Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Pat-a-la-la-la…

The snowflakes, which should have been silent when they fell, suddenly made a sound due to their sheer number.

Nekoyashiki Haru's pupils contracted slightly.

"Although...although it's still very little..."

Kita Ikuyo's hands were behind her back, and the flush on her face grew increasingly intense.

"Compared to the box from my senior, the quantity in this bag is negligible..."

Kita Ikuyo's eyes narrowed slightly, her moist gaze sweeping over Nekoyashiki Haru's cheek.

"But... I've been trying my best because... because I like you, senpai..."

Kita Ikuyo continued on her journey.

"These... can be given as gifts..."

"I want to become a senior... I'm already doing it, learning, imitating... Although I can only start as a 'band hunter' right now, in the future, I'll be someone you can rely on, just like your seniors..."

"Senior, you're looking for someone to rely on, right? Well, that makes me one..."

Kita Ikuyo threw the bag on the ground, then opened her arms and hugged Nekoyashiki Haru tightly.

"I've been working really hard... Please give me a little reward, senior..."

Her hand moved upwards along the boy's body, cupping Nekoyashiki Haru's cheek.

I like you…

With a slight pull, she drew Nekoyashiki Haru, who was already in a daze, down to her sides.

"...Just...a kiss from you...and I won't feel tired at all..."

In the darkness, the dark green pupils suddenly contracted.

Kita Ikuyo's completely out-of-comprehension behavior caused Ooku Otomi to lose her focus as well.

But she quickly regained her composure and stepped forward to stop it...

My steps suddenly stopped.

What right do I have to stop it?

Kita Ikuyo's face got closer and closer to Nekoyashiki Haru's face.

Their lips met, about to touch.

The thumping of his heart was like the sound of an insect trying to escape from amber.

Nekoyashiki Haru suddenly realized what was happening.

The approaching presence of the person in front of him made his pupils shrink as he realized what was happening.

A hand suddenly shoved between them.

"... "

Kita Ikuyo's lips pressed against that hand.

She stared blankly at Nekoyashiki Haru.

Nekoyashiki Haru lowered her hand.

"Yu Dai, calm down, I just came to check..."

"...I can't calm down..."

Kita Ikuyo stood up shakily.

"I can't calm down at all..."

Kita Ikuyo raised her head, tears glistening in her yellow-green eyes.

"Why...why did you use your hand to block it...?"

The girl's voice trembled.

"Yudai, because of me..."

Nekoyashiki Haru was interrupted before she could finish speaking.

"At least...at least let me kiss your cheek!!!"

Kita Ikuyo roared.

Nekoyashiki Haru was startled.

"Eh?"

He suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Last time...last time on the train...Ryo-senpai kissed you too, right?"

Kita Ikuyo raised her hand, trembling.

"Why...why can't I even kiss someone's face!"

How do you know...?

"Because I was there! I saw it! I kept looking at you even when you couldn't see me!!!"

Kita Ikuyo grabbed Nekoyashiki Haru's clothes.

"Why can Ryo-senpai do it but I can't... I definitely like senpai more than Ryo-senpai!"

So depressing…

I feel so bad...

Ever since that day I saw that scene, ever since that day I ran away after hearing Ryo's words.

I just kept...unable to breathe.

It shouldn't be like this... I shouldn't have run away...

I've been feeling a tightness in my chest...

The image of the blue-haired girl kissing Nekoyashiki Haru's cheek replayed in my mind.

She knew that whether it was being kissed on the cheek by Senior Liang or blocking her with her hand just now, it was all just a form of rejection...

But... no...

No, no... no!

I don't want that!

"I, Kita Ikuyo, like you even more than Ryo-senpai!"

Kita Ikuyo suddenly pushed Nekoyashiki Haru down.

Nekoyashiki Haru didn't even have time to react.

He collapsed in the snow.

Hearing? Perception?

Those things seem so useless in the face of truly able-bodied people at this moment.

If precautions are taken in advance, Nekoyashiki Haru will be able to react.

Just like when I helped Goto Ichiri shoot down the flying eagle.

But now…

boom…

With a muffled thud, Kita Ikuyo sat on Nekoyashiki Haru's belly, her knees kneeling on the snow.

Nekoyashiki Haru was startled, and the next moment, two hands grabbed Nekoyashiki Haru's cheeks.

"Your kiss should be mine..."

The black hood fell down, long red hair danced in the snow, and yellow-green eyes stared intently. The girl's lips fell, unstoppable.

The woman in the shadows took two steps forward, but suddenly stopped.

Their lips touched.

Kita Ikuyo's greedy hand began to reach into the sweater inside Nekoya Shikiharu's coat.

So warm...so sweet...

Kita Ikuyo's pupils trembled.

How do we obtain such warmth and sweetness?

It seemed as if a voice asked this question.

It's me...

Kita Ikuyo was stunned. She parted her lips and raised her upper body.

Then he lowered his head…

Before me was Nekoyashiki Haru's face...those beautiful eyes...

Those were clearly shattered, lifeless purple eyes.

Kita Ikuyo, however, saw terror within it…

"…ah…"

Ask again.

How do we obtain such warmth and sweetness?

answer…

It was me who forced him…

Snapped…

Kita Ikuyo stood up from Nekoyashiki Haru.

bang bang bang bang...