and just give it to me!"

He took out the money from his wallet and was greeted by Kita Ikuyo.

"Little Lonely, I might be a little unavailable lately, so please keep your distance from me at school from now on, okay? And don't talk to me either, some of my friends don't like you."

"OK....."

After finishing his practice, Little Lonely took his guitar and went home.

Upon returning to her room, she saw Goto Jiri drawing.

"Sister~ Why don't you have any friends even though you're in high school? Oh dear~ Did I say something wrong? Not only do you not have any friends, you can't even find someone to talk to normally~ You're such a loser~ So pathetic."

"And your guitar playing is so noisy! Don't play it at home anymore, or you'll have to go outside!"

......

With a shake of the trash can, Little Lonely was awakened from his sleep.

"Little Lonely is awake! Would you like some snacks?"

Ichi Nijika saw Goto Ichiri stand up from the trash can, and then picked up the pastries on the table.

"Um... Nijika, I'm sorry! I promise I won't be late again! I'll also do my job properly."

Hongxia blinked. "Little Lonely, what are you suddenly saying? It's okay. Everyone knows you're in charge of writing lyrics and it's a bit tiring, so it's fine if you're late for work (besides, your job isn't like reception where it's the same whether you're early or late)."

"Nijika...you won't blame me, will you?"

"Why would I blame Little Loneliness? You're an indispensable member of our band!"

An angel! Little Lonely seemed to see the light emanating from the blonde girl, and then saw Kita walking over with pastries.

"Little Lonely One, this is for you. Come and eat. From now on at school..."

Goto Ichiri lowered his head.

"Let's eat lunch together every day at school from now on!"

"Huh?"

Kita awkwardly scratched his head. "Because I'm the only one in the band whose skill level isn't very high yet, I hope Kotaku can teach me more guitar techniques. Let's have lunch together from now on!"

Goto Ichiri was a little dazed, while Nijika reached out and patted the head of the little lonely girl.

"Eat up, I saved this especially for you. If you don't eat it soon, it'll get cold and someone will take it away."

Little Lonely picked up the pastry and then looked at Liang, who was walking over.

"Um... Little Lonely, the money you borrowed from me last time..."

Little Lonely stared wide-eyed. "Are you going to give it back to me? Is this really reality? Or am I dreaming?"

"The money you lent me last time will have to wait a while longer. Let's talk about it next time."

Hongxia reached out and patted Liang on the head again. "You, I'm sorry, little lonely one. I'll deduct the money Liang owes you from her salary."

"This is too cruel to me!" Yamada Ryo exclaimed anxiously.

No, this is only natural...