"You-kun, can you go on stage to play once in a long time?"

Xia Yu had just returned to her seat when Chihiro Nishikino threw such a sentence in front of her, and she asked with a smile.

“…… Perform?"

Xia You was stunned for a moment, realizing that she was referring to playing the piano on stage, so he snapped his fingers and readily agreed: "No problem." ”

"Ahh

Nishikino Chihiro didn't expect Xia You to agree so simply, she was very surprised, her pretty eyebrows like a crescent moon were high, and her eyes were full of surprise.

On the side, Mahime carefully held the milk tea like a cat that was only afraid of being hot, sighed lightly, and pretended not to care and asked, "Oh, Xia Jun, are you going to go on stage?—— it's up to you, but what song are you going to play?"

Actually, my aunt also asked her to play on stage just now, but she refused.

It's rare to have a week off, and Mahime doesn't want to perform on stage, so it's weird to be nervous. If she wants to play the piano, she thinks that it is best to stay alone in the room and play, which is both relaxed and comfortable, and she can play whatever she wants.

But.

That being said, Mahime is still looking forward to hearing Natsuyu play. After all, she is the number one little fan girl.

Xia You had a confident expression, obviously having decided on the track, but he didn't say it, but smiled: "Keep it a secret first." ”

"Hmph, if you don't say it, you won't say it, and people will know it later. ”

Seeing that Xia You deliberately sold Guanzi, Zhen Ji Jiao snorted and spat out her small pink tongue at him, pretending to be grimaceous.

Although it is not scary at all, it almost makes Xia You's face bloody. Covering his somewhat hot nose, he looked at the sky speechlessly and sighed silently.

Alas, I'm a little sorry, if he can not be bothered, Mahime will definitely be as obedient to him as before.

In this way, even if you can't eat and wipe clean, it's okay to do something interesting with the girl.

Say...... The one I asked Mahime to do for him before.

Thinking back to the wonderful experience at that time, Xia You was even more depressed, alas, it's a pity that there is no drama now-he doesn't even want to say it properly, hoping that Mahime will agree to do that for him, it is better to dream! That would be more realistic.

Sensing Aunt Chihiro's rather playful gaze on the side, Xia You suddenly came back to his senses, he coughed lightly, hiding his embarrassment, "Then, then I'll go up first." ”

Chihiro Nishikino smiled and said, "Hmm." The piano is the same as before, the tone has been tuned, you can just use it. ”

"Okay, I got it. ”

Responding casually, Xia You walked towards the piano table.

In fact, the reason why Xia Yu invited Mahime to this café instead of choosing other couples' dating mecca is not only because he hasn't been here for a long time and wants to revisit the old place, but more importantly, he wants to borrow the piano here for a while......

- Play a tune to Mahime.

That's why he was so happy to respond to Chihiro Nishino's request.

☆

Coming to the piano table, Xia You glanced at it, and it was no different from the appearance in his memory, it was still the original decoration. After adjusting the height of the seat, he sat down.

At this time, many guests noticed Xia You and couldn't help but be surprised when they saw him sitting in front of the piano. After all, he looked too young, fifteen or sixteen years old at most, a far cry from the age of the pianist who usually played the pianist.

However, they are not dissatisfied. As long as Xia You is still alive, it won't affect them to relax and chat.

Ignoring the faint discussions around him, looking at the black piano in front of him, Xia You felt a little nostalgic.

His fingertips trickled down the cold black-and-white keys.

Recently, because he has been recording Kanon's tunes with Muse and playing them repeatedly, Xia You's feel is not unfamiliar. After he had warmed up his hands, he was ready to play.

As for the repertoire to be played, he had already decided.

"Let's get started. ”

Thinking silently in his heart, Xia You emptied his distracting thoughts.

The next moment.

His slender fingers sank and played the keys!

At the moment when the piano sounded, Mahime, who was sitting in the distance, raised her face, and even she didn't notice it, looking at Xia You's burgundy pupils, quietly revealing a trace of intoxication and fascination.

From childhood to adulthood, Mahime was not a very persistent person, and there were many things that she only insisted on halfway before giving up. For example, learn Chinese, learn to ride a bicycle, learn to play the violin......

But there is only one thing that she is confident that she can carry out consistently, and she will not waver no matter what, and that is ......

——The love for Xia You over the years.

Unlike Mahime, who stared at Natsuyu without blinking, Chihiro Nishikino leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes to listen.

The sound of the piano is soothing and melodious, as if it has turned into a murmuring water, and it seems to turn into a wisp of breeze, with a little sadness, slowly entering her ears and penetrating all the way into her heart.

Although she has rarely touched the piano these days, Chihiro Nishikino has been a pianist for more than ten years and listens to classical music, so her ability to appreciate music has not diminished at all.

After listening to it for a while, she recognized the repertoire that Xia You was playing.

- The sorrow of love.

The Sorrow of Love is a classic by one of the greatest classical musicians of the 20th century, Fritz Chrysler. With the same name, there is also "The Joy of Love", which is a sister chapter.

Personally, Chihiro Nishikino prefers the latter – the style is cheerful and bright, and it is pleasant to play in person or listen to it.

Of course, she also likes "The Sorrow of Love".

Picking up the coffee, Chihiro Nishikino took a slow sip and said nothing, letting the sad sound of the piano tug at her heartstrings.

Similarly, many customers in the café are also silently listening to the sound of the piano at this moment, and their thoughts fluctuate and become a little sentimental. Some relatively emotional girls hide their faces and remain silent, as if they remember some sad past.

In fact, many of these customers can play the piano. Although they were all of different levels, most of them could hear what the young man was playing at this time.

To be honest, the famous song "The Sorrow of Love" is not very difficult to play, and even if you teach yourself, you can play it in its entirety very quickly.

However, it is not easy to play the original charm - this requires not only very exquisite skills, but also the emotions must be integrated into the sound of the piano, otherwise you will not be able to move the audience, and even you will feel unbearable.

And this is extremely demanding for the player, even if he has been honing the piano for seven or eight years, he does not dare to say that he can do this.

…… However, at this time, the young man on the stage successfully did it.

This amazed everyone. They thought that with the boy's age, even if he was not a beginner, he would not be able to have such exquisite piano skills. After all, he was too young.

But who would have thought that he really had skills comparable to those of a master.

- It's really a human being who can't be seen!

Secretly examining themselves, everyone did not wander anymore, so as not to miss such a beautiful performance.

At the same time, Xia You on the stage was also engrossed in the piano. He threw away all distractions, and his fingers danced freely on the keys as if they had become nimble dancers.

- The sorrow of love.

This is a masterpiece by Fritz Chrysler, a classical musician that Xia You likes very much.

Although there is also a sister work "The Joy of Love", Xia You also likes it very much, but he did not choose to play it at this time, but still insisted on "The Sorrow of Love".

As for the reason, it's simple.

"The Joy of Love" expresses the nostalgia and love for the country and hometown, while "The Sorrow of Love" expresses the distress and sadness that arises when love is frustrated and hit.

- How similar is this to Xia You's current situation?

Recently, neither Mahime nor the women of the club have given him a good look. Even though Xia You has been trying his best to make up for the repair, it still has no effect, which makes him feel quite depressed.

But in addition to boredom, more than that, I am still panicking.

Fear what?

Of course, I was afraid that someone would leave.

- Especially Mahime.

To be honest, in this incident, Xia You felt that she was hurt the most.

There are two reasons for this.

First, in addition to Ayase, who has grown up since childhood, Xia You feels that the person who has the deepest feelings for him is probably none other than Mahime. Even if it is Megumi, most of them are not as good as her.

You know, when I heard Mahime say that she had been secretly in love with him since she was young, Xia Youzhen felt incredible. In the corner he didn't know, there was such a little girl who always had a love for him, silently thinking about him for a long time, even if he disappeared for several years on the way, he didn't give up.

This kind of emotion may not be an exaggeration to describe it as 'deep as bones'.

Second, unlike others, Xia You promised Mahime that they are lovers and lovers, so they will see each other more important.

When the above two points are concentrated on the same person, Xia Yu can't imagine how sad Mahime will be when he learns that he has so many confidants.

…… It's probably going to be heartbreaking, right?

Xia You felt that she could probably understand this feeling.

Perhaps, when he first dated Mahime, he didn't like her so much, and he confessed just because of a momentary heartbeat.

But after dating for so long, Xia You has to admit that he really likes Mahime more and more - he likes this ignorant and simple girl, whether it is her arrogant side, or her simple side, or her tsundere side...... He liked them all.

Just looking up at the sky with her, the scenery that is usually commonplace will become different, and her every move will determine all his joys and sorrows.

- This should be love, right?

But the more he felt his love for Mahime, the more frightened Xia You became. If Mahime chooses to break up because of his heart, then what should he do?

☆

Music is a very mysterious thing.

Some people say that they can convey their feelings through music, convey their personal joys, sorrows, and sorrows, and even more, they can directly convey their hearts through music, leading the audience through his state of mind.

But some people say that these are lies, how can it be possible to hear any emotions from the music.

But at this moment, in the café, no matter who they are, they have to admit that they are really touched by the sound of the piano, their thoughts are fluttering, all kinds of memories hidden in their hearts rise, and a faint sadness arises spontaneously.

Then, I became more and more immersed in the soft and sentimental sound of the piano.

"The Sorrow of Love" has no prelude, and the melody of the first part of it is very sad, as if when love has suffered a setback and becomes sluggish, the protagonist has a deep troubled and panic in his heart.

When the atmosphere was raised to the peak, Xia You's fingers flicked suddenly!

- The tune changes again and enters the melody of the second part.

If the first part is a sentimental situation, hit by frustration, I don't know how to maintain love, and I am afraid that I can stick with my lover.

The second part is reminiscing about many past events and all kinds of joys experienced with lovers in the past.

Although the music still gives people a sense of sadness, it gradually brightens, like a dark cloud covering the sky, gradually dispersing under the bright and moving sunlight.

In reality, listening to the melodious and tactful sound of the piano, the café was quiet, and for a while, everyone forgot to speak, and it was silent.

The waiter at the counter smiled relaxedly, lowered his head, and silently wiped his cup.

The wind chimes on the door swayed softly.

"Mahime. ”

There was a sudden call from the side, faintly worried, and Mahime suddenly woke up, and she turned her head to look in a daze.

I saw my aunt look at me with caring and gentle eyes, and handed me a handkerchief.

"Here you go, wipe your tears. ”

"Huh?"

Mahime was stunned.

At this time, she suddenly realized that she didn't know when she had started crying.

The cheeks were moist, and the clear and crystal tears couldn't stop flowing, like beads that had fallen off the thread, falling straight down drop by drop.

Mahime was a little embarrassed, she took the handkerchief and wiped it carelessly.

"Y-Why am I crying? It's weird. ”

Chihiro Nishikino didn't speak, nor did she deliberately say comfort, but looked at her gently, like looking at her own daughter who had not yet grown up.

From time to time, she looked up into the distance, the boy sitting on the piano table, engrossed in the performance.

She pursed her lips and chuckled.

Oh, it was Mahime who confessed to you at the concert before, so ......

- This time, is it your turn to confess?

Chihiro Nishikino is finally relieved.

Earlier, she noticed that Xia You and Mahime seemed to be quarreling, and she was quite worried, but she saw that these two children didn't want to mention it, so she deliberately ignored it. Secretly, he was thinking about how he could help.

But now it seems that her worries are a little unnecessary.

Chihiro Nishikino smiled, believing that even if she didn't do anything, the two children would definitely be able to handle their affairs.

Well, for sure.

"Knock ——!"

The last trill, soothing and long, rises like a parabola to the apex, and then slowly sinks.

Eventually, at the end of the song, the sound of the piano faded into nothingness.

Xia You has a feeling of dripping and refreshing.

"Hoo ......"

With a long sigh, he stood up, nodded slightly to the audience, and walked straight off the piano platform.

At this time, everyone suddenly came back to their senses.

A strong sense of unfulfilled meaning lingered in their hearts.

Although some people wanted to ask Xia You to play it again, at this moment, the more preferred choice, everyone applauded in unison.

The applause was loud and roaring.

"Bang Bang!"

In the midst of applause, Xia You smiled again, and then walked back to his seat.

Chihiro Nishikino was looking at him with a light that was half relieved and half regretful.

"What's wrong? Xia You was a little confused and asked confusedly.

"Nothing. ”

Chihiro Nishikino shook her head, but her smile was complicated, and she sighed, "I was just thinking, Yu-kun, how nice it would be if you could continue to play the piano." In less than five years, I believe that you will become a world-class piano master, and everyone will applaud your voice. ”

"Really? That's pretty good. ”

Xia You smiled. But in his tone, it showed that he didn't care about this.

- It's nice to get everyone to applaud him, but what's the point?

For Xia You, as long as the important people around him are willing to applaud him, it is enough.

On the side, Mahime stared at Xia You without blinking, and her extremely attractive Danfeng eyes were red at the moment, like a little rabbit.

Seeing this, Xia You was slightly stunned, and hurriedly asked, "Hmm? Zhenji, why are you crying?"

"I—I'm not crying!

Mahime hurriedly lowered her head and retorted. But in her tone, there was clearly a cry.

This made Xia You even more confused. He subconsciously glanced at Chihiro Nishikino, and there was an inquiring hint in his eyes, obviously hoping to get an answer from her.

But the latter just smiled and said nothing—it was a smile that meant something.

"Hmm......"

After a long time, Xia You finally came back to his senses, and his expression seemed to have an understanding.

Then, tentatively, he reached out and stroked Mahime's little head as if he were soothing a Persian cat, and it felt smooth and soft.

…… And this time, she finally didn't dodge.

☆

About twenty minutes later, after eating the cake and drink, Natsuyu and Mahime walked out of the café.

It's just that before leaving, a few girls plucked up the courage to come over and talk to Xia You, saying that they liked his performance very much just now, and could they take a photo with them.

Xia You didn't care about this, so he nodded casually and agreed, and it wasn't until after the group photo that he suddenly came back to his senses......

- Ahhhhh

pills, leave her aside on a date with your girlfriend and take pictures with other girls!Isn't this death!?

Sure enough, when Xia You looked over cautiously, Mahime had a shy and angry expression of 'you finally know that you had seen it', and then stepped on him hard, snorted and shook her head and walked forward.

Xia You's face twisted.

…… I have to say, these high heels are really painful to step on!

However, he couldn't live because of his own sin, and he couldn't care about the pain, so he quickly chased after him and apologized, lest the favorability that he had finally gained by playing the piano fall again!

As for Chihiro Nishikino, she left first just now, saying that she had something to do - but judging by the meaningful smile she had before parting, it was probably not something, but deliberately left the two of them alone time, right?

"Aunt Chihiro, thank you so much!"

Xia You thanked him silently.

I have to say that the temperature has really been getting lower and lower recently, and it was good that there was heating in the café just now, but as soon as I went outside, it was suddenly a lot colder.

Xia You couldn't help but pull the collar so that the cold wind wouldn't sneak in.

Mahime, on the other hand, wore a scarf, and the bright red silk wrapped around her slender neck, and her plain face was hidden in it, almost out of sight.

The two walked side by side, clearly close together, their shoulders bumping together from time to time, but neither of them spoke.

Very silent, only the sound of low breathing.

“emmmmm…… Let's go!"

After hesitating for a moment, Xia You finally made up his mind.

He looked ahead, pretending to be calm, but his hand crept closer to Mahime, tentatively touching her little hand.

Once.

Twice.

Three times......

Seeing that Mahime never reacted—or rather, didn't dodge—Xia You realized that she probably acquiesced.

The proof of this is the growing blush on her white face, like a velvet blooming in the snow, delicate and moving.

So the next moment, Xia You boldly reached over and grabbed her slender hand.

When I landed, there was a warm, soft touch in my hand.

"-yes!

Xia You shouted excitedly in his heart, but in reality, he was trying to maintain calm, but the corners of his mouth couldn't stop rising, and his shoulders were shaking.

On the side, seeing Xia You's strange expression, he wanted to laugh but couldn't help it, obviously very happy, Mahime's face turned even redder, and she felt extremely shy.

She lowered her head and muttered, "What a fool." ”

Xia You happened to hear it, he couldn't help laughing, scratching his head: "Well, you're right, I'm stupid." ”

What's so bad about being treated like a fool? As long as you can hold this hand, it's better than anything else.

Thinking about it, Xia You changed the way of holding hands slightly, and changed it to ten fingers clasping.

- This is the lover's hand-holding.

"Stupid ......"

Mahime muttered, but didn't dare to look at him, but pulled her scarf in a bit of a panic, buried her head, and covered her red cheeks.

Xia You smiled and silently admired the ruddy side face of his little girlfriend.

Seriously, for a moment, he really wanted to lean over and kiss him, but he tried to hold back.

There is a way to work slowly and carefully, and if you go to steal relatives at this time, it will probably make the girl angry, right?

Two people with different thoughts walked side by side on the road, and the white mist rose and drifted away.

I don't know when the sun has disappeared, the sky is gray, and the occasional autumn wind not only blows the leaves, but also brings the two of them closer and closer.

Looking up at the sky, Xia You sighed with emotion: "Speaking of which, it's really not easy for us to meet again, obviously many years have passed since we first met." ”

Although he couldn't remember it at first, Xia You gradually remembered it after Zhenji's point - when he was young, he did meet a very special girl.

At that recital, he had just finished playing and was about to leave the stage, when suddenly a very cute little girl burst into tears, which startled him a lot.

In this regard, although Xiao Xia You was dazed and at a loss, he didn't leave in the end, but scratched his head and leaned over, carefully took out the candy that his mother bought for him from his pocket, and then put it in the girl's palm.

- Here you go, don't cry.

Recalling the events at that time, Xia You was in a happy mood, feeling the beauty of fate, and couldn't help but secretly say that he was lucky, bluffing a girl's softest feelings with a candy, it was really earned!

However, Mahime was very unpleasant, and it was okay not to mention it, but she couldn't help but complain when she mentioned it:

"Hmph, Xia Jun, you are embarrassed to say it, it's all your fault! At that time, you always treated me as air, completely ignoring people, even if people plucked up the courage to talk to you, you would only say oh - it's really super bad!"

Oops, that's embarrassing.

Being complained about so fiercely, Xia You couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth, he coughed dryly, and said, "Well, I'm sorry......"

"And, thank you. ”

Saying thank you is a normal thing in Xia You's opinion.

After all, if it weren't for Mahime's persistence over the years, how could there be a reunion today?

If she misses such a simple and lovely girl because of this, Xia You will really beat her chest and feel annoyed, as if she has missed the most precious treasure in the world.

Without asking Xia You why she thanked her, Mahime lowered her head, a little sour, as if tears were running through her.

Her voice trembled......

- After so many days, the emotions that have accumulated in my heart have finally exploded!

“…… So, stupid, if you don't look at me well in the future, I'll really ignore you!"

"yes, I see. ”

Looking at the girl, Xia You nodded slowly and heavily.

No one knows what the future holds, so it has infinite possibilities just like this reunion.

Natsu Yu wasn't sure if he could walk hand in hand with Mahime until he turned white, but at least.

This moment.

Hold her hand tightly.

I wish I would never let go again in this life.

…

(In my lifetime, we met on a narrow road, and we were not spared.) ）

(Where's my real hime?