Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Toyokawa Shoko responded.

This response is very unlike Toyokawa Shoko.

Iruma Hibiki probably understood Toyokawa Shoko's subtext in this part, and while she felt happy, she also felt a little guilty.

How about going on a date secretly without telling anyone, and then apologizing for being late afterwards?

Shiina will be angry.

Shoko Toyokawa was somewhat tempted, but she considered other people's affairs first.

[That’s true…]

[Then we can sneak out during the break? ]

Then Hibiki Iruma came up with a new idea.

[Crychic is also very important! "Haruhi no Kasuga" must be sung out no matter what!]

In fact, perhaps Toyokawa Shoko was not completely unaware of her situation.

She even had a clear bad premonition.

What did she say before?

Second Song

【Third song】

【Tokyo Dome】

【Red and White Song Contest】

What about now?

But it's just——

["Spring Shadow"]

[That's right, has the performance for "Kasuga Shadow" been confirmed? ]

Shiina said that it would be better to wait and see the next rehearsal before confirming the time.

……

Hibiki Iruma remained silent for a long time as he watched the news about Toyokawa Shoko.

In fact, it was not until this moment that his worry about Toyokawa Shoko reached its peak.

Is Toyokawa Shoko the kind of person who would speak like this?

impossible?

For Hibiki Iruma, this feeling of surprise actually originated from this.

Because, what Toyokawa Shoko would say is probably something like, "I'm going to be on stage next week! Hibiki! Let's cheer together!"

Such inconsiderate and self-centered words.

Then work harder than anyone else, and bring everyone onto that stage.

But now, Toyokawa Shoko is thinking about Shiina Riki's proposal?

Indeed, it is not surprising that Shiina Riki would say this.

……

I think we should just follow your plan, Xiangzi. I can already play "Spring Shadow" pretty well. I'll record it for you later.

That would be great!

And at this moment.

In the second half of the 20th century, Xiang made a choice, became Toyokawa Shoko, and made the decision that Toyokawa Shoko would make.

Ending

This is where this volume finally ends.

Next up is tomorrow's new volume! The new volume will tell the story of Crychic's "Kasuga Shadow" performance, and the story of the C-Team after Toyokawa Shoko disappeared, which is also the necessary path to mygo.

In this volume, the protagonist's family background was finally filled in.

It was really hard to write four volumes.

⑺Phosphorus Eight⑸Si Lu (Seven) Please allow me to complain here.

But I still enjoyed writing the sweet love part.

In short, it’s still the routine thank you, thank you to everyone who has been with me all the way.

Tomorrow! It's volume 5!

Volumes: Five Volumes of Crychic's End

sequence

Wishing your family a speedy recovery, Iruma-sensei, and welcome back to Tokyo. Oh, and what you said earlier...

The relentless Machida Sonoko and the confusing news intertwined together, forming the scenery of the first day after Iruma Hibiki came back. He lay on his own bed that he had not seen for a long time with his eyes slightly closed. Although he had not been away for long, he felt a sense of belonging to this place where he had not felt the real sense of home before.

Is this a good thing?

Iruma Hibiki thought so and then buried his face on the pillow which was too soft.

"Hiroshi, bring the laundry."

"I see."

In response to his mother's words outside the door, Iruma Xiang got up with a grunt and then opened the luggage he was taking to Kyoto.

Inside was a coat that he hadn't changed in the past few days, and a set of clothes that he hadn't had time to dry before coming back.

When Hibiki Iruma picked up the coat, he couldn't help but have some unreal thoughts.

At that time——

Toyokawa Shoko covered herself with his coat, crumpled it like this, and then slept in that small room all night?

When closing his eyes, Iruma Hibiki could even recall the warmth of Toyokawa Shoko.

The softness at that time.

The feeling of hugging.

And that, a first kiss he would probably never forget.

It felt like there was a dragon scratching deep in my heart, making me feel itchy and a little impulsive.

Iruma Hibiki took a deep breath and then exhaled.

Finally, I threw the coat into the laundry basket.

The feeling of nostalgia was deep, as was the feeling of longing, but for the time being, he didn't want to show his rude side in front of Toyokawa Shoko.

After all—

Want a hug.

Want to kiss.

The evil desires contained in such thoughts are something that people would hate, right?

Iruma Hibiki has this awareness.

Yet I still have expectations and thoughts about it.

The mixed emotions were finally sent to the laundry room by Iruma Hibiki along with the wrinkled coat.

What is Shoko Toyokawa doing at this moment?

Are you troubled by family matters and unable to get away?

What about everyone?

They should be rehearsing now, right?

In fact, Hibiki Iruma said that he would also participate in today's rehearsal.

But in the end, everyone agreed that he should have a good rest, so he naturally stayed at home.

[Xiang, are you free tomorrow? ]

[Xiang, I want to tell you something? ]

It was probably around this time that Hibiki Iruma opened Steam and joined the game created by Ichiri Goto through a friend.

The news about Nagasaki Suyo and Wakaba Mutsu arrived almost at the same time.

It seems that it is time for a break in rehearsal.

[Well, I'm free, but I'll probably be up very late tomorrow. What's up, Sushi?]

It has been a long time since I last saw Nagasaki Suyo.

but--

Every time he chatted with Nagasaki Soyo, Iruma Hibiki had some subtle feelings.

A little scared?

Maybe that's how it can be described.

"Well, Xiang, are you free to come out with me? I want to chat with Xiang. It's been a while since we last met, so I miss him a little bit."

……

Faced with Nagasaki Suyo's invitation, Iruma Hibiki was silent for a moment.

What exactly did you talk about?

Then he asked back.

【It's about Xiangzi and Mu.】

"But, none of this matters. I just want to call you. We haven't seen each other for a long time, right? Is that okay?"

……

Nagasaki Suyo's somewhat soft attitude made Iruma Hibiki sigh.

If there was no second half of the sentence, he might have said, let’s just chat for a moment, and see you at rehearsal later.

Then just avoid the current encounter.

But after the second half of the sentence.

[Yes, sure. When?]

He didn't have much reason to reject Nagasaki Suyo.

He also had a premonition that if he refused here, Nagasaki Suyo would probably be greatly disappointed and sad for a long time.

This kind of situation with Yuureimu was something Hibiki Iruma didn't want to see at all.

How about tomorrow afternoon? Which cafe would you like to meet?

Nagasaki Suyo sent me a URL, which was the official website of a cafe in Ikebukuro.

【okay. 】

In the end, Iruma Hibiki agreed.

If we just meet in the afternoon, that's fine.

[After it's over, we can also participate in tomorrow's practice. ]

【Will you come to tomorrow's practice? 】

【Um. 】

【Very good! 】

Seeing the excited response from Nagasaki Suyo, Iruma Hibiki breathed a sigh of relief.

For some reason, he had a subtle feeling towards Nagasaki Suyo at this moment. He wanted to keep a distance from Nagasaki Suyo, but he didn't want to see her in pain.

Unable to let go.