Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 14

It's because you're always so perceptive, always able to sense what's in my heart... that's why I like you so much.

Nagasaki Motoyo sighed helplessly, no longer wearing that forlorn expression.

Then, she raised her head again, her light blue eyes blinking, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"Because Xu Doujun, even if he doesn't need me, he's willing to understand me."

Yuan Xudou proved to her with facts that even if he didn't get anything from her, there were people who could understand and tolerate her heavy darkness, and were willing to continue to get along with her after knowing all the truth about her.

That's why she was willing to show him all of this.

Nagasaki Motoyo gently brushed a few strands of hair that had fallen across her brow and gazed tenderly at Gen Xudou.

"...I'm also a little tired of being this troublesome person."

"Always worrying about something, always hoping for something, always troubled by something... I'm so tired."

“Xu Doujun…”

Even if you don't need me, and there's no reason why you "can't live without me," it doesn't matter.

"Can I entrust all of this to you?"

Nagasaki Motoyo's eyes reflected undisguised anticipation.

Sooner or later.

She would etch every trace of herself into Yuan Xudou's life, effectively becoming someone he "couldn't live without."

It's not about whether she's needed or not; it's just that the girl really wants to do this right now.

"...I haven't yet taken on the responsibility of anyone's life."

Yuan Xudou remained silent for a moment before making a promise.

"But if there's anything you want to talk about, or anything you want someone to do with you... you can come to me anytime."

That's enough!

Nagasaki Motoyo hadn't expected Minamoto Koto to immediately consider her the most important person in his life. Making such a heavy promise so casually only showed that the other person didn't take it to heart at all.

A promise made after careful consideration, like the one we are making now, is the most reliable.

Moreover, what he said actually carried enough weight, even exceeding her expectations.

With such a promise, Nagasaki Motoyo could already foresee the scene of living in the boy's home in the future, with Genjiro's tacit approval.

As for Yuan Xudou, he may not have the same feelings for the girl as she does now... does that matter?

Love and liking don't happen overnight. She was manipulated by Gen Xudou simply because a series of events brought out the boy's irresistible attraction to Nagasaki Motoyo, not because she was easy to win over.

Even if you don't like it now, it's only natural that you'll develop feelings for it over time, right?

Occupying a superior position with access to both the upper and lower floors, this is the advantage of location; having received a personal promise from Genjiro, this is the advantage of human relationships; with both advantages of location and human relationships, Nagasaki Sosei was overjoyed and believed that taking down Genjiro was just around the corner.

Chapter Fourteen: Shoko Toyokawa and Motoyo Nagasaki's First Meeting

A few days passed after that.

The performance of the brass band to which Nagasaki Motoyo belongs was held as scheduled. The girl, who is clear-headed and full of energy every day, gave a brilliant performance. After the performance, the other members praised her.

Incidentally, after being spotted by other classmates while waiting for Yuan Xudou at the gate, she was forced to deal with a constant stream of friends coming to join in the fun the next morning.

Nagasaki Motoyo repeatedly emphasized that "she and Heoto are just good friends now," but each time they would just give her a "I know, I know" look and then keep pestering her to ask how things had progressed with Heoto.

By the afternoon, this group had already figured out that Gen Xudou was the top student in his grade at the neighboring Toto Middle School, based on their vague impressions from that night and the name "Xudou-kun" mentioned by Nagasaki Motoyo.

These young ladies, who must maintain their elegance and poise even at school and speak and walk with affected manners, only seem like vibrant and curious girls when it comes to topics like love.

Their drive and curiosity were a bit too strong, to the point that Nagasaki Motoyo was a little worried that they might go directly to Genjiro, so she made a promise with them not to bother each other.

Although everyone made their promises to her with great conviction, it's hard to say how many of them would actually keep them strictly.

'I hope they won't bother Xu Doujun...'

While silently worrying about this, Nagasaki Motoyo packed up her instruments, intending to remind Minamoto Koto about it when she got back today.

The performance ended perfectly, and the club gave them a two-day break, which finally gave me some time to meet up with Xu Doujun...

"Su Shi-chan~"

A colleague from the wind band suddenly poked his head out from the doorway.

Someone is looking for you at the door—

"That classmate said she knows your classmate Yuan."

……what?

Nagasaki Motoyo, who had initially thought it was just another eyewitness to the incident coming to gather information, and was preparing to quickly get through with her usual excuse, showed a somewhat surprised expression.

Then, the girl immediately put down what she was holding, put on her usual gentle smile, and walked quickly toward the door.

At the door, she saw the girl who claimed to know Yuan Xudou.

"Hello, Nagasaki-kun."

She greeted Nagasaki Motoyo with a smile.

Her long, flowing sky-blue hair, her golden, noble eyes, her graceful and poised smile, and her hands placed in front of her abdomen in an impeccably proper greeting.

Without a doubt, the other party is a true noble lady who has cultivated such an elegant image since childhood.

“I’m in the same grade as you, from the class next door, Toyokawa Shoko (desuwa).”

Even her verbal tic is very ladylike.

"I am Nagasaki Motoyo."

After exchanging polite self-introductions, Nagasaki Motoyo couldn't suppress her inner doubts and immediately asked Toyokawa Shoko a question.

"Excuse me, I just heard you say you know Xu Doujun..."

"So, Nagasaki-san is also Xu Dou-san's friend?"

and also?

Before she could continue to be confused, Toyokawa Shoko continued the conversation on her own.

"I watched your club's performance, Nagasaki-kun, and your performance was excellent."

"Huh? Oh, thank you...?"

Not understanding why the other person's topic had suddenly shifted in that direction, Nagasaki Motoyo subconsciously responded with a sound of agreement, then immediately realized something was wrong.

"Wait, Toyokawa-kun, what does this have to do with Xu Dou-kun?"

Toyokawa Shoko smiled slightly.

"Here's the thing. Nagasaki-kun, Xu Dou and I have agreed to form a band. We've found a guitarist, lead singer, and keyboardist, but we're still missing a drummer and a bassist."

The girl nodded gently to Nagasaki Motoyo, extending a sincere invitation.

"I think you'd be perfect as the bassist for the band. Since Nagasaki and Xu Dou are quite close, why don't you join us?"

Bands? I've indeed seen Xu Doujun watching some band-related videos lately...

I initially thought it was just a hobby of his, but it turns out it was for this reason?

Nagasaki Motoyo fell into thought.

Forming a band with Heo Doo-jun...that seems like a good opportunity.

She couldn't possibly find excuses to ask Yuan Xudou out every day, and simply staying at Yuan Xudou's house all the time wouldn't create any lasting memories...

In this situation, having a band together as a bridge for communication not only provides more topics to discuss, but also allows them to spend time together outside during regular training sessions, which is a win-win situation.

Moreover, she herself is very interested in forming a band.

Let this band be the opportunity for me and Xu Doujun to take another step closer.

Thinking of this, Nagasaki Motoyo tilted her head, clasped her slender hands together in front of her chest, and smiled as she accepted Toyokawa Shoko's invitation.

"Great, I'm also really interested in bands."

"That's great, thank you so much. Nagasaki-san, no, I should call you Suze-san now."

Seeing that the other party agreed, Toyokawa Shoko happily took out her phone.

"How about we swap LINE accounts? I'll let you know where to meet when the last member joins."

"Ah."

Motoyo Nagasaki also took out her phone and exchanged Line numbers with the other party.

"However, you don't need to notify me specifically."

"Huh? Why?"

Facing the puzzled look in Toyokawa Shoko's golden eyes, Nagasaki Motoyo smiled gently and replied:

"Because Xu Doujun will tell me together, since I live very close to him."

"Is that so?"

Shoko Toyokawa looked somewhat surprised.

Seeing this, Nagasaki Motoyo's smile deepened.

She said that on purpose.

Nagasaki Motoyo felt a strange sense of crisis from the girl in front of her, who looked like a perfect young lady but whom she didn't recognize at all, yet whose tone sounded familiar with Minamoto no Koto.

She had previously thought that Yuan Xudou had no other female friends besides herself, and that no one could understand the deeper charm he possessed beyond his appearance. Now it seemed that things were not so.

Therefore, it's necessary to assert one's ownership before joining the band.

"Well, he and I are basically just a few steps apart... But, Xiangzi, you mustn't tell anyone else about this, since it concerns our living situation and is a rather private matter."

".Liu YiVII Yi

"Thank you so much, goodbye then~"

Bypassing the still somewhat dazed Toyokawa Shoko, Nagasaki Motoyo slung her bag over her shoulder and walked lightly out of the activity room.

The girl didn't notice that behind her, standing in the same spot, Toyokawa Shoko's eyes didn't reflect the frustration she had hoped for, but rather a sense of bewilderment and intense curiosity.

'Xu Dou and Su Shi are actually quite close?'

'His acquaintance with Deng was already quite remarkable, but what kind of fate connects him to Su Shi?'

Despite his unapproachable appearance, Yuan Xudou always manages to attract girls with unique personalities. Moreover, it seems he has a deeply hidden story.

She had already shown interest in Genjiro at Takamatsu Akari's house. Now, Nagasaki Motoyo's obvious displays of intimacy with him only fueled her curiosity, making her want to know more about Genjiro.

She wanted to find out what she was curious about, and that was the capriciousness of Toyokawa Shoko as a young lady from a wealthy family.

Once the band is officially formed... I must take this opportunity to learn more about them.

Chapter Fifteen: My First Date with Su Shi

"Heo Doo-jun, I'm back~"

"Hmm? Welcome back."

Using the spare key that Genjiro gave her, Nagasaki Motoyo opened the door and went straight to the boy who was sitting casually on the sofa, watching a video on his phone, and greeted him warmly.

The boy, used to this, looked up and calmly nodded to her.

Because Yuan Xudou's affair was discovered by his classmates, the fact that the two of them went home together during this period made it easy for those with ulterior motives to notice, which would then lead to more rumors.

It's a pity, but Nagasaki Motoyo can only lay low for now and wait for the hype to die down.

However, she also benefited from this misfortune. To make it easier for the girl to come and go, Yuan Xudou lent her a spare key to his house. Since it was a loan, the boy probably wouldn't bother asking for it back, so it was practically a gift.

Therefore, aside from washing up and sleeping, she has spent far more time at Yuan Xudou's house than at her own home these past few days.