People in Mygo are emotional firefighters.

"Or is it... that you don't like... the way I'm close to you?"

Ishikawa Mayu's already crumbling defenses were instantly shattered by Nagasaki Motoyo.

He abruptly turned his face away, his voice muffled, tinged with a sense of self-abandonment and frustration:

"...It's not that I...dislike it..."

He froze as soon as he finished speaking.

A triumphant, bright smile almost burst through the fragile expression that Nagasaki Motoyo was trying so hard to maintain.

She quickly lowered her head, using her long hair to cover the corners of her mouth that she couldn't control from turning up.

Ishikawa Mayu thought he probably couldn't stay here for another second.

"Anyway... just remember that!" He hastily threw down these words and turned to run towards the stairwell as if fleeing in panic.

Nagasaki Motoyo stood at the door, listening to the hurried, even slightly unsteady, footsteps in the hallway quickly receding into the distance until they disappeared completely.

She slowly closed the door, leaning against the cold door panel.

Silence descended once more, but the air still seemed to carry the boy's crisp scent and his mumbled yet unmistakably clear words—"It's not that I don't like it...".

She raised her hand and gently covered her burning cheeks. This time, she made no attempt to hide her feelings, letting a smile that was a mixture of shyness, pride, and immense satisfaction bloom on her face.

Chapter Ninety-Three: Society Death

Ishikawa Mayu practically fled back to her apartment, slamming the door shut behind her, as if she had just pulled off an extreme escape.

He scratched his head in frustration, trying to banish the image of his utterly defeated state at the Su family's gate from his mind.

When facing Su Shi before, whether it was guiding her out of her slump or making a new promise with her, he was more like the one who could remain calm and provide support.

But recently... the situation seems to be gradually getting out of control?

No, I can't let myself keep letting my mind wander like this.

He sat down at the computer desk, his fingers tapping impatiently on the surface.

Doing homework? In his current state, formulas and words simply won't register in his brain. Making music? Those notes and melodies will probably only make him more frustrated.

He needs an activity that can completely occupy his thoughts without requiring too much mental effort.

So... I might as well start a live stream.

Playing games and chatting with the audience, letting the noise of the outside world fill your mind, might just help you push away those annoying thoughts.

He casually opened a tower defense game, logged into his account, and simultaneously started a live streaming app.

The moment the live stream started—

【Teacher Maha?!】

[A surprise live stream?! Didn't they say there was anything planned for today?!]

Are you playing the violin or singing today?

[I just finished practicing the piano and then saw the live stream start, what a coincidence!]

Within seconds, the number of viewers in the live stream skyrocketed, and the barrage of comments began to scroll at a dazzling speed.

This is the appeal he has as a top-tier content creator on the platform, allowing him to occasionally indulge in his whims.

Ishikawa Mayu glanced at the rapidly refreshing barrage of comments and the soaring number of online viewers, barely managing to compose herself and trying to make her voice sound normal:

Good evening. Nothing special, just broadcasting for a bit.

Something's not right! Something's extremely wrong!

Who are you? Give me back Maha, my lazy dog ​​who runs away on time!

Is something on your mind?

Ishikawa Mayu's eyelids twitched as he looked at the sarcastic remarks that were practically stabbing him in the face. The sensitivity of these longtime fans was terrifying.

He coughed lightly, trying to hide his guilty conscience, his eyes fixed intently on the game interface on the screen, and put the operator down: "Nothing like that, don't make wild guesses. It's just... I've been a bit busy lately, just wanted to change things up."

School assignments, regular video recordings, and afterwards, even learning music composition from Li hope...

It's no exaggeration to say that he's so busy he barely has time to breathe.

However, none of this has anything to do with today's broadcast.

Busy? You? Hahaha! That's the funniest joke I've heard all year!

[Believe in Maha's busyness, but believe I am Qin Shi Huang!]

Wait... why does Maha-sensei's face look a little red? Is it the lighting?

This comment about blushing immediately attracted more attention.

Now that you mention it... the tips of your ears seem a little red too?

Wow! Something's up! Something's definitely up!

Ishikawa Mayu's hand trembled, and she accidentally detonated the exploding bug prematurely, instantly blasting the defense line apart...

"What nonsense are you talking about!" he retorted almost immediately into the microphone, his voice rising slightly with embarrassment and a hint of barely perceptible panic. "It's...it's just that the room is a bit hot!"

This weak explanation clearly failed to quell the audience's burning thirst for gossip.

He's panicking! He's panicking!

It's so hot in the room (laughs)

[Could it be that Meowm, whom I contacted before?]

[Could it be Teacher Mana? Maha not only frequently covers her songs, but their names also differ by only one character!]

The barrage of teasing comments grew increasingly intense, almost overwhelming him. Ishikawa Mayu felt as if he were being roasted under a spotlight, every tiny reaction being magnified and interpreted infinitely.

fortunately……

Fortunately, the behind-the-scenes videos taken during the band's practice a few days ago haven't been finished and uploaded yet.

Otherwise, I'm afraid I would really be skinned alive...

Just as Ishikawa Mayu was about to completely feign death and forcibly pull her attention back to the game—

"Om..."

The phone screen on the table lit up and emitted a clear vibration.

He casually paused the game and picked up his phone to check.

From: Chihaya Aine.

【Maha-kun! Maha-kun! Are you busy?】

Upon seeing this name, Ishikawa Mayu's tense nerves inexplicably relaxed for a moment.

[Mayu: I'm not busy. What's up?]

He replied quickly.

After all, streaming gaming is just a way to distract oneself, not a serious matter. Responding to Ai Yin's message is clearly a much higher priority.

[Aine: Um... do you still want to video chat with me while I practice today? (????)]

Ishikawa Mayu was stunned. Given Aine's tendency to slack off whenever possible, why would she volunteer to practice? Had the sun risen in the west?

Why are you being so conscientious today?

【Hey! Mayu-kun! I'm not that lazy! (｀へ'*)】

You can almost feel Chihaya Aine's sullen expression even through the screen.

Then, another message popped up, the tone noticeably softer, with a hint of embarrassment:

Consider this a thank you gift for treating us to dinner today!

As Ishikawa Mayu read Aine's reply, her tense nerves gradually relaxed.

His fingertips tapped lightly on the screen, his tone undisguisedly sarcastic:

"Practicing guitar for me too? That's a terrible excuse."

Ai-yin's reply carried a touch of playful naivety:

[Whatever! You just said you weren't busy! (｀へ'*)]

Looking at Aine's shameless reply, Ishikawa Mayu shook his head helplessly, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upwards slightly.

His finger hovered over the screen, ready to reply "Okay, okay," his fingertip even touching the virtual keyboard.

Just then, he suddenly remembered something, and his movements froze instantly.

A chill crept up my spine.

He stiffly and slowly raised his head.

On the computer screen, the comments that were originally discussing his "blushing" and "abnormal behavior" have now completely exploded, and the content has changed dramatically.

Look at Maha's expression!

This is the first time I've seen Maha so gentle.

……

"I... am not... one of you..."

Ishikawa Mayu opened her mouth, trying to explain, but it seemed she had nothing to say.

That's all for today! I'm logging off!

He frantically moved the mouse to the close button on the live streaming software and clicked it hard!

The live stream screen went black instantly, and the world became quiet.

It's over...it's completely over...

His illustrious reputation... was ultimately ruined.

And the root of all this was actually Chihaya Aine's message asking him if he wanted to practice the piano via video...

"Om..."

My phone vibrated again, the screen lit up, and it was still a message from Aiyin.

[Mayu-kun? Are you still there?]

[Did something suddenly come up that you need to do? (o︿o.)]

"Then... shall I practice by myself for a while?"

Looking at these messages, which were filled with obvious disappointment and cautious probing, Ishikawa Mayu could almost see Aine holding her guitar, pouting, looking a little aggrieved but trying her best to act sensible.

It's nothing. There was just... a little unexpected situation.

He gave a vague explanation, his fingertip hovering over the screen for a moment before finally resignedly typing out his reply:

Send me the video, I'll watch you practice.

Chapter Ninety-Four: Li hope's Heartstrings

The tram moved smoothly, and the lights outside the window formed a blurry band of light.

Shiina Riki crossed her arms and leaned against the wall panel at the junction of the carriages, her gaze falling on her blurry reflection in the opposite glass window.

Takamatsu had already gotten off at the previous stop and quietly said goodbye to her, but she didn't follow her off as usual. Instead, she insisted on escorting Takamatsu to her apartment building.

She simply nodded, said "Be careful on your way," and watched the slender figure disappear into the crowd on the platform until the tram doors closed, shutting out the outside world.

Why didn't you get off the bus?

She couldn't explain it herself. She just felt a vague, inexplicable unease in her chest, leaving her with no energy to maintain her usual, cautious, protective demeanor. She needed to be alone.

When I opened the front door, the motion-sensor light in the entryway turned on immediately.

"I'm back." Her voice was lower than usual, with a hint of weariness that was barely perceptible.