Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Iruma Hibiki agreed, without sounding too serious.

"Actually, at the beginning, I was worried about whether it would disturb the relationship between you, Hongxia, and Senior Liang."

"Eh? That wouldn't happen."

"Yes, but not if you give me money or treat me to croquettes from the corner."

"cold!"

Ijichi Hongxia glared at Yamada Ryo angrily.

Of course, this kind of glare is just the lemming's anger.

Although Ijichi Nikka is not weak, but can be said to be very strong, but her anger is always very endearing, probably because Ijichi Nikka herself is a gentle person.

"But speaking of-"

After Yamada Ryo's antics were over, of course—

Iruma Hibiki still bought Yamada Ryo her favorite croquettes.

"Hiragi sometimes gives people the impression that she's overly cautious. I think—it would be better if Hiiragi could at least open up a little when she's with us."

Ijichi Nikka said to Iruma Hibiki with a smile.

Her smile at this moment was so gentle and brilliant that it was a little scary. If I really had to describe it, it would probably be like the sunrise over Linhai Park that you could see on the most desperate night of your life.

Perhaps even a dead body could be revived to the point where it could speak its last words.

"Is it that obvious?"

Iruma Hibiki also laughed and said jokingly.

Of course it was a joke.

But responding with such words would be like confessing to Ijichi Kouka that "I actually have something on my mind."

"Yeah, it's obvious. Hibiki is surprisingly good at hiding things, just like Ryo."

Ijichi Hongxia turned around and walked backwards with her back to Iruma Hibiki and Yamada Ryo, as if she had completely entrusted her back and the wind spirit Iqi in front of her to Iruma Hibiki and the others.

"Hongxia, do you want to guess what I'm thinking now?"

Yamada Ryo probably felt a little dissatisfied with such words, so she developed a slight competitive spirit. Her tone made it difficult to tell whether it was a joke or serious, which made Iruma Hibiki laugh.

But for Hibiki Iruma, while he was looking at Ijichi Nikka, he felt relaxed and happy, but he also realized something was not so good.

In fact, recently, have his words made Ijichi Hongxia feel a little worried and uneasy?

60 If you like me, please never let me go

「That’s too unfair, Senior! ! ! 」

Kita's reply was slightly exaggerated, even with a hint of shouting.

It was at this time that Hibiki Iruma began to feel some reality about the topic "Kita likes you", but unfortunately, the person Kita likes might not actually be him at all.

Iruma Hibiki thought about it and finally decided to explain the matter of the alien composer to Kita when they met next time.

However, despite this decision, the conversation between the two actually continued.

“Speaking of which… It’s really strange, Iruma-senpai. I just can’t tune that guitar properly… As for me…”

[Would you like me to help you? 】

Iruma Hibiki took the initiative to speak.

【Eh? 】

Kita was a little surprised by this.

【I want to help Xiduo more. 】

Then, worried that Kita might misunderstand something, Iruma Hibiki repeated it again.

[Of course, the premise is that your hand is healed, Xiduo. Before that, you are not allowed to touch the piano.]

"Is that okay? Won't it bother you, Senior?!"

Kita sent a reply excitedly. It seemed that she was still admiring the "Alien Composer" at that moment.

Iruma Hibiki was somewhat unfamiliar with this kind of feeling and didn't know how to respond.

But he still knows very well what he should do now.

So he smiled slightly and responded:

"No, it's more like after knowing this, Kita, if you still stubbornly say you don't need help, then you're causing me trouble."

【But, forget it. 】

【Thank you very much for taking care of me! 】

When he saw Kita's reply, Iruma Hibiki showed a serious and troubled look. He stared at the screen, waiting for Kita's follow-up message.

【What do seniors think of me? 】

Later, Hibiki Iruma saw Kita's letter.

What kind of person is Kita?

Iruma Hibiki actually took some time to think about it. In fact, he didn't have a deep understanding of Kita, only some inherent impressions.

In fact, we didn't meet very often. It was probably the first time we met at Xiu Gao, and then we met when he was training with the band during the summer vacation.

The rest is just occasional online chatting and greetings.

Even during the previous summer vacation, Iruma Hibiki was a little overwhelmed about chatting with Kita, because Kita's topics were always topics that he didn't know how to respond to.

After all, he really doesn't know much about real life.

The few things he could talk about with Kita were topics that Chihaya Aine and Nagasaki Motoyo had discussed with him before.

This was roughly the relationship between the two in the past.

So if I really want to talk about my impression...

【Current life, enviable guy. 】

【Eh? 】

Obviously, such a response was unexpected to Kita.

"Kita? Do you want to go home together?"

"Oh, sorry, forget it today. I have something important to do."

"Hey - Kita has so many friends. Okay, okay, I'll see you tomorrow, Kita."

The group of students who stayed a little later in the class also left in twos and threes, leaving only Kita looking at the screen in front of him with a little surprise. Of course, after the surprise, all that was left on Kita's face was probably a normal smile.

【I'm not a real person! 】

Then she responded decisively to Iruma Hibiki.

【That’s not true at all! 】

[Iruma-senpai is an idiot! ]

【what? 】

Facing Iruma Hibiki's somewhat surprised response, Kita smiled with a look that said, "Big victory Kita!"

The idiot just now was not sincere, but Kita was just in a playful mood and acted a little foolishly.

"As for me, I actually don't find things like shopping and hanging out with everyone fun at all. That's why I fell in love with the rock music of my seniors!"

【A joke?】

【I won’t lie to you, senior! 】

Looking at Kita's response, Iruma Hibiki actually pondered for a moment.

[Well, I understand. 】

【Don’t you think it’s strange? 】

Kita asked Iruma Hibiki a question with some trepidation. She actually felt a little nervous about this.

"It's not surprising. Actually, I don't know you that well, Kita. It's normal for me to make some mistakes when I make my own definitions. Sorry, I treated you like a real person before. Actually, Kita is one of my kind. I'm relieved now."

In response to Iruma Hibiki's somewhat funny response, Kita also chuckled.

Some of the worry in her heart actually disappeared.

"As for me, actually... I feel like I might not have the dignity to continue in the band... Being able to say goodbye to everyone properly and remain friends is probably what I want most right now."

[Let’s say…]

「Even being forgiven by you, Senior, is a bit...」

Iruma Hibiki looked at Kita's message and sighed slightly. A thought suddenly came to his mind: "As expected."

"Today too, when I saw Goto-san, I instinctively avoided her. So, as expected, I..."

[Kita, how about going to listen to Nijika and the others before making a decision?]

「Eh? Ijichi-san and the others’ voices……」

Iruma Hibiki was silent for a while, taking some time to think about what to say to give Kita courage and encouragement at this moment.

Of course, he definitely didn't want to force Kita to do something that wouldn't make him happy.

But no matter what, Iruma Hibiki didn't think that Kita had no attachment to the band.

So at this time, it’s time for him to say something as a senior, right?

Then he quickly began typing on the screen:

[Kita, starting a band out of vanity is definitely not a mistake. Rather, everyone starts playing music out of admiration for someone or envy of the glittering stars on stage. Ultimately, that's how musicians are, and I'm no different.]

"I actually think it's the opposite. It's because you, Kita, have this desire to perform that you chose to join the band, right? It's true that cheating and running away from a performance is wrong and needs to be corrected, but if you decide not to play music because of this, wouldn't you feel resentful? Wouldn't it be a pity? At least if it were me—"

Iruma Hibiki paused.

"I'm afraid you won't give up music under any circumstances. If that's the case, then after you confess, let's hear what Niji and the others think. Niji and the others must be looking forward to seeing you again, Kita, and hearing you say you're willing to come back, so—"

If you still have hope for rock and the band, then don't let go, for the rest of your life. Otherwise, you will regret it and feel bad...

When he finished speaking, Iruma Hibiki had already lowered his head.

He was clearly trying to comfort others, but he incompetently brought his own emotions into it.

but--

At this moment, only one thing is real.

Iruma Hibiki doesn't want Kita to have any regrets.

61 Toyokawa Shoko’s Antinomy

The lyrics of "Haruhi no Kage" were placed in front of Hibiki Iruma.

It will take some time for Shoko Toyokawa to compose and arrange the music, but she has roughly given a completion date - tonight.

So while Hibiki Iruma was dealing with Kita's affairs, the Crychic group was already bustling with activity.

even--

Nagasaki Suyo, who had been silent for a few days, also sent a message to Iruma Hibiki.

【What is Xiang doing? 】

……

【Comforting the younger generation who are giving me headaches. 】

Hibiki Iruma spoke to Nagasaki Suyo word by word. Did they reconcile? Could they continue to be friends?

He thought so subtly and waited for a while with a bit of complicated emotions.

a尔凌霸五另IX氵稀氿長崎素世 is really easy to understand in some aspects. For example, she was chatting intensively in the group just now and disappeared in the blink of an eye, which made Shiina Riki, who was happily chatting about arrangement with her, a little exasperated.

[A troublesome junior? Is this the person I met at the part-time job I mentioned earlier?]

[No, it's Kita, the new guitarist who ended the band.]

"Ijichi-san found someone new, but didn't she run away before? That's why Hibiki and Chihaya-san..."