Shi Xiao stayed at Saito's house for nearly three days.

The two of them rarely go out. The most they do is help Mother Bird run errands and buy some ingredients from the convenience store. The rest of the time they either occupy the largest sofa in the living room and play video games, or they hide back in the house and don't know what to do. Mother Bird said the two of them just read books.

Dad Bird doesn't believe it.

In the past few days, the figure of Shi Xiao had appeared frequently in her field of vision, which made her feel a little nervous. She even doubted whether the other person was completely dependent on their family.

During this period, Asuka's brother also came home, and he didn't care when he learned about Shixiao's existence. Isn't it normal for middle school students to stay at home with their friends for the night?

However, Dad Bird, who lost his last ally, was furious:

"If this continues, Feiniao will be snatched away. You, the elder brother, don't even feel it at all!"

"Well, it's not as serious as what you said, dad, right? Besides, you have allowed Feiniao to bully me since childhood. If Feiniao was really robbed, I might even hold up a banner to celebrate."

"Is this what a brother should say?" Seeing Father Bird blowing his beard and glaring in anger, he almost stopped using his boxing skills to serve him. My brother was also frightened.

"Dad, Dad, calm down. Let me put it another way. If I protect the little bird and say, 'I will not give the bird to anyone!' What would you think? It would be strange."

?”

Father Bird calmed down for a moment, looked at his brother and said quietly: "I will break your legs."

"..."

That day, my brother packed up his luggage at the speed of light and ran out of the house, leaving only a note saying "I'm going to stay at a friend's house for a few days." It seems that the differentiated treatment between the brother and sister left quite a psychological shadow.

——

During the three days at Saito's house, even though Dad Bird had some complaints in his heart, he still cared about Asuka's mood and never said it out loud. As for Asuka's mother, she watched over the two of them tenderly.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. I don’t know how to cook at midnight. When I’m not working and resting at home, most of them just call for takeout. Although it’s very convenient, I always feel that something is missing.

Living in an apartment by myself, sitting in a deserted and quiet living room, occasionally opening the sliding door of the balcony, the wind blowing in made it even more lonely.

In the past, Shixiao would not have had these feelings.

Because I'm used to it.

It's not that I'm used to being alone, but that I'm used to my sister's lifestyle and behavior.

Perhaps, this is not a habit. It is an adaptation.

"What's wrong, Shixiao-chan? Does the food not taste good?"

At the lunch table, Asuka and her mother looked at Shi Xiao worriedly as she hesitated to move her chopsticks. Even the head of the family looked up at her secretly.

"Dead night?"

Xiao Feiniao tugged at the corner of her clothes under the table.

"It's okay..." Shu Xiao looked away, then picked up the chopsticks and clasped his hands together: "I'm starting."

Only then did the three of them smile.

Shi Xiao understands.

It is so reassuring to stay in this place. She is like a member of this family and can feel the warmth and kindness of interacting with others.

Of course she knows how narrow it is to limit the location of activities to this small place. In the final analysis, Shi Xiao only comes out to experience life occasionally. My sister has indeed encountered many good things in this society, but there are also times when she is disappointed and sad.

very many.

Living in a place is completely different from traveling in a place. She may have only experienced a short-lived and disillusioned beauty.

However, after these three days of contact with the Saito family, Shixiao has fallen in love with this place. Even Asuka's father, who has a subtle "why don't you go back" aura on his face, she finds cute.

Therefore, we can't go on like this. Otherwise, she will be reluctant to let go. Although there are already signs now.

——

"Want to go back?"

After the meal, Bird's mother, who was washing the dishes in the kitchen, was startled. Looking at Shi Xiao's unyielding eyes, she seemed to feel some kind of determination.

She put down the bowls and chopsticks in her hands, pondered for a moment, nodded and smiled and said: "Okay, but before you leave, let Asuka accompany you to the shrine. You two haven't made the New Year visit yet."

So Wu Geng and Xiao Asuka came to Nogizaka Shrine together.

When she learned that Shixiao was going back, Xiao Feiniao, like her mother, was just stunned for a moment before accepting the news. Shixiao thought she would be more discouraged, but she was also a little disappointed.

On the third day of the New Year, the flow of people at the shrine has also decreased a lot, not to mention it is still afternoon, so they queued for how long to get in.

Clap your hands, bow, and pray to the gods.

Shi Xiao's head was empty and he didn't know what to wish for. Satisfying his own selfishness might cause trouble for his sister. So in the end he just said something silently, hoping that his family would be healthy.

They did not ask for a signature, neither of them believed it. After paying homage, they set off on their way home.

I don’t know if they really accepted the physical and mental cleansing from the gods, but the two of them were surprisingly calm. They had no special feelings, they just walked around like this and chatted about trivial topics. Most of them were memories of the three days together.

During the period, Feiniao also shared his gaming experience, including when to attack, when to amplify his moves, and when to block.

"...When will life be as simple and easy to understand as a game?"

Asuka suddenly sighed with maturity.

"Offense, defense, and a desperate move at the right time. As long as these three skills can be used correctly, everyone will get what they want and live happily."

Shi Xiao didn't know what to say. If she was a sister, she should say something very philosophical. Then the two of them talked more and more deeply, and before they knew it, a message "Favorability +5" appeared on the other side's head.

character.

But that's my sister, that's the fifth watch.

It's not a passing night.

"Ah, here we are."

The entrance to the subway station was crowded with people, and both Shi Xiao and Xiao Feiniao stopped.

"When it's time to say goodbye, let's go."

Shu Xiao was about to look back at the little flying bird, but was suddenly hugged. Shu Xiao's eyes widened in surprise.

"Don't look back." Little Bird said softly, "Don't look at me either. Otherwise, I won't be able to say anything."

Asuka's arms were very thin and not very strong, but Shi Xiao could only stand still and be unable to move.

The crowds of people passing through the station avoided them one after another. Many people turned back in surprise, wondering what happened.

But no one stopped.

"I've been very happy these three days, probably the happiest three days this year." A muffled nasal voice came from behind.

Shi Xiao opened her mouth. What are you talking about, Feiniao, this year has just begun.

"Actually, I'm not angry with Shi Xiao anymore. No, I haven't been angry from the beginning. I know there's nothing I can do about it, so... So there's no need for you to take care of my emotions like this, Shi Xiao."

No. Shuxiao shook his head. That’s not the case.

"I don't hate Shixiao, and I will never hate Shixiao. The reason why I avoid you is just that I haven't sorted out my mood yet. There is no problem now." As if to cheer herself up, Xiao Feiniao clicked lightly.

Shitou said, "Well, it's no problem. So you don't have to worry about me anymore. Compared to these, you have more important things to do, right? Na-chan...she should have been waiting for you."

"No, Asuka, I -"

Shixiao broke free from Feiniao's confinement, and when she turned around, she couldn't say anything.

Because, the little flying bird is smiling.

Not crying, but laughing.

"If you see me again after today, come and say hello. I will definitely respond to you as before."

Shi Xiao suddenly felt panicked. This emotion was real and thorough. It was not something he read in a book or felt from his sister, but something real and real, emerging from the beating heart in his chest.

This is something that only belongs to her, something that only belongs to Shi Xiao, at least at this moment.

Xiao Feiniao raised the corner of his mouth and held Shi Xiao's cold fingers, "Why are you putting on such an expression? Wouldn't the roles be reversed?"

She lowered her gaze, took a breath, and then raised it again. Her eyes were brighter, even a little high-spirited.

"Shu Xiao, you must remember the game secrets I just taught you on the road. I don't want the next time we play against each other to have a huge disparity in strength and no gameplay at all."

"Goodbye, passing..." She shook her head, "Goodbye, stinky Wu Gen."

Shuxiao lost all her strength in an instant and could only watch the little flying bird let go of her hand and looked back at her to say goodbye.

——Asuka, can you call me Shixiao? I want to start over with Asuka-chan, so please call me Shixiao.

"Me too," Shu Xiao said softly, "I've been very happy these past three days..."

From beginning to end, she could not say goodbye.
Chapter completed!