Everything is ready, all that is left is the arrival of the protagonist.

Wu Geng's text message gave everyone a certain amount of time to prepare for the welcome ceremony. Those small paper fireworks were secretly brought by Ikoma, and he brought a whole small bag with Wu Geng without knowing it.

Sakurai didn't know what was bewitching him, so he stupidly opened the door and let Ikoma and Ikuta out. Wu Geng and Nishino walked into the living room, and sure enough, the colorful confetti on the ground was caused by the welcome rehearsal.

"Asuka-chan makes the most fun, and she still has some more!"

The little bird turned its head and pretended not to hear.

Ikuta quickly opened the cake box with quick eyes and hands, and Wakatsuki on the side didn't have time to stop him.

A twelve-inch round cake, decorated with fruits and flowers squeezed into the cream. The top is an oval-shaped dark chocolate plate that stands up. The white chocolate is painted like a running bean. Nishino's name and happy birthday are written below.

words.

"I drew it myself." Wu Geng said.

She had practiced at home many times, but this was her first time painting with chocolate. Even she felt it was a little crooked, but at least it looked like a finished bean.

"It doesn't look alike at all, the painting is so bad." Feiniao complained softly.

Wu Geng glared at him, and Asuka's little head hurriedly hid behind Nishino.

"It doesn't matter, Xiaoxiao painted it specially for me. I like it very much." Nishino stood up and smoothed things over with a smile.

Asuka poked her head out from Nishino's shoulder, raised her chin and stuck out her tongue in a provocative gesture.

Wu Geng was too lazy to pursue it, so he inserted the candle with the number "18" on the fluffy cake and lit it on fire.

The indoor lights were turned off by Gao Shan.

In the darkness, Nishino clasped her hands together, closed her eyes and prayed silently. Her eyelashes trembled, and the firelight on the candle beat slowly. After a while, she opened her eyes again, blew out the firelight in one breath, and turned on the light again.

"What wish did you make?"

Nishino shook his head and put his index finger on his lips: "Secret~"

Ikoma and Ikuta couldn't wait to stand up, holding up the milk in their glasses:

Ikoma: "Thank you very much for coming today! Cheers!"

Ikuta: "Cheers!"

Their glasses collided, making a crisp sound.

Wugeng couldn't help but said: "That's not what you should say, is it?"

Nishino smiled and shook his head, indicating that he didn't care.

On the table were freshly grilled barbecue skewers, vegetables and corn, rice cakes and French sausages. In addition, there was a small barbecue grill. The thick and thin meat slices were sizzling on the iron net, exuding aroma. Ikoma carefully used a brush to

After brushing on the sauce, Ikuta followed her movements, picking up the roasted meat piece by piece and stuffing it into his mouth.

Because it was still very hot, she always raised her head and exhaled hot breath "Haha~haha~".

"You can grill it yourself, Ikuta, don't keep stealing Ikoma's barbecue." Ikoma complained.

"Aww... This is more efficient. Look, I'll eat the roasted meat right away, and the free space will be just right for roasting raw meat."

"This is just for you to eat more efficiently, Ikuta. I have been busy for a long time and I haven't eaten a piece of meat yet."

"Don't worry, I will bake it for you when I'm full...ah woo."

(ex){}&/She glanced at Wu Gen hesitantly and began to read silently word for word.

It was a letter written by Nishino's friend to her. Wu Geng had no idea of ​​the content of the letter. She was only responsible for delivering it to Nishino.

What was written in the letter? Regret? Pain? Apology?

Wu Geng felt that the other party was just expressing a cherished feeling towards his friend.

Soon, Nishino covered his mouth, big tears fell, and the hand holding the letter trembled slightly.

She raised her head, her eyes were red.

Wu Geng handed over the phone: "I dialed her number, Nanase, it's up to you whether you want to hang up or not."

Nishino put down the letter, stretched out his right hand tremblingly, hesitated for a moment, but still firmly picked up the phone and put it to his ear.

She made her own decision. It didn't matter whether she escaped or faced it. The key was that she made her own decision. She didn't listen to other people's opinions, and she didn't use a smile to excuse it.

She made a choice, chose to face herself honestly, and chose to embrace everything in the past.

Time is linear, and the past that Nishino once thought she could not get out of has been left far behind her at some point.

All pain and sorrow are time-sensitive, especially memories.

But there are always things that remain unchanged and remain shining as time and space pass.

Nishino and the girl on the other end of the phone were talking gently. No, maybe they were just confiding in each other. When the call was hung up, Nishino wiped away his tears and returned the phone to Wu Gen with a smile.

She may have found that unchanging eternity.

"Thank you, Xiaoxiao." she said.

Wu Geng stretched out her hand, and the bracelet on her wrist accompanied her through half a year in Nogizaka.

Nishino also revealed his hand strap, and their wrists were close together. The red and blue hand strap became more and more brilliant in the warm light from the living room.

"I just want to say thank you, Nanase, for the bracelet. This is a long-overdue Christmas gift." Wu Geng said.

"I've already received that one," Nanase said with a smile, "I prayed before for the second single promotion to be in the same group as Xiaoxiao. That is the best Christmas gift. I am already very satisfied."

"That all depends on luck, I have no contribution," Wu Geng turned his hand, "After all, Nanase gave me the best gift, so I can't just return the gift casually."

Wu Geng hugged Nishino slowly, carefully, as if hugging a fragile work of art, but she knew in her heart that Nishino was strong enough now, and would become even stronger in the future.

Until one day, there is no problem living alone. At that time, Nishino will stand firmly by Wu Geng's side, and then move further forward without hesitation.

"Eighteen-year-old Nanase, please take good care of me in the future."

"I am, Xiaoxiao. Please take care of me in the future after this."

The flying birds lurking on the side opened the paper fireworks at the right time:
Chapter completed!