Chapter 2581: Chapter 1726: Making It Clear
"............"
The night was deep.
Ruoya Mu lay in bed, but she couldn’t sleep no matter what.
How does Xiao Xiang see me?
In the past, Ruoya Mu didn’t think this was a problem. She and Xiangzi were of one mind. Whether it was the past, present, or future. Although some things had happened to Xiangzi now, Ruoya Mu felt that her relationship with Xiangzi would continue as always.
But... is it really so?
Duanmu Huai’s voice echoed in her ears once more, relentlessly plucking the strings of the girl’s heart.
Ideals are beautiful, but reality is not so.
In the end, Ruoya Mu is Ruoya Mu, and Fukawa Shoko is Fukawa Shoko. They are ultimately two different people.
Moreover, to say if there’s any dissatisfaction in Ruoya Mu’s heart towards Fukawa Shoko... there indeed is.
And it has something to do with Duanmu Huai.
Ruoya Mu knew that something had happened to Fukawa Shoko and also understood that Shoko was exhausted just taking care of herself, so at that time, Ruoya Mu could still understand Fukawa Shoko. In Ruoya Mu’s view, as long as Fukawa Shoko could get over this hurdle and return to a peaceful life, their relationship would revert to what it was before.
But that was not the case.
Xiangzi’s father went out to work, Xiangzi found a job, gradually settled down, and she joined a band again, which made Ruoya Mu very happy. So, when Fukawa Shoko found her and invited Ruoya Mu to join the band, she agreed without hesitation. In Ruoya Mu’s mind, perhaps she and Xiangzi could return to the past, back to those CYCHIC days, even with a different band and different bandmates, as long as Xiao Xiang could regain her spirits, that was the best outcome.
However, reality turned out contrary to Ruoya Mu’s expectations.
While Xiangzi did become cheerful again and was no longer as sad as before, her attention wasn’t on her but on someone else.
Duanmu Ai.
Although Xiao Xiang often complained about her, Ruoya Mu knew that in Xiangzi’s heart, Duanmu Ai had become immensely significant. Evidence of this was that when she was with Ruoya Mu, nine out of every ten things she talked about concerned Duanmu Ai. Even if it was complaints about her reckless behavior or her pushy demeanor, Ruoya Mu knew this was Xiangzi truly paying attention to her.
After all, a person you don’t care about wouldn’t draw your concern about whether their eating habits are right or wrong.
So every time they were together and she heard Xiangzi bring up topics about Duanmu Ai, Ruoya Mu would feel stifled in her chest.
A bit lonely, a bit uneasy, a bit dissatisfied.
Clearly, we’re having a conversation, so why are we talking about the irrelevant third person?
Am I not your other half, Xiao Xiang?
But Ruoya Mu also understood why Xiangzi was like this because Duanmu Ai was indeed too dazzling.
Like the sun, merely existing there makes it impossible not to catch your eye, and even if you look away, its afterimage remains on your retina, hard to erase.
Moreover, Xiangzi said it was she who helped Xiangzi’s father get back on his feet, and it was she who found this job for Xiangzi, and now, she invited Xiangzi to form a band...
That’s right, while I accompanied Xiangzi, I couldn’t do anything.
In the end, I’m just a child. What can I do for Xiangzi?
No, it’s not like that.
Ruoya Mu shook her head vigorously.
Clearly, Duanmu Ai is around the same age as me, so why can she do all these things? Does she never feel uneasy? Like the debut concert, just the fact that Nameless band took the final performance was enough to become a topic of discussion. Yet, she seemingly thought it wasn’t enough and even incited the audience further.
Honestly, given the situation at the time, both I and Xiao Xiang would probably have been scared to the point of weakness or losing our minds, but she not only felt no fear, she actually reveled in the atmosphere and sensation of confronting the audience, and... oh, she did indeed emerge victorious.
At that moment, in Ruoya Mu’s eyes, Duanmu Huai’s presence was so strong that it made her envious and longing. She also wished to be like her, able to freely do what she wants and say what she wants. Yet, every time, Ruoya Mu found herself a bit deflated.
Because she felt she couldn’t express herself... no, that’s not right!
Look at Duanmu Ai; she’s probably worse at it than I am! At least compared to her, Ruoya Mu felt she knew what to say and what not to say!
"Sigh........."
Ruoya Mu sighed softly, then put on her headphones and turned on the music. Soon, melodious tunes sounded, shielding away the rain outside. This was a song Ruoya Mu recently discovered online, and for some reason, she suddenly wanted to hear it now.
[...My love for you has always been quiet
Exchanging it for your occasional concern
Obviously, it’s a movie for three people
But I could never be named
My love for you has always been quiet
From the start, I was determined
I thought what I wanted was the past
Only to find out love requires a response.......]
With the song, Ruoya Mu closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
"Hu... ha... hu........."
Who knows how long passed before Ruoya Mu awoke from her slumber—or rather, was awakened.
Ugh... what was that sound?
Ruoya Mu rubbed her eyes and looked towards where the noise came from beside her, then was suddenly taken aback.
All she saw was Duanmu Huai lying next to her, mouth open, snoring.
More importantly... she wasn’t wearing clothes! And it seemed she herself wasn’t either!
Eh? Eh? Eh?
Why am I sleeping here?
Ruoya Mu widened her eyes in surprise, turned her head to look around, and found her own bed across the room. Ah, come to think of it, she vaguely woke up once after falling asleep earlier; she went to the bathroom at that time. Because it was raining outside when she returned, she instinctively wanted to find a warm place, and then...
Anyway, I should get up quickly...
Thinking of this, Ruoya Mu planned to get up, but just at this moment, she suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps outside the door.
Eh?
Upon hearing the footsteps, Ruoya Mu froze completely, and before she could figure out what to do, the rest room door opened, and Fukawa Shoko walked in.
"Duanmu, I guessed you slept here again, really, can’t you keep your phone on next time? I had to ask Ruby and Miss Chi Yin to find out... "
Holding the phone, Fukawa Shoko’s voice came to an abrupt halt as she walked into the room.
She stood dumbfounded at the doorway, looking at Duanmu Huai who was sleeping soundly, and Ruoya Mu who sat up beside Duanmu Huai, holding a quilt to shield herself.
"Duanmu? Mu? What on earth are you... doing?"
"I..."
Facing Fukawa Shoko’s inquiry, Ruoya Mu opened her mouth but couldn’t say a thing.
What exactly are we doing?
She didn’t know the answer to this question either!
But fortunately, there’s always someone reliable.
"Hmm? You all didn’t come yesterday, so I just slept here."
Duanmu Huai yawned as he sat by the table, nibbling on a slice of bread while answering nonchalantly.
"Sleeping is fine, but why aren’t you wearing pajamas!"
"I think it’s more comfortable to sleep like this, to be honest, sleeping in clothes always feels unpleasant."
"You’re a girl, Duanmu, be more modest, what if someone sees you!"
Fukawa Shoko slammed the heated milk in front of Duanmu Huai angrily and glared at him discontentedly.
"What does it matter? If someone dares to peek, I guarantee I’ll make him regret it."
"That’s illegal... by the way, why were you sleeping with Mu?"
"I have no idea."
Duanmu Huai shrugged.
"I was sleeping on my own bed, who knows why I woke up with a little cat in my arms?"
"... Mu?"
Fukawa Shoko knew Duanmu Huai’s character, he was not one to lie nor bother with it, so she turned her questioning gaze to Ruoya Mu, who lowered her head.
"Because... it’s warm..."
"???"
"Don’t look at me, you’re the childhood friends."
Facing Fukawa Shoko’s confused gaze, Duanmu Huai decisively signaled that it had nothing to do with him.
"I just talked with her last night, and that’s all."
"What did you talk to Mu about?"
"Oh, it’s really nothing."
Duanmu Huai casually said.
"I only talked with her about how Shoko, you view her; whether you’ve noticed her situation at all..."
"Cough cough cough!!"
Upon hearing this, Ruoya Mu, who had just drunk milk, started coughing immediately. She widened her eyes in shock at Duanmu Huai. Originally Ruoya Mu thought this matter could just be left unspoken, but she hadn’t expected Duanmu Huai to bring it up directly?
No, could you be more subtle? At least give some buildup, right?
"How do I view Mu? Of course, I see her as my best friend!"
Instead, Fukawa Shoko couldn’t quite grasp the meaning, not understanding what Duanmu Huai was implying.
"Then haven’t you noticed she’s been in pain lately?"
"Eh?"
Faced with Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, Fukawa Shoko paused, then turned to look at Ruoya Mu.
"Is that true, Mu?"
"..."
Ruoya Mu clenched her hands tightly and lowered her head. She didn’t know what to say or how to say it. So, Ruoya Mu decisively followed her heart and made the best decision she could.
She turned and ran!
"Wait, Mu!"
Seeing Mu turn and flee, Fukawa Shoko hurriedly shouted and chased after her.
Only Duanmu Huai remained in the dining room, sipping milk and eating a toast with fried egg and sausage, watching the slightly swinging SPACE door, shaking his head and sighing.
"Youth is wonderful."
