"Okay, okay, enough joking." Uzuki stopped talking when she saw that things were going well. She patted Miori's shoulder and said seriously, "But seriously, if you're really interested in a social gathering, I can help you arrange it. After all, college life is about trying new things."

Miori lowered her head in thought for a moment, then looked up at Shiraishi, as if asking for his opinion. Shiraishi smiled slightly and nodded slightly in support.

"Well... okay, let's just treat it as a new experience in college life." Miori finally made up her mind, with anticipation glittering in her eyes.

As the second-period bell echoed leisurely through the air at twelve o'clock, the ninety-minute Spanish class came to a successful close. That's all for today. Mr. Pedro, the always enthusiastic and energetic Spanish instructor, concluded the class in perfect Spanish, smiling and saying to the students, "Hastalaprximasemana!" (See you next week).

"Hastaluego!" The one who responded to him was the clear and pleasant voice of Hirokawa Uzuki. She was smiling and waving goodbye, as if even the air became more lively because of her vitality.

Just as Pedro's figure gradually disappeared at the classroom door, another student, Takumi, entered the classroom almost immediately after him. After scanning Shiraishi, his eyes inadvertently turned to Miori, who was busy packing her books and preparing to leave...

"Shiraishi, what would you like to eat for lunch?" Takumi asked casually, but his eyes revealed a hint of curiosity and concern for Miori.

"Chao." Miori responded easily in fluent Spanish, a warm way of saying goodbye between friends. She raised her hand gently, then gracefully stood up, walked past Takumi, and disappeared into the corridor outside the classroom, leaving behind a faint fragrance and a lingering smile.

"Shiraishi-san, what's going on?" Takumi asked impatiently as he approached Shiraishi, his hands unconsciously resting on the table. He was obviously curious about the rapidly heating up relationship between Miori and Shiraishi. "Didn't you say this morning that there was nothing special?"

"She is now my candidate friend." Bai Shi replied lightly, with a barely perceptible smile on his lips.

"Then count me in!" Takumi suggested half-jokingly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You've already called someone by name so soon? It seems you really have the ability to conquer Sakurajima Mai..." His words were tinged with envy and teasing, and his gaze seemed to penetrate the classroom and reach beyond.

At the front of the classroom, the girls, led by Uzuki, were enthusiastically discussing where to go for lunch. "How about going to the school cafeteria?" "I want to try Yokoichii's rice bowl!" Uzuki's voice was especially loud, a testament to her love for the university's unique cuisine.

However, just as everyone was about to leave together, Mao Yue suddenly remembered something and slapped her forehead. "Oh no, I forgot we were going to take pictures today. I have to go now." She quickly apologized to everyone.

Chapter 243 Disbandment?

After the girls had completely vanished, Takumi softly uttered, "I always feel like girls are so unpredictable..." Shiraishi smiled faintly, "People are all the same." His words revealed a profound understanding of university interpersonal relationships. Without strict "class" boundaries, relationships were more relaxed and free-flowing, and likes and dislikes were no longer so clearly defined, replaced by a moderate sense of distance and mutual respect.

"Shiraishi, you're quite surprising too," Takumi teased with a smile. As they chatted, they walked towards the school cafeteria, which was already bustling with people, the bustling lunchtime scene in full view. They made their way through the bustling crowd and eventually found two empty seats next to each other, enjoying their respective Yokoichi Donbs and savoring this simple yet wonderful lunch.

In the school cafeteria, the affordable meals allowed Shiraishi and Takumi to quickly finish their lunch. They chatted while drinking the free tea.

"Shiraishi, seriously, can you introduce me to a girl?" Takumi asked half-jokingly. 17 "Where are the girls you exchanged contact information with at the party last time?" Shiraishi asked back.

"No one replied." Takumi shrugged, looking a little frustrated.

"What about Fengbin? She's pretty good too." Shiraishi suggested tentatively.

"Don't joke. She'll be mad if you tell her that." Takumi smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Just then, a gleaming figure caught Shiraishi's attention. It was Kazuka, her golden hair gleaming in the sunlight, walking towards them.

"Shiraishi, lend it to me for a while." Waka said directly to Shiraishi, her eyes glancing over Takumi without further explanation.

"No problem, you guys chat," Takumi readily agreed, leaving Shiraishi bewildered.

He Xiang ignored Shiraishi's doubts and turned to leave. Shiraishi had no choice but to put down his cutlery and follow her.

The two of them went outside and found a quiet bench to sit on. Dance club students were practicing not far away, but Kazuka didn't seem to care.

"Tell me, what do you want from me?" Bai Shi was the first to break the silence.

"Did you see Mao Yue today?" Kazuka went straight to the point.

"Yes, we took Spanish class together," Shiraishi replied.

"How does she look? Did she mention anything?" Hexiang asked.

"She was in good spirits, just like usual. She didn't say anything special." Bai Shi told the truth.

"Then...what about the sweet bullet?" There was a hint of subtle nervousness in Kazuka's voice.

"No." Bai Shi shook his head. "What happened between you two?"

Kazuka was silent for a moment, as if considering whether to reveal more. "Nothing, just a little worried about her," she said finally. "Thank you for telling me."

What on earth were they discussing? Shiraishi's question broke the silence between them. His gaze was fixed on Kazuka, trying to catch a clue from her eyes. Kazuka's expression was complex, revealing both lingering anger and an indescribable dilemma and struggle.

Yesterday, something unpleasant happened... He Xiang finally spoke, her voice low and slightly choked, as if every word carried heavy emotions.

Something unpleasant? You mean... a quarrel? Shiraishi frowned slightly. The word sounded particularly abrupt to him. He couldn't imagine that there would be an argument between Kazuka and Uzuki. Their relationship had always been as close as sisters.

It might not be accurate to say that they had a quarrel... He Xiang shook her head, her tone somewhat helpless, but yesterday's situation did make her feel very uncomfortable.

Shiraishi's confusion deepened after hearing this. He noticed Kazuka's mood swings and recalled Uzuki's behavior today—his usual calmness and smile formed a stark contrast to Kazuka's current gloomy expression, making him wonder if there was some misunderstanding.

Could you tell me what the root of this unpleasantness is? Bai Shi tried to make his tone sound gentle and concerned.

Kazuka took a deep breath, seemingly gathering her thoughts. "You should know that two members of our idol group, Sweet Bullet, have already graduated." This fact, mentioned by her, made Shiraishi's heart tremble slightly. Indeed, ever since the membership changes six months ago, the group's future has been a focus of attention.

Then what? Is this the reason for your disagreement? Shiraishi asked tentatively.

He Xiang was silent for a moment, as if weighing her words: "Ever since the member changes, we have been discussing the future direction of the group...including whether to continue or choose to disband. These are issues we cannot avoid."

Continue or disband… Shiraishi repeated this sentence, he could feel the heaviness in Kazuka's words. This was a choice between dreams and reality, a difficult decision for anyone who loved the stage.

Furthermore, our goal was to sing at the Budokan within three years. But now, that goal seems increasingly distant. There's a hint of bitterness in Kazuka's voice. Despite this, our fan base continues to grow, and work opportunities are piling up. Uzuki, in particular, has been performing exceptionally well on various programs, and her offers are piling up.

Shiraishi nodded. He clearly remembered Huafeng's enthusiastic descriptions of Uzuki's performances at music festivals and concerts back in the summer. Back then, Uzuki was undoubtedly the most dazzling presence on the stage.

Chapter 244: In the complicated emotional entanglement, the word "quarrel" in Hexiang's mouth seemed to have become her

Chapter 244: Getting Angry

Amidst this complex web of emotions, Kazuka's utterance of the word "quarrel" seemed to epitomize the turmoil within her. This word wasn't simply a summary of the delicate relationship between her and Uzuki; it was a direct expression of her deepest, complex emotions. Perhaps she was using it to capture the inexpressible sense of loss and confusion, though perhaps this feeling was merely a one-sided projection.

Uzuki's seemingly nonchalant attitude was like an invisible wall, quietly separating the two worlds and making Kazuka feel even more isolated and helpless. If Uzuki knew nothing about this, then the conversation between them would be like two parallel lines, never finding a point of intersection.

"The other members felt the same way... so it's like all four of them are blaming her, right?" Kazuka's words betrayed a deep sense of helplessness and self-blame. She realized she wasn't alone, but this empathy made it even harder for her to face Uzuki. So, she chose Shiraishi as someone to confide in, hoping he could become the unfinished bridge between her and Uzuki.

However, Shiraishi's reaction was beyond Kazuka's expectations.

His understatement, even a hint of teasing, made He Xiang feel an indescribable sense of frustration. She glared at Shiraishi, her eyes filled with both dissatisfaction and expectation, as if asking, "Why can't you take my feelings seriously?"

And Shiraishi's words, "Isn't it nice to have this kind of luxurious worry?" were like a sharp knife, inadvertently cutting the softest part of Hexiang's heart.

At this moment, Kazuka's emotions reached a fever pitch. She felt as if all her efforts had been in vain, all her expectations had become meaningless. She stood up, her tone filled with a hint of anger and resentment: "You're annoying! I know that!" This statement was a mixture of dissatisfaction with Shiraishi and anger at her own inability to do anything. She stormed off.

The girls practicing dance around him cast curious glances, then hastily averted their gazes, as if afraid of being dragged into this invisible fray. Shiraishi stood there, a mixture of emotions. He realized that while Waka had become more composed on the surface, she remained the same straightforward, genuine girl in front of him. He sighed and silently resolved to pay closer attention to her moods, lest she lose herself in this complex emotional entanglement.

The morning sky finally cleared, and sunlight filtered through the clouds onto the earth, bringing a touch of warmth and hope. Shiraishi looked up at the sky, a strange feeling welling up in his heart. He realized that the emotions between people are like the weather, sometimes sunny and sometimes rainy. But no matter how things change, as long as there is light in our hearts, we can always find the way forward.

He turned his attention to the relationship between Kazuka and Uzuki. As members of the same idol group, they shared not only common goals and dreams but also a deep trust and bond. This relationship transcended ordinary friendship and camaraderie; it was a stronger comradeship. Shiraishi believed that no matter how the circumstances changed, this bond between them would remain unshaken.

However, he also understood that reality was often more complex and changeable than imagined. He had a premonition that things might develop in an unexpected direction. Sure enough, the next morning, subtle changes occurred in the school.

"Well... Xiao Qian, good morning." Yukino's voice was a little lazy, yet gentle. She greeted Shiraishi with a smile, although behind that smile there was a hint of sleepiness that prevented her from fully waking up.

"Don't forget to clean up the dishes," Shiraishi reminded with a gentle chuckle, his eyes filled with fondness. Yukino simply nodded softly, mumbling a vague "Okay," and then, yawning under his gaze, she watched him leave the house and embark on a new day.

The morning sky was as clear as if washed by water, with a few white clouds floating leisurely, like stretched marshmallows, tempting to reach out and touch them. The air was filled with the unique dryness and freshness of autumn, and every step seemed to resonate with the pulse of the season. Shiraishi followed the familiar route to Fujisawa Station, then transferred to Yokohama, and finally arrived at Kanazawa Hakkei Station. The entire journey took about an hour, but for him, it had become an indispensable part of life.

As we exited the station, we were greeted by groups of energetic students, some walking in groups of two or three, some walking alone, their faces filled with longing and anticipation for the future. Shiraishi was no exception. Though he yawned and looked bleary-eyed, his appreciation and enjoyment of daily life was evident.

Passing through the school's main gate, the scene gradually became lively, with students laughing and chatting, full of youthful energy. Shiraishi admired this familiar scenery while reflecting on the details of life.

Chapter 245 Disguise

In his view, this ordinary scene day after day is the truest portrayal of life and the treasure he cherishes most.

Entering the main campus, Shiraishi made his way to classroom 201 with familiarity, ready to begin today's required course: linear algebra. The classroom was already one-third full, mostly first-year students from the same department.

In the middle of the classroom, Shiraishi spotted Takumi's back. He walked over, and the two exchanged a brief greeting. Takumi even thoughtfully saved a seat for him. However, Shiraishi chose the empty seat in the front, jokingly saying, "Chairs are meant to be cold." The lighthearted conversation between the two added a touch of fun to this otherwise ordinary day.

As class time approached, the atmosphere in the classroom grew increasingly tense. Students put away their phones, preparing to embrace the baptism of new knowledge. Shiraishi was no exception. He pulled out his linear algebra textbook and notebook and began to prep. Suddenly, his eyes were drawn to a group of girls at the front of the room—they were wearing similar clothes and excitedly playing with apps on their smartphones. One of them was Uzuki. Her smile was like the spring sunshine, warm and bright, and it lifted Shiraishi's mood.

However, in this seemingly ordinary scene before class, Bai Shi vaguely felt that something was wrong.

At first, the interactions between Uzuki and her friends resemble the heartwarming scenes you'd find in any school. They wear matching skirts and shirts, and their banter and banter intertwine into vivid scenes. However, within this familiarity lies a strangeness that Shiraishi finds difficult to explain. He tries to analyze it rationally, but finds himself playing a difficult game of "Spot the Fault," where every detail seems both ordinary and unusual.

When Uzuki's eyes accidentally met Shiraishi's, her face wasn't filled with her usual bright smile, but a complex expression, as if she were reminiscing, or perhaps thinking. She softly asked Shiraishi if Kazuka had said anything, and her cautiousness made Shiraishi realize that Uzuki was truly different today.

Shiraishi attempts to respond calmly to Uzuki's questions, seeking clues to the answer. But Uzuki's answers remain enigmatic, neither clear nor direct, leaving Shiraishi even more bewildered. Their conversation feels like two people from two different worlds attempting to bridge an invisible divide, yet always failing to understand each other at crucial moments.

When Uzuki mentioned that Kazuka hadn't met with her yesterday and specifically asked her if she would come to school today, Shiraishi's suspicions grew even more intense. He realized that some unknown storm might be brewing between Kazuka and Uzuki. Uzuki's behavior today seemed more like a foreshadowing of this storm. She was no longer the carefree, straightforward girl she used to be, but had become sensitive and anxious.

What struck Shiraishi as even more jarring was the polite smile on Uzuki's face. It was an expression he had never seen on her face before, as if she were deliberately keeping a distance, hiding her true self. And her response to the question, "What happened?" had lost its usual candor and directness, replaced by a deliberate evasion and perfunctory response.

All of this made Bai Shi feel unprecedentedly confused and uneasy. He began to wonder if he had missed some important information, or if there were more complex emotional entanglements hidden behind all these changes.

He knew very well that as a friend, he should give Mao Yue more care and support, but at this moment, he could only stand aside silently, observing all this, waiting for the truth to gradually surface.

This sudden feeling weighed on Bai Shi's heart like a huge rock, making him unable to let go. He began to ponder how relationships between people could change so inadvertently, and how, amidst this change, we could maintain our original innocence and honesty.

Shiraishi tried to distance himself from the subtle differences and examine everything rationally. He sighed softly and returned his attention to his conversation with Takumi, while still silently analyzing Uzuki's various behaviors.

"I'm feeling good today, right?" Uzuki smiled again, a smile that, though brilliant, seemed to carry a subtle strain of reluctance. The confidence in her words formed a subtle contrast with her now slightly wandering gaze. Shiraishi didn't respond directly, but simply observed silently, pondering the situation.

Her gaze drifted past Shiraishi and refocused on the group of similarly dressed girls, chatting and laughing. The feeling of belonging made her feel as if she were truly in sync with everyone else, and an indescribable sense of satisfaction welled up within her. "I feel like I'm completely on everyone's wavelength," she whispered to herself, a hint of self-assurance in her tone.

"It seems so." Bai Shi agreed softly, but different thoughts were swirling in his mind.

Chapter 246 Be honest with each other

As the professor entered the classroom, the students gathered their minds and prepared for class. Uzuki quickly adjusted herself and returned to her friends. However, Shiraishi's eyes never left her. He whispered to Takumi, who was standing diagonally behind him, "How did you feel about today, Hirokawa-san?"

Upon hearing this, Takumi answered without hesitation: "I think she's cute." When Shiraishi asked, "What else?", Takumi just repeated the same answer, obviously not noticing the subtle changes in Uzuki.

Yet, the uneasiness within him grew like wild weeds, uncontrollable. He forced himself to focus on the class, but Uzuki's every move still irritated him. He noticed that Uzuki seemed unusually restless in class today, no longer listening attentively and asking questions as usual. Her behavior betrayed an indescribable restlessness and anxiety, as if something was weighing heavily on her mind.

The bell rang, and the students gathered their books and prepared to leave. Uzuki quickly packed her textbooks and discussed lunch plans with her friends. Her voice was quiet in the crowd, its calmness a stark contrast to her usual excitement. At that moment, Shiraishi was convinced that Uzuki had indeed changed.

He looked at Mao Yue's receding figure, feeling mixed emotions. He didn't know what had happened.

Takumi leaned forward slightly, almost over the edge of his seat, and said to Shiraishi in a half-joking, half-serious tone: "I made a lunch box, but there's no way I can give you my share." After that, he stood up, patted the dust off his pants, and announced: "I'm going to the cooperative to buy some snacks." The implication seemed to be that Shiraishi should be patient and he would be back soon.

Just as Takumi was about to leave the classroom through the back door, a blonde girl, Kazuka, quietly entered. Her gaze rested briefly on Shiraishi, then quickly shifted to Uzuki, who was about to leave through another door. In that moment, a complex emotion flashed through Kazuka's eyes, a mixture of anticipation, doubt, and uneasiness.

"Uzuki," Kazuka called softly, her voice soft but enough to send a slight shudder through her. Uzuki turned around, a quick, apologetic smile plastered across her face. She said to her friends, "Sorry, you guys go to the cafeteria first. I'll be right back." This way, she cleverly avoided a direct confrontation with Kazuka and escorted her friends out of the classroom.

With the last student gone, Shiraishi, Uzuki, and Kazuka were the only ones left in the classroom. An inexplicable tension hung in the air, as if even breathing had become cautious. Shiraishi sat in his seat, his lunch box before him, while Uzuki and Kazuka stood at the front and back of the room, respectively, as if an invisible wall separated them.

"Well...um, Hexiang, are you looking for me because of what happened last time?" Finally, Mao Yue broke the silence. Although her voice was soft, it revealed an unprecedented firmness.

Hearing this, Kazuka frowned slightly, clearly surprised by Uzuki's directness. "Last time? Which time?" She tried to feign confusion, but the glint in her eyes betrayed her.

"Of course, it was Sunday." Uzuki spoke without hesitation, as if the incident was of paramount importance to her. "I'm truly sorry for not understanding your feelings and for making you angry." She clasped her hands together and offered a sincere apology, a stark contrast to her usual carefree self.

Kazuka was stunned. She hadn't expected Uzuki to bring up the matter so bluntly, much less to apologize. She had thought she'd hidden her inner anxiety, restlessness, and uneasiness well, keeping it hidden from everyone, not even Uzuki. But now, it seemed, that wasn't the case.

"Uzuki..." Kazuka's voice trembled a little. She tried to calm herself down. "Actually, I was also wrong. Maybe what I said was too harsh."

"No, no, that's all my fault." Uzuki shook his head in denial. "If you hadn't said it, I might still not know how everyone feels. We all have more work to do now, and less time to do activities together, but we can't let that alienate us from each other."

The conversation between the two gradually became deeper and more sincere. Shi listened quietly, feeling both relieved and surprised. He was relieved that Uzuki and Kazuka could be so honest with each other, and surprised by the huge change in Uzuki today.

Finally, Uzuki suggested that everyone gather together during today's dance class to discuss this issue, and Kazuka agreed. Although she still looked a little distracted, she had clearly recovered from her previous emotions and began to actively prepare for the next conversation.

After Uzuki confirmed with Kazuka again, she smiled and nodded to Shiraishi, then picked up her bag and quickly walked out of the classroom.

Chapter 247 Gentle Afternoon

As the lunch break drew to a close, the chime of the bell, heralding the start of the afternoon, echoed melodiously across the campus. Inside the cafeteria, the quiet and leisurely atmosphere was quietly shattered by this gentle sound. Students, withdrawing from their thoughts, began to gather their belongings and their dishes, preparing for the afternoon's learning and challenges.

"I'm going to the library to return a book. I'll be leaving now." Miori's voice was clear and pleasant, like a gentle spring breeze, breaking the silence at the table. She stood up gently and prepared to leave.

"Let me help you clear the dishes," Shiraishi followed closely behind, his words revealing an unspoken gentleness and thoughtfulness. He naturally reached out and took the tray from Miori's hand, their tacit understanding seeming to need no further explanation.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, thank you." Miori smiled slightly. Then, she said goodbye to Mai, a simple "See you next week in class" and a wave, then turned and left lightly, leaving behind a receding figure that made people think.

Shiraishi watched Miori leave until she completely disappeared around the corner of the restaurant, then he gently placed the cutlery in the recycling area. After completing all this, he turned around and walked out of the restaurant with Mai, heading towards the main school building.

"Bai Shi, what classes do you have this afternoon?" Mai's voice rang softly in the breeze, with a hint of concern and curiosity.

"Actually, I'd like to skip class and go on a sweet date with you," Shiraishi replied half-jokingly, his eyes hard to hide his seriousness. They walked slowly along the ginkgo trail, carpeted with golden leaves, looking up at the boundless blue sky, a strange feeling welling up in their hearts. In such beautiful weather, even the air seemed to be filled with romance.

"If you have to go to the fourth period, I will go home with you." Mai's words were like warm sunshine, filling Shiraishi's heart with warmth and emotion.

"My classes in the afternoon only last until the third period, but I still have to work at a cram school in the evening, so I will wait for you to leave together." Shiraishi replied, his words revealing his dependence on Mai and reluctance to leave.

"Come to think of it, you still have to work at the cram school today." Mai sighed softly, with a hint of helplessness and heartache in her eyes.

"Yeah, I really want to eat the food you cook for dinner." Bai Shi deliberately acted coquettishly, trying to ease the heaviness in the atmosphere.

"Even if you say that, I won't help you cook." Mai smiled and shook her head, but the smile in her eyes revealed her feelings.

"Ah~~" Shiraishi sighed in pretended disappointment, but then changed the subject, "However, if you see Futaba at the cram school tonight, I will ask her about Hirokawa for you."

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