Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

Life seems to be on the right track, and in the busyness day after day and the subtle changes in mood, the seasons have quietly changed their appearance.

The weather in Tokyo always seems to change seasons at some unexpected moment.

A few days ago, there was still some warmth left from midsummer, but in the blink of an eye, the wind in the morning and evening became noticeably cooler, and the air became dry and refreshing.

The ginkgo leaves on both sides of the street began to turn golden quietly, announcing the arrival of this season of harvest and bleakness.

As the weather turned cooler, the pots of cucumbers that Ruo Yemu carefully cared for on the balcony of his apartment finally succumbed to the laws of nature. The vines began to turn yellow, and the leaves gradually lost their former lush green color and wilted.

Mu did not show too much sadness as she watched those little lives that had once held so much of her heart come to an end.

She just observed quietly for two days, and then one afternoon, taking advantage of the last bit of life left on the vine, she carefully picked two fully grown, plump and green cucumbers.

In the evening, when Kujo Renji returned to the apartment after finishing his band work, Mu greeted him at the entrance as usual. After completing the routine hugging ceremony with a faint plant fragrance, he did not immediately leave quietly as usual.

She took out the two fresh cucumbers from behind her back, handed them to Jiujo Renji, and said softly in her flat voice:

"Gift."

Jiujo Renji looked at the two cucumbers that still had water droplets on them and looked particularly juicy, and raised his eyebrows in surprise.

He took it, weighed it, and felt it was slightly heavy in his hand.

"Oh?"

He looked at Mu, his tone somewhat teasing:

"Don't you treasure your cucumbers the most? You water and rid them of pests every day. You value them more than anything else. Why are you so generous today and willing to give them to me?"

Ruoye Mu blinked his golden eyes, which were as clear as glass, and seemed to think seriously about his question before answering: "Because it was not cooked before."

These four simple words explained why she hadn't given it to him before. But it seemed that the words "most precious" by Jiujo Renji touched a certain point in her. She paused, then added in a lighter, yet clearer voice:

"And...I like Ren Si more."

Compared to those cucumbers that need careful care and represent some kind of obsession, she prefers the person in front of her.

Do you like me more than cucumbers?

Hajimu, you bastard...

Although he knew that Mu's "like" was probably more of a confirmation of security and dependence, this pure and clumsy expression still touched him a little.

Of course, autumn has arrived and the temperature has dropped, but the "enthusiasm" of some people does not seem to have diminished. Instead, they have begun to stir in various ways that are more characteristic of the season.

That afternoon, Kujo Renji received a message from Sanjiao Chuhua on his mobile phone.

"Xiao Xiang, Xiao Xiang~! (≧?≦)/Do you know what 'the first cup of milk tea in autumn' is?"

Below the message, there is also a carefully taken photo.

The background of the photo appears to be Chuhua's neatly arranged kitchen. She's wearing a pink apron with cute ruffles, standing at the counter. In front of her sits a large, professional-looking tea bucket, with ingredients like evaporated milk and syrup nearby.

It seems that she is making milk tea by herself.

However, the focus of the photo is obviously more than that. In the camera, Sanjiao Chuhua has a delicate and flawless light makeup on her face, her eyelashes are clearly defined and curled, and her lips are painted with a moist coral lip gloss.

Her signature short blond hair was styled to be fluffy and shiny, with a few strands of hair playfully falling on her cheeks. She smiled sweetly at the camera, her carefully painted, violet-like eyes sparkling with cunning and expectation.

Jiujo Renji looked at the photo and curled his lips speechlessly.

Just to make a cup of milk tea, do you need to put on full makeup and even do your hairstyle meticulously?

Is this a sincere desire to share the first cup of milk tea of ​​autumn, or is it an unobtrusive way to show off one's charm under the name of milk tea and "fish" at the same time?

Miss Sanjiao Chuhua, your intentions are too obvious! You're practically writing "Look at me, look at me! I'm so cute, virtuous, and I know how to enjoy life" all over your face.

Jiujo Renji saw through the other person's girlish thoughts almost at a glance.

Sure enough, the next message followed:

"Next time during rehearsal, I'll bring you some milk tea I made myself! I guarantee it's better than what you buy out there! (.o?-)?"

Kujo Renji tapped his fingers on the screen, and in the end just replied with a thumbs-up emoticon, without saying anything else.

The best way to deal with this level of "fishing" is to ignore it.

Just when Chuhua had calmed down, another "attentive" lady came to the door.

It's Yutenji Wakamugi, or rather, Meowmu.

"Xiao Xiang~! Look what I did for you! Clang clang——!"

The message was accompanied by a picture of an off-white cashmere scarf that looked soft and well-made.

The scarf is simple and elegant, but the most eye-catching thing is the two Q-version figurines carefully sewn on one end of the scarf.

On the left is a Q-version little girl wearing a blue dress and twin ponytails, with round amber eyes and a proud and cute look. Right next to her is a Q-version little girl wearing a pink and purple performance costume and signature purple short hair, with a confident and playful smile on her face.

The two Q-version figures snuggled together intimately, the picture was warm and...meaningful.

It can be seen that Miao Meng's craftsmanship is quite good, with fine stitches and harmonious color matching. The two Q-version figures are embroidered vividly, and the characteristics of the two people are captured very accurately.

The scarf itself is undoubtedly a beautiful and thoughtful gift.

She is simply...a good wife and mother?

Kujo Renji looked at the picture and complained silently in his heart.

No, rather than saying that she is a good wife and mother, it is better to say that Miss Yutenji Wakamugi is very deliberately showing her attributes of a "good wife and mother".

The thoughts of those two Q-version figures standing close together are obvious.

Isn’t the one with blue hair and twin ponytails “Xiangzi” himself, and isn’t the one with short purple hair her, Yutenji Wakamu?

Could it be that she...actually sewed two identical scarves, gave one to herself, and then wore the other herself, pretending that they were a couple's scarf?

With Miao Meng's lively and showy personality, it is really possible for her to do such a thing.

Kujo Renji had serious doubts about this.

Of course, complaints are complaints and doubts are doubts.

Since the other party has given you a gift, and it is such a thoughtful handmade product, you still have to show basic courtesy and prepare a return gift.

Interpersonal communication is sometimes a necessary social means, especially when managing a team.

Just as Kujo Renji was thinking about what gift to give in return that would express his gratitude without causing too much misunderstanding, the sour and sarcastic voice of a certain young lady rang in his mind.

"Hmph, you're really popular."

Toyokawa Shoko spoke coldly, her tone full of undisguised sarcasm.

"From milk tea to scarves, everyone's trying to get close to you. It seems like you're managing your band relationships pretty well, Mr. Kujo?"

Formulated breath.

Ignore it.

...

The rehearsal day arrived as scheduled.

Pushing open the familiar door of the rehearsal room covered with soundproof cotton, a mixture of musical instruments, sweat and a light scent of perfume hits you in the face.

The members have arrived one after another and are tuning their instruments or looking through the music scores.

Sanjiao Chuhua arrived extra early today. She was carrying a large, insulated bag with a cute print. With a vibrant smile on her face, she greeted everyone warmly:

"Everyone, come and try the bubble milk tea I made myself! It's the first cup of milk tea in autumn, you must drink it!"

She took out a few cups of exquisitely packaged milk tea from the thermos bag. There were fine water droplets condensed on the walls of the cups, which looked very tempting.

Each cup comes with a thick straw and even has different sweetness options carefully marked.

"Wow! Chuhua, you're amazing! You can even make your own milk tea!"

Yutenji Ruomai was the first to come over, picked up a cup of full sugar and pearls, and praised it generously.

"It looks delicious." Hai Ling also came over and chose a cup with little sugar and less ice.

Mu Ze stood silently by, her eyes shifting between milk tea and Chu Hua, and finally Kujo Renji took a cup and handed it to her.

While Chu Hua was distributing milk tea to everyone, he carefully observed Jiujo Rensi's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

When she saw Kujo Renji also picked up a cup and took a sip gracefully, her heart skipped a beat and her eyes were full of anticipation.

This scene naturally did not escape Yutenji Ruomai's observant eyes, especially when it came to matters involving "Xiao Xiang". While sucking on the chewy pearl, she silently complained in her heart:

Humph, what's the point of sharing it with everyone? You're almost staring at Xiaoxiang! Sure enough, you mainly want to give it to Xiaoxiang alone! Who can't see through this little thought?

Sanjiao Chuhua paid no attention to Ruomai's inner complaints. She nervously watched Jiujo Rensi swallow the milk tea, then mustered up the courage to ask cautiously in a tone that was a bit shy and expectant:

"Xiao, Xiaoxiang, is it delicious? Is it too sweet?"

Jiujo Liansi put down the milk tea, looked at Chuhua with amber eyes, a faint smile on his lips, and praised gently:

"Mm, it's delicious. The sweetness is just right, and the tea flavor is very mellow. Chuhua's craftsmanship is great."

After receiving the affirmation from "Toyokawa Shoko", Sanjiao Chuhua instantly felt as if he had received the supreme honor. His eyes sparkled, and a brilliant smile blossomed on his face. Even the air around him seemed to become sweet.

"Really?! That's great! As long as Xiaoxiang likes it! Next time I'll make other flavors for you to try!"

Looking at Chuhua's smiling face, which looked as if she wanted to spin in circles, Yutenji Ruomai rolled his eyes in his heart, but a smile with a sense of superiority appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Hey, Sanjiao Chuhua, are you still using this roundabout tactic of "borrowing everyone's name to curry favor with Xiaoxiang"? Too low-level! I saw through it a long time ago! Now, it's my turn to take the stage!

Yutenji Wakamu put down her half-drunk milk tea and pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift box from her expensive-looking bag. She walked straight up to Kujo Renji and handed him the box with a confident yet slightly shy smile.

"Xiao Xiang~! This is for you!"

Her voice was sweet and direct, and she looked at Kujo Renji with burning eyes:

"The weather is getting colder, so I knitted a scarf for you. I hope you like it!"

As soon as she said this, the rehearsal room suddenly became quiet. Everyone's eyes were focused on the gift box.

The smile on Sanjiao Chuhua's face froze slightly, and there was a hint of surprise and...warning in his eyes when he looked at Ruomai.

Yutenji Wakamai felt Chuhua's gaze and felt even more proud.

Look! I'm not as hypocritical as you, pretending to be "everyone." I'm telling you plainly that this gift is specifically for Xiaoxiang! This undisguised partiality truly reflects my sincerity and appreciation for him!

She felt that she was already one step ahead of Sanjiao Chuhua in this silent "battle for Xiaoxiang"!

Jiujo Renji looked at the gift in front of him that was obviously "long-planned", then looked at Sanjiao Chuhua with a subtle look in his eyes, and Hailing Hemu who was drinking milk tea silently as if it had nothing to do with him, and a sense of helplessness rose in his heart.

Is today a special day? Or is it just a tradition among girls these days, where they start getting gifts for each other and competing against each other in the fall?

However, since he had received the "gift notice" from these two people several days in advance, he was naturally prepared.

He took the gift box from Ruomai and opened it. It was the off-white scarf with the cute little people embroidered on it that he had seen in the photo before. He picked up the scarf and found it soft and comfortable to the touch. The workmanship was indeed very exquisite.

"Thank you."

Jiujo Renji nodded to Ruomai, who was full of expectation, and praised sincerely:

"The scarf is beautiful and well made. I love it."

After receiving the praise, Yutenji Wakamu felt so light that she seemed to be flying!

She knew it! Xiaoxiang would definitely like the gift she made by hand! This is much more sincere than milk tea!

Just as Ruomai was feeling elated, Kujo Renji put down her scarf and took out several small and exquisite black velvet boxes from her bag.

"Since everyone has prepared gifts, I can't do nothing."

He distributed the boxes to everyone present:

"This is a little thing I prepared for you all, I hope you like it."

Everyone curiously opened the box. Inside were metal badges of varying designs. Each one was based on Ave Mujica's signature elements—a broken mask, thorns, feathers, and more—and cleverly incorporated the colors and personal characteristics of each member.

“Wow! So beautiful!”

Ruomai was the first to exclaim, picking up her pink badge and flipping through it lovingly:

"This is so beautiful! Xiaoxiang, you are so thoughtful!"

She carefully pinned the badge on the collar of her coat, then raised her head, her eyes burning with warmth, and said to Kujo Renji in an extremely serious tone:

"Xiao Xiang! Thank you! This badge means so much to me! I swear! I will keep it well! For the rest of my life! No! Even in my next life!"

Jiujo Renji looked at her excited expression, as if she wanted to swear to the sky, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

Is it necessary to use such heavy words as "a lifetime" or "next life"?

It's just a badge, Ms. Yutenji.