Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

The figures of his parents passed by Hibiki Iruma's eyes.

Then Iruma Hibiki gritted his teeth slightly and showed a determined look.

"Goto-san, are you unhappy about forming a band?"

"Absolutely not!"

Goto Ichiri retorted decisively.

"I'm honored to be a part of this band ending..."

But after that fierce rebuttal, her tone became soft and her momentum disappeared.

"That's good. Speaking of which—"

Hibiki Iruma suddenly thought of something he had wanted to say to Ichiri Goto for a long time.

In fact, he had been feeling a little worried before this, so he didn't dare to say such words.

"Can I call you Pochi too?"

"absolutely okay!"

"But I don't have any nicknames that you can exchange with Pochi, so just call me whatever you want. I feel like calling me [Iruma-san] is a bit strange."

"besides--"

Iruma Hibiki was silent for a moment, then he spoke, not knowing whether to himself or Goto Ichiri:

"Do what you think is right and what you want to do, Pochi-chan. When you are hesitant or unsure, if it helps, just tell yourself that this is the decision I agree with."

Hibiki Iruma spoke gently to Ichiri Goto.

He may not be the closest person to Goto Ichiri, but Iruma Hibiki at least feels that he is the one who roughly understands Goto Ichiri's shortcomings.

"ring……"

Goto Ichiri kept muttering Iruma Hibiki's name.

My heart is filled with joy.

She even had a delusion that she was floating in the clouds.

After all, she didn't even dare to have such a dream when "Iruma-san" was still alive, but it happened to her now.

"As for Kita, she will be back, but she has certainly been having some hard times lately."

“Just like Alice who found the rabbit hole, she also needs to find some answers of her own.”

Iruma Hibiki spoke softly.

Covering up for Kita's affairs.

"Yeah, I believe Hibiki! And Kita."

Goto Ichiri responded with some joy.

"Band, I'll do my best!"

Then she continued.

After hearing Goto Ichiri's response, Iruma Hibiki felt slightly relieved.

Then it was time to end the game, and Iruma Hibiki took the initiative to say it was over. After all, if he didn't mention it, Goto Ichiri would really play with him all night.

This happened during the previous summer vacation.

Tomorrow is Monday.

For young people, staying up late to play games is a big enemy and will make them miss the good times at school.

Thinking this, Iruma Hibiki turned off the computer.

There was still no reply from Toyokawa Shoko, but Wakaba Mutsu replied to Iruma Hibiki a few minutes ago.

【Um. 】

It was just a shallow response.

The reply was from Iruma Hibiki's message, "I want to talk to Wakaba-san about the band and Shoko."

56 Xiang won't let me talk to Xiang

Goto Ichiri quietly slipped into the bathroom late at night. She couldn't bring herself to get into bed with the smell of sweat all over her body. In her self-perception, she was already a very disgusting person. Her whole body smelled of mold and cheap mothballs. If some sweat odor was mixed in, then she would probably be like a rat in the sewer.

So she planned to take a bath quietly at night anyway.

Of course, she absolutely didn't want to make a lot of noise while her parents and Erli were resting.

So she didn't turn on the humming water heater, nor did she choose the shower head, but quietly filled a bathtub with cold water.

On the other side, Iruma Hibiki calmed down a little and started chatting with Wakaba Mutsu.

Of course, he still had some concerns about Goto Ichiri.

but--

No matter how the band ends, there is still Ijichi Hongka.

Whenever he thought about this, Hibiki Iruma felt extremely relieved.

After all, Ijichi Nikka is such a reassuring and reliable person, and Iruma Hibiki is looking forward to seeing Ijichi Nikka at school tomorrow.

Iruma Hibiki couldn't help but feel a little fond of going to school.

Obviously, earlier on, he was a cocky guy who could say something like, "School is hell for time travelers, especially a school without a heroine."

But now, he actually feels at ease attending classes in the classroom. Speaking of which—

It’s great that Xiagao is a three-year school.

That is, a high school that does not have a class division system.

Iruma Hibiki thought so.

[It's late now, will chatting disturb your rest? ]

【Won't. 】

【What does Hibiki want to talk about? 】

As if realizing that his response was a bit brief and cold, which would make people lose interest, Ye Mu added another sentence.

[As I said before, um… let me think about where to start. Let’s start with the band. What do you think of Crychic right now?]

Is Mu enjoying himself in the band? I'm a little worried because Mu doesn't talk much.

Wakaba Mutsu didn't reply immediately, and it was getting late. Just when Iruma was wondering if Wakaba Mutsu had fallen asleep, the other party's reply came:

【Did Xiang let Xiang ask this? 】

When he saw this reply, Hibiki Iruma was slightly shaken.

indeed--

This was the task assigned to him by Toyokawa Shoko, but there were also some parts of this topic that he wanted to ask about.

I also care about Mu's feelings, so it wasn't just Xiangzi who asked me to ask.

【Then I can’t tell Xiang.】

-

Looking at the message on the phone, Iruma Hibiki actually felt like laughing a little.

Obviously, he should be worried or dissatisfied with Ye Mu's concealment at this moment, and this kind of conversation of "I can't tell you" is infuriating no matter how you look at it!

However, Hibiki Iruma couldn't be angry with Wakaba Mutsu. Instead, he felt that she was a little cute and a little difficult to deal with.

【How can you tell me then? 】

Hibiki Iruma asked.

【Keep it secret from Xiang Xiang.】

Wakaba Mutsu's answer was simple and somewhat natural. In fact, Iruma Hibiki had just realized the reason why Wakaba Mutsu didn't want to tell him.

He was silent for a moment, then decisively agreed to Ruoye Mu.

【Well, I will keep it a secret from Xiangzi.】

He promised Wakaba Mu.

I'm very happy. I'm very happy about forming Crychic.

In fact, Wakaba Mu's answer surprised Iruma Hibiki even more.

He expected that Wakaba Mu's answer should be something like being dissatisfied with the current Crychic, because this would correspond to his desire to keep the matter a secret from Toyokawa Shoko.

But Wakaba Mu's answer was [happy].

Why should enjoying the band be something that needs to be kept secret?

Iruma Hibiki was a little confused.

I don't understand the reason, nor am I quite clear about the meaning. On the contrary, even if Ye Mu was dissatisfied with Crychic, it wouldn't be to the extent of keeping it secret from Toyokawa Shoko, right?

At least in Iruma Hibiki's opinion, Toyokawa Shoko is definitely not the kind of person who would resist other people's opinions, even though she always appears to be very assertive and self-centered.

So he continued to ask Yanzaki② Sanlongsi with some concern:

【Isn't it too much to force? 】

As he asked these questions, strange emotions began to surge in Iruma Hibiki's heart, making him slightly want to get to the bottom of the matter.

【No. 】

Wakaba Mu's answer was quick and concise.

But this made Iruma Hibiki even more confused. Why did Wakaba Mu say that?

[By the way, Mu, do you know why Xiangzi came late today? She hasn't replied to me yet, and I'm a little worried.]

After thinking for a while, Iruma Hibiki turned the topic to Toyokawa Shoko.

Because he suddenly felt that perhaps Toyokawa Shoko was the answer to this question.

I can’t say.

[Can't we say... Mu promised Xiangzi to keep it a secret? ]

【Well, Xiang won’t let me talk to Xiang.】

……

The frank and somewhat scary words made Iruma Hibiki slightly stunned.

For a moment, he felt a little bitter and a very obvious sense of frustration.

But soon he felt that the current situation might be taken for granted.

After all, maybe that's what lovers are like. It's normal to have some reservations and distance. They are just lovers, not family members who are so close that they know everything about each other.

Lover's words——

Keeping distance and having your own secrets may be natural.

This is indeed how it was described in the literary works and TV dramas that Hibiki Iruma had read.

The kind of love that is unconditional and promises to be together for life from the beginning is often the love in movies and TV shows, and is often created by virgins. It is a beautiful delusion for people who have never experienced it.

But delusion is delusion.

Those who take delusions for granted should be prepared to cry alone on the street on their 30th birthday and then awaken their fire magic.

Even though he thought so, Iruma Hibiki's depression was real. He was indeed a virgin, and although he was cautious and overwhelmed about the concept of love, it was absolutely impossible for him to say that he had no expectations at all.

as well as--

What was this thing that Toyokawa Shoko was hiding from him...

The moment when Toyokawa Shoko pulled his wrist appeared in Iruma Hibiki's mind.

They seemed to have done this many times.

When he was struggling with the matter of Nagasaki Suyo, when he was in pain, when he was writing a book alone, when he was lonely and hesitant, it was Shoko Toyokawa who took his wrist and pulled him out.

Hibiki Iruma subconsciously touched the back of his head.