For a moment.
Really in an instant, within the three steps of the circle with Qingdeng as the center, the atmosphere in the air suddenly became... as tight as an icy autumn wind blowing.
The cheers of people's "Tamaya" and "Keyya", the explosion of fireworks... It feels like all the sounds are gradually moving away from the surroundings.
At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Kinoshita Mai.
The Souji's beautiful eyes opened slightly, showing an expression of surprise.
Sanako's beautiful eyebrows jumped up slightly, and her expression became... very charming.
And Qingden... the lines on his face became particularly stiff and his eyesight straightened from the moment Kinoshita Mai finished speaking...
Only Elodie, who was still young and inexperienced in the world, blinked at Mai Kinoshita with innocent eyes.
"Miss Wu, did you watch the fireworks with the master the day before yesterday?"
"Um!"
Kinoshita Mai, who didn't notice that the surrounding atmosphere was becoming strange, smiled sweetly.
"Qingdeng and I swam here together the day before yesterday! I thought the fireworks set off at the convention were the same every day, but I didn't expect that today's fireworks seemed to be more colorful than the ones we saw the day before yesterday."
After saying that, Kinoshita Mai squinted her eyes and glanced quietly at Sanako beside her.
At this time, a hint of contentment like a little devil emerged from the corners of Kinoshita Mai's upturned mouth.
——Hmph hum~~
After letting out this triumphant laughter in his heart, Kinoshita moved his steps smoothly without leaving any trace, and stood closer to Qingden.
In essence - those words just now were all deliberately spoken loudly by Kinoshita Mai.
Just to let Sanako hear it!
The purpose is to find some confidence in front of Sanako!
Kinoshita Mai has always had a weak mentality in front of Sanako.
Regardless of her face, figure, temperament, and knowledge... Although she didn't want to admit it, Kinoshita Mai had to face the fact that she was not as good as Sanako in these aspects that were fatally attractive to men...
If these personal qualities are not as good as Sanako's, then that's it.
However, the most terrible thing is that Sanako and Qingto have a very good relationship.
She knew it. After being discharged from Renyitang, Qingteng had been visiting Xiao Qianba Sword Hall frequently.
Although Aoto's reason for coming out was to see his pet cow...but it still made Kinoshita Mai feel full of crisis!
This sense of crisis that she felt like she was standing on top of a crumbling 100-foot-tall building made Kinoshita Mai want to do something... she had to do something!
And now.
Now that Ayoto and Sanako are both here, it's a good opportunity to "do something"!
Xiang Zhuang danced with his sword, intending to dance under Pei Gong's wood. After standing closer to Qingdeng, he raised his chest a little higher, and also raised her Yao nose.
--how? Qingdeng and I have visited this grand event with such a beautiful atmosphere! do you have? do you have? Hum hum hum~~
While Kinoshita Mai was smiling happily like this, Aoden—
"..."
Without a word… Correction. I dare not speak.
Although he was still looking at the night sky decorated with fireworks, his eyes could no longer process any external information.
Kinoshita Mai's sudden speech to "declare sovereignty" caused Aoto, who had just been comforting himself that "nothing will happen", to instantly enter into a situation where he seemed to be preparing to fight a powerful enemy. A state of desperate duel to the death.
The muscles and nerves throughout the body are tense.
Goosebumps appeared one after another on the skin, and fine cold sweat oozed from the forehead, back and other places.
It's a bit embarrassing to say - Qingdeng now really wishes that time would stop like this.
But it is obvious that the world will not respond to Qingdeng’s unreasonable vision.
"...That's it."
Sanako... spoke...
"Tachibana-san, you and Kinoshita-san attended the fireworks display the night before..."
She whispered this while turning her pretty face to one side.
His face was expressionless... no, it was a weird look with "all the expressions gone", giving Qingdeng a long look in his eyes.
The emotions contained in his eyes are unpredictable.
Qingto felt Sanako's gaze and his body shook slightly.
In Sanako's neither sad nor happy words, Qingto clearly felt something called "crisis" rushing towards him.
Although what he was currently facing was an unexpected "encounter", Qingdeng still wanted to try to resist.
However, before he could say or do anything, a new surprise came - Sanako suddenly noticed Kinoshita Mai's expression at this moment.
Sanako doesn't have the ability to read minds, so she naturally doesn't know what Kinoshita Mai is thinking about right now.
However, she couldn't explain why, but after Sanako saw Kinoshita Mai's pretty face filled with a smile, she felt... very unhappy.
Very unhappy!
He was so displeased that his eyebrows frowned unconsciously.
At this moment, very suddenly, Elodie shifted her innocent gaze to Sanako.
"Huh? Miss Chiba, the paper bag in your arms is a little loose!"
Hearing what Elodie said, Sanako quickly looked down - indeed, the packaging of the paper bag was slightly loose, and a corner of the yukata was exposed.
When Sanako tucked back the corner of her yukata that hung outside the paper bag and wrapped the paper bag tightly again, Elodie suddenly praised with eyes shining:
"What a beautiful yukata! Miss Chiba, you just said that you came here to buy something. Could it be said that you just came here to buy this yukata?"
"..."
Sanako's slender fingers that were sorting the paper bag suddenly paused.
She looked thoughtful like a scholar delving into a difficult problem, looking at the yukata in her hand with an indifferent expression.
This posture was maintained for a long time, and finally——
"Yes. Yes. This is the yukata I rented from a nearby Wufu shop to make it easier to move around when I went to the fireworks display with Tachibana-kun last night. I thought it looked pretty good, so I specially rented it tonight. Came here and bought this yukata.”
He said these words in a precise tone, which caused the atmosphere around him to change suddenly again.
crisis.
It's boiling gurglingly...
Qingdeng realized that the situation had taken a turn for the worse again. Not only did the sound seem to be far away, but the colors seemed to be slowly disappearing from the surrounding space.
The air around him seemed to solidify into liquid, making him look particularly heavy.
This small space seemed to be cut off from the outside world and became a small independent space.
"Eh?"
Kinoshita Mai... was stunned...
The sweet smile that had been on his pretty face since just now froze and completely disappeared.
The other person who was also stunned was the General Secretary.
Although the "sluggishness" shown by Souji at this moment is not of the same nature as the "sluggishness" shown by Mai Kinoshita now, Souji's head and eyes have indeed entered a moment of downtime and daze.
Then...she backed away subconsciously. Putting distance between myself and Aoto, Mai Kinoshita, and Sanako...
Elodie, on the other hand, still showed her childish and simple bright smile.
Just listen to her teasing her beloved master:
"Master, it turns out that you have been watching fireworks with different girls these past few days? No wonder you always looked absent-minded when you played with us today. It turns out that you have already visited the fireworks display twice!"
Elodie's unintentional words added a few more barrels of oil to the burning "fire".
If possible, Qingdeng really wants to shout to Elodie: Little ancestor! Please stop talking!
After teasing Qingdeng, Elodie did say nothing as Qingdeng wished.
It's just that... the person she spoke to became Kinoshita Mai.
"Ah, ah haha..."
A dry laughter, like the friction of firewood, escaped from Kinoshita Mai's lips and teeth.
"Ms. Chiba, have you also...come to the fireworks display with Aomori...?"
Kinoshita Mai raised her eyes and looked at Sanako, who was a head taller than her.
Her big eyes seemed to reveal infinite melancholy and worry about gains and losses.
This behavior of staring closely into Sanako's eyes seemed to be searching for something called "hope" in Sanako's eyes.
"……Um."
Sanako hesitated for a moment and nodded gently.
"This, this is it..."
Her eyes dropped... Kinoshita Mai lowered her head and gaze as if to escape, staring at the ground in front of her toes without blinking. Her two small hands folded in front of her body tightly grasped the yukata fabric in front of her legs. .
…
Woo-pop! Woo-pop! Woo-pop!
…
The fireworks are still going off... It's better to say that the fireworks show is now entering its climax.
But except for the innocent Elodie, no one has the leisure to enjoy the fireworks above their heads.
Even the colorful fireworks couldn't catch everyone's attention...especially Kinoshita Mai's face. Give it a bright color.
The louder and denser explosions of fireworks formed a sharp contrast with the deathly silence that surrounded everyone.
At the moment, everyone remained silent in different moods.
For example: Sanako is feeling upset right now.
She pursed her lips and scolded herself angrily:
——Tsk... Why should I be angry with a child like this...
Just now, when Elodie asked him if he came here to buy this blue yukata, Sanako just wanted to fool him casually.
But somehow, the deceptive words were clearly in his throat, but he couldn't get them out.
At the same time, Kinoshita Mai's faintly proud smile flashed back and forth in Sanako's mind.
And then... his lips, tongue and consciousness briefly "lost control".
When he came back to his senses, the words that made the smile on Mai Kinoshita's face disappear and made the surrounding atmosphere change suddenly came out.
Sanako is a full 7 years older than Kinoshita Mai.
In Sanako's eyes, Kinoshita Mai is just a young girl.
With the excellent self-cultivation that I have cultivated over a long period of time, as well as my long-standing tolerance for the young, logically speaking, I should not behave like this, which is very un-elderly.
What exactly is...why is this happening?
Sanako was both annoyed and puzzled by her "loss of control" just now.
——After all...if Ms. Kinoshita hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have known that Tachibana-kun had participated in the fireworks display with other women besides me...
She and Qingteng are still just friends. No matter who Qingteng goes to play with or where, it is none of her business, and she has no right to interfere with him - Sanako knows this truth.
but……
but……
but……
But I am just so angry!
Although I can’t tell why I’m angry, I just feel so angry!
Especially when she thought of the kind words Qingdeng said to her last night... she became even more angry!
Although Sanako tried her best to maintain inner calm, she didn't last long before she was defeated by the emotions that surged into her heart - she slowly raised her eyes and stared at Qingden with a tense expression.
At the same time, Kinoshita Mai did exactly the same thing as her.
Kinoshita Mai just feels ashamed now.
Especially shameful.
She was self-satisfied with the fact that "I had accomplished something that Sanako could not do," but in the end, I discovered that the same thing that Aoto had done with her, he had done with Sanako the next day...
The shame kept rising and fermenting... and finally turned into anger!
Especially when I think about how stupidly I just showed off to Sanako that I am a "special person"... I feel even more angry!
Using almost the same movement as Sanako, she slowly raised her gaze almost simultaneously with Sanako, glaring at Qingto with a tense expression.
The two women now reached the same front and had exactly the same idea:
——I really want to punch Tachibana-kun/Aoden hard!
Aoto clearly felt the oppressive gazes from Mai Kinoshita and Sanako.
Qingden reacted to the two powerful gazes, shuddered, and then involuntarily turned his head with mechanical movements to face the two women standing behind him.
One man and two women, three looks with different emotions from their six eyes, collided fiercely in mid-air.
Mr. Ju, do you have anything to say? ——Sanako's eyes conveyed such a message.
Compared to Sanako, who has a strong self-esteem and always has a strong acting style, Kinoshita Mai, who has a much "softer" personality, has much gentler eyes.
But she didn't give off the aura of "Forget it, let's just let this matter go."
On the contrary, it seems to be a test of "I don't need to ask more questions or delve into it...but Qingdeng, can you just let it go?"
The sight of the two women gathered into one turned into a huge hammer, pressing Qingdeng's head, shoulders, and heart from top to bottom...
This hammer was not a vicious blow with all its strength.
Instead, tap Qingden repeatedly in a slow, unhurried rhythm.
This feeling of being neither up nor down is tormenting.
As time goes by, the sight of the two women becomes more and more terrifying...
You have to think of something to say and do quickly - whether it is "reason" or "instinct", this is what Qingden said.
However, Qingdeng’s head is empty! Not to mention taking action, he couldn't even make up his mind whether he should go see Sanako or go see Kinoshita Mai now!
He wanted to see both girls!
He wanted to look directly into the eyes of the two women at the same time!
How could he be a normal human being with only one pair of eyes! Both eyes can only move in the same direction at the same time!
This was the first time for him to encounter this kind of situation, whether in his previous life or in this life!
There is absolutely no precedent to refer to, and absolutely no experience to draw on.
Just when Qingdeng was at a loss for words and silent at a loss, the tension in the atmosphere had almost reached the critical point——
"……Ha ha ha ha."
A hearty laughter suddenly intervened in this "Shura field" that was about to break out.
It was Souji's laughter.
Souji, who had been standing silently just now, turned his beautiful eyes and looked at Qingden and others repeatedly.
"No wonder you, Tachibana-kun, are always smiling and looking happy these days. It turns out you came to the fireworks display with Miss Kinoshita and Miss Sanako!"
As he spoke, he walked slowly between Aoto, Mai Kinoshita, and Sanako.
"But that's right, Tachibana-kun, I would be surprised if you don't watch the fireworks with Miss Kinoshita and Miss Sanako."
As expected, Souji attracted the confused gazes of Mai and Zuo - Qingto, who didn't know what Souji was trying to do, couldn't help but cast a stunned look at Souji.
Elodie, who didn't understand anything and simply thought that Ayoto and Souji were chatting normally, was still concentrating on watching the fireworks.
Feeling the gaze of Mai and Zuo who wanted to ask questions, Souji smiled peacefully, put his hands on his hips, and continued naturally:
"Probably since the end of last month, Mr. Tachibana has been clamoring that he is looking forward to the upcoming fireworks display. He said, 'I like to watch fireworks the most. If there is a chance, I will definitely call my best friend. , the most important friends go to watch the fireworks together'."
"I'm also curious about who Tachibana-kun's so-called 'best and most important friends' are. When I asked him, he was still mysterious and didn't say anything."
"Now, the answer is finally revealed."
"If it's two people...it makes sense."
"After all, Tachibana-kun always talks about the two of you in front of me."
Before the "shock" subsided, another "shock" arose again - the words of the Souji were like a huge boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing the eyes of Mai Kinoshita and Sanako to flash uncontrollably. Surprise" ripples.
As if he wanted to leave some time for the two girls to react and buffer, Souji paused for a moment, and then restarted Zhu Chun after a while.
"Tachibana-kun often tells me that I have received a lot of care from Chishiya...especially Miss Kinoshita."
Souji turned his eyes and looked at Kinoshita Mai.
"What are you talking about? Although A Wu is a bit shy and shy, she gives people a gloomy and lifeless feeling when they first come into contact with her. However, after in-depth contact and communication, she found that A Wu is actually a very kind and interesting person. , a cute girl full of vitality in her heart. She likes to chat with Ah Wu, and as long as she is with Ah Wu, she will feel inexplicably relaxed."
"Miss Sanako too!"
Souji's gaze shifted drastically, from Kinoshita Wuten to Sanako.
"Tachibana-kun has never mentioned Miss Sanako's affairs at all."
"'Miss Sanako is really a very reliable and handsome Samurai Hime'."
"'Miss Sanako is so elegant and generous. I really hope I can have such elegant manners like Miss Sanako'."
"'I went to the Little Chiba Sword Hall again today. Every time I chat with Miss Sanako, I feel like I'm feeling like a spring breeze.'"
"Such remarks are too numerous to mention."
"Every time Tachibana-kun goes to Chishiya or Little Chiba Sword Hall, he will basically talk to me about the two of you after returning to the Trial Guard Hall."
"Tachibana-kun seems like he can't finish talking about the two of you."
"To be honest, Mr. Ju's emphasis on you two... makes me a little jealous of you two."
After saying this, Souji showed a sweet smile with his eyes narrowed into two crescents.
Comfortable and bright. At first glance, I didn't notice any strange sunny smile.
After Souji finished speaking, Kinoshita Mai and Sanako opened their big eyes, showing expressions filled with daze.
Not to mention the two of them... Qingdeng was also stunned.
Qingden stared blankly at the marshal, dumbfounded.
The director-general's demeanor has always been very natural, without any sense of hypocrisy or artificiality.
If Qingdeng hadn't known the inside story, he would have been fooled by the General Secretary!
He did mention Kinoshita Mai and Sanako to Souji... but the frequency was far from "frequent"!
As for words such as "Amai is essentially a very kind, interesting and lovely girl with a vibrant heart" and "I really hope I can have such elegant behavior like Miss Sanako", he has never said so. Never told anyone!
However, Qingden is not a fool.
He soon understood the reason why the General Secretary suddenly intervened in this chaotic "Shura field" and made up so many lies that were obviously beneficial to him.
Qingdeng reacted and immediately cast a moved and grateful look at the director-general who had given him crucial assistance at this critical moment.
The "rescue" from the General Secretary took effect immediately.
Although Sanako still looks stern, the lines on her face have softened a lot.
Not to mention a soft girl like Kinoshita Mai who has soft ears and is easy to coax.
——In Qingdeng’s eyes, I am one of his best and most important friends...
She bowed her head shyly, and the awe-inspiring aura she had just before, glaring angrily at Qingdeng and questioning Qingdeng with her eyes, suddenly dissipated at this moment.
A silly smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
——In other words, in Qingto's heart, I am at least on the same level as Miss Chiba...
Regardless of appearance or temperament, I am inferior to Chiba Sanako. This kind of me can actually have the same weight in Qingto's heart as Sanako Chiba - this is really exciting for Mai Kinoshita, who often has a weak mentality in front of Sanako. So inspiring.
As Mai Kinoshita, who was easy to coax, showed a blushing and shy expression, the tense atmosphere that permeated the surroundings was instantly relieved.
Seeing this, the Director-General nodded with satisfaction.
Immediately afterwards, she lightly opened her red lips again, as if she wanted to say something to the two girls in front of her.
only……
"Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Very suddenly, she coughed violently...
…
…
At this moment——
Edo, Ryogoku Bridge, somewhere——
“Ho…ho…ho…ho…ho…”
A tall ronin, carrying a large gun with the barrel wrapped tightly around the head and a large wooden box on his back, was breathing heavily with phlegm, his head drooped, and he was shaking. Move forward.
This ronin's body and clothes were all horribly dirty.
His body exuded a disgusting stench.
This kind of poor-looking ronin has always been a troublesome person that people are afraid of avoiding.
Generally speaking, ronins who lose their jobs and can only wander around looking for work are extremely poor.
It's okay to be poor, but they are armed with swords, ancestral weapons and other weapons.
In the eyes of ordinary people, poor and armed ronin are just a bunch of mobile "bombs". Countless crimes are committed by desperate ronin. God knows what they will do.
"Uh-huh...!"
Suddenly, the ronin, who was carrying a large wooden box on his back and a large gun in his hand, accidentally kicked a raised object on the ground and fell to the ground.
Just as he was struggling to get up from the ground——
"...!"
The sound of air escaping came from Ronin's throat, and his expression was instantly clouded.
His hands reflexively moved to his head, gripping it as if to endure.
"Medicine...medicine..."
Ronin put his trembling right hand into his arms, took out a small medicine bottle, and poured out a small red and purple pill.
After swallowing the pill eagerly, Ronin's painful expression immediately eased a lot.
But just a few seconds later, his facial lines became... no, they became even more tense!
"Ahhh!"
Ronin suddenly let out a strange scream, slumped to the ground, gritted his teeth and stared at the empty void in front of him.
"You big salt rebels! How long are you going to pester me?!"
*******
*******
Asking for a monthly ticket! Please vote for recommendation! (Leopard head crying.jpg)
Miss Okita is really a little angel~~ In fact, careful readers should be able to vaguely discover: Although Miss Okita is still very young, only 16 years old, and has a playful personality, she is actually very mature and knows how to take care of others. of. In Chapter 151 of Volume 1, she defended Kondo in front of Abi.
