Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"Need not…"

Iwashita Shima, who sat down on the sofa, shook her head.

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded, then narrowed her eyes.

The person contacting me at this time must have something important to say, and given their serious tone... could it be...?

Nekoyashiki Haru's pupils contracted slightly. After sighing inwardly, she walked over and sat down on the sofa.

There was a two-body distance between the woman and the boy.

"I...I've heard some bad rumors lately."

Iwashita Shima said.

"Ah."

Nekoyashiki Haru responded with a sound, indicating that she was listening.

"...It's about your relationship..."

As if there was finally nowhere left to retreat, Iwashita Shima said quickly and softly, then breathed a sigh of relief.

But this sense of relief only made me more nervous about what was to come.

"You...I still can't believe it, because you don't seem like that kind of person at all. So I'm still thinking there might be a lot of misunderstandings involved. As a friend, I'm a little worried about you. If it's such a bad rumor, it's better to clarify it as soon as possible..."

"Iwashita Shima said in one breath."

"no."

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head to interrupt.

"I think I know why Shima came here. It must be something that Yuyuko and Shima talked about, right?"

"... "

Iwashita Shima was silent.

"is it?"

Nekoyashiki Haru asked another question.

"…Yes…"

Iwashita Shima nodded and responded aloud.

"Well, I think I understand what Yuyuko was saying... It's true!"

Nekoyashiki Haru said loudly.

"!"

The worst-case scenario has come true.

Iwashita Shima opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

My language organization skills have temporarily collapsed...

"My relationship with them is indeed special."

Nekoyashiki Haru practically gave the answer outright.

Iwashita Shima nodded.

“I understand… I haven’t misunderstood.”

Iwashita Shima licked her dry lips.

"But...why?"

Iwashita Shima asked somewhat anxiously.

Why do you do that?

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru paused for a moment.

"Because I like it..."

"You're not the kind of person who makes a choice just because you like someone, are you?"

Shima Iwashita retorted loudly.

"... "

After a moment of silence, Nekoyashiki Haru nodded, acknowledging Iwashita Shima's assessment of her.

But then he added.

"Everyone likes me, so that's enough."

"...!"

Iwashita Shima's eyes twitched a few times.

"No... This is incomprehensible!!! How could you become like this?! You're even worse than Kikuri before..."

Iwashita Shima suddenly stopped speaking, as she suddenly remembered that Hiroi Kikuri was also in the harem of the person in front of her.

"...You...didn't you think about the consequences? A moment of impulse won't last..."

Iwashita Shima's voice softened.

"Yes, I agree with that statement."

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded, and then continued.

"However, I have been saving money, because that way I might have a better chance of communicating with everyone's parents later."

"...No...it's not...you..."

Iwashita Shima's voice trembled.

"I've actually been quite troubled by how to gain the trust of everyone's families; it feels very difficult."

Haru Nekoyashiki was deep in thought.

"...Then...what about after that!"

Shima Iwashita interrupted loudly.

"…after?"

Nekoyashiki Haru tilted her head.

"...Don't play dumb! You know what I mean!"

Iwashita Shima's voice became slightly stern.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru was silent for a while, then sighed.

"Ugh…"

"...How could you possibly take care of all of them in the future... It's absurd, and you couldn't do it."

Shima Iwashita persuaded.

"It's not too late to turn back now..."

"It's too late, Shima. I never thought of turning back."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said softly."

"I haven't even tried, so why do you say I can't do it?"

"...!"

Shima Iwashita's hand went numb.

"You... being impulsive... is... not good..."

Iwashita Shima slowly uttered these words, but then swallowed them back down.

"You're still young, that's why you think you can do it, but you'll definitely struggle with it later. Listen to me, let go! I'm doing this for your own good..."

Iwashita Shima grabbed Nekaya Shiki Haru's hand.

Nekoyashiki Haru opened her mouth, then sighed.

"...Why are you all like this...?"

"What…?"

Iwashita Shima was stunned.

Nekoyashiki Haru pulled her hand back.

"I won't give up, Shima."

"!"

Iwashita Shima gritted his teeth.

"...Perhaps there was an element of impulsiveness at the beginning, but now I have made up my mind. I have indeed received Shima's concern for me...but please don't get in my way."

Nekoyashiki Haru placed her hand on the sofa.

Iwashita Shima stared blankly at the hand.

"No matter my age, I will take responsibility for my choices. I am serious now. Shima can go back now."

Nekoyashiki Haru continued.

"...You...you listen to me..."

Iwashita Shima's voice weakened, and her wine-red eyes trembled.

"It's not like there's no turning back... I'll talk to them and make things clear for you, it'll definitely be possible..."

"...Shima, are we really friends?"

Nekoyashiki Haru asked, frowning.

"…What?"