Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

So in fact, although Shiina Riki is one of Kaname Rakuna's owners, she cannot empathize with Kaname Rakuna in front of her like Iruma Hibiki can.

The compatibility between Hibiki Iruma and Rakuna Kaname is terrifying.

Shiina Riki knew this very well.

To give a simple example, Hibiki Iruma can always predict Kaname Rakuna's behavior by looking at her movements.

Sometimes, even when Lenai wants to sleep, he can accurately hand her the blanket prepared backstage.

Such a terrifying observation ability made Shiina Riki a little puzzled. Later, Iruma Hibiki actually taught her some knowledge in this area, but Shiina Riki didn't know whether she was insensitive or what.

Just like now——

Only then did Shiina Riki see a hint of seriousness in Kaname Rakuna's eyes.

Kaname's eyes are very interesting.

When emotions fluctuate greatly, pupils will become vertical, just like now.

"Lixi took Xiang away without calling me."

Yao Lenai suddenly said again.

"Oh, sorry, Wildcat..."

Shiina Riki didn't know what to say and apologized.

"Matcha Buffy."

"I'll treat you to dinner later."

"Forgive you."

But fortunately, it is always easy to appease Lenai.

Just a simple matcha parfait will do the trick for her.

but--

On the way to the rehearsal room, Shiina Riki looked at Kaname Rakuna beside him.

[Has Wildcat always wanted to team up with me and Iruma?]

"That's right, it's not surprising. Otherwise, I can't explain why she keeps pestering Iruma."

It was not until this moment that Shiina Riki realized the current situation and Kaname Rakuna's feelings towards Iruma Hibiki.

Some subtle emotions began to overflow.

Standing in the rehearsal room were several other members of Crychic.

Nagasaki Suyo's face was full of gloom today, and she didn't give Shiina Riki a good look almost from the moment she entered the door.

Shiina Riki wanted to say something.

But it was obvious that at this moment, Takamatsu Deng and Wakaba Mutsu were standing next to Nagasaki Suyo.

"Let's start practicing."

After Shiina Riki said this.

Crychic's rehearsals have begun.

The level of Kaname Rakuna and Hachiman Kairin is terrifying.

Especially Lenai.

Although I have seen many of her improvisations on Ring's stage a long time ago.

But when Kaname Rakuna actually played Kasuga Kage, Shiina Riki still felt a little shocked.

She had a great time.

A smile appeared midway through the performance.

It was the kind of smile that was calm and completely immersed.

Snapped--

At this moment, the distracted Shiina Riki hit the metal edge of the drum.

Yes, Lenai can play as if it were a habit, and then completely integrate his emotions and thoughts into the music.

But Shiina Riki couldn't do it.

The dull sound echoed in the rehearsal room.

The mistake at this moment was noticed by almost everyone.

Then came the second, the third—

Until the bass of the equally absent-minded Nagasaki Suyo became disordered.

Takamatsu Deng's voice suddenly broke, and then he forgot the lyrics because of nervousness, and only hoarseness remained in his throat.

The rehearsal room fell into a silent atmosphere.

"Let's do it again."

Hachiman Kairei suddenly said while looking at Shiina Riki beside her.

The panting Shiina Riki clenched his teeth, then without saying anything, gave the start signal again.

And Crychic's rehearsal was even worse the second time around.

The hurried Takamatsu Deng even made a serious mistake at the beginning.

It was clearly "Spring Shadow" that she wrote.

But at this moment, I can't sing it at all.

The moment Takamatsu Deng turned his head.

Everyone was stunned.

Because they saw tears on Gao Songdeng's face.

27 Iruma Hibiki prepares to return to Tokyo

"Sushi, what are you doing?"

When Shiina Riki walked over to check on Takamatsu Touma, he saw Nagasaki Motoyo with her head down, packing up her bass.

"I'm leaving." (II) The Eight Banners of the Thousand-footed Dragon

Nagasaki Suyo said this while tilting her head coldly and staring at Shiina Riki.

"..."

Although earlier today, Iruma Hibiki had told her about Shiina Riki and also said:

[Sorry, Sushi, how about just treating today as pure practice? ]

but--

For Nagasaki Suyo, she could no longer tolerate such a band.

Moreover, her opinion of Shiina Riki has reached its peak.

After all, the only reason she appeared here today was because of Hibiki Iruma. If it weren't for Hibiki Iruma, Nagasaki Soyo would probably have missed the band's performance.

She hated the two extra people.

It would be better to disappear now.

It doesn't matter if you die.

Nagasaki Suyo glanced at Kaname Rakuna and Hachiman Kailing on the other side.

She never concealed her ill intentions.

Iruma Hibiki's position is irreplaceable. Nagasaki Suyo is absolutely sure of this at this moment. As for Toyokawa Shoko——

If she wasn't around, Nagasaki Suyo would probably be sad, but if Iruma Hibiki was around, it wouldn't matter if Toyokawa Shoko wasn't around.

For her at this moment, she was facing the matter of Toyokawa Shoko in such a contradictory way.

"Huh? What are you talking about? Practice has just begun."

"Has it just started? I thought it was over. Didn't Shiina-san see it? Deng is crying. Don't force Deng anymore. What about Xiaomu? Did you enjoy today's practice?"

Nagasaki Suyo turned the topic to Wakaba Mutsu, then snatched Takamatsu Touma from Shiina Riki's hand and gently hugged Takamatsu Touma.

"Deng, don't cry. I'm sorry, we forced you today. How about I go to the observatory and the aquarium with you later?"

Nagasaki Suyo gently touched Takamatsu Deng's hair.

"But rehearsals..."

Takamatsu Deng actually wanted to run away. She wiped her tears and looked at Shiina Riki on the other side.

Yes, facing Takamatsu Touma's tears, Shiina Riki was not unmoved.

Her heart was already in a mess.

"Let's forget about today's rehearsal."

After hearing what Nagasaki Suyo said, Shiina Riki finally looked at Wakaba Mutsu who was standing beside him.

At this moment, it seems that the only person with the final decision-making power is Ruoye Mu.

Ruoye Mu opened his mouth.

"Lixi, it's better to end it."

Then, quietly, she made her decision.

"Shiina, Wildcat and I are going out for a while. Call me if you need anything later."

Hachiman Kailing probably realized that something was wrong, so she took the initiative to leave the rehearsal room.

-

"Xiang, you could have come."

Then, Wakaba Mu spoke softly.

"Eh?"

At this moment, Nagasaki Suyo showed a hint of surprise.

Yes, if Shoko Toyokawa was there, even though Hibiki Iruma was missing, Crychic's rehearsals would definitely not have fallen into the current predicament.

"Xiao Mu, what does it mean that Xiang could come?"

"Xiang's plans for tonight were cancelled, but because someone came, Xiang got angry."

"so what?"

"So what if Toyokawa-san is angry?"

"Lixi, wait..."

Seeing Shiina Tateki getting angry at Wakaba Mutsu, Nagasaki Suyo immediately stepped forward to dissuade him.

"Sometimes she says yes, sometimes she doesn't. What does she think of the band?"

……

"And you, Shigaraki, do you really care about the band?"

"Everyone's progress is so poor. Takamatsu-san still can't sing. Aren't we the ones who need to work harder the most?"

"Iruma and Toyokawa-san are geniuses. They can perform without mistakes even without practice, but what about us?"

"Don't you understand, Shigaraki?"

Snapped--

The next moment, Nagasaki Suyo raised her hand and slapped Shiina Riki hard.

And Shiina Riki just stood there in a daze.

"What does Shiina-san know about Hibiki? Hibiki's guitar skills are the result of his tireless practice. I've watched him grow from a novice to where he is today. Using talent as an excuse to deny Hibiki's hard work is too arrogant, isn't it?"

"And Deng can't sing because Xiangzi and Xiang are not here. Shiina-san, don't you realize this? This is all your fault, Shiina-san."