People in Mygo are emotional firefighters.

This statement not only affirms Deng's intentions but also recognizes Ai Yin's clumsy yet sincere efforts over the years.

[Hehe... Actually, you deserve some credit too, Mayu-kun... Thank you.]

She expressed her gratitude somewhat shyly.

Ishikawa Mayu smiled and shook his head, as if Chihaya Aine were right beside him.

It was you who earned her trust.

Chihaya Aine felt as if a warm feather had gently brushed against her heart, and a feeling of being understood and supported welled up within her. She sniffed and decided to respond to this feeling in a more lively way:

【What... why are you saying something like that all of a sudden! But, I really am amazing! (*￣︶￣)】

Immediately afterward, as if trying to shake off her shyness, she steered the conversation back to the main topic, her tone becoming serious and determined once more:

I had a good talk with Xiaodeng! Although the process was a bit... well, a bit convoluted?, I finally confirmed her feelings!

[Xiao Deng... she really does want to be with everyone! But she's too scared, scared of losing them again... so, I've made up my mind!]

The text paused here, as if you could feel the girl on the other side of the screen taking a deep breath before resolutely typing the next line:

I want to help Xiaodeng! To bring everyone back together! So that everyone can have a proper talk.

[So, so! Can you come to RiNG later? Although it seems like we don't really need you to do anything specific... but... (｀?ω?')]

The message paused there, seemingly hesitant about how to express itself. Then, the next message followed, carrying a barely perceptible, cautious anticipation.

However, I hope you can come.

【May I?(????)】

Chapter Fifty: There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.

Ishikawa Mayu's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something, a warm feeling welling up inside, but rationality quickly returned.

His fingers paused for a moment, and instead of immediately agreeing, he carefully typed out his reply:

It's a good thing to bring them together, but Su Shi has just been through some things and isn't feeling well. I need to confirm whether she's suitable for this kind of occasion tonight.

He thought for a moment, then added, his tone carrying a hint of reminder:

[Aine, the relationships between these people you're trying to gather are more complicated than you think. Expecting to clear things up in one go is like running a hellish dungeon.]

The message was marked as read, and Ai Yin's reply came quickly:

[So, it's still because of Toyokawa, isn't it, Su Shi-kun? (；一_一)]

Immediately following, the next one came along, carrying a hint of barely perceptible inquiry:

【Wait... Mayu-kun, how did you know that Suze-kun wasn't feeling well? Could it be... that the 'thing you mentioned you needed to deal with' was related to Suze-kun? ('oωo`)】

This insightful question made Ishikawa Mayu pause slightly, unsure how to explain the complex relationship. Before he could figure out how to respond, Aine's new message popped up, her tone now more accommodating.

【Well… never mind! Since you say so, Mayu-kun, you must have your reasons! I believe you!】

【It's okay! I can wait! It's more important for you to check on Su Shi's condition first! (?)】

As for Hell difficulty and all that...

Her next message followed immediately.

"As long as Mayu-kun is here, I feel like everything will be alright! There's always a way! ?(?>?)"

This unreasonable trust, as if entrusting his entire weight to someone, was like a warm wave that relentlessly breached all the rational barriers he had tried to build.

No one can resist such trust.

Ishikawa Mayu was no exception.

He stared blankly at the screen, a thought that had never clearly surfaced before suddenly becoming crystal clear—he suddenly felt that the heavy resolve he had shown when facing Xiangzi and Su Shi alone at the school gate, and the calmness he displayed when confronting Xiangzi in the band activity room, might not have been solely due to his own sense of responsibility.

It was precisely because he knew there was such a silly guy behind him who would say things like "With you here, there's nothing to be afraid of" that he was able to face the thorns ahead with greater determination.

He took a deep breath, clearing away all the jumbled thoughts in the typing box, leaving only the simplest and most solemn promise.

Wait for my message.

He exited the chat window with Ai Yin and found Su Shi's contact information.

[Su Shi, how are you feeling now?]

Almost the instant the message was marked as read, Su Shi's reply came back, so fast it was as if she had been watching the phone the whole time.

[I'm much better now, thank you for your concern, Shinba-kun. My eyes are still a little...swollen, though.]

There was a hint of vulnerability, perhaps a little embarrassed, in his words.

Don't push yourself too hard. If you feel tired, just rest well tonight and don't think about anything.

This direct expression of concern made Su Shi pause slightly on the other end of the screen, a warmth spreading through her heart. She gently touched her still slightly warm eyes and typed a reply:

"Hmm...it's really nothing now. It's just that being alone...makes me more prone to overthinking."

Sensing the underlying message in her words—that she didn't want to be alone—Ishikawa Mayu then smoothly steered the conversation to the main topic.

【That's good. Also, Aiyin just contacted me and said she'd like to invite you, Deng, and Lixi to RiNG tonight for a chat. She hopes to help Deng resolve her inner conflict and also hopes everyone can have a chance to communicate. What do you think?】

Are you in a suitable position to participate? If not, I'll help you decline her offer.

After sending the message, Ishikawa Mayu waited patiently.

He guessed that Su Shi might hesitate, after all, she had just lost control of her emotions and might need time to calm down...

At that moment, Nagasaki Motoyo stared at the name "Aine" on the screen, her fingertips tightening slightly.

Rationally, she understood that this was a golden opportunity, a chance to break down Xiaodeng's defenses and bring Crychic back to life.

Emotionally, however, an indescribable bittersweet feeling is quietly spreading.

It's Chihaya Aine again.

Why is it always her? She was the one who first suggested forming a band, and now she's the one organizing and inviting people to these crucial reconciliation events... She's even the one who delivers the messages.

Her heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton, making her feel suffocated.

Shinba-kun and that pink-haired transfer student are so in sync? How much have they been planning in private?

A subtle feeling of being excluded from their world, mixed with the grievances from being severely criticized by Mayu-kun earlier, made her nose sting again.

She took a deep breath and blinked hard, forcing back the inappropriate dampness.

Then, she subconsciously looked up and saw her reflection in the tram window—her eyes were slightly red, her hair was a little messy from the tears, and she looked haggard.

She absolutely refused to appear on that occasion looking so vulnerable.

Especially in contrast to Chihaya Aine's always energetic and seemingly fearless demeanor, and even more so in front of... Masahiro-kun.

A clear thought formed instantly: she had to go, but not like this.

She needs time, she needs to go home, she needs to reorganize herself, and put on that flawless mask of "Nagasaki Motoyo".

Having made up her mind, she immediately lowered her head and typed a reply:

I understand. I'd love to chat with everyone, and I'm very grateful for Aiyin's invitation.

However, I'm still on the tram, a few stops away from home. I might need to go home first to tidy up a bit...

I'm really sorry I might be a little late. Could you please explain to everyone first, Mr. Mamoru?

Ishikawa Mayu looked at Su Shi's reply and confirmed that her emotions were basically stable and that she was willing to participate, but just needed some time to adjust. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Okay, I'll talk to her about it.

No need to rush, prioritize your feelings. If you change your mind on the way, feel free to contact me. Don't worry about bothering me!

After sending the message, he switched back to his chat with Chihaya Aine.

[We've contacted her. Su Shi agreed to come, but she needs to go home and get ready first, so she'll arrive a little later than us.]

I'll come as soon as possible.

Chihaya Aine's reply came immediately, but its content surprised him.

[That's great! I'm so glad Su Shi could come!]

【But Mayu-kun, you don't need to rush over. It's okay if you take your time.】

Ishikawa Mayu raised an eyebrow slightly. She had just finished her business and was already being disliked?

Fingers tapped the screen, a hint of barely perceptible grievance in them:

【Huh? Didn't you just want me to get here quickly?】

This time, Ai Yin's reply carried a pure, unadulterated concern:

[Because you're riding a motorcycle! Please be careful on the road.]

Being a little late is absolutely no problem.

Immediately following, the next message arrived, carrying her characteristic, irresistible frankness:

I'll be waiting for you~ (???)?

Chapter 51 I really wanted it done sooner rather than later…

"This guy..."

Looking at the words "I'll be waiting for you" and the playful heart emoji on the screen, Ishikawa Mayu almost subconsciously muttered a sentence to herself.

However, contrary to this seemingly complaining remark, the smile on his face was impossible to suppress.

He was already beside the motorcycle, and he climbed on to reply to the message on the motorcycle.

I'm driving now.

It will happen gradually.

…………

When he arrived at RiNG, Chihaya Aine was indeed waiting at the door. As soon as she saw him, she immediately ran to greet him with her signature energetic smile that was almost overflowing with vitality.

"It's too slow, Mayu-kun!"

Hearing this unoriginal complaint, Ishikawa Mayu merely raised her eyelids lazily. "Didn't you tell me to slow down?"

As he spoke, he subtly glanced at her, confirming that she was in exceptionally good spirits, and that her conversation with the lamp was indeed going very smoothly.

“That’s true…” Chihaya Aine puffed out her cheeks, but quickly laughed again, her voice unconsciously lowering a little, with a hint of barely perceptible coyness, “But I still want it to be soon…”

There was a subtle pause in her speech, as if the next word was a bit too hot to swallow. She glanced at him quickly, then looked away and abruptly changed the subject:

"No, let's not talk about that anymore! Deng and Lixi are already here, come with me!"

After Chihaya Aine finished speaking, without waiting for Ishikawa Mayu's reaction, she turned around and walked quickly towards the second-floor cafe, her pink hair dancing under the lights, as if trying to hide something.

Ishikawa Mayu blinked in confusion as he watched her obviously unnatural movements.

Did she just say something? Her voice was too soft and carried away by the evening breeze; he couldn't hear it clearly.

"Hey, why are you walking so fast?" He stepped forward to catch up, his tone tinged with a helpless complaint, but he didn't think much of it and quickly followed.

He was still pondering her cryptic words and her somewhat hurried departure when he was drawn into a space filled with the aroma of coffee and desserts.

My gaze habitually swept quickly across the interior environment before settling on the booth by the window.

Besides the expected Takamatsu Akari and Shiina Tatsuki, there was another unexpected figure.

The girl with short white hair and heterochromatic eyes, Kaname Ronai, was sitting alone at another table, with a delicate matcha parfait in front of her. She was sipping it slowly, like a cat immersed in happiness.

Seemingly sensing the gaze, Lena raised her head, her eyes, each a different color, precisely capturing Ishikawa Mayu's gaze.

She blinked, recognizing the "kind person" who had treated her to a meal last time. A smile appeared on her lips, but she lowered her head again, continuing to focus on her delicious food.

Ishikawa Mayu nodded slightly in response, and then his attention was drawn to the main characters in the booth.

The sight before him made him raise an eyebrow slightly.

Shiina Riki sat almost right next to Takamatsu Akari, leaning slightly forward, her face showing undisguised concern, even a hint of cautious flattery.

She was whispering something to the lamp, her tone gentler than Ishikawa Mayu had ever heard before, a stark contrast to her usual volatile and explosive demeanor.

"Hey, is this mocha to your liking?"

"Won't the air conditioner be too cold?"