Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 96

Xiang, you've already given up on Xu Dou... right?

Thinking this way, Wakaba Mutsu silently lowered her eyelashes, covering the color that suddenly flickered in her eyes.

That's really...wonderful.

Chapter Fifteen: "...I understand"

With a "clink," Yuan Xudou placed the bamboo chopsticks on the clean porcelain bowl, put his hands together, and said, "I'm full."

Then, he looked at the two girls at the table.

Normally, they would take turns washing the dishes, but for some reason today, even though they had already finished dinner, they were both still sitting at the table without making a move.

...Do they all not want to wash the dishes today?

Looking around in confusion, Yuan Xudou finally got up silently and prepared to clear the dishes from the table.

"Xu Doujun, there's something I want to tell you..."

"Xu Dou, can you come with me for a moment...?"

As he stood up, two voices, one gentle and the other serene, rang out simultaneously from his left and right sides, almost overlapping each other, making requests to Yuan Xudou.

As soon as he finished speaking, the two girls looked at each other in surprise, as if they hadn't expected the situation to turn out this way.

Compared to the two women's surprise and the hostile rejection that instantly appeared, Yuan Xudou, who was sandwiched in the middle like the filling of a sandwich, was quite calm and was used to their occasional conflicts.

Even though they had lived under the same roof for quite some time, there was no sign that the relationship between Nagasaki Motoyo and Toyokawa Shoko, who harbored resentment towards each other, had become friendly. They didn't even have a moment to be alone together, and their communication was almost non-existent.

It's hard to imagine that not long ago they were friends who could play games, make music, and share time together harmoniously... Now, their status as bandmates has been disrupted, and their superficial friendship has naturally crumbled. The memories of the past have become one of the reasons why they can't stand each other.

Ultimately... they never truly understood each other, and they had virtually no unique qualities, making them incomparable to Yuan Xudou. Now, instead of being allies on the same side, they are rivals to be fought over, so naturally, their attitudes are far from friendly.

However, they haven't reached the point of openly arguing over each other's feelings. Rather than causing trouble for each other, they don't want to put their loved ones in a difficult position, nor do they want to have a heated argument, which would not only make them seem narrow-minded but also be seen as unreasonable. So, on the surface, they remain at peace.

As for whether he was jealous when he was alone with Yuan Xudou in private, or whether he spoke ill of the other boy to him... only he himself knows the answer to that.

Having understood the girls' demands, Yuan Xudou glanced at the two girls separately, and then made a decision in a calm tone.

"Su Shi, you go first."

Upon hearing this, Nagasaki Motoyo, to his right, gently raised her fingertips, suppressing her inner joy, though a slight smile still crept onto her lips. Toyokawa Shoko, who wasn't chosen, didn't say much either. Seemingly preoccupied, she tidied the table, then silently picked up the dishes that needed washing and headed to the kitchen.

Watching her retreating figure, Yuan Xudou felt that... it might not be a coincidence that Su Shi and Xiangzi called out to him at the same time.

Will their words be connected?

In short, let's start by asking about Su Shi.

He turned his gaze to the brown-haired girl whose delicate face had softened with a gentle glow and who was smiling since Toyokawa Shoko entered the kitchen, and met her eyes in her shimmering blue pupils.

"Su Shi, is there something you want to tell me?"

Upon hearing his question, Nagasaki Motoyo, stroking her fingertips, nodded gently, her smiling expression turning slightly hesitant.

"Actually... it's about Mutsumi-chan..."

"——Mu?"

Unexpectedly, this was the topic, and he couldn't help but frown. He spoke seriously, his usually calm voice rising, "What happened to Mu?"

—Even after CryCHIC disbanded, he kept track of each girl's situation. Apart from Toyokawa Shoko, with whom he had direct contact, he observed the other three from a distance, making sure they were at least continuing their studies and lives normally.

Give each other some time to process the blow of the band's disbandment... When the time is right and we can look at things rationally, we can meet again.

Yuan Xudou hoped they could let go of the past, rather than letting this shadow forever linger over their future interactions. It would be best if they could figure it out on their own, but if they started to get stuck in a rut like Xiangzi and did things that harmed themselves, he wouldn't stand idly by.

...I wish the band could disband peacefully.

However, Shiina Tatsuki and Takamatsu Akari's whereabouts are temporarily a mystery due to their advancement to higher education. He has been focusing his energy on this recently, having just brought Tatsuki back from RiNG and is now investigating which high school Akari attended. In contrast, Mutsumi, who has been attending Tsukinomori School diligently, is in a much clearer and more stable situation.

...However, since Su Shi said something happened on Mu's side, he had to go and check it out.

A heavy feeling welled up in his originally relaxed thoughts, and Gen Xudou's fingers began to unconsciously apply pressure to the table. He looked at Nagasaki Motoyo, who had delivered the news, with a slightly narrowed gaze.

However, the girl's next words made his serious expression turn somewhat confused.

"No, actually, Mutsu-chan asked me to pass on a message to you."

...Passing on a message? Is there anything I can't say directly to myself on Line?

He had sent Mu a few messages at the beginning, but like the messages he sent to others, they were read but not replied to. During that time, everyone's mind was in a mess and they couldn't think normally, which he could understand.

But now, Mu wouldn't even meet with him... Considering their past trust and her dependence on him, the girl's situation might be worse than he saw or thought.

Yuan Xudou's expression didn't show any abnormality, but his jaw was clenched a little, and his voice was slightly low.

"What did Mu say?"

So, Nagasaki Motoyo, who looked very serious but had a hint of worry in her eyes, repeated Wakaba Mutsumi's words in full as promised.

"she says……"

From the past to the present, Nagasaki Motoyo has never quite understood what a girl like Wakaba Mutsu, who never wears her heart on her sleeve and whose words are difficult to comprehend, was trying to express, including this statement.

However, upon hearing this, Xu Dou seemed to be suppressing his emotions, and even his breathing became heavy.

"...I understand, Kun6 Yiqi (1) 2 Dad? & Sisi 8."

He said the same words as Nagasaki Motoyo had said back then, but the meaning behind them seemed completely different.

His hands, resting on the table, clenched unconsciously, and his handsome features were subtly shrouded in shadow.

Seeing Yuan Xudou's obviously depressed mood, the girl suddenly regretted her decision a little.

—What exactly does "I don't want Xu Dou to break down" mean?

However, before she could offer any words of comfort, he raised his head.

His pure black eyes were tinged with a melancholy silence, yet his voice was unusually firm.

"I will go find Mu."

Rather than responding to Nagasaki Motoyo, it sounded more like Genji Koto was speaking to himself.

"In that case, I'll tell Mutsu-chan..." she said quickly, but the boy shook his head and refused.

"No need, Su Shi... let me handle this myself."

"Thank you for telling me about Mu's situation," he said softly, then rose from the table. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

So Nagasaki Motoyo could only quiet down, place her hand on her chest, look at him with worried eyes, and shake her head slightly.

“…I understand.” Yuan Xudou repeated the sentence again.

Chapter Sixteen: Awakening, and the Silent War Between Women

When the sound of flowing water stopped, Shoko Toyokawa came out of the kitchen and saw that Motoyo Nagasaki had temporarily gone to another room, leaving only Genji sitting on the sofa in the living room.

Her gaze trembled slightly when she saw the boy.

I don't know if it's just my imagination... but I feel like Xu Dou now is somewhat similar to the atmosphere around me when he found me last autumn...

As some unpleasant memories surfaced in her mind, Toyokawa Shoko unconsciously twitched her fair and slender neck.

What did Su Shi say to Xu Dou?

The atmosphere isn't good... Should I still talk to Xu Dou about those things...?

As she hesitated, Genjiro Tou, whose head had been slightly lowered and whose gaze seemed unfocused as if staring into the void, also raised his head and looked at Toyokawa Shoko.

The ease and relaxation he exuded in front of those close to him vanished, as if he had returned to the first time he met him... that expressionless face that seemed like a complete waste of his handsome features.

"Xiangzi, what do you want to tell me?"

"Xu Dou... are you... are you in a bad mood?" The girl's fingers twitched behind her back, and she took a nervous and worried breath, stammering, "It's nothing important, how about we just let it go today..."

Is it related to harmony?

"...There is some connection."

"tell me."

Shoko Toyokawa nodded slowly and walked towards him.

Their thoughts were conveyed through a bridge connecting their hearts, and she also vaguely sensed Yuan Xudou's current state.

Xu Dou... was indeed in a bad mood.

Instead of the disappointment I felt when I first met her, which stemmed from her betrayal of my promises and ideals, I felt a deep sense of self-reproach and dejection.

“Xu Dou…”

When she reached him, Toyokawa Shoko finally couldn't help but speak.

"Whatever happened, it's not your fault. I'm the one who broke up the band..."

Knowing she had made the wrong choice in the past, the girl would rather take all the responsibility upon herself than see her beloved person fall into desolation and show that heartbreaking expression.

Just looking at the source of the trouble, Toyokawa Shoko felt waves of sorrow rising in her heart.

"If it's Mu, she called me today..."

"Xiangzi,"

The comforting words seemed to have worked, and Yuan Xudou's expression softened a little, but he still couldn't feel relieved.

"The end of 【CryCHIC】is your responsibility, and I also have my own responsibility."

“Mu is not only your friend, but also mine…” He swallowed the word back and continued in a heavy tone, “I should have gone to her sooner.”

responsibility.

If you make a promise, you should keep it; if you change someone, you should take responsibility.

It's like a fragile yet sticky thread—if you gently reach out and touch it, your fingertips will inevitably become entangled and sticky. The only way to get rid of it is to forcibly pull your fingers away and ruthlessly break the entire thread.

Although they were childhood friends, like half a body, Toyokawa Shoko did not understand Wakaba Mutsumi's inner thoughts.

A delicate and beautiful, doll-like girl... her fragile heart, pieced together from transparent fragments, had been carefully opened to him, entrusted to his protection with the utmost trust.

However, while indulging in self-consolation, I abandoned my heart as if to escape, leaving it to wait in loneliness, to be weathered and tarnished in a place where no one cares, until now.

This was his responsibility alone, and it had nothing to do with Toyokawa Shoko, who had the best relationship with Wakaba Mutsu in the past.

Because, the one who truly understood the girl's pain, attracted and embraced her pure and clear yet cracked heart, and promised her safety... was only Yuan Xudou.

Therefore, the reasons, causes, and even the right to feel sad and guilty belong solely to him.

Especially after learning what Wakaba Mutsumi wanted to say to him... even though she was neglected and let go, the girl still missed the warmth of the past and sincerely hoped to comfort him...

How can one not feel guilty for such sincerity—a sincerity that comes from someone so distressed that they are overwhelmed with their own suffering yet still wholeheartedly devoted to caring for him?

Hopefully, she can figure it out herself, and make Wakaba Mutsu, who never thought of breaking up with him, struggle painfully over those things—how cold-hearted she must be to make such a decision.

I should have been with her from the very beginning.

...Mu, I will definitely apologize to you in person.

"Xiangzi, tell me."

His jet-black pupils reflected the night outside the window, and after the guilt, a determination naturally emerged.

Seeing that Yuan Xudou's overall demeanor had slightly improved from deep melancholy, and that he no longer seemed so emotionally conflicted, Toyokawa Shoko felt a little relieved and nodded gently.

"it is good."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

As Gen Xudou leaned back on the sofa, his slender fingers resting on the lower half of his face, assuming a thoughtful expression, Nagasaki Motoyo, who had just come out of the room, was performing a routine, simple cleaning of the living room.

It wasn't that the boy asked her to do it; rather, she simply enjoyed tidying up Minamoto no Koto's house—what she considered their true home—to a way that pleased her and made her comfortable living there. This gave Nagasaki Motoyo a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. In the process, she also cleaned up any areas that needed cleaning.

Unfortunately, Toyokawa Shoko, whom the girl most wants to get rid of, is still refusing to leave, in her opinion.

"Xu Dou, move a little." Nagasaki Motoyo called softly as she walked to Yuan Xu Dou's side.