Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

[Xiang, can you talk to me? Even for a little while! I'll be waiting!]

On Iruma's ringing phone, after the black screen indicating the end of the call, there was Shoko Toyokawa's urging.

Ending

After working so hard until now, finally, the third volume has come to an end. To be honest, when I first designed this volume, my plan was to design it as the starting point of the story. (Actually, when I think about it carefully, this idea is a bit strange. Which book has a story that starts at around 40 words? It's so strange!

But that's it. For Iruma Hibiki, this volume is his real starting point, the starting point where he needs to shoulder everything and face everything. At the same time, he can finally retract the many foreshadowings buried in the previous parts. This incident really makes me feel like I have finally succeeded after all my efforts, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment.

The next volume will be the one with the protagonist's family and background as the main story core. At the same time, Crychic will usher in a winter without Toyokawa Shoko, or it can be said that it is the destined road to mygo.

The shaky relationship between the lovers and Nagasaki Suyo, who finally realizes clearly what she wants to do, will become the core conflict of the volume.

Just thinking about it makes me wish I could stay in good condition every day and write down all the stories I have in mind.

But such a thing is indeed impossible, tears (

In fact, I was in a very bad writing state from the middle of the third volume until near the end. For a writer like me who relies a lot on the state, this is simply hell. I hope that the good state now can continue until the story is completely finished.

I've said a little too much.

Anyway, let me once again thank everyone who has been with me so far! No matter how hard, arduous, or painful the update is, I will try my best to keep going and keep writing this story as my ultimate goal!

I wonder what everyone thinks of this volume's story? If you have any opinions or dislikes, please let me know and I'll do my best to adjust them!

See you in the next volume!

Volumes: Four Volumes of the Quartet

Preface 6: Bell Er, Three Deaths, Eight?

Most people have no memories before the age of 3.

However, the reason for this incident can probably only be understood by people who have memories before the age of 3. For example, the time traveler Iruma Hibiki, until now, the period of infancy he spent in the hospital is still a nightmare to some extent.

His infancy was dull and monotonous. He was forced to spend almost every day lying in his small crib. Even if he wanted to move around, his frail body did not allow him to do anything complicated.

Later, because he showed premature behavior that was not normal for a baby, he was treated and taken care of as a special case.

For example, at that time, Hibiki Iruma was extremely resistant to drinking milk directly, and she learned to walk and talk early and stopped crying.

then--

To some extent, the hospital is a gathering place for nightmares for Hibiki Iruma.

In short, anyone who likes the first few years after traveling through time is absolutely a complete psychopath.

Narita Airport is magnificent. In the huge waiting hall, Hibiki Iruma and his father are waiting for the flight in 30 minutes. The previous farewell was a bit abrupt, so Hibiki Iruma didn't have time to explain it to others.

"Take a leave from school. Do you need my help?"

His father's voice echoed in Hibiki Iruma's ears.

Facing such a conversation, Hibiki Iruma's attitude was—

I felt a little irritated, as if my life had been completely disrupted and turned into a mess.

"How many days will we be in Kyoto?"

Then he asked.

Obviously, it was inappropriate to ask such a question at this moment, and Iruma Hibiki quickly realized this himself.

"At least two weeks, at most maybe a whole month. Of course, if you think it's appropriate, you can go back to Tokyo in a couple of days. I'll give you the key to my house."

Next to Hibiki Iruma, his father said this.

However, such words had no intention of torturing Xiang at the moment. The helplessness and sadness in them made him unable to ignore them.

"I understand, but half a month is a bit long, Father. Regarding my studies..."

"There must be a private school in Kyoto."

……

Iruma Hibiki fell silent.

Indeed, there are many people who did not go to school but relied on tutoring in private schools outside the school to finally get into university. To a certain extent, if you are admitted to a not-so-good high school, then the private school outside the school is the fastest way to university.

In a place like Kyoto, there must be some very reliable Tokyo University sprint classes or Kyoto University sprint classes, right?

"But Hibiki, I'm going to leave the choice of this matter to you. You're more independent than we thought, so just make your own decision."

"Father……"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb your high school life that you were so looking forward to. I remember you were looking forward to going to Kitazawa when you were little. Have you enjoyed it? During this period?"

Faced with his father's question, Iruma Hibiki remained silent for a long time.

"Ah."

Then he hummed softly.

"You seem to have become a lover with the daughter of the Nagasaki family? And then you hooked up with the Toyokawa family?"

"..."

Iruma Hibiki opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

But not surprising.

It is natural for my father to know about my affairs.

Rather, apart from the strange thing of time travel, Iruma Hibiki didn't think he could keep any secrets from his family.

"Band activities and writing are also included. When I was younger, I never imagined that you would go in this direction."

My father's voice continued.

But for Hibiki Iruma, such sounds became like distant voices. Chats between father and son were rare for him. Instead, he chatted more with his mother in this life.

The reason is also very simple——

Every time his father would talk to him about some topic that he was not very good at, like now.

"Come to think of it, there have been some changes in the Toyokawa family recently."

Suddenly, Iruma Hibiki's father spoke as if he was talking to himself.

This topic made Iruma Hibiki raise his head and look at the man next to him.

His father, Yoshiaki Iruma, seemed to have aged considerably without Hibiki Iruma noticing.

"Didn't the Toyokawa family's daughter tell you?"

"No."

"That's it..."

Iruma Yoshiaki thought for a while, seeming to be a little conflicted.

"Are you going to find the answer yourself, or get it from me?"

Then, unlike any reliable adult, he gave the choice to Hibiki Iruma.

In fact, their father-son relationship seemed to have become like this unconsciously after experiencing Iruma Hibiki's turbulent childhood. Rather than father and son, they were more like rivals in a fierce battle in the business world. The equality between them in the conversation was a little scary, and there was a strong sense of distance.

This situation was a fatal blow to Hibiki Iruma.

He stopped where he was and began to think about it.

I want to know, but I'm also worried about offending someone in some way.

"Is it a very troublesome matter?"

"Yes."

Facing Iruma Hibiki's confirmation, Iruma Yoshiaki confirmed it again.

"Will it have a big impact on Xiangzi?"

"meeting."

"Do you have any idea?"

The boarding reminder sounded, and Yoshiaki Iruma stood up and walked towards the boarding gate with Hibiki Iruma.

"If it's about the Toyokawa family, then yes, but if it's about your girlfriend, then no."

In the end, Hibiki Iruma received such an ambiguous answer.

This topic also came to an abrupt end because of boarding the plane.

A little after 10 o'clock in the evening, they boarded a plane to Osaka.

"Doesn't that mean you haven't said anything?"

Hibiki Iruma quickly chased after Yoshiaki Iruma, who was walking quite fast, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.

"But didn't your lover tell you anything? If I took advantage of my position to tell you a secret she didn't want to share, you'd have to blame me for breaking up."

"No way! I'm not that kind of person!"

Yoshiaki Iruma's pace became faster and faster, and Hibiki Iruma also began to jog slightly, and gradually he even lost the desire to continue chatting.

"Hibiki, matters of a large family are not that simple, especially matters of the Toyokawa family. Do you like the Toyokawa family's daughter or the Toyokawa family?"

"Of course it's Xiangzi."

Iruma Hibiki responded quickly, and the two of them left behind the sound of dense footsteps in the aisle heading to the boarding gate.

"Speaking of which, where's Mother? Why isn't she with us?"

"She had already left earlier by Shinkansen, saying she was worried the flight would be delayed too long and wanted to prepare for both scenarios."

"Why don't you just call a private jet?"

Iruma Hibiki made a subtle complaint.

"You little brat, don't take the adult world for granted. Just because you have that ability doesn't mean you can use it casually."

Iruma Yoshiaki sighed.

Soon afterwards, the two arrived at the boarding gate.

01 Rainy Day, Maybach and Nagasaki Suyo

Before the plane took off, Iruma Hibiki turned on his cell phone. He didn't know how to tell other people. With a little confusion and entanglement, the first contact he chose was Kita.

He also didn't know why the first person he chose to contact was Kita, not Ijichi Nijika or Toyokawa Shoko.

Maybe it’s because Kita is farther away from him, so some things are easier for him to say?

With such thoughts in mind, Iruma Hibiki told Kita about the situation, and then the second person he chose to contact was Goto Ichiri.

Compared to Kita, Goto Ichiri's replies were much faster and more punctual.

She replied almost halfway through Iruma Hibiki's message.

【Going to Kyoto for half a month?! 】

[Ah… Bon voyage… Get well soon…]

After being surprised, Goto Ichiri said some words of blessing that he was not used to, and then fell into silence.

【ring.】

It wasn't until a few minutes later that she continued to send messages.

For Goto Ichiri, who is sitting in her closet at home staring at her computer screen at this moment, perhaps she can empathize with Iruma Hibiki to some extent.

Or rather——

Just as Hibiki Iruma knows Goto Ichiri well, Goto Ichiri also knows Hibiki Iruma to a terrifying degree. She even found out by chance that Hibiki Iruma's favorite puddings are blue and gray.

After all, if you can't focus your attention on one person for three years, you are a fool among fools, a fool among fools.

"As for me, I'm usually free all the time. I can't understand the class without Hibiki, so... if you feel lonely in Kyoto, you can come to me if I'm available. I'll chat with Hibiki. It might not be helpful and will only make Hibiki feel uncomfortable, but... if Hibiki is alone, it's okay to come to me."

After speaking for a long time, Goto Ichiri curled up his body and felt a little scared.

[If it is like this. (9) What should I do if Wu Ba Ling Si Qiu stays in Kyoto and doesn’t come back?]

Such worries arose in Goto Ichiri's heart.

A few minutes later, Hibiki Iruma sent a simple response: