Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Iruma Hibiki was actually worried about this.

But calculating the time, it seems that Ijichi Hongxia shouldn't have arrived at Xiugao yet. She left after lunch, and it's only been 30 minutes since then.

Is that all it took in 30 minutes?

Iruma Hibiki sneered at himself slightly.

Then he smiled foolishly.

When he was in junior high school, he could be considered a person who could definitely be alone to some extent. He could complete all daily tasks by himself, and he could even complete everything with Goto Ichiri. If we use that cute Shiba Inu emoticon pack, then the most outstanding one among him is definitely the muscular Shiba Inu on the left.

And now it is of course the right side.

Ijichi walked for 30 minutes, and then I couldn't take it anymore.

Iruma Hibiki imagined that scene in his mind and then laughed to himself.

Of course, such self-entertainment was only a limited relaxation. Soon, Iruma Hibiki focused his attention on the class. He had promised Ijichi Hongka that he would help her take notes.

and so--

Although Iruma Hibiki felt that if Ijichi Kouka relied on other people's notes, it would definitely be better than his own.

But since he was asked, he decided to do his best to do his job this afternoon.

It was probably while he was taking notes that Iruma Hibiki thought of Ijichi Kouka's painting, the erased image of Nagasaki Soyo, and himself and Chihaya Aine...

What if Kita really disappeared?

When this thought came to mind, a picture actually emerged in Iruma Hibiki's mind.

The lights were shining on the dark stage. After the wonderful performance of the previous band, it was the turn of the closing band to take the stage.

With the audience's expectant gazes, the members of the ending band came on stage one after another. The order would probably be Ijichi Nikka, Yamada Ryo, and then Goto Ichiri following behind.

No, Goto Ichiri might also be caught in the middle. After all, in such an occasion, if Kita was really missing, she probably wouldn't have the courage to stand on the stage. It would be good enough if she could perform normally.

Then——

There would probably be a somewhat awkward introduction by Ijichi Higurashi, and an explanation to everyone that the band's lead singer and rhythm guitarist couldn't come.

The smile on her cute little face would probably be a little shallower at that time.

but--

This is definitely not the end.

Next, Ijichi Hongka will definitely show a determined look and then start the performance without a lead singer.

But so what? The audience always cares about the final musical effect, while the band has a lot more things to consider.

No matter what Ijichi Hongxia went through to finally choose to stand on such a stage, the audience will not buy it. They will probably leave one after another with disappointed expressions on their faces.

After all, when the band was initially disbanded, there was no mention of such a change.

And at this moment, what would he think standing in the audience?

Iruma Hibiki thought about it carefully.

The painting of Ijichi Hongxia came back to his mind again.

Yes, what would he think at that time?

Iruma Hibiki pondered.

Then a deep pain surged up from deep within him.

Ijichi Hongxia is already very unhappy, why! Why do you still treat her like this!

He had an urge to scold fate, even though it was just impotent rage, but Iruma Hibiki still wanted to say such words.

By then, he would definitely feel extremely sorry for Ichichi Hongka who was standing strong on the stage.

Absolutely.

Then, he would probably completely dislike Kita, who had made a good impression on him when they first met.

Even if he comes back, he won't forgive Kita easily.

Even if Ijichi Hongxia forgave Kita, he would not.

So, what else can he do?

Let none of this happen.

Stop this.

How else can he help Ichichi Hongxia?

The first class ended quickly. During the break, Hibiki Iruma came outside and stared at the heavy rain in a daze.

"Iruma."

It was a rare occasion that Yamada Ryo came to his side, and then he sat next to Iruma Hibiki without any scruples.

"Yamada-senpai?"

Iruma Hibiki was a little confused about the purpose of Yamada Ryo's visit, but he didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he made room for some benches. It was raining heavily outside, so heavily that an umbrella was probably useless. The sky was as dark as dusk, with occasional thunder.

"What do you think about what I told you before?"

Yamada Ryo asked while looking at the profile of Iruma Hibiki.

"If we can't find Xiduo, I will definitely do my best to help, even if I do everything I can to help her."

Hibiki Iruma responded with his head lowered.

"Don't force yourself."

Then Yamada Ryo continued.

"I want to drink this, it's your treat."

Then she walked to the beverage machine without any hesitation, pointed at the dark yellow packaged Bad Boy Juice and said to Iruma Hibiki.

"Give."

At this moment, Iruma Hibiki didn't care whether Yamada Ryo paid back the money or not. He handed over his Suica card.

In fact, it was probably at this time that Iruma Hibiki realized the source of his weakness.

In the final analysis——

The reason why Ijichi Nikka insisted on going to find Kita herself instead of bothering him, wasn't it because this was about [ending the band], not his business, and therefore she felt a little embarrassed?

Besides, he and Kita were not very familiar with each other, so if something really went wrong, he would not be able to convince Kita.

unconsciously--

Hibiki Iruma looked at Yamada Ryo's back.

"Senpai Yamada, let me be clear, it's better not to try to transfer the money from my card."

"Tsk."

Yamada Ryo clicked his tongue, finally stopped fiddling, and chose the juice he wanted.

"Can you tell me about the recent ending of the band? I don't seem to know anything about your recent progress."

Then, she saw Hibiki Iruma speaking softly to her with his head lowered.

31 The doodles on the notebook will eventually become reality

"Xiao Mu, what do you think I should do?"

In the courtyard of the Moon Forest, in the pavilion where the rain was falling, Shoko Toyokawa was helping Mutsu Wakaba comb her hair. Mutsu Wakaba, who insisted on coming here to see the cucumbers she planted even on a rainy day, came here with an umbrella, and Shoko Toyokawa, who was worried about her, also followed her.

The so-called "what to do" actually refers to the matter between Iruma Hibiki and Nagasaki Soyo.

In fact, this matter may not be that complicated. Nagasaki Suyo is very close to Toyokawa Shoko. As long as she wants, she can casually walk through a corridor to Nagasaki Suyo and then ask her about what happened yesterday.

But Shoko Toyokawa didn't do that.

Because for her, even she felt that there was a part of yesterday's events that she could not intervene in anyway.

Wakaba Mutsu, who was called by Toyokawa Shoko, was silent at this moment, without saying a word and did not give Toyokawa Shoko any answer.

She was like one of Toyokawa Shoko's toys, the kind of extra-large bears he would buy as a child. He would talk to her but never expect a response from her.

And Wakaba Mutsu naturally remained silent.

"I... don't want Hibiki to leave Crychic, and I don't want the relationship between Nagasaki and Hibiki to deteriorate, but..."

Toyokawa Shoko was slightly distracted.

"It hurts, Xiang."

Then she heard Wakaba Mu's complaint, and when she came to her senses, Toyokawa Shoko realized that she had just pulled out a few light green hairs.

"Sorry, Xiaomu, I didn't mean it."

"Ah."

If Ye Mu had used "hmm" instead of "it's okay".

"I seem a little... Sorry, Xiao Mu, I made you listen to my complaints all day long."

Shoko Toyokawa looked at Wakaba Mutsu with a hint of concern and worry.

She still couldn't get the answer she wanted from Ruoye Mu. Was he angry? Or happy? Did he agree with her, or disagree? Did he find her annoying?

Toyokawa Shoko knew nothing about these things.

It was as if Wakaba Mu was really just her doll.

But such things cannot be taken for granted.

Wakaba Mutsu is not a doll, but an ordinary female high school student.

In other words, if Ruoye Mu was just an exquisite doll, then Toyokawa Shoko would probably feel a little more relaxed at this moment——

Musicians performing with dolls are quite suitable for Gothic heavy metal rock.

Shoko Toyokawa sometimes thinks so.

"Hibiki, I won't leave."

Then, Wakaba Mutsu spoke to Toyokawa Shoko's surprise.

"Xiang, this is the only thing you care about."

"Eh?"

Toyokawa Shoko actually felt a little joy at the beginning. After all, no matter what, Wakaba Mutsu gave his own answer.

But then, Ruoye Mu's second half of the sentence made her stand there in a daze.

"Xiao Mu? What are you talking about?"

……

However, after Toyokawa Shoko's subsequent questioning, Ruoye Mu never spoke again, as if he had returned to the way he was at the beginning.

In the afternoon, when Wakaba Mu came to Toyokawa Shoko again, she saw Toyokawa Shoko waiting for the car from home and quietly watching the picture on her mobile phone.

In fact, Shoko Toyokawa has been staring at her phone all the time lately.

And the reason why she did this was very simple.

Wakaba Mutsu saw the content of Toyokawa Shoko's conversation with Iruma Hibiki:

[Eh?! The band's lead singer and guitarist is missing?]

[Yes, the show seems to be in big trouble, so tomorrow I might...]

[Which guitarist will Iruma-san replace?]

When Toyokawa Shoko asked this question, Wakaba Mutsu saw her biting her lips.

This is the worst-case scenario, alas...

Iruma Hibiki responded quickly.

【Speaking of which, it’s raining heavily today. What should we do about the rehearsal? 】