aircannonsinc Page 112
Page 112
This is the first time Wakaba Mutsu has waited for someone since she met Taro... She arrived at the park early today.
She was still wearing her favorite light black plaid dress, sitting obediently on the bench by the fountain, like a delicate porcelain doll.
Her eyes flickered slightly as she subtly surveyed her surroundings, taking in everything.
After confirming everything was correct, Ruo Yemu took out her phone and dialed Su Shi's number. Then, she put the phone on silent and gently placed it back in her skirt pocket.
In the distant grass... are Deng and Lixi. Further away... is Su Shi.
Everyone has arrived... Seeing her companions, the tension in Ruoye Mu's heart quietly eased.
Indeed, being with everyone is the most reassuring.
Having confirmed his companion's location, Wakaba Mutsumi summoned Toyokawa Shoko's personality within his inner world, simulating Shoko's perspective to carefully examine the scene—
She made sure the other side couldn't discover her hidden companions. Having done all this, she quieted down and waited for Xiangzi's arrival.
Xiangzi didn't keep Ruoye Mutsu waiting for long. As always, she straightened her back and walked towards him with her head held high.
She was wearing that familiar casual outfit: a clean and neat off-white top with a Peter Pan collar, a handbag slung over her right shoulder, and a meticulously tied black rope at the chest. A black belt cinched her waist, and her gray plaid A-line skirt was perfectly smooth without a single wrinkle, clearly showing that she had dressed up carefully.
Her face showed no particular expression, just as calm and dignified as usual, without any of the unease that Ai Yin had mentioned. She had applied delicate makeup.
If Ye Mu lowered her head, Xiangzi's black thick-soled round-toed leather shoes under his white ruffled socks stepped on the ground, his steps steady and elegant, making a not-so-small noise.
Clearly, she was doing it on purpose, deliberately reminding herself of her arrival. Ruo Yemu calmly raised her head, looked at Xiangzi, and said in an indifferent tone, "Xiang, sit down."
"Mu, I'm glad you still asked to meet me." Xiangzi didn't sit down, but instead straightened her back even more. A warm smile curved her lips, but her gaze held a condescending tone: "What brings you to see me today?"
“If you just want to chat, I’m happy to oblige.” The warmth on Xiangzi’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a thin layer of icy coldness. “But if it’s about the band, then there’s no need to say a word.”
She accepted Wakaba Mutsumi's invitation, though a sliver of hope for repairing their relationship lingered in her heart. But that didn't mean she would tolerate every topic, especially at this moment.
Recent events have almost overwhelmed her life. Even Xiao Mu wouldn't be able to handle something like this.
Seeing that Xiangzi had no intention of sitting down for a deeper conversation, Ruo Yemu showed no sign of annoyance. She simply placed her hands lightly on the bench and quietly stood up.
Her pale golden eyes, similar to Xiangzi's, were now gazing at him like a deep pool.
Xiangzi tried to maintain a calm demeanor and look the other person in the eye, but he clearly sensed an unprecedented aura emanating from Ruoye Mu.
This invisible pressure caused Xiangzi to subconsciously take a step back. However, Ruo Yemu not only did not back down, but instead took a step closer and reached out to precisely grab Xiangzi's wrist.
She felt as if her wrists were being clamped by iron clamps.
“What I want to talk to you about,” Wakaba Mutsumi said, meeting her angry gaze with a clear and fearless voice, “is about the band.”
"Let go!"
Xiangzi's expression changed drastically, and he suddenly exerted all his strength to break free. However, the power contained in Ye Mu's slender hand formed a startling contrast with her delicate appearance.
Xiangzi's struggles were futile. Ruoye Mu continued to look into Xiangzi's eyes and calmly said, "I've been thinking about what to say when I see you. I've been thinking about what to say. I wanted to write lyrics for you in advance, but I can't write anything—"
She hadn't spoken such a long passage in a long time, but Ruoye Mu didn't feel any discomfort. Her eyes were filled with enlightenment, as if a dark flame had been ignited within them.
“There are some things I don’t know if I should say, and some things I don’t know if I should do, but I did them all—no matter the cost, I had to pull Xiang along.”
Shoko was speechless, overwhelmed by Wakaba Mutsu's imposing aura. Wakaba Mutsu gently bit her lip and whispered, "So, I'm going to say it. Whether Shoko hates it or not, I'm going to say it. Whether Shoko will break down or not, I'm going to say it."
She lowered her eyes and said softly, "I'm not good at speaking, and so is Ku Lai Xi Ku, because my words ruined me. I've been afraid to speak ever since."
After saying that, she raised her eyes and stared straight at Xiangzi's face: "Even now I am very scared, very scared that my words will hurt you, but I still have to say it—Xiangzi, I will shoulder the responsibility of being your older sister!"
Wakaba Mutsu is older than Shoko. So, although Shoko usually acts more like the older sister, in reality, Wakaba Mutsu is the older sister.
Xiangzi stopped struggling... Perhaps it was the force in Ruoye Mutsu's words that made Xiangzi stop struggling, or perhaps it was Ruoye Mutsu's wrist strength that made her stop, but that doesn't matter.
If Ye Mu stared at Xiangzi without taking her eyes off her for even a moment, she would feel a slight coolness on her cheek, one drop, two drops, and then a large patch.
rain--
At first it was just a few drops, but soon they spread into a large patch. The rain poured down.
In the rain, neither Wakaba Mutsu nor Toyokawa Shoko moved. Takamatsu Akari, Shiina Tatsuki, and Nagasaki Motoyo remained motionless in the distance.
Ruoye Mu parted her lips slightly and uttered what she wanted to say: "Xiang, is the formation of Avemujica not going smoothly right now?"
The rain intensified, and between the two of them, nothing could be heard except the sound of the rain.
This strange scene of noise and silence did not last long.
"So what?" Xiangzi's expression turned indifferent, and she coldly questioned, "So what if my avemujica setup didn't go smoothly? Are you here to laugh at me?"
The rain seemed to intensify, and the torrential downpour formed a continuous curtain of rain, enveloping the two of them.
"If I say... yes, so what?" Faced with Xiangzi's question, Ruoye Mutsu tilted her head slightly, her pale golden eyes remaining unwavering.
The raindrops dripping from the sides of her eyes could not shake her will, not even in the slightest.
"Tsk..." Xiangzi clenched her teeth tightly, her expression twisting in an instant. The wet clothes clinging to her body made her very uncomfortable, but Ruoye Mu's words made her even more uncomfortable: "You... came here to argue."
“If that’s how you think, then… you’re probably not wrong.” Wakaba Mutsu gripped Shoko’s hand tightly, her tone devoid of any warmth: “Shoko, you’ve always wanted to make things better for everyone in your own way, right?”
"Tsk!" Xiangzi instinctively grabbed his other free arm without saying a word.
"Xiang, you want everyone to be disappointed in you, to leave you." Ruoye Mu's tone was completely calm: "Xiang believes that this will be better for everyone."
"Don't be so self-righteous..." Raindrops streaked across Xiangzi's cheek. She lowered her head, gritted her teeth, and gripped her arm tightly. "Their thoughts are none of my business... I know nothing about suffering or anything like that..."
Ruo Yemu was not annoyed by Xiangzi's rebuttal, but continued to express her feelings: "Xiang, your current thoughts are just self-satisfaction and self-pity."
Xiangzi's pupils contracted slightly. Ruoye Mu continued, "Even if Xiangzi becomes worse, everyone will think about how to help him get better, just like Xiangzi's father did before. Xiangzi made the same choice, so why doesn't he do the same thing?"
Xiangzi turned her face away, no longer meeting Ruoye Mu's gaze, and couldn't utter a single word. However, Ruoye Mu didn't stop her attack: "I know... after the changes Xiangzi experienced, I know everything about Xiangzi's feelings and thoughts..."
"Stop talking big!" Xiangzi suddenly turned around and shouted angrily at Ruoye Mu, "What do you know about me!"
"All of them!" Without hesitation, Ruoye Mu gave her answer, placing her hand on her heart and looking at Xiangzi's profile.
"Because, in my heart, there is 'Toyokawa Shoko'. These days I have been... I have been thinking about what Shoko was going through and what she was feeling inside."
"The more I know, the less I can write; I can't express your feelings..."
If Ye Mu's gaze, seen through the rain, resembled a crystal glass flower, so delicate it would shatter at the slightest touch, yet so resolute:
"Therefore, I can assert that what Xiang is doing now is wrong."
Toyokawa Shoko's personality was born on the day Mutsumi and Moku confirmed their feelings for each other, on the day they decided to save Toyokawa Shoko together.
She had always wanted to understand everything Xiangzi was thinking... If she could only get closer to Xiangzi by truly understanding her, then Ruoye Mutsu and Motis were the people who could understand Xiangzi the most right now.
"Xiang, all you're thinking about is covering your ears, trying to escape your mistakes, and trying to comfort yourself with self-sacrificing self-satisfaction."
She mercilessly pointed out Xiangzi's true thoughts, and Xiangzi's trembling pupils said it all.
“Avemujica was also… When they first invited me, I thought my brother would join in. Avemujica is a band that will succeed. Even though I’m afraid of lights and interviews, my brother can handle that.”
"But... after your brother refused... although you seemed very enthusiastic, in reality, your actions were quite passive."
Wakaba Mutsumi's golden pupils reflected Shoko's struggling face:
“During this process… you suggested turning avemujica into an online band, because you wanted to protect me from being in front of the camera…”
"However, an unexpected event occurred: the Donglong Flame Group was formed."
For the past few days, Wakaba Mutsu has been having the Toyokawa Shoko-like version of herself review Toyokawa Shoko's original thoughts.
"You think that everyone has stood up and is running forward, but you yourself are the reins holding the horse. If you don't cut the reins, either the horse won't be able to move forward, or you will fall down."
"That's why you put on a performance you knew was impossible!" Wakaba Mutsu calmly finished speaking: "You also know that it's impossible to recruit people who believe your empty words through Sumimi's channels. Your real purpose is to make Avemujica invalid."
"..." After a long silence, Toyokawa Shoko finally shouted out, breaking free of Wakaba Mutsumi's grip:
"Don't joke around! I actually feel like you guys abandoned me! You're taking revenge on me! That's why I want to get back at you! That's why I deliberately poached their talent in front of you."
“Sumimi too! I didn’t expect them to completely disbelieve me! Now, I’m also planning to save up to hire them! As long as Avemujica can start, everything will be alright! What you’re saying is just your imagination!”
Wakaba Mutsumi smiled, a gentle smile. Shoko had seen Wakaba Mutsumi's cheerful smile before, but this gentle smile was the first time she had ever seen it.
She reached out and took one of Toyokawa Shoko's hands in hers: "Shoko, you're just fooling yourself... You're omnipotent, how could you not know these things? You just don't want to know..."
"Sho, you're actually very scared, aren't you?" Ruoye Mutsu's voice remained calm, but for some reason, it had become gentle: "You're afraid that because of yourself, you'll prevent everyone from moving forward."
"I'm afraid that people will know my situation and reach out to me."
“Afraid that your weakness will cause you to grasp the outstretched hand…” Wakaba Mutsu smiled slightly: “Afraid that your weight will drag the outstretched hand into the mire as well, so, Sho, open all the outstretched hands. That way, no one will try to save you.”
"It's also because you fell in love with your older brother. Although you think it's because of his respect for you, because your father was changed by him..." Wakaba Mutsu shook his head firmly: "Actually, it's because you know that Momoi Taro will be strong enough not to be dragged into the mire by you."
"Everyone lives to overcome fear and gain peace of mind. Gaining fame, dominating others, and making money are all for the sake of peace of mind. Marriage and friendship are also for the sake of peace of mind. Contributing to others and pursuing love and peace are all things done to make oneself feel at ease. Seeking peace of mind is the purpose of humankind."
Ruoye Mutsu repeated the theory of reassurance she had heard from somewhere: "So... you like your older brother who gives you a sense of security." Her gaze pierced through Xiangzi's disguise like a sharp sword.
“Xiang is strong, but also weak.” Ruoye Mu said calmly, “You don’t believe that others can walk with you, so you knock away all the outstretched hands. You are not willing to let others reach out to you... because your pride does not allow you to depend on others. You want to get up on your own.”
"Covering one's own ears and crawling out of one's own abyss... is all of Xiang's wishes."
Without a word, Ruoye Mu pulled Xiangzi into her arms, embracing her petite frame around Xiangzi's body.
"I've always been afraid... afraid of causing trouble for everyone, afraid of becoming dependent on everyone and being rejected. I've always been thinking about how to get along with everyone as equals, how to maintain my self-respect. I have to get better... Until then, I'll push away everyone who wants to help me. I don't want to make other people's happiness less precious. That's all of Xiang's thoughts. Right?"
“It’s alright now…” Xiangzi lay on Ruoye Mutsu’s body, letting her calmly explain… letting her firm voice reach his ears: “I… will become the ideal person I want to be.”
“Even if I can’t be like my older brother… I will at least avoid being dragged into the abyss that Shoko imagines. It’s okay if I have to help Shoko… I will do that. So, Shoko… you don’t need to force yourself anymore.”
"I... Waaah... Waaah..." Xiangzi tried to say something, but all her words were swallowed up by her sobs. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out, "Can I really do it? Can someone as weak as me really reach the side of everyone who has become stronger?"
“Okay…” Wakaba Mutsu said softly, “It’s alright, so… Sho, run! I’ll run ahead and wait for you.”
"Moreover... I think that Xiang, who recognizes his own weakness, is invincible."
If Xiangzi can truly accept herself and her powerlessness, she can break free from her own shackles... That's what Ruoye Mu believes.
"Me too." A gentle yet firm voice came from the side.
Xiangzi turned his head slightly and looked to the side. Su Shi, Deng, and Li Xi were all soaked from the rain, but they still came over.
Su Shi's expression was calm yet resolute: "I...believe in Xiao Xiang. Xiao Xiang will definitely get through this, not by running away in this way. The Xiao Xiang I know isn't like that! But...Xiao Xiang! Let's form a band."
The three people who had been eavesdropping on their conversation discussed it for a long time and made a decision: they would take Xiangzi back.
"Su Shi..." Xiangzi murmured, a hint of pain showing on his face again: "But... I was so mean to you."
“It’s okay…” Su Shi stepped forward and hugged Ruoye Mu and Xiangzi tightly: “Because I’m also a very unreasonable person.”
"Hmph... Let me make this clear first, I have absolutely no feelings about bitterness itself."
Shiina Tatsuki adopted a disdainful expression, closed her eyes, and crossed her arms as she spoke. But then, her voice softened: