They all pushed me!

Beichuan Liang yawned again, then slowly lay down on his folded arms. He closed his eyes slightly as if he was greedy for this safe atmosphere, and felt a lazy and leisurely sleepiness rising from the depths of his soul.

Until this time.

He still thought that these girls were made of sugar, spices--

And some beautiful things.

Chapter 4: Everything Without Limits (5k)

In late October, when the entire internet was still immersed in the discussion of the hit new drama "Tomorrow, Dad and Mom Are Not Here" and the twin stars Kurokawa Akane and Arima Kana, Samejima Abiko, a member of the idol group ACE, which is currently in high demand in the industry and belongs to Kitagawa Ryo's personal agency, announced on her personal account that she would graduate at the end of this year. Soon, the official accounts of the agency and ACE also forwarded this message:

[I am really sorry to make this announcement so suddenly, but I still have to tell all the fans who have supported us. I, Samejima Abiko, will graduate from ACE. For me, the nearly four years I spent in ACE were undoubtedly a precious time that was both novel and irreplaceable. During my time as an idol, I met many fans who liked and supported us. It is precisely because of your help and affirmation that ACE and I have been able to come this far. Thank you very much. ]

[This is a period of time when I learned a lot, gained a lot of knowledge, and grew up in all aspects. It is also this experience that allowed me to seriously think about myself again, think about what I really want to do, and what is the dream I am willing to work hard for my whole life. ]

【I hope to become a professional cartoonist and enter a painting school to systematically learn professional skills. I have never been good at expressing my thoughts with expressions, so just like the expression boards I have used over the years, I will convey my feelings and thoughts to everyone through comics. ACE will continue to be active in the industry, and I hope everyone will continue to support Ruby and MEM啾. I wish you all the best and good health. 】

"Come to think of it, it seems all the tickets for the graduation concert were snapped up in thirty minutes."

After finishing a day's practice, the ACE trio sat quietly and tiredly in the car, either lying on their sides or leaning on their seats while browsing their phones. Suddenly, they heard their agent Ms. Saito Kyoko, who was sitting in the driver's seat and driving the car, say this.

This is something that is often mentioned in the industry. Although she still has a contract with Mei Pro, she is able to naturally blend into the circle of Kitagawa Ryo's personal agency. But after all, she is the wife of the president Kitagawa Ryo, so it is understandable. However, Mei Pro Agency is now a relatively large company, and the wife of the president is actually acting as a manager for an idol group from another agency. It is a bit strange no matter how you look at it.

But in fact the reason is very simple. On the one hand, Kitagawa Ryo is of course happy to let Saito Kyoko, whom he trusts very much and whose professional ability has been honed over the past decade, serve as his sister's agent. On the other hand, Saito Kyoko herself is also worried about Kitagawa Rumi.

She and Saito Ichito have not had any children in all these years. For Saito Kyoko, Kitagawa Rumi, whom she has been taking care of since she was a few years old, is in a sense more like her daughter than Hoshino Ai. After all, her actual age is not a whole generation older than Ai like her husband. Her communication with Ai in recent years is actually more like that of best friends of the same age. They often go shopping and chat together, share their outfits, and study the specific effects of popular cosmetics.

That's why she was able to keenly perceive Rumi's chaotic emotions a few years ago, and she was even worried about how to deal with it if something unexpected happened at Kitagawa Ryo and Hoshino Ai's wedding.

Fortunately, in the few years since the wedding, Kitagawa Rumi has not shown such an extreme state as she did then. In addition, she recently moved out of her brother's house and lived alone, which made Saito Kyoko finally put her mind at ease. She gradually attributed the emotion she had seen before to the simple possessiveness of a child, which has slowly faded from Kitagawa Rumi's heart as she grew older.

"Oh, I thought the company would raise the ticket price and launch limited-edition merchandise to drain my last remaining commercial value in one go."

"That makes sense. I'll send a message to my brother right away."

"It's okay. After Abiko's commercial value as an idol is squeezed out, we can continue to squeeze out her commercial value as an online anchor and professional cartoonist—"

Saito Kyoko's words were like a pebble thrown into the calm water. Soon, the three of them began to chat lazily, their tone was quite casual, and the atmosphere was quite relaxed.

After all, it was a decision made a long time ago. Kitagawa Rumi and MEM啾 also knew before that Samejima Abiko would graduate this year, so they did not feel disappointed like many fans who suddenly learned the news from the outside world. Besides, Abiko's withdrawal from the group would not affect their daily contact. After all, the relationship between the three of them was not like the simple colleague relationship in many idol groups, but close friends who could talk about everything.

"What are your thoughts next? Today's schedule is over, and tomorrow is a rare day without work. It's still early, do you want to go out for dinner together?"

While waiting for the red light, Kyoko Saito turned around slightly and took the initiative to make a suggestion.

"Ah - I feel a little tired. I want to go home and sleep."

But what Kyoko Saito didn't expect was that as soon as she said this, Kitagawa Rumi, who was talking enthusiastically with the other two just now, directly refused. Although she still had a smile on her face as usual, her rejection was clear in her tone.

"...Is that so? Then I'll send Ruby back first. Since you're tired, take a shower and go to bed early to have a good rest."

Kyoko Saito was stunned at first, but immediately responded very quickly and drove the car towards the house where Kitagawa Rumi currently lived.

About five minutes later, the car arrived at the destination community. After the owner, Rumi Kitagawa, came forward and passed the identity verification, the security guard at the gate of the community let the car pass. After driving for a distance, the car slowly stopped in front of Rumi's home. After saying goodbye to her two teammates and Saito Kyoko, Rumi Kitagawa opened the car door, got out of the car alone, and then disappeared from the sight of several people.

Just when Saito Kyoko restarted the car and took a few steps, MEMchu, who was sitting in the back seat, suddenly raised her hand as if she had made a decision:

"Ms. Kyoko, I just have something to do here. Please drop me off at the roadside as well."

"it is good."

Because MEM啾 was an adult, Saito Kyoko didn't think much about it. She nodded slightly and stopped the car again.

MEM啾 got off the car alone, roughly identified the direction, sent a message to her mother at home that she might be home late at night, and then walked towards Kitagawa Rumi's residence without stopping.

She had only taken two steps when she heard a voice calling her name from behind. She turned around and saw that it was Abiko Samejima who had followed her.

"Does Abiko have something to do here too?"

"Yeah, it's the same thing as MEM."

The two looked at each other knowingly for a moment, then smiled together and walked towards their common destination together.

"Ms. Kyoko seems to have noticed something, but she may not know how to deal with it, so she is still deceiving herself and pretending that she didn't see it. After all, she is the one who is caught in the middle, so I didn't let her come with me."

Samejima Abiko spoke calmly, then tilted her head slightly and looked at the MEM next to her:

"What about you? What do you think, MEM?"

"My thoughts... maybe surprisingly simple. When I see my friend worried and sad about something, I can't help but want to do something for her. It's human nature to think this way. Although I think Ruby might not want to hear these words from me that seem to understand her thoughts, and I haven't known Ruby for as long as you, Abiko, but no matter which one of you or the ACE group, you have truly changed my life."

“That’s just the extent of the thought.”

Samejima Abiko looked at MEM-chu who suddenly said such a long string of words, curled her lips helplessly, and murmured:

"MEM-chu should replace that devil horn headdress with a more appropriate angel halo that glitters with holy light."

"Haha... I'm used to wearing it, so I might as well change it."

MEM touched the small horn-shaped decorations on both sides of its head and replied with a smile.

Because they had not yet left the community, the two were only a few steps away from Rumi's residence. But even so, they were stopped by two patrolling security guards. After completing a detailed identity registration with them, they finally stood at the door of Kitagawa Rumi's home.

"Should I just knock on the door? Or should I send a message to Ruby first?"

"Say it in the group."

The two discussed for a while, and then MEM took out his mobile phone and tagged Kitagawa Rumi in the three-person chat group, saying that he and Abiko were at her doorstep.

Although they did not receive a reply immediately, the door in front of them was opened from the inside soon after. Kitagawa Rumi, who was standing at the entrance, did not seem surprised by their sudden visit. She just raised her chin slightly at the two of them:

"come in."

After MEM-chu and Samejima Abiko changed into their indoor shoes, Kitagawa Rumi closed the door without asking them what they were here for. She just walked straight into the living room, untied her hair band, took off her jacket, stretched her body vigorously, and then turned around and asked casually:

"Abizi and MEM-chu suddenly come here at this time, are you planning to help me?"

"…if Ruby is really experiencing any troubles or difficulties."

MEM scratched his cheek, trying to show the leeway of an adult, and looked at Kitagawa Rumi sincerely and seriously:

“I’m more than willing to listen and help.”

Beside her, Samejima Abiko, who knew Kitagawa Rumi earlier, asked directly without any hesitation:

"Is it really because of the problem of Liang?"

"Even though Ruby was very concerned about the 'Shibuya Struggle' part of the 'Tokyo BLADE' I was serializing, she hasn't talked to me about it in the past few days, and she hasn't paid attention to the progress of BLADE and Shoji's romance. This situation started after you and Akane and the others ended their live broadcast last weekend."

At this point, Samejima Abiko also sighed:

"But there's no need to make inferences. From childhood to adulthood, whenever Ruby's mood changes drastically, as if she has become a different person, it's basically only related to Ryo. I don't know how many times I've seen this."

After that, Samejima Abiko also frowned, stared at Kitagawa Rumi, who was silent and just looking at the cracks in the floor, for a while, then hesitantly asked again:

"Hey, really? Ruby, are you really going to--"

"Yes, that's what Abiko guessed."

Kitagawa Rumi suddenly raised her head and trotted over to MEM啾:

"MEM-chu just said that, so she should support my relationship with Ryo."

Although she had anticipated this and had been mentally prepared to a certain extent before coming here, when Kitagawa Rumi asked her so directly and clearly heard her say the specific name without hesitation, MEM啾 still lost consciousness for a moment, and after a long while, she nodded silently.

After receiving MEM啾's affirmative answer, Kitagawa Rumi raised the corners of her mouth, put her hands behind her back and turned around lightly. Her every frown and smile even made MEM啾 have the illusion that the other person was also wearing a little devil horn decoration on her head.

"But I don't need Abiko and MEM-chu to help me. This is a matter between me and Ryo. Um - you just need to pretend that you know nothing and didn't see anything."

Although she had taken off her coat and the temperature in the room was not very high, Kitagawa Rumi's forehead was still covered with a layer of fine beads of sweat. A few strands of hair were stuck to it in a messy manner, making her look almost charming.

"Ruby, have you really thought it through? Once you do this, no matter what the result is, it is certain that your relationship with Ryo will never be the same as it is now."

MEM啾, who had finally recovered from her shock, pursed her lips and couldn't help but speak another word of advice.

"It's better to say that I've thought about it a long time ago, but I was forced to wait until now!"

Kitagawa Rumi pushed back quite firmly, which was a look that neither MEM-chu nor Samejima Abiko had ever seen on her in all these years, so they all fell silent.

"As a friend, I think I should also advise Ruby not to do this."

After a long while, Samejima Abiko finally spoke softly.

She smiled from the bottom of her heart to her best friend:

"But now I just wish you success."

MEM gritted his teeth upon hearing this, as if trying to convince himself, or as if giving Rumi an excuse:

"Anyway, Ruby and Ryo are really not related by blood."

"Well, I will."

Kitagawa Rumi generously accepted the blessings of her two friends. The black and white stars shone in her two rosy red pupils. Confusion, worries and all concerns had disappeared, and all preparations were ready.

She finally began to understand that when a woman decides to have a relationship with a man, from that moment on, there are no longer any walls that she cannot cross or fortresses that she cannot climb over, and there are no longer any moral concerns or hesitations that she cannot abandon.

In fact, ever since she came up with this idea, there has been no god who can control her.

-------------------------------------

It is already early winter in Tokyo in early November. The sky is filled with thick lead-gray clouds, which makes people feel a little gloomy. The clothes of people walking on the street are obviously thicker and bulkier. The pervasive cold wind makes many people choose to pull up their collars and zip up their clothes, and walk hurriedly through the huge intersection.

Kitagawa Ryo, who had just finished today's filming and was about to go home from the set, went to the parking lot to pick up his car when he heard a group of child actors in the crew passing by enthusiastically discussing when the first snow of this year would fall. The childish remarks, which contained eagerness, anticipation, and even a bit of impatience, made Kitagawa Ryo couldn't help but smile and feel a little more relaxed.

But just as he got into the car and inserted the key, he took out his phone from his pocket to check if there were any missed calls or messages, but suddenly saw a message from Rumi one minute ago:

"Brother, I seem to be sick, and I feel uncomfortable all over."

Chapter 5: Another Door (k)

After seeing this message, Beichuan Liang was also stunned. He turned off the car that had already started and immediately replied hurriedly:

"Ruby? How are you feeling now? What's wrong? Are you home alone? Have you asked Ms. Kyoko to take you to see a doctor?"

However, the message he sent did not receive an immediate reply from his sister, and even the status did not change from 'unread' to 'read'. Kitagawa Ryo exited the private chat interface a little irritably, and quickly found Saito Kyoko in the group of the address book. Just when he was about to call her, he remembered that ACE's schedule was empty today as it was a rest day for the members, and Saito Kyoko might not know what had happened.

After sending inquiry text messages to Samejima Abiko and MEM啾 one by one, Kitagawa Ryo swiped the screen back to the group page. Kitagawa Ryo directly clicked on the individual group that was specially set to the top column and had only one person, and directly dialed the mobile phone number with the note "Favorite Ruby".

This was what Rumi had asked him to change on her birthday about seven or eight years ago. As the electronic tones came from the phone again and again when the call was not connected, Kitagawa Ryo's mind was in a trance for a while, until he finally heard the mechanical reply "The user you dialed is currently unavailable", he smacked his lips anxiously and pressed the red hang-up button in the center of the screen.

Neither MEM-chu nor Samejima Abiko received a reply. Considering that they usually take a good sleep on their days off, Kitagawa Ryo was not surprised. After exiting the address book, he directly opened a real-time positioning software that he had installed not long ago and bound to Rumi.

After confirming that Rumi was still at home, Kitagawa Ryo clicked on the destination navigation without hesitation, turned the key and started the car again.

In a public service advertisement about maternal love that he had filmed in the past, there was such a plot:

One day, the son who worked in Tokyo forgot to bring his power bank when he went out. By the time he got off work in the afternoon and talked to his mother in the countryside as usual, his phone had only a little bit of battery left. But unfortunately, they talked for a particularly long time that time. Just as the son was crossing the road and telling his mother about his promotion in a happy tone, the low-battery phone suddenly turned off automatically.

Although he felt a little regretful, the son did not care too much about it. After a two-hour commute, he finally returned home, plugged his phone into the charger and went straight into the kitchen to cook. But when he had just put the food on the table and turned on his fully charged phone to watch a variety show while eating, he suddenly heard the door of the rental house where he lived being banged hard. When he opened the door without knowing why, he saw his mother who looked very embarrassed and burst into tears when she saw him.

It turned out that from the mother's perspective, she only heard her son excitedly talking about his promotion halfway through when the phone was suddenly hung up. In this last second, apart from her son's voice, the mother could only hear the shrill sound of a car horn.

After calling the other party but only hearing the busy tone indicating that the phone was turned off, the mother, who was filled with great self-imagined fear, chose to take a bus from the countryside to Tokyo overnight.

As for Beichuan Liang, his mood now is almost the same as that of the mother to some extent. It is as if the unknown is the root source of fear. As his thoughts and imagination extend outward endlessly, all kinds of thoughts float up and explode in his mind like bubbles. Beichuan Liang only feels that there is a straight steel bar supporting his body, from his feet to his head, making his whole body tense, as if his nerves and flesh were welded together.

Although they were almost speeding, the evening rush hour, a fixed daily feature, did not care about the mood of any car owner in the busy traffic. The congested traffic conditions did not allow Kitagawa Ryo to rush to the community where Rumi lived in a short time.

After calling Kitagawa Rumi again and again without any result, and asking Saito Kyoko without getting any useful information, Kitagawa Ryo simply stopped the car at a roadside paid parking lot, changed the navigation mode on his phone from driving to walking, called the property management of the residential complex where his sister lived to inform them of part of the situation and ask them to prepare an emergency plan, then bent down to tighten his shoelaces a little, and ran towards his destination.

In his past acting career, Kitagawa Ryo has contributed many wonderful "Japanese drama running" scenes in many works, including waking up at the last minute and wanting to get his lover back, and rekindling his passion to continue his dream of participating in the selection competition that is about to begin. He ran up and down slopes and on crowded sidewalks, and showed the character's abundant emotions through explosive acting skills while running. From the trembling of his eyes to every step he took, all actions were to serve the emotions.

But now Kitagawa Ryo was running towards his destination in an almost embarrassed posture. Fearing of being recognized and wasting unnecessary time, he deliberately put on the large sunglasses and mask that artists carry with them when getting off the car, but he soon experienced the awkwardness of running with a mask on.

Fortunately, from childhood to now, Kitagawa Ryodu has never slacked off in physical exercise, which is also the reason why he chooses to walk instead of driving.

Sweat and exhaled hot air quickly wet the mask and stuck tightly to the mouth. The sunglasses that were deliberately made larger to block other people's sight now became a burden. Lubricated by the sweat from the ears, it felt like they would fall off in the next second, forcing Kitagawa Ryo to push them up every once in a while.

By the time he finally ran all the way to the gate of the community where Rumi lived, it was almost a quarter of an hour later. The reason why Kitagawa Ryo stopped was very simple. He was stopped by the security guards and gate of the community.

Without immediately responding to the suspicious looks and routine inquiries of the two security guards, Beichuan Liang supported his hands on his knees and took a long breath. He barely recovered some strength and threw off his sunglasses, which were already half-off, and put them in his pocket. Then he took off the mask that looked like it had been soaked in water and held it in his hand. He raised his head and answered:

"I'm Beichuan Liang who called just now."

Since he is a well-known national actor, he has come to this community many times in the past two months, including moving and visiting. In addition, he received a call from the other party half an hour ago. After Beichuan Liang further expressed his attitude that time was tight and there were urgent matters that needed to be dealt with, the security guard of the community did not even register his personal information. He quickly opened the gate and made way for Beichuan Liang to pass. At the same time, he immediately stated that their community had business cooperation with a large hospital nearby, and if necessary, they could provide corresponding medical services as quickly as possible.

Kitagawa Ryo had a spare key to his sister's house. After resting for a while and taking off his sunglasses and mask, he was able to breathe freely and felt much more refreshed. He soon arrived at Rumi's house, inserted the key that he had taken out when he approached and had been holding tightly in his hand, and opened the door.

Kitagawa Ryo quickly kicked off his shoes, not even bothering to find the pair of indoor shoes he usually wore from the shoe cabinet next to him. He just walked in while calling Ruby's name, and quickly glanced around the living room, but didn't see anyone.

Perhaps it was the unusual silence in the room, or perhaps it was the intense exercise and highly tense nerves just now, but Beichuan Liang could only feel his heart pumping frantically in his chest, and he could even clearly hear its dull "bang bang" sound.

After not seeing anyone in the living room, Beichuan Liang quickly turned his attention to the bedroom. Without the leisure he usually had, he skipped knocking on the door and simply stretched out his right hand, grasped the door handle, and then pushed down with force. The door was not locked, so he pushed it open naturally.

The scene in the room came into Kitagawa Ryo's sight.

At this moment, his mood was almost the same as that of the mother at the end of the public service advertisement.