——The fifth update, please pay more attention to Ikoma's situation, and don't make a decision in a hurry.

In the corridor, Wugeng's mood was a little irritable. The scene where Ikoma was hesitant to speak at the Christmas party came to her mind again.

——If it’s Xiaoxiao, it doesn’t matter if you replace me, anyway, I——

Anyway, Ikoma. This is not the solution.

On the fifth day of the lunar month, I stepped harder.

——

At five o'clock, she went downstairs to meet the three Ikoma who were waiting for her, and went home together.

Speaking of which, the routes the four of them took home didn't overlap much. They left the building and walked along the long slope for more than ten minutes. They said goodbye to Ikoma Takayama, who took the bus, and they arrived in another five or six minutes.

The nearest subway entrance is where Wu Geng and Nishino are separated.

It's not that we have to go back together, it's just Ikoma's insistence. On practice days, if the four of us don't have work after that, they will all be together. If someone has something to do and the time is not long, they will wait for a while. Just like this time.

We walked for ten minutes, during which time Ikoma made jokes and made jokes. When it came to topics that Nishino was interested in, she would also interject with enthusiasm. Takayama would talk about some interesting things in the group from time to time. At this time, Wu Geng could follow the topic.

A few words. After all, she doesn’t know much about anime, and she only watched a few dramas in Ikoma’s Crazy Amway.

Every day, the four of them get along almost like this division of labor. Thinking about it carefully, Ikoma seems to have never said anything about his struggles and complaints. One order, two orders, three orders. Every time he is elected as the center in the show,

She always seemed worried. Although she talked about hard work and responsibility, she always showed a feeling of anxiety and uneasiness.

She stood alone in the third row when she debuted in the fifth watch. Most of what was seen on the stage was her somewhat thin back. When she stood next to her in the fourth watch and the fifth watch, Ikoma had become much more determined. After nearly a year of experience, she has gradually changed.

I am now confident and calm. She is completely different from the girl who stood on the AKB stage with tears in her eyes at the beginning of the year.

Maybe she didn't notice this herself. She stood at the front and fought against all kinds of things, but she didn't realize that she was growing quietly. The one who timidly intervened in other people's topics in the final selection and looked at herself pessimistically

The girl has led Nogizaka46 through a year.

This was a very remarkable thing. But she didn't notice it herself.

When they arrived at the platform, before Ikoma and Takayama got on the bus, Wu Geng subconsciously pulled her.

"...Xiao Xiao?"

"Ah...I'm sorry!"

Wu Geng let go in panic. She had no idea what to say or what to do.

But after Ikoma got into the car and the door closed, Wu Geng still couldn't help but ask loudly

"What did you want to say last night! Ikoma!"

Ikoma in the car window looked at her doubtfully and pointed at her ears, but didn't seem to hear clearly.

Wu Geng repeated it loudly again, and by this time the car had slowly driven away.

"Xiao Xiao..."

Nishino roughly noticed something and patted her back gently.

So what if they know the answer? What they can do is extremely limited.

Wu Geng stood there for a while, adjusted his mood, and then turned to Nishino and smiled.

"……go home."

For a while, Nishino and Wu Geng were silent for several minutes.

"...Did Konno-san and Xiaoxiao say something?"

"……Um."

The only problem was put aside in a perfunctory manner.

The two waved goodbye on the subway platform.

On the subway, I received a belated text message from Ikoma at five o'clock in the morning.

"fine."

"I will work hard."

Wu Geng, who didn't know how to respond, typed "Come on!". After thinking about it, I deleted it.

"Well, it's okay."

"You can discuss anything with me at any time."

"Just be yourself."

I wrote a lot of replies in the fifth update, but deleted them all before sending them.

She looked at the screen of her mobile phone and felt that the emotions that words could convey were really weak and limited.

It took more than ten minutes before she sent the message.

Then, she dialed Nanxiang's phone number.

——

On the bus.

"Ikoma-chan," Takayama said, "you can find a suitable opportunity to share your thoughts with everyone... Xiaoxiao, she is very worried about you."

Gao Shan heard Wugeng's call in the car. Although the voice was very low, it was still clear. Ikoma should be the same.

Among the four, Takayama spends the most time with Ikoma, so he understands a little about her troubles. The reason why he interrupted Ikoma last time was because it was not a suitable opportunity. Besides, Ikoma was a little excited and might have

The atmosphere is ruined.

Ikoma leaned his head against the car window, looking down the street.

Students who had just finished school, office workers in suits and ties, and young people with nothing to do. Her eyes did not stop, but wandered aimlessly.

Seeing Ikoma like this, Gao Shan knew that she didn't listen to his words and sighed in his heart.

"Ah...it's raining." Ikoma said.

Gao Shan looks out the window.

Raindrops fell sparsely on the car windows, and then gradually became denser. The sky was a little gloomy, and the rain stayed at a moderate level. Pedestrians on the street took shelter under the eaves of shops.

"This rain should stop soon." Gao Shan said.

At this time, the mobile phone in Ikoma's pocket vibrated.

It was a reply sent in the fifth hour. It was very brief.

"Fool."

Ikoma laughed.

——

December 27th.

The last program recording in 2012.

Five single selection lineup announced.

Sixteen-man selection. Formation 358.

In front of the camera, Wu Dangfang walked out of the team and found a cardboard with his name on the table. He unfolded it.

Position 2.

The staff mechanically announces the position

"It's midnight, No. 2, center."

The camera shows a close-up of Ikoma's expression behind her.

The girl raised her head and closed her eyes.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

——

After the recording of the program ended, Ikoma burst into tears.

She retreated to the middle of the second row, surrounded by members, and finally cried heartily.

She was sobbing and seemed to be saying something, but no one could hear clearly among everyone's panicked words of comfort. Gao Shan gently stroked her back and helped her calm down.

Everyone sat down where they were and waited until Ikoma's mood calmed down a bit before accompanying her back to the lounge.

On the way, Ikoma was still choking. Wu Geng and Nishino stayed with Ikoma. Takayama took a tissue to wipe her tears.

Hashimoto glanced at the messy lounge and clapped his hands

"Everyone, please go out first and give Ikoma-chan and the others some time."

Ikoma is still emotionally unstable and needs to stay with Wu Geng and the others, who have a good relationship with her. If she can take this opportunity to talk out her long-standing worries, it will be much better.

Most of the members understood and went out one after another. Only the cameraman who had followed him remained in the house, showing no signs of leaving.

"Makin-like."
To be continued...