Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru did not answer.

Kita Ikuyo moved a little closer to Nekoyashiki Haru.

"No, not really... I'm just looking forward to it."

"Nekoyashiki Haru answered, and then continued to Kita Ikuyo."

“Sometimes I dream that you are on the stage of the Budokan, with a huge crowd in the audience, and I am sitting in the front listening.”

"...Aren't you coming up on stage with us?"

"There's no need for that. You guys are a girl band, it's better if I don't join."

"... "

Kita Ikuyo felt a slight surge of anger.

She leaned against Nekoyashiki Haru.

"Yudai? What's wrong?"

Nekoyashiki Haru was startled, and then asked.

Kita Ikuyo didn't answer, but instead put her coat back on Nekoyashiki Haru's shoulders and then sat down in his lap.

"?"

"That way, both of us can stay warm...isn't that better?"

"No...that does make sense."

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded and said.

Kita Ikuyo turned to look at Nekoyashiki Haru.

The boy's soaked figure was so clear in his yellow-green eyes.

"If...if I really do make it to the martial arts dojo...or a bigger stage, I hope my seniors will be there too..."

"... "

"Others also hope for this, I can guarantee that."

Kita Ikuyo leaned against Nekoyashiki Haru's chest, her slightly flushed cheeks revealing a rapidly beating heart.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru remained silent.

"Don't you want to join, senior?"

Kita Ikuyo asked nervously.

"...I'm really not suitable..."

"why?"

"You guys are so energetic."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said softly."

"vitality?"

"Hmm, vitality, music like mine at my age really isn't suitable for joining."

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head.

“You will grow, you will improve, and you will move forward with your love for music… but I no longer have those things.”

“I don’t have much love for music, nor do I want to go anywhere to release my desires. I can’t fit in with you. I just… want to see your colors, that’s enough.”

"...How many colors have you seen, senior?"

Kita Ikuyo asked.

"A lot."

Haru Nekoyashiki answered.

"How much is left now?"

Kita Ikuyo clenched her fist.

"Only you..."

"Nekoyashiki Haru answered softly."

Splash splash splash splash...

The sound of rain continues.

Boom!!!

Thunder suddenly boomed in the sky, and Nekoyashiki Haru instinctively hugged Kita Ikuyo tightly in front of her.

"!?!"

Kita Ikuyo opened her eyes wide.

Nekoyashiki Haru realized what was happening, and then suddenly let go.

"hug…"

Just as Nekoyashiki Haru was about to apologize, Kita Ikuyo interrupted.

Are you scared?

"...Even a slight, sudden loud noise scares me quite a bit."

Nekoyashiki Haru answered truthfully.

“…Senior, you’re really fragile.”

Kita Ikuyo squinted at her back, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Ok?"

Nekoyashiki Haru looked puzzled, and Kita Ikuyo continued.

"In every sense."

Kita Ikuyo smiled.

"The reason why the senior didn't want to join the band... was also quite fragile."

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Kita Ikuyo continued.

"I still want the seniors to join. So what if it's music from an aging era? It can rejuvenate us, right..."

"It's perfectly fine not to have a passion for music... I didn't at first, but I did later."

Kita Ikuyo moved back a bit, squeezing Nekoyashiki Haru against the wall behind her.

"I'll correct you, senior."

"...Why is what you're saying so strangely?"

"That gets the message across... By the way, I have a feeling you'll catch a cold tomorrow, senpai."

There's nothing we can do about that.

"I'll take care of you then."

"...No need..."

"Your refusal won't work."

Kita Ikuyo looked at Nekoyashiki Haru, her heart filled with even greater joy.

Chapter Ninety-Nine: I'm Jealous (and Still)

"found it…"

Nijika picked up the umbrella that was under Nekoyashiki Haru's shoe cabinet, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Make a phone call..."

When I dialed Haru's number, Nijika waited for him to answer.

【Hello... Nijika?】

"Where are you now? Did you forget your umbrellas?"

"No, we both got soaked in the rain."

"Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

[It's a small park... Let me ask, Yudai, what's the address?]

The male voice disappeared, and the female voice began to speak.

[The park is near the restaurant; we're below the escalator.]

"it is good."

Ichi Nijika nodded, hung up the phone, and then ran outside.

...

……

.........

"Luckily, Hongxia is coming to pick us up... This rain doesn't look like it's going to stop at all."

Listening to the sound of rain, Nekoyashiki Haru said.

"Ijichi-senpai is indeed very reliable."