Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"no problem."

Iwashita Shima nodded, then glanced back at Hiroi Kikuri.

Hiroi Kikuri paused for a moment, hesitated for a while, and then looked back.

"... "

Iwashita Shima opened her mouth, then turned to look at Eliza.

"You want to ask Xiao Qing for help, right?"

Eliza tilted her head and smiled.

"!"

Iwashita Shima's pupils shrank.

"You can invite them if you want, but right now Xiao Qing should focus on everyone who's finished with the band, right?"

Eliza's lips were forcibly twisted upwards.

"If [Poison Cat] were willing to come, everyone would be very happy."

"...I think...it's fine."

Kikuri Hiroi nodded and said.

Iwashita Shima also slowly nodded.

Since that day when they went to persuade Nekoyashiki Haru, the two have not seen each other.

At least now... there's a reason to meet.

Hiroi Kikuri reached out to pat Iwashita Shima, but her hand froze in mid-air.

"what happened?"

Iwashita Shima turned to look at Hiroi Kikuri and asked.

"...I...I'm going to the restroom."

Kikuri Hiroi shook her head and then walked towards the restroom.

...

……

.........

Splash...

Water flowed through Hiroi Kikuri's hands.

Things are different now...

Hiroi Kikuri bit her lower lip.

The band's atmosphere... is different now...

Kikuri Hiroi was well aware of this.

She was also well aware of why this situation had occurred.

but…

"Aha…"

She sighed and continued rubbing her hands together, her purple braids swaying incessantly.

She didn't stop until her skin was red from rubbing and until Hiroi Kikuri felt a little pain.

"Why can't you understand..."

Click.

The toilet door behind me was suddenly opened.

Hiroi Kikuri was taken aback and turned around to look.

"...Xiao Da...Yuyouzi..."

The person who came out was none other than Otsuki Yuyuko.

The girl with twin ponytails naturally walked to Hiroi Kikuri's side and reached out to turn on the tap.

Splash...

Water flowed over my hands.

"... "

After a moment of silence, Hiroi Kikuri spoke.

"I'm leaving now, Yuyuko..."

"Wait a moment."

Yuuko Otsuki lowered her head and called for a halt.

"Kikuri-neechan's hands aren't clean yet, are they? Wash them a little longer."

"?"

Hiroi Kikuri was taken aback.

Yuuko Otsuki raised her head, her pink eyes meeting her purple eyes.

"I...I see."

Hiroi Kikuri did not refuse, but continued to let the water wash over her hands.

"Kikuri-neechan, you won't be drinking anymore, right?"

"Otsuki Yuuko asked."

"…Won't."

Kikuri Hiroi shook her head.

"...Did you suddenly realize the harm alcohol does to your health?"

Without looking up, Otsuki Yuuko asked.

"…no."

Kikuri Hiroi shook her head.

"...Is it because of Senior Haru?"

Yuyuko Otsuki then asked.

"!"

Kikuri Hiroi paused for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"...Haa..."

Yuuko Otsuki let out a long sigh and then turned off the tap.

She looked at Kikuri Hiroi, her lips pursed.

He spoke after a long pause.

"Sister Kiku, who do you think will advance—us or the End Band?"

"...Or...maybe both groups can?"

Kikuri Hiroi said.

"...So, who did you vote for?"

"Otsuki Yuuko asked."

"Eh?"

Hiroi Kikuri stiffened.

"I…"

"It's about ending the band."

Yuuko Otsuki smiled.

"That's true..."

"Um, sorry Yuyuko, but I and the Ending Band also..."

Kikuri Hiroi apologized, but was interrupted once again.

"Sister Kikuri has nothing to apologize for. It is your freedom to vote for whomever you want."

Yuuko Otsuki gave him a soft look, but that look made Kikuri Hiroi tremble all over.

What happened to her?

Yuyuko Otsuki continued to ask.

"I... want to ask Kiku-nee some questions."

"…What?"

Hiroi Kikuri took a small step back.

"...What's it like to be around so many people? Is Senior Haru really able to manage?"

"It was Yuyuko Otsuki who spoke up."

"!!!"

Hiroi Kikuri's pupils contracted sharply.

"...You...you knew all along?"

"Oh, I see."

Splash...

As if there was nothing else to do, the tap was turned on again.