Nishino was walking back to the practice room alone.

She was worried about the difficulty in making chocolate, and hesitant to tell Wu Geng that she had no experience in making chocolate. She hoped that she could lower her expectations a little and reduce her stress so that her mind would not be filled with chocolate.

Even the most important live preparations are a bit inadequate.

In the past two days, Nishino didn't sleep well. It wasn't to the point of insomnia. It was just that he fell asleep relatively late and was thinking about all kinds of things in his head, making it difficult to fall asleep.

In the bedroom with the lights off, as soon as she closed her eyes, her brain began to rehearse crazily the scene of Wu Geng tasting the chocolate she made on Valentine's Day. The ending was all with Wu Geng looking weird and praising with a wry smile. So how could she do this?

Calm down!

Nishino's ideal expectation is that the two of them would be free at night, strolling on the streets, and when the atmosphere is at its best, Nishino hands over the beautifully packaged chocolates in his hand.

"Eh? Did Na-chan make this? It's amazing!"

Then Wu Geng opened the package in amazement, looked at the exquisitely made chocolates in the box, picked up a piece, and put it in his mouth to taste.

His eyes instantly lit up, "It's so delicious! It's better than what's made in the store!"

At this time, Nishino blushed and waved his hands modestly, but he was actually secretly proud of himself.

"This is the best chocolate I have ever tasted! Number one in the world!"

Wu Geng looked directly at Nishino's slightly evasive eyes seriously. After a long time, the atmosphere was charming, and Nishino lowered his gaze shyly.

The music coming from the window of the street shop slowly flowed in the space where there were only two people.

It's "love forever" by Miria Kato.

Just like what the song says.

"It's great to meet you, even though it's also bitter

You are still by my side when I am alone at night

It’s great to meet the unique you in this world

My thoughts for you turn into twinkling stars in the night sky."

"..."

So I’m thinking about some random things!

After coming back to his senses, Nishino bumped his forehead against the wall in embarrassment.

She has been really out of sorts lately, like a leisurely park in the afternoon, with the slightest movement, her thoughts are like a startled dove, flapping its wings and scurrying around in all directions.

It must be Valentine's Day's fault, she thought, the so-called pre-holiday syndrome.

Inexplicable excitement, random thoughts, nervousness and anxiety, and an extraordinary sense of expectation.

"Um... Nishino-san, are you okay?"

Qiu Yuan stood in front of the door of the practice room, looking at her worriedly, with a hesitant expression on his face. He hesitated for a while before speaking.

"No, it's okay!"

Nishino's face instantly turned red. She quickly stood up straight and adjusted her hair subconsciously, feeling a sense of shame in her heart.

"Akimoto-san...did you see it?"

Qiu Yuan nodded awkwardly.

"...Since when?"

"When Nishino-san said, 'Eh? Did Na-chan make this? It's amazing!'..." Akimoto laughed awkwardly.

Isn’t that right from the beginning! And I actually said everything that was on my mind!

Nishino covered his hot cheeks, wishing he could teleport and disappear immediately.

"It's nothing, I won't tell anyone, don't worry." Qiu Yuan waved his hands repeatedly, "I will keep it secret!"

"..."

I must have been taken for a fool, Nishino thought painfully.

Only then did she notice that Qiu Yuan's cheeks were flushed due to continuous exercise, and his bangs were sticking to his forehead in strands due to sweat. Most of his T-shirt was also soaked with sweat.

"Qiu Yuan-san, you were just now..."

"Ah, I..." Qiu Yuan hesitated, "I eat quickly, so I'm practicing dancing."

Um?

Akimoto's slightly panicked expression made Nishino feel a little suspicious, but she didn't continue to ask.

The conversation just stopped. No, these two sentences of conversation didn't seem to be a conversation. Nishino was just caught in this embarrassing situation, but Akimoto was still a little worried. She had to leave or stay, and she was in a dilemma.

"...thank you beforehand." Qiu Yuan spoke first.

"Ah, what?"

"During the dance," Akimoto said, "Didn't Nishino-san help me a lot by catching me when I was about to fall?"

"That's right. Other members would have done the same thing. There's nothing to be grateful for."

Qiu Yuan stubbornly shook his head and solemnly thanked him again.

Nishino suddenly remembered that in October last year, due to a little misunderstanding, her first impression of Akimoto was not good. After leading her around the nearby floors of the SZ building, she said what she said.

At that time, it was difficult for her to notice her complicated emotions. She was like a child when she spoke and acted (of course she still has it now). She worried about the gain and loss of everything around her. She would panic at the slightest disturbance. She was inevitably a bit harsh towards Qiu Yuan who had just returned.

She knew that Qiu Yuan was not actually malicious, but she was not. She was just a little scared. She was afraid that the stable and small happiness around her would change due to Qiu Yuan's arrival. Facts have proved that she was just a little unfounded.

That's all.

"Akimoto-san, are you still worried about dancing?"

"After all, it's holding everyone back," Qiu Yuan smiled bitterly, "So I thought I had to work harder, but I didn't expect that I would go too far and cause trouble for everyone."

Nishino knew that she was talking about the frequent falls during training in the morning. She was indeed a little impatient. It was the same with singing and dancing. It doesn't mean that you can do well just because you think you have to do it well. Sometimes it is too intense.

Emotional motivation actually hinders the progress of things... hmm? Isn't this the same situation as when I make chocolate?

Nishino pursed her lips. Sure enough, most things in the world are common, she thought.

"How about relaxing?" Nishino suggested, "It might be better to dance in a more relaxed mood."

Qiu Yuan frowned slightly in embarrassment.

"But," she said, "everyone is working hard, so it's not good for me to just relax by myself. There aren't many days until the live event."

"That's right..." Nishino murmured to himself, "There aren't many days until Valentine's Day..."

"Huh? What?"

"No, it's nothing, nothing!" Nishino hurriedly denied it.

Akimoto withdrew his doubtful gaze, then stepped aside, "Do you want Nishino-san to go in?"

"...Akimoto-san, do you still want to practice?"

"Well," Qiu Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Let's practice for a while longer. It's okay if you have some free time."

"Then...I'll accompany you."

"Really?" Qiu Yuan was somewhat surprised.

This was the first time that Nishino proposed to accompany her. She had always thought that Nishino was resentful about her contact with Wu Geng, but it seemed that was not the case.

"Relatively speaking," Nishino continued, "Akimoto-san, can you spare some time to spend with me in the future?"

There was a bit of cunning in her eyes. Qiu Yuan could roughly guess the reason.

"What about the chocolate?" she asked.

Nishino nodded, but before Qiu Yuan could respond, she had already extended her right hand.

"Manatsu."

Because of this title, Akimoto's eyes widened slightly. This was the first time Nishino called her name. Although there was not much closeness, it was not alienation. It was more like a signal, an agreement to be signed, and yet.

It may be a sign of the beginning of a friendship. When Akimoto holds this hand, maybe there will be a big change in the way the two get along with each other.

Of course, these may just be Akimoto's personal wishful thinking.

Nishino is still waiting for her response.

There's nothing to hesitate about, right?

Akimoto also extended his right hand and shook hands with Nishino.

"...Nana Sai."

Calling out this name, Qiu Yuan felt a little shy.

Nishino laughed with relief.

At this time, Qiu Yuan's stomach growled inappropriately.

She smiled slightly awkwardly

"I'm sorry, Nana Sai, actually I haven't eaten yet..."

"It's okay," Nishino let go of his hand and stood next to Qiu Yuan, "I'll go to the cafeteria with you."

With the chocolate problem solved, she was in a good mood and took Qiu Yuan to the canteen again.
Chapter completed!