Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Goto Ichiri turned his head back.

"Back then... on the bridge, although I was impulsive... what I said... wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision..."

Goto Ichiri clenched his fist.

"I really...really like Qing...not just because of your gentleness and reliability, but more because of...your...response to my feelings..."

"My... my emotional response?"

Nekoyashiki Haru was stunned.

"Ok!"

Goto Ichiri nodded vigorously, then asked.

"...Qing...doesn't know what 'like' means...right?"

"…Um…"

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded.

"I don't know either... but... but in this area, my talent should be... a little bit higher than Qing's..."

Goto Ichiri's fingers were intertwined.

"Qing...maybe she doesn't realize her own feelings..."

"... "

"After I got back that day... I actually thought about a lot of things, and I wanted to tell you the next day, but... but you weren't there..."

"…sorry…"

"Don't apologize..."

Goto Ichiri grabbed Nekoyashiki Haru's hand.

"I...I'm an idiot, so whatever I'm about to say...just take it as nonsense...or...or the wild fantasies of an idiot..."

"I don't think so."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said earnestly."

"...So...I like you..."

Goto Ichiri slowly smiled.

"!"

Nekoyashiki Haru was stunned.

Goto Ichiri took a deep breath and then spoke slowly.

"...Qing...Could it be that you fell in love with us first?"

"…I?"

Nekoyashiki Haru tilted her head.

"Um…"

Goto Ichiri nodded.

"Because...because you like us...because of your help...your care and concern for us...that's why we...felt these feelings...and that's why we came to like you..."

Goto Ichiri laughed.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru opened her mouth, but didn't say a word.

"I don't know what everyone thinks... but... if that's really the case... I'm happy because I always thought no one would like someone like me..."

"It's normal that Qing herself doesn't know what 'liking' is, so she's not aware of it..."

"But... Qing's smile to us... the gentlest and most perfect smile that Qing can't see... I and everyone else have always seen it."

Goto Ichiri lowered his head.

So... I like you...

"I…"

Click...

Goto Ichiri scratched his head.

That's about it... um...

Goto Ichiri nodded.

So... I will try my best...

Goto Ichiri clenched both hands into fists, as if cheering himself on.

"Haru...you also have things to work hard on...right?"

Goto Ichiri looked at Nekoyashiki Haru and asked softly.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded.

He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, tilting his head back slightly and falling silent.

I feel like crying...

"Just wait for your emotions to calm down," Nekoyashiki Haru said, lowering her head.

"One mile..."

"Ah... I'm here..."

Goto Ichiri looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

"If I become a scumbag... will you still like me?"

"Nekoyashiki Haru asked."

"Huh? Why did Qing turn into scum?"

Goto Ichiri was puzzled.

"...Yes, so will Ichiri still like me then?"

Nekoyashiki Haru continued to press for answers.

Goto Ichiri paused for a moment, and the scene flashed through his mind.

Years later, in the home of Nekoyashiki Haru and Goto Ichiri, Nekoyashiki Haru, who spends his days idly playing pachinko, and Goto Ichiri, who works hard as a cleaner…

[Hey! I'm out of money! Give me some!]

【Sunny…the family…they’re out of money…】

[Tch, useless woman. If you're no good, I'll go ask Hongxia for money.]

No, that won't do! Nijika... Nijika will definitely keep you here!

【Ha! I don't care, if they can't afford to support me, I'll go find Hongxia, Liang, and Yudai, they're definitely rich!】

After saying that, Nekoyashiki Haru walked out the door.

Don't leave me!

Goto Ichiri collapsed to the ground, sobbing…

Such a mini-drama was playing in Goto Ichiri's mind.

"One mile?"

Haruto Nekoyashiki, who noticed that Ichiri Goto hadn't spoken, became puzzled.

"I! I will work hard to support you in playing pachinko!"

Goto Ichiri slapped his thigh and said.

"...It seems you've connected this to something very ominous..."

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head.

"This isn't the kind of scum I'm talking about..."

"Eh?"

Goto Ichiri was taken aback.

"I mean... um..."

Nekoyashiki Haru remained silent for a moment.

Then he continued.

"Just like you said, I think I liked you guys much earlier... so..."

Nekoyashiki Haru took a deep breath.

"How about we all... together?"

"…Together?"

"Ah."

"Does that mean you're all with Haru...?"

"Yes."

"I agree!"

"Hmm... eh?"

Nekoyashiki Haru was startled.

"Why...why did you agree?"

"Huh? Didn't you tell me to agree?"

"Actually, I just wanted to tell you that I have this idea... and then I'll pursue you."