Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Although it is actually different.

Nagasaki Suyo has no memories of her family from her previous life.

If there were, her heart would probably be more or less filled with memories of the past, and then it would be just sadness and nostalgia, instead of being as empty as it is now.

"Before, when Mom and Dad were still divorced, my last name was Ichinose."

"Have I told Hibiki about this?"

Nagasaki Suyo asked Iruma Hibiki.

"I've talked about it a little bit, but I don't know the details at all."

"Then I'll tell Xiang."

Nagasaki Motoyo smiled gently, then placed a stack of organized manuscripts in front of Iruma Hibiki's desk, just like an overly gentle mother taking care of her child's daily household expenses.

"At that time, I also had a [home] with a layout similar to the Xiang family's."

-

In fact, Iruma Hibiki finally realized that Nagasaki Soyo's emotion at the moment was indeed some kind of nostalgia, recalling the past. However, when he actually listened to Nagasaki Soyo's story at such a close distance, Iruma Hibiki felt more or less shocked.

as well as--

Distressed.

After all, he actually had every right to blame Nagasaki Suyo for what she did.

But because he understood, he didn't do that.

And now, the moment he knew everything.

Iruma Hibiki only felt surprise, and then a flash of panic.

Because he understood the things and emotions that Nagasaki Suyo placed on the band.

That is by no means a simple attachment or expectation.

But a deep, dark, twisting gravity.

For Nagasaki Suyo, the band is like home, and this is not a joke, but a literal meaning.

"Hibiki, can I lean on you for a moment? Like we did in the hospital?"

"Ah."

When Nagasaki Motoyo said this, Iruma Hibiki agreed because he was thinking about other things.

It was not until the warmth and breath of Nagasaki Suye surged in that his mind suddenly became bright as if in daylight, and his thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

The fragile Nagasaki Suyo once again appeared in front of Iruma Hibiki.

Hibiki Iruma had a premonition.

If things are allowed to continue, something bad will definitely happen.

At this moment, Nagasaki Suyo was completely immersed in her own emotions.

What should I do?

Iruma Hibiki felt a little panicked.

I was at a loss, yet I knew I had to do something.

He clenched his teeth slightly.

【Su Shi, I cannot meet your expectations. 】

In fact, perhaps, this is what Iruma Hibiki wanted to say at this moment.

"Hibiki, are you willing to become my family?"

at the same time.

The price of silence and hesitation also came in an instant.

Nagasaki Suyo looked at Iruma Hibiki with anticipation.

Made his plea.

She did not say the word "lover", but instead expressed a purer expectation that came from her heart.

……

"Su Shi, I can treat you as a family member. If you encounter any troubles or worries, just tell me at any time and I will help you."

"But, Su Shi..."

Iruma Hibiki was silent for a while.

After all, there were some words, some things he already knew that he couldn't say.

Crychic may have to face the dilemma of losing Toyokawa Shoko.

There was no way Hibiki Iruma could tell Nagasaki Motoyo about such a thing.

Once again, just like that night in Kyoto, Hibiki Iruma found himself alone.

He had to face the current, established facts.

12 Wakaba Mu's Expectations

There is a beautiful sunset this afternoon, which is probably the kind that even the members of the senior band Sunset Red would feel nostalgic for.

As for Hibiki Iruma, whenever he thinks of the bands of his predecessors, he feels a little envious.

How did you all form the band so smoothly?

Can you teach me?

What did I do wrong? 】

Emotions like these always creep into my mind, but there are still many things to do and realities to face.

"Xiang, Xiaomu just contacted us."

Nagasaki Soyo's voice echoed from a place very close to Iruma Hibiki.

The time we spent together from noon to afternoon was quite smooth and pleasant. Putting aside the slight sense of distance that seemed to have crossed the line, it was truly a rare time to relax.

"What did Mu say?"

Iruma Hibiki didn't take out her cell phone but asked Nagasaki Motoyo.

"Xiao Mu asked if today's rehearsal will be on time."

"It's a bit strange."

Iruma Hibiki sighed and said.

"Yes, I'll ask Xiaomu."

"Su Shi, stop bullying Mu. It's already very difficult for her."

Faced with Nagasaki Suyo's actions, Iruma Hibiki was a little frightened. Perhaps this is what the saying "once bitten by a snake, one becomes afraid of ropes for ten years" means.

In Iruma Hibiki's eyes, Nagasaki Soyo is a fox, and Wakaba Mutsu is actually a poor little white rabbit. The fox and the white rabbit can indeed get along normally occasionally, but it is always unrealistic to expect them to be like this forever.

"ring……"

Nagasaki Suyo seemed to reply to Wakaba Mutsu, and then showed a somewhat conflicted expression.

"Are you very partial to Xiao Mu?"

Then she said this to Iruma Hibiki.

"what……"

Iruma Hibiki wanted to say something in rebuttal.

Perhaps subconsciously he was unwilling to admit that he was biased towards Wakaba Mu.

"There's no favoritism."

But in the end, he just paused and spoke uncertainly.

"But Hibiki, when we all agreed to form a band together for life and work hard together as if we were a community with a shared destiny, Mutsu also joined in, right?"

"Ah."

Iruma Hibiki still remembers Wakaba Mutsu at that time.

She didn't agree, nor did she refute.

Did he do anything himself at that time?

Hibiki Iruma's memory became a little fuzzy, even though it was only a memory from not long ago.

"Mu, you should have promised everyone something like this, right?"

"Well, it should be."

Iruma Hibiki once again acknowledged what Nagasaki Motoyo said.

"So now, Mu is hiding something very important from everyone, right? Hibiki knows that, doesn't he?"

An unhappy expression appeared on Nagasaki Suyo's face.

"I'm doing this for the good of everyone and the band."

Then she added to Iruma Hibiki.

And Iruma Hibiki was looking at Nagasaki Soyo who was very close to him and thinking.

The masked qiba Lingqi walks the doctor indeed——

Then, the first thing that came to Hibiki Iruma's mind was this twist.

But of course.

Yes, he knew Wakaba Mu's difficulties, the promise she made to Toyokawa Shoko, and the reason why she had to tell him the truth, but Nagasaki Suyo didn't know, and no one else knew.

In Nagasaki Suyo's eyes, Wakaba Mu was hiding something, and coupled with her usual attitude of always being distant from everyone, it was natural that she was considered a kind of "betrayal".

If he were to put himself in her shoes, Hibiki Iruma wouldn't want a member like that in his band either.

"Su Shi, Mu also has his own difficulties."

Then he said this to Nagasaki Suyo.

"Xiang, you know some inside information that you can't tell anyone..."

"Ah."

Hibiki Iruma did not deny this issue.

He decided to become Wakaba Mu's accomplice here, and become a guy who hides some facts from people who should be close to him and form a community of shared destiny.

"Su Shi, there are some things I won't tell you. The truth is, when I'm taking care of someone, I really can't be honest with everyone."

"Is it about Xiangzi?"

"what--"

When Nagasaki Motoyo directly mentioned Toyokawa Shoko's name, Iruma Hibiki was silent for a moment.

"As expected."

Nagasaki Suyo played with her hair twice.

Afterwards, perhaps because this topic was the second time today, both of them tacitly agreed not to go deeper into it until they arrived at the Ring and saw Wakaba Mutsu who had been waiting inside long ago.

"Mu, good afternoon."

Hibiki Iruma greeted Wakaba Mutsu.

Then Wakaba Mu quickly put down his guitar and stood up, looking at Iruma Hibiki with a hint of expectation, but then, because Nagasaki Suyo came up behind Iruma Hibiki and waved to her, that slight expectation also dissipated.

"Greetings, Mu."

"Greetings, I hope you enjoy your life."

"Tsuki no Mori's greeting sounds quite clever."

Iruma Hibiki gave a wry smile.