The dull melody stopped, Ming Hai raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at her who was holding the bass in a trance.
Her eyes gradually regained focus, Nagasaki Suyo shook her head and smiled, saying it was okay, and her fingers gently plucked the strings.
By evening, their daily routine was not affected by the failed date. They continued to eat dinner and practice their musical instruments as usual.
It clearly happened just at noon, but when I think back on it now, it feels as if it happened a year ago.
After glancing at Ming Hai who was still composing music in front of the computer, Nagasaki Motoyo hesitated for a moment, then put the bass aside and walked over to him.
"The coffee is cold, can I get you a new cup?"
"Hmm?" He took off half of his headphones, listened to her repeat it again, and responded nonchalantly, "Okay, thank you."
Soon, the aroma of coffee rose up, bringing a bit of peace and warmth to the somewhat deserted living room.
Nagasaki Suyo brought the hot coffee to his table, but did not leave. Instead, she gently placed her palms on his shoulders and began to knead them bit by bit.
Ming Hai tilted his head slightly, a little surprised.
"Why? You want some pocket money?"
"Please don't treat me as a kid who suddenly tries to please his parents for pocket money..." Nagasaki Suyo pinched him a few times with her fingers and sighed speechlessly, "I just saw that you seemed very tired, so I helped you relieve your fatigue."
"Tired? Really?" Ming Hai frowned, picked up his phone and turned on the selfie camera, looking at his face for a moment, puzzled, "Nothing special."
"If it was nothing, you wouldn't have sat in front of the computer and composed a song for hours, right?" Nagasaki Suyo said lightly, "It seems that the quarrel with Xiangzi-chan has dealt a big blow to you."
"Don't talk nonsense." With a cold snort, Ming Hai waved away the hand on his shoulder and curled his lips, "She is the one who is hit, not me. I am just thinking about it and looking for a reason to reconcile."
That’s right, he and Xiangzi have already started a cold war.
Although they didn't block each other, they haven't sent each other a single message since lunch.
This was simply impossible for them, who used to exchange dozens of messages every day and reluctantly say goodbye before going to bed at 10 o'clock.
There was no fluctuation in his mood, but Ming Hai was indeed a little uncomfortable - he would open LINE from time to time, and after finding that there were no messages to read, he would carelessly leave it alone, then pick up the phone to check the messages when he came to his senses, and repeat this several times.
In addition, he also really wanted to reconcile with Xiangzi.
After all, we can't really just give up the mission like this, right?
We have finally come this far, if this is ruined because of a small conflict, it would be more uncomfortable than the awkward atmosphere.
...Although he hasn't figured it out yet, after Teacher Xiaoxiang knows that he doesn't like her, how should he treat himself as her white moonlight.
But compared to just sitting there and waiting for death, Ming Hai still planned to struggle a little longer, at least to get back to being ordinary friends...
"What's there to think about? As long as Xiangzi-chan still likes you, there are reasons to reconcile everywhere."
Nagasaki Suyo pulled up a chair and sat down elegantly beside him, offering her suggestion lightly.
"If you want to be more literary, you can tell her after a while - 'I'm not sure if I like you or not, but I suddenly miss you. It's like thinking of cherry blossoms in spring, the sound of cicadas in summer, maple leaves in autumn, and the first snow in winter... So, can we meet?' She will definitely agree to your invitation, and after you meet, you can say something nice to her sincerely, and no matter how angry she is, she will calm down."
"Which book did you read this from?" Ming Hai looked at her strangely. "Also, do you think I'm someone who can say such a thing?"
"Well, it's true that they don't look like her." Nagasaki Suyo looked at her ten fingers and continued nonchalantly, "Then keep it simple - 'Shoko, there's a new flavor at the crepe stand today, you should like it, let's go eat it together.' Just say this and she will follow you obediently."
"Tsk, how can it be so easy..."
Turning his gaze away indifferently, Ming Hai felt that she was just making small talk and the suggestions she made were not credible at all.
Nagasaki Suyo laughed instead, with a hint of sarcasm and helplessness.
"You really don't understand girls... It's just that easy for the one who's liked, huh?"
The evidence is herself.
If she quarreled with Ming Hai and they were in a cold war and couldn't come to his house anymore, but she saw a message from him saying "Come and help me cook"...
No matter how unhappy her expression was, Nagasaki Suyo would carry the ingredients and angrily help him prepare dinner; if he said something nice and hugged her, then let alone being angry, she might even reflect on herself and apologize to him?
Xiangzi-chan’s mentality now should be similar to hers - that’s why she can make such an assertion.
Those who are favored are always fearless. No matter breaking up or getting back together, the decision is always in his hands.
...Why doesn't Ming Hai have this kind of awareness? He is so popular with girls.
In this regard, Nagasaki Suyo could only sigh and feel sad for their vision.
Volume 84: Chapter Chapter Women quarrel. Second round of battle
time flies.
In the blink of an eye, it's a new week again.
The June heat wave started relentlessly in the morning. The girls' fair and delicate skin was tanned red by the sun, and the sweat made the shoulder straps and lining faintly visible.
The thin summer uniform reveals the delicate and soft curves, and the fluttering skirt depicts the beautiful scenery of youth and beauty.
Tsuki no Mori Girls' Academy.
Although these young ladies are very polite and well-educated, and the air conditioner is turned on all day in the classroom to dispel the heat, when they walk outside, they can still catch a glimpse of the students pulling their collars and pinching their clothes to fan themselves, quietly blooming in this secret garden without men.
——It’s still the same pavilion, and the same shade of trees that brings cool breeze.
However, the two people who met again here were more confrontational than last time, as well as some indescribable complicated emotions.
"Mr. Sushi, thank you very much for coming as scheduled."
Sitting dignified and solemn, with her hands placed solemnly on her knees, Toyokawa Shoko spoke in a slightly solemn tone.
His eyes were fixed on the brown-haired girl in front of him, as if he wanted to see something from her reaction.
In contrast, Nagasaki Suyo maintained her usual gentle smile, without revealing any flaws or abnormalities, and responded kindly and generously: "Xiangzi, you are too polite. You didn't refuse when I asked you out to talk. How could I refuse your invitation now? Reciprocity is the most basic etiquette."
"Yeah, that's true." Feeling her approachable attitude, Toyokawa Shoko unconsciously relaxed a little, and the curve of her mouth gradually softened. "Maybe it's because I'm a little nervous..."
The words are not finished yet.
"correct!"
The girl opposite suddenly let out a cry, as if she had just remembered something. She lightly touched her soft lips with her finger, tilted her head, and gave her a sly smile full of evil taste.
"You specially invited me to come out and talk to you in person during this time... Xiangzi-chan, what you want to talk about is not only very important, but also not related to the band, right?"
Toyokawa Shoko was stunned for a moment, and the memories flooded into her mind before she realized what she meant.
"——Is this your way of reciprocating? Sushi-san!"
When the two of them talked here for the first time, I used that sentence to open the topic.
At that time, she had no doubts about Ming Hai's feelings. She responded to Nagasaki Motoyo's confession calmly and easily from the perspective of "the one being pampered", and even said something like "Become my rival in love!"...
Now that the original words have been returned, the meaning is very clear.
——She was mocking herself.
Mocking Toyokawa Shoko who was slapped in the face by her own confident self.
Ruthless and superior, just like a successful person who climbed up a cliff, looking at the loser who fell to the bottom of the valley with a funny face...
Yes, it was just like when I heard her confession. Only I was more open about it.
"I didn't expect you to have such a bad personality... It must have been hard for you to act until now."
She always felt like she saw another herself, and Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but snort coldly as she endured the disgust that came from being equal.
"Thank you for the compliments, each other."
Nagasaki Suyo put down the curly hair on her fingertips, and the gentleness and intimacy on her face disappeared, leaving only the sneer and disgust that was similar to hers:
"From that day on, I knew - Xiangzi-chan, your personality is actually very bad, right? You just tend to do some "decent" actions to make everyone like you who is cheerful and gentle."
What's even more ridiculous is that I was almost bewitched by her and thought that I was a bad woman who betrayed my friend's kindness.
Now it seems that they are just the same kind of people who express their selfishness in different ways but are essentially the same.
——Could it be that because Ming Hai saw through this, he didn’t like either of them?
Nagasaki Suyo is not sure, but it doesn't matter. She can make changes for Minghai, but others may not be able to do so.
"Maybe so."
Toyokawa Shoko did not deny it, but immediately retorted: "But at least I won't lie so righteously. I meant what I said to you, asking you to be honest with yourself and to continue to be friends with you. It is still valid now... But what about you? You said you wished us well, but what did you do with him when you went back that night? Can you tell me?"
"Is there anything bad to say?"
Noticing her indirect intention, Nagasaki Suyo didn't care. She just raised her eyebrows slightly, supported her chin with one hand, and crossed her chest with the other, and smiled meaningfully.
"I just 'enlightened' him for one night at his house. Believe it or not, we didn't do anything intimate... Well, does eating dinner together, watching TV together, and drinking coffee together count? By the way, Xiangzi-chan, it seems that you haven't been to his room yet? Do you need me to provide photos?"
The tone, suggestion and provocation were obvious enough.
But for Toyokawa Shoko now, the relationship between men and women is no longer an unknown area. Of course, she can hear it -
No matter whether it is morning or night, what men and women can do when they are alone in the room are only those few things that she plans to slowly practice with Minghai!
"No, shameless!"
The girl clenched her teeth, enduring the feeling of her love being snatched away and the constant pain in her chest. She was so angry that her face turned red, and she almost slammed the table and stood up.
"As expected, everything you said that day was a lie! What about not becoming a love rival, what about a friend's feelings being more important—"
Thinking back now, the look of pity and smile in her eyes when she met me explained everything today.
——Nagasaki Suyo, she has long known that Ming Hai doesn’t like her!
Not only did she conceal this fact, she even pretended to be a love strategist, pretending to be friends with him and offering all kinds of love advice, while secretly plotting against Ming Hai. Then, after the weekend incident broke out, she took advantage of the situation and took away his purity, then smugly watched her make a fool of herself...
After carefully reviewing what she had done, Toyokawa Shoko was shocked and surprised - how could there be a woman with such deep scheming? !
They were both fifteen years old and had little experience in love... Was she really the Nagasaki Suyo whom he once regarded as a friend and partner?
Could it be that he was possessed by some monster?
"Xiangzi-chan, aren't you a little too self-righteous?"
Nagasaki Suyo suddenly spoke, interrupting Toyokawa Shoko's thoughts.
Faced with that sharp accusation, she just chuckled briefly and emotionlessly, her smile was colder than the cold wave on the top of a mountain, and her eyes stared darkly at the girl in front of her.
"They only accuse me of being hypocritical, lying, and betraying our friendship... Why don't you think about who betrayed the agreement first?"
She uttered the words one by one:
"Didn't you say that you wanted me to see Ming Hai happy? But what did you do in the end?"
"Because I knew he didn't like you, I stopped contacting him from that day on. I didn't ask him what he really thought, nor did I try to clarify the relationship between you two. I just put everything aside and left him alone at home staring at your chat records every day..."
Nagasaki Motoyo stood up, her fists clenched so tightly at her side that they were shaking slightly. The clear words she spoke seemed to be wrapped in extremely heavy emotions and hit Toyokawa Shoko's heart solidly.
"——It was obviously you who didn't want him first!"
"After the date, you had a day and a half to win him back, but you didn't do it. Doesn't that mean you've given up on this jerk who has no feelings for you?"
"If that's the case, why can't you just give him to me? Why are you still clinging to something you've already given up, and even using it to blame me?"
"I will hide my feelings of love and wish you all the best."
This was the promise that Nagasaki Suyo made to Toyokawa Shoko at this place that day.
Because he couldn't give up love and friendship, he decided to withdraw and match the two of them.
No matter what the reason or intention was for saying this, at least Nagasaki Suyo could be sure that - apart from not hiding her feelings well, she did what she said, and after that she never had any intimate behavior that crossed the line with Minghai (mainly because Minghai didn't want to).
It's just like Ming Hai's favorite word game.
She didn't tell the truth, but she didn't lie either. Instead, she really endured the pain of jealousy and loneliness, and fueled their relationship.
Therefore, even if she really did something with Ming Hai on the weekend night, she didn't think she needed to feel guilty towards Toyokawa Shoko.
——After all, in this undercurrent of war, it was Xiangzi himself who raised the white flag and surrendered.
Volume 85: Chapter Chapter "I didn't say I didn't want him!"
The pavilion seemed to have become a different space, cutting off the air around the two people from the outside world.
Bright and hot in the sun, dark and cold in the shadows.
Under Nagasaki Suyo's continuous soul-piercing attacks, Toyokawa Shoko was defeated step by step and even gradually began to doubt herself.
"It's me...I don't want his first...?"
"But, it's obviously his problem... If he doesn't like me, why would he be with me..."
