Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

She had been excluded unknowingly, and at this moment, the corners of her mouth drooped, revealing a sad look.

But because her back was facing away, no one could see her expression at the moment.

"I also trust Mu, so Mu, can you tell me why you're willing to tell me the truth even if it means violating the contract between you and Xiangzi?"

If there is no sound, Xiang will be broken.

……

Finally, Iruma Hibiki on the other end froze in place.

I'm going to say it.

Wakaba Mutsu didn't wait for Iruma Hibiki to respond and told him everything he knew.

……

Ten minutes later.

Iruma Hibiki learned everything.

[Hibiki, do you hate me for snitching? ]

Ruoye Mu suddenly asked this.

She had completely dropped her head.

"Snitching isn't a one-way street. Honestly, Mumu and I are equally guilty. How about we go apologize to Xiangzi together afterwards?"

Hibiki Iruma replied to Mutsushi Wakaba.

【Um. 】

Probably at this moment, a long-lost smile appeared on Ruoye Mu's face.

I don’t know how far I can go in Xiangzi’s case.

【but--】

Iruma Hibiki paused.

【I will do my best to help Xiangzi.】

【Well, now I only believe it rings. 】

At this point, Ruoye Mu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mu, what do you think of Hibiki and Guitar Hero's new song?"

Suddenly, she was pulled into a conversation by Shiina Ritsuki who noticed her.

"I like 'Haruhi Shadow' a little better."

Afterwards, Ruoye Mu's answer made the atmosphere here fall into silence.

02 A call from Ijichi Kouka

Including this unavoidable leave, Iruma Hibiki's attendance rate has actually reached a very serious level. In a sense, he is on par with the few special guys in the school who "do not attend school".

If it were an ordinary person, he would have been excluded from ordinary social relationships long ago.

However, there are some differences for Hibiki Iruma.

Today is Thursday and classes will resume tomorrow, Friday.

It’s better to say that the time for resuming classes this time is just right, which is exactly the end of the week. Even if there are some discomforts in today’s classes, there is still a weekend as a buffer.

But for Hibiki Iruma, perhaps adapting to the pressure of returning to school is the least thing she needs to worry about.

"Aha--"

After a loud yawn, Iruma Hibiki woke up from his sleep. The familiar room actually gave him a sense of strangeness at this moment.

Last night's chat on the phone was limited to the chat between Iruma Hibiki and Wakaba Mutsu.

Last night, Hibiki Iruma spent more time confirming with Mutsu Wakaba about the matter regarding Toyokawa Shoko.

And today, he also plans to have a talk with his father.

Now that the decision has been made, Iruma Hibiki wants to know everything about Toyokawa Shoko at this moment.

Because only in this way might he know what to do.

Yes--

He has a kind of awareness.

At this moment, Xiangzi can definitely not be saved by relying on abstract things such as support, hugs, and love. What she needs is something more realistic.

[Hibiki, will Crychic disband?]

Last night, when asked by Wakaba Mutsuki's last question, Iruma Hibiki actually didn't know how to answer.

Of course, there should be no hesitation on this issue. In other words, any second of hesitation on this issue is actually a betrayal of your promise and everyone else.

To know--

Even if we put everything aside.

All of them had promised Takamatsu Deng [a lifetime].

Is that promise just a joke?

Can such a promise be broken casually without hurting anyone?

In fact, when faced with such a question, Hibiki Iruma's response deep in his heart was definitely "No".

【I will try my best to prevent Crychic from disbanding.】

This is the answer given by Hibiki Iruma.

Crychic is incomplete without Toyokawa Shoko.

However, Shoko Toyokawa is now required to participate in rehearsals and go on stage.

It is indeed——

It's a bit unreasonable.

Can't do it.

Iruma Hibiki made this judgment.

"Xiangzi..."

So on such a morning, I kept repeating the name of my lover.

As a result, the worries that continued last night have not ended yet, and the appointment with Nagasaki Suyo has not yet arrived. Toyokawa Shoko seemed to have gotten up very early and apologized in the group for being troublesome yesterday.

At this moment, the name [Ijichi Nikka] was displayed on Iruma Hibiki's phone.

"Hibiki? Good morning."

"Good morning, Hongxia."

After saying good morning, Hibiki Iruma breathed a sigh of relief.

"I hope I didn't disturb you by contacting you so early."

"No, I was actually planning on sleeping in, but I have school tomorrow, so I had to adjust my schedule."

Iruma responded with a laugh.

In front of him was the guitar he had practiced for a long time last night because of his troubles.

The pick that had been with him from the beginning was now at the end of its lifespan and was left on the table in tatters.

"It's better for Xiang to go to bed early and get up early."

Ijichi Hongxia said with a hint of concern.

"Well, I know what Dad said."

Iruma responded.

"Speaking of which, Xiang, do you remember the welcome party we talked about earlier?"

"Hongxia, is that true?"

"of course it's true."

Facing Ijichi Kouka's admission, Iruma Hibiki stood up, looked out the window at the long-lost Tokyo sunshine, and stared blankly at the people coming and going in front of the Seiyu supermarket opposite.

"Hibiki doesn't like it?"

"Of course not. Rather, I'm sorry to bother you, Hongxia."

"Ah, actually it's not just my suggestion. Everyone in the class is a good person."

Ijichi Hongxia said happily.

In fact, this is indeed the case.

Hibiki Iruma carefully recalled his junior high school classmates.

To be precise - none of his classmates were bad people. He had been extremely lucky since junior high school. Even his teachers were very nice. Facing the socially anxious Goto Ichiri, who was unable to compromise with the world at that time and was full of resentment and a middle school mentality, he still chose to treat him gently.

This may actually be true in high school as well.

If he hadn't been so late to fulfill his promise, perhaps the situation would have been different.

But do you regret it?

Iruma Hibiki thought so.

The answer is of course no regrets.

He never regretted making his debut as a writer during that vacation and subsequently letting Goto Ichiri see his name.

"Yes, indeed. I am looking forward to the welcome party that Hong Xia has prepared for me."

"I said it all..."

A sigh was heard from Ijichi Hongxia.

"Speaking of which, Xiang, have you had time to come to Fanxing recently? Everyone wants to meet you."

"Well, I'm free, but today—"

As he said this, Hibiki Iruma suddenly realized what day it was.

Today is Thursday.

Whether it is Shimokitazawa or Tsukinomori, it should be a school day.

Wakaba Mu also said that today's course will be the same as usual——

As several people were confirming the rehearsal time for today.

And Nagasaki Suyo asked him to meet in a cafe in the afternoon?

Did you skip classes to meet me?

Let's just say that Hibiki Iruma knows that it is normal for students in Tsuki No Mori to skip classes. After all, the young lady's school also represents the hidden talents there.

With girl bands being so popular these days, it's actually not that strange that a school like Tsukinomori is filled with high school starlets.

So asking for leave is naturally a simple matter.

but--

"Xiang Ying should have his own band stuff planned today, right? So it definitely can't be today. If Xiang Ying has band rehearsal tomorrow after school, how about we schedule it for Saturday?"

Ijichi Hongxia said caringly.

Schedule your own meeting to the end.

He even clearly remembered the arrangements made by Hibiki Iruma.

"okay."

Hibiki Iruma actually noticed such small details.

But his response was indifferent.

after all--