The Zhongyuan sisters have been shining on the stage since they were young.

When they were young, the Zhongyuan sisters often sang on stage as a group. Although it was not a big stage, and most of the fans in the audience were relatives and adults holding their children to watch the fun, they enjoyed the atmosphere very much. Restless

Burning something, standing on the stage and being watched by the audience, you are given strength and courage. Whether you sing loudly or dance fiercely, all the previous exercises have meaning.

When he was young, Zhongyuan was probably more obsessed with the feeling of being popular among adults and the envious looks of his friends of the same age.

When she got a little older and had something she wanted to do, in order to achieve that goal, she entered a specialized arts school and practiced pronunciation, vocals, and dance.

She thought she could always stand at the center of the stage and receive compliments and compliments.

Sister Nakamoto Suzuka joined the metal dance group babytal in 2010 and became the group's lead singer and dancer.

Thinking that he could not lose to his sister, Zhongyuan worked harder until he saw the selection of Nogizaka's first-year students. He felt that his opportunity had come, so he signed up and became a qualified member without any surprise.

And this was also the beginning of her recognizing reality.

——

Ikuta pulled Wu Geng and followed Zhongyuan's footsteps all the way to the rooftop. The moment she opened the door and went out, she stopped. Her fingers slowly bent, and her arms naturally hung down as if their strength had been taken away.

She lowered her head, loosened her grip on Wugeng's hand, and took a step back, "...You go ahead, Shixiao-chan."

"..."

At five o'clock she was pulled over without any explanation. She was running a little short on the road, covering her waist and abdomen, and looked at Ikuta silently.

"Riyaxiang should be outside..."

Ikuta seemed to be relieved of some kind of knot in his heart, smiled, and leaned against the wall of the corridor, his eyes falling on the ground.

"You go ahead, Shixiao-chan." She said - in a completely different tone from her usual speech.

"Ikuta..."

Wu Geng reached out his hand, wanting to comfort the lost and homeless child in front of him, but Ikuta raised his hand and pushed it away.

Ikuta and Zhongyuan are best friends. They talk about everything and are the most intimate with each other. But there are some things that are difficult to say to the people closest to them.

"...It's too cruel." Ikuta said softly.

"..."

"You are all too cruel to Hikari... So is Shiyao-chan, so is Nana Sai, so is Operations, so is Bananaman--"

——You don’t understand Ikuta-chan anyway…

"...And, so am I."

There was a faint noise from downstairs, probably the members were moving to the lounge.

"...Shouxiao-chan, you go ahead. Riyaka is outside. Go and have a few words with her. It's better than leaving her alone."

"Ikuta-chan, let's go together." Wu Geng really couldn't leave Ikuta alone in this state.

"I can't do it... I'm the only one who can't do it," she shook her head, "I should have known this from the beginning, even so... I said irresponsible words and obviously meant well but hurt Japan again and again.

Yaxiang...I..."

"But--"

"Don't you understand yet?" Ikuta suddenly raised his head to interrupt Wu Geng's words. She was like an angry little lion protecting the cub in her arms, "Hiyaka, she——"

——

After recording the last program in the afternoon, it was already approaching evening.

In the far distance, the sun was partially blocked by the mountains on the horizon. Even closer, the buildings in Tokyo were covered with a layer of dim light, giving the whole world a doomsday-like sense of twilight.

Zhongyuan was lying on the railing of the rooftop, her forehead pressed against the back of her hands. When she heard the doorkeeper's voice behind her, she quickly wiped away her tears, turned around and said with a smile, "Ikuta-chan, why are you... Shiyao-chan?"

She thought it was Ikuta who was worried about her chasing after her, but she didn't expect it would be the fifth night. She should be staying with Nishino to cheer her up now.

"...I'm sorry." Wu Geng looked away and did not dare to look at her.

Zhongyuan was stunned for a moment and said with a smile, "Why are you apologizing? It has nothing to do with Shixiao-chan, it's just that I was a little willful...are you not angry?" She thought Wu Geng was talking about her sneaking out from the show recording venue.

.

Wu Geng shook his head, with a complex look on his face, "No, that's not what I'm talking about... Anyway, I'm sorry. It's okay to run away. The show has been recorded, everyone will understand."

"That's right..." Zhongyuan said softly, and then looked at the sky outside the building.

The atmosphere among Nogizaka members is very good. They care about each other and tolerate each other. No matter how many difficulties they face, they will work together to overcome them. I don’t know when this bond has grown to the point where it cannot be easily severed.

But it is precisely because of this, because everyone is so gentle, that when she is struck down by frustration and loss, she can only complain to herself and cannot simply shirk responsibility.

It would be easier to blame all the unpleasant things on others, she thought.

Wu Geng walked to her side and watched the sunset in Tokyo with her. She originally thought that she was good at comforting people, but after hearing Ikuta's words, how should she get along with Zhongyuan? Wu Geng thought

There is a plot in the book "Candy Bullets" that I read some time ago. The protagonist does not know that the transfer student who behaves strangely is deaf in the left ear. She cannot hear him when he stands on the left and speaks. The protagonist secretly accuses the other student of being a disobedient person.

Self centered guy.

This is very similar to the situation at the fifth watch.

Before knowing the truth, she always hurt Zhongyuan unconsciously, time and time again. Thinking that she was so careless, she got a lot of help from Zhongyuan, but she acted like repaying kindness with hatred. She had never been like this

I hate my own clumsiness as much as ever.

Before Wu Geng spoke, Zhong Yuan spoke first.

"Shixiao-chan, if you are here to comfort me, then there is no need," she smiled, "Anyway, this situation has happened many times. If you leave it alone, I will recover soon."

"..."

"...Nishino-san, you must be very uneasy right now. I think she needs you more now."

When Zhongyuan mentioned Nishino here, Wugeng's heart became even more complicated. "Na-chan knows I'm coming..." his voice was a little hoarse.

Zhongyuan paused, "Didn't I stop you?"

"……No."

"That's it..." Zhongyuan's eyes stopped between the buildings, and he felt even more uncomfortable.

What is this? Is it pity?

Even though she knew that the other party had good intentions, she just couldn't accept it calmly.

"Hiyaxiang, go back, it's going to be dark soon." It took a long time for Wu Zhi to say this. "Everyone is waiting for you."

"Yeah……"

"..."

"Shixiao-chan."

"Um?"

"What do you think of me, Shixiao-chan?" Zhongyuan took a breath and spoke calmly.

"..." Wugeng pretended to smile lightly, "What do you mean? Riyaxiang is a companion."

Zhongyuan pursed his lips, with a relieved smile as if he wanted to let everything go, and continued to ask

"How does the fifth watch of the night view the fragrance of buds on the day of Zhongyuan?"
Chapter completed!