Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 22

Under the empty sky, which had not yet fully sunk into night but was already showing signs of twilight.

The setting sun had already been obscured by shadows, and the new moon had yet to reveal its faint silvery glow.

Only the boy's dark eyes, in Takamatsu Akari's eyes, transformed into the only twinkling, brilliant star that shone just for her.

"Not being able to do it now is not a reason to give up."

The world before my eyes seemed to blur for a moment, then suddenly became clear again.

The evening breeze around her, the hum of traffic under the bridge, the swaying of branches in the distance... the world before her generously revealed a clarity and brightness that the girl had never seen before.

The fingertips pressed against the heart, sending out a chaotic pulse. The force from the boy's palm and the sensation of the heartbeat pressed against each other. Despite being so light, his hand felt as if it were being pressed down by something weighing over a thousand pounds, unable to move an inch.

Her lips trembled as she exhaled a soft murmur.

"Can I really do it...?"

⒎爾san澪、司诌旗I〆〤I〧I 似不是还存疑誰。

I just want to hear it again, that unwavering conviction in my words.

Yuan Xudou released his hand.

Even without the boy's support, Takamatsu Akari's hand remained firmly pressed against her chest.

"If you still can't completely believe it, then give it a try."

"Now, the only people watching you from this overpass are me and Xiangzi."

"Shouldn't you be able to speak your mind loudly in front of the two of us?"

He gently pushed the girl to the railing of the overpass.

"No one else will notice, and no one will deny it. Shout out your innermost thoughts."

Yuan Xudou walked to her side and placed his hands on the railing.

He lowered his head, looking at the dappled sunlight on the street below, his dark pupils reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors.

A calm yet approachable voice blended into the sweeping wind.

"Try taking the first step again."

It doesn't matter how many times you fail, just try a different method and try again.

Gen Xudou turned around and looked at Toyokawa Shoko, who had been silently watching him and Takamatsu Akari with warm eyes.

You should understand now.

What the lamp needs is not someone to tell her how to do it, but someone to support her in continuing.

"How to become human" is not a question that needs to be answered.

This was the best response to his trust in Toyokawa Shoko.

Having read his eyes, Toyokawa Shoko stepped forward and stood on the other side of Takamatsu Akari.

Once again, hopeful and trusting gazes were fixed on the girl.

However, this time, Takamatsu Akari finally had the courage to speak under such gazes.

"I want to become human...!"

Although it was still weak and trembling, flickering like a candle flame in the wind... it was a good start, I suppose.

Thinking this, Yuan Xudou wanted to encourage her for her hard-won first shout.

"—I want to become a human, Desuwa!!!"

Standing next to Takamatsu Akira, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly gripped the railing and shouted loudly towards the bridge below.

Seeing the two people turn around with surprised expressions, the girl smiled brightly.

"It feels pretty good to shout like that! Light, let's shout together!"

"what……"

Takamatsu Akari paused for a moment, then realized Toyokawa Shoko's intention.

Xu Er (9) Qi_Liu Jiu ①$氵Ba Ludou and Xiangzi... all support themselves in different ways.

Everyone is hoping that she can make her voice heard, and they are working hard to achieve this.

We cannot... let them down.

She gripped the railing tightly again.

"I want to become human—!"

The voice, hoarse and strained, tore through the swirling wind curtain, sending the girl's prayer to the distant horizon.

Amidst those shouts, Toyokawa Shoko secretly turned her head when Takamatsu Akari wasn't paying attention and winked playfully at Minamoto Kōdō.

'This is also my response to the trust I place in you.'

Then, she spoke with a smile.

"Xu Dou, why don't you shout something too?"

"……what?"

Yuan Xudou's expression changed slightly, and his body unconsciously leaned back a little.

"I have nothing to say out loud."

"Then shout the same thing as us!"

He really wanted to say no.

However, when faced with the expectant and delighted look in Takamatsu Akari's eyes after hearing those words, the words of refusal couldn't be uttered.

Finally, he sighed.

"...Shout together."

"Ok!"

The two nodded vigorously at the same time.

Shoko Toyokawa smiled contentedly and stretched out her slender fingers to count down.

"Three, two, one——"

"I want to be human—!!!"

"I want to be human—"

"I want to become a human!"

Chapter Twenty-Five: I Want You to Become My Own Star

I had a long-awaited experience of shouting loudly—though it was more like raising my voice and speaking loudly than actually shouting.

For Yuan Xudou, this was the limit. He wasn't good at expressing himself by shouting, and his naturally gentle voice didn't allow the boy to raise his voice very high.

I just tried my best to meet their expectations... I hope Deng won't be disappointed.

Yuan Xudou looked down at the girl's expression.

Breathing rapidly, her expression tense, and her face flushed with excitement, Takamatsu felt the boy's gaze, looked up, and gave him a pure and joyful smile.

Like a small animal that suddenly jumps out and affectionately rubs against a passerby's trouser leg while strolling in the forest, it exudes trust and affection from the bottom of its heart, without any impurities.

Yuan Xudou turned his head slightly.

"Now that the matter has been resolved, I'll be leaving."

"Xiangzi, you should take the lamp back."

Before the two could react or even try to stop them from staying.

He first reached out and touched Gao Songdeng's small head, which was almost a head shorter than his own.

Words spoken calmly yet with expectation preemptively silence any lingering reluctance.

"I have an appointment with someone else tonight, so I can't go back with you."

"However... next time the band practices."

"Deng, I hope you can express yourself in front of everyone."

"It doesn't have to be singing; even just reciting a few lyrics is progress, as long as you can get used to this feeling."

Yuan Xudou has gradually gotten used to this more straightforward way of communicating.

He doesn't mind saying more as long as he can avoid misunderstandings. He offers direct encouragement and clearly explains the reasons.

Therefore, sensing that Yuan Xudou was not unwilling to go home with him, Gao Songdeng released his hand that was unconsciously gripping Yuan Xudou's sleeve and gave a soft "hmm".

"I'm leaving."

He patted the girl on the head one last time, waved, and turned to leave without looking back.

"...Lamp, let's go then."

Coming to her senses, Toyokawa Shoko walked over to Takamatsu Akari, preparing to follow the boy's instructions and take her home.

However, Takamatsu Akira just stared blankly at Gen Xudou's back as he gradually sank into the stairwell.

She did not move in response to Toyokawa Shoko's calls.

"lamp?"

Toyokawa Shoko sensed that Takamatsu Akari seemed somewhat reluctant to part with him.

To soothe the girl's emotions, she softened her voice and gently persuaded her.

"Xu Dou probably really does have a promise he wants to keep. If you want him to accompany you, you can make an appointment with him next time..."

"Do not……"

Gao Songdeng shook his head slightly.

It wasn't entirely out of reluctance that I did this.

She extended her slender right hand, its fair and delicate skin so thin it seemed to radiate light, and her slightly curved fingertips aimed at Yuan Xudou's tall and straight back.

Like a gently flowing stream, the girl's amber eyes, clear and bright, reflected the figure within her that was brighter and taller than anyone else's.

"...like stars."

She murmured softly.

"Stars?...Lamp, are you talking about Xu Dou?"

Toyokawa Shoko realized that she still couldn't quite keep up with Takamatsu Akari's way of thinking.

"Ah."

The girl nodded without hesitation.

The only thing that can break through the dark clouds shrouding the sky in one's heart, passing through layers of barriers, and shining with stars that illuminate everything.

Even if we know that the rotation of stars is a natural law, and that even if they temporarily fall from the horizon to illuminate the hearts of others, they will eventually rise again and return to their own sky.

But as expected... I still want that star to stay here forever.

Forever, hanging beside me.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Since then, Yuan Xudou's life has become much busier.

Lin Liusi's plan to experience life and explore the world of music was temporarily put on hold by the complicated matters of the band. Only when he truly devoted his energy to the management of the band did he realize just how trivial the matter was.

Managing and operating the band's shared account, planning promotional strategies to increase brand awareness and recognition, and occasionally facing situations where there isn't enough practice space and you need to negotiate with other bands...

No matter how strong one's learning ability is, one is helpless when faced with this kind of truly time-consuming work.

Yuan Xudou, who has always lived alone and has never tried building a team from scratch with others, felt exhausted for the first time.