People in Mygo are emotional firefighters.

She looked at the light dangling from her hair, her chest swelled with a strong, bittersweet emotion. She opened her mouth, finding her throat dry, and a voice escaped uncontrollably, carrying her usual straightforwardness and a touch of clumsy urgency:

"Me too!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her voice was a little loud, her cheeks flushed slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on the light, her tone more serious than ever before:

"I...I like it too! I'm also very happy spending time with the lamp!"

As Ishikawa Mayu listened to the lamp's intermittent yet exceptionally clear confession, and looked at the clear light in her eyes, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up, forming a gentle and understanding curve.

“I see…” he replied softly, his tone devoid of judgment, only acceptance.

Then, he changed the subject, a knowing smile on his face, and asked the deeper question:

"So, are those comments really that important to you? Or... are you actually more worried that 'because you didn't sing well' or 'worked too hard,' which led to Crychic's disbandment... will happen again, right?"

Takamatsu Akari's pupils contracted slightly. She looked up at Mayu, first subconsciously shaking her head slightly, then hesitatingly nodding very little. Her lips were pale, but she didn't say anything more.

Ishikawa Mayu reached out and gently grasped the wrist of Shiina Tatsuki, who was sitting on his other side.

Lixi was still basking in the afterglow of Deng's words and self-confession, the heat on her cheeks not yet completely gone, when she was startled by Zhenyu's sudden action. She instinctively tried to pull her hand back: "What are you doing..."

"Don't move." Zhenyu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable tone.

He took Lixi's hand and gently placed that warm, perhaps slightly sweaty, hand over Deng's.

Then he covered Lixi's hand with that hand, and together with the hand under the lamp, gently and steadily enveloped her.

His large, warm palms almost completely enveloped the hands of the two girls below, which were of different sizes, forming a warm and secure "protective layer".

Lixi felt the even hotter, drier temperature emanating from Zhenyu's palm on the back of her hand, while beneath her palm was the cool back of Deng's hand. The two layers of temperature passed through her palm and the back of her hand, and a strange connection made her heart skip a beat.

Ishikawa Mayu's gaze slowly swept between Akari and Riki, finally settling on Akari's still somewhat uneasy eyes.

“Listen carefully, Lamp. No matter what others have said in the past, or what they might say in the future…”

"But, Lixi, and everyone else, we all really enjoy this time with you. We love listening to your lyrics, and we love how you try so hard to convey 'those sounds' when you sing. So, just sing it out and let us hear it."

"If those bad things frighten you... then don't look at them, don't listen to them."

He gently shook the three hands that were stacked together, letting the lamp truly feel the reality of this connection.

"Just look at me. Look at us. Look at this moment, at those holding your hands, those who want to move forward with you."

"And, you know about the lamp. Today... Xiangzi and He Mu are right here in the audience."

Takamatsu Akari's eyelashes fluttered. She knew, of course she knew. But when Mayu pointed out this fact in such a calm and certain tone, the familiar fog, mixed with expectation and timidity, seemed to have been parted a little.

As Zhenyu met her slightly flickering gaze, the corners of her mouth curved into an encouraging, almost gentle smile.

"Therefore, the lamp."

His voice was even softer, yet it carried a strange, reassuring power.

"Let's say all those things... that we've kept in our hearts and never been able to tell them. Let's say everything about Crychic, about the disbandment, about 'fighting it out'... all the good, bad, happy, and sad things...!"

Takamatsu listened quietly, her eyes, reflecting the faint light, fixed on Shinba. It was as if she could see through him the "us" he described in his words, the warmth of Riki tightly wrapped around the back of her hand, and the firm and powerful palm of Shinba above.

She remained silent for a moment, her lips moving slightly, but ultimately she transformed the deepest unease swirling in her heart into a question as faint as a mosquito's buzz:

"...Even if...even if I can't understand everyone's feelings, and don't know what everyone is really thinking...is that okay?"

Her voice grew softer and softer, her head drooping lower and lower, as if uttering those words had exhausted her courage. She feared that her "lack of understanding" would become another form of betrayal, that her clumsy emotional receiver would ultimately be unable to bear the expectations placed upon her by others.

"sure!!!"

Almost at the same instant that Takamatsu Akari finished speaking, Shiina Tatsuki's resolute voice rang out, sounding somewhat abrupt due to its eagerness.

Ishikawa Mayu felt the hand belonging to Riki trembling slightly with excitement beneath his palm, and it was burning hot.

He turned his head to look at Takamatsu, a gentle, encouraging smile on his face.

Takamatsu stared blankly at Riki, whose cheeks were flushed but whose eyes were surprisingly bright, and felt the heat from Riki's palm and Mayu's palm that was almost burning her.

"……Um."

Finally, she responded very softly. Then, as if she had made up her mind, or as if she had finally melted away by that overwhelming affirmation, she nodded and said in a low but incredibly clear voice:

"...I will try my best."

Chapter 262 (Two Chapters Combined) You guys are quite happy, aren't you?

At that moment, Ishikawa Mayu's cell phone, which was on the coffee table, vibrated slightly.

As if awakened from the deep resonance just now by this subtle sound, Takamatsu Akari pulled her hand away from Mayu and Riki's palms a little embarrassedly, her fingertips still retaining a reassuring warmth.

Ishikawa Mayu felt the change in his palm and saw that the two people's emotions were obviously much more stable and open than before, so he also withdrew his hand and picked up his phone to look at the screen.

Shiina Tatsuki's earlier surge of emotion, filled with emotion and determination, cooled down. The lingering warmth of Mayu's body on her palm, and her overly direct shout, now transformed into belated embarrassment, washing over her in waves. Her face still flushed, she desperately needed to find a topic to break the awkward silence.

"W-What's wrong?" She cleared her throat, trying to make her voice sound natural, and glanced at the phone in Zhenyu's hand. "Whose message is this?"

“It’s Xiangzi.” Ishikawa Mayu gestured to her with his phone screen, his tone calm. “She and Muku will be here soon. Judging by the time, all the invited friends and family should be arriving around the same time.”

He put away his phone and suggested, "Would you like to come with me to pick them up?"

Upon hearing Mayu's question, Shiina Tatsuki instinctively opened her mouth, her first thought being "Okay," since the person she had invited should be arriving soon.

But then, she raised her hand and quickly touched her cheek with her fingertips—it was burning hot to the touch.

This temperature... it's definitely not going to drop anytime soon.

If she went out with Zhenyu now and got asked why she was blushing… she didn’t want to go through the trouble of explaining why she was blushing! Just thinking about that scene was too much trouble!

"No, no need!" Shiina Tatsuki blurted out almost immediately, her voice a little faster than usual, with a forced calm. "I... I'll wait here. You... you go and get them!"

Looking at her awkward appearance, where she was clearly shy but trying to appear calm, Ishikawa Mayu found it somewhat amusing, and also thought... that this kind of Riki-sensei seemed to be getting more and more amusing.

It's strangely cute.

The thought crossed his mind, but he didn't voice it. He simply nodded in agreement and said, "Alright then, I'll go out and take a look."

He stood up, preparing to leave, his gaze sweeping over Takamatsu Akari, who sat quietly to the side. He paused, as if suddenly remembering something, or perhaps with a mischievous yet admonishing tone, and said to Akari in a natural manner:

"Well then, Deng, I guess you'll be taking care of Lixi for now? She seems a little unwell."

Upon hearing this, Takamatsu Akari raised her clear eyes to look at Mayu, then turned to look at Shiina Tatsuki, who had frozen in place. Although she didn't quite understand what exactly she was supposed to "take care of," she still nodded obediently and earnestly: "...Okay."

Shiina Riki's face flushed even more, almost spreading from her cheeks to her neck.

Who, who needs to be taken care of?! And it's Xiaodeng no less...!

She was internally screaming with shame and anger, but when her gaze met Deng's earnest yet concerned eyes, much of her protest vanished, leaving only an even hotter heat burning her skin.

"Annoying, so annoying!" She abruptly turned her head away, refusing to look at Zhenyu's knowing, smiling eyes. Her voice was slightly exasperated from embarrassment. "Get out of here! Don't get in my way!"

As she spoke, she almost instinctively raised her hand and gave Zhenyu's arm a light shove. The force was very light, more like a urging tinged with embarrassment and annoyance than a genuine attempt to drive him away.

Her palm touched his strong arm, then she quickly withdrew it.

Ishikawa Mayu was amused by her series of reactions, and her smile deepened. Without lingering, she turned around and walked towards the door of the lounge, following the force of her push.

The hallway outside was brighter and noisier than the lounge.

As soon as he closed the door and turned around, he saw Chihaya Aine standing at the corner of the corridor not far away, with one hand on her hip and the other holding a small paper plate, talking enthusiastically with two Afterglow seniors—guitarist Aoba Mocha and bassist Uehara Himeri.

Nagasaki Motoyo stood beside Aine, a gentle smile on her face.

Aine looked much better. Although there were still faint shadows under her eyes, her eyes had brightened again and regained her signature lively spirit.

"Oh, take whatever you want!" Fimmari smiled brightly and patted Aine's shoulder enthusiastically. "These snacks were prepared for everyone! It's your first time here, so please don't be shy! Eat more so you'll have the energy to shine on stage! Ah, that bread is so delicious! Mocha especially loves it!"

Aoba Mocha, who was leaning against the wall with a somewhat languid posture, nodded. Her voice was a little drawn out, but it had a touch of girlish charm that wasn't unpleasant: "Right now... you're actually a little nervous, aren't you?"

When Aine was exposed, she didn't hesitate and readily nodded in acknowledgment, even making an exaggerated "relief" expression.

"I was super nervous! My mind went blank during rehearsal just now. Since it was my first time, I'm really embarrassed that I didn't sing well."

Just as Furious was about to say something to comfort or encourage her, Nagasaki Motoyo, who was standing to the side, noticed Ishikawa Maho walking over from the door of the lounge.

Her gentle blue-gray eyes brightened instantly, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating shallow ripples. She naturally raised her hand towards Zhenyu, a small but clear gesture, her smile deepening, and called out softly:

"Shinba-kun, over here."

"Ah!" Aine, who was speaking to Mocha and Furious, turned around almost reflexively upon hearing Suze's voice.

The moment he saw Mayu, his smile brightened considerably.

Seeing this, Ishikawa Mayu unconsciously curved the corners of her mouth into a gentle smile, quickened her pace, and soon arrived in front of them.

"Uehara-senpai, Aoba-senpai." He stopped and bowed slightly to the two Afterglow members to greet them politely.

"Whoa—! Such a formal address!" Uehara Hisamari immediately frowned dramatically, put her hands on her hips, and leaned closer, but her expression didn't show any real anger. Instead, it revealed a lively reproach. "It sounds so awkward! Just call us Hisamari and Mocha! Right, Mocha?"

Aoba Mocha remained leaning lazily against the wall, and upon hearing this, simply nodded slightly, uttering a muffled nasal sound: "Hmm...anything is fine..."

Ishikawa Mayu straightened up, a gentle yet firm smile on his face, and shook his head: "It's more appropriate to call you 'senpai' since it's our first meeting. After all, you are both respected senior musicians." His tone was polite yet firm, carrying an unwavering conviction.

"Really... alright, alright, whatever you want!" Seeing this, Felice didn't insist, waved her hand, and then, as if remembering something, her eyes lit up, and her tone became cheerful again, "Ah! But I just listened to your rehearsal from the audience, and your violin—it's super—amazing! That tone, and that feeling! Wow, I really got goosebumps!"

"Thank you for the compliment, you flatter me, senior." Ishikawa Mayu instinctively wanted to be modest, "There's still a lot I need to learn and improve..."

"Right, right!" Before he could finish speaking, Chihaya Aine jumped out impatiently, her face full of pride and excitement, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Hime and Mocha. "Mayu's violin is amazing! Right, right! Our band's secret weapon!"

Seeing her lively expression, even happier than when she herself had been praised, Ishikawa Mayu swallowed the humble words that were on the tip of her tongue. Instead, she gave a helpless, indulgent smile and gently shook her head: "Aine, you're too excited."

There was no blame in his tone, only a gentle doting.

Mocha, who had been quietly leaning against the wall with a somewhat languid posture, tilted her head slightly at this moment. Her eyes, which always seemed to carry a hint of drowsiness, slowly moved away from Aine and Mayu's tightly clasped arms and landed on Ishikawa Mayu's face.

As if she had discovered something interesting, she straightened her body slightly, and then took a step, slowly approaching Zhenyu, one step at a time.

The distance suddenly became very close.

Mocha tilted her head slightly and leaned closer to examine Zhenyu's face closely. Her gaze was pure and focused, with a touch of natural curiosity. It was not offensive, but it was enough to make the heart of the person being looked at beat slightly faster.

"Hmm..." she drawled, as if she were seriously confirming something, "Aine-chan and Mayu-kun... have a very good relationship, and their interactions are very intimate, which makes people feel happy just watching them."

Upon hearing this, Ai Yin's cheeks flushed slightly, and the corners of her mouth curled up in a sweet smile.

Mocha's gaze slowly shifted from Mayu's face to Nagasaki Motoyo's face on the other side of him.

“Then…” Her voice still carried a touch of lazy sweetness, but her words caused a subtle pause in the air, “Xiao Su Shi stood next to you, playing the violin and bass, and she looked… well, very elegant and eye-catching.”

Nagasaki Motoyo's smile instantly became even brighter, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes, mixed with a faint shyness at being publicly exposed as having a "sparkling" pairing with Mayu.

She subtly straightened her back, making herself look more elegant and poised.

When Chihaya Aine heard Mocha's words, her eyes widened and she turned sharply to look at Suze.

It was only then that she belatedly realized—oh right! When the positions were being finalized, Su Shi had suggested that Mayu's violin and her bass stand together, citing "tone matching" as the reason!

I agreed without thinking much at the time!

Damn it... Soyorin is so cunning! They started plotting this so early on!

A subtle sense of resentment welled up in Aine's heart, as if she had been tricked, but when she looked at Su Shi's gentle, smiling face, as if she had everything under control, and then at Makoto's calm profile beside her, that resentment was quickly replaced by another emotion.

Hmph, so what if we're standing together? Zhenyu is right beside me right now!

Thinking this, Aine didn't let go. Instead, she deliberately leaned her body closer to Shin'ya, almost resting half of her body on his arm. She also raised her chin, winked at Suze, and gave a playful smile that was slightly provocative but clearly not really angry.

Nagasaki Motoyo took in Aine's reaction, her smile remaining unchanged, though a faint, knowing glint flashed in the depths of her gentle blue eyes. She gently smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, her demeanor still composed.

Mocha seemed oblivious to the silent undercurrent between the two girls in those few seconds. After examining Su Shi, her gaze returned to Ishikawa Mayu's face, and she leaned closer, almost able to see the curve of his eyelashes.

"Now that I'm looking closer from below the stage..." Mocha concluded slowly, in a slightly confused yet earnest tone, "He really is handsome."

She paused, her gaze sweeping between Mayu, Aine, and Sose, before finally speaking in a natural tone, as if stating, "The weather is really nice today":

"Your band... are pretty lucky. You get to look at handsome guys like this every day."

Ishikawa Mayu felt her cheeks getting slightly hot.

It wasn't just Mocha's overly direct and blunt praise, but also the subtle atmosphere between the two girls beside her.

"Ahem..." He coughed twice, trying to break the awkward silence that was making him feel a little uncomfortable. "Um... seniors, I need to go to the door to pick up a friend, so I won't disturb you any longer."

"Eh? Going to pick up a friend?" Chihaya Aine looked up at him almost immediately upon hearing this, her eyes saying, "I want to come too." "Then I'll go too..."

“Aine,” Ishikawa Mayu’s gaze fell on her face, which, although she had regained her spirits, still showed signs of fatigue. His tone unconsciously softened, “Isn’t your stomach still bothering you? You’ve only just started to feel a little better, so don’t run around like that.”

"Go back to the lounge for a while, have something to eat to fill your stomach. Replenish your energy so you'll be ready to go on stage later."

“But…” Aine wanted to argue, but looking at Mayu’s gentle yet persistent eyes, and touching her still slightly aching lower abdomen, she finally pouted and gave in softly, “…Okay. Then you have to come back soon.”