Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"... "

Ichi Seika frowned.

Do I look like someone who would withhold wages?

"…Forehead…"

Iwashita Shima originally wanted to say it didn't look like it.

But the words caught in his throat.

After all, we've already seen Nekoyashiki Haru making money late at night.

He seemed to really need the money.

"... "

Ijichi Seika frowned slightly in dissatisfaction.

"Of course I'll give it to you... But then again, why did you ask that?"

Ichi Hoshika smiled.

"Could it be that he thinks I'm not paying him enough, so he came to you complaining about being poor? He sounds like a wronged little wife going back to her parents' home."

Unconsciously, Ichiji Hoshika uttered words tinged with sarcasm.

It's probably because of the feeling of being neglected I've been inexplicably experiencing in the store lately.

This has caused her to be in a bad mood lately.

"Manager Ijichi... Haru isn't the type to complain about being poor to us."

Iwashita Shima felt a little dissatisfied.

"It's best not to tell jokes like this in front of Qing..."

"...I would never have said it to his face in the first place."

Ichi Hoshika narrowed her eyes, also feeling that what she had just said was a little inappropriate.

She felt a pang of guilt towards Nekoyashiki Haru.

Strange... What's wrong with me?

"...If Manager Ijichi is paying you a normal salary...have you noticed anything unusual about Haru lately?"

"...I can't really say anything about it."

"Ichi Hoshika said."

"is that so…"

Iwashita Shima nodded.

"... "

Ichi Seika glanced sideways at Iwashita Shima.

"So you really came to me because you were worried about Qing, right? Didn't I put your mind at ease last time?"

"…Feel sorry…"

Iwashita Shima bowed her head slightly and apologized.

"But Qing is an important person to me, so I don't think worrying about her is too much."

"An important person? What? You like him?"

Ijichi Seika's red eyes narrowed slightly.

Is she Hongxia's rival in love?

Iwashita Shima paused for a moment after hearing this, then smiled.

"No, I've always thought of Qing as my younger brother."

"…ha?"

Ijichi Hoshika was stunned.

"You're saying...you see Qing as your younger brother?"

"Yes."

Iwashita Shima nodded.

"Ever since Kikuri started drinking, I've rarely felt at ease. I live in constant fear, afraid that Kikuri will cause trouble again. If it weren't for Haru appearing and Kikuri becoming much more restrained, I probably wouldn't even have the energy to beat the drum."

"... "

Ijichi Seika didn't speak, but simply stared silently at Iwashita Shima.

Iwashita Shima ignored Ijichi Seika's gaze and continued speaking to herself.

"Haru is one of the few reliable guys around me... but he's not actually that strong. Manager Ijichi was with Haru when he was a child, so he should know that the kid sometimes shows a softer side."

"... "

Ichika Hoshika's hand unconsciously clenched slowly, and then slowly loosened.

"I've witnessed that too... You wouldn't believe it, when he first came back to Japan, he would also..."

"I do not want to know."

Ichi Seika's voice rang out.

Iwashita Shima was slightly taken aback.

"I don't really care how good your relationship with him is, Shima."

Ichi Hoshika narrowed her eyes.

"Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

"... "

Iwashita Shima was silent for a moment, then lowered the brim of her hat.

"Qing seems to be in a real need of money lately. She's performing alone at a restaurant at night, which is why I came to see you today. I'm very sorry, I think I misunderstood you."

"...It's nothing...but you were talking about...a live singer at the restaurant?"

Ichi Hoshika narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm... what do you know?"

"do not know."

Ijichi Hoshika shook her head.

"…Yeah…"

Iwashita Shima nodded as well.

It seems that Manager Ichiji really doesn't know.

"So, is there anything else?"

"Ichiko asked."

"...That's all, I'm going back now."

Iwashita Shima lowered her head slightly, then turned and walked towards the door of [Starry Sky].

"…Wait a moment."

Ijichi Seika called out to stop Iwashita Shima.

Iwashita Shima turned around, her wine-red eyes meeting crimson eyes.

Ichi Seika took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

"You're just a friend, Shima..."

"…What?"

Iwashita Shima frowned in confusion.

“I said, your relationship with Qing is just that of friends.”

"Ichi Hoshika said."

So that's it, goodbye.

"... "

Iwashita Shima frowned even more deeply.

"...Goodbye, Manager Ijichi..."

Chapter 273 Echo (Return)

"Your eyes... have gained more color."

In the rehearsal room, Kita Ikuyo put down her magnifying glass and spoke to Nekoyashiki Haru and the others.

"Yeah…"

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded.

"Hmm, these new yellow dots... I hope they won't turn into a paint palette later?"

Kita Ikuyo pursed her lips.

"But...but I think colored eyes look pretty good too?"

Kita Ikuyo reached out and rubbed Nekoyashiki Haru's face.

"After all, the senior is very good-looking~"

"yellow?"

Ijichi Nigatsu, who was standing next to her, was taken aback.

"...Yellow...?"

He then frowned and began to think.