Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"Hmm? I was just passing by."

Eliza answered, her hand resting on the bench.

"Weren't you following me?"

Hiroi Kikuri opened her eyes.

"Oh my gosh~ Why did Kiku suddenly have this kind of idea?"

Eliza walked to the bench and sat down.

"Have you been hit hard recently?"

The blonde woman tilted her head and asked.

"...Is there any need for me to be attacked again...?"

Kikuri Hiroi shook her head.

"Hmm? I think so..."

Eliza tilted her head.

"But if you don't want to talk about it now, that's fine. Speaking of which, how many times have you done something like that?"

Eliza asked.

"...I've done this many times...I've fabricated an experience to evoke sympathy."

"What happened after you got along better with Xiao Qing?"

"... "

Hiroi Kikuri looked up at the sky without answering.

He spoke after a long pause.

"Why did I become like this?"

"Hmm? Because Kiku can't give up alcohol herself~"

Eliza said matter-of-factly.

"No... I mean more..."

Hiroi Kikuri squinted her eyes.

"More...more..."

"... "

Where Hiroi Kiku couldn't see, Eliza's smile vanished.

"Kikuri, what exactly are you planning to do?"

Eliza asked with her eyes closed.

"The way you're acting right now makes it seem like you've given up on yourself."

"...No way, I've always been doing things like live performances, drinking, and being poor..."

"But it just gives people a different feeling, a very different feeling."

Eliza shook her head and said.

"... "

Hiroi Kikuri's purple eyes quietly watched Eliza.

"...Why...do you always act like you know everything?"

"Is Xiaoju actually surprisingly irritable right now?"

Eliza's blue eyes met Hiroi Kikuri's purple eyes calmly.

"I think I sensed hostility in what you just said."

"... "

Hiroi Kikuri lay back down.

“Eliza…”

"Ok?"

"...Why do you think Qing needed me back then?"

"Don't you need it?"

Eliza tilted her head and smiled.

"Anyone could have been chosen, it just so happened that it was Kiku-ri at that time."

"... "

"And Haru really is better than before. Kiku has successfully warmed Haru's smile."

"...What exactly is Qing like?"

Kikuri Hiroi clenched her fist and asked.

"You can see it, you're not blind, so you know it yourself."

Eliza put her foot on top of her other foot.

“I’ve known Haru for longer than you and Shima, so I can tell you that Haru looks much better now.”

Hiroi Kikuri opened her mouth.

"Why do you seem like the mastermind behind everything?"

"Wow! That sounds so cool!"

Eliza closed her eyes.

"But I'm not the mastermind behind this. I just want to see Xiao Qing's smile as it always has."

"...Then why don't you try harder yourself? You haven't contacted him recently, have you?"

Hiroi Kikuri pursed her lips and asked.

"... "

Eliza Shimizu opened her eyes.

"I think Xiaoju and I share the same feelings."

"...Do you know what my feelings are?"

"I don't know~ I just thought it sounded cool to say it like that~"

Eliza scratched the back of her head.

"...You don't deserve it..."

Hiroi Kikuri sat up.

"Huh? Why are you suddenly cursing at me?!"

Eliza looked terrified.

"No... I didn't mean to insult you... I just... I was just saying..."

Hiroi Kikuri covered her face.

"...Ah, I see, you're talking about yourself..."

Eliza narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Yes, I know, I know it best."

The blonde woman placed her hand on her chest.

"... "

Kikuto Hiroi fell silent.

"So what's wrong with Xiao Qing lately?"

Eliza then asked.

"...End the band..."

Kikuto Hiroi said softly.

"Well, what happened?"

Eliza tilted her head.

"Qing said... she wants to stay with the four of them."

Kikuto Hiroi sighed.

"!"

Eliza's body trembled slightly, and her pupils instantly contracted.

"...Oh dear, I hadn't thought of that reason before..."

"...It has nothing to do with me."

"Hiroi Kikuri said softly."

"Yes, that's true, it has nothing to do with you."

Eliza nodded.

"So, why is Kikuri like this now?"

"…I…"

Hiroi Kikuri's words stuck in her throat.

"Ah, it's hard to explain right now, so let's leave it at that. Here..."

Eliza took the bottle out of her pocket and handed it to Kikuri Hiroi.

"Have a sip first."