Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

In the end, Nagasaki Motoyo only gave an ambiguous answer. She was probably satisfied with "Kasuga Shadow", but deep down in her heart, she actually had an idea that would make her most satisfied.

"When I come back, let's all work hard on practicing 'Spring Shadow'. Xiangzi should be free by then, so we can discuss it with Xiangzi and the others and arrange more rehearsals. After all, the performance is almost here, right?"

Hibiki Iruma said something to reassure Nagasaki Suyo.

"recent--"

Then he hesitated.

At this moment, he was confirming whether his next promise could be fulfilled and whether it would satisfy everyone.

"Even though I won't be in Tokyo next week, if Xiangzi is still busy, I'll be in charge of contacting everyone and arranging practice sessions. If we have time, we can video chat during practice. What do you think? Lately, I've suddenly felt that video calls are a very good feature."

"ring……"

Nagasaki Suyo raised her head and looked at Iruma Hibiki.

"Have you bought your ticket?"

Then Iruma Hibiki didn't give Nagasaki Suyo a chance to say anything else.

"Yeah, it's tonight."

"You need to explain it to your family, teachers, and classmates. Don't worry about me."

"Ah."

"besides--"

Iruma Hibiki paused.

"Sushi, everyone thinks you are an indispensable member of the band. Not only me but also Xiangzi are seriously considering the concept of a community of shared destiny that you mentioned."

"Tomo, Shiina, and Mu must have had the same idea."

"Well...of course Shiina's side might be more complicated."

Iruma Hibiki must have a relaxed and comfortable smile on his face at this moment.

Although the current scene and atmosphere are somewhat like a couple who have broken up and are relieved to reunite after many years.

But Iruma Hibiki felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

He always felt that he might really be able to face the current Nagasaki Suyo and take on the responsibilities that Toyokawa Shoko once took on in this band.

"But, Sushi, I promise you, I will do my utmost to protect Crychic and keep it running smoothly for the rest of my life."

Iruma Hibiki made a promise to Nagasaki Suyo.

It's comforting.

It is also his promise to himself.

"ring……"

Nagasaki Suyo was probably happy, and she should naturally feel happy.

After all, at this moment, she suddenly realized that just as she knew Hibiki Iruma's secret, Hibiki Iruma also understood what she desired.

It's really hard for two people to be in tune with each other.

It wasn't completed until this moment.

but--

For some reason, Nagasaki Suyo always felt like she was about to cry.

"However, Xiangzi's situation is really worrying. Mu didn't tell me, so I need to work harder."

Then——

Iruma Hibiki's complaint, which sounded like a joke, was heard by Nagasaki Motoyo.

"Mu is hiding something from Xiang?"

Nagasaki Suyo asked with some concern.

"Well, regarding Xiangzi's family affairs, I don't intend to force Xiaomu on this matter, because Xiaomu, um... she's probably the type who gets bullied easily. If I ask, I'll definitely get the answer, but it wouldn't be good if it hurts Mu."

Iruma Hibiki said.

Just like before, he confided his deepest worries to Nagasaki Motoyo.

Until he raised his head and saw Nagasaki Motoyo's serious eyes, his heart skipped a beat.

"Su Shi, it would be better if you don't force Xiao Mu on this matter."

Iruma Hibiki quickly tried to make up for what he had said before.

He remembered something that happened not long ago——

Regarding the position of the guitar, wasn't Nagasaki Suyo...

"Well, don't worry, Xiang. How could I embarrass Xiao Mu? You worry too much."

Nagasaki Suyo laughed.

The voice also regained some of its previous sweetness.

Everything seems to be back to normal.

Only Iruma Hibiki was left, feeling somewhat regretful for her honesty, and worried in her heart that Nagasaki Suyo would do something out of the ordinary.

Because no matter what, it was he who betrayed Wakaba Mutsu.

after all--

Wakaba Mu's "Xiang doesn't let me tell Xiang" can be considered as a response to him to some extent.

Until he realized that Nagasaki Suyo might force Wakaba Mutsu, Iruma Hibiki did not realize the terrible consequences this incident would have.

"Are you worried about me?"

"No."

It seemed that Iruma Hibiki's questioning lasted too long, and Nagasaki Suyo also felt a little dissatisfied.

"I swear to Xiang, I will never embarrass Xiaomu."

Then, in front of Iruma Hibiki, Nagasaki Suyo raised her hands, smiled and made a vow.

"Ah."

At this moment, Iruma Hibiki could only nod and quicken his pace.

This would help to alleviate the guilt he felt for subconsciously betraying Wakaba Mu.

18 Wakaba Mutsu is in a dilemma

"Xiao Mu."

When Wakaba Mutsu saw Nagasaki Suyo again in the Moon Forest, she was shocked, and even at the beginning, she subconsciously wanted to run away.

However, what she failed to keep from Xiangzi was the secret of Iruma Hibiki.

But no matter how you look at it, Nagasaki Motoyo might be the first victim?

Of course, using the term victim here is a bit too much.

After all, no matter what, Nagasaki Suyo can't be said to be a girl whose love is disturbed. Xiangzi is his girlfriend, and although Nagasaki Suyo is also his, there is a "before" in front of her. Even if there are lingering ties, or it is the choice of adults to have everything, Nagasaki Suyo is the comer after all.

Love is not a first-come-first-served system. People who yell, "It was obviously me who came first" are usually losers.

It would be more accurate and true to say that Toyokawa Shoko's love was disturbed—

But, of course, that's not the case.

In any case, Nagasaki Suyo has reasons to blame Wakaba Mutsu at this moment, which is also the root cause of Wakaba Mutsu's desire to escape.

However, how could Nagasaki Suyo let Wakaba Mutsu go at this moment?

She quickly stopped Ruoye Mu who wanted to leave with a blank expression.

As for the previous oath—

Although she had promised Ruma Xiang that she would not make things difficult for Ruoye Mu, if Ruoye Mu said it on his own initiative, then it would not be considered a difficult situation, right?

It is the instinct of a girl who is overwhelmed with love and at the center of competition to add subtle parts to her oath that are beneficial to herself.

And Nagasaki Suyo might be a little better at this.

Of course--

In fact, Wakaba Mutsu and Nagasaki Suyo have different mindsets at this moment.

What Nagasaki Suyo wanted to know was about Xiangzi.

However, Wakaba Mutsuki thought that Nagasaki Suyo might want to cause trouble for her because of informing on her.

The clever misunderstanding, coupled with Wakaba Mu's evasive attitude, made Nagasaki Suyo even more concerned about Toyokawa Shoko's affairs.

In fact, because of this concern, the fatigue brought by the whole night bus last night was dissipated a lot.

[Does Su Shi want to fly back? ]

In fact, Iruma Hibiki suggested this last night, but in the end, Nagasaki Suyo chose the bus.

Because flying is too troublesome, you have to go to the airport and wait, and when the plane finally arrives in Narita, there is still a long distance to go home. Nagasaki Suyo is not good at this, so she naturally chose the night bus with which she already had some experience, and it is more reasonable to spend more time.

So Nagasaki Suyo was a little listless today and should have taken an extra day off as a matter of course.

But for Nagasaki Suyo, she couldn't wait to see Wakaba Mu at this moment——

"Su Shi..."

"Was Xiaomu hiding from me just now?"

Nagasaki Suyo smiled sweetly, and her hands moved with exceptional gentleness. She came in front of Wakaba Mutsu and, as usual, revealed her exceptionally gentle side.

Wakaba Mutsu didn't answer Nagasaki Suyo's question, but just turned his head to the side, looking like he didn't know what to say.

In the face of such a situation, Nagasaki Suyo Wakaba was actually not worried.

"Xiao Mu, did you receive any contact from Xiang today?"

but--

What made Wakaba Mu worried did not happen at this moment. Instead, Nagasaki Suyo started talking about another topic, which made Wakaba Mu's original plan become empty. For a moment, she even let down her guard slightly and nodded gently.

"Higashi is having a hard time in Kyoto, taking care of sick family members and so on..."

"But even so, Xiang didn't give up on Crychic and everyone else. He even said that he would discuss band matters with everyone on Xiangzi's behalf in the near future."

Wakaba Mu actually knew about this.

It’s better to say that early this morning, Hibiki Iruma was active in the Crychic group.

As Shiina Riki kept asking, "Are you okay?", Iruma Hibiki arranged the subsequent practice for everyone in Crychic, and Toyokawa Shoko's response was—

Nagasaki Suyo did not see Toyokawa Shoko appear in the group.

But perhaps, the fact that Hibiki Iruma stepped forward and continued the band's practice was probably also due to the consent or approval of Shoko Toyokawa.

【No one will go beyond Toyokawa Shoko's decision to form a band.】

I don't know when this started, but it became a rule in Crychic, and everyone followed it subconsciously.

And at this moment, Hibiki Iruma is like Shoko Toyokawa's free time when she is not in the mood to manage the band. She stands up and acts as a spokesperson, temporarily leading everyone forward.

Reassuring.

After all, the uneasiness caused by what happened before has been alleviated.

"ring."

Wakaba Mu silently recited Iruma Hibiki's name.

Then the expression on his face changed slightly. Facing Nagasaki Suyo, Wakaba Mutsu didn't dare to look directly into her eyes.

"I can't replace Xiangzi."

Then she spoke softly.

"Eh?"

Such a response even caught Nagasaki Suyo off guard.