In the second single, Nishino Nanase fell out of the selection.

The last person whose name was called was Yumiko Iwase.

The eldest member of the group has always supported Nogizaka as a big sister. Her debut single failed to be selected, but her second single was able to enter the selection. Wu Zeng was naturally happy for her.

But there is more confusion.

Nishino lost the election.

This fact stirred up a storm in her head, and her thoughts were confused. So much so that Banana Man's announcement that the second single to be released on May 2 will compete directly with AKB Sashihara Rino's SL single failed to affect her.

What an impact it caused.

Her confused state lasted until the end of the recording of the show.

On the way back, a group of four people, Ikoma and Takayama, carefully kept the atmosphere lively, and the two of them kept talking to each other to maintain the continuity of the topic.

"Maimai said that there is a very delicious BBQ restaurant in Shinjuku. The price is not expensive. How about the four of us go there and eat there if we have a chance?" Ikoma suggested.

"That's great. Why don't we call a few more members? Asuka-chan has always wanted to eat barbecue. I think Xiaonan will also go," Takayama said.

"And Erika, if you don't call her, she will complain endlessly later."

"Ah, there's Matsumura-san, she likes barbecue the most, um, Shiraishi-san should be invited too."

"Then Mai Mai also wants to go. After all, it's the store she recommended to Ikoma."

During the conversation between the two, it was almost decided that all members of the group would participate.

"What should I do with food money? With so many people, it will probably cost a lot. Ikoma can't afford so much money at once."

"How about letting Nanxiang-san treat us?" Wu Geng interrupted, "It wouldn't be too much to have a group-wide dinner party after the debut single."

Ikoma's eyes lit up: "What a great idea, Xiaoxiao!"

"Is it okay to just ask Nanxiang-san?" Gao Shan asked worriedly, "You may not agree, right?"

"I'll go and negotiate," Wu Geng said with a smile, "If we can have a dinner together at the location of the show, it should be no problem."

Then he turned to Nishino who was a few steps behind and asked, "What do you think of Nanase?"

"……ah?"

"Reunion dinner."

"……Great."

Nishino smiled softly and didn't respond much. For some reason, Wu Geng felt a little heartbroken when faced with such a natural smile.

She wanted to open her mouth to say something, anything, some words, or a hug. If it could relieve the pain in her chest, she could do anything. Just——

It's just that Nishino's smile was too overbearing, and there was no chance of taking advantage of it. She used her smile to create a cocoon that would never be destroyed from the outside. Facing the opposing swords, she only used her smile to resist.

The words that had not yet been spoken just dissipated in the air.

Ikoma and Takayama separated from them at the platform where the tram stopped. They looked at Nishino with worried eyes until they were carried by the tram towards the distance.

Wu Geng and Nishino were walking on the street, and Nishino was always nearly half a meter behind her. Whenever Wu Geng slowed down, Nishino also slowed down. After walking for a while, the two of them kept... No, I should say

Nishino maintained this kind of distance that was neither close nor far.

Neither of them spoke. People were coming and going on the street, and the noisy sounds filled the ears. Sound waves of different amplitudes passed through the external auditory canal, causing the tympanic membrane to vibrate.

Wu Geng should have been upset by the noise. However, she felt like she was walking on a cold ice field at the moment. She lowered her head and looked at the road ahead, paying attention to her footsteps alternating left and right with her peripheral vision, beating a beat in her heart.

, one, two, one, two, and then she suddenly had the illusion that she was going backwards.

(ex){}&/"...Excuse me, do you need any help?"

Wu Geng looked around and found no sign of Nishino.

"Hello, have you seen a girl wearing the same uniform as me?"

The clerk subconsciously looked at the fitting room on the side.

Wu Geng rushed over immediately, but the clerk couldn't stop him.

"This, this guest!?"

"No problem," she casually took a dress and turned around to explain, "My friend and I are trying on clothes inside!"

Wu Geng made up his mind and opened the door of the fitting room without hesitation.

In this small space behind the door, Nishino was huddled in the corner, hugging his legs and burying his head between his knees.

"…Nanase."

Wu Geng quietly closed the door, put the dress on the hanger nearby, and then sat next to Nishino.

She didn't know what to say at this moment, and she always became clumsy at critical moments, but at this moment, the two of them were very close, and they felt each other's slightly trembling body, and her restless heart calmed down.

"...Xiao Xiao."

"Um."

"...Why...why is Xiaoxiao coming..."

"Because Nanase didn't say goodbye."

"..."

Nishino didn't reply. She smiled weakly. Her head was buried between her knees, and her laughter sounded like a dull sound coming from her chest.

The two of them just sat next to each other, and no one spoke for a long time.

Wu Geng felt at ease. In this small space, they seemed to be isolated from the world, but loneliness did not come. As long as the two of them accompany each other, everything will pass, and everything will pass eventually.

"...Seven Lucky Gods...Congratulations, Xiaoxiao..." In the silence, Nishino suddenly said.

"Um."

"...Although it's a bit late, hehe..."

"No, I'm very happy, thank you, Nanase."

"...I, I'm very scared..." Nishino said softly, "Ikoma, Xiaomi, and Xiaoxiao, everyone has become the Seven Lucky Gods, so when Xiaoxiao's name was read, I was a little jealous...

"

She didn't speak at all, just listened quietly.

"...Why, why couldn't I come with you? Thinking about it this way, I felt that I couldn't sincerely congratulate Xiaoxiao. I avoided Xiaoxiao. I'm sorry...maybe losing the election is my punishment..."

"Nanase doesn't need to blame himself," Wu Geng said, "because Nanase has worked hard, right? I know everything. When dancing, when handing out tissues, and when recording the show, I know everything, so

——”

——No matter what position I am in, if I am needed, I will definitely do my best. So——

"So Nanase can rely on me more. When you are sad, sad, self-loathing, and scared, just rely on me more, Nanase. If this can make you feel better.

"

Nishino laughed softly, slightly louder and more energetic than before.

"I'm very scared," she slowly hugged her legs tightly, as if she wanted to rub her body into her chest. She said in a sad tone, "I'm afraid of being left alone, like when I was in junior high school.

It’s the same as the basketball club... everyone ignored me and I was the only one..."

"..."

"...Xiao Xiao."

"Yeah, I'm here."
Chapter completed!