Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Yes, those are all my diaries.

【Didn't Takamatsu-san tell Toyokawa-san?】

"Hmm, no, Toyokawa-san back then was a bit scary—"

【Wouldn’t you feel shy or embarrassed? 】

Iruma Hibiki continued to ask.

[There are some, but it's great to be able to form a band. That's what I think. Compared to forming a band, things like this are not a big deal.]

When he saw this, Iruma Hibiki's brows were already furrowed, so that he looked a little depressed.

He really didn't expect that his previous premonition was true.

as well as--

If Takamatsu Deng's notes were not lyrics but a diary, then...

In fact, Hibiki Iruma can still recall those lyrics, and the content of those lyrics is indeed not something that is so easy for him to forget.

A person who is not understood always keeps his head down, wanting to be recognized.

Wanting to be human—

Are these the thoughts of Takamatsu Deng?

Hibiki Iruma suddenly recalled that when they were parting, she was lying on the ground, worried that others would notice the stone in her pocket.

He then sighed and smiled faintly.

【Let's go and cause trouble for Toyokawa-san together. 】

【Eh? ! 】

⑥ Is it okay to eat cold food? Wu was shocked by Iruma Hibiki's reply. Takamatsu Deng was shocked.

[Carelessly snatching someone else's notebook and singing it in front of them, and then promoting it extensively afterwards, is simply too much. Even if it was Toyokawa-san who did this, it's unforgivable.]

What Hibiki Iruma said was actually a bit exaggerated.

【Can't! 】

Naturally, Takamatsu Deng showed some resistance.

"Iruma-san is thinking about me, and I'm happy... But Toyokawa-san is very important, so it doesn't matter."

There were some missing connecting parts in Takamatsu Touma's words, making them difficult to understand, but Iruma Hibiki's natural sensitivity to words made him immediately aware of Takamatsu Touma's emotions at the moment.

After all—

In fact, compared to music, he is a complete genius in writing.

"Speaking of which... Iruma-san, do you think my diary entries are weird? I'm thinking about becoming human or something..."

Rather than her own shyness and embarrassment, Takamatsu Touma, who cared more about other people's experiences, made Iruma Hibiki sigh slightly.

It’s not that this kind of Takamatsu lantern is bad.

On the contrary, people with a spirit of dedication like Takamatsu Deng are treasures wherever they go and will definitely be cherished by everyone.

But precisely because of this, such kindness should not be ignored or wasted.

So even though he already knew the general situation, Hibiki Iruma still mentioned it.

"No, it's not surprising at all. Rather, I don't quite understand Takamatsu-san's cry, but I heard it completely."

"Just like Toyokawa-san said, Takamatsu-san has a talent for songwriting, but please don't make things difficult for yourself because of the band, okay? If you want to be in a band for life—"

Iruma Hibiki was silent for a moment.

His face turned a little embarrassed.

Deception, concealment, bravado, and vanity will all hinder such a goal and will only bring misfortune.

Then he finished saying this sentence with an unknown mood.

[Sorry, is this a bit heavy for me to say?]

【Not at all! 】

The response from Takamatsu Touma actually made Iruma Hibiki feel relieved.

He was actually a little worried that he and Gao Songdeng were too close to each other and that this was a big taboo in socializing.

But it's okay.

"Rather, I'm really happy... I'm almost crying. It's so nice to meet you all."

[Eh? Crying?]

【Yes. 】

I've already burst into tears.

……

Iruma Hibiki became a little overwhelmed almost instantly.

He seemed to have made the girl cry again.

Who was the previous one?

Is that Goto Ichiri?

Or is it Ichichi Hongka?

Hibiki Iruma thought as if he was judging his own crimes.

"Thank you, Iruma-san. I'm really happy that you're considering me! But it's okay. I'll work hard on the lyrics. Because of Toyokawa-san, I've also decided to express my feelings—"

Gao Songdeng was silent for a moment.

【Tell everyone! 】

【Iruma-san made this even more certain! 】

[It’s okay even if I scream.]

Even if I say it out loud, I won’t be laughed at.

【I--】

"I have so many things I want to say. I want to be human! I want to be as brave as you, Iruma-san!"

I really like Iruma-san's "Give Me an Eternal Lie"... I also want to be like Iruma-san!

Gao Songdeng said a lot.

Feeling a little excited.

Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration.

"As for me, I'm actually not worthy of your admiration, Takamatsu-san."

Only at the end did Iruma Hibiki say something softly in response.

"But I'm happy to hear that you've confirmed your thoughts, Takamatsu-san."

06 The occasional joke hides the universal sincerity

[Toyokawa-san, are you willing to give up all your wisdom just to be my friend? ]

[Hmm? Let me think...]

Shoko Toyokawa was a little confused when she saw the strange message sent by Hibiki Iruma.

After thinking for a while, he answered seriously:

[If it has nothing to do with music, I'm willing! ]

"Is this a popular question these days?! Iruma-san! You sound really interesting!!"

After replying, Toyokawa Shoko quickly followed up.

"No, it's just a part of the story I promised to write for Takamatsu-san, and I wanted to see your reaction, Toyokawa-san."

【Eh? 】

【Source material, source material, source material for the novel plot. 】

Iruma Hibiki explained.

[So, it was just a joke?]

[Hmm...almost?]

……

There was silence between the two for several seconds.

"Iruma-san, you don't understand the seriousness of this situation at all."

When Hibiki Iruma turned around and saw the message from Shoko Toyokawa, he realized that the problem here seemed to have become a little serious.

【Are you angry, Toyokawa-san? 】

He asked cautiously and with some concern.

In fact, about 20 minutes have passed since the previous topic, so it may be too late to ask this now.

【No stockings fell off.】

[Rather than that—Iruma-san, don't you think now is not the time to bring up this topic?]

【why? 】

Iruma Hibiki couldn't help it.

He laughed out loud.

「Eh? Iruma-san, don't you understand? Why don't you know why?」

【If you don't know something, you just don't know it.】

【By the way, Toyokawa-san, would you like to take a look at the story I wrote for Takamatsu-san? It's getting really good reviews.】

When Iruma Hibiki replied, he could no longer stop laughing, and he was teasing Toyokawa Shoko with a full sense of mischief.

"Hmm, that's a good decision, but now's not the time to talk about this, is it? Iruma-san."

【Eh? Why? 】

By this time, Iruma Hibiki was asking questions that he already knew the answer to.

【Still can’t figure it out? 】

[How about Iruma-san, why don't you ask Takamatsu-san?]

【Pfft——】

Finally, Iruma Hibiki typed the laughter into the chat box.

"You! You have absolutely no self-awareness!"

And Shoko Toyokawa on the opposite side was also completely anxious. She curled up in the quilt with her face flushed with anger, and kept waving her feet and kicking something in the air.

[Sorry, Toyokawa-san, I didn't expect you to respond to such a question so seriously, hahahaha...]

Iruma Hibiki was laughing like a fool in his bedroom late at night, so much so that some of the things that were bothering him suddenly disappeared at that moment.

[Forget it! Forget it! I never said anything like that!]

Shoko Toyokawa's reaction was very intense, and she even sent several angry emoticons in a row. Of course, her emoticons were all her own.

So much so that——

Iruma Hibiki laughed so hard that he almost fainted from cramps.

Of course, such bad taste will end quickly. After all, if it continues, the other party will definitely get angry. Moreover, the so-called joke is a joke because it has its limits.

I won't forget it.

【! 】

Naturally, Iruma Hibiki's response made Toyokawa Shoko even more embarrassed and angry.