Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1412: Chapter 1411: Brainwashing! (It’s So Hot in the City Down the Mountain!!)

”So impressive.”

Watching the girls jumping up and down on stage, Yukina couldn’t help but sigh, and the others also showed serious expressions.

According to the draw, SchoolDays was scheduled to perform last, so they watched the rehearsal performances of other groups first. For everyone, this was a novel experience.

To be honest, although SchoolDays was already considered a ”legend,” in fact, including Fang Zheng, it was everyone’s first time performing at a LIVE HOUSE. Fang Zheng had studied piano and had been to the Vienna Golden Hall a few times, but before his rebirth, he rarely went to LIVE HOUSE.

After all, before his rebirth, in Fang Zheng’s country, people didn’t value these things much. Many associated underground music and bars with drug use, which didn’t have a good reputation. At that time, students had heavy academic tasks. Even going to an internet café to play games could get them dragged out and scolded by parents. If they dared to play music in such places, they would be in big trouble.

The general impression of these underground music venues was a dark hall filled with kids crazily drinking and taking drugs, with some heavy metal band screaming their lungs out on stage... In any case, it didn’t seem like a place for good kids and decent people.

Usually, those who went to such places were deemed either hooligans or fallen women in the public eye; they were certainly not seen as decent people.

However, this LIVE HOUSE was somewhat different from what Fang Zheng had imagined. It felt more like a small-scale concert venue. Apart from not being able to accommodate as many people as a regular concert hall, everything else seemed quite formal. No one smoked, no one took drugs, and everyone dressed very normally, without those flashy and unconventional outfits.

This gave Fang Zheng some fondness for the LIVE HOUSE. If the environment had been like the memory from before his rebirth, Fang Zheng would have immediately decided to leave with everyone.

Compared to Fang Zheng, the others naturally focused more on those bands.

Earlier, Fang Zheng and the others had chatted with them for a bit and learned that these girls were also mostly students from various schools. For various reasons, they formed their own bands to have fun, similar to Fang Zheng and his friends.

However, in terms of performance, they were clearly more experienced than SchoolDays. Fang Zheng and his group had only performed once at a cultural festival, while these girls’ bands appeared on stage every so often at the LIVE HOUSE.

”Classmate Haruno, are we really okay?”

”What’s wrong? Worried?”

Hearing Yukina’s question, Fang Zheng curiously glanced at her. Yukina’s foundation was pretty good; she had practiced in karaoke bars, and although it wasn’t formal, it was quite decent, not inferior to the lead singers of the girl bands on stage...

”Hmm... how should I put it...”

At this point, Yukina felt a bit embarrassed.

”Their songs are all lively and vibrant...”

”Oh...”

From this, Fang Zheng understood what Yukina meant.

They had already listened to several women’s bands performances. Although their styles varied from rock to pop, overall, they were very youthful, full of passion and energy.

But SchoolDays was a bit different.

So far, the songs Fang Zheng prepared for SchoolDays were naturally good, but the rhythms were relatively slow and steady. This also related to Fang Zheng’s age, having been reborn, and the songs he liked were mostly peaceful and serene melodies. The song Fang Zheng gave to Morikawa Yuki, ”One more time, one more chance,” was like this.

However, for the still youthful girls, such songs seemed a bit... lacking in passion.

Sure, maybe it didn’t matter to them before, but now, seeing how other girls jumped around on stage and the songs they sang were full of energy, while their own were all gentle and soothing...

Although the collaborative LIVE wasn’t a competition and there were no rankings, competitiveness was something everyone had.

”How about this.”

With this thought, Fang Zheng had an idea.

”Why don’t we change the second song?”

”Change it?”

Hearing this, the others curiously gathered around.

”Change it to what?”

”That one.”

Under everyone’s gaze, Fang Zheng grinned and drew a circle with his hand.

”The one that was really catchy before...”

”Huh...”

Upon hearing this, Yukina was immediately taken aback.

”You mean, that one?”

”Of course.”

Fang Zheng nodded.

”You’re the lead singer. If you have no problem, we don’t either, right.”

”Yeah, yeah.”

Around this time, the others chimed in.

”What do you think, Yukina? Do you have the confidence?”

”This... hmm...”

To be honest, changing the song on the spot was a first for Yukina, so she was a little nervous, but...

”Since it’s a rehearsal, it should be okay.”

”Alright then.”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Yukina made up her mind and nodded.

”Classmate Haruno, I agree!”

”Then let’s get ready.”

Satisfied, watching Yukina, Fang Zheng snapped his fingers.

”We’re up next!”

When Fang Zheng and the group stepped onto the stage, the girls below showed expectant expressions.

”SchoolDays...”

The girl with cat-ear hairstyle clenched her fists and watched the stage. Soon, the lights gradually dimmed, and accompanied by the sound of music, Yukina’s singing began...

”The promise with you at summer’s end, future dreams, grand hopes won’t be forgotten. In August, ten years from now, I believe we will meet again, with the most wonderful memories...”

Listening to Yukina and Fang Zheng’s performance on stage, the girls below were also filled with excitement. Many of them had heard this song before, but hearing it live was a completely different experience.

”... No wonder it’s the legendary SchoolDays...”

Standing in a dark corner, a girl with long silver-white hair crossed her arms, intently watching Fang Zheng and the others’ performance on stage, her eyes gleaming with determination.

”Whether it’s the rhythm or the lyrics... it’s almost perfect...”

Soon, the song concluded.

”Clap clap clap...”

As the final notes of the song drifted down, the girls in the audience burst into applause. Seeing this scene, Fang Zheng smiled smugly, then glanced at Yukina. Perhaps sensing Fang Zheng’s thoughts, Yukina nodded. Fang Zheng then made a gesture towards Touma.

Soon, the lights dimmed again.

Immediately... the sound of music gradually began to play.

”Eh? This is...”

Upon hearing the urgent prelude, everyone was momentarily stunned, and then they suddenly became excited.

Could this be SchoolDays’ new song?!

The rhythm became increasingly lively and splendid. If the previous ”Secret Base” was like a gentle stream, then the rhythm of this song was like a surging tide. Soon, as the lights flashed again, Yukina’s voice resounded.

”I fell in love with you at first sight, losing myself in pursuit. Yet, the desire to know you burns on...”

”This song...”

”Seems pretty interesting!”

At this moment, under the guidance of the rhythm, others in the audience began to sway their bodies, even the staff responsible for the stage started gently humming the melody. Meanwhile, Yukina tightly gripped the microphone, raising her hand high.

”... Although everyone believes in dreams and love, it’s too boring if you don’t take the initiative to attack a little!”

As she spoke, Yukina instinctively glanced at Fang Zheng, who was playing the guitar beside her, then took a deep breath.

”GIRIGIRI love, on the edge of forbidden boundaries... even if it’s difficulty G, I’ll break everything to show you...!!”

”Oh oh oh oh...!!”

At this moment, the girls in the audience also began to wave their hands in excitement. This song’s melody wasn’t complex, it might even be considered simple, but it was mysteriously addictive, making them start swaying irresistibly!

”Dancing wildly, advancing towards deeper G, consciousness melting away, body out of control...”

As she sang, Yukina felt her whole body heating up, just as she was singing. At this moment, she seemed entirely influenced by a surge of passion, completely unable to control herself. There was a moment when Yukina even wanted to leap into Fang Zheng’s arms, to kiss him on the spot in front of everyone, to confess her feelings for him.

But, no, not now.

After this LIVE session ends, I will confess to you, Classmate Haruno.

For now, let me endure a little longer!

Thinking of this, Yukina gritted her teeth, enduring that impulse, channeling all her passion into her singing.

”For love, I am reborn. Yearning for love, I will return——!!”

With the end of the song, the atmosphere at the scene was exceedingly fervent. The girls below joyfully clapped and cheered, while on stage, Yukina was panting, looking towards Fang Zheng. Noticing Yukina’s gaze, Fang Zheng gave her a thumbs-up. Seeing Fang Zheng’s thumbs-up, Yukina’s smile became even brighter.

”.....”

However, witnessing this scene, Touma’s expression was somewhat complicated. Maybe due to a woman’s intuition, she seemed to have heard something in Yukina’s singing just now.

Yukina... likes Haruno?

No, that’s not surprising. Even Touma knows that Fang Zheng is popular at school, with many girls confessing to him. Yukina liking him is actually quite normal. Not to mention, in that frightening mysterious space before, Fang Zheng was the one who saved them. Perhaps from that moment, Yukina started liking Fang Zheng.

But... why does it make me feel so uncomfortable?

Touma lowered her head, staring at the back of her hand, the scratches there had long healed... yet inexplicably, she could still feel the burning pain from her hand.

And that unforgettable sensation.

”Touma?”

At this moment, a cold voice startled Touma, and she turned to see Setsuna standing beside her, quietly watching her.

”We should go off the stage.”

”Ah, right...”

Only then did Touma react, nodding as she turned to walk off the stage. Setsuna quietly watched Touma’s back, then turned to look behind her, where Fang Zheng was leaving the stage with Yukina, laughing and talking. The world followed behind them, grinning at the two.

”World.”

However, after everyone left the stage, Setsuna stopped the world.

”Hmm? What’s up? Setsuna?”

Hearing Setsuna’s voice, the world turned, looking at her, while Setsuna gazed at the world with an expressionless face.

”Is this really okay?”

”... Eh? What are you talking about?”

Hearing Setsuna’s question, a trace of panic flashed across the world’s eyes, but she maintained a calm facade, smiling at Setsuna. Yet Setsuna just quietly watched the world, and after a moment, sighed.

”I see... I understand.”

”Setsuna?”

Seeing Setsuna’s expression, the world felt an inexplicable sense of unease. However, the next moment, Setsuna left without saying anything further.

A moment later, the world’s phone suddenly rang. She opened it, seeing a message from Setsuna.

”I like Haruno, and I’m going to confess to him.”

”Eh?”

Seeing this, the world was completely stunned.