Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 125

Doesn't she realize that every attempt she makes to get him to accept his past is tantamount to forcing him to recall those unbearable betrayals, like rubbing salt into a wound? That foolish pink-haired girl.

If it were her, and someone kept nagging her to forget her parents' divorce, bringing it up again and again, she would have lost her temper long ago and would have even kicked her out without regard for appearances—Xu Doujun was just too gentle and too considerate of others' feelings.

The greater the warmth and expectation he placed in his former band and in the shared destiny that Xiangzi spoke of, akin to that of family, the deeper his disappointment was when those expectations were shattered. The fact that he never actively sought comfort from others doesn't mean she couldn't sense the sorrow accumulating within him.

The best way to deal with such unpleasant memories is to patiently accompany and care for them, slowly covering and smoothing them out, just as healing a scar requires rest—rather than constantly stimulating it with various things.

This was how he had helped her out of the shadows, and the girl reciprocated with the same gentleness and patience.

Originally, Nagasaki Motoyo felt that her care had been very effective; Genjiro Toto had even started to reconnect with Riki and Mutsuka, and the results were quite encouraging. However, recently, things have taken a turn for the worse.

If he can't bring himself to do it... then let me deliver the verdict myself.

"Could you please...stop harassing Xu Doujun?"

She didn't say those words out of jealousy or resentment. Even towards Chihaya Aine herself, Nagasaki Motoyo didn't harbor much ill will—she simply disliked what the other woman had done.

Quietly raising her arms, half of the girl's gentle face was hidden in the shadows, as full and serene as the moonlight.

In contrast, Chihaya Aine immediately frowned.

Why do you say that?

"Of course it's because you've been making Xu Doujun consider things he doesn't like."

...So this guy isn't a friend who can stand on this side.

Chihaya Aine is far from the carefree, unconditionally optimistic person she appears to be. She is acutely aware of how others perceive and treat her, and responds promptly and appropriately.

Genjiro was kind to her, willing to befriend her, and helped her smooth things over in front of her classmates, which made her feel very good about him. Naturally, Chihaya Aine was willing to show him her most lively and friendly side.

Conversely, as in this situation, where hostility is blatantly expressed, the already wary girl naturally wouldn't show a friendly face. She quickly crossed her arms and adopted a defensive stance, challenging him retorting without backing down.

"It's Kyorarin's own choice to perform with us, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with you, does it, Nagasaki-kun?" Since the other party had already thrown off the pretense, she spoke with no small amount of provocation, "Are you going to interfere with his decision?"

...Xu Doujun actually agreed? When did that happen...?

Nagasaki Motoyo initially thought that the situation was still in the stage of the other party unilaterally pursuing Minamoto no Koto, but hearing Chihaya Aine's smug and seemingly confident answer, the girl was now somewhat uncertain.

'She must be lying,' she thought, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly.

The girl could certainly make decisions for Yuan Xudou, but only if they were both aware of each other's intentions. She didn't want to make choices for him without his knowledge.

At the very least, it's definitely not worth doing this.

“…I know Xu Doujun much better than you do.” Nagasaki Motoyo gently pressed her fingertips together, suppressing the frustration that rose in her heart after discovering that the situation was not exactly the same as she had imagined. “He won’t agree to let you form a band.”

—Oh no, there's really no way to refute that.

But this didn't stop Chihaya Aine from retorting. She had already noticed that Nagasaki Motoyo's words just now lacked conviction and weren't as aggressive as they had been at the beginning. Otherwise, she should have directly denied her own statement instead of shifting the topic to "her understanding of Xu Douqin."

"So you're just going to stay stuck in that situation forever? If you think you understand him, you must know that those are very bad memories for Xu Douqin, right?"

"—So you keep making him think about it?"

They confronted each other head-on, refusing to give an inch.

As if realizing their irreconcilable differences, the two girls' eyes turned hostile.

"Chihaya-san, I don't think I have anything to say to you." Nagasaki Motoyo maintained basic manners; she hadn't come here to argue.

"It's me, Nagasaki-kun, who doesn't have anything in common with you."

Being specifically approached to issue a warning, Chihaya Aine, who wasn't particularly magnanimous or tolerant to begin with, couldn't help but get a little angry.

She couldn't help but say one more thing.

"In the end, aren't you all just taking advantage of Xu Douqin's tolerance and gentleness to satisfy your own desires? You're clearly not any better, are you?"

“You think what I did was wrong, that I was making him feel bad, but doing it like this, sneaking around…”

Her light gray pupils gleamed with resentment under the light as Chihaya Aine poured out her dissatisfaction, word by word.

"Isn't this the greatest distrust towards Xu Douqin?"

"Would Xu Douqin be happy with this?"

She admitted that some of her plans were indeed wishful thinking, believing that as long as she did so, Gen Xudou could get out of the shadows of the past—but wasn't Nagasaki Motoyo the same? Wasn't she also thinking that only by doing this or that would Xudou feel better, holding the same wishful thinking?

"..."

Visibly, after she said those words, Nagasaki Motoyo's face, which had been able to remain calm, instantly darkened, and her eyes sank into a deep shadow.

The feigned gentleness in her light blue eyes vanished, replaced by a faint light as cold as an Arctic storm.

Every word Chihaya Aine uttered struck a nerve at that moment.

But her sarcasm was completely irrelevant; what the girl cared about was...

'She said that...could it be that Xu Doujun thinks the same way...?'

—No, not necessarily yet.

But if the other party embellishes her behavior today and relays it to Yuan Xudou, and he actually believes it too...

"...You don't understand anything at all."

The mere thought of how the boy's impression of her might be affected already made Nagasaki Motoyo's mind in turmoil, and she had no desire to continue this pointless exchange of refutations.

She pushed the chair back, picked up her handbag, and turned to leave.

All Nagasaki Motoyo wanted to do right now was go home... back to the warm house she and Genji had built together, to hold each other tightly, and to reaffirm their feelings for one another. Only then could the unease rising within her be soothed.

'I never distrust Xu Doujun...!'

Chapter Sixty-Three: The Lap Pillow That Seems a Bit Off

The enchanting ribbons of night wind and meander through the urban cityscape. A gentle evening breeze stirs the restless air and dust, causing the points of light that form an endless river to flicker and flow. The floating dust reflects a dazzling brilliance, like a rainbow of shimmering mist.

Standing atop the most prosperous and glamorous part of the city, looking down from a high rooftop, Tokyo's splendor as the capital stretches and magnifies infinitely in my vision, like an intricate, unreal model, as if I could reach out and grasp all the beauty and fulfillment of the world.

His breath condensed into white droplets in the air. The house behind him was empty and quiet. The incandescent light shining through the glass door cast a hazy, ocean-like glow, but it couldn't illuminate the boy's slightly lowered, gentle, and melancholic eyes.

On a cool spring night, as crisp as morning dew, he wore only a thin long-sleeved white shirt, a school uniform-style undershirt, with a black jacket and a blue-black tie casually draped over a chair in the living room. The girl had left dried water stains on his chest after the comforting lamp had been lit.

Before him lay the bustling lights of a modern metropolis, and behind him, an empty, luxurious, high-end apartment. He was merely a high school boy leaning against the balcony railing, his clothes barely shielding him from the breeze, yet unable to stop the chill seeping in.

Unlike his usual expressionless yet composed demeanor, his soft and handsome face was now tinged with an inescapable melancholy. His usually straight and strong waist was slightly bent, his figure perfectly proportioned, the curves like the light and graceful flow of water in a mountain stream.

If someone could take a photo of a melancholic, handsome young man from outside the balcony using a drone—I believe many people who like melancholic, beautiful young men would be willing to pay a high price for it, and if their contact information were included, the price could potentially increase several times over.

His life should be the envy of many. By any social standard, he is young, financially independent, exceptionally handsome, and even has remarkable talent. If he wanted to, he could easily become a successful young talent.

Just this detached single-story house in Roppongi, which was bought outright... is the kind of wealth that so many people dream of.

Yuan Xudou accumulated wealth in just a few years that his ordinary family could never have dreamed of in a lifetime. The difficulty of doing so was no less than taking off his coat and tossing it on a chair. Ordinary parents could hardly have imagined that their child would be so outstanding and extraordinary.

...Before they passed away, they were probably just thinking about how this poor child would survive after the loss of both parents.

Yuan Xudou had never heard of any elders who could take his place, and probably had no relatives or friends to entrust his life to. Apart from a dying wish that he would be happy, his family left him with no expectations, no memories, and nothing to reminisce about.

So, long, long ago, the boy had already gotten used to standing alone by the window, silently gazing at the warmth and reunion of others, pondering what it truly meant to be happy.

Until even the silent loneliness was swallowed by tranquility, until even the faint sorrow was gently buried, until he finally became someone who could enter the hearts of everyone, to understand and resonate with their imperfections and sadness, to understand and soothe those immature wounds with an attitude more gentle than the moonlight, while remaining steadfast himself.

He neither craved a lover nor prayed to be loved. He neither understood desire nor abhorred obsession. For several years, he could even keep a smile hidden beneath his clear face, maintaining an unchanging indifference for at least five years.

...He was an anomaly in society, perhaps even more in need of "becoming a real human being" than Takamatsu Akari. But unlike the girl, he wasn't born this way; rather, he was shaped by everything he experienced in life. If the boy had a complete and ordinary family, he might not be as capable in everything as he is now, but he would certainly have become...more cheerful.

But right now, Yuan Xudou is considered perfect by others. He doesn't ask for emotions from others, doesn't ask for help from others, can accurately handle all his own goals, can meet all the external definitions of excellence, and even has the spare capacity to lend a helping hand to others.

Aside from the boy himself, everyone probably thought he was just a little aloof, otherwise perfectly normal—even that aloofness could be interpreted as the arrogance of a genius.

Toyokawa Shoko liked his unspoken understanding and trust; Nagasaki Motoyo loved his unconditional gentleness and tolerance; Shiina Tatsuki pursued his unassuming superiority and humility; Wakaba Mutsu was captivated by the care and recognition that belonged only to her in his heart; and Takamatsu Akari gazed at the dazzling light that shone like a star.

【CruCHIC】 was established by him, Xiangzi and Deng, and it can continue to exist until it becomes a haven for everyone's heart. The reason why it is so important that people remember it and even regard it as a way to achieve happiness is that Yuan Xudou took the initiative to realize their deepest wishes.

The laughter and joy of his companions replaced the solitary heartbeat of the night, and the warmth of his friends made up for the loneliness of family. He genuinely liked everyone and believed he could continue to achieve everything he set his mind to.

...People who have never failed before often remember their first failure vividly.

That's why Yuan Xudou is here, in this empty, lonely, and chilly night, going to the balcony to get some fresh air and clear his head out of melancholy.

He wouldn't be so easily discouraged by one setback. After all, this wasn't the first time he'd experienced a low point in his life; it's just that the last time it was due to unforeseen circumstances and not his fault.

Inhale, exhale. The cool air swept through his nasal cavity, rushed into his lungs from his trachea, and the slightly chilly temperature slowly cooled the body's heat before returning to the air, enveloped in moisture. Yuan Xudou closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, the melancholy in his deep pupils had completely disappeared, replaced by a gentle tranquility.

"Click, click," came the soft sound of a key unlocking the lock from behind. The boy leaning against the railing straightened up, his long, slender fingers resting lightly on the crossbar, and turned to look back.

He saw the flaxen-haired girl gently push open the door, her hands folded in front of her, her gentle and beautiful face seemingly carrying a long-lost tension, as she carefully and quietly entered the house.

As she looked up, she saw the boy on the balcony gazing at her with gentle eyes. His clasped hands clenched into a fist, his light blue eyes flickered slightly, and his slightly hunched shoulders made him look like a somewhat guilty little fox.

But rather than panic and unease, when Nagasaki Motoyo discovered where Minamoto no Kōto was, her first words were an instinctive expression of worry.

"Xu Doujun, you'll catch a cold if you stay outside dressed so lightly..."

"Yeah, I'm just taking a break to cool off."

Of course, he wouldn't ignore Su Shi's concern. Besides, he had already calmed down quite a bit. After nodding in agreement, he walked out from the balcony and closed the glass door behind him to prevent the cold wind from blowing into the house.

Seeing that the boy was still as easygoing and friendly as ever, and seemed to have no intention of questioning her, Nagasaki Motoyo, who had been worried all the way back that Chihaya Aine might preemptively complain to Minamoto Koto on Line, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and her hands no longer clenched, but hung naturally at her sides.

"I came back late today because I went to RiNG's place... but I didn't get to see Riki-chan."

She didn't reveal everything right away, but instead picked out some minor facts to mention first.

As Nagasaki Motoyo gently explained why she was home later than usual, Genjiro Toru walked over, put on his coat, and sat down on the sofa in the living room.

"By the way, would you like a cup of black tea to warm yourself up? I'll make it now..."

“素删⑷笼⑺倭尔司拔师群/撩世”

Just as the girl was about to turn and walk into the kitchen, Gen Xudou called out to her.

The girl's movements visibly stiffened for a moment, and her posture, which had just returned to normal, seemed to tighten again. Her fair fingertips curled up uneasily, and even before she turned around, one could still sense the panic in her heart.

Is there something you want to tell me?

Yuan Xudou certainly couldn't miss Nagasaki Sue's unusual demeanor. From the moment she entered, the complex atmosphere of her wanting to say something but not knowing how to begin was incredibly noticeable to him. Perhaps Sue's pretense would be difficult for others to see through, but he was Yuan Xudou.

Besides, having lived together for so long, one can intuitively detect even the slightest sign that something is amiss.

After standing still for a few seconds, the girl slowly turned around, her smile tinged with a bittersweet feeling, yet also overflowing with uncontrollable joy and happiness at his caring attention.

"...As expected, I couldn't hide it from Xu Doujun." She replied softly, acknowledging his thoughts.

Yuan Xudou didn't say anything more, but moved to one side of the sofa and patted the empty space he had made. Nagasaki Motoyo, understanding his meaning, obediently came over and sat down next to the boy.

As usual, she gently rested her head on his shoulder, and Genjiro reached out and tenderly embraced Nagasaki Motoyo. A delicate and refreshing lavender scent wafted from the girl's hair, a soft and sweet fragrance, a natural blend of her natural body odor and aromatherapy.

Nagasaki Motoyo also rested her head on the boy's shoulder, her small, cute nose twitching slightly as she gently inhaled the faint, comforting scent.

But this time, the situation seems to be different from usual.

As she sorted through her thoughts, considering where to begin, she suddenly felt the boy's strong arms, which were holding her, tighten slightly. Nagasaki Motoyo only had time to blink in confusion before the force pulled her off his shoulder, her head tilting all the way down until…

"Huh...huh?"

She rested her head on Yuan Xudou's lap, while he looked down at the girl with immense tenderness, gently stroking her head, his fingertips brushing against the roots of her hair.

“Er〃ling|栮⑵（一）衫?淋-{?覇②?说吧。

Seeing Nagasaki Motoyo looking somewhat bewildered, Genjiro's lips curled into a smile.

Nagasaki Motoyo's face instantly turned red from the tip of her nose to the roots of her ears. She lay on her back on the boy's lap, the reassuring yet soft touch of his thighs making her feel comfortable, but the shame made her curl up her toes hidden in her shoes and socks, while she twisted her body slightly, trying to sit up again.

“Xu Dou-kun… this is too, too…” The girl’s incoherent voice seemed to be begging him to stop, but on the other side, after struggling for a long time, even though Yuan Xu Dou had not controlled her movements and she could easily get away with just a little support, Nagasaki Sue was completely unable to get up.

It was as if the shame of having her knees as a pillow and the desire for such a sense of security were fighting against the control of her body, and the conflicting emotions prevented her from making any decent resistance.

"Doesn't Su Shi like this?"

At the same time, Yuan Xudou was gently combing her long hair with his hands, his fingertips inadvertently brushing her forehead, and his dark eyes looking down seemed to contain a moist smile.

Nagasaki Motoyo's instincts instantly overcame her reason and shame.

"Woo..."

She obediently lay down, but still couldn't hide her flushed cheeks. She could only raise one hand to symbolically cover her burning face, while her other hand tightly held the boy's hand on her side, her slender, fair legs pressed together.

Of course, to give Nagasaki Motoyo, who was already on the verge of exploding with shame, some leeway was still necessary, and Genji Koto didn't intend to make her actually answer that question.

So he simply patted her head reassuringly, and the effect was immediate. As the girl's bright red cheeks improved slightly, Yuan Xudou finally steered everything back to the main topic.