Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Nekoyashiki Haru silently walked towards Goto Ichiri.

His lips trembled slightly before he spoke.

"...Did you hear everything Liang told me, Ichiri?"

Nekoyashiki Haru lowered her head.

He estimated that Goto Ichiri was already on the train.

Otherwise... it shouldn't have happened at this time...

"Ok!"

Goto Ichiri nodded, his voice trembling.

“I… heard everything.”

crunch...

A strange sense of guilt rose from my heart, then twisted into a rope, tightening around my heart.

Nekoyashiki Haru stretched out her hand.

"Yili, you mustn't..."

"Qing, don't misunderstand!"

Goto Ichiri shouted with all his might.

"Maybe I'm telling you I like you now because of Ryo! But, but, but! The reason I like you is definitely not because of Ryo!"

"!"

Nekoyashiki Haru's hand froze in mid-air.

"But...why?"

"Nekoyashiki Haru asked."

"I don't understand those profound questions! Many, even brilliant and intelligent people can't answer them... Why do I like someone? Why do I want to be with them? An idiot like me simply can't explain why..."

Goto Ichiri took a deep breath, as if to encourage himself.

Actually, until five minutes ago, until I stood in front of them, I didn't dare to admit to myself that I liked Nekoyashiki Haru.

She was afraid that Zai Qing would show a troubled expression, and she was afraid that Zai might get into an argument with someone else.

Goto Ichiri didn't have the courage until just now.

But... no matter when... until the moment it happened, she didn't have the courage.

The pink-haired girl's courage was fleeting.

Even if you regret it later, or worry that you made the wrong choice.

But in that instant, the pink-haired girl was able to move forward.

Although there are many things I don't understand, at least I can't stay stuck in the same place...

"Haru is something I cherish. Haru's gentleness towards me, the comfort I feel when I'm with Haru, the peace of mind I feel because Haru is there, the reliable Haru who can solve all problems... Haru who stayed for us... So..."

"Qing is something I cherish, at least I'm sure of that!"

Goto Ichiri's eyes were red, and her heart was pounding like a drum.

Haru Nekoyashiki heard Ichiri Goto's heartbeat.

"So... I think this must be what liking someone is..."

Goto Ichiri took a few steps forward.

"Please don't take this as a confession... because the real, formal confession... I'm still preparing it. I will prepare it, and Qing can listen carefully when the time comes... Right now, I just want to tell Qing..."

Goto Ichiri shouted with all his might.

"Everyone... likes Haru!"

"... "

Yamada Ryo looked at Goto Ichiri, who had shouted out.

I couldn't help but clench my fist.

She never imagined that it would be Pochi, the very person she had nicknamed, who would appear at this time.

But it also seems... to make sense...

"...Haa...Haa..."

Goto Ichiri's breathing remained rapid.

The falling snow gradually calmed her emotions.

"...one li..."

Nekoyashiki Haru clenched her fist over her heart.

"...That's all I wanted to say..."

Goto Ichiri took a few steps back.

What are you doing

What were you just doing?

Do you think anyone would want to hear what you're saying?

Why would someone like you, who is withdrawn, lonely, insecure, and cowardly, say such arrogant and self-righteous things just now?

They might already think you're weird, or they might already find you annoying.

My inner voice kept telling me I regretted it.

? !

Goto Ichiri felt as if the world in front of him suddenly began to spin.

"what…"

Goto Ichiri spoke softly, then fell backward.

"!"

As if by conditioned reflex, Nekoyashiki Haru rushed toward the fallen Goto Ichiri.

Actually, he didn't hear anything.

I don't know why he rushed towards the girl.

but…

boom.

Haru Nekoyashiki caught Ichiri Goto, who was about to fall, and knelt down in the snow.

"Ah...ah...ah wah wah wah..."

Goto Ichiri let out intermittent, strange cries as she trembled in Nekoyashiki Haru's arms.

"Cat! Pochi!"

Yamada Ryo, who was a beat slow to react, reached out his hand.

"fine…"

"Nekoyashiki Haru said softly."

Yamada Ryo stopped in his tracks.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru hugged Goto.

"...one li..."

The boy lowered his head.

"...I'm really sorry..."

"... "

Goto Ichiri's pupils trembled slightly in his arms, then his trembling body slowly stopped in his embrace.

The girl reached out and gently stroked Nekoyashiki Haru's face, then suddenly froze.

Wet and sticky…

"…clear…"

She knew that his apology was not a rejection.

He was just apologizing.

For myself now, and for everyone now.

"!"

Goto Ichiri suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest.

"No, it's not your fault, Qing..."

Goto Ichiri reached out her hand, trembling, towards Nekoyashiki Haru's eye.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, it shouldn't have been you... I..."

Goto Ichiri bit her lower lip.

Did I just... force Qing?

I…

"Yili... let's go home."

Nekoyashiki Haru forced herself to smile.

"Ryo and I will take you back... As for those questions from earlier... I need some time."

"…it is good."