Heavy girl? I feel worse than Black Hole Trigger!

But he didn't sneak out of the island this time?

Hiiragi Chisato stood up and ordered, "It's getting late. I'll go pick her up and take her home. Find someone to lead the way for me."

●

It's less than half an hour until Nascita opens.

Shortly after the discussion between the two young ladies ended, Toyokawa Shoko returned to the locker room to change into her uniform, while Hiiragi Chinana sat upright in her seat, holding up something that looked like a magazine and reading happily, taking a sip of milk tea from time to time, with a happy expression on her face.

Hiiragi Chinana had mentioned earlier that her home was locked, so Oriri treated her with special permission to visit the café early, saying it was a free gift of quiet time for her… though the shop would close later, but the idea was still there. Now that shop hours were approaching and Hiiragi Chinana was about to leave, Oriri suddenly remembered something.

"Come to think of it, even though Miss Chinana calls me teacher, I haven't taught you anything."

"Eh? Ah, it's okay!"

Chinana raised her head and gave the store manager a big smile.

"I've learned so much from my teacher and all the sisters these past few days!"

Even though she still didn't know how many people came from the "other world", China could more or less realize that none of them were native to Inazuma: foreign thoughts and concepts were themselves sources of knowledge.

It is undeniable that just staying in this cafe and observing everyone is enough to be called a learning experience.

"I can't be so shameless." Zhe Li shook his head.

As the saying goes, "When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher." This means that people should have observant eyes. However, this does not mean that others can comfortably accept the title of "teacher" without sharing their experience and knowledge.

A teacher is someone who teaches, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts. Zheli felt that he hadn't done any of these things.

He doesn't deserve this title.

"But, but but... I don't actually have any talent!" Chinae turned up her nose and said smugly, "So, no matter what the teacher teaches me, it's the same as not teaching me at all!"

"Even so, I still have to share some experiences with you to deserve such a name."

Since Xiangzi took the initiative to seek opportunities from Chinana as an "employee".

Then, as the "store manager", how could he not give back to his benefactor?

"There's still some free time before business starts. Could Miss Chinae please give me some of your time?"

The girl blinked in confusion. She didn't quite understand why the man in front of her was so serious.

But just looking at that face that naturally exuded confidence made her heart pound.

It was like the joy she felt when she first learned about "idols"—

"Yes! With great pleasure!"

Chapter 37 of the Box: Autumn Frost and Falling Maple Leaves, Snow Clears and the Camellia Sees the Light: Chapter : Step

After waiting for Toyokawa Shoko to change into her uniform, Baodō Oori asked her to watch the store for a while, and then he and Hiiragi Chinana left the store.

"Is the book in Ms. China's hand an idol magazine?"

"Yeah! I borrowed this from Miss Linghua."

Kamisato Ayaka explained that the "magazine" was a book that Ms. Alice had left on her study shelf without her permission. She had also skimmed through it in her spare time, and had a vague idea of what the "idol group" that Ms. Alice had repeatedly invited her to join was like.

Of course, this did not shake her determination to reject Alice's invitation.

So, when Hiiragi Chinana borrowed a book from Ayaka, Ayaka even gave it to her directly.

Later, Chinana would occasionally flip through the pages, delighted by the incomprehensible text and the beautiful "memories" (photos). Even if she couldn't read the words, it didn't matter: the photos, which made time stand still, condensed their brilliance into pictures, and that brilliance, through the every smile and frown of each "idol" in the pictures, shone deeply into Chinana's heart.

"I want to be an 'idol'."

"Sparkling and beautiful... using her singing and dancing to heal everyone's hearts..."

She held the magazine, which had already become slightly wrinkled, and counted page after page, the scenes she had already remembered clearly.

"If that's the case, everyone will surely be able to laugh happily, just like at a festival!"

Baodeng Zheli looked at the girl's bright smile.

It was midsummer, and even the dark alleys that were supposed to be cold could not block the sea breeze and sunshine.

The wind lifted Qiannai's bangs slightly, revealing her stretched eyebrows in the brightness, and she was full of vitality even in the afternoon; her eyes were narrowed like a crescent moon, and her eyelashes seemed to tremble gently in the wind, adding a sense of calmness to her smile that was enough to glimpse the future.

Her carefree attitude doesn't come from ignorance. It comes from the fact that even though she knows the world isn't perfect, she still believes people will fight for the good things around them.

That’s why I want to become an “idol”.

Zhe Li quietly raised the corners of his mouth and responded with an equally brilliant smile: "Ah. I can definitely do it."

"Is that so?" China paused, wailing, then waved her hands shyly. "I'm still far from that! ...When I told you about this before, you said, 'Just showing your willingness to obey will be enough.'"

The Inazuma people are martially inclined. Even the renowned "White Egret Princess" possesses the "God's Eye" at a young age and possesses exceptional swordsmanship. Her elder sister, Chisato Hiiragi, also possesses exquisite naginata wielding skills. Her graceful and graceful demeanor during daily outings makes her the envy of her younger sister, Chinana. Her awe-inspiring demeanor during martial arts training at the mansion is even more striking.

It seems that in the eyes of her elder sister, as long as she can grow up safely and become the second daughter who meets the family's expectations, she will be an "idol" respected by everyone.

'but--'

Admiration, worship...those kinds of emotions are not the kind that make people laugh happily.

Becoming "in line with the magistrate family" may indeed earn respect, and may indeed be more suitable to be one of the three magistrates, serving the shogun and leading the people of Inazuma.

'But, it's still different.'

Hiiragi Chinana didn't dream of becoming an "idol" just because she wanted to be admired.

The girl's expression became a little lonely.

In the past few days, she always smiled brightly; even when surprised, she would open her eyes wide, as if injecting fresh vitality into the stagnant air - but now, she seemed to have completely lost that cheerfulness.

Zhe Li's smile didn't waver at all. He just spoke slowly:

"It seems to me that you have taken an important first step."

"Eh?"

The girl looked up.

Standing at the exit of the dark alley, the sunlight shines equally on every inch of the face.

The familiar sounds of street vendors, the rustling of leaves, and the distant waves crashing against the shore, echoing across the island. Amidst these sounds, so familiar they've almost become a blur in memory, the man's smile blossomed in the light.

"Haven't you already made someone 'laugh happily as if they were at a festival'?"

He pointed at himself and laughed mischievously.

"The number one fan of 'Idol China' is right in front of you."

“…——.”

A pair of small eyes, little by little, were filled with bright light.

This is my...

"Oh, we've been talking for a while. We better get going. We need to find a good place."

Zheli smiled and waved, then walked out of the alley first. Qiannai stared blankly at the tall figure for a long time before quickly taking steps to catch up.

We passed the market, walked through the quiet residential streets, and arrived near the statue.

The last time I came here was when I brought Xiangzi here to see the scenery.

It was already night, and the peaceful town was only a hint of prosperity. Now was the final sprint of a hard day's work for workers and merchants, and the heat of the streets was far greater than ever before.

The proudly standing statue controls the silence of the bustling city, as if only on this small hill can one enjoy a moment of peace.

"Singing and dancing aren't my strong suits. So, it's difficult for me to give you any advice in this area." Zhe Li stretched his arms out against the wind, stretching his muscles. After a while, he turned back and said to Qian Nai, "But, when it comes to fighting, I do have some experience."

"Fight, fight?" Chinae was a little timid.

The Inazuma people are martial, but not all of them are good at fighting.

For example, Chinana is the type of person who has absolutely no talent or willpower to hone her martial arts skills.

Therefore, her father could only arrange for her to take quiet classes in flower arrangement and tea ceremony. It was in this field that she and Kamisato Ayaka interacted frequently, ultimately establishing a friendship. Otherwise, how could the noble Princess Shirae, who lived a secluded life, have the opportunity to deepen her relationship with Chinana, a fellow magistrate who often confined herself to the outlying islands?

"Don't worry, I'm not going to teach you fighting techniques. You're not interested in that kind of thing, are you?" Zhe Li smiled reassuringly and said, "But if you want to sing and dance, physical strength is still very important. What I want to teach you is how to exercise your body!"

Chinae gasped, "Exercise!"

Isn't this what her martial arts coach asked her to do but she couldn't do well?

It’s because she can’t even complete basic exercises that everyone just gives up on her!

The shop manager said earnestly, "For example, you wouldn't want to be able to sing beautifully or dance beautifully, but when you actually get on stage you're out of breath and your singing and dancing are a mess, right?"

"Don't worry at all!"

But Qiannai put her hands on her hips and snorted:

"After all, before that, we have to be able to sing and dance!"

“…That’s right.”

So, why is this little guy so "confident" in this aspect?

Chapter 38 of the Box: Autumn Frost and Falling Maple Leaves, Snow Clears and Cuckoos Appear: Chapter : The Hiiragi Family

After Baodeng Zheli left, Nascita became unusually quiet.

Shoko Toyokawa sat upright in a chair, looking at the sign on the store door.

——She is indeed an employee of the coffee shop, but she is not very familiar with the coffee machines here.

Behind the counter belonged to the clerk's area, and she never crossed it. It was just that she often had the opportunity to observe (because there weren't that many customers to serve) and had some impression of the clerk's work process. If she were to actually stand behind the counter and mix drinks, she would still be somewhat flustered.

"Opening hours are almost up..." Xiangzi murmured.

Zhe Li had only said he was going out for a while, and he didn't know when he would be back. Should she open the shop as usual, or wait for Zhe Li to come back?

Hmm. As for this place, we really have to wait for the store manager to come back before we can open again.

I couldn't let my first-time customers down just because I wasn't good enough. If only Su Shi had come today. Su Shi, while still not as skilled as Zhe Li, who seemed to be forever flawless, at least with Xiangzi's taste, raised in a wealthy family, it would be hard to find fault with Su Shi's craftsmanship in his drinks.

She made her decision, stood up and turned the sign on the door to "CLOSE".

●

"Where did Chinato go?"

Hiiragi Chisato spoke in a bad tone.

"This..." The plainclothes guard scratched his head.

It was strange. He had clearly seen his second daughter turn into the alley and even walked into the deserted coffee shop. It was a dead end, so guarding the entrance was more than enough. For example, a few days ago, he had stood outside the alley, waiting for Hiiragi Chinana to exit, and then he watched from the shadows as his second daughter returned home safely.

But today, he couldn't even find where the alley was?

I clearly remember the Second Miss walking into a certain alley...

"It's so late now. You want to tell me that you lost China?"

"I'm so, so sorry, Miss!"

"Now is not the time to apologize. Arrange for someone to find him immediately."

"yes!""……"

Hiiragi Chisato's expression remained calm.

As the successor of the next generation of the Kanjo Bugyo Hiiragi family, although not as good as the "White Egret Princess" of the shabu-bugy, she has also cultivated a friendly image among the people. The servants within the Hiiragi family have never seen the eldest lady lose her temper or act arrogantly. Only when it comes to her younger sister Hiiragi Chinana does this kind-hearted eldest lady show some normal emotions.

Sigh. I was just thinking that this child is so quiet, but it turns out that this time the guards are the problem.

But it's no one's fault. My father is just too doting on Chinana. He should have been closely monitoring her movements since she started avoiding the Hiiragi family's eyes!

Giving orders for a thorough search, Chisato Hiiragi wasted no time returning to the Hiiragi residence. Finding people wasn't her forte, so she decided to return home and wait for news. Who knew Chinana might have snuck back home again?

Of course, Chisato Hiiragi is only the "future" successor after all, and her father Shinsuke Hiiragi is still the Kanjo Bugyo. She has the right to command her servants to act, but she cannot stop them from reporting things to her father.

When she returned to the mansion, Qianli was even prepared to answer her father's questions.

However, my father seemed to still be staying in the study, and even the people who were supposed to report to him were blocked outside the door.

Chisato Hiiragi was slightly puzzled. A few days ago, while her father was in Inazuma Castle, he had been much more silent than usual. She had assumed it was because he was being mocked to his face by the Tenryo Bugyo, and unable to refute him, that he was feeling depressed. But now, after returning to the outlying island, he was still like this, which didn't match her impression of her father.

She thought about it and went over to knock on the door.

A dull voice came from behind the door: "What's going on? Don't disturb me."