The next day, when I went out to the café not far from my apartment, Shion was already waiting there. As soon as I walked into the store, she got up from her chair and waved to me. Then I sat down again, and a cup of coffee was placed in advance on the empty seat opposite.

"Chihiro, here—"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but smile at me.

I sat down across from him, picked up the coffee in front of me, held it up in front of my eyes, and took a sip. Then put it back in the coaster. In an instant, the touch between the bottom of the cup and the coaster made a soft sound.

"Do you have all your luggage?"

"Hmm."

With that, I pointed to the suitcase next to the chair.

"Would the average person bring this thing to the restaurant with them?"

Suddenly, Shion muttered without hesitation. Instantly, I looked a little embarrassed, cleared my throat, and could only pretend not to hear. At this time, her eyes were looking out the window, leaving only the side face to me. And because of the hair, I can't see Shion's current expression.

"Is it pretty?"

"Huh?"

I was stunned for a moment, and the voice coming out of my throat was a little confused.

"What do you mean?"

"The view."

With that, she turned back to face me again. The corners of his mouth are slightly upturned, and he seems to be in a good mood.

"It's really beautiful."

She chose a slightly forward position in the middle, not far from the window. From here, you can see most of the city. Moreover, it is possible to see far away. Coupled with the clear sky, the buildings in the distance, which were previously unclear, are now clearly visible.

"Your taste in this area hasn't changed at all."

"What? With that expression of relief, do you want me to help you remember the past? ”

"No—"

I laughed a few times and waved my hand. Then, while chatting about the topic of non-nutrition, we looked at the menu in front of us. The TV hanging on the wall behind it was switching from a food show to a music show. Time passed imperceptibly......

After that, we asked for a few desserts, and after each of them quickly sorted them out, we walked out of the café. After descending the stairs in front of you, you will see a square after walking a little further. The fountain in the center stands out. Every few tens of seconds, there will be a column of water several meters high, instantly jumping into the air!

We crossed the square and came to the wide road again. Now there are fewer pedestrians around. Go a little further and turn left and you'll see an intersection. Opposite is a supermarket and next to it is a pharmacy.

"Let's go."

"Hmm."

In this way, we came to the opposite side before the traffic light next to us changed again.

"This time you may have to stay at my house for a long time, it may be longer than the previous two times, you better be prepared."

"That's why I brought everything I could think of!"

Shion's expression was slightly hesitant, and she watched my attitude change from the side.

"No, I mean...... Aren't you worried that Lola will have a misunderstanding? ”

"Not worried?"

"Why?"

At this time, Shion's expression suddenly became serious.

"Because, you're good friends! And if you had that intention, you wouldn't have waited until now to act. Right? ”

"Hmph, you seem to know me well......"

"You don't deny it? What I just said—"

Suddenly, Shion seemed a little shy and quietly looked away from my face. Then he turned his face out of my sight, raised his hand and wiped the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand. Instantly, I saw something that could be called tears. However, I thought it might just be an illusion......

"Because, there's no need—"

That's right, because most of what Chihiro says is true, and he really knows me. At the same time, they can understand me. So I don't think there's any need to deny it. Rather, it would be stranger to really deny what he just said.

"Wait, I remember the key is in—"

So, after crossing a bridge and walking forward for about 20 minutes, we arrived at our destination, which was Aster's apartment. Now she's fumbling for the keys in her pants pocket.

"You're not going to forget your keys at home, are you?"

"Impossible! How could I make that kind of low-level mistake? ”

As soon as I finished speaking, I didn't expect her to immediately turn her face very unconvinced, and asked me with a very serious expression.

"I see. So where? —”

"Am I not looking? Be quiet! ”

With that, she turned her attention to the pocket on the inside of her coat. After a few minutes, I finally got the key.

"Look, I'll just say I brought it!"

Then, with a show-off expression, he reached out and shook it in front of me.

"Alright, let's open the door—"

At this time, I couldn't help but urge her. At the same time, sighed.

"Come in!"

After that, despite a moment's hesitation, I walked in. Shion took two steps back and took out a pair of sandals for me from the shoe rack next to her. Then wait next to me to change it. Then take me into the living room.

"Sit down—"

As she spoke, she gestured to the couch in front of her, then reached for the switch on the wall. Not long after, the overhead light flashed a few times due to the voltage. Then, it slowly lit up. "Would you like something to drink?"

She asked, as she turned her back to me and walked towards the refrigerator in the corner.

"Whatever."

"Don't say casual, you say casual every time. It was before—"

Suddenly, Shion's voice was a little helpless.

"Honestly, it's hard to do......"

Then she looked at my face and sighed with a serious and slightly disappointed expression.

"So, choose one—beer, cola, orange juice, which one do you want?"

"Orange juice."

I thought about it for a moment and said to her.

"Got it."

Only then did her expression become gentle again. Then I pulled the orange juice out of the fridge – it looked like it had just been bought as if the package hadn't been opened. Then, he took out two more mugs from the cabinet next to him. Then, walking towards me.

Soon, we poured about 2/3 of the orange juice into two empty cups. Then they sat down on the couch together. At this time, you can already see the sunset like a flame outside the window. "Starting tonight? Or do you want to start tomorrow? ”

"Let's talk about it tomorrow, I'm a little tired today."

"Okay, I see. Your room is in—"

Shion said as she stretched out her finger diagonally across the hallway.

"There, do you see that?"

"My room was just across the street. If there's something to do, just make a noise. ”

"Well, thank you."

"You don't have to be polite to me now."

Suddenly, Shion couldn't help but burst out laughing, and interrupted me while laughing. Then, suddenly, there was a pause in the conversation between us, which was neither long nor short. In an instant, the living room became very quiet.

"Chihiro, are you alright?"

After that, it was the asters who broke the silence. At the same time, the expression became very serious. Somewhere in the depths of those eyes that had always seemed to sparkle, there seemed to be a hint of worry. The sound is also very quiet. This is probably also taking into account my feelings, right?

"It's okay, don't worry. What we need to do now is to get the novel published, right? ”

At this point, I shook my head.

"That's what you say...... Got it, since you've said so. Then I won't ask...... But if you feel like you can't hold on any longer—" she said, reaching out and patting her shoulder, before speaking to me again in a cheerful voice......

"It's okay to lend you a shoulder to lean on. So, when the time comes, just say it generously! ”

"Thank you."

"So ......"

Suddenly, halfway through speaking, we couldn't help but look at each other's faces and laugh. And for a long time......

Then, starting the next day, I borrowed Shion's study and used it as a studio. During those six months of immersion, I almost threw everything other than creation to Aster. But even so, she didn't complain even once.

"Like Lola, I'll fully support you!"

"Why?"

I put down my pen and turned my chair to face her with some curiosity.

"Because we're friends."

Shion said in a serious voice with a natural expression.

"And, I'm an editor now, so, it's work for me."

Then, he looked at me again in a joking voice. The corners of his mouth are slightly upturned, and he seems to be in a good mood.

"No editor would take care of that, would they? At least, there are no such people as far as I know. ”

"You......"

At this time, she seemed to be a little angry, and her eyebrows were wrinkled as if they were connected.

"Not really, but it's nothing to me. This, perhaps, is the prerogative of a dear friend. Do you understand? ”

With that, she put down the cup of coffee she was holding, turned around and walked out of the room.

...... After that, the novel was published, and we were all relieved. When I got home that night, Lola seemed even more excited than I was—

"Congratulations, Chihiro!"

As he spoke, he naturally hugged him, and suddenly, I couldn't help but take a few steps back, holding on to the cabinet next to me to finally stand firm.

"Thank you."

After thanking her, I hesitated and gently placed my hand on her head. After a while, he slowly stroked the long bright and slightly prickly hair. And Lola also enjoyed being touched by me. It was so comfortable that I couldn't help but squint my eyes.

At this point, we were almost only a fist away.

Just a little further and the faces will stick together.

At this point, Lola closed her eyes. And quietly stood on tiptoe—

In an instant, I was so shy that even the tips of my ears hidden in my hair began to heat up as if they were on fire. Moreover, the cheeks are also ......

The next morning, Shion said she was going to take me to meet someone.

"Who?"

"Teacher Xia Fan."

"Teacher?"

As I walked through the station ticket gate, she finally told me who the person she was about to meet was. Then, we walked up the steps. It didn't take long to get into the elevator...... There is a restaurant on top of this.

"Teacher Xia Fan and I made an appointment there."

With that, we turned left and walked to the end of the hallway. In the room a little closer to the front of the floor-to-ceiling window, I finally saw Mr. Xia Fan's face. Now, she's waving at us. At this time, I was suddenly a little embarrassed, and the asters I had seen for a long time pushed me—

In an instant, I almost stumbled and fell.

"What are you pushing me for!?"

"Who made you so slow!"

Her voice was indifferent, even a little disgusted. Take my hand and go inside. Next, take a seat across the table.

"Long time no see, Chihiro. I heard that your new work has been successfully published? ”

"yes."

I tried to restrain my voice, trying to keep it as normal as I normally would, and not to appear too excited. At this time, I saw Aster sitting next to me and couldn't help but glare at me. I was so frightened that I quickly looked away.

"Huh? Are you two hiding something from me? ”

"Nope!"

In an instant, our voices coincided.

“...... Alas. ”

"Anyway, it feels good to realize your original dream, right? Chihiro? ”

Teacher Xia Fan looked at us, and she wanted to laugh several times on the way, so she changed the topic in order not to spoil the current atmosphere. At the same time, it also eliminates embarrassment for us.

"I'm really happy right now."

As I spoke, the corners of my mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, revealing a somewhat intoxicated expression......

"But it's a pleasure to see you today!"

Immediately afterwards, he added a sentence later. Then, a little nervously, he put his hands on his knees.