Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Before the drum, Ichika Ichiji smiled and looked at Ichiri Goto.

"You've arrived."

It seems... a little different?

Goto Ichiri looked around the rehearsal room.

Kita Ikuyo clasped her hands together in apology to Goto Ichiri.

"I'm sorry, Goto-san, I forgot to ask you to come with me today!"

Different...

Yamada Ryo nodded slightly to Goto Ichiri, then lowered his head and tuned his bass.

Different...different...

Goto Ichiri sat down in his seat, looking dazed.

"Ah, let's continue practicing some of our previous pieces today. The new pieces might take a while to come."

Ichi Nijika smiled gently.

"Ok!"

Kita Yuyo nodded vigorously, her smile even brighter than usual.

Yamada Ryo remained silent.

"... "

Goto Ichiri took out a black guitar.

"Ah, is this the new guitar, Goto-kun?"

Kita Ikuyo leaned over and said.

"Pochi has good taste; the guitar is really cool."

Ichi Nijika praised him.

Yamada Ryo did not speak.

"... "

That's so strange...

Is something...missing?

Why is everyone so...

"Then let's start practicing!"

Nijika Ichichi raised her hand and announced.

As the drumbeats began, the bass followed, and Goto Ichiri's hands started playing the guitar on their own.

It's like muscle memory.

He played it over and over again.

As the song ended, Ichiji Nijika smiled.

"Great job everyone! You're all in great spirits today! Well then... let's continue!"

Another song.

"Keep it up, everyone... Phew, I'm a little tired too."

Another song.

"... "

Ichi Nijika didn't speak this time, but simply lowered her head and continued playing the drumbeats for the next song.

With each practice session, Goto Ichiri's hands danced across the guitar strings.

How strange...it's really strange...

Why is everyone...?

The hand abruptly stopped, and the guitar, no longer being plucked, fell silent.

Goto Ichiri lowered his head.

"...What's wrong, Pochi?"

Ichi Nijika looked at Goto Ichiri.

Are you tired? Do you want to rest for a bit?

"It's good if you need to rest. Everyone should balance work and rest."

Kita Ikuyo said with a smile from the side.

Yamada Ryo took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

Goto Ichiri looked up.

The smiles of Ichika and Kita Ikuyo were right in front of her.

She trembled her lips, then asked.

"...Where is Qing...?"

"..." × 3

Everyone looked at Goto Ichiri.

The smiles of Ichika Niji and Kita Ikuyo slowly disappeared at the same time.

Nijika Ichi returned to her seat.

"The kitten... well, something's wrong..."

"...There is hope for his eyes...a doctor seems to be able to cure them."

Kita Ikuyo said.

"Eh?"

Goto Ichiri looked at Kita Ikuyo, and then at Iji Chi Nijika.

"But…"

But he didn't mention this to me yesterday.

why?

Goto Ichiri put down his guitar.

"Where did you go, Qing?"

"Ah... well, it's about going abroad for treatment."

Ichi Nijika explained.

"Poch doesn't need to think so much..."

When will you be back?

Goto Ichiri looked at Ijichi Nijika and asked.

"!"

Ichi Nijika's red eyes trembled, and she lowered her head without saying a word.

"... "

Goto Ichiri then looked at Kita Ikuyo.

Kita Ikuyo lowered her head.

Yamada Ryo spoke at this moment.

"Several years."

"?"

Goto Ichiri stood up.

"Several years?"

"Ah."

Yamada Ryo responded.

"...But...why?"

Goto Ichiri looked around.

"Why now? They didn't tell me yesterday..."

"Because... the kitten didn't want to leave, and we had to persuade him yesterday."

Ichi Nijika explained.

"It's alright, Pochi, the kitten is just going for treatment..."

"Did he...did he tell you?"

"Eh?"

Ichi Nijika was taken aback.

Goto Ichiri then looked at Kita Ikuyo.

"Kita-kun... Haru... Haru should have something to say to you yesterday, did he say it?"

"I…"

Kita Ikuyo trembled slightly, then lowered her head.

"I was thinking of saying that, but..."

"unimportant."

Ichi Nijika chimed in.