Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

If you don't know Toyokawa Shoko, then the sentence "Please leave the rest of your life to me" seems a bit scary no matter how you look at it, like a terrifying statement that only a yandere character would make.

However, Hibiki Iruma, who knew Toyokawa Shoko a little, knew what Toyokawa Shoko was thinking at the moment.

She was just a little excited.

And when it comes to their goals and ideals, they are uncompromising and resolute.

After all, this kind of thing in life——

His previous life came to an abrupt end. If he was immediately sent away by a big car the next moment, it would be considered the fastest way to fulfill a lifetime promise.

"sure."

Then he put aside those weird thoughts and responded softly.

"That's fine with me."

Nagasaki Suyo gave the answer later.

After Iruma Hibiki gave the answer, Shiina Riki was seriously shaken, and then when Nagasaki Motoyo gave the answer, she began to doubt whether there was something wrong with her.

Wakaba Mutsu said nothing and did not give any decent response, but Takamatsu Deng was already happy enough just because of the replies from Iruma Hibiki, Nagasaki Motoyo and Toyokawa Shoko.

"Does anyone have any questions? If not, then regarding the upcoming performance plans and the specific details of the communication—"

Shoko Toyokawa brought the meeting back on track.

In fact, Iruma Hibiki looked at Takamatsu Touma who was standing opposite him with some concern.

Text actually has a significant problem compared to language.

That is the lack of tone and expression, which actually makes it difficult to judge the speaker's intentions.

For example.

Is there a possibility.

Although the possibility is small.

What Gao Songdeng called "forming a lifelong band" was not an innocent promise like everyone saying they would be together for a lifetime, but an extremely serious one of dependence and expectation?

The meeting continues.

Shoko Toyokawa quickly confirmed almost everything that needed to be confirmed.

After all, this is only natural.

Otherwise, all the trouble that Iruma Hibiki went through last night would be completely in vain.

The excited Shoko Toyokawa actually almost dragged him away in his pajamas and talked to him about the band all night.

Of course, this is a bit of an exaggeration.

Toyokawa Shoko is still a girl who is naturally shy.

but--

In fact, Iruma Hibiki was concerned about many things. He glanced at Wakaba Mutsu, who was always silent beside him, and was silent for a while. When Toyokawa Shoko was about to continue the conversation, he suddenly interrupted:

"I'm sorry, Toyokawa-san, can we pause for a moment? Wakaba-san hasn't expressed her opinion since the beginning. I think we should give her some time to let her speak her mind."

Iruma Hibiki's suggestion stunned Toyokawa Shoko, who looked at Wakaba Mutsu, who was no stranger to her.

After all, the silent Wakaba Mutsuki has long been taken for granted by Toyokawa Shoko.

02 New bands face new difficulties

"It's up to everyone to decide."

Wakaba Mu's pupils shrank when she looked at Iruma Hibiki's face. Of course, this hesitation only lasted for a moment, and she soon responded softly and without any emotion.

"Listen to my words."

Then she added another sentence.

The atmosphere fell into a slight silence until Shiina Riki spoke with some displeasure:

"It doesn't seem like such an important matter should be decided by someone else. Make the decision for yourself."

The slightly harsh and pressured words weighed on Ruoye Mu, causing her to tremble slightly, and then she lowered her head.

Iruma Hibiki still couldn't see any expression on Wakaba Mutsu's face.

However, after a while, Ruoye Mu spoke.

"Well, let's form a band for life."

She spoke softly.

but--

This is definitely not sincere, it was a confession forced upon him.

Iruma Hibiki can be confirmed.

"Toyokawa-san, please move on to the next topic."

Iruma Hibiki first spoke to Toyokawa Shoko, and then apologized softly in a voice that only he and Wakaba Mutsu could hear clearly:

"I'm sorry, did I push it too far, Wakaba-san? I didn't mean to, but I just felt that if you have any ideas, it's more important to speak up, because the band—"

Iruma Hibiki paused.

"This is something very important. If we can't confirm everyone's feelings, it won't work."

Wakaba Mu raised her head, and then she saw Iruma Hibiki smiling at her.

And there was probably some dissatisfaction on the part of Shoko Toyokawa.

The reason for dissatisfaction is probably...

[That guy, Hibiki Iruma, was distracted while I was talking. Damn it!]

Such a childish temper.

"Iruma-san, what are your thoughts on this issue?"

So she started to make things difficult for Iruma Hibiki as if she were a teacher in class.

"Ah, I have no objection."

"No objection—"

Toyokawa Shoko's teasing almost made Iruma Hibiki realize her dissatisfaction in an instant, and he had to shift his attention to the next meeting.

Just no matter what.

Iruma Hibiki was a little concerned——

Just like when he was in junior high school, everyone would always ignore Goto Ichiri's decisions during class meetings, and he would always express his own ideas on behalf of Goto Ichiri.

He didn't want anyone's opinion to be ignored on such an important occasion.

but--

Wakaba Mutsuki seems to be special?

Unlike Goto Ichiri.

She seems to have no opinions of her own on many things?

Hibiki Iruma was slightly concerned about the girl next to him.

And Nagasaki Suyo cares about him.

Gao Songdeng, who was sitting opposite him, also frequently cast curious glances at him.

The topic of Shoko Toyokawa continues.

After finalizing plans such as the performance budget, the next topic is actually the performance time.

"Since Takamatsu-san has no experience as a lead vocalist, we should focus on developing our chemistry for the first month. I also need some time to get used to the atmosphere of the live house. As for rehearsal locations, what do you think of Ring's rehearsal studio? Or my house?"

When talking about the latter, Shoko Toyokawa actually felt a little bit of anticipation.

Of course.

It wasn't that Shoko Toyokawa expected anyone to come to her house.

It's not like she has any desire to show off.

The reason for inviting bandmates to my home was actually Lu Ba? Jiuwu (? Eight? Ten) ⊙⒋０ Wu——

It's just that Shoko Toyokawa felt a little lonely when she was alone at home. This was essentially the original intention of forming a band. Of course, now, the band's ideal is no longer so simple for Shoko Toyokawa.

But, the original idea actually still exists.

Or rather.

Guys who form a band may have experienced loneliness to some extent.

Xianchong can't play in a band.

That's roughly what you can say.

“Ring’s rehearsal room is better.”

Hibiki Iruma was the first to express his opinion.

"Eh? Why? Iruma-san, don't you like my house?"

Then Toyokawa Shoko's counter-question immediately put Iruma Hibiki on the spot.

Let’s not talk about the surprised looks from others.

Iruma Hibiki could sense the deep malice coming from Nagasaki Suyo beside him.

"We rehearse quite frequently, and it would be embarrassing to disturb Fengchuan's classmate all the time."

He responded with sweatdrops.

"Iruma-san, are you living with Toyokawa-san?"

Takamatsu Deng, the girl who had huddled in the corner like a little animal, suddenly asked timidly, while carefully checking the sight of the people around her.

"We just had a great time chatting about music last night, so today I was thinking about whether you guys should use my house as a practice space. But, if you don't think it's okay, then forget it. Practicing in LIivehouse is also very good. Do you want to get a Ring membership together? It's very beautiful!"

Shoko Toyokawa didn't even feel sad about being denied the answer she wanted, and quickly accepted another plan.

The condition of Iruma Hibiki being roasted over the fire also improved a lot after that.

Most of the subsequent topics went smoothly, which was to determine the division of labor and the style of the song.

Hibiki Iruma once again saw the lyrics book belonging to Touma Takamatsu.

This made Wu Ba? Ming Temple suddenly recall his previous thoughts -

"Next is the free discussion time. It seems Shiina-san has something else to do and needs to leave early today?"

"um, yes."

After being reminded, Shiina Riki looked at his mobile phone with some concern.

"Is it from Ring?"

Hibiki Iruma asked.

"Well, the seniors had to do some stage equipment maintenance as planned today, so I was pulled over to help out."

Shiina Riki responded to Iruma Hibiki without even looking up, then turned off her phone and put it back in her bag.

"Sorry everyone, I have to leave first."

When she finally left, there was probably a hint of reluctance on her face.

"Keep working hard."

It was not until Hibiki Iruma encouraged her that Shiina Riki smiled very clearly and said:

"You don't need to tell me I can do it too."

He says one thing and means another.

Iruma Hibiki looked at the back of Shiina Riki as he left and felt a little amused.

"Did Hibiki stay at Toyokawa's house last night?"