Mygo, the band legend of Tokyo handsome guy

That's why Yamada Ryo left.

It wasn't that the atmosphere isolated Yamada Ryo, but rather that Yamada Ryo actively left that atmosphere.

Naruzawa Kaede glanced back with slight worry. At this point, the shimmering gold characters were churning, like the turbulent waves within Yamada Ryo's heart. He tightened his grip on Yamada Ryo's hand, and Yamada Ryo, noticing this, gripped Naruzawa Kaede's hand with the same force.

That's it.

The same.

On that rooftop, in that restaurant, in the basement that night.

When Yamada Ryo met Narumi Kaede's gaze, his grip loosened.

It was after that that the two met on the rooftop.

The opposite of "If I don't help him, who will?" is actually...

—If he doesn't belong to me, then who does he belong to?

An atmosphere is nothing more than a collection of people, so why not draw people to your side?

He uses money when he's short of money, and he uses love when he's short of love.

Perhaps it was because Naruzawa Kaede was good at deceiving little girls, or perhaps Yamada Ryo was willing to be deceived, or perhaps Yamada Ryo was particularly good at deceiving little boys, just as she said at the beginning.

In this game of relationships, there are only two hunters.

Yamada Ryo was the one who took the initiative because she spent money on it, whether it was paying for piano practice or giving love.

[It's about being at ease under... control]

In short, Yamada Ryo quickly regained his breathing.

Even now, they are both still mired in this relationship.

A love affair that is not accepted by family and relatives.

A girl who ran away from home in pursuit of love.

Breathing stopped again, and even the soul nearly dried up.

On a hazy afternoon, the ventilator appeared once again.

The ventilator was put back on, and Yamada Ryo caught his breath, but... he couldn't find the feeling he had before.

Now it seems that Yamada Ryo has... found the reason.

Back then, you had my money, so I could play an obscure piano piece several times, we could walk back and forth along a street repeatedly, and I even asked you to join the club I formed.

But now she has nothing left to give.

That's why Yamada Ryo reacted so strongly when Toyokawa Shoko appeared. That's why Yamada Ryo silently prepared a grave for himself when Toyokawa Shoko handed him her card.

But then someone came with a shovel and a ladder.

The spirits that have already been buried must be dug up and dusted off.

They put on new clothes, never saying a word of liking, but just staying by your side, bringing you food and playing with you.

Yamada Ryo is very clear about who he doesn't like and who I like.

Seriously... where did this idiot, this promiscuous, scumbag come from?

Yamada Ryo looked up, and Narusawa Kaede led her along the road, leaving the izakaya, passing through the crowded people, and heading towards a place unknown to Yamada Ryo.

Yamada Ryo couldn't help but think: Besides love and young girls, there's also... a promiscuous idiot.

Although the body...

It seems... I can breathe normally now.

But the soul remains thirsty.

Radiance—in full bloom.

Naruzawa slowed down, noticing Yamada Ryo's rambling thoughts and glancing at him.

Coco 5: Lonely Rock and Roll Isn't Lonely

Now that things have come to this, you've probably realized that Yamada Ryo, in his second year of junior high, doesn't seem to be as strong as he appears, nor as disdainful as he seems.

[What's that saying? Oh right, you must be the famous Kaede! A girl named Yamada Ryo has lost her way in life. Now, it's time for you to pay back your emotional debts.]

Chapter Thirty-Six Together, Destiny, A Lifetime

[Reward to be claimed: Singing skill up↑ (Half-step to the pinnacle of the profession)]

What do you think a young girl needs...? Is it a good, unrestrained drink, a gentle caress, an insatiable thirst for sex and love, or mountains of cash?

Perhaps, none of those are true.

A parched soul needs another soul to replenish it. Everyone has times when they need the support of a soul.

Those who appear when needed and lend a helping hand may not realize it, but they truly become benefactors in other people's lives.

Ming Zefeng suddenly remembered that he had also encountered such a benefactor.

It's Ryo Yamada, Kikusato Hiroi, Tomoka Iji, and Shoko Toyokawa.

Unbeknownst to me, I had already formed bonds with so many people and been changed by so many people.

Mingze Feng thought to himself.

Distracted, Yamada Ryo didn't notice that his pace had slowed down, and then he took a big step, kicking Narusawa Kaede's shin.

Naruzawa Kaede wasn't moved by the kick, but Yamada Ryo's foot started to hurt, as if she had bumped into a steel plate. She staggered a couple of times, and just as she regained her balance, she looked up.

"What's wrong?" Yamada Ryo asked.

Naruzawa Kaede was staring at her face, or rather, looking at Yamada Ryo's back.

Ryoya Yamada turned around and glanced back.

As night fell, the izakaya where the gathering had taken place had long since disappeared at the end of the street.

Couples strolling down the street are not uncommon; high school girls linking arms, punk-style girls carrying bass guitar cases, working people hurrying home late from get off work, workaholics rushing back to continue their overtime, and blue-haired and green-haired girls in the back seat of passing taxis...

The taxi stopped next to the punk-style girl, who got in with her bass guitar case.

It is both ordinary and extraordinary.

This is Tokyo.

Everyone has their own life.

Everyone's life is inseparable from others.

Describing all of this through narration would create an even more fantastical scene. But Mingze Feng hasn't paid attention to any of this for a long time, focusing only on the people around him.

So after glancing at the departing taxi, Mingze Feng looked away.

Behind Naruzawa Kaede, Yamada Ryo stretched and tilted his head slightly, asking softly, "Do you know anyone here?"

They are old friends, but it's not the right time to meet them yet.

Naruzawa Kaede turned to look at Yamada Ryo.

The girl's hair hung down at an angle, obscuring half of her eyes. The ends of her hair were split and slightly oily because it hadn't been styled.

He stared blankly at the girl.

Mingze Feng suddenly realized he had made a mistake.

He should have held her in his arms when he left.

Naruzawa Kaede gripped her hand tightly, then raised his other hand and wrapped it around her lower back. Yamada Ryo's arm pressed against Naruzawa Kaede's chest, separating the two of them.

Her pale yellow pupils reflected the streetlights, creating an amber glow. Bathed in the reflected light, her delicate features reminded Mingze Feng of the fleeting, breathtaking beauty the girl had shown him on the rooftop when she threw herself at him.

She is still so beautiful.

She was injured.

The thing that hurt Liang... was done by me.

He raised his hand and covered her cheek, the smooth touch traveling from his palm straight to his brain.

"Liang, I'm sorry. Last time, I let go of your hand first."

Yes, you made a mistake.

I've made many mistakes before, but two of them were particularly egregious.

"I shouldn't have left back then. I'm sorry, Liang... I really didn't want to hurt you with those things. You're such a good person, really, I didn't want you to get hurt..."

These were things that should have been said long ago, things that should have been done long ago. But at that moment, Naruzawa Kaede closed her eyes and nestled into Toyokawa Shoko's open arms.

Warmth can numb you, making you forget that you've been running away all along.

That night at Yamada Ryo's house, that afternoon at the Starry Sky shop, and... the morning that Toyokawa Shoko left.

We shouldn't let go.

Naruzawa Kaede gripped his hand tightly, causing Yamada Ryo a slight pain, but she couldn't help but smile. To hide her joyful expression, Yamada Ryo secretly bit her lip.

Mingze Feng lowered his eyes and clenched his teeth. He took a deep breath and spoke out everything that had been weighing on his mind.

“I love you all, I love everyone. You, Xiangzi, Xingge, Juli—everyone is so important to me. I don’t want to hurt you all. I just can’t bring myself to leave you all.”

"So many people..." Yamada Ryo said casually.

"So please let me take responsibility. Whether it's the past, the present, or the future, I want to take responsibility for you and for everyone."

"Entrust your fate to me! For a lifetime!"

Hearing these words, Yamada Ryo suddenly felt a calm that was both unexpected and expected.

A future where everyone is together...?

Yamada Ryo nestled in Narusawa Kaede's arms, remaining silent. After all, being held like this, there was no escaping him.

Yamada Ryo's eyelashes suddenly trembled. After a moment of contemplation, she suddenly felt that she couldn't let Narusawa Kaede get away with it so easily.

Yamada Ryo: "Hmm..."

Now that things have come to this, the initial adjustment period for the couple seems to have quietly passed. They're no longer shy about doing anything, so what's left to be fun...?

Narusawa Kaede's heart pounded. The two were so familiar with each other, but seeing Yamada Ryo's reaction, Narusawa Kaede knew that this time... he really could accept it...

Yamada Ryo raised his head and squinted at him.

Mingze Feng continued to stare into her eyes.

Yamada Ryo also seemed to realize something; she seemed to know what Narusawa Kaede was planning to do next.

He wanted to bring over everyone he had just mentioned.

only...

Tsk... Yamada Ryo pouted, annoyed, extremely annoyed.

Whose turn is it now? Get that straight!

After a moment's hesitation, the girl said, "I do not accept an apology."

"Ugh?"

"Hmph~" Yamada Ryo snorted twice, then said, "I won't forgive you, let's see what you do about it."

Then, Yamada Ryo gently touched Narusawa Kaede's chest, her fingernails slightly long and pointed.

Even through his clothes, Naruzawa felt...itchy.

"..."

Honestly, she's still so good at it.

Naruzawa Kaede thought to himself. Now that things had come to this, after being pampered by Toyokawa Shoko and exploited by Hiroi Kikuri, Naruzawa Kaede had developed a high level of resistance to these things.

Yamada Ryo quietly raised his head and looked at Narusawa Kaede's motionless appearance. He couldn't help but feel happy, and the corners of his mouth curved up.

What's wrong with him? He's still so dull.

Naruzawa Kaede lowered his head slightly and could see Yamada Ryo's palm.

Yamada Ryo's hands were small, but her fingers were slender and long. Those long, white fingers poked Narusawa Kaede's chest with varying pressure.