In a cafe not far from the shrine, Takayama, Fukawa and Ikoma sat down.

Because it was the first day of the New Year, the number of customers in nearby shops increased dramatically, and Ikoma's sharp eyesight grabbed the small table in this corner. Otherwise, the three of them would have had to walk a long way to find a quiet place suitable for conversation.

"Finally I can take a break." Ikoma rubbed his calf, looking much more relaxed. They were already tired after queuing for nearly two hours outside the shrine to pay homage. At this moment, they each ordered a cup of hot coffee to warm themselves up.

Warm up.

The three of them talked about whatever they wanted, but most of them were about work, such as the stage play project they started with Keyakizaka in late April.

The plan given by the manager is that Nogizaka will release 14 singles at the end of March. In the next half month, the work will focus on the promotion of single releases. The second album will be released in late May, followed immediately by

Preparations for the mid-summer tour starting in mid-June.

Time was already very tight, and a week-long stage play was crammed into the middle. Even the energetic Ikoma complained whether he had joined a shady company.

During the chat, Takayama could tell that Fukawa seemed a little distracted. Ikoma didn't pay much attention to this. After drinking the second cup of coffee, he clutched his stomach and his face suddenly turned bad.

"Ikoma-chan, are you okay?" he asked Fukawa, who was sitting across from him.

"...Stomach," Ikoma's eyebrows almost knitted together, "Well, I'll go to the bathroom first." Then, he hurriedly left his seat.

"She ate too much barbecue last night," Gao Shan said angrily. "She didn't sleep much at night. She ate a Chinese steamed bun in the morning and drank coffee in a hurry. No wonder she had a stomachache. She thought she digested it as quickly as Ikuta

."

But Fukawa smiled.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Fukawa shook his head, "I was thinking that if Ikuta ate so much last night, he might be the same as Ikoma today."

——

"Ah sneeze!"

In the bathroom of Ikuta's house, Ikuta, who was wearing pajamas, rubbed his nose and said, "Maybe you have a cold. The first day of the new year is so unlucky."

Outside the door, my mother knocked on the door frantically.

"Ikuta! How long have you been in there! Come out quickly!"

"Right away, right away!" Ikuta responded casually.

——

There are many girls in kimono in the coffee shop, accompanied by their boyfriends across the street. Like Fukawa and Takayama, a small group of women wearing private clothes is quite conspicuous. Someone may have recognized them, but they just looked here secretly, and didn't

Not disturbed.

Gao Shan rubbed the handle of the coffee cup with his fingers, and from time to time he raised his eyes to look at Fukagawa who was taking a sip in front of him.

The scene between Shiraishi and Fukawa outside the box of the barbecue restaurant last night flashed back in her mind. In her mind, it was the first time she saw Fukawa barely able to restrain his anger, and was only one step away from exploding.

She was so curious that even what she wanted to say to Nishino sank into her stomach.

What is it for?

"I'm sorry for last night." Fukawa lowered his eyes and looked at the coffee on the tray.

"Ah...it's nothing." It would be a lie to say that he didn't care. But Gao Shan still held back his inquiry and silently closed his mouth.

"Mi-chan doesn't know how to get to the bottom of things." Fukawa said with a smile.

Gao Shan opened his mouth, and then said after a while: "I think everyone has their own secrets, and there is no need to bring them all to the table."

"It's a secret..." Fukawa sighed. A long, long sigh. Then, as if to force himself to cheer up, he stretched a little, and his expression became much clearer.

"Actually," Fukawa put his hand to his mouth as if secretly telling Gao Shan, "Actually, I'm about to graduate."

"...Eh?" The first reaction was that he was joking. But Fukawa's expression was calm and his smile was gentle, and he really didn't look like he would make such a bad joke.

Besides, today is not April Fool's Day.

"It's true," Fukawa expected that Gao Shan wouldn't believe it, so he explained patiently, "I'll probably make an announcement on the blog in a few days. I'll officially graduate and leave the group in June or July, and the schedule is almost finalized."

Gao Shan felt like a fish that was suddenly thrown onto the beach. His mouth opened and closed comically, but he could only spit out shriveled bubbles.

It took about four or five seconds for the brain to successfully receive and understand this information.

"I see..." She sat back down and was so confused that she didn't know where to put her hands. On the table? Or on her lap?

Fukawa suddenly narrowed his eyes, "Xiao Shi didn't try to keep me here."

"ah?"

"I didn't say 'don't leave' or 'why do you want to leave' or anything like that."

"No," Gao Shan panicked, thinking that Fukawa was feeling lonely, "Of course I think so too, but everyone has their own choices, right? I can't understand what Maimai is thinking..."

"Because we haven't gotten to know each other that well yet," Fukawa said with a smile, "and Xiaomi, you are the type who cares about other people's feelings."

Gaoshan suddenly became restless.

"I didn't mean what I said just now. If it made Xiaomi feel embarrassed... I'm sorry." Fukawa apologized immediately. She looked at Gao Shan with a sincere attitude. "I have been very confused these days, even though I decided long ago.

A good thing, but it still took a lot of effort to finalize it.”

"It's okay, after all, it's such a big deal..." Gao Shan smiled, paused, and asked, "Does anyone else know about this?"

"Apart from you, Minoru, there are only Nanamin and Hina-chan."

So, the reason for the dispute between Nanamin and Mai Mai outside the box last night was because of this?

She suddenly understood Hashimoto's panicky attitude at that time.

At this time, Ikoma came back from the bathroom with his mouth pouted and an unhappy look on his face. The two stopped talking about the topic of graduation. The atmosphere returned to its previous leisurely state.

After half an hour's rest, Ikoma rushed to check out, which reminded Gao Shan of a brat who was merciless in receiving New Year's money and spent money lavishly.

"Miru-chan, it's time for me to go back. Say goodbye to Ikoma-chan for me." Fukawa said goodbye to her.

Takayama looked at Ikoma who was checking out in the store, and suddenly turned to Fukawa and said:

"Same as what Mai Mai said, when I heard about your graduation, although I had thoughts in my heart not to leave, I would not say it openly. Because, after all, it is Fukawa-san's matter, and it would be too irresponsible to express opinions without permission.

.However, if you can ignore these and speak frankly, wouldn't it be a testimony of the close relationship?" Just like Nanamin, she thought.

"Is it intimate..." Fukawa was stunned for a moment, pursed his lips and smiled helplessly, "Although I think there is a better way to express it."

"What about you, Minoru," Fukawa asked, "are there any members who you want to retain at all costs if you graduate?"

There should be many talents, but for some reason, Gao Shan thought of Nishino first. She was silent and did not reply.

Fukawa smiled, "It seems there is."

Gao Shan was noncommittal.

"Why did Mai Mai tell me about my graduation? The fewer people should know about it, the better?"

"Yeah, why..." Fukawa looked up at the sky above his head. It was a sparse and ordinary clear sky.

Everyone chases the hot sun and envy the floating but free and idle clouds, but few pay attention to the all-encompassing blue.

Sometimes, the more visible something is, the easier it is to be subconsciously ignored and hidden.

Fukawa looked at the mountains and said:

"Probably, we are the same kind of people."

"If there is no opportunity, you will always hide your thoughts, and let them be washed away by time and become more and more sharp, until you hurt yourself. Xiaoshi, sometimes still have to be willful and selfish, even if it will cause a lot of trouble to others."

"...Although it's not appropriate to say this from a negative example like me."
Chapter completed!