People in Mygo are emotional firefighters.

"Let's watch the performance by our seniors," Su Shi said softly, walking back to her seat.

This is both a learning experience and a basic respect for the seniors who will be taking the stage next.

Shiina Tatsuki had no objections, crossed his arms and leaned back on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the screen, but his eyes were somewhat unfocused, clearly still thinking about something else.

Chihaya Aine sat down next to the light, naturally resting her chin on the light's shoulder, and they both looked at the TV.

Zhenyu sat down on the sofa diagonally opposite Su Shi, the soft cushions allowing his tense back to relax slightly.

Kaoru slowly swayed over, clutching her half-eaten bag of snacks. She looked around, her gaze sweeping over the not-so-large sofa where Mayu was sitting, and it was unclear what decision she had made.

Then she placed the matcha cookies she was holding on the coffee table.

Then, by pressing the heel against the inside of the ankle of the other foot and gently rubbing and hooking, the slightly worn but clean dark canvas shoe came off.

The moment the canvas shoes came off, a breathtaking glimpse of white was vaguely revealed—it was her slender ankle and a small section of her beautifully curved heel.

She deftly flicked the shoe with her toes and gently tossed it to the ground, making no sound, like a falling feather.

The skin on the instep was as white as fine porcelain in the dim light, or like a milk ice cream fresh from the freezer, covered with a fine frost, exuding a pure to almost icy texture.

The arch of the foot is smooth and beautiful, the toes are slender and neat, slightly curled, and the toenails are trimmed round and clean, with a healthy light pink hue, like unmelted berry pieces adorning the top of an ice cream.

After completing this series of actions, she jumped onto the sofa where Makoto was, curled up lightly like a cat looking for a warm corner, occupied the empty space on the sofa, adjusted to a comfortable angle, and gently rested her head on the outside of Makoto's thigh.

The insteps rubbed together unconsciously, the delicate skin rubbing against each other, making an almost inaudible rustling sound, before settling still, the ten toes relaxing slightly and drooping naturally, the pale pink tips of the toes faintly visible in the dim light.

Zhenyu's body stiffened slightly, and he looked down.

Lena had already half-closed her heterochromatic eyes, picked up the matcha cookies from the coffee table, tore open the packaging, and ate them in small bites, looking like she had found a comfortable spot and was ready to enjoy her snack in peace.

A faint scent wafted from the direction of those bare feet. It was the unique aroma of the skin on the feet rubbing against the lining of the canvas shoes, like matcha powder baked by body heat—a little bitter and a little warm.

He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not push Lena away.

Her gaze returned to the television screen, but her hand unconsciously rose and gently landed on her soft, smooth hair, unconsciously combing it. The texture of the hair passing through her fingertips was unexpectedly comfortable.

Their intimate behavior, seemingly oblivious to others, instantly drew the attention of the other three.

Nagasaki Motoyo's hand, which was about to pick up the water glass, froze in mid-air. Shiina Tatsuki tightened her arms around him, and Chihaya Aine raised her chin, which was resting on the lamp's shoulder.

The three of them looked slightly stiff, not because they felt there was any real threat, but because that position... was truly enviable.

Chihaya Aine leaned close to Akari's ear and whispered in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, her voice full of her unique liveliness: "Akari, look at Rana, doesn't she look just like that kind of cat... um, that cat that immediately collapses when it finds a sunny spot? Her movements are so smooth."

Takamatsu Akari's ears tickled from her warm breath, and she shrank her neck, but still earnestly followed Aine's words and looked towards the corner of the sofa. She blinked, her wet eyes reflecting Rakuna's comfortable curled-up appearance, and then nodded very lightly and slowly.

Ai smiled slightly, and in a good mood, she found a more comfortable position to rest her chin on Deng's shoulder.

Li Xi frowned slightly, leaned forward, and stared at the pair of snow-white bare feet with her purple eyes, as if they had done something wrong. "Hey, Le Nai, sit up straight and put your shoes on! What kind of behavior is this!"

Lena paused in her chewing of the biscuit, her heterochromatic eyes lazily turning to Lixi, showing no emotion and remaining still.

Zhenyu felt the head on the side of his leg seem to sink down again. He looked up at Lixi and waved his hand: "It's okay, Lixi. Let her lie down if she wants to, it's fine."

His voice carried a hint of post-performance fatigue, but more so an indifference and indulgence.

Li hope felt a lump in her throat after hearing what he said. She wanted to refute him but couldn't find a stronger reason. If the person involved didn't mind, what could she say?

So he could only purse his lips, give a heavy "humph," turn his face away, and look back at the TV screen, but his arms around the screen tightened considerably.

Nagasaki Motoyo picked up her water glass, took a small sip, and spoke softly, her face bearing her usual gentle smile, though a slight glint appeared in her eyes: "Mayu really spoils Rana."

Upon hearing this, Ishikawa Mayu simply smiled and didn't reply, but his hand, which was resting on Rakuna's hair, unconsciously ran it through the soft strands of hair twice, the movement of his fingertips through the hair appearing exceptionally natural.

As if in response to the caress, Lena let out a soft, almost satisfied purr, like a cat being stroked.

She even tilted her head back and rubbed it against Mayu's warm palm. Then she turned to the side and adjusted herself to a more comfortable position closer to the heat source, with almost half of her cheek pressed against Mayu's leg, as she continued to nibble on her matcha biscuit.

Riki, Suze, and Aine shifted their gazes away from Mayu and Rakuna, refocusing on Popipa's energetic performance on the television screen.

The lounge was filled with the music and songs of the seniors, as if the little incident had never happened.

However, his peripheral vision would occasionally drift over the two people snuggling together on the sofa.

Lena ate the matcha cookies in small bites, focused and quiet.

Occasionally, tiny crumbs of biscuits would escape from the corner of her lips and stick to her fair and delicate cheeks.

Zhenyu looked down and saw it, but didn't think much of it. She simply reached out with the pad of her other index finger and gently brushed away the crumb.

The moment his fingertips touched Lena's cheek, he felt a subtle sensation—delicate, cool, like touching a piece of fine jade, yet with the elasticity unique to fresh skin. The sensation was exquisite, making Zhenyu's movements unconsciously even gentler.

Lenai showed no reaction, seemingly trusting completely or not caring at all. She just continued chewing her biscuit, her heterochromatic eyes half-closed, reflecting the changing light of the television screen.

Lenai.jpg

Chapter 284 A Little Bit Bitter

The wait wasn't long, and the performance soon came to a close amidst deafening cheers.

“Well then, as agreed before—” Chihaya Aine turned off the TV, put her guitar back in its case, and announced in a light tone, “Let’s meet at RiNG Cafe!”

Shiina Tatsuki didn't say anything, but picked up his drumstick bag and walked towards the door, his pace a little faster than usual.

Rakuna slowly sat up from beside Masami's legs, stomped her bare feet on the carpet a couple of times, and then bent down to hook the canvas shoes. Her movements were still casual, and after putting on the shoes, she naturally followed beside Masami, like a quiet shadow.

Takamatsu, carrying her schoolbag, walked quietly beside Aine, occasionally turning her head to listen to her speak.

The group walked through the backstage passageway of RiNG, heading towards the Ring Cafe.

The glass doors of the coffee shop are right in front of you.

Under the light at the entrance, a familiar figure stood.

Yawata Kairin.

She was still wearing that neat Hanasaki River school uniform, with a bass box slung over her shoulder and a takeaway Americano in her hand.

Hearing footsteps, she turned her head and naturally raised her chin.

"Li hope."

Li hope paused slightly, his purple eyes lingering on her face for a moment.

"...left?"

"Hmm." Hailing said calmly, "Another team will be providing support tonight."

Lixi nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Hailing didn't mind and turned to leave with her coffee. As she passed Zhenyu, she paused for a moment, her gaze lingering on his face.

Then she left without saying anything.

The hem of the trench coat fluttered gently.

Chihaya Aine curiously gazed at the retreating figure that had already walked a few steps away, then leaned closer to Ritsuki and whispered, "Ritsuki, is that your friend? She's so cool, like a woman of the wind—"

Lixi ignored the question and pushed open the glass door of the coffee shop.

The wind chimes rang out crisply.

The warm yellow light and the rich aroma of coffee beans wafted in together.

At the long table by the window, Mai, Eri, and Kana had already taken their seats. Mai was gesturing vividly to Eri, probably describing a highlight from the performance. Kana held her phone, the screen's glow reflecting on her face, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

A little further away on the other side, Mana Junda elegantly stirred her latte, while Mio Serizawa sat opposite her with her back straight, her hands neatly placed on her knees, like a student waiting for an interview.

There was a distance of about three or four meters between the two tables, and there was no direct communication. Only occasionally did Kana look up and mouth or wink at Mio from a distance—it was probably a tacit understanding between junior colleagues in the agency.

"Ah, Aine is here!"

Mai waved first, her voice crisp and clear. Eri also put down her teacup and smiled towards the door. Kana quickly put away her phone, her gaze passing over Aine and landing precisely on Mayu behind her.

Her eyes held a smile, as if to say: I know, your partner.

Following Kana's gaze, Mio also saw Mayu.

She almost instinctively straightened her back, clenched her hands on her knees, forced herself to relax, and tried to put on a natural and proper expression.

Failed.

Mana merely lifted her eyelids slightly, placed the coffee cup back on the saucer with a very soft "tinkle." She didn't immediately greet anyone, but quietly gazed towards the doorway, as if waiting for something.

Chihaya Aine took all of this in.

She turned her head to the side, her gray eyes blinked, then blinked again, before curving into two crescent moons.

"Makoto," her voice was light and cheerful, filled with understanding and consideration, "then I'll go over there with Kodama first?"

She gestured with her chin toward the table where the dance was being performed.

Zhenyu hummed in agreement.

Aine said no more, naturally taking Tama's wrist and walking briskly towards the long table by the window. Tama, being led by her, glanced back at Masahiro, and after receiving a reassuring nod from him, obediently followed Aine.

"Aine—! Here, here!"

"You've worked so hard! Please have a seat!"

The long table by the window became lively.

Zhenyu withdrew her gaze and turned to Su Shi, Li hope, and Le Nai, saying:

"Wait a moment, I'll go say hello over there."

He gestured towards Mana's table.

Nagasaki Motoyo nodded gently: "Yes, no rush."

Shiina Riki turned her face away and responded with a nasal "hmm".

Lena is the most carefree one.

Before Zhenyu could finish speaking, she had already jumped onto the bar stool closest to the front desk with practiced ease.

Matcha Parfait.

The receptionist looked up and saw that it was Ryuna. Then she saw Makoto, who was looking over helplessly two steps behind her. A beautiful smile appeared on her lips, and she began to prepare.

Ishikawa Mayu watched this scene and chuckled.

This child is really...

He raised his hand and gently rubbed her soft hair.

Lena tilted her head back slightly, offering it further into his palm, then turned her face to continue staring at the matcha parfait that was about to belong to her.

—In her view, rubbing someone's head and paying money are both necessary procedures to get a parfait.

Ishikawa Mayu withdrew her hand from Rakuna's head and turned to the two people still standing by the bar.

"I'll go over and say hello."

He gestured with his chin toward Mana's table, then walked to the other side by the window.

The wind chimes by the glass door tinkled softly behind him, indicating that another new guest had entered.

Mana Junda had already put down her coffee cup, her hands folded on the edge of the table, her posture elegant and relaxed. Her gaze swept over Shin's shoulder, glancing behind him—at the table where pink-haired girls were laughing and joking with their classmates—before returning to Shin's face.

"Finished?" Her voice was soft, with a lazy tone at the end, like a cat that had just woken up.

"Hmm." Zhenyu sat down in the only empty seat at their table. "Have you been waiting long?"

"It's alright." Mana gently stirred her latte with a small spoon without looking up. "I can take a break. There's nothing urgent at the agency today."

She paused, raised her eyes, and a beautiful smile curved her lips slightly:

"The performance was wonderful!"

Shiina Tatsuki, seemingly out of nowhere, had turned her gaze back towards Ishikawa Mayu's direction from the bar area.

She sat on a high stool with a freshly ordered iced coffee beside her, her lips lightly touching the tip of the straw, but she wasn't drinking.

The straw was gently flattened by the teeth, then released, flattened again, and released again. A fine layer of water droplets condensed on the wall of the coffee cup, slowly sliding down the side of the cup.

"Li hope?"

A voice came from beside me.

She snapped back to reality and realized she had been staring in the same direction for almost half a minute.

“…What?” She removed the straw from her mouth, her voice curt.

The receptionist didn't seem to notice her tone, but simply smiled and shook the empty glass in her hand: "Would you like a refill?"