Late July.

Wu Geng, Nishino, Ikoma, and Ichirai went to the area near Ikoma's hometown of Akita Prefecture to promote the sale of three singles.

This promotional activity focuses on areas where Nogizaka's programs cannot be watched. The selection team is divided into four teams and travels to various places to promote.

The trip by plane and bus left the four of them directly in the deserted countryside. This is Gojome Town, Minami-Akita County, Akita Prefecture, famous for its timber and rice.

Looking around, there are all green rice fields, and there are traces of towns further away. After staying in Tokyo for a long time, I suddenly felt relaxed and happy when I suddenly saw such a broad scenery.

Wu Geng took a deep breath and found that the air was different. There was an astringent smell of plants and earth mixed together.

The promotional location of each team was determined by throwing darts. Beforehand, the four people played rock-paper-scissors, and in the final battle, they were defeated by Ikoma. Otherwise, the four people would be near Hokkaido now.

In order to fit the theme of the three singles, Saff-san directly threw a bicycle to four people. Ikoma rushed forward at the lead, followed by Ichilai. Nishino was a little panicked, and the handlebars shook slightly. Seeing the fifth watch, he looked over,

Blushing and explaining in a low voice:

"...because I haven't ridden for a long time."

"Understand, understand."

After all, there is no need to use bicycles in Tokyo.

After getting used to it for a while, Nishino became more and more proficient, and the four of them simply competed on the uninhabited country road. They were stopped before riding very far. Looking back, Saff, who was carrying the camera, was thrown far away. It was probably only them who were photographed for a long time.

's back.

The four of them simply slowed down and walked slowly.

I didn't see anyone along the way, it was really deserted.

"I heard from Saff-san that the population here is less than 10,000." Ikoma turned around and said.

After discussing with Saff, several people decided to go to a nearby station. Surprisingly, almost everyone they met knew about Nogizaka46. Moreover, as a native of Akita Prefecture, Ikoma is very popular here. The bicycle used for promoting the three singles has a sticker on it.

Most of them were sent out through her hands.

At five o'clock, he secretly poked Nishino's arm:

"Is this a homecoming?"

Nishino squinted at her with a sly smile.

"It would be great if we promoted it in Hokkaido."

Wu Geng shrugged: "There are so many famous people in Hokkaido, it's not my turn."

Afterwards, the group went to a nearby middle school. When passing by the playground, Ikoma danced and screamed, and rushed straight into the field. He couldn't hold it back even before midnight.

"Teacher! He was my teacher in junior high school." Ikoma explained excitedly.

The man was burly, like a teacher in charge of physical education. The two chatted in front of the camera for a while.

"When I was in school, I felt that you were talented and shining."

"Really? Hehehe."

The person next to me was speechless for a while.

My little friend Ikoma, can’t you hear the polite words? You’re smiling so brightly.

There are club activities of the volleyball club taking place in the gymnasium.

The four of them said hello as they entered the gym. The students who were training stopped one after another and screamed. Many resting members also came out of the activity preparation room, and they quickly gathered around.

Ikoma nodded and waved like a superstar, and screamed again.

On the contrary, Nishino was surrounded by so many students at close range. He pursed his lips and nodded gently, acting a little stiff.

"Does anyone know who we are?"

"Nogizaka46!" The voice was uniform.

"So where am I from?"

"Akita Prefecture!"

"What about the member next to me?"

Wu Geng originally planned to let Ikoma, a local, take charge of this trip to Akita, and just paddle around in a daze by herself. Unexpectedly, at this time, she actually pulled herself out as a living sacrifice.

Sure enough, the lively atmosphere stopped and the students began to whisper among themselves.

(ex){}&/"...I am not a heroine." Wu Geng tilted his head, but still took the cold drink. The moment he touched it, a cold feeling spread on his fingertips. It was iced coffee and cappuccino.

"I'm not the leading actor either." Ichilai smiled narrowly.

"There don't seem to be many opportunities to be alone with Gogen-san." She continued, "Look, aren't Ikoma and other members present most of the time?"

Wu Geng leaned back slightly and looked at Ikoma, who was chatting passionately with the shop owner in the store. Nishino stood aside submissively, his eyes alternating between the two of them, not speaking, and occasionally nodding in agreement.

Is this considered being alone? I didn’t have the nerve to ask at midnight.

"Can I call you Xiaoxiao? Like Nanase and Ikoma."

"OK."

On the fifth night, I noticed that Ichilai no longer calls me Nishino-san, and I felt happy. It seems that staying together can promote friendship.

She looked at Nishino's slightly bewildered figure in the store again, and the other party happened to notice Wugeng's peek and gave her an embarrassed smile.

Ichilai tilted his head to block Wugeng's view, his eyes shining like a tabloid reporter who encountered some major news.

"You care so much about Nanase?" She smiled teasingly. Her tone was frivolous and joking.

Wu Geng, who was caught red-handed and didn't know what to say, simply shrugged and passed by.

Instead, it was the city manager who said, "Forget it."

"What?"

"I'd better call you Xiaoxiao. I always feel like 'Xiaoxiao' is your exclusive title."

"No way, Nanase and I -" Wu Geng hurriedly defended.

Ichilai shook his fingers, a trace of pride flashed in his eyes.

"I didn't say it was you and Nanase, didn't Xiaomi and Ikoma also call you Xiaoxiao?"

There was a pause at the fifth watch, and then he sighed regretfully:

"Ichirai-san, your teasing personality doesn't match your natural personality."

"So...it's a bonus point?"

"...It's time to become natural again. So cunning."

Ichi Lai stood up and patted Wu Geng's head, "You can think of this as the wisdom of your sister who is one year older than you. Xiao Si Xiao." Then he turned around and returned to the store.

Wu Geng sat on the same spot, looking up at the vast blue sky. The water droplets followed the slope of the canned drink in her hand, fell to the ground, and soon left a small circle of water stains.

The wind chimes were swaying in my ears. Most of the heat accumulated in my body had subsided.

"Xiaoxiao?" Ikoma called her as she went out. Nishino poked his head out from Ikoma's shoulder.

"What are you doing standing around? Get ready to go."

With that said, Ikoma put on her sunhat, and Nishino raised his hand to help her straighten her position. The cameraman filmed the entire process in every detail.

Obviously Ikoma is one year older than Ichilai, but she is more like a brat. She also has such a careless character, so Wu Geng never regards her as a senior. Instead, she is regarded as a relative and cousin.

.

"...Where is Shi Laisang?" Wu Geng asked.

"In the back, the bathroom. I'll be out in a minute."

After Wu Geng hesitated for a moment, he threw the canned drink in his hand over.

"then."

"Uh-huh~"

Ikoma caught it in a hurry, with exaggerated movements like a juggler's.

"Ichilai-san gave it to you."

"Really? That's great!" She couldn't wait to open it.

"Also, Ikoma, Ichirai-san seems to be..."

"?"

This subtle pause easily attracted Ikoma's attention. She stretched her neck, as if she was all ears.

In front of the camera, Wu Geng looked calm and calm, and spoke openly:

"Ichilai-san, she seems to like you."

"...Eh?" x2
Chapter completed!