After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

Ruzaki Mami was born in an ordinary family.

An ordinary wealthy family.

Her father was the chairman and major shareholder of a leading catering enterprise, and her mother was a world-class violinist and pianist. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she then found herself surrounded by art and music, receiving what was considered a natural elite education.

Her mother wanted to make her into a pianist, so Ruzaki Mami started professional instruction at the age of five and had already won quite a few piano awards by the age of twelve.

In other words, she was actually better at playing the piano than playing the drums in Red Pepper Band.

But she didn't choose the piano and classical music; she chose the drum set and rock.

Honestly, at first, it was just out of rebellion. She just didn't want to follow the path laid out by her strict mother, so she secretly learned to play what she considered the least elegant of instruments, the drum set.

Soon, Ruzaki Mami fell in love with the feeling, not the sinful pleasure that rebellion brought, but the relief of striking the drums. She could vent all of life's displeasures and dissatisfactions through rock.

Her drumming got faster and heavier.

Then, she received an invitation from Ai Cheng Karen to join a band, a girls' band named 'Red Pepper Band.'

They were all high school girls, and aside from Ai Cheng Karen, the other two girls were from different schools, but they got along well.

However, when they decided to perform at a live house, Ruzaki Mami ran into a problem.

She had kept her involvement in rock music a secret from her family, especially from her mother. If her mother found out, her behind would be spanked into a bunch of rose petals, and she would never be able to form a band with Karen-chan and the others again.

Ruzaki Mami's mother wasn't a musician who tolerated pop music; she was proficient in classical and didn't recognize any musical taste beyond classical, a perfect antique.

Upon hearing about Ruzaki Mami's troubles, the band members made a surprising decision.

They dressed themselves up like trendy girls with a tan makeup so thick that it was impossible to recognize their faces. It was a bit too much, but it allowed Ruzaki Mami to perform without worrying about being recognized.

Originally, Ruzaki Mami planned to do her own makeup, as she was the only one needing to disguise her true appearance; there was no reason to bother her teammates.

But on the day of the performance, she was a bit late. To her surprise, she arrived to find that Ai Cheng Karen and the others had already done their trendy makeovers and were waiting for her.

In that moment, Ruzaki Mami knew they were the friends she must cherish for a lifetime.

"That's the truth behind the heavy makeup. Karen-chan and the others compromised just for me," Ruzaki Mami said with downcast eyes.

"I see," Kagura Hikaru tapped her fingers on her thigh, "so that's why you all hesitated when Mr. Sagami mentioned removing the makeup."

"Yes, if Mami performed with her real face, she would definitely be recognized by her parents," Hoshimi Nana said, disappointed.

"But Ruzaki is still a minor, if contracts need to be signed, they would originally require parental consent."

"I can have my dad sign," Ruzaki Mami said, "my dad's more open-minded and wouldn't mind, but my mom is different."

"...Understood."

Kagura Hikaru looked at them, "What are all of you thinking? Are you going to try to persuade Ruzaki's mother, or give up on the contract and continue treating the band as a hobby?"

The members of Red Pepper Band exchanged glances; aside from Ai Cheng Karen who said, 'I listen to Mami,' no one else spoke.

The situation seemed to have reached a deadlock.

One step forward meant giving up on Ruzaki Mami; one step back, and Red Pepper Band would lose a golden opportunity. Either choice seemed wrong.

After a moment of silence, Ruzaki Mami shook her head, "Persuading my mother is impossible. I've seen through her over these years; she will never agree. So, there's only one choice left..."

Pulling her hand from Ai Cheng Karen's, she took a deep breath and said resolutely, "I have to quit Red Pepper Band."

"Mami!" Ai Cheng Karen's eyes widened in shock.

The expressions on everyone else's faces were also one of surprise.

"Wait, wait a minute, think about it a little more..." Hoshimi Nana was flustered and a bit panicked.

"It's my own problem."

"Why was the previous live so happy, you even said you wanted to do it again next time," Ai Cheng Huar Lian tried to grab Ruzaki Mami's hand, but she avoided it.

"I never said that," Ruzaki Mami said in a low voice.

"Is that so...."

"Are you really going to quit?" Said Saijo Maya, folding her arms, her face looking very unpleasant.

"Without me, you can do it too, find another girl who is better at drums than me, and then sign with Mr. Sagami—"

"That's not what I'm talking about!"

Saijo Maya suddenly grabbed Ruzaki Mami's collar, her eyes filled with anger.

Their argument was getting loud, and the customers around them all turned their heads to look.

"Wait, calm down!" Ai Cheng Huar Lian hurriedly pulled them apart, "Let's communicate properly, okay? It was so happy before, you think so too, don't you, Mami?"

Ruzaki Mami stared at her, then turned her head: "I... never felt happy playing in the band."

"...Eh?"@@novelbin@@

A moment of silence.

"Slurp, slurp~"

As they turned their heads, they saw Kagura Hikaru with the expression of a spectator, loudly sipping coffee.

"Ah, sorry, continue," Kagura Hikaru said without any embarrassment when stared at, as she put down the empty cup and took a look at the menu, "Do you guys want dessert? I feel like having a blueberry sundae after the hot coffee, craving something cold."

Everyone: "..."

"No one's talking? Then I'll order away, waiter!"

Kagura Hikaru called the waitress over and ordered a sundae for everyone.

Before long, everyone sat with strange expressions, scooping ice cream into their mouths, while listening to Kagura Hikaru speak. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

"Ruzaki's demand is to let the Red Pepper Band operate normally while successfully signing with the company."

Ruzaki Mami's cheeks turned red, her head lowered like a child whose lie had been exposed.

"Everyone else's demand is that no one in the band splits up."

Ai Cheng Huar Lian and the others exchanged glances, nodding to him.

Kagura Hikaru showed a helpless expression.

In his eyes, everything happening in front of him was nothing but a farce.

What 'I've never felt happy playing in the band', all lies.

With the ability to discern truth from lies, Ruzaki Mami's thoughts couldn't be more obvious; she clearly wanted to sacrifice herself for the sake of the band.

Her previous coldness was nothing but an act.

Think about it, and you'll know; this girl's personality is like that of a rabbit, trembling and shivering, soft and sticky, how could she possibly have turned into such a hard-hearted character all of a sudden.

Everyone was thinking of the other, yet they ended up fighting with one another, that doesn't make sense.

If the conflict is going to erupt internally and hurt the people they value, it's better to shift the target externally.

"The matter is quite simple, let's go persuade Ruzaki's mother," said Kagura Hikaru.

"Impossible!" Ruzaki Mami voiced her objection, but as Kagura Hikaru's gaze fell on her, her voice got softer, "I... at least I can't do it, my mother is very stubborn, even my dad has to listen to her."

"Everything in this world has a price, Ruzaki,"

Kagura Hikaru raised the metal spoon he was using to eat his sundae, pointing it at her with a decisive tone: "Your mother is not incapable of changing her mind; it's just that you haven't given her an offer she can't refuse."