I'm not a womanizer for Chihaya Aine

Qing joked, "Oh, you two are so close, are you starting to help Gao Song-san explore the way now?"

Aiyin sighed, turned off the faucet, then turned to look at Qing and said with a serious expression: "I am asking you seriously, Xiao Deng is also very seriously worried, you should tell me your true thoughts."

Seeing Aine's serious look, Qing did not answer her question directly, but asked calmly: "Then Aine, what do you want me to do?"

"What's important is your thoughts, right?" Aine was a little unhappy with Qing's way of answering questions with questions, but she still answered, "As for me, I definitely hope you can accept the stone. Although the stone itself is a strange gift, you also know Deng's unusual hobby, and the stone may be an important collection for her. She will probably be sad if you refuse."

What Aine said sounded very good to Qing. First of all, Aine found a way to get along with Deng in a short period of time, and was even able to think about problems from Deng's perspective to a certain extent. Then, before answering her question, Aine stated, "What's important is your idea." The hidden meaning was that Aine's later statement that she hoped to accept the stone was Aine's own idea. While expressing her own ideas, she respected Qing's own decision and would not make Qing feel morally kidnapped. Finally, she explained the reason for accepting the stone and tried to make Qing understand Deng's ideas.

Of course, as Aine's sole promoter, even if Aine's rhetoric skills were not that great, Qing would try her best to meet Aine's expectations of her, so she agreed.

"If you want me to accept it, Aine, then I will do so."

Aine complained, “Don’t make it sound like you’re willing to accept the lamp stone because of me. I didn’t force you.”

Qing just chuckled and said, "Go back quickly after you're done cleaning. Takamatsu-san must be worried about you too."

Aine nodded at that, and the two of them went back to the Astronomy Club together.

After returning to the club room, Deng came to check on Aine immediately.

"Aine-chan, is your hand feeling better?"

"Well, it's getting better."

"It's quite red and swollen... I'd better put a Band-Aid on it for you."

"Well, okay, please Xiao Deng."

After a thorough inspection, Deng took out a penguin band-aid and put it on Aiyin's wound. Aiyin watched Deng carefully and gently put the band-aid on her wound from a distance from her. Aiyin recalled the scene of Qing cleaning her wound with his own hands just now, and her heart was inexplicably moved again.

"Chihaya Aine, why are you so nervous? This is just a show of concern between friends. Don't think too much, don't think too much, don't think too much."

Forcefully shaking off unnecessary thoughts, Aiyin looked at the band-aid in her hand, adjusted her expression and asked Deng, "What a cute penguin. Just now I saw that there are many similar band-aids in your box, Xiao Deng. Are they from the same series?"

Aiyin actually just asked casually, wanting to see if she could find some clues about the man, but she didn't expect that it would start a fatal rhythm like triggering a light switch.

"Do you like penguins, Aine? This is the third installment in the marine life series. This is a bearded penguin, which belongs to the Adelie penguin genus."

As he spoke, Deng took out a few penguin-patterned Band-Aids from the box and introduced them one by one.

"The Gentoo penguin is also from this genus... this is the Adélie penguin..."

Deng's nonstop chatter almost made it impossible for Aine to get a word in, and she could only respond when Deng found another penguin-patterned Band-Aid.

"Deng really likes penguins!"

However, Deng did not happily agree as Aine thought, but hesitated, as if she was really considering whether she really liked penguins. Then, while thinking, she answered: "I think... they are... cute..."

Aine was no stranger to this kind of reaction from Deng, so she asked with some encouragement, “Why do you seem to have no confidence?”

Deng said, "Because I just collect them. I guess I just like finding new kinds."

Aine remembered that when she first met Deng, Deng was picking up stones. Then Qing said that was Deng's hobby, so she understood instantly. It's just that she thought Deng was only interested in stones, but it seems that is not the case.

Aine then said with an expression of sudden enlightenment, “Ah, I know that. When I see cute pens, I can’t help but want to buy them.”

Deng was full of motivation after hearing what Aine said. Just as she was about to recommend her band-aid to Aine again, Qing, who had made tea, interrupted and said, "Is it the same with collecting stones? The stones that seem the same to us are actually different types to Takamatsu-san?"

Deng's attention was drawn to Qing's question. He no longer had the idea of selling Band-Aids to Aine in his mind. Instead, he turned to look at Qing and explained, "Shape...color...texture...these are different kinds of stones..."

Qing casually looked at the stone on the table. It was the stone that Deng wanted to give to her. He had kept it in his pocket until Aine mentioned it. Then, because Aine was injured, Deng put it on the table in a hurry and had forgotten about it ever since.

Qing picked up the stone and examined it casually, then asked casually, "By the way, what type of stone is this stone in Gao Song's eyes?"

Deng looked at the stone he had always wanted to give away and saw it was held in Qing's hand. He said excitedly, "Owl! I think it's shaped like an owl!"

Qing smiled and looked at the lamp, saying, "An owl? Not bad. This is the stone I picked up this morning, right? I think it and I have a connection. Can Gao Song give it to me?"

"Really?" Deng excitedly leaned towards Qing, then realized that this might be a bit rude, so he lowered his voice and said, "I think it likes Xiaoqing too... maybe... it wants to go to you too."

Qing casually tossed the stone up and down on the spot and said, "Then I'll take it."

Aiyin, who was watching the interaction between the two, also smiled knowingly.

After that, the three of them sat at a table and drank tea, and Aine could finally get to the point of why she came here today.

Aiyin put down her teacup, looked at Qing seriously, and asked, "I wonder what Qing-san thinks of the band?"

This question obviously leads to the topic of forming a band. Qing expected that Ain would still form a band, but Qing didn't quite understand why Ain came to talk to her first. She thought Ain would first find Deng to form a band, and she was even prepared for Ain to form a band but not invite her. But it was a bit unexpected that she came to her first.

As for the lamp next to her, this matter should have nothing to do with her, but when she heard that it was about the band, she still looked at the two of them nervously and no longer had the heart to drink tea.

Although he already knew what Aine was thinking, Qing still followed Aine's topic and pretended to be stupid: "What do you think? I think it's good."

Aiyin leaned forward slightly to look at Qing and asked, "Have you ever thought about joining a band?"

Qing took a sip of tea and asked, "Why would Aine ask that?"

Aiyin took a deep breath first, and then, as if she had made up her mind, she invited him earnestly but tentatively: "I have decided to form a band, and I want to invite you to join my band. What do you think?"

Qing showed a standard smile and said: "Sure!~"

Aiyin didn't expect Qing to agree so readily. It went so smoothly that she even confirmed it again with some doubt.

"really?"

Qing nodded and said, "But I'm a complete novice, so I may not be able to perform on stage in a short time."

Although Qing has professional keyboard playing ability and amateur guitar playing ability, she does not intend to show it now. On the contrary, Qing thinks that joining the band as a novice who is even less experienced than Ain can help Ain bear the pressure of "four masters protecting one clown".

Aine waved her hands happily and said, “That’s not a problem at all!”

In her heart, she was already shouting with excitement: "Great! Qing-san loves me!"

Just as Aine was feeling happy about successfully inviting Qing to form a band, Qing glanced at Deng who looked a little envious and asked Aine, "So, are there other members in the band? I should say hello to them, right?"

Aine took a sip of tea awkwardly and said, "There are only two of us in the band right now... But I will try my best to find members."

Qing Lu said with a puzzled and surprised look: "Hey, I thought you must have invited Gao Song first, but you didn't?"

The light suddenly clicked on his name, and his whole body straightened up, and he made a puzzled sound: "Hey, me?"

Aiyin explained with a smile, "I did think about inviting Deng as well, but when I saw Deng's notebook just now, I realized that Deng is already playing in a band, so I didn't invite him."

Qing blinked and said, "Although I've never been in a band, from what I know, it shouldn't be uncommon for a musician to be in multiple bands. Is the band Deng is in a very strict one? If it's more relaxed, maybe he can join us."

Aine heard this and thought it made sense. She had never thought about the possibility of one person leading multiple bands. So, Aine and Qing looked towards the light.

When Deng heard Qing say "the band he's in", his mood visibly dropped, and in an instant the entire astronomy department was pressed down by an invisible gravity.

"It has been...disbanded..."

Aine sensed the low mood in Deng, and not wanting to make the atmosphere even more depressing, she pretended to be relaxed and said, "Ah, that's a pity. But on the other hand, there won't be any obstacles for Deng to join our band, and Deng is an experienced person, so I think we can start practicing soon."

However, Deng lowered his head and looked at the tea stems floating on the teacup, avoiding the sight of Aiqing and the others, and after a long while he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "I'm not going."

Aine looked at the light and realized that it was impossible to do anything, so she pretended not to care and said, “Really? Then forget it.”

The office suddenly fell into silence, which lasted for several seconds before Deng continued to explain.

"If I join, even if I form a band again... it will fail again..."

Deng clenched his fists, as if he was still upset about the band that had disbanded.

Ain looked at Qing for help, and Qing tilted his head at Ain, asking, "Are you sure you want me to do it?"

Aine was stunned for a moment, then nodded. If Aine were to operate it, she would probably just turn the light to karaoke or something, letting the light vent out her emotions, and she didn't know what the effect would be.

Qing saw Aine nod in confirmation, a slight arc appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then he gave Aine a meaningful look.

If I were to do it, I wouldn't give you anything fancy.

Qing asked Deng directly, "Takamatsu said that even if you form a band again, it will fail again. Why is that? Is there a conflict in the band? Or do you have different musical pursuits? Or do your parents think that playing in a band will interfere with your studies and don't allow you to play in a band? It can't be that the keyboard player got pregnant by the lead singer and the band fell apart, right?"

As soon as Aiyin heard what Qing said, she regretted letting Qing take charge. She went straight to the minefield without caring that Deng was still sad, especially the last sentence, which didn't feel like a question a human could ask.

Deng was somewhat frightened by Qing's question, and said in a halting voice, "No, I don't think these are the questions."

Qing nodded, and then said: "If these are not the problems, then what about your problem?"

Deng took a deep breath as if what he said hit the mark. Seeing Deng looking like she was about to cry at any moment, Aine looked at Qing with some resentment and said, “Wait a minute, you don’t have to say it so directly, right?”

Qing ignored Aine's complaints, looked directly at the light, and asked, "And then? You were so upset about that band, you must have made great efforts to redeem yourself, right?"

Deng lowered his head even lower and whispered, "I...ran away..."

Qing smiled playfully and said bluntly: "This is a completely expected answer."

Aiyin quickly put down her teacup and slapped the table with her left hand a few times, interrupting Qing's ridicule.

"Mr. Qing, aren't you going too far?"

Qing smiled and looked at Aiyin who didn't say anything else, but picked up the teapot and prepared to make another pot of tea.

Aiyin saw Qing's smile at her and understood what Qing meant. It meant that one was playing the good cop and the other was playing the bad cop. Now that the good cop had finished singing, it was the good cop's turn.

Aine pulled a chair next to Deng and patted Deng's back, saying softly, "Deng, don't worry too much about the past. Deng just needs to work hard to avoid failure next time. Even if you fail once, you must have the confidence to start over again."

At this point, Aine recalled her failure in studying abroad and her new beginning in Hanegaoka. Tomoya seemed to sense the seriousness and hidden emotions in Aine's words, and that those were not words she said to comfort her, but Aine's true feelings.

Seeing the look that Deng was giving her, Aine came back to her senses, and forced herself to come out of the mood of reminiscence. She forced a smile and continued, "Otherwise, life is so long, how can we live on? Next time, maybe you will encounter a miracle and find a teammate who is particularly good and tolerant of you...ah, it's not that our band will definitely do well, but I hope you can play in a band."

Everything Ain said was from the heart. She could see that Deng really wanted to form a band again. When she and Qing were talking about the band just now, she also noticed that Deng cared about them. But Ain also considered that the purpose of her and Qing forming a band was just to play a pretend band among friends, so it might not be suitable for Deng to join. But even if he didn't join their band, Ain still hoped that Deng could let go of the past and start over. This is because you know how to hold an umbrella better because you have been caught in the rain.

Deng could feel Aine’s warmth that was like the sun, and began to think seriously about what Aine said.

If it was Aine and Qing, they might really be able to do it. Deng had shown her non-human side in front of Ai and Qing, but until now, neither of them had left her like this. Aine had always been encouraging her, and Qing, although she would harshly point out her problems, Deng could feel that Qing actually said so much to her because she wanted her to become better. If Qing didn't care about her, then she wouldn't care about her at all.

So Deng felt a little excited, and her face flushed slightly. She looked up at Aine and said, "Then... can you form a band with me for life?"

Ah? For a lifetime?

Aiyin was frightened by the sudden question from Deng. I just wanted to play a band game with my friends, how come I have to come up with this in my whole life? This must be a joke, right? But this atmosphere is not a joke at all...

So Aine subconsciously showed a sweaty expression and blurted out, “Haha, for a lifetime?”

Aiyin wanted to use a joking tone to get past the question, but this kind of awkward and impolite smile was something Deng often saw, when Deng did something strange, the other party would show a smile. This meant that she had done something strange again, and the other party felt confused about it.

Feeling that she had messed up again, Deng couldn't bear it anymore, so she grabbed her schoolbag and ran to the club room. She ran away again.

However, the familiar scene appeared again, Qing's tall figure blocked the light. A similar thing happened in the same place a few days ago.

At this time, Aine also realized that she shouldn't laugh, nor should she doubt Deng's seriousness, and hurried forward to apologize. However, Qing stopped her with a look.

Qing looked towards Deng, and with his cold eyes and cold voice, he spoke mercilessly.

"Are you going to run away again?"

After hearing Qing's blunt questioning, even Aiyin behind Deng felt her heart tremble, as if she was hit by Aoe.

Deng lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry..."

Qing originally wanted to lift Deng's chin with her hand so that Deng could look directly into her eyes, but she was worried that she would be warned by the system if she did so, so she said in a commanding tone: "Don't run away, look into my eyes."

Deng looked into Qing's eyes like a puppet being manipulated.

Qing looked directly into Deng's eyes and asked seriously, "Answer me, Deng. When you said you would form a band for the rest of your life, did you ever think about how you were going to fulfill this promise?"

When Deng heard Qing's question, she subconsciously wanted to lower her head, because she really hadn't thought about this question. She just thought that it would be great if she could form a band for life, so she said it out loud.

“Don’t lower your head! Answer me!” Qing’s voice wasn’t very loud, but it sounded oppressive enough to Deng and Aine, and even Aine straightened her body involuntarily.

Deng stammered, "I...didn't..."

This answer was expected by Qing. In the original animation, after the band regrouped, Deng and Lenai talked about the topic of "the destination that I thought would last forever is gone", and then gradually came to the famous conclusion of "Takamatsu Gravity Calculus". At this stage, Deng can only talk about his whole life verbally and in his mind.

Qing said, "You want to form a band for life. Actually, you don't want the band to disband again because of your own mistakes. That's why you have this idea, right?"

"I...I don't know..."

"It's not that you don't know, it's that you don't want to face it. You're afraid that your mistakes will cause your teammates to leave you, so you bind your teammates with a lifetime commitment, right?"

"No...that's not the case..."

Aiyin looked at Deng, who was about to collapse emotionally, but still looked directly at Qing, and couldn't help herself. She walked between the two of them and separated them, then stood in front of Deng, and said to Qing angrily, "Qing-san, you are too much. Don't assume Deng with malice. Deng doesn't think that way."

Qing said expressionlessly: "Whether I am making malicious assumptions or speaking the truth, no one needs to define it. The fact is that Deng has been avoiding things, and she will never grow up if she continues like this."

Aine retorted, "What's wrong with running away? Some things are painful to face, but it's easy to run away. In the end, running away or actively coping is just a choice. Who can say for sure what will be better?"

Qing said, "But if you choose to escape, you have to bear the consequences of escape, right? There is no doubt that Deng is trying to escape while also wanting to get a positive result. Don't you think it's too greedy? Or are you willing to be bound by Deng's lifelong commitment like this, Aine?"

Aine couldn't refute Qing's words, but she still said, "You shouldn't talk to Deng like that anyway. We are just high school girls. You should be more careful with your words."

At this moment, Qing's expression, which had not changed at all, showed a slight fluctuation. Qing gritted his teeth and turned his head away, muttering to himself in a voice several times lower than before: "Who do you think I did this for... I hate myself for being like this..."

"Eh?" Aiyin was a little stunned when she heard Qing's words. Qing's voice was very soft, and even though she was very close to Qing just now, she could only barely hear it, and she was not sure if she had heard it wrongly.