People in Mygo are emotional firefighters.

Mayu just said it's because she is "a very important person".

They didn't mention the cover rights to "Here the World," nor did they mention any transactional connection. In fact, none of her songs were on their setlist for this performance.

An indescribable feeling, a mixture of relief and sweetness, quietly welled up in my heart.

She was even a little relieved that Masahiro and the others did not choose to sing "Here the World" in their first official performance.

That's why she was able to see Zhenyu's true feelings clearly, stripping away all factors related to work, authority, and rewards.

It was simply because she was "a very important person" to Masahiro.

This realization made her heart feel as if it were wrapped in honey, and the previous shyness was replaced by a more grounded and burning joy. She quietly raised her eyes and looked at Zhenyu's profile, which still had a slightly unaware and casual expression. Suddenly, she felt that the "importance" that had made her heart race just now might... really be interpreted in the direction of the most secret expectation in her heart.

At least for this moment, she was willing to believe it.

Mana carefully and tenderly put the family pass into her small bag and zipped it up.

After doing all this, she raised her eyes, looked at Zhenyu, and suddenly reached out her arm and gently wrapped it around his waist.

This sudden, even more intimate hug made Ishikawa Mayu's body freeze instantly, and her mind went blank for a moment.

"Hey... Mana?" He was a little flustered, his hands hovering in mid-air, unsure whether to let go or hug back, his ears burning hot. "It's just... I just invited you to a concert... you don't have to be like this..."

Mana Junta gently shook her head in his arms, her hair brushing against his chin, causing a slight tickle. She didn't speak, but simply leaned against him quietly, listening to his slightly rapid heartbeat due to nervousness.

"Mana! It's almost time for your break! It's time to come back and touch up your makeup for the next set!" The photographer's voice came from not far away, breaking the brief silence.

Mana was a little disappointed, but she still slowly let go of his arms, stepped back from Mayu's embrace, and looked up at him.

Her face had once again displayed the energetic and perfect smile that belonged to the idol "Junka Mana," but deep within her light brown eyes, a trace of soft, lingering moisture remained.

"Makoto," she called softly, her voice gentler than usual, carrying a hint of barely perceptible affection.

"Huh?" Zhenyu was still a little dazed and responded subconsciously.

Mana didn't answer immediately, but leaned forward slightly and stood on her tiptoes.

A soft kiss, with a faint berry sweetness and a girl's unique fragrance, landed lightly on his cheek like a feather.

It feels warm to the touch and is immediately removed upon contact.

Ishikawa Mayu was completely petrified, as if the pause button had been pressed, and she even forgot to breathe.

"You'll be busy soon too, won't you?" Mana had already stepped back to a safe distance, a sly yet sweet smile on her face, as if she hadn't done that bold thing just now. "Go on ahead. This weekend... I'll be really looking forward to 'our Mana's' stage performance."

Then Mana waved to him, turned around and ran lightly towards the center of the studio, immersing herself back in the dazzling lights, as if everything just now was just a hallucination.

Only Ishikawa Mayu was left frozen in place, the soft touch and lingering fragrance on her cheek feeling incredibly real.

He subconsciously raised his hand and touched the spot where he had been kissed; the temperature emanating from his fingertips was frighteningly high.

My brain felt like an overloaded machine, buzzing and unable to process the information it had just received.

A hug can also be interpreted as gratitude or being moved.

But this kiss...

Even close friends... even Mana, who usually likes to joke around...

This...this isn't right, is it?!

What exactly does Mana mean?

"Mr. Ishikawa?" A passing staff member noticed him standing there blankly and kindly reminded him, "Are you alright? Your face is a little red. Is the air conditioning not cool enough?"

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Chapter 173 Mio: Senior Maho's face is so red

Ishikawa Mayu almost floated out of the Win-Wing studio in a sleepwalking manner, her hands and feet moving in unison.

The subtle, berry-scented touch on his face, where he had been kissed, lingered stubbornly like a brand, continuously radiating a burning heat that traveled from his cheeks to his ears and then down his neck. He could even clearly hear the pounding of his heart in his chest, a chaotic, almost dizzying sensation mixed with the throbbing of his own heart.

Occasionally, staff members would pass by in the corridor, casting glances that were either curious or knowing. Every look made Zhenyu feel like she was being pricked by needles, as if the words "I was just kissed by my idol" were written all over her face.

No... this can't go on.

On the way to the rehearsal room, Ishikawa Mayu abruptly turned into the men's restroom. She turned on the tap, scooped up a handful of icy water, and splashed it on her face without hesitation.

The biting coolness briefly dispelled the heat on his skin and the dizziness in his head. He looked up at himself in the mirror—his cheeks and ears were still noticeably red, but more importantly…

He leaned closer to the mirror and examined it carefully. Sure enough, near his cheekbone, there was an extremely faint, almost invisible pink mark, with a subtle pearlescent sheen. It was a trace of Mana's lip gloss.

He immediately rinsed the area with cold water and even gently rubbed it with his fingers until the tiny mark completely disappeared, leaving only a more noticeable redness from the rubbing.

Although my heart was still beating a little fast and my cheeks weren't getting any cooler, at least... the "evidence" that could have caused a misunderstanding had been cleared away.

After doing all this, Ishikawa Mayu finally felt a little more confident and walked back to the rehearsal room.

The door to the rehearsal room was ajar, and beautiful piano music drifted out from inside.

Pushing open the door, only Mio Serizawa was inside. She was sitting alone at the piano, her slender fingertips resting on the keys, practicing a melody from the sheet music. Upon hearing the door open, she immediately turned around.

"Ah! Senpai Mayu!" Mio's eyes lit up instantly, like two stars that had been lit up.

She jumped up from the piano bench and hurried to the door, her face beaming with unreserved joy. "You're here! It seems that Senior Chu Hua and Kana were called to a meeting at the last minute, so they told me to practice by myself while they waited for you!"

"Uh-huh"

Zhenyu gave a perfunctory reply, appearing somewhat distracted.

Mio Serizawa sensed the perfunctory tone and felt a little disappointed, but when her gaze fell on Mayu's face, a sense of curiosity and inquiry immediately arose in her heart.

"Huh?" Mio tilted her head and leaned closer, her clear eyes fixed on Mayu's still flushed cheeks and ears, her tone full of innocent and direct curiosity.

“Senpai Mayu, your face… is so red! Like a ripe tomato! Is it because it’s too hot outside? Or…” She drawled out the last syllable, her eyes gleaming with mischief, “…did something… ‘good’ happen?”

Zhenyu hurriedly raised her hand and rubbed her cheeks vigorously, trying to cover it up physically. Her voice stammered because of her guilt, "N-nothing! It's just... I might have been walking too fast just now, and I'm a little hot... Yes, hot!"

Mio blinked, a sweet smile appearing on her face.

She didn't miss Zhenyu's momentary panic and evasive gaze. It's true that walking fast can make you hot, but Zhenyu-senpai clearly looked preoccupied and embarrassed, not just simply hot from exercise.

"Oh—I see." She deliberately drew out her words, nodded, and made an "I see" expression on her face, but the "I don't believe it at all" smile in her eyes was hard to hide.

Ishikawa Mayu pretended not to see it. Although she hadn't put on airs much, she was indeed a senior, and it was normal for a senior to ignore a junior. Fortunately, Mio was a smart girl and didn't press the matter. Instead, she turned and left, which relieved Mayu.

He walked to the corner where he usually kept his violin case and music stand, sat down feeling exhausted, took a few deep breaths, and tried to calm his wildly beating heart and the heat on his face.

However, before he could put the violin case down properly and pull himself out of his emotions, he heard a rustling sound beside him.

He turned his head and saw that Mio Serizawa had actually moved a lightweight folding stool, placed it neatly on the floor next to him with a "thud," and then sat down without hesitation. The distance between the two instantly shrank to less than half a meter, and he could clearly smell the faint scent of her floral and fruity shampoo.

"?!" Zhenyu's brain went blank again, and his body subconsciously shrank back, his back almost touching the wall.

"Serizawa-kun?!" His voice changed, and he pointed to the spot where Mio should have been sitting, near the piano. "Why... why are you sitting here?"

That's way too close! Regardless of whether they're seniors or juniors, or just regular practice partners, this distance far exceeds the normal social boundaries!

Mio didn't seem to care about his panic. She simply turned to the side, rested her elbows on her knees, cupped her chin in her hands, and looked up at him with her delicate and beautiful face and her clear, bright eyes.

“Because,” she said lightly, her gaze sweeping over his still noticeably flushed face like a searchlight, a knowing yet playful smile curving her lips, “Your face is still very, very red.”

Mayu reflexively tried to raise her hand to cover her face again.

Mio, however, acted first, gently pressing down on his wrist—the movement was very light, with a soothing tone, her fingertips slightly cool.

"Senior probably...wouldn't want Senior Chu Hua and Kana to see you like this when they come back later, right?" She leaned closer and lowered her voice considerably. "You can fool me with an excuse like 'I got a little hot from walking too fast,' but Senior Chu Hua is very perceptive, you know?"

Zhenyu was speechless at her words. He really didn't want more people to see him looking so unsettled, especially since the reason was so difficult to explain.

Mio observed his reaction, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. She released his wrist and, as if by magic, pulled a delicate silver jar—a moisturizing spray—and a small packet of individually wrapped wet wipes from her purse.

"Close your eyes, senior." Her voice suddenly became gentle and firm, carrying an irresistible guiding force.

Looking into her clear, earnest eyes, Zhenyu, as if possessed, actually closed her eyes obediently. Deprived of sight, her other senses became unusually acute.

He heard the faint sound of the spray can being shaken, and then a fine, cool mist was evenly sprayed onto his cheeks, carrying a light, relaxing herbal scent that instantly relieved the heat on his skin.

Then, he felt a soft, slightly damp fabric gently pressed against his cheek—it was Mio who had opened the wet wipe and was gently pressing and wiping him, absorbing the excess moisture.

Occasionally, my fingertips would touch his skin through a damp wipe. The touch was cool and delicate, with a softness unique to girls.

Logically speaking, being cared for so closely, almost touching, by a beautiful girl like Mio, whose appearance and temperament are impeccable, should make him feel even more flustered, his heart racing, and he even not knowing where to put his hands and feet.

But strangely... nothing happened.

The anticipated chaos and turmoil did not materialize.

Instead, a strange, reassuring sense of peace, along with the gentle movements and cool touch, slowly flowed into his previously chaotic mind. Like...

It was a pair of gentle hands that softly smoothed out the crumpled paper.

He could even clearly feel his rapid heartbeat gradually becoming steady and regular as the wet wipe gently pressed against it.

“Okay, now…slowly, take a deep breath.” Mio’s voice rang out again, so close, so soft as a feather, with a hypnotic rhythm. “Inhale…yes, just like that…and then, slowly…exhale…”

Without realizing it, Mayu followed her instructions, taking a deep breath and then slowly exhaling. Once, twice…

He didn't even realize that, without his notice, his own breathing rhythm had gradually synchronized with the gentle and steady breathing of the girl beside him, intertwining to form a tranquil and harmonious rhythm.

Chapter 174 Mio: I've Thought of My Request

Until the slightly damp coolness on his face completely dissipated, until he felt his heartbeat and body temperature return to near normal, until the synchronized breathing brought an indescribable peace...

Mio removed the wet wipe, her voice carrying a light laugh: "You can open your eyes now, senpai."

Ishikawa Mayu slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing that catches the eye is Mio Serizawa's smiling face, so close to his. She is tilting her head slightly, carefully examining his face, her beautiful eyes filled with undisguised sense of accomplishment and a touch of pride, as if she has just completed a remarkable work of art.

"How are you feeling, senpai? Are you feeling any better?" Mio's voice was light and cheerful, with a hint of anticipation.

Looking into her bright eyes, Zhenyu nodded subconsciously and answered honestly, "Yes, much better... thank you."

"That's good!" Serizawa Mio's smile became even brighter. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, or perhaps she was happy with her "achievement".

Then she naturally reached out her hand, her fingertips carrying a slightly cool sensation, and slowly approached.

As Zhenyu watched the slender, fair hand draw closer, her body involuntarily tensed slightly, the sensation of being touched by the wet wipe still lingering on her skin.

However, just before her fingertips were about to touch his cheek, Mio stopped.

She blinked her beautiful big eyes, her gaze lingering for a moment on Zhenyu's slightly tense profile and her skin still flushed with a faint blush. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she turned her wrist, and the outstretched hand naturally retracted. Instead, she gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek and elegantly tucked it behind her ear.

She turned her head slightly, her face still bearing a sweet smile.

"Looks like everything's alright now," she said softly, as if the unfinished touch was just a trivial little incident.

As Ishikawa Mayu looked at the hand that had been withdrawn, a strange emptiness welled up inside her.

He had actually prepared himself to be touched, and subconsciously accepted the possible contact that came from a junior, a contact that carried a sense of care.

Mio simply withdrew her hand.

This feeling of "expectations not being met" is quite subtle.

The embarrassment and slight awkwardness he felt earlier had quietly transformed into another strange emotion—somewhat like…being kept in suspense? Or perhaps, because the other party had just the right moment to "stop," he felt a little embarrassed about his subconscious tension earlier.

“…Ahem,” he cleared his throat, trying to dispel the awkward atmosphere, his gaze falling on Mio’s profile, which had regained its quiet and obedient look. His tone carried a genuine sense of emotion, “I’ve always thought of Serizawa as the kind of person who’s full of energy and curious about everything… the kind who would keep asking me why I blushed earlier. I never expected…”

"...I didn't expect you to be so good at taking care of people."

Ishikawa Mayu finished speaking hesitantly, her gaze somewhat unfocused, as if she was not used to praising someone so directly, especially since the other person was a younger, usually energetic junior.

Mio Serizawa's beautiful eyes widened slightly, as if she had heard some unexpected praise. Then, her smile became even sweeter and more vibrant, the curve of her lips deepening, her entire face seemingly glowing.

"Eh—is that what you think, senpai? Actually, senpai is right! I'm the kind of person who's super energetic and curious about everything!"

As she spoke, she even clenched her little fist in a spirited gesture, and then winked playfully.

"I was really—curious just now about what was wrong with you, senior? Your face was so red, and your eyes were so—obvious!" She drawled, her eyes gleaming with mischief, as if she had turned back into that quirky girl.

But the next second, her tone and expression softened, like a feather gently falling.

“But,” Mio tilted her head slightly, looking at Mayu with gentle eyes, “Mayu-senpai is really good to me. She answers my questions seriously, promises to bring me delicious desserts, and even offers to ‘make amends’ when the producer scolds me…”

She counted on her fingers, her smile growing sweeter with each item she mentioned. "...I just didn't want to make you more tired."

Then Serizawa Mio leaned a little closer, her clear eyes reflecting Mayu's somewhat dazed face.

"When you're tired, you can get some breathing room here, senior." She said this very softly, but it was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating gentle ripples.