Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"What's wrong with Xiangzi recently? Does Xiang know?"

In fact, Nagasaki Suyo's words were somewhat like asking questions even though she already knew the answer.

It's half truth and half lie.

Such words are the most difficult to discern their purpose.

"Well, I know a little bit."

Iruma Hibiki did not lie about this simple question. After all, there were some problems with Toyokawa Shoko recently, and it was impossible to hide this fact.

Because Toyokawa Shoko once paid so much attention to Crychic, and everyone saw it.

And how could it be that his frequent absences from the rehearsals that he had decided to attend were due to such a minor issue?

"Will it be hard, Hibiki?"

……

To Hibiki Iruma's surprise, Nagasaki Suyo did not ask the reason.

Instead, he asked with concern, "Will it be hard?"

"A little bit, and I'm a little unsure how to help Xiangzi, but anyway, it's absolutely right to deal with Crychic and the performance first."

Perhaps because of Nagasaki Suyo's perfect sense of distance and her attitude of not revealing secrets, Iruma Hibiki's vigilance towards her also dissipated a little.

Moreover, after saying it, Iruma Hibiki also felt a little relieved. The worry that had always weighed on his heart was now slightly relieved.

"Hiroshi doesn't know how to help Xiangzi anymore?"

"Ah."

Facing Nagasaki Suyo's surprise, Xiang nodded.

"But Xiangzi has no intention of telling us these things..."

"Actually, I didn't learn about Xiangzi's situation from Xiangzi himself."

Iruma Hibiki sighed.

"Eh?"

"Did Xiaomu and Qunqi say that?"

At this moment, Hibiki Iruma and Soyo Nagasaki happened to walk out of the cafe and onto the street. Along with the sound of wind chimes as the door opened, the cold wind blew on Hibiki Iruma's face, while Soyo Nagasaki was still waiting for the answer to this question.

"Well, it was Xiao Mu who told me that the paint was not scattered."

And Iruma Hibiki also admitted it.

After all, when the question comes to this point, there is no need to continue hiding this part.

At least that's what Hibiki Iruma thought.

But for Nagasaki Suyo, such a thing——

It's getting a little more interesting.

"Xiao Mu, I actually asked her before, but she said it was a secret and she wouldn't tell me..."

"Su Shi, you..."

"I'm sorry, Hibiki. I only asked Xiaomu because I cared too much about Hibiki and Crychic. I didn't make things difficult for Xiaomu, so Xiaomu didn't tell me anything."

……

Facing Nagasaki Suyo's smile, Iruma Hibiki felt a little helpless.

"But wasn't Xiao Mu completely tight-lipped before? Why did he suddenly tell Xiang about it?"

Almost in an instant, Nagasaki Suyo grasped the key point of the problem with extraordinary keenness.

Iruma Hibiki only realized at this moment that he might have said too much.

08 The "Threat" of Nagasaki Suyo

"what……"

Iruma Hibiki's reply got stuck in her throat, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond to Nagasaki Suyo.

However, Nagasaki Suyo is actually a little too gentle now, giving people the feeling that she is trustworthy and reliable no matter what.

But it is impossible for Hibiki Iruma to betray Shoko Toyokawa.

Iruma Hibiki also didn't want to betray Wakaba Mutsu again.

So at this moment, facing Nagasaki Soyo, only the most basic mute sound remained in Iruma Hibiki's throat.

"Never mind. It doesn't matter if Xiang doesn't tell you."

Nagasaki Suyo responded softly.

It was as if she really didn't care about this at all.

"Hibiki, Shoko, will this end Crychic?"

Then——

Nagasaki Suyo asked Iruma Hibiki the most crucial question, which was also the one she cared about the most.

Faced with this question, Iruma Hibiki fell silent for a moment.

"Ah, of course not. Crychic is extremely important to Xiangzi, and it's her masterpiece. She can't possibly give up Crychic and everyone in Crychic. Besides, didn't they make a promise before? For life?"

"Xiangzi has just had some troubles recently."

"Although we can't intervene, it will definitely get better."

"Xiangzi, she..."

Iruma Hibiki spoke hurriedly, as if, in addition to replying to Nagasaki Suyo, he was trying more to convince himself.

Such uneasiness and slightly clenched fists were observed by Nagasaki Suyo.

Hibiki Iruma——

lying.

Nagasaki Suyo understood this.

She started fiddling with her fingers more frequently, even with a hint of impatience.

Everyone knew that Hibiki Iruma had become frank.

In other words, everyone saw the changes in Iruma Hibiki before. Although they didn't say it, they all noticed it. Iruma Hibiki began to always tell the truth to everyone, always trying his best to help others, and treat people gently.

But this time——

It was rare for Hibiki Iruma to lie to Soyo Nagasaki.

"That's it."

Nagasaki Suyo interrupted Iruma Hibiki.

"I understand. As long as Crychic doesn't end, it's fine with me."

Nagasaki Suyo smiled gently at Iruma Hibiki.

Probably at this moment, she also put forward her own ideas.

That evening--

For Nagasaki Suyo, the last time she had a heart-to-heart talk with her mother was a memory from long ago. Even her memory of it was a little vague. It should have been a warm daily moment worth celebrating like a festival.

But no matter what, at that time, Nagasaki Suyo felt a rare sense of security and relief, and of course there was a trace of worry about her mother.

After all, she has been causing her mother worry recently.

Let her mother be distracted by her.

This won’t work—

In this family, her mother now plays the role of breadwinner, while she is the one in charge of household affairs.

She is a housewife and needs to take good care of every member of the family.

That's how it should be.

The sudden change in status made Nagasaki Suyo feel a little uneasy, but it was true that the words deep in her heart had reached the point where she had to speak out no matter what.

So Nagasaki Suyo told her mother what had happened:

"Mom, the guy I like is dating another girl."

……

Iruma Hibiki had no idea what Nagasaki Suyo had experienced that night.

I don’t know if Nagasaki Suyo actually cried a little that night and finally made her own decision.

He knew that when Nagasaki Suyo appeared again, she would look like this.

It's as if the past relationship is over.

And now the things I am obsessed with are even more obsessed with——

"ring."

Then——

Iruma Hibiki, who was probably still a little flustered and uneasy, had her arm gently held by Nagasaki Motoyo.

There was no strength, just a touch there, but it was enough for Iruma Hibiki to feel a bit of Nagasaki Suyo's warmth.

With a hint of surprise.

Hibiki Iruma and Suyo Nagasaki looked at each other.

"Hibiki, you won't lie to me, right?"

……

Iruma Hibiki was slightly surprised, and stared at Nagasaki Motoyo's face with his eyes wide open.

What kind of expression is that?

Iruma Hibiki didn't know how to describe it.

It's probably like when you were a kid and your favorite toy was given to a relative's child by your family. You wanted to get angry and act like a spoiled brat, but you knew it was useless and would only make you look like a bad kid and cause trouble for your father, and then you would be scolded.

Although the toy is important, once the parents decide to give it away, nothing can be changed.

It seemed like the same emotion at that time.

Nagasaki Suyo showed this expression.

"Well, no."

Iruma Hibiki spoke softly.

Then he avoided Nagasaki Suyo's sight.

"Xiang, actually..."

After a while, when the sound of the metal spoon colliding with the porcelain cup was heard a few times at Nagasaki Suye's place, she continued.

"It would be nice if you could tell me a little bit about the decision you and Xiangzi made."

"Eh?"

Once again, Iruma Hibiki was a little surprised by Nagasaki Motoyo's words.

"Because I always feel that Xiang, Xiangzi, and Mu are hiding something from me, and this makes me very uneasy."

"Especially, I'm most uneasy about what Xiang is hiding from me."

"Su Shi..."

Nagasaki Suyo sighed, then turned her head to look at Iruma Hibiki.

"So Xiang, please, if something really happens, please discuss it with me, okay? This is all for Xiang's own good. Xiang has become unrecognizable because of the band's affairs. If that's the case, even I won't be able to bear it and will go to Xiangzi to argue."

"I'll do anything for this."

……