Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Iwashita Shima took a sip of tea.

"Actually, I'm not that free."

"Put down the teacup," said Iwashita Shima.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru was slightly taken aback.

"Okay, I understand..."

The boy nodded slightly and didn't say anything more.

Iwashita Shima glanced at Nekoyashiki Haru with her wine-red eyes.

"I'm not saying I'm refusing."

"?"

Nekoyashiki Haru hesitated for a moment, then asked.

Does that mean you agree?

Well, more or less.

Iwashita Shima shrugged.

"After all, it was your request. Although it's a bit of a hassle, I will still help."

"Thank you, Shima."

Nekoyashiki Haru thanked her.

"If Shima needs anything from me in the future, I will do my best to help her."

"Yes, I won't hold back then."

Iwashita Shima nodded.

Her wine-red eyes sized up Nekoyashiki Haru.

"...Where did you and that...Yamada Ryo go last time?"

"Ah, she was just having some trouble with the arrangement, so I was helping her find inspiration. I'm so sorry for leaving you there."

"fine…"

Iwashita Shima breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, have you had breakfast? Want to grab some at my place...?"

"Ate."

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded.

"Really... Have you been busy helping the band with their competition lately?"

"I wouldn't call it busy, I'm just helping as much as I can."

Nekoyashiki Haru stood up.

"My business is settled, I'm leaving now."

"...Okay, do you want me to give you a ride?"

“I’ve come this far by myself, so walking back won’t be a problem.”

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head and walked towards the door.

"Goodbye. Call me anytime you have time, and I'll send you Hongxia's e-mail when I get back."

"Okay... goodbye."

Iwashita Shima nodded.

Click.

The door was slammed shut without hesitation.

Iwashita Shima was silent for a moment, then picked up the bag that Nekoyashiki Haru had brought.

"Strawberries..."

Was it just fruit that was delivered...?

...

……

.........

A shrill announcement rang out.

Nekoyashiki Haru, who was walking home, paused for a moment.

After hesitating for a moment, he slowly took out his phone.

beep…

【Hello.】

"…What's wrong?"

[Call your beloved son.]

"That's what Nekoya Saki said on the other end of the phone."

“…My precious son…”

Nekoyashiki Haru's lips twitched slightly.

"Don't you like it? If you're close to your son, you'd usually call him that, right? I heard it from someone else."

"But that doesn't mean that using this nickname will make the relationship better."

Nekoyashiki Haru leaned against the wall.

"What's up with the call?"

[...Don't you know what day it is in a few days?]

"Nekoya Shiki asked."

"...Uh...Christmas?"

That happened a few days ago.

"What else? Xingge's birthday was also on that day."

【Oh? Is it her birthday at Christmas?】

"You didn't remember anything at all..."

[I might have remembered it before, but now I'm in Australia every day watching kangaroos baring their teeth... so I might have forgotten.]

"Really... Well, thank you for your hard work."

【...】

Why aren't you speaking?

I was a little touched.

"Is that so..."

Nekoyashiki Haru pursed her lips.

According to the report I received, you get along very well with them.

"...Wait, how much do you know now?"

[Six?]

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru fell silent.

It's okay, I don't care about that kind of thing, I'm just a little surprised.

"...Sigh...I feel like I have no privacy."

I'll be careful, but you didn't come to Germany with me before... was it because of this?

The voice of Nekoya Saki on the other end of the phone was tinged with laughter.

"…I don't…"

Nekoyashiki Haru weakly retorted.

Well... it's also my responsibility that you did this. I ignored it and let you end up like this.

"...Don't take on this kind of responsibility yourself."

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head, then suddenly said.

"I might regain my sight."

Is this related to changes in your eyes?

"Ah."

"Really... By the way, do you want me to transfer money to you?"

"no need."

But I... don't be so clear about it...

The sound of Nekoya Shikiki fell silent.

"If possible, I still want to do it myself, and negotiate with the record company, including the possibility of using your name in the future... I'm not being polite to you."

【That's good. 】

The sound of Nekoya Shikiki is soothing.

"…Merry Christmas."

【You're only saying this now?】