Girl Band, Gravity Capture

Page 75

However, he did not accept the seven-string electric guitar that Mu offered, but instead found a steel-string acoustic guitar in the music room where instruments were stored.

Seeing his actions, Akari, Suze, and Riki were still somewhat puzzled, but Shoko and Mutsu, who were more musically skilled, immediately understood the boy's intention. Toyokawa Shoko pulled the others aside to make room for him with a look of surprise, while Wakaba Mutsu stood closest, watching the boy's performance with expectant eyes.

The fact that Won Heo-do specifically chose an acoustic guitar instead of the electric guitar commonly used in bands can only mean one thing—he's not going to do a regular guitar solo, but rather fingerstyle guitar.

Of course, this doesn't mean playing with your fingers without a pick. "Fingerstyle" is a special and advanced guitar technique that combines various tuning and percussion techniques. It is extremely loose, free, and personalized, with many elements of improvisation.

Using this method, one guitar can achieve the effect of two or three, or even more, guitars, and can even cover the range of other instruments at the same time... Simply put, if the technique is good enough, he can replace an entire orchestra by himself.

After tuning and testing the sound, Yuan Xudou, with a faint smile on his lips, slowly closed his eyes.

The melody of the song should emerge in your mind and spontaneously weave into a flowing melody.

He hummed a few notes of the intro to set the tone, and bathed in the expectant gazes of the crowd, the handsome young man slightly raised his head.

He struck the speaker with the edge of his palm, and the drum sounded.

Left hand presses the strings, right hand strokes the instrument. Flying fingers dart across the strings with incredible speed and dexterity, low and high notes intertwine almost seamlessly, yet remain distinctly separate from each other.

The bright and clear melody flowed along their slender, well-defined fingers, forming a melody they knew all too well.

——"だからPUは音楽を词めた" (so I gave up music)

It's the song that CryCHIC performed when they first took the stage.

Moreover, unlike their playing, Yuan Xudou's rhythm was noticeably lighter and more lively. If their underlying tone was a cry and search amidst confusion and helplessness, then the boy's color was a light, open, and relieved feeling.

Music is a way to convey one's feelings.

Just hearing such a clean, clear, harmonious, and melodious voice is like being in a vast, unrestrained night sky, leisurely swimming amidst the pulse of a magnificent galaxy. His genuine, confident, and carefree demeanor shines through in every gesture.

Even though the three were novices in guitar playing, they could tell from his almost blurry fingertips and the infectious, passionate music that this was a very high-level solo performance. Xiangzi and Hemu, who were of similar caliber, had their eyes shining with excitement.

As soon as Genji put down his guitar and let the melody that had filled the room dry up and dissipate, Toyokawa Shoko immediately stood up and announced her motion to record the boy's performance as a promotion for the band—although she quickly protested by using her veto power as the decision-maker.

Fortunately, Xiangzi was just joking on a whim. After all, the performance was still their domain, and they couldn't really let Yuan Xudou steal the spotlight. The girls wouldn't budge an inch on their place in the band.

However, the footage was ultimately recorded and kept as the band's private collection. He didn't seem to mind, just like the photos Mu had secretly taken of him smiling hadn't been ordered to be retrieved or destroyed. As long as it wasn't leaked, Xu Dou had always been indifferent to such matters.

The playful fighting and practice continued for a while, during which time the sunlight outside the window gradually turned a dim yellow.

Realizing that time was passing, everyone ended the rehearsal and packed up their instruments.

Afterwards, they went to the kitchen's refrigerator to select ingredients and seasonings, which were then packed into a pre-prepared insulated box.

—Tonight, they're going to have a barbecue at the beach.

Chapter 106 The Picnic by the Sea

Sparks flew from the burning charcoal, and the faint, pale yellow light illuminated the faces of the people gathered around the grill.

The scorching heat radiated onto their faces along with the light, highlighting the excitement on the girls' rosy cheeks, which were tinged with a bright yellow.

Putting aside the hard work of carrying the far from lightweight steel grill and fruitwood charcoal, an open-air barbecue by the sea is obviously something to look forward to.

To avoid a sudden rise in tide, the six chose a spot near the woods and facing the sea as their base, and then began to get busy.

Gathering dry leaves and branches from the forest, we used the flint and steel we brought to start a fire. Then we waited for the fire to subside and the flames to disappear. The smoldering high-grade fruitwood charcoal flickered in the grill, and the smoke was not particularly pungent or acrid, but rather had a slightly intoxicating quality.

The preparation of ingredients, marinating some of the meat, and the journey took a little longer than expected. The setting sun had disappeared from the dark sky, leaving only half of the brilliant evening glow. On the distant coastline, the pale crescent moon was rising indistinctly, casting a clear silvery glow on the sea.

Skewered meat and vegetables danced on the flames, sizzling and dripping with oil, sending up bursts of fire. Powdered seasonings swirled in the air, their enticing aromas wafting through the flames, enough to make one's mouth water.

Finally, he sprinkled on some seasonings to make sure the skewers were cooked to perfection. Yuan Xudou smoothly plated them, arranged them evenly, and sprinkled on some scallions, displaying the demeanor of a seasoned barbecue master.

He carried the plate to the low table, put it down leisurely, and then sat down in the cloth folding chair.

As for the spot in front of his empty grill, it was immediately occupied by girls who wanted to try it themselves.

Fortunately, barbecuing doesn't require much cooking skill. If you're grilling for yourself, as long as you don't burn it or leave it undercooked, and you add the right amount of spices, there's no problem with not being able to finish it. At most, there might be a minor difference in taste.

Therefore, the boy, who was not responsible for most of the cooking work as before, was much more relaxed this time. He only baked two plates of ingredients as the opening and backup meals, and let them do whatever they wanted with the rest, which was very worry-free.

"Mu, your cucumber."

He handed the sliced ​​and skewered roasted cucumber to Wakaba Mutsu, who had brought him there. The girl thanked him softly, took the cucumber, and began to savor it with a serious expression.

These are the cucumbers that the girl herself grew, which she had previously photographed and sent to Yuan Xudou. After they finally ripened, Wakaba Mutsumi specially picked some and brought them here, and now they have finally found a suitable opportunity to come in handy.

Just like his initial impression, the quality was quite good, juicy, and sweet. The young man's perfect cooking skills further enhanced its flavor. One bite, and the crisp texture and rich taste instantly took over the taste buds.

Not only Mu, but the other girls sitting at the table also asked for a bunch of cucumbers after learning that she had grown them herself. After tasting the delicious cucumbers, they praised her highly.

The girl, who was usually on the fringes of the team and rarely the center of attention, was a little flustered by everyone's enthusiasm and didn't know how to respond to the praise and gratitude.

When the sudden wave subsided, the powerless -月'*漪/陕(私霖⒎侕児⒋覇{飼若叶睦 finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, although she was not good at dealing with such situations, she felt more than just distress in the midst of the chaos.

The slight joy of being recognized, like a flickering candle flame in my heart, slowly spreads a bright warmth.

And so, her golden eyes, brimming with reliance on color, quietly cast a grateful gaze toward the boy who had made all of this a reality.

He tilted his head slightly and returned a gentle smile.

Upon realizing that the other person had immediately noticed her thoughts and responded positively, Ruo Ye Mu silently lowered her head, only to feel her fair palms begin to burn again.

A cool sea breeze swept by several times before finally managing to chase away the heat from my forehead.

Seeing her lower her head, Yuan Xudou didn't continue watching. He picked up the chopsticks beside him and flipped the steaks that were being grilled on the table one by one.

For a dinner party of six, one grill is clearly not enough to meet the demand for food. Unless everyone drinks their fill of beverages, the grilling speed will never keep up with the consumption speed.

So in addition to the steel grill, he also brought a portable gas stove to grill some ingredients that were not suitable for skewering.

After all, everyone has different preferences. Su Shi likes vegetables and light-tasting food and dislikes offal; Mu's preferences are similar to hers, but she is not as picky; Xiangzi is keen on food with rich textures but not too spicy; Deng likes sweet flavors and is rather resistant to food that can bring out the freshness of the ingredients; although he has no dietary restrictions, he, like Li Xi, prefers meat in large portions.

Everyone has different tastes, and the ingredients brought were also different. To ensure everyone was satisfied, we simply brought extra cooking utensils so everyone could cook in their preferred way.

They can boil, blanch, grill, or pan-fry—all without a problem. No one will spoil their fun, and there are no rules or restrictions—as long as they can do it, they are completely free and have no taboos.

Of course, boundaries should still be consciously observed, such as minors not being allowed to drink alcohol, and it's best to avoid even alcoholic beverages. He couldn't guarantee that there wouldn't be any members of the band who had such a low alcohol tolerance that they would get drunk from eating chocolate liqueurs; in any case, they didn't seem to have a high tolerance.

If we have to take the drunk members back with us, it will be a huge problem... Hopefully, none of them will be curious about this, after all, there is a batch of various kinds of fine wine stored in the mansion, and it is impossible to guard it all the time.

While pondering some aimless thoughts, the lamb ribs in the pan, sizzling with melted butter and glistening with oil, seemed to be nearing completion, beginning to emit a rich aroma.

Before serving, sprinkle with celery, pepper, and other seasonings, and a delicious pan-fried lamb rib dish is ready.

He and Li Xi divided the pot in half, then he turned around and rinsed the pot briefly before starting to cook the sweet and sour sauce that Gao Songdeng liked. At the same time, he reminded Xiangzi in front of the grill to pay attention to the heat.

Su Shi, standing beside him, was simmering sliced ​​beef and vegetables in the clear broth. When she took them out, she didn't rush to taste them. Instead, with a gentle smile in her eyes, she picked up a piece of beef like a wife serving her husband, supporting it from below with her other hand to prevent the broth from dripping, and then brought it to the young man's lips.

"Heo Doo-jun, ah~"

Yuan Xudou, who was already used to the girl's excessive pampering and enjoyment of it, accepted her kindness and naturally opened his mouth to eat her.

"It tastes great, and it's cooked just right." After chewing a few bites, he nodded in approval.

"I'm glad you like it."

With a gentle smile, Nagasaki Sosomi happily put away her chopsticks and continued eating without any intention of changing them.

This was undoubtedly an indirect kiss. But the other girls present pretended not to see it, and no one raised any objections.

After all, compared to the little tricks they've played in private... this is nothing at all.

Some things are already known to everyone.

Chapter 107 The Tide, Moonlight, and You

The nighttime activities have ended.

After packing their belongings and taking their daily showers, it was time to go to bed.

Then, as expected, happened.

As the corridor lights went out and the soft moonlight quietly enveloped the room, there was a gentle knock on his door.

Yuan Xudou, who was lying on the bed, sat up, slowly walked to the door, and pushed it open.

...However, what came into view was not a soft chestnut color.

On the other side of the door, a bright sky-blue girl revealed a gentle smile.

"Xu Dou".

"How about we go for a walk together tonight?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The silvery glow flowed across the white sand.

Waves surged, and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks could be heard from afar.

On the beach at night, two people, hand in hand, strolled quietly in the cool breeze.

The girl suddenly bent down, took off her shoes, and pulled him into the ebb and flow of the tide.

Cool water washed over my ankles, and slippery sand slid under my feet, bringing a subtle, tingling sensation.

The moonlight illuminates the sky, reflecting in the vast sea.

Everything in the world seemed to be gradually fading away, the gentle sound of the wind was peeled away from my ears, and the shadows and my gaze stretched outwards infinitely, eventually reaching the end of my field of vision.

The silence that descended silently made it seem as if only the two of them remained in the world.

An indescribable sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, because we still have each other.

Toyokawa Shoko suddenly let go of his hand and ran two steps forward.

Clear water droplets were kicked and splashed up, forming refracted silver crystals in the air. Pink and white bare feet stepped merrily, leaving behind a spotless expanse of cleanliness.

Under the boy's inquiring gaze, she turned around, a childlike, innocent, and playful smile blooming on her face.

Bending down to scoop up a handful of water, the girl laughed and splashed it out.

Caught off guard, the boy only had time to raise one hand to cover his eyes.

A damp, cool sensation appeared on his skin. He lowered his arm with feigned anger, shook off the water droplets, and pretended to chase after him.

The next moment, Gen Xudou saw Toyokawa Shoko lose her balance as she turned to run away.

As if tripped up by the water and sand, the girl, who was trying to escape in a panic, swayed like a withered leaf and fell straight forward.

All thoughts of calculation and revenge vanished in an instant. Without thinking, the boy, his pupils shrinking, lunged forward and caught the girl in his arms just before she fell to the ground.

The two, who were embracing each other, fell heavily into the sea, creating a wave that was half a person high.

Protecting Xiangzi in front of him, Yuan Xudou used his back to absorb the impact of two people. The cushioning effect of the seawater and the soft sand prevented him from feeling too uncomfortable, but he still felt some chest tightness and his back became flushed.

He gritted his teeth imperceptibly and immediately turned his gaze to the girl in his arms.

But almost immediately, a pair of soft, delicate hands pressed against his cheeks.

She lay relaxed against his chest, her soft, delicate body pressed against him without reservation. Her fingers gently traced the lines of the boy's face; in her bright golden eyes, there was no lingering fear, only a gentle and happy smile, as if her wish had been fulfilled.

...She fell down on purpose.

Yuan Xudou, who understood the girl's thoughts, quickly grasped this fact.

She didn't stop in a panic; from the moment she splashed water, Toyokawa Shoko had already planned her next move.

However, it wasn't deception either.

If he hadn't caught the girl, she would have really fallen into the water alone.

Therefore, confusion naturally arises.

Shoko Toyokawa read the boy's confusion in those dark, serene eyes and silently responded in her heart.

'...Because you will definitely come and catch me.'

Just like now—whenever I'm in danger, you'll rush to my aid without even thinking.

Thank you so much.