Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 46

"Wakaba Mutsumi" was right. Girls with more vivid and expressive features are indeed much prettier. Even just blinking their eyes has a captivating charm and a heart-touching allure.

Turning his head slightly to the side, Yuan Xudou exhaled softly, unusually feeling his blood flow quicken a little.

He calmly changed the subject.

"Oh, right, Mu."

“The reason I didn’t smile at you just now was not because I didn’t want to.”

He felt it was necessary to discuss this matter openly to avoid any misunderstandings between the two.

However, after the incident where he told Xiangzi the truth and was attacked by her for being honest with him, he no longer intended to state his reasons as frankly as before.

"The situation is a little complicated... Let me give you an example."

"Mu, if you had a very satisfying and precious gift that you wanted to give to someone, what would you do—"

"—This is for you."

His dark pupils dilated as Yuan Xudou turned his head to look at the girl who had interrupted his question.

The blush on her face showed no signs of fading, and Wakaba Mutsuki, still with her head down and not daring to look at him, softly uttered that reply.

Before Yuan Xudou could finish his question, and before the girl could even think about it carefully... her instincts had already given her the answer.

Or rather, there was no need for hesitation or distress at all; Ruo Yemu had never understood her inner thoughts so clearly at this moment.

—Wanting to be good to him, to this person who acknowledged his uniqueness, who always looked only at the girl represented by the name "Wakaba Mutsumi," and who cared about him without any other factors, Wakaba Mutsumi wanted to give him her best.

That sincere and genuine emotion, which required no response, was completely conveyed to Yuan Xudou's heart through her weak yet firm whisper.

...It was indeed very touching, and he could feel the same emotion and warmth as when he heard Gao Songdeng sing that day.

But that's not what he wanted to ask.

The boy originally wanted to ask her, "Would you choose the best time to give the gift?" to express his attitude towards her smile.

Perhaps... for Wakaba Mutsumi, there is no such thing as the best time.

As long as it's given to the right person, it's something to be happy about no matter the time... That's probably what she thinks.

Then there's his habit of sometimes speaking his mind too quickly and revealing his true feelings, startling others—it's definitely the Mu he knows.

It's troublesome, but it also brings a strange sense of peace.

The cheerful and lively Wakaba Mutsumi certainly has a unique charm, perfectly showcasing her natural beauty and talent, and using her cuteness and beauty to win over others. Perhaps, as "Wakaba Mutsumi" said, that's the most popular and most normal way to behave.

Being a little spoiled and willful is still better than bottling everything up inside and almost developing a split personality.

However... since the first person he encountered was the taciturn, silent, and unvoiced Ruoye Mutsu, he would not abandon her now for a seemingly better possibility.

Preconceived notions—this is not a good habit, but many people are used to it.

It's just that there's one more girl who lacks recognition among those who need care—as he said before, there are no shortage of members with unusual mentalities in [CryCHIC], so having one more isn't a burden.

Therefore, Yuan Xudou will accept it and protect it.

Choosing between her and "Wakaba Mutsumi" was not a difficult decision for him.

Chapter Sixty-Five: My Secret, Just for You

However, even though I said that, I was still a little concerned about what that was.

He initially thought Mu Fang's performance was just a temporary response to external stimuli that his body spontaneously generated under instinctual conditions... But to be honest, calling it instinctual was a bit too natural and smooth.

It's almost as if another personality has emerged, even capable of expressing emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness... yet in certain places, a subtle stiffness is revealed.

Compared to the original Wakaba Mutsu, the new one seemed more like a puppet searching through past data and then putting on a cheerful and positive act. Only when she inexplicably became excited at the end, and uttered those willful and playful words, did they feel somewhat real.

If this is indeed a precursor to schizophrenia, then he must ask the girl about her condition, and if necessary, even if it means suspending the band's activities, he should send her to the hospital for examination and treatment.

These are things that should have been done by her parents, or at the very least, by her childhood friends, but they all seem to care nothing about it and let her situation get worse day by day.

In the end, it was actually myself, someone I had only known for about a month, who gave that care that should have been there.

Feeling a pity for the girl's life so far, Gen Xudou gently squeezed Ruoye Mu's delicate, boneless hand.

As for why the two suddenly held hands...

The reason was simple: after declaring that she would give him the best gift, the girl, belatedly realizing that shyness filled her chest, refused to look up at him no matter what. Her eyes, blurry from the rush of blood, dared only to look at the area below the boy's chest.

The lingering touch and warmth of the boy's cheek in her palm continued to gently scratch at Ruoye Mu's heart like a kitten, making it impossible for her to think clearly.

She felt ashamed of her actions, yet happy that Yuan Xudou hadn't rejected her. Although, like her other self, she was somewhat disappointed not to see the boy's genuine smile, being able to touch his face was already a huge success.

However... the time she had control over was too short; she didn't even have a chance to fully experience it before it was all over.

...I want to touch it again.

She wanted to feel his body temperature, to lean on his arms, and to hear again that resolute voice saying, "I want the same Wakaba Mutsu from before."

But she wasn't like Toyokawa Shoko or Nagasaki Motoyo; she didn't have the courage to openly put her ideas into practice. She only dared to secretly etch the traces of her affection into her beautiful, blinking eyes.

Do not compete or fight, do not seek a response.

It wasn't until Yuan Xudou noticed the girl's thoughts and took her hand that she softly returned the grip, pouring her feelings into their tightly pressed palms.

Although I don't know how to take the initiative, I'm willing to accept all his actions.

They held hands intimately, even interlocking their fingers. Instead of becoming even more shy, Wakaba Mutsu gradually calmed down and her mind was no longer blank as before.

Whether it's the gentle touch of skin against skin or the soothing caress of fingertips... the real warmth, like a quietly burning campfire, brings boundless security and gently calms the trembling of the heart.

Ruoye Mu finally dared to raise her head and meet the boy's gaze.

So he asked the crucial question that concerned him, which determined whether to head straight to the hospital or continue enjoying their "date."

"Mu, how do you feel about what happened just now?"

"...Xu Dou's face feels very comfortable to touch..."

"...That's not it."

Blushing, the girl honestly expressed her true feelings—though they were completely different from what he wanted to ask, and knowing this wouldn't make her happy.

Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Wakaba Mutsu, who had just raised her head slightly, immediately lowered it again in frustration.

Yuan Xudou, feeling somewhat helpless but not particularly bothered that the girl was most impressed by the touch of his profile, did not let her feel down and immediately dispelled her embarrassment with comforting words.

"It's okay, I don't mind."

"More than that, Mu, what I want to ask is about the way you just acted..."

He mentioned "Wakaba Mutsumi" in a more tactful tone. In order not to upset her, he deliberately avoided using certain words and did not directly describe her as having a "personality".

Ruoye Mutsu understood what he meant.

So she responded in her own way.

"—There probably won't be any more."

With her free hand pressed against her heart, the girl answered with certainty.

"Because it was agreed upon."

"As long as Xu Dou is still by my side, 'she' won't come out again... That's right."

"……is that so?"

Although Ruo Yemu spoke with certainty, he couldn't easily trust someone so important as to give up on such a matter just because of a few words of assurance from her.

With a hint of worry, Yuan Xudou frowned slightly and spoke softly.

"Shouldn't we get it checked out? At the very least, we should tell Xiangzi and the others..."

If Ye Mu remained silent, she would simply tighten her grip on his hand, shake her head vigorously, and interrupt him from speaking further.

"Don't tell Xiangzi..."

She couldn't solve anything. That's what her inner voice said.

Even if Toyokawa Shoko had been willing to put in just a little more effort to care about her childhood friend and understand why she had suddenly changed from a cheerful girl to the cold, expressionless Wakaba Mutsu... none of this could have accumulated until now, until Genji Koto appeared, finally allowing her to bear this pain alone.

Of course, she didn't hate Xiangzi because of this, and still regarded him as her best friend... but, just a friend.

If Ye Mu is the only one willing to entrust this matter to him.

"It's enough that Xu Dou knows."

"……All right."

Sensing the girl's determination, Yuan Xudou did not force her.

"However, if any problems arise again, be sure to come to me immediately."

"Please don't keep things bottled up inside like you used to, okay?"

"Ah."

Without any hesitation, she nodded her pretty head up and down, making a clear, bell-like sound.

Since Mu himself felt there was no problem and made a guarantee, let's put this matter to rest for now.

Thinking this way, Yuan Xudou originally planned to take her hand and go for a walk in other places.

However, the girl suddenly gently grabbed his arm.

The somewhat puzzled boy turned around.

"...If Xu Dou is still somewhat bothered by what just happened..."

Ruoye Mutsu tilted her head back, revealing her slender, white neck, as delicate as a swan's. Her exquisite, smooth face, adorned with a fine, rosy glow, was slightly tense, as if she were facing him with a resolute expression, revealing herself completely.

Her light and captivating voice, mixed with emotions that even the girl herself couldn't quite discern, was like a moist and slippery lick, gently brushing against the boy's ear.

Speaking softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear, Wakaba Muku spoke.

"My face...you can touch it."

Chapter Sixty-Six: Waiting for You to Come Home

Yuan Xudou was stunned for a moment.

He originally wanted to say that he didn't care that Ruo Ye Mu touched his face, especially since it wasn't her intention and was completely understandable and forgivable.

However, faced with the girl who was tilting her head back, seemingly ready to have her cheeks pinched, and thus had her eyes closed... he hesitated.

That expression, rather than being one of accepting punishment, seemed more like anticipation of his actions... Was this innocent yet alluring expression something she had innately developed?

Yuan Xudou had to admit that Ruoye Mutsu, with her face relaxed and no longer always expressionless, was probably the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She was more refined than Xiangzi, more innocent than Su Shi, more natural and bright than Deng, and more gentle and delicate than Li Xi.

Although he didn't care that much about looks, after all, he had always been the most handsome one in other people's eyes since he was a child... But at this moment, Wakaba Mutsu did have a cuteness and beauty that was enough to rival his own, and was pleasing to the eye.

So, following his heart, Yuan Xudou reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek.

It feels like freshly solidified jade or soft, bouncy tofu, smooth and warm. When you place your fingers on it, your skin naturally sinks in, gently enveloping your fingertips.

It's practically comparable to the highest-end stress-relieving toys... Even the face is so soft and elastic, what about the rest of the body...?

Yuan Xudou forcefully suppressed his increasingly distant thoughts, only lightly touching the girl's cheek before withdrawing his hand.

He could touch anyone else without worry for a while longer, but with Ruoye Mu, he had to be very careful to control his body, otherwise he might lose focus and do something inappropriate.

The key point is that Mu might not even refuse, but rather let him do it.

...He now understood why Nagasaki Motoyo looked at him with that kind of gaze every day.

It's really tough on her to have endured this long... I'll be nicer to her when we get home tonight.

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.

After that, the two continued to admire the beautiful scenery on the lake shore for a while, and when the sunlight outside the shade of the trees was no longer so scorching, they left the lake to find other places to stay.

After walking for a while, Ruoye Mu gradually shed that state of genuine outburst and overflowing emotion. Her once more vivid and natural expressions gradually subsided, and she returned to her usual taciturn and delicate doll form.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing; at least he doesn't have to worry about how to explain to the rest of the band why the girl has changed so much while keeping what happened between the two of them a secret.