A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

The stride, the rhythm, the movement.

Distance, heartbeat, mood.

Just like Chihaya Tetsu needs her guidance to familiarize himself with the dance steps, Wakaba Mu also needs to be at this distance to truly confirm his feelings that have always been vague.

From the first time I heard his name to the time I officially met him through Xiangzi's connection...

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ruoye-san, I think I stepped on you just now?"

"Yeah, it's okay. I'll just take bigger steps."

From the past misunderstandings that were resolved by him, to witnessing his showdown with his mother for Xiangzi.

"Eh? Was I a little too quick just now?"

"It's because your reaction speed is getting faster and faster, Mr. Chihaya. It's okay. From now on, I just need to get back to my normal rhythm."

From caution to trust, and now to longing...

Why do I always look at him involuntarily when I am alone with him?

After knowing that Xiangzi and others had confirmed their relationship with him, why did he still enjoy listening in on them discussing things related to him?

How has her opinion of Chihaya Tetsuya changed?

And... after knowing all this, what can she do?

"As a result, this time... Chihaya-san also fully complied with my request, just like yesterday."

"After all, this is a serious matter, and ballroom dancing might come in handy for me in the future, so it's a waste not to learn it!"

Chihaya Tetsuya's response was just like the date the day before, without any distractions or complaints.

"No wonder Xiangzi is always so cautious... He's such a convenient man."

As their dance steps gradually became more and more in sync, Ruoye Mu whispered in a voice that only others could hear.

In fact, even if she was invited to dance by someone else, as the daughter of the banquet organizer, Ruo Yemu had every right to refuse the other party.

But even so, she still thought of this plan and took the initiative to mention it to Chihaya Tetsuya.

"Sure enough, you won't understand these things unless you try them yourself."

Since Mr. Chihaya still hopes that she can be more loyal to her own ideas and make her own choices... then next, let him see what she looks like when she takes the initiative.

As the background music stopped, Wakaba Mutsu and Chihaya Tetsu finally stopped dancing.

She has already obtained the ticket to the banquet. All she has to do next is to wait until the day the banquet starts... and do as Mr. Chihaya and Xiangzi said, so that her mother can see how she has grown.

28

Chapter 28: She is so unpredictable.

Metal music is a relatively special style of music.

It focuses more on rhythm and sound than melody, and is more like catharsis and resistance than expression.

Loud, powerful, hysterical.

Ruoye Mu didn't know when she started to like metal music. She only remembered that when she first heard the distorted and noisy "noise" that made her dizzy, her first reaction was not to turn down the volume, but to directly turn up the volume to a level that was enough to cover up all the voices in her heart, as if doing so could temporarily isolate her from reality.

This is both an escape and a resonance.

In the beginning, Ruoye Mu, like Xiangzi, had many ideas she wanted to express and many things she wanted to do, but ultimately, she was deterred by her inner fear and the pressures both inside and outside. Especially after the disbandment of CRYCHIC, she felt she was doomed to be unable to accomplish anything and unable to make any correct choices.

Just keep silent and wait for my mother or someone else to control me...

Until someone told her in person that even making a wrong choice was far better than letting everything come to a standstill in silence.

Just like his own life so far.

"...This is surprisingly fun once you get used to it."

Under Wakaba Mu's guidance, Chihaya Tetsu finally grasped the key to the dance steps and began to dance according to his own ideas based on the rules he had summarized. At the same time, his expression changed from being embarrassed and nervous at the beginning to becoming more relaxed and even a little happy.

This person is always like this. Whether faced with something new or a completely unfamiliar field like the one he's currently tackling, he never gives up easily. Instead, he proactively plunges into it, applying an incomprehensible enthusiasm to his endeavors. It's not so much that he's unafraid of failure, but rather that even if he does face it head-on, he'll simply ponder how to bounce back, unlike me, who hesitates and hesitates, standing still.

The experience of struggling to survive made him regard giving up and death as the same concept. This is the origin of his character and also his way of survival.

Thinking about it this way, perhaps this person is far more suitable for metal music than himself.

"But, it's precisely because you're this kind of person that you attract so many problem children..."

As Ruoye Mu was speaking, he suddenly leaned back, and exerted a little force on his hands.

"Wow!?"

The sudden movement made Chihaya Tetsuya hug Wakaba Mu's slender waist again. At the same time, under her influence, Chihaya Tetsuya's dance steps became more radical and bold.

"Now that you're familiar with the most basic dance steps, you can move on to the next level."

As Wakaba Mu said this, he led Chihaya Tetsu to slowly spin on the spot:

"Just like before, Chihaya-san, just continue to leave everything to me. I will let you get used to it gradually."

"oh oh……"

Just like that, Chihaya Tetsuya, who thought that the course had ended successfully, was once again led by the nose and entered into Wakaba Mu's rhythm...

……

"Eh... there's actually this kind of action..."

Nagasaki Suyo, who knew nothing about ballroom dancing, made a sound of surprise.

"But I did see this on TV. Hey... so that's how it's danced."

At the same time, unlike Nagasaki Suyo who was watching with great interest, Toyokawa Shoko's expression had unconsciously become extremely tangled:

"Mu..."

At this point, no matter how slow-witted Toyokawa Shoko was, she could still detect some truth from her childhood sweetheart's unusual behavior.

After all, what Wakaba Mu taught Chihaya Tetsuya at this time was not some basic dance steps that must be mastered, but a more intimate waltz that only close dance partners would choose.

Perhaps Ms. Minami forced her to learn it... so that she could leave a good impression on other guests at future family banquets, or on possible future marriage partners.

But no matter what, since Mu took the initiative to bring Chihaya Tetsuya into the duet waltz, it means... she is not satisfied with just having a "basic dance step" relationship with Chihaya Tetsuya.

When did this start? Did I just fall for him unconsciously during these months of being together? Or had I been thinking about this for a long time?

Toyokawa Shoko had no way of knowing this, as her mood and thoughts were already in a mess.

From a lover's perspective, she shouldn't allow Chihaya Tetsuya to continue to be led into Wakaba Mu's "pursuit" in such an ignorant way. But from the perspective of Mu's childhood sweetheart and relatives and friends, she is very clear about how hard-earned the initiative shown by Wakaba Mu is at this time, and how rare it is for her to have such clear feelings for a member of the opposite sex.

If she truly intervened and revealed the truth, Chihaya Tetsu would undoubtedly distance herself from Mu out of respect for herself and a sense of responsibility, never allowing her even the slightest chance to approach him. Ruoye Mu would likely give up her feelings and return to her former state. However…if this were to truly unfold, Mu's hard-won courage would likely vanish, and the impact of the end of her first love would be beyond her imagination, having never experienced a broken heart before.

What should I do next...

Shoko Toyokawa was caught in a dilemma.

However, just as Toyokawa Shoko was lost in thought, the two people in front of her had stopped walking. Then, after Wakaba Mutsu said something softly, Chihaya Tetsuya suddenly nodded and let go of Wakaba Mutsuya's hand. Then, under Toyokawa Shoko's somewhat stunned gaze, Chihaya Tetsuya slowly walked towards her:

"Xiangzi, Ruoye said she's a little tired, so the rest of the teaching will be handed over to you..."

Chihaya Tetsuya faithfully repeated what Wakaba Mutsu had just instructed, and extended his right hand toward Toyokawa Shoko, following the gesture he had learned earlier.

"I remember it was supposed to be this way... Ahem, lovely Miss Xiangzi, could you please dance with me?"

"what……"

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko subconsciously raised her head and looked in Wakaba Mu's direction, but in response she was only given the same indifferent gaze as always, one that made it impossible to tell whether she was happy or sad, or what she was thinking.

"Sushi, I'll also study with Mr. Chihaya later."

Before Toyokawa Shoko could speak, Wakaba Mu said to Nagasaki Suyo:

"If I could dance with Chihaya-san in front of your mother in the future... she would definitely be very happy."

"I see."

Nagasaki Suyo, who had no idea what was going on, agreed naturally. After explaining all this, Wakaba Mutsu simply lowered his rolled-up sleeves and left the place...

What on earth was this child thinking? Was everything just a delusion? Did she have no such thoughts about Tetsuya-kun? If that was the case, why was she teaching this dance?

Full of confusion, Toyokawa Shoko placed her hand on Chihaya Tetsuya's palm...

29

Chapter 29 The application of gardening techniques in the field of love.

At first, when Wakaba Mu sorted out all her thoughts and started practicing new dance steps with him, she did want to tease Chihaya Tetsuya a little, or wanted to see him fall into further confusion or even heartbeat because of her.

However, when Wakaba Mu pressed against Chihaya Tetsuya's body and felt his heartbeat through his slightly thin chest, she suddenly calmed down.

After getting used to the steps of ballroom dancing and no longer holding his breath out of concern for himself, Chihaya Tetsuya's breathing and heartbeat had calmed down considerably. Meanwhile, being more familiar with ballroom dancing, he felt even more frequent and intense beatings.

After calming down and thinking about it, although Mr. Chihaya has been in a state of panic since the beginning, his panic is actually just to avoid offending others, and his blushing and heartbeat are just due to exercise and forced breath holding.

His thoughts and purpose remained unchanged: to fulfill his own wish and become a worthy dance partner at the upcoming banquet. Other than that, he had no extra thoughts.

This is just a one-sided heartbeat, an unrequited love...

Thinking of this, Ruo Yemu suddenly turned her head and looked at the dress that she was not brave enough to wear to meet people...

squeak!

"Wait, Mu!"

Just as Wakaba Mu was still silently gazing at the dress, the sound of a door opening suddenly rang out behind her, and Toyokawa Shoko, looking anxious, suddenly came into her room.

"Are you okay...eh?"

Before Toyokawa Shoko could finish her words, when she saw the expression on Wakaba Mu's face, she, who had chased after him first, showed a somewhat confused expression.

Because on that delicate face, there was not the depression or dejection that she had expected, but a very refreshing and rare smile.

What is going on? !

"...It seems like a misunderstanding was caused accidentally."

Seeing Toyokawa Shoko's completely confused expression, Wakaba Mu sighed slightly.

"Did Xiangzi tell Chihaya-san and Suyo the reason before coming here?"

"Eh? I was in such a hurry that I didn't make it in time..."

Toyokawa Shoko, who hadn't recovered from her shock yet, answered truthfully subconsciously. However, she quickly came to Wakaba Mu and placed her hand on her shoulder.

"More than that, why did Mu suddenly leave? You're not thinking of anything strange, are you?"

"Strange thing?"

Wakaba Mu tilted his head.

"for example?"

"For example... because he was worried about me and Su Shi, he simply let go of all his feelings and left alone..."

Toyokawa Shoko said worriedly:

"Although I just noticed it, but Mu... you also like Tetsuya-kun, right?"

"...As expected, you'll still be able to see through it."

Recalling his positive actions one after another, Ruoye Mu nodded slightly and admitted:

"Well, yes... I do like Chihaya-san, and like you... I just realized it."

"Is it because of that date?"

"I don't know. Although I've always cared about Chihaya-san, I can't really say when I started to like him."

"That's it..."

After receiving Wakaba Mu's recognition, an extremely complicated expression appeared on Toyokawa Shoko's face.

Although they are childhood sweethearts of the same age, in Toyokawa Shoko's subconscious, Wakaba Mutsu has always been someone who needs her care.

Not proactive, not positive, immature, simple, introverted, and lacking understanding of emotions.

Generally speaking, this type of girl should have no chance of falling in love.

"However, perhaps it's precisely because of this personality that you're more likely to fall in love with less-than-perfect boys. I actually wondered back then whether you'd suddenly run off with a bad metalhead and end up getting dumped by him..."