Lonely Rock for the Blind.

“…Kita-kun…it’s normal to feel a little tired after practicing for several months.”

Goto Ichiri helped Kita Ikuyo.

Kita Ikuyo, meanwhile, was holding her guitar and looking at the two of them expressionlessly.

Ah... what happened...

What's with this sense of tacit understanding...?

Goto Ichiri smiled shyly, while Nekoyashiki Haru gently explained to her Kita Ikuyo's usual study habits.

"…senior…"

Kita Ikuyo interrupted the two, and Nekoyashiki Haru faced Kita Ikuyo.

"what happened?"

"Um, I can continue now."

Kita Ikuyo said, her head bowed.

"it is good."

Nekoyashiki Haru put her headphones back on, and Goto Ichiri next to her hurriedly put on hers as well.

"... "

Kita Ikuyo played the guitar, her eyes secretly glancing at the two people listening intently.

"... "

They're so in sync... But then again, why do I feel so uncomfortable?

Even when Nijika leaned on me before, I didn't have this strong reaction.

So... is it really because of that unspoken understanding?

Normally it's teachers and students... but now it's teachers and teachers and students...

With an additional teacher, the distance between students and teachers is widened.

Did you feel uneasy about the loss of this connection?

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru frowned.

There's something off about the colors in Yudai's guitar playing.

He clapped his hands.

"Yu Dai, wait a minute."

"Eh?"

Kita Ikuyo paused for a moment, then put down her guitar.

"Um... is something wrong somewhere?"

"I feel fine... better than the first time."

Goto Ichiri whispered, while Nekoyashiki Haru spoke after a moment of silence.

"Yili is right, we may indeed need to rest for a few days."

Although she sensed that something was wrong with her emotions, she had no idea why or what those emotions were.

"Yudai...is something on your mind?"

Nekoyashiki asked cautiously.

"Huh? Oh...no, there isn't any."

"...You don't have that usual sunny disposition when you speak."

"...What is the feeling of sunshine...?"

Goto Ichiri was taken aback for a moment.

"It seems...is true? My cells don't seem to be reacting to Kita-kun's 'normie' vibe today..."

"... "

Kita Ikuyo sighed.

"I'm just a little tired... but I don't have anything on my mind."

"Then take a rest. Does Yudai want to go home first? I can help you ask for leave from practice."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said with concern."

Haru Nekoyashiki felt a little uneasy about the unusual red music that Kita Ikuyo had just played.

Are you afraid of colors fading...?

Nekoyashiki Haru closed her eyes and thought to herself.

"...Let's just forget about going home..."

"If you want to rest, then rest. You don't need to work so hard."

Nekoyashiki Haru tried to soften her voice as much as possible, to the point that it sounded a little strained.

Goto Ichiri blinked and looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

"?"

Kita Ikuyo was taken aback.

My senior seems to have suddenly become gentler towards me?

Although she is usually quite gentle, her tone now is even gentler, almost ingratiating.

Kita Ikuyo, who is quite good at socializing, noticed this.

Could it be that…

Kita Ikuyo stood up and then sat down next to Nekoyashiki Haru.

Nekoyashiki Haru turned to Kita Ikuyo on her right. The red-haired girl interlocked her fingers, making her voice sound weak.

"I'm feeling a little unwell today. I went to bed late last night, so I don't have much energy. It's really tiring to be in the band."

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru slightly opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Kita Ikuyo, who was observing this scene, slightly narrowed her pupils.

So that's how it is. So you care about kids who act pitiful?

So you're usually this gentle with Goto-kun?

How come I only realized this now?

Kita Ikuyo gently placed her hand on Nekoyashiki's thigh while observing Nekoyashiki Haru's reaction.

When she felt herself being touched, Nekoyashiki Haru paused for a moment, but did nothing. Instead, she froze, as if afraid to move.

"Where do you want to go out and have fun? I can go with you..."

Nekoyashiki Haru took out her phone and asked.

"No need... Although I'm a little tired, I didn't want these feelings to affect you, but it seems they have already... I'm sorry..."

"No need to apologize..."

Nekoyashiki Haru became nervous.

Oh, so that's why you're in a bad mood. Speaking of which, how do you comfort someone who's in a bad mood?

I have no experience in this area either... The few people I know who are always carefree and irresponsible, when Kiku is in a bad mood, they just drink like crazy and that's it.

But Yudai definitely won't do!

"Well, senior, just lean on me."

Kita Ikuyo suddenly said.

"what?"

Nekoyashiki Haru tilted her head in confusion.

"This makes me feel better. When I'm in a bad mood, I like having someone to lean on, like my mom, but she's not here right now..."

Kita Ikuyo explained.

"How about we rely on Yili?"

As Nekoyashiki Haru spoke, she turned to Goto Ichiri on her left.

"May I?"

"Ah...I...I..."

Before Goto Ichiri could finish speaking, Kita Ikuyo had already leaned against Nekoyashiki.

"No need to trouble Goto-kun, I'm already sitting here."

"Ah...you're right..."

Goto Ichiri nodded and said.

Kita Ikuyo narrowed her eyes.

Once Goto is refuted or rejected once, it becomes very difficult for him to persist a second time.

Given how much my senior cares about me right now... who knows, he might even do something more outrageous...

Kita Ikuyo reached out and gently pinched Nekoyashiki Haru's earlobe.

"Don't..."

Haru Nekoyashiki instinctively wanted to refuse, but Kita Ikuyo responded in a disappointed voice before he could finish speaking.

"Um…"

Then slowly remove your hand.