People in Mygo are emotional firefighters.

Ishikawa Mayu's eyes were full of question marks, but he quickly understood.

After all, Chihaya Aine had shifted the blame onto him more than once or twice, so he just needed to honestly take the blame.

Seeing his submissive and defiant attitude, Chihaya Aine lost her temper and abandoned any thought of arguing further.

She knew perfectly well that if he pressed her for details, or if she tried to explain why she was being laughed at, the conversation would inevitably veer in an even more embarrassing direction. So, she quickly coughed twice to cover her slightly flushed cheeks and swiftly steered the conversation back on track.

"So," she tried to make her voice sound natural, "what's wrong with you looking for me?"

Do you have time to go to the coffee shop near RIING after school?

"Huh? RING... a coffee shop? Just... just the two of us?" Chihaya Aine's eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing with uncontrollable thoughts. RING is a famous live house, and the coffee shop there has a great atmosphere... What does this guy mean by suddenly extending such a formal invitation? Could it be that he wants to...?

Her heart raced, her cheeks flushed, and she even began to stammer, "I...I...I do have time, but..."

Ishikawa Mayu noticed Chihaya Aine's suddenly flushed cheeks and flickering eyes, and felt a little strange. Was this reaction a bit too much? However, he didn't dwell on it and added, "It's Suze who wants to invite us both to dinner."

"Ah... Ah?! It's Nagasaki-san!" Chihaya Aine snapped out of her daze, like a punctured balloon, her high spirits deflated in an instant, and a strange sense of loss, which she herself couldn't quite grasp, swept over her.

"correct."

Ishikawa Mayu nodded, still somewhat puzzled by her intense reaction.

Chihaya Aine quickly fanned her still slightly flushed cheeks with her hand, trying to dispel the embarrassment.

"Why did Su Shi suddenly decide to treat us to dinner?"

"Yesterday, I mentioned to Su Shi that our band couldn't find any members, and Su Shi said that she had also been in a band before and was going to give us some advice."

Ishikawa Mayu spoke in a flat tone, subconsciously ignoring some unimportant details.

Chihaya Aine had fully recovered from her earlier embarrassment and keenly sensed something unusual. She narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at him with a hint of suspicion.

"You two...had a pretty deep conversation last night, didn't you? How did you suddenly start talking about bands?"

"Didn't you tell Su Shi yesterday that you were starting a band with me?" Ishikawa Mayu shrugged. "She was probably more interested in that, so she asked a few more questions. I figured there was nothing I couldn't tell her."

Chihaya Aine tilted her head and considered for a moment. Although she found Nagasaki Motoyo's sudden enthusiasm a bit strange, the band really needed any possible help right now.

“Okay…” she finally nodded.

"See you after school then." Ishikawa Mayu turned around and went back to her seat after the matter was settled.

The afternoon classes went smoothly. The school bell rang, and the students began packing up. Ishikawa Mayu finished packing and looked at Takamatsu Akari, who was sitting in front of her and preparing to leave.

Goodbye, Deng.

Takamatsu nodded slightly and replied softly, "Okay, goodbye."

Ishikawa Mayu turned to look at Chihaya Aine, who was still leisurely tidying up her schoolbag in her seat.

"that……"

"What's wrong?" Chihaya Aine asked, a little puzzled by his hesitant manner.

"How about you ride in my car? That way it'll be faster."

Ishikawa Mayu turned her head away, not daring to look directly at Chihaya Aine.

Chihaya Aine paused in her hand as she zipped up her backpack. Last night, during their LINE chat, Mayu seemed to have mentioned that he rode a motorcycle, while Nagasaki took the train home.

Now, he's taking the initiative to invite me...?

This thought, like a tiny spark, instantly ignited a small cluster of joyful fireworks in her heart.

However, after this secret joy, Chihaya Aine's mind was uncontrollably filled with images of herself sitting on the back of his motorcycle, perhaps even having to hold onto his waist...

Her cheeks flushed again.

"No, no need!" she blurted out, her voice rising slightly in her panic.

But she quickly noticed the fleeting disappointment on Ishikawa Mayu's face, and hurriedly lowered her voice and softened her tone to explain.

"Um, I didn't tell you earlier, but actually Wu's band went to RING for rehearsal today, and they arranged to go with me."

As she said this, her gaze drifted towards the classroom door, and she added softly:

"Look... they're right at the door, watching us."

Following her gaze, Ishikawa Mayu saw Mai, Kana, and Eri craning their necks and crowding around the doorway. Their eyes were wide open, and their faces were full of knowing, mischievous smiles, as if they were waiting to see a good show.

Although they might not be able to hear what's being said here, they must have sensed that something interesting has happened...

"Oh, oh! I understand!" He understood almost instantly, his voice rising unconsciously, tinged with obvious panic. "Then, then see you in RING!"

Before he finished speaking, he turned around almost as if fleeing, and rushed out of the classroom with his hands and feet moving in unison. His back view exuded a sense of haste, as if he knew he couldn't stay any longer. He completely ignored the suppressed laughter of Wu and the others coming from behind him.

Chihaya Aine stared at his retreating figure, which could almost be described as "fleeing in disarray," for a moment, and then couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The slight unease in my heart was dispelled by the fact that this guy was even more flustered than I was.

On the train to RING with Mai and the others, Aine was inevitably subjected to a barrage of interrogations by her friends.

But this time she learned her lesson. No matter how they tried to probe or wink at her, she just smiled and dodged the question, refusing to reveal any "useful information" that might give them leverage.

Upon arriving at the location, Chihaya Aine looked up at the modern-looking building in front of her, and her face instantly fell – this was the very place where that girl had caused trouble for her yesterday! What a small world.

Mai and the others had already confirmed their reservation with the receptionist. They turned around and waved to Aine, saying, "Aine-chan, we're heading to the rehearsal room now! Just let us know if you need anything!"

Ai-yin quickly snapped out of her gloom and replied with a bright smile, "Okay, thank you! Good luck with your practice!"

Watching her best friends disappear at the end of the corridor, Ai-yin let out a soft sigh of relief.

To avoid letting herself sit idly and overthink, she strolled to the bulletin board on one side of the hall and carefully browsed the various band recruitment notices posted there.

"Would you like something to eat to tide you over?"

A hand carrying a paper bag suddenly appeared in sight.

Chihaya Aine immediately recognized Ishikawa Mayu's voice, and her mood instantly brightened. She turned around, naturally took the paper bag, and found that it contained several individually wrapped packets of cookies.

"Thanks!" She smiled, her eyes crinkling as she unwrapped the package, asking with a hint of coquettishness, "Why are you so late? I've been waiting for ages."

Ishikawa Mayu rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"No, you're lying without thinking. You've only been here for five minutes at most."

"Hehe," Chihaya Aine chuckled slyly, quickly sensing Ishikawa Mayu's unspoken meaning, "Oh—? So you've been here all along? Why didn't you come out sooner?"

Ishikawa Mayu's momentum immediately weakened after being exposed. Her gaze drifted to the side, and her voice lowered: "You were with Mai and the others..."

"If I show up, I feel like we'll be teased again."

Recalling the scenes of being repeatedly tortured by Mai and the others along the way, Chihaya Aine couldn't help but feel her cheeks burning. She immediately stopped dwelling on the matter—after all, mutual understanding is a basic quality among "accomplices."

She then wrinkled her nose, put on a miserable expression, and changed the subject: "Let's not talk about this... Have you noticed, this place is the same place where we met that super-fierce girl yesterday!"

Ishikawa Mayu coughed twice, a strange and somewhat helpless expression on her face, and said in a low voice, "Um, there's something... that girl from yesterday, her name is Shiina Tatsuki. She... is a friend of Suze-san."

"Eh—!?" Chihaya Aine covered her mouth in surprise.

"Su Shi came here yesterday looking for that girl. Because of us, they didn't get to meet..."

Chihaya Aine blinked, quickly piecing together the clues. Her expression shifted from surprise to sudden realization, even carrying a hint of unease: "Then, then the coffee shop that Suze-kun invited today... could it be...?"

Ishikawa Mayu nodded.

"I guess this is probably where that girl works."

Chihaya Aine stuck out her tongue, revealing a relieved expression. "Thank goodness you told me! Otherwise, if we ran into each other later, I might not have been able to hold back and would have complained to Suze about what happened yesterday!"

Just as the words were spoken, a gentle voice came from not far away.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Nagasaki Motoyo jogged over, her hair on her forehead slightly disheveled from running.

"We just arrived, there's no need to rush." ​​Ishikawa Mayu quickly waved her hand, shaking the paper bag in her hand. "Want to try some snacks I just bought?"

As he spoke, he casually took out a few packets of cookies from the bag and handed them over.

Nagasaki Motoyo stopped in her tracks, took a deep breath, and looked at the cookies handed to her. A faint smile, tinged with helplessness yet also a sense of satisfaction, appeared on her lips.

Standing to the side, Chihaya Aine watched as Ishikawa Mayu so naturally shared her snacks with Suze, and a subtle bitterness welled up in her heart. She unconsciously lowered her head, her fingertips kneading the edge of the torn cookie wrapper.

"No need, thank you, Masahiro-kun." Nagasaki Motoyo gently shook her head to decline, her voice softening. Then, she turned her gaze to Chihaya Aine, who was looking down, and said sincerely, "I hope I can be of help to you today."

Chihaya Aine paused for a moment, then looked up, her eyes meeting those clear, bright gazes.

"Yes!" She nodded, her voice regaining its usual energy, but with a touch more seriousness than usual. "We should be thanking Su Shi for her help! We're really grateful!"

Seeing that the two girls seemed to have reached a harmonious atmosphere, Ishikawa Mayu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that she didn't have to worry about any conflicts between the two.

He pointed to a corner on the second floor with a sign that was dimly lit, and asked, "Are you talking about that coffee shop?"

Nagasaki Motoyo followed his gaze, gave a soft "hmm," and smiled, "Let's go up."

The three of them walked up the stairs to the shop entrance. The automatic doors slid open silently to the sides, and a warm breeze carrying the aroma of coffee and desserts wafted in, while soothing music flowed out from inside the shop.

A receptionist behind the bar, with a neat ponytail and looking like a high school sophomore or senior, looked up at the sound of her voice and gave a friendly smile: "Welcome!"

Nagasaki Motoyo was clearly a regular here. She stepped forward and replied in a familiar tone, "Hello."

The receptionist's gaze lingered on Su Shi's face for a moment, recognizing her. She then lowered her voice and asked in a teasing tone typical of acquaintances, "Should we call Li hope out now?"

"I'll trouble you again later."

"Okay, no problem." The receptionist nodded readily and gestured to the interior of the store. "Please choose your preferred seats first."

Nagasaki Motoyo skillfully led the two to a booth by the window, which offered a wide view while maintaining a proper distance from other areas.

Then the receptionist gracefully walked over with three glasses of iced water and gently placed them in front of each person: "Please enjoy. Let me know when you've decided what to order."

"Thank you," Su Shi replied with a smile and a nod.

As soon as the receptionist turned and left, Chihaya Aine eagerly leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the two people opposite her.

Do you have any recommended drinks?

Ishikawa Mayu had already picked up the menu on the table and was casually flipping through it. Hearing this, she didn't even look up and naturally threw out the question: "This is my first time here too. You'll have to ask Suze-san about that."

"Oh right!" Chihaya Aine immediately realized, blinking her big eyes and looking expectantly at Nagasaki Motoyo. But while waiting for the answer, she couldn't stay still, so she naturally leaned her little head next to Ishikawa Mayu and started browsing the menu with him, her finger occasionally tapping on it. "This looks pretty good... Ah, this looks delicious too!"

"I recommend the black tea. It tastes great, I really like it."

She spoke in a gentle voice, drawing attention back to herself at the opportune moment, then turned her gaze to Ishikawa Mayu, adding naturally with a knowing warmth in her voice, "However, Mayu-kun, you might prefer hot chocolate? The chocolate here has a rich flavor and isn't too sweet."

Chapter Thirty-Five (Combined 5000 words) The Joining of Su Shi

Chihaya Aine's mind was completely focused on the menu at that moment, and she was completely unaware of Nagasaki Motoyo's little scheme.

"Hey, you like sweets just like me!"

"However, the black tea that Su Shi recommended sounds very tasteful!"

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she blinked and revealed a genuine smile: "Speaking of which, I wanted to say this yesterday: Su Shi's name is so beautiful, it gives people the feeling of a sheltered young lady!"

"Is that so?" Nagasaki Motoyo covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

Ishikawa Mayu had already decided what she wanted to order and gently pushed the menu towards Chihaya Aine.

Just then, the automatic doors of the coffee shop slid open silently. A petite figure walked in—her short white hair was a little messy, and her heterochromatic eyes were like jewels set in a porcelain doll's face, exuding a sense of aloofness that was inconsistent with her age.

Her demeanor was like that of a wildcat? Ishikawa Mayu couldn't help but take a few more glances.

The receptionist seemed to know her quite well, greeting her, "Lena, would you like to use an open microphone?"

"Um"

Lena's tone was flat, revealing no emotion. She glanced back at Ishikawa Mayu, then sat back down in her seat, lost in thought.

"We've decided what we want!" Chihaya Aine finally chose her drinks, raised her hand high, and called out in a clear voice towards the bar.

The receptionist, who was helping Lena adjust the equipment, looked up at the sound, her face apologetic, and quickly replied, "Okay, just a moment!"

He then turned and raised his voice towards the kitchen: "Lixi! Could you please come to the front of house?"

"They've arrived."

A slightly impatient voice came from the kitchen.

The door was flung open with a whoosh, and Shiina Ritsuki, with long black hair and wearing a RING uniform, strode out.

When she looked up and her gaze swept across the window seat, she saw the three people sitting there—especially Nagasaki Motoyo, and the two guys she had just met yesterday who had infuriated her.

She stopped abruptly, her brows furrowing instantly, and she let out a clear smacking sound from her throat.