Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Page 449

"This...this really is..."

Shima Iwashita couldn't help but get teary-eyed.

Over the past few years, memories of cleaning up after drunken Kikuto Hiroi have been replaying in my mind like a revolving lantern.

I'm so touched... What's with this feeling of being touched?

"Cough cough... You, you said you're not drinking anymore? Are you serious?"

Iwashita Shima smiled and continued to ask.

"Seriously..."

Kikuri Hiroi nodded, then took out a thermos from behind her.

"I'm drinking this now..."

"...What is that?"

"Health-preserving tea..."

"?"

Iwashita Shima opened her eyes wide.

Not only have they stopped drinking alcohol, but they've also started drinking health-promoting tea?!

Could it be that he finally realized his body couldn't handle that kind of drinking?

Iwashita Shima's smile widened even further.

"Kikuri, why did you suddenly make such a decision?"

"...Because...I want to live longer..."

Kikuri Hiroi said.

"I see! That makes sense! Have you finally realized the promise of a bright future and are ready to strive for it?"

Iwashita Shima nodded in satisfaction.

Hiroi Kikuri opened the thermos and took a few big gulps.

"Gulp... gulp... pfft..."

Hiroi Kikuri choked quickly because she forgot to breathe while drinking.

"Cough...cough cough...well, because the time I spend with Xiaoqing in the future...cough cough...will be very, very long, and Xiaoqing doesn't like it when I drink..."

"Oh, so it's to be with Xiao Qing... Xiao Qing... Qing?!?!"

The emotion that Iwashita Shima had just felt vanished abruptly.

"Who is Xiao Qing?"

"Mr. Nekoyashiki~"

Eliza laughed from the side.

"... "

Iwashita Shima's lips twitched.

"So, Kiku, are you still drunk?"

"No…"

Kikuto Hiroi shook her head.

"So you mean you went missing last night, and when you came back you became a couple with Xiao Qing, is that what you mean?"

Shima Iwashita said excitedly.

"Is...right?"

Hiroi Kikuri was slightly taken aback by Iwashita Shima's agitation and took a small step back.

"Huh... what are you talking about?"

Iwashita Shima lowered his head and shook his head vigorously.

"This kind of thinking just doesn't make sense, does it?"

"Eh?"

Hiroi Kikuri was stunned.

Iwashita Shima raised her eyes and continued.

"Xiao Qing is only 17 this year... she'll be 18 after her birthday in a few days. How old are you? You're already dating an older man?"

"No, that's not it... Xiaoqing and I are..."

Hiroi Kikuri was speaking incoherently.

"No matter what, it must be some kind of misunderstanding, right? Maybe I'll take you to clear things up later, just in case Qing is really upset..."

Before Iwashita Shima could finish speaking, Eliza interrupted him.

"I'm saying, Shima..."

Eliza's smile slowly faded.

"Aren't you being a bit nosy?"

Click...

The relaxed atmosphere vanished in an instant, and Iwashita Shima's wine-red eyes met Eliza's azure eyes.

"...Am I wrong?"

Iwashita Shima crossed his arms and asked.

Do you really think you're right?

Eliza tilted her head in confusion.

"How things develop between Kiku and Haru is none of your business, is it?"

Eliza continued to ask.

"I already told you, it's most likely a misunderstanding. These things happen quite often, don't they? Xiaoqing just said a few words, and Kikuri misunderstood..."

Shima Iwashita explains.

"Don't you think this explanation is a bit far-fetched? Shima, don't get involved in things that don't concern you."

Eliza squinted as she spoke.

"... "

Iwashita Shima remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

"If this bothers Xiaoqing..."

After a while, Iwashita Shima finally spoke.

"So, what's it to you?"

Eliza continued to refute Iwashita Shima before he could finish speaking.

"Even if Kikuri misunderstands Haru's words as a confession and assumes they're together, that's none of your business, is it? It's strange that you're meddling in their relationship. Isn't Shima a bit too controlling?"

"A desire for control?"

Iwashita Shima opened her eyes wide.

"Kikuri and Haru are both important people to me, which is why I don't want to see any misunderstandings between them, do you understand? What does this have to do with controlling nature?"

"Don't you even realize you have a need for control?"

Eliza continued.

"Because I don't have any!"

"Iwashita Shima said in a low voice."

"Say whatever you want about Shima, anyway..."

Eliza was interrupted at this moment.

"Stop, stop arguing, you two!"

Hiroi Kikuri, who rushed over, stood between the two.

"Don't fight..."

Chapter 299 Transition

"So, Kiku-senpai has already joined? So fast?! I just said that this morning!"

In the rehearsal room, Nekoyashiki Haru and Ijichi Nigatsu announced the news to the others.