Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

【how come……】

[I'm still going to Ring today. Anyone want to come with me?]

It was at this time that Tatsuki Shiina suddenly appeared in the group and made his own decision.

There was a hint of stiffness in her tone at this moment.

Of course, it is natural for Shiina Riki to hope so, because——

If she went home now, she would run into Shiina Maki, the person she absolutely didn't want to meet, so instead of going home, she would rather stay in Ring's rehearsal room for the whole afternoon.

and--

If Toyokawa Shoko wasn't here today, she'd probably be able to spend time with Iruma Hibiki and Takamatsu Touma? Maybe they'd have more chances to talk, too?

This is undoubtedly a happy thing.

【Hibiki, will you come? 】

Takamatsu Deng did not respond, but instead asked Iruma Hibiki first.

After a moment of silence, Hibiki Iruma announced his decision:

【Yes, I will come.】

【Will Mu come? 】

It was at this time that Hibiki Iruma went to find Mutsumu Wakaba to confirm. After all, in his opinion, if Shoko Toyokawa could not come, Mutsumu Wakaba should also be affected?

I'll come.

The result was beyond his expectation. Ruoye Mu gave a positive answer.

【Xiangzi's affairs have nothing to do with me.】

Then she added another sentence to Iruma Hibiki.

64 Iruma Hibiki trusts Shiina Riki

The heat and air conditioning were turned on in the Ring, so that everyone who came here in the drizzle breathed a sigh of relief. The sudden change in the weather was a bit sudden, and many people were not yet prepared for autumn before they welcomed the cold season.

In the cafe in front of the Ring, Iruma Hibiki saw Shiina Tatsuki and Takamatsu Touma sitting there, who seemed to have been waiting for a while. Nagasaki Motoyo and Wakaba Mutsu had not arrived yet. It seemed that they left a little late?

With some messy thoughts, Iruma Hibiki put his umbrella into the umbrella bucket at the door, and then walked towards Shiina Riki.

"ring."

Takamatsu Deng was the first to see Iruma Hibiki. When she noticed Iruma Hibiki coming, her eyes lit up in an instant.

"Good afternoon, Shiina and Tomo."

"Well, good afternoon."

Shiina Riki moved slightly to the side, probably because Iruma Hibiki was indeed walking towards his side. Then, as expected, Iruma Hibiki subconsciously sat next to Shiina Riki.

Takamatsu Deng didn't care about such a small matter. Instead, Shiina Riki smiled slightly. Of course, such a smile disappeared in a flash, and she quickly pretended to be serious and earnest.

"Iruma, do you know what happened to Toyokawa-san?"

Frowning, Shiina Riki took a sip of her mocha coffee and asked. In front of her, Takamatsu Deng ordered a hot milk drink that was super unpopular here.

Although it was on the menu, based on Hibiki Iruma's experience working part-time here, it was the first time he saw someone order such a drink, and he felt a little surprised.

"I don't know. Actually, I'm a little worried..."

Iruma Hibiki answered Shiina Riki truthfully, but he also noticed that when he said this, Takamatsu Deng showed a look of loss in an instant, lowered his head and frowned.

Takamatsu Deng is a girl who often feels down and out. In their short time together, Iruma Hibiki also realized this, so he always takes better care of her in interpersonal interactions, just like now——

"But Xiangzi, it's definitely okay. He's probably just busy these past few days. Besides, it's very Xiangzi-like of him to not say he can't come until right before rehearsal."

Iruma Hibiki smiled helplessly, put away his complicated and sensitive thoughts, and began to adjust the atmosphere in the band on behalf of the former Toyokawa Shoko.

"Xiangzi..."

Gao Songdeng silently recited Toyokawa Shoko's name.

"look--"

And Iruma Hibiki continued speaking.

"Hasn't Xiangzi always suddenly done some strange things before, and acted at full speed in some strange places? This time must be the same. She was looking forward to rehearsing with everyone so much that she realized at the last minute, ah, she can't come."

"Before this, Xiangzi must have tried his best."

Even though there was no basis for his claim, such words still sounded like white lies.

However, for Hibiki Iruma, he felt that Toyokawa Shoko was just like that. After all, she was just that kind of girl, and that was why she made him——

Some are obsessed.

"But this is too irresponsible. Besides, Iruma, have you been helping her the whole time?"

There is something different in Shiina Riki's answer.

There was some evasion and helplessness in her eyes.

Of course there are some more -

envious.

No, it could even be said to be jealousy. Her emotions at the moment were certainly more than just envy, but something darker, as deep and terrifying as a deep sea trench.

Of course, deep down in his heart, Shiina Riki still feels a little bit taken for granted.

after all--

She was a self-aware person who thought that how could someone like her deserve happiness and recognition? Everything she pursued now was just in the shadow of her sister.

Of course.

That's how it should be.

She was such a bad character that she couldn't even be as honest as Hibiki Iruma, so—

Shiina Riki looked at the profile of Iruma Hibiki, and slightly recalled the many close contacts in the past. He felt a slight touch in his heart, but it also brought a throbbing pain as if there were already countless festering wounds there.

This made Shiina Riki shut up and raise his spikes again.

"Yes, yes, I'll talk to Xiangzi later, but before that, today's rehearsal is more important. How about you start today's rehearsal, Shiina?"

Iruma Hibiki looked at Shiina Riki with a hint of trust and dependence in his eyes.

In his opinion, now that Toyokawa Shoko is gone, Shiina Tatsuki is the only one left who can lead the band in rehearsals.

"Huh? I..."

After the fierce rebuttal, Shiina Riki's voice took on a strange tone.

Somewhat cute?

This was probably Iruma Hibiki's first reaction, and then he almost laughed out loud.

"Did the light feel the same way?"

Then Iruma Hibiki looked at Takamatsu Touma, who seemed to be a little more alert.

"Hmm... Shiina-san, very reliable..."

"and many more……"

Following Deng's pitiful little animal-like gaze, Shiina Riki subconsciously took two steps back, and the shock on his face turned into disbelief.

"Are you serious?"

Then she confirmed.

"Of course, Shiina, you left a deep impression on me as a teacher. You are definitely someone who is worthy of everyone's trust."

Iruma Hibiki responded decisively.

And Shiina Riki stared at Iruma Hibiki for a long time with a somewhat strange look on his face——

The so-called weirdness probably means that although he is smiling, there is a hint of surprise and fear on his face, and there is expectation in his eyes, but his body subconsciously avoids. The contradiction is full of it, but it is not strange to the point of being taken for granted.

It's like a gorilla's arms under the raincoat of a high school girl.

After such a contradiction, Shiina Riki nodded slightly.

"I know, I'll do it."

Then she quickly and obviously avoided Iruma Hibiki's sight.

"However, my requirements are very strict."

"It's ok!"

This time, it was Takamatsu Deng who responded to Shiina Tatsuki first.

"But Sushi and the others are really slow. Oh, Deng and Shiina, you know the aquarium in Rinkai Park that we went to before, it was closed when we went there last night. They said they recently introduced a new Dumbo octopus."

While waiting for Nagasaki Suyo and Wakaba Mutsu, Iruma Hibiki took the initiative to start the conversation.

Fortunately, Nagasaki Suyo was not late for long, and she even arrived quite early.

The one who arrived last was Wakaba Mu.

When she showed up, she actually scared everyone.

65 Nagasaki Suyo's Amazing Wisdom (Part )

"Xiao Mu? What's wrong? Why are you all wet?"

Nagasaki Suyo was the first to run to Wakaba Mutsu, followed by the three people on Iruma Hibiki's side.

"Shiina, are your work clothes still here?"

After thinking for a while, Iruma Hibiki stepped forward and began to deal with the current situation.

"I'm going to borrow a towel. Su Shi, take Xiao Mu to the rehearsal room first. It will be warmer there."

"Okay, okay... Hibiki, I'll leave this to you."

"I……"

Takamatsu Deng, who was standing by, seemed to be planning to do something, but after looking around and realizing that there was nothing she could do, she just looked at Wakaba Mutsu with worry.

"Mu..."

She whispered Mu's name softly.

"I'm fine."

Then she heard Wakaba Mu's response.

"When does rehearsal start?"

Wakaba Mutsu, who was being pulled by Nagasaki Motoyo, seemed completely unaware of her current predicament and continued to ask in her emotionless voice.

"At least wait until you dry yourself off, Xiao Mu."

Nagasaki Suyo said seriously, her eyes filled with a hint of concern and dissatisfaction.

"Xiao Mu, you should know that getting wet in this season is a bad thing, right?"

Like a strict mother, Nagasaki Suyo seriously reprimanded Wakaba Mutsu, and only then did Wakaba Mutsu lower his head and look at his slightly dripping Tsuki no Mori school uniform.

"Ah."

Then she hummed softly.

"Come on, Xiaomu, sit here. Deng, can you help me turn up the temperature of the air conditioner a little bit?"

"no problem."

After placing Wakaba Mutsuki on a plastic chair perfectly positioned near the air conditioner's hot air outlet, Nagasaki Motoyo put down her bass guitar and stopped in front of the obediently seated Wakaba Mutsuki and asked:

"How did Xiaomu get so wet? If I remember correctly, Xiaomu usually has a driver to pick him up from school, right?"

"If you come to rehearsal, you can't get a car to pick you up."

Ruo Yemu answered with her head down, her delicate little face still expressionless, no trace of embarrassment or sadness.

He was like the most sophisticated and perfect spy, giving people the feeling that he would not reveal the truth even if he was tortured.

"What about the umbrella? What about the raincoat?"