Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 93

This kind of thinking is selfish... Toyokawa Shoko knows. Minamoto no Kōtō has the freedom to make independent choices, and now the bond between them is weaker than ever before. She, who still depends on him for her life, has no right to interfere.

...But I...I really can't lose you again...

I can give up everything else... please, please don't take away the only thing I have...

Such thoughts, compared to the generous and tolerant young girl she used to be, could even be considered humble.

Normally, Toyokawa Shoko would hide these thoughts well in the deepest part of her heart, and even Minamoto Koto, who was in tune with her, would hardly notice them if she didn't actively think about them.

She also imagined that one day she could return to her former glamorous and respectable life, heal the wounds between them, and live together intimately and lovingly as before—this goal was the driving force behind her persistent efforts.

And now, before he could even see a glimmer of hope, Nagasaki Motoyo was about to snatch his Xu Dou away...?

This stimulation, coupled with the grogginess upon waking, finally made it impossible for Toyokawa Shoko to suppress her unease any longer.

She was afraid that she would wake up to find that the two of them had not returned home all night.

She was afraid that she would become a complete outsider, losing the only person left who cared about her, warmed her heart, and supported her to keep going.

It's clear that Xu Dou and I are destined to be inseparable, bound together, and the most crucial person in our lives... all because of me...

So, Nagasaki Motoyo beat him to it, and he and Xu Dou are just friends for the rest of their lives...? Are you kidding me...? I refuse to accept that kind of reality...

Besides Xu Dou, I have nothing left to lose...

Why did you do this to me...?

Her once bright golden pupils were now shrouded in a bitter resentment. Perhaps because she had just woken up, her eyes were still covered with a thin layer of mist.

Compared to the seemingly gentle Nagasaki Motoyo's obsessive and stubborn attitude when facing setbacks, the seemingly strong Toyokawa Shoko appears even more soft and helpless when faced with problems that she can't truly deceive or numb herself to.

Faced with the girl whose face involuntarily revealed a vulnerable expression, Gen Xudou could only sigh softly.

“...I won’t sleep outside,” he reassured her.

"……Really?"

“Really.” Yuan Xudou’s lips curled into a helpless smile. “There’s no way I could lie to you, is there?”

The implication was that he knew that what Toyokawa Shoko had just said was just a momentary outburst.

Feeling slightly relieved that she could indeed sense his seriousness, the girl loosened her grip on his clothes.

Yes... Xu Doujian and I are still unique, he won't leave me...

"What time is it now?" Toyokawa Shoko asked softly, her voice slightly hoarse from waking up.

“It’s almost 12 o’clock,” Yuan Xudou replied naturally.

Thankfully... it wasn't midnight.

“Xu Dou… turn around so I can see you.” She sat up from the bed and tugged at the boy’s shoulder.

Gen Xudou obediently turned around to face Toyokawa Shoko. Having spent a lot of time with Nagasaki Motoyo, he was already quite used to this kind of inspection, except that Motoyo was always sneaky, while Shoko was more open and even directly asked him to turn around.

Toyokawa Shoko quickly scanned him over.

This action will probably make Xu Dou think I'm being too controlling... but I can't worry about that now.

If there are no problems, we can apologize later. Right now, it's most important to confirm whether there are any issues...

Seeing that there was nothing unusual, she visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Only now did Toyokawa Shoko ask the most crucial question, "Xu Dou, you and Su Shi went out together...?"

She still couldn't bring herself to say the word "date," feeling as if something was stuck in her throat, and just trying to describe it made her uncomfortable.

Yuan Xudou nodded calmly, without denying it.

"You..." Toyokawa Shoko opened her mouth, but then noticed that he had been standing by the bed. She quickly moved to make room for him. "Sit down and rest... You must be tired after a long day out."

"It's okay, this is your bed at home, Xu Dou... Come, sit next to me."

"it is good."

Seeing that Genjiro had sat down silently, Toyokawa Shoko leaned closer to him and gently took his arm.

After taking a shower, her long, sky-blue hair, no longer tied with a hairband, fell naturally over her shoulders. The girl, dressed in light pajamas, seemed oblivious to the thin fabric, snuggling close to Yuan Xudou as if seeking a sense of security.

"Sit with me for a while... just a little while..." she whispered.

The current 'Toyokawa Shoko' no longer has the right to make demands or continue to be willful... But you still care about me, right?

“…Hmm.” Yuan Xudou closed his eyes slightly, gently pressing the corner of his eye with the hand that wasn’t being held by the girl, relieving the fatigue accumulated throughout the day. His voice of agreement was weak and ethereal.

I wish he could fall asleep right now.

Looking at the boy who also seemed a little sleepy, this thought suddenly arose in Toyokawa Shoko's mind.

That way... she could sleep in the same bed as Xu Dou. Even if they didn't do anything special, just the fact of it being there would be good enough...

However, despite appearing very sleepy, Yuan Xudou remained conscious and alert, and did not fall asleep.

"Xu Dou...are your eyes tired?" Toyokawa Shoko, who was always watching over him, asked with concern, "Let me rub them for you."

He had no reason to refuse, "I've been using my eyes a bit too much today... Thank you for your help."

Toyokawa Shoko's face finally showed her usual ease, and a smile appeared on her lips. She reached out and placed her soft, delicate fingertips against the corner of the boy's eye, gently rubbing and stroking it, while her fair palm pressed against his cheek.

"Back at home... that's what the maid did, right..."

She muttered softly, trying to recall her past experiences receiving care services. This was the first time the girl had ever cared for someone else like this, and instead of feeling any resistance, she was wholeheartedly happy.

She watched Yuan Xudou's expression carefully, meticulously controlling the movement of her fingertips to avoid accidentally scratching him with her nails.

"Is this alright?" After a while, Toyokawa Shoko asked softly.

"I feel much better now, thank you, Xiangzi." Yuan Xudou, who was indeed feeling much better, sincerely thanked him.

"That……"

She hesitated briefly, as if pondering something, and her hands unconsciously slowed down. "From now on, I'll massage you like this too, okay?"

"Not just the eyes... the shoulders, back, and everything else too..."

It is possible.

In that case, I can do something for Xu Dou now—besides, giving him a massage to relieve his stress is something I should do after I become his wife, and I can do it now too…!

However, faced with Toyokawa Shoko's expectant gaze and this request that was entirely in his favor, Genji Koto frowned slightly and hesitated for a moment.

"...Xiangzi, you must be very busy too." He sighed softly, "It's a bit too much for you to give me massages on top of your work."

Having received this attention, Toyokawa Shoko didn't know whether to be happy or worried.

"...Xu Dou is right. If I have to work part-time and then give massages when I get home, I won't have enough energy..."

Gritting her teeth, still unwilling to give up this hard-won opportunity to get closer to the person she cared about, the girl decided to be a little defiant, "I can..."

Yuan Xudou raised his hand, gently stopping her from continuing.

"How about this, Xiangzi?" Seeing Xiangzi's insistence, he didn't immediately agree. "Let's help each other out."

“I come to you when I’m tired, and you can come to me when you’re tired too… Working a job can take a lot of strain on your body,” he explained softly. “You probably wouldn’t be willing to spend money on a massage, would you?”

“Otherwise,” Gen Xudou turned his head and looked seriously at Toyokawa Shoko, “you wouldn’t be eating cheap fast food from the street tonight.”

Seeing the girl's surprised expression, he answered before she could ask, "I smelled it. I used to eat those things too, and they're bad for your health."

"Eating too much can easily lead to weight gain and other problems... It's better to avoid it in the future. Even near-expiry bento boxes from convenience stores are better, but the best is still homemade."

Immediately realizing the seriousness of the situation, Toyokawa Shoko covered her mouth and nodded repeatedly.

"That's it?"

"But... if that's the case..."

If we help each other like this... then I still won't be able to help you...

Somewhat dejected, Toyokawa Shoko lowered her head slightly.

Seeing the girl so downcast, Yuan Xudou remained silent for a moment, then gently hugged her.

“…Xiangzi.”

Startled by the sudden hug, Toyokawa Shoko quickly recovered and hugged him back tightly.

Yuan Xudou didn't say anything more, but quietly and gently held her in his arms.

Shoulder to shoulder, face to face. As their warmth gradually melted into each other's bodies, the burning remorse in Toyokawa Shoko's heart seemed to be relieved, slowly subsiding.

"...I just...wanted to do something for you..." Toyokawa Shoko buried her head in the boy's shoulder, her voice low and suppressed as she sobbed, "Xu Dou, I feel so useless..."

“I don’t think so,” he said firmly.

"……do not leave Me……"

"Will not."

“Then…” She moved her head away from Yuan Xudou’s shoulder, loosened her arms a little, and changed the posture from face to face.

With slightly red eyes and cheeks, Toyokawa Shoko spoke hesitantly.

"Can you kiss me like before...?"

Her tone held a hint of timid pleading, "Just tonight, just once, just once..."

In that case, I can believe that I can continue to persevere...

The next moment, Yuan Xudou naturally brought his face closer.

The long-lost touch returned, and Toyokawa Shoko's golden pupils dilated slightly for a moment before being overwhelmed by a surge of intoxication.

She hugged Yuan Xudou tightly by the back of his neck and gave him a passionate kiss without reservation.

Although it was supposed to be a one-time thing, that phrase had already disappeared from her mind the moment it began. Finally finding an outlet for her emotions, she poured out with the intense struggle, and Toyokawa Shoko, completely absorbed in it, was unwilling to let go.

(This section has been deleted due to review reasons. Please see the book club for details.)

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Chapter Twelve: Words Messaged on Behalf of Others (Part Two)

"Nagasaki-san, this necklace looks really pretty~ Did you buy it yourself?"

Moon Forest Girls' Academy, after morning class.

Nearly two weeks have passed since the start of the school year, and the new high school students have gradually become familiar with each other and formed their own social circles.

In front of strangers who require politeness and who cannot take off their masks, Nagasaki Motoyo, with her always graceful and elegant demeanor and gentle and tolerant manner, was naturally not rejected. In addition, her approachable personality made it easy for her to integrate into the class's social circle.

At that moment, she was surrounded by several girls from her class. They noticed the delicate necklace that had appeared on her snow-white neck and excitedly started talking about it.

“This…” Nagasaki Motoyo held the necklace on her chest with a smile that seemed both shy and troubled, yet she couldn’t help but be happy. “I didn’t buy it myself. It was a gift from someone I like.”

Her voice wasn't deliberately concealed or lowered, but because the girls in other places were all talking about their own topics, it didn't attract anyone's attention.

Apart from Motoyo Nagasaki, who sat alone in the same classroom, Mutsumi Wakaba, unlike the others who gathered in a group, seemed rather lonely.

Because of her cold and delicate face, which is always expressionless and aloof, she is not good at speaking and does not take the initiative to befriend others. If Ye Mu does not integrate into the group quickly, she has not made any friends to gather with during breaks.

Back in junior high, at least she had Toyokawa Shoko, whom she had grown up with, to talk to... But now that Toyokawa Shoko has transferred to Haneoka, the only person she can really talk to is Nagasaki Motoyo, who was her bandmate.

She was not comfortable being too close to strangers, so when Nagasaki Motoyo was talking to someone, she just stayed quietly in her seat, silently observing what was happening over there.

'...!'

When the brown-haired girl said frankly with a clear smile that "it was a gift from someone she likes," Wakaba Mutsu's golden pupils trembled, and she subconsciously clenched her soft hand.

The girls nearby were still talking.

"That's so nice... Could it be her boyfriend?" a girl said enviously and jokingly.

"Hmm...you could say that, right?" Nagasaki Motoyo smiled demurely, her slender hands clasped together, fingertips touching. "Please don't tell anyone, okay?"

Actually, it feels even closer than that of lovers...

"It really is a boy?!" Another girl's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Because I've always gone to all-girls schools, I don't even know many boys my age... Su Shi, you're amazing!"

Er O 亻Er (II) Wing III Zero 覇亻Er "He's the only guy I know..."

Do you have any photos? Could we take a look?