Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 99

A gentle, yet apologetic voice, carried by the air currents flowing between the two, drifted softly into the girl's ears like dust motes carried by the wind.

"I'm sorry... and long time no see."

In response, Mu hugged him even tighter, a passionate embrace that seemed intent on drawing him into her very being.

And, despite trembling and faltering, it was filled with an undeniable sincerity, a faint yet clear whisper that concealed all her unspeakable pain and sorrow.

"Xu Dou...I miss you so much..."

Chapter Twenty: The One I Want to Rely On

After hugging and stroking her gently for a long time, Yuan Xudou finally managed to let out most of the grievances in the heart of Ruoye Mu, whose eyes were red.

Even though her eyes were sore and sore, the girl didn't cry out loud. She just buried her head in his arms and quietly shed tears.

Being too sensible and obedient, they don't even confide their sadness to others. Only after they truly feel safe do they begin to uncontrollably release their emotions... making them both lovable and heartbreaking.

"Mu, how are you feeling right now?"

"...I'm very happy."

Ruoye Mu responded softly, her delicate body leaning further towards him.

Her spring school uniform from Tsukimori had developed a few more wrinkles from running and rubbing against him, but the girl seemed completely unconcerned and remained pressed tightly against him.

Just being close together brought her a constant stream of satisfaction and joy from her previously empty heart, making her want even more.

Like a clingy kitten... or, to use a metaphor that Mu might like, like a cucumber vine tightly and closely wrapped around a bamboo pole.

If they weren't on the street, Yuan Xudou would have some reservations... Mu would probably not care about sitting face-to-face with Xudou in a terrible position and then embracing each other.

After all, she had already made the move of throwing herself into his arms right at the school gate.

Unlike usual, Mumu has become more affectionate and clingy, which is also quite adorable.

However, the situation is still somewhat troublesome...

Having made such a bold move, and having been held tightly for so long, and having her sensitive, perky spot supported by strong, warm hands while she was escaping, Ruoye Mu's mind was about to explode from the stimulation.

His face is still hidden inside his clothes, with only his bright red earlobes visible. His entire delicate and beautiful face is probably just as vibrant.

Let's be a little more considerate of her sense of shame.

"Mu, is your leg injured?" Yuan Xudou changed the subject while thinking about this.

The girl's inability to walk on her own did indeed bother him.

"It's not a leg injury..."

Faced with his concern, Ruoye Mu's originally cold voice seemed to melt, transforming into a soft, ethereal tone. "Yesterday, while practicing ballet, I strained my back..."

"Ballet..."

Indeed, he knew that Mu had received relevant training since childhood, which was why she had developed such a well-proportioned and slender figure, especially her long, fair legs, which looked perfect. The training was indeed very hard, and it was inevitable that she would accidentally pull a muscle.

If it's a muscle strain, there's not much you can do; you can only rest and recover.

While Yuan Xudou was feeling somewhat troubled for her, Ruoye Mu secretly tilted her head slightly, her golden pupils quietly observing his pensive expression.

Seemingly having misunderstood something, she suddenly spoke in a low voice.

"Xu Dou, do you want to see?"

Upon hearing the question, Yuan Xudou was taken aback before realizing that the girl was asking him if he wanted to see her dance ballet.

At the same time, a fragmented image of Mu wearing a light, white ballet costume, dancing gracefully for him alone, instinctively surfaced in his mind.

If I had to say whether I want to or not, the answer would definitely not be no.

"Yes." He was always frank about his thoughts, and his voice didn't even hesitate. "But that's not what I wanted to talk about. What happened just now... Mu, is your back alright?"

After all, we didn't consider that she might have an injury at the beginning, and that her movements might be a bit too vigorous. It would be bad if she suffered secondary trauma.

"It's alright... Xu Dou's hand is very steady." Upon receiving confirmation, Ruoye Mu seemed even happier, "I feel a sense of relief."

Seeing Yuan Xudou's long eyelashes droop slightly, and his expression still showing a hint of worry, her fair throat bobbed gently, as if she was making up her mind.

Unable to stop swallowing small sips of saliva to ease her nervousness and shyness, Ruoye Mutsu grabbed his wrist the next second.

"Xu Dou, you can touch it..."

She pulled down the boy's unresisting right hand, and hesitantly placed it on her waist.

Even through the school uniform of the Moon Forest, one could still feel the wonderful softness and elasticity of the fabric through their fingertips, as well as a delicate yet resilient strength that seemed to be slightly taut.

His gentle breathing seemed to become erratic with his movements.

If that's not enough... you can touch inside the clothes too...

However, seemingly surprised by her behavior, Yuan Xudou only lightly stroked her waist a few times before quickly withdrawing his hand, much to the girl's regret.

Yuan Xudou, whose heart was beating slightly faster, felt as if a faint touch still lingered on his palm and tried to speak naturally.

"It's a little stiff, but it shouldn't be a big problem. It will be fine after a couple of days of rest."

"Mu, shall I take you home?" he asked immediately afterward.

Wakaba Mutsumi hugged him again, nodded, and then shook her head.

"...Wait a little longer."

Having finally reunited, she wanted to spend as much time together as possible... ideally until there was no longer any time to delay and she had to go home.

I want to cherish every minute and every second.

I want to be covered in his scent so that I won't feel lonely.

Sensing Xiao Mu's feelings, Yuan Xudou quietly granted her request, gently stroking her long, emerald-green hair and smooth, soft back.

After sitting quietly for a while, Ruoye Mu's burning head and pounding heart gradually calmed down.

With a little space left in her heart filled with joy and longing, the girl's mind finally began to wander to things other than "hugging Xu Dou tightly" and "wanting..."

She remembered what Xu Dou had said to her.

The two of them had indeed "not seen each other for a long time".

After that day... what happened to Xu Dou, and what was he thinking...?

Even if the answer might make her feel incredibly guilty and upset, she still wanted to know.

Even if it's just to atone for my past actions...

Her actions just now—whether it was hugging him, letting Xu Dou touch her waist, or even the deeper thoughts in her mind—were all things that Ruoye Mu wanted to do.

Now, she wants to know what Yuan Xudou is thinking.

“…Xu Dou,”

Unconsciously, Ruo Yemu lowered her head again, as if she knew she had done something wrong and was waiting for criticism and punishment, not daring to look at his face.

Even the already delicate voice became even softer and lighter.

"Are you alright...?"

Chapter Twenty-One: It's normal for rationality to evaporate when you're with someone you like, right?

The sun at four o'clock in the late spring afternoon seemed to carry a faint, rising heat.

The gentle breeze stirred the trees, their swaying branches shielding the slightly overly bright sunlight from shining directly on them, casting soft shadows with dappled light on the two of them.

As Wakaba Mutsumi asked in a low voice, filled with unease and concern, the intimate and affectionate atmosphere between the two, which seemed to be about to blossom into love, instantly froze. Instead, it became as if they had sunk into a dark and gloomy pool, becoming silent and tense.

Even now, Yuan Xudou doesn't want to touch on that topic.

The band's disbandment, a fact that no one can reverse, is like a deep, bone-revealing wound. Even if it no longer bleeds continuously, it will inevitably leave a lingering, painful scar.

When he was with them, he could forget the dull pain and focus on the joy and happiness of playing and being close to the girls he liked, revealing a genuine smile. But if he deliberately brought it up, puncturing the past that he hoped they could tacitly let go of together, the suppressed and slow pain would surge back like a tide, causing bitter, salty drops of water to stain the still-open wound, bringing a burning sensation.

"...Mu."

He slightly turned his gaze away, and the light in his dark pupils gradually faded.

The gentle, clear voice was like the wind that had suddenly stopped, so calm that it was hard to adjust to.

"The band's breakup wasn't your fault, and I never blamed you."

With mixed feelings in his heart, Yuan Xudou ended the topic in a complicated tone.

"As for what happened next..."

He turned his gaze back, raised his arm, and gently embraced the girl whose eyes were filled with guilt and self-reproach.

With his fingertips, he gently brushed the back of Wakaba Mutsu's head. There was barely a thin gap between their cheeks, and he could even feel the lingering shyness on the girl's face.

The comforting, gentle words seemed to echo directly in my ears.

"I'm very happy that we can reconcile now."

If Ye Mu didn't answer, she would just silently hug him tighter, crossing her arms around Yuan Xudou's back.

yi旗溜意氵（二）侕jiu亻尔'If this...can make Xu Dou feel a little better...'

Being someone who can't speak properly and always messes things up at crucial moments, I definitely can't comfort him properly.

But if it's just a hug... even I can do it well.

We can definitely do it well.

I don't want him to be sad anymore.

—Oh, right.

Actually, it's not just about hugging.

As long as it's something I can do, something I can give... a hug, a kiss, a tender moment, or even something very important like "that"...

“Xu Dou…”

Ruo Ye Mu couldn't help but press herself even closer. She shifted her body, placing one of her slender, soft, white legs over Yuan Xu Dou's legs, as if she were half-straddling him.

The breath exhaled from her unconsciously parted, delicate cherry lips was slightly intoxicating, carrying a hazy, hot sensation.

It had been a long time since I had actually been in contact with the person I liked. The unexpressed longing brewed and fermented in every sleepless night. Catalyzed by low sobs and sadness in my heart, it just so happened that I was also in the period when a teenage girl experiences strange heart palpitations...

Just like how, even though Yuan Xudou was always very clean and never used laundry detergent or bath soap that would leave too much of a smell, Ruo Yemu still found the faint scent on his body incredibly pleasant, thanks to the psychological effect.

And now, they're standing so close together again...

Like rain after a long drought, the several intimate encounters in a short period of time naturally ignited the hazy thoughts in the girl's heart, and a misty pink haze rose up.

"I can……"

But no matter what, Wakaba Mutsu is still a pure and innocent girl with a very thin skin.

Therefore, she could only tug at Yuan Xudou's collar, her delicate face flushed, and she made intermittent, soft sounds.

Seeing that Wakaba Mutsu looked like she wanted to be closer but was too shy to say it, Gen Xudou smiled and patted her head.

"Let's wait for fewer people," he reassured them.

Sure enough, although he's become a little more affectionate, Mu is still not very good at taking the initiative and needs to be the one to take the lead. This side of Mu is also adorable and endearing.

Hearing his promise, Wakaba Mutsu, who was somewhat eager but restrained by shyness, quieted down, putting aside the things that needed to be explored further, and focused on enjoying the peace and comfort of the moment.

As he quietly waited for time to pass, immersed in this mesmerizing scene, and occasionally whispered a few words to the girl as if they were being whispered in her ear, each word like a sweet mist, Yuan Xudou also subconsciously felt the pleasant warmth of the delicate body in his arms.

To be honest... in terms of feel alone, Mu, whose figure is the least voluptuous among the five girls, doesn't have the enviable curves and suppleness of Su Shi, nor is she as voluptuous and soft as Xiang Zi. She can only be described as slightly raised hills, small and delicate, but there's not much to feel through her clothes.

When we hugged while wearing yukatas, I could still feel that slight tenderness... It's a bit of a shame in that respect.

However, Mu was extremely, incredibly delicate. Her skin was like solidified cream, smooth and flawless.

Just like her true inner self—at first glance, she seems aloof, cold, and unapproachable with her expressionless face, but once you get to know her and truly touch her heart, you find it warmer and softer than most people's. Due to the contrast between her cool exterior and her cold exterior, you might even feel like you've been burned when you touch her.

Her body, too, concealed beneath its usually cool skin a burning heat born of infatuation, radiating outwards like a cluster of quietly burning flames in her arms.