Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

And Iruma Hibiki also put aside all his thoughts for the time being and devoted himself to the band's practice. Unlike complicated interpersonal relationships, band practice and guitar skills are always hard currency. They do not require thinking, and are absolutely correct as long as you practice and improve.

[I, Toyokawa-san, probably won't go back.]

This is how Hibiki Iruma responded to Shoko Toyokawa at that time.

Although such an answer was ambiguous to him, and there was even a trace of pain and suffering in his heart.

but……

"Iruma-san... I'm sorry, I got a little excited just now. Please don't take it seriously. As for me... even if Iruma-san wants to end the band, it's okay."

perhaps.

If Toyokawa Shoko hadn't said that at that time.

For Hibiki Iruma, his answer might not be nearly as painful.

But unfortunately, Toyokawa Shoko was extremely considerate and even took his feelings into consideration, so -

Both Ijichi Nikka and Toyokawa Shoko are very good girls.

Does he really have the right to reject any of them?

Iruma Hibiki tortured himself, but such torture naturally did not get any decent answers.

"Hongxia, Pochi, the war has begun."

And on the other side.

On Tuesday, the band's regular rehearsal continued, but the person standing on the main seat today was no longer Ijichi Hongka, but Yamada Ryo.

He supported his chin with his hands, and with his glasses without lenses, he looked contemplative. In front of him were several music sheets with horrible alterations on them.

"Liang, I haven't forgiven you yet."

Ijichi Hongka tilted her head, puffed out her cheeks, and looked angry, while Goto Ichiri was stuck in the middle, at a loss, much like a child who was caught in the middle of his parents' quarrel and got hit hard.

"If you want to get Iruma back, this kind of awareness won't work."

"Eh?!"

Goto Ichiri let out a horrified cry.

"Kidnap Iruma-san? What? When did that happen…"

"It was decided today."

Yamada Ryo responded calmly to Goto Ichiri.

"We can confirm that this is our biggest enemy at the moment."

Yamada Ryo pulled out a headshot of Toyokawa Shoko from somewhere, then picked up a thumbtack on the table and nailed it to Toyokawa Shoko's forehead.

"Pochi, go kill her, then we can get Iruma back."

"Hey! But, but... No, that's not right... Ah! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Mom and Dad, I... I can't go home anymore. I'm sorry! Erli... Sister's life is about to end..."

Frightened, Goto Ichiri began to apologize frantically.

"Enough of the commotion!"

It was not until Ijichi Nikka hit Yamada Ryo on the back of the head that she stopped looking like she was going to kill someone the next moment.

"Don't cause any more trouble for Iruma. Besides, hasn't Kita already decided to join the band? If Iruma comes back, are you going to reject Kita? That's too much."

Ijichi Hongxia's anger was actually a bit weak.

After all—

Yes, Yamada Ryo just did something that she was full of concerns about, but also what she expected from the bottom of her heart.

Rather, this kind of thing actually touched Ijichi Hongxia very much.

Because Yamada Ryohata Rei was really thinking about her and knew what she wanted.

but--

There is a huge difference between what you want and what you can get.

If Iruma Hibiki says...

Ijichi Hongka suddenly thought of Iruma Hibiki at the beginning of the new semester. At that time, he sat alone behind her, looking a little lonely and a little dejected.

It would be great if everyone in the new band could take care of him like she does.

Ijichi Hongxia would occasionally think so.

but--

She obviously didn't know about such a thing that concerned her so much. After all, she couldn't just visit the other person like an old nanny and ask:

[I'm a friend of Iruma's. I'm a little worried about him, so I wanted to ask about his situation.]

No matter how you think about it, it won't work.

"Is everyone talking about Iruma-senpai?"

At this moment, Kita's voice came.

"Kita! When!"

Then Kita, who was standing at the door, scared Ijichi Hongxia. After being shocked, she turned around and glared fiercely at Yamada Ryo who took the opportunity to steal her snacks, making her withdraw her hand.

"I've been here since the beginning, when everyone was talking about Iruma-senpai."

Kita said this with a smile, then sat down next to Goto Ichiri. After killing poor Goto Ichiri with his sunny and polite smile, Kita glared at Yamada Ryo and Ijichi Nijika:

"If Iruma-san comes back, I'll be the lead singer. I'll be so happy to form a band with him. That's what I think."

……

Then Kita said this.

"you……"

And Ijichi Hongxia looked distressed and slowly lowered her head.

"Why are everyone talking about Iruma?"

Then he muttered softly.

"What's not allowed is not allowed."

Then he added another sentence.

She seemed to be talking to herself.

But sometimes—

Words that repeat certain facts essentially come from deep-seated hesitations and expectations.

"Hongxia, you worry too much."

Yamada Ryo once again regained her serious demeanor. She burped and calmly switched Goto Ichiri's snacks with Ijichi Kouka's snacks. After all, even if Goto Ichiri found out that her snacks were gone, she would probably not dare to say anything.

But Ijichi Hongxia is different, she will really hit her.

Kita noticed this action and fiddled with the bag curiously. When he saw the empty bag being pushed over from Goto Ichiri, he showed a puzzled look.

"For a musician, words don't count, music does. The next live, our goal will be to win Iruma back."

Yamada Ryo said calmly.

Finally came up with his own plan.

Her calmness and confidence seemed as if she knew in advance that this was the answer that everyone would accept.

as predicted.

Compared to directly snatching people away.

Ijichi Hongxia actually feels about this kind of thing——

"How romantic! That's what rock 'n' roll is all about!!!"

On the side, Kita had already shouted out loud, raising her middle finger to express her joy, and this action also made Yamada Ryo look at her with satisfaction.

10 Guitar Position

Crychic's rehearsals went exceptionally smoothly. Even Takamatsu Deng had found some singing tricks under Toyokawa Shoko's guidance. Although such guidance could not allow the fledgling Takamatsu Deng to acquire everything needed to perform on stage in a short period of time, but -

They still have time, lots of time.

Crychic's practice time is already more than double that of the band they left behind.

not to mention--

Hibiki Iruma probably realizes that he is the worst member of the band.

Whether it's Wakaba Mu or Toyokawa Shoko, their level...

It can even be said that they are not on the same level at all. Even Nagasaki Soyo is much better than him in many aspects. The slight pressure made Iruma Hibiki sigh deeply at the end of the practice.

"You haven't been practicing lately, have you?"

Just at this time, Shiina Riki walked up to Iruma Hibiki and looked unhappy.

"Absolutely not."

And Iruma Hibiki gave a wry smile and responded.

In fact, he has been extremely serious about his guitar training recently. He has even given up writing to some extent. He has also rejected many of Machida Sonoko's recent suggestions for activities.

But the pace of progress is still limited.

Whether it's dynamics or more advanced techniques like bending the strings, they are all a little tricky for him now.

That is the bottleneck period encountered after the so-called rapid progress stage.

"Sorry, did I make a lot of mistakes just now?"

Iruma Hibiki apologized to Shiina Riki and asked a few questions at the same time.

"Don't you know you played it wrong?"

Shiina Riki's response was a bit stiff. After sighing for a moment, she turned around and wanted to get the music score.

"I was a little too engrossed in rehearsal just now. Sorry."

"Aha?"

Iruma Hibiki's strange answer made Shiina Riki look a little surprised.

"I can understand Iruma-san's situation! Because I'm in the same situation!"

What Shiina Riki didn't expect was that Takamatsu Deng, who had been silent, had come to Iruma Hibiki's side at some point, and huddled behind him like a small animal, with half of his body exposed.

"..."

In the corner, Wakaba Mu looked at the scene here, pinched her fingers slightly, and then returned to her usual sitting posture with no expression and no movement.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone! Iruma-san's corrections can be done later, okay? Shiina-san, right now, the most important thing is for us all to celebrate the successful completion of our first rehearsal!"

From somewhere, Shoko Toyokawa took out a gift box that looked very expensive. When she opened it, she found some snacks inside, most of which were very small French desserts that looked extremely expensive.

"I brought some comfort items for everyone, please use them."

"This is a rehearsal room, not a place for a tea party."

Shiina Riki looked at Iruma Hibiki seriously, and put on the attitude of a stern teacher, as if if Iruma Hibiki obeyed Toyokawa Shoko's words, he would suffer the terrible punishment of teacher Shiina.

"But a balance between work and rest is necessary, Shiina-san. Iruma-san may have made some mistakes, but he's doing his best to cooperate with everyone."

"Nagasaki-san felt it too, didn't he?"

"Um, yes."

Nagasaki Suyo responded softly.

Perhaps, in reality, Hibiki Iruma wasn't the only one absent-minded today—

"But I was thinking, when I first met Hibiki, he was the lead guitarist. Maybe the rhythm guitar position is a little...uncomfortable for Hibiki."

"Come to think of it, Iruma-san is a guitarist who excels at the lead guitar position, just like Guitar Hero."

Faced with Nagasaki Motoyo's suggestion, Toyokawa Shoko seemed to suddenly think of something, and her eyes flashed. Perhaps it was Iruma Hibiki's performance as the lead guitar that had some charm that could conquer her.