Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 4

Seeing this, Nagasaki Motoyo, remembering that guests should follow the host's lead, also put down her cutlery.

"Ah... are you full? Well then, I'll wash the dishes..."

"wait for me."

Yuan Xudou picked up a handkerchief and wiped his hands, then got up and went into the kitchen again.

Nagasaki Motoyo, who was confused, responded, not knowing what he was going to do.

Although she left after washing the vegetables so as not to disturb him while he was cooking, she still remembered what the ingredients were... Hadn't all the dishes already been served?

It wasn't until Yuan Xudou walked out of the kitchen carrying a small pot, its edges wrapped with a towel and still bubbling, that she realized what was going on.

"They even have miso soup?"

It turns out that Xu Doujun is the type who likes to finish her meals with miso soup... She usually just soaks her rice in soup, so she didn't realize it.

In that case, eating some vegetables along with miso soup will make it easy to feel full.

The two shared the soup, and the warm, delicious, and sweet broth flowed into their stomachs, immediately spreading a warm and full feeling throughout their bodies, completely making up for the few remaining regrets of Nagasaki Motoyo.

The cheerful girl volunteered to clean up the mess, her attitude exceptionally firm. With no reason to refuse, Yuan Xudou nodded in agreement, watching her gather the dishes on the table and head towards the sink.

...I still don't understand why she's so enthusiastic.

However, he does not rule out having a friendly neighbor.

The task of washing the dishes was offered to him by Nagasaki Motoyo, who was a guest. Out of politeness, he couldn't just leave the living room and leave her alone outside. Gen Xudou thought for a moment, took out his phone, and began his daily routine of studying.

Dongdu Middle School has a very strict academic schedule. Although he was able to refuse the extracurricular tutoring courses organized by the school every day because of his good grades, he still had to complete the relevant assignments in order to have a relatively more relaxed schedule compared to other students.

Speaking of schools... Nagasaki Motoyo, I think she was a student at the Moon Forest Girls' Academy.

He glanced at the question casually, then typed out the answer almost without thinking. Genji even focused most of his thinking energy on Nagasaki Motoyo.

So, she's a rich young lady? Living here, her family background is definitely not a problem, but her personality is subtly different from the rich young ladies he's seen before…

...No, that's not right either. It seems like there's a significant difference between each of those young ladies.

As for Tsuki no Mori Academy itself... I can only say I'm not familiar with it.

It was both an all-girls school and a prestigious private school. Although it was physically close, it was actually quite far removed from his life, and he had no intention of experiencing life there firsthand.

Yuan Xudou tapped the screen to solve the last problem, then glanced at the kitchen. Nagasaki Motoyo seemed to have already washed the dishes and was carefully putting the drained dishes back into the cupboard.

Judging from how easily she helped him cook earlier, and how skillfully she washed the dishes now, she is also a minor who is used to living alone.

When we first met, she seemed all alone and incredibly lonely, but now she's become so warm and cheerful; she appears to have a lot on her mind, yet in a room alone with me, she accepted the food and tea I prepared without a second thought.

Seeing Nagasaki Motoyo walking towards him with light steps, Genjiro also put away his phone, preparing to have a brief talk with her.

"Shigasaki-san."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Nagasaki Motoyo naturally sat down in the chair in front of him, staring intently at Genjiro's face, responding with a smile while secretly admiring him in her heart.

...She looks even better than when we first met.

At first glance, his expression remained completely unchanged. Despite possessing a naturally gifted, sun-like, bright and gentle face, he was adorned with a cold and aloof demeanor, almost leading her to believe that Yuan Xudou was the kind of aloof person who kept people at arm's length.

Now, even after only a short time together, she feels she has seen through the disguise and can touch the truth that, while not passionate, is by no means cold.

Is it really just a matter of not being good at expressing emotions? That makes sense, considering she lost her parents at a young age. It's said that people who can't express themselves affectionately to their families often have some difficulty expressing their feelings. Compared to that, at least she has her mother to rely on, so she's quite lucky.

So precocious, so outstanding... he must have suffered a lot on his own.

At least he could manage a smile in front of others, but he couldn't even construct that facade of protection.

She wanted to help him because of his misfortune, but also wanted to rely on him because of his maturity. Such contradictory emotions slowly accumulated in Nagasaki Motoyo's heart, gradually weaving into a dark web.

...If I could become someone that Yuan Xudou-jun approves of.

If that gentle, handsome face, which should have shone brightly for everyone but has lost its warmth due to fate, could show me a genuine smile.

If, when I come home, he has prepared dinner, is standing at the door in casual clothes, and is smiling perfectly as he says, "Welcome home"...

What a beautiful sight that would be!

Just imagining it makes me feel an intoxicating happiness.

The first step to realizing this dream is to find a way to have more contact with him.

Therefore, when faced with Yuan Xudou's sudden call, she mustered all her strength to prepare for the response.

"It's very late."

"...Yes, that's right."

Are we seeing the guests off?

...Well, there's nothing I can do about it. Although she wanted to stay a little longer, if Yuan Xudou directly told her to leave, she couldn't just stay...at least their relationship didn't allow it right now.

Nagasaki Motoyo lowered her head slightly, her long hair falling down to cover her disappointed profile.

"That's true... It's already quite late, so I won't bother you any longer..."

"Are you going back?"

Nagasaki Motoyo looked up in confusion.

Weren't you the one who was supposed to see the guests off?

"I was hoping to talk to you and see if you had time tonight. But since you're going back, let's talk another day."

“Is that so?”

Blinking, Nagasaki Motoyo realized that Xu Dou didn't intend to kick her out, and immediately put her hands together, a sheepish smile on her face.

"Of course I'm free tonight, I can chat with Yuan... I just thought you were going to kick me out."

"...I didn't explain myself clearly, I'm sorry."

Realizing that his way of speaking could easily cause misunderstandings, Yuan Xudou lowered his head slightly to express his apology.

"It's alright. More importantly... what would you like to talk about, Yuan-kun?"

Nagasaki Motoyo's eyes shone with undisguised curiosity.

Because she's always attended all-girls schools, she's never really had a proper conversation with a boy her own age. Even though Yuan Xudou's personality seems a bit too mature, shouldn't they at least be able to talk about topics appropriate for his age?

What do junior high school boys generally think about...?

After a brief moment of reminiscence, Nagasaki Motoyo remembered things her classmates had mentioned that she had completely disregarded at the time—

Anime, games, and the world of 2D culture.

...This doesn't seem like something that Yuan Xudou would share with others.

Girls in junior high school mostly talk about gossip on or off campus, their favorite stars and bands, and the very few romantic relationships that happen but become headline news. None of these seem to be things he would be interested in.

Ultimately... it's hard to imagine what Yuan Xudou would be so fascinated by.

However, when we first met, he seemed to be writing something in a notebook. Could it be that he wrote down the things he liked?

Nagasaki Motoyo silently kept this information to herself, preparing to investigate it further when the opportunity arose.

"What are you talking about..."

He paused, seemingly choosing the right words.

"As neighbors, I hope we can get to know each other."

"If possible, I would also like to become friends with you."

Friend?

She was surprised to find that the topic was this kind of thing, and her eyes widened in astonishment.

Would Xu Doujun really say something like that...?

Although Nagasaki Motoyo also felt that Minamoto no Koto wasn't the kind of person who rejected interpersonal relationships and preferred to live a secluded life, seeing the other's calm expression with almost no major emotional fluctuations, and then hearing him say "I want to be friends with you" in such a calm tone...

Nagasaki Motoyo's hands, hidden under the table, unconsciously crossed, her slender, fair fingers touching and gently rubbing together.

...It's a strange feeling.

"Yes, I would be happy to become friends with Gen Xudou-kun... Gen-kun."

"However, if we're talking about getting to know each other... what does Yuan-kun want to know about me?"

"a lot of."

Yuan Xudou is very serious now.

Actively making friends with others and deciding to understand their lives through communication rather than observation and experience were all new experiences for him.

Since it's a memorable first time, we have to take it seriously.

So he straightened up slightly and began to think about how to show others a trustworthy and approachable attitude that was not easy to refuse.

"I'm open to anything that helps friends improve their understanding of each other."

Those eyes, shimmering like precious black agate under the light, slowly melted into a silent, deep pool, swallowing the gaze of those who watched them.

After glancing at Genjiro, Nagasaki Motoyo involuntarily looked away slightly and clutched her chest, which was starting to feel short of breath.

...It was just a slight change in expression, a slight change in gaze, a slight change in tone of voice...

It only showed an expression that looked somewhat normal, so how could it be so lethal...!

Her delicate earlobes, hidden by her smooth, long brown hair, began to heat up involuntarily, the astonishing heat even spreading to her cheeks, determined to paint the girl's exquisite face with a captivating blush.

The image of Yuan Xudou smiling, which I had previously imagined, uncontrollably appeared in my mind. Then, the surrounding scenery gradually blurred and distorted...

"Stop! We're just friends now!"

Two miniature versions of Nagasaki Motoyo, one black and one white, floated out of her mind.

Black-clad, with devilish horns, and scantily clad, Konagasaki Motoyo raised her arms, her voice seductive.

Be true to your desires...

'Wait, this is only the first day I've met Xu Doujun...'

The white-clad, smiling Konagasaki Motoyo spoke.

'So what?'

T-Is this right?

A fierce battle erupted in her mind between the rationality shaped by a normal person's values ​​and the long-suppressed, distorted emotions. Ultimately, both sides compromised, barely reaching a reconciliation.

But even if she had these kinds of thoughts...

Breaking free from her thoughts, Nagasaki Motoyo took a few deep breaths to calm the heat on her face and her rapidly beating heart. Her gentle eyes now held a hint of girlish melancholy.

...Xu Doujun doesn't seem like someone who would be interested in romance.

She considers herself to have a rather outstanding figure and appearance among her peers. Even girls in her school often say they envy her development, so theoretically she should be quite attractive to the opposite sex...

But from beginning to end, Yuan Xudou, who was alone with her in the room, not only acted and spoke quite normally, but also did not give her a strange look...!

The frustrating reality was right in front of her, and Nagasaki Motoyo had to admit that, rather than whether she liked Genjiro, the bigger question was whether he might like her.

But... at least we can start as friends, right?

"Things between friends..."

As a friend, it shouldn't be surprising to ask him what he thinks of me, right?

Chapter Four: I hope to see you again tomorrow

"Hum~"

"I'm back--"

Pushing open the door, the large, empty apartment remained. The room, shrouded in shadow, silently swallowed all sound, with no response coming from within.

However, just a few hours later, when faced with the scene that she used to loathe so much, Nagasaki Motoyo felt no repression whatsoever.

Without the gaze of outsiders, and no longer pretending to be a good girl, she hummed a little tune, bent down, and used her slender fingers to pick up the women's leather shoes from the Moon Forest store in the entryway. She placed them neatly at the door, changed into comfortable casual shoes, and walked lightly into the living room.