Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"Ah! That's not what I meant!"

When he turned around, he saw Toyokawa Shoko staring at him, her expression changing at the speed of light.

"What does that mean? Hibiki?"

Toyokawa Shoko slightly blocked Takamatsu Tomo's way, obviously angry.

Of course, this anger is actually a bit fake.

I wasn't blaming Iruma Hibiki from the bottom of my heart.

rather say--

Looking at Hibiki Iruma's expression, Shoko Toyokawa could completely understand Hibiki Iruma's feelings at the moment.

Being able to say such words was probably his greatest compliment to Takamatsu Tomo's lyrics. In fact, at the beginning, Shoko Toyokawa was a little worried about what to do if Hibiki Iruma and Takamatsu Tomo had different ideas about the lyrics.

But now that I've seen it, it's nothing to worry about.

So Toyokawa Shoko's anger at this moment was to emphasize and show off her identity as a girlfriend.

"Eh?"

It was not until this time that Shiina Riki suddenly noticed that there was actually a subtle atmosphere between Iruma Hibiki, who was standing in front of him, and Toyokawa Shoko?

She looked at Nagasaki Suyo again with an expression of confusion, then thought to herself that she had seen it wrong, so she looked at Nagasaki Suyo with a complicated look.

"I'm sorry, I have no idea what to say."

Iruma Hibiki laughed and hugged his head, looking distressed.

"Because the lyrics of the song 'Light' are so well written, it made me think of many things, and -"

Iruma Hibiki was silent for a while.

"I sincerely feel that anything you like is good, so be more confident."

"Then... forming a band for the rest of our lives... is that okay? Xiang?"

Faced with Iruma Hibiki's praise and strange "confession", Takamatsu Tou also said what he really wanted to say.

"Yeah, okay."

And Iruma Hibiki answered without hesitation.

Such topics in one’s lifetime may be too heavy at times.

But it's just right here now.

"If there's anything wrong with me, please tell me. I'll change it for everyone..."

After some hesitation, Gao Songdeng added another sentence.

Yes--

If the real self still cannot be recognized and accepted by everyone, then Takamatsu Deng is willing to change and become a [human] for the people in front of him.

"No, you can't change a single word of this lyric."

"Eh?"

When Takamatsu Deng looked up again, he saw Iruma Hibiki's willfulness.

"Xiang is really embarrassing."

At this time, Shoko Toyokawa laughed out loud.

"For the rhythm of the song, I will still adjust one or two syllables."

Then she added, without any intention of dismantling the Iruma sound platform. At this moment, Toyokawa Shoko was actually a little confused. After all, in her opinion -

Iruma responded that he should know this as a matter of course.

After all, it’s [Alien Composer], isn’t it?

53 People who care about people who care about

Whether it was to confirm Wakaba Mu's feelings or to care about Toyokawa Shoko, Iruma Hibiki could not find an opportunity during the rehearsal and could only suppress the matter in his heart.

and--

In fact, Iruma Hibiki had observed Toyokawa Shoko carefully.

For some reason, he always felt that Toyokawa Shoko didn't want him to know why she was sad before she came, but Wakaba Mutsu seemed to know this.

When he realized this, Iruma Hibiki hesitated slightly. After all, if Ruoye Mu and Toyokawa Shoko were childhood friends, it was normal for them to understand each other, and he was just her new lover, so perhaps it was natural for him to keep a certain distance and not get in touch with some things so quickly?

Iruma Hibiki didn't know whether she should bring up this matter, but as a lover, concern was necessary.

So he made up his mind to check on Toyokawa Shoko when the rehearsal was over. At least to show some concern, it should be okay as long as he didn't ask the reason.

Thinking of this, Iruma Hibiki breathed a sigh of relief and paid a little attention to his left hand while playing the guitar.

His cautious attempt was responded to by Toyokawa Shoko. Although they did not hold hands, their fingers were linked.

He wasn't rejected, nor did he step back in disgust.

When he realized this, Hibiki Iruma felt a little happy.

A sense of reality in dating Toyokawa Shoko.

and--

It didn't matter to Nagasaki Suyo, she seemed to be enjoying everything about the band. When he realized this, Iruma Hibiki felt a little... he could take it for granted that he could enjoy the warmth of the moment.

But when he saw Nagasaki Suyo treating others gently, Iruma Hibiki couldn't help but feel a trace of regret that he himself felt was shameful.

So he stayed with Shoko Toyokawa more often and looked at her more.

The only person in his sight was her sitting next to the piano.

"Hey, Iruma, what are you daydreaming about?"

It was not until Shiina Riki suddenly reminded him angrily that Iruma Hibiki realized that she was too close to Toyokawa Shoko, so that the connecting wire between the guitar and the speaker was slightly stretched and turned into a tripwire that ran across Nagasaki Soyo.

"Feel sorry."

Iruma Hibiki quickly apologized and returned to his original position.

"Himagi, please pay attention when practicing."

When Iruma Hibiki returned to Nagasaki Soyo, he suddenly heard Nagasaki Soyo say this.

Then——

Next to Iruma Hibiki, Nagasaki Soyo's bass sounded as usual.

To be honest, Nagasaki Suyo's expression did not remain unchanged.

She was not as active as before, just lowered her head and followed everyone's practice as usual.

Later, when the agreed time was almost up, Nagasaki Suyo was the first to remind everyone who was a little engrossed.

The rehearsal is over.

Next week is a new week.

Hibiki Iruma actually breathed a sigh of relief on the way back.

A lot had happened this week, and there had been twists and turns he hadn't anticipated.

And it also leaves a lot to do.

I don't know why Hibiki Iruma always feels anxious.

[Iruma-senpai! Are you there? Are you there?]

On the way home, while waiting for a reply to her greeting to Toyokawa Shoko, Iruma Hibiki received a letter from Kita.

[Yes, I am. I just finished band practice.]

Band practice?! What's it like?

……

After Hibiki Iruma's subconscious response, he realized that his words might be a little inappropriate. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again:

It was just a normal rehearsal with everyone. The only happy thing was probably deciding on the lyrics. I really like the new lyrics, they are great.

【Didn't Iruma-san write the lyrics and music himself?】

[No, I'm not at that level yet.]

Hibiki Iruma spoke frankly to Kita, saying that after all, whether he was a real [alien porter] or a fake [alien composer] should be explained to the public no matter how you look at it.

Especially when facing people like Kita who are familiar with him.

It is better not to allow such misunderstandings to continue.

Iruma Hibiki had actually made up his mind to do so.

[Have you listened to the previous album? I recently found another good one.]

Then——

While Iruma Hibiki was thinking about how to explain to Kita, Shiina Riki shared a new album.

[After listening to it, I will listen to something new and write back to you.]

[By the way, what happened between you and Toyokawa today? ]

Perhaps Shiina Riki is such a girl. Without any preparation or probing, she directly turned to the topic she cared about.

[Are you referring to Xiangzi's late arrival? She didn't tell me the reason, but I did show some concern for her.]

【…】

Shiina Riki sent a string of ellipsis and then said nothing for a long time. This behavior made Iruma Hibiki feel a little uneasy. He took the initiative to ask:

【What's wrong? 】

After a while, Shiina Riki sent a message:

"I'm not concerned about what's going on between you two. I just felt that the atmosphere between you and Toyokawa-san was a little off today, and Nagasaki-san was a little off as well, so that's why I'm asking. After all, we know each other, and we've worked together for a long time, and we're in the same band. It's normal for me to be concerned about you two being off, right?"

I don't know who she was explaining to. Shiina Riki's question was obviously very simple, but she took a long time to explain it.

If this is the case, Xiangzi and I are dating.

[Huh?]

What does "in a relationship" mean?

Shiina Riki's reaction was so strong that she even stood up on the shaking tram, becoming the focus of many people.

[That is, Xiangzi and I have confirmed our relationship as lovers.]

……

Faced with Iruma Hibiki's confirmation, Shiina Riki remained silent.

After a while, she slowly sat back in her seat.

[Oh, I was wondering. Why is that so strange? I wish you happiness. Don't be distracted during practice next time. I'll keep an eye on you.]

【Yes Yes Yes. 】

Iruma Hibiki responded to Shiina Riki somewhat helplessly.

"But, Shiina, is it really okay? With this level of training, you're still working part-time, right?"

【Well, I'm fine.】

Yes, it doesn't matter.

Shiina Riki said softly in his heart.

Later on the tram, she was slightly dazed as she watched the scenery flash by outside the window.

After all, if she goes home now, she will also be able to see that guy—

The one who shattered all her pride.

Shiina Riki tried to divert her thoughts and had many strange ideas, but in the end, the endless darkness and the sound of the train arriving at the station finally drowned her.

54 Kita is not someone who would run away

[Iruma-senpai, are you free next week? ]