I play wind instruments in Kansai.

“But if you treat me like that in public, I will ignore you.”

"Well......"

Shiraishi Hitomi's fingers gripped the hem of her skirt, her eyelashes drooping slightly, and her voice was as if veiled by a thin layer of gauze, carrying a faint sense of mystery.

"Is it okay in private?"

That's not what I meant...

Frustrated, Miyamune Nozomi felt it was necessary to establish some private space with her.

"I just feel that the two of us aren't ready to go that far yet, although I hope you can stick to your own ideas..."

At this point, Gong Lingwang got stuck again, wondering what he was arguing with her about.

Saying things like, "I hope you can follow your own ideas, but I don't like your reckless behavior," but in reality, isn't the one who benefits the most? And they even enjoy it.

Perhaps Shiraishi Hitomi has already discovered that he enjoys this, which is why she is being so proactive.

Realizing this, a wave of shame washed over him, but his superficial pride and morality continued to sway him.

"You don't have to treat me like this."

Gongling Wang's gaze darted out the window as if fleeing.

"The A-level editor has been released, and everyone needs to practice hard these days. Also, I promised Kato and the others that I won't have time to see you starting tomorrow."

"Hmm..."

A groan could be clearly heard coming from the girl's throat; she seemed taken aback by it.

"Aren't you going to come to my house to practice?"

"Actually, you can practice anywhere, but you should choose a location that is convenient for everyone."

Gong Lingwang took a shallow breath, intending to be firm, but at the last moment, he couldn't help but soften his heart.

"Of course, if there's anything you don't understand, you can send me a message to ask me."

"......"

Hitomi Shiraishi's face looked very sad. In her eyes, Miyamine Nozomi's words clearly indicated that he wanted to keep his distance from her.

"Feel sorry."

She apologized softly again, her body now exuding a fragile quality.

Miyamune Nozomi's tone involuntarily softened:

"It's my fault, Shiraishi-kun did nothing wrong..."

He didn't get any reply from Shiraishi Hitomi after he finished speaking. She kept her head down, as if she was asking for oxygen, her cherry-colored lips slightly parted.

Gongling Wang took a deep breath, turned to look at her, and said softly:

"Shiraishi-kun, can you understand me?"

She looked up at his handsome face and finally nodded.

"Thank you."

Gong Lingwang smiled slightly at her, looking directly into her clear, bright eyes, and lowered his hand that was about to pat her head.

The Kuroshio train sped along the Hanwa Line.

When we arrived at the station, the air outside the exit was filled with the scent of the sea and pine trees, and the station pointers showed 10:15.

There were far fewer people in the station compared to the daytime, and even high heels could make a crisp echo on the tiled floor.

"Then we'll be going now!"

Because it was late at night, Anwa and Kohika went to take the Kishigawa Line. Anwa lived near Nie-shin-miya, while Kohika didn't know anything about Miyamine Nozomi.

Now, only Miyamine Nozomi and Shiraishi Hitomi remain.

The skirt concealed the girl's round, perky buttocks, making her fair legs appear clear and translucent.

Her bare thighs had a smooth and symmetrical shape, neither too thin nor with excess fat, giving her just the right amount of girlish charm that made you want to reach out and touch them.

Further down, the curve of the calf is soft and natural, and the transition from the knee to the ankle is like an arc drawn by God.

And those white ankle socks exude a youthful and girlish charm that you'll never tire of seeing no matter how many times you look at them.

Is Shiraishi Hitomi naturally beautiful, or is it a blessing from the system? Miyamine Nozomi turned her gaze away and sighed.

"I'll walk you home."

"Mmm," she responded softly, pulling up the shoulder strap of her handbag, which had slipped a little.

The thought of the strange things in her bag made Gong Lingwang feel ridiculous; how could she do something so absurd?

"Did you tell your family that you were going out with me?" he asked.

“Yes, and Miyamori,” Shiraishi Hitomi said in a calm tone.

"......"

A suffocating silence suddenly descended, and an inexplicable anxiety welled up from the bottom of his heart. Gong Lingwang kept breathing heavily.

Indeed, the mindset in Wakayama is completely different from that in Osaka.

Who knows, maybe a familiar friend will pop up on the next street corner.

The streets were quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

In order to keep pace with Shiraishi Hitomi's strides, Miyamine Nozomi deliberately coordinated with her, like a bass voice supporting the main melody as it moved forward.

The green leaves swirled on the asphalt road, a faint breeze stirred, but the temperature still felt hot.

The oppressive temperature that felt suffocating during the day actually became a source of comfort for Miyamine Nozomi.

If it's a chilly night, should he offer his coat or remain silent?

The headlights of vehicles occasionally flashed past my eyes. After passing the intersection, I would soon arrive at Shiraishi Hitomi's music store.

There was still one requirement that hadn't been fulfilled, and Gongling Wang wondered if he should take the initiative to ask about it.

We arrived at the narrow stairwell.

The headlights from the side lane illuminated the girl's serene and beautiful silhouette, as well as Miyamune Nozomi's profile.

As if by unspoken agreement, the two stopped simultaneously, each waiting for the other to speak.

"Then I'll go home first," said Miyamune Nozomi.

"Well--"

She opened her mouth, as if to say something.

"what happened?"

Gong Ling looked at her and then noticed that the strands of hair at her temples were stuck to her face due to a thin layer of sweat.

Shiraishi Hitomi raised her hand and grabbed his sleeve, her words revealing a fragile vulnerability, like a leaf finally detached from its branch:

"Can I have a hug?"

"..."

The mirror at the alley entrance is looking down at the two people with great interest, elongating the car headlights and figures in the reflection.

Gongling Wang didn't speak, but took a step forward, filling the gap between the two shadows, and stretched out his hands to hug Shiraishi Hitomi's body.

His hand landed on her shoulder blade, and through the thin dress, he could feel the slight curve of the boy's shoulder blades.

The breath in my arms was as even as the tide, seeping through the fabric and into my skin, coloring the rhythm of my heartbeat into overlapping, slightly irregular drumbeats.

Shiraishi Hitomi wrapped her arms around his body, letting the warmth completely dominate her senses, and filling her nostrils with his scent.

"Gong Ling, will you come find me?"

The girl raised her small face, her eyelashes trembling slightly as she looked at him. Their eyes met, and a soft light shone in them.

What does 'find' mean here?

Gongling Wang didn't think too deeply about it, simply understanding it as a search "between friends," as delving too deeply would only confuse his thoughts.

"Ah."

Although there is a certain greed for the warmth in one's arms, in many ways, a long embrace is not a good thing.

Gongling Wang raised his hand and gently stroked her head, saying, "Is it alright now?"

"Wait," Shiraishi Hitomi said softly, resting her forehead against his chest. "Let's hug a little longer."

She had a faint fragrance about her and a soft body. Everything related to Shiraishi Hitomi, no matter what, was magnified in Miyamine Nozomi's senses.

After another ten seconds or so, Gong Lingwang reached out and pressed down on her delicate shoulder. He intended to use some force, but to his surprise, she let go with just a gentle push.

"Okay, I'm going home now."

Hitomi Shiraishi glanced to the side and said:

"I won't make things difficult for you. Actually, I had a lot of fun today."

"Ah."

Shiraishi Hitomi nodded with an extremely subtle curve, unconsciously relaxing the corners of her mouth and revealing a faint smile as she said:

"I know what you're worried about. I'll be careful and wait for you to come to me."

"......"

Miyamine Nozomi was speechless after hearing what she said. Shiraishi Hitomi may seem simple and easily manipulated, but in reality, she knows better than anyone else.

"So I'm glad you came to hug me."

For Hitomi Shiraishi, it was already quite remarkable that Nozomi Miyamine, who already had Yutaka Yanagi by his side, would take the initiative to embrace her.

Gongling's gaze softened:

"Thank you, Shiraishi-kun. I wish everyone could be as understanding as you are."

Shiraishi Hitomi turned and walked into the store. Her gentle smile vanished the instant she turned, reverting to her usual doll-like expression, devoid of any emotion.

Gongling Wangye left the place and opened the system on the way, only to find that his points had been completely restored.

Everything starts from scratch.

But seeing Shiraishi Hitomi's profit and loss points return to zero, Miyamine Nozomi didn't feel particularly happy. Instead, she felt a little strange, and her face flushed.

Yes, but what's the price? Isn't he and Shiraishi Hitomi already having an affair behind Yanagi Yuuto's back?

They could have remained just friends, but would ordinary friends actually help with something at the movie theater?

It doesn't seem normal no matter how you look at it.

The lie I told Hina Koharu at the beginning is no longer a lie; it's the truth.

On his way home, he didn't run into anyone he knew, but he did see a few stray cats. They didn't run away; instead, they perched on the wall and stared intently at him.

When I got home and opened the door, my parents were already asleep.

Gongling Wang took out his phone and sent a message to Liumu Jie Deng—

"I'm home now"

"Oh"

After experiencing the overwhelming affection from Shiraishi Hitomi, Miyamine Nozomi suddenly felt that Yanagi Yutō's answer was too bland.

What's this? Is he starting to get tired of it?

However, being too proactive wouldn't suit Liu Muyu's personality, so Gong Lingwang just shrugged.

"I bought you some water yokan (a type of sweet bean jelly). I'm so tired, come and get it."

"Are you crazy? It's so late."

"You can sleep here."

I'll pick it up tomorrow.

"OK"

After taking a shower, I lay in bed to continue sleeping, but when I closed my eyes, I was in the movie theater.

He wasn't preoccupied with how Shiraishi Hitomi would help him or what the feel of her small hands would be like.