Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"Eh? Clever?"

His comment prompted a counter-question from Nagasaki Suyo.

"Well, you guys always use the word 'Gui An'. Actually, I'm a little unsure how to respond."

Iruma Hibiki had worried about such a question before, but later, Nagasaki Motoyo and the others didn't pay too much attention to his somewhat ordinary answer.

"A normal response will be fine."

"Don't you need honorifics? 'Gui'an' is the standard expression for a young lady, right?"

"Because it's a lady's term, you don't have to use honorifics."

Nagasaki Suyo added.

On the other side, Ruoye Mu had returned to his seat at some point and then turned his back again.

"I see."

Iruma Hibiki nodded.

This kind of chat did ease the atmosphere a little.

"Has Xiaomu had dinner yet?"

Following Nagasaki Suyo's question, Wakaba Mutsu shook his head.

"Hibiki, about dinner—"

"It seems that Lixi and Deng will go home to eat before coming over. As for us, we will have to think about it separately. What would Mu like to eat?"

Hibiki Iruma left the decision to Mutsushi Wakaba.

Perhaps at this moment, Iruma Hibiki was looking forward to Wakaba Mutsu's decision.

【Shoko...】

Or in fact, at this moment, Hibiki Iruma was looking forward to many things.

For example, did Toyokawa Shoko tell him that after school today, the two of them would secretly have a spiritual dream without telling everyone in the band?

Wakaba Mu probably left school early, so he came to Ring's rehearsal room so early.

As for Shoko Toyokawa, she should still be in the classroom now, right?

Thinking about Shoko Toyokawa recently, Hibiki Iruma had an urge to meet her immediately.

There are so many emotions hidden in this impulse.

It's not just about lovers, it's not just about liking.

Some also came because of Nagasaki Suyo.

Because of the information he heard about Wakaba Mu's betrayal.

13 Iruma Hibiki doesn't want Wakaba Mu to become a traitor

"Hibiki decides."

In the end, Wakaba Mutsu left the decision of dinner to Iruma Hibiki. Iruma Hibiki, who was not very familiar with Ikebukuro, thought about it again and again and finally chose a nearby family restaurant as the venue for dinner.

Nagasaki Suyo probably wouldn't hate it.

As for Wakaba Mutsu, Iruma Hibiki's understanding of her didn't go as far as her eating habits.

“Then let’s go to this store.”

Finally, Iruma Hibiki confirmed the dinner location on her phone and then put down her guitar.

"I'm going to the check-in counter to pick up my bass later."

Nagasaki Suyo said softly.

"Then, Sushi, you go get the bass first?"

"Yeah, okay, I'll be back soon."

"Would you like me to help?"

"It would be better if Xiang stayed in this dream."

Nagasaki Suyo took the initiative to leave the rehearsal room, and then gently closed the door of the rehearsal room. However, when closing the door, she did not use force, but closed it gently. Until the door was ajar, she could still hear the sounds inside.

【Mu, what did you want to say to Xiang just now? 】

Nagasaki Suyo actually noticed this.

Being alone at this moment was actually just right for her.

"ring."

Sure enough, just a dozen seconds later, Ruo Yemu's voice was heard.

"Mu? What's wrong?"

This time, Hibiki Iruma rarely noticed Wakaba Mu's emotions and just asked back at first.

"Didn't Xiang go to find Xiangzi?"

Wakaba Mu asked.

This was probably the most torturous thing for her all day.

after all--

In fact, perhaps she was more afraid of the ordinary past that would continue and eventually collapse than the reproaches from Toyokawa Shoko and the guilt of being a "betrayer".

Wakaba Mutsu was actually prepared.

The moment she informed on the matter, she had already put her own affairs below those of Toyokawa Shoko.

After all, being a traitor and being hated is better than...

The broken Shoko Toyokawa and the broken Hibiki Iruma.

Although Ruoye Mu cannot become a hero, she wants to save people who are important to her.

"Not yet. I want to confirm the situation with Xiangzi. My father knows something about it."

Iruma Hibiki responded.

"After all, we can't help Xiangzi by relying on our own strength, so I think I need some time..."

"Ah."

Wakaba Mu nodded.

I felt relieved.

She breathed a sigh of relief, then revealed visible fatigue.

"I'm sorry, I should have told you about this earlier."

"It's ok."

Wakaba Mu shook his head.

"Hibiki is right."

She then added.

Looking at Wakaba Mu's drooping head and slightly bent back, Iruma Hibiki felt a little distressed.

In fact, Ye Mu’s current situation is definitely not what he wants to see.

But it happened that Ye Mu played the role in the middle.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mu."

And this was all the caring words he could say to Wakaba Mu.

"I'll do my best to do what I can. Before that, Mu Ye, how about you take it easy? Just leave it to me."

Iruma Hibiki walked in front of Wakaba Mutsuki and squatted down slightly to look at Wakaba Mutsuki's face at the moment.

This action is a bit too intimate.

But Iruma Hibiki wanted Wakaba Mu to notice his current emotions, so he did so as a matter of course.

"Ah."

Ruoye Mu's answer was still gentle.

She was actually a little surprised and uncomfortable with Iruma Hibiki's actions.

She dodged slightly.

"My words will not make Mu a traitor."

Then Iruma Hibiki added.

And probably at this moment, Ruo Ye Mu suddenly raised his head and opened his mouth with slight surprise.

"Xiao Mu, who values everyone so much, is something I must protect, at least for me."

Iruma Hibiki laughed and expressed his feelings in a slightly childish way.

"Although sometimes, some things can't always be done well, but I hope I can take Xiao Mu and Xiangzi's feelings into consideration and not ignore either of them, so Mu, don't worry."

"I absolutely will not let you become a traitor."

Iruma Hibiki repeated his words once again.

These words were met with a slightly shocked expression on Wakaba Mu's face, but in just a moment, that expression disappeared.

"Xiangzi, it's more important to be kind to Xiangcai."

……

Then Wakaba Mu suddenly responded like this.

"That's true... After all, they are lovers, but that doesn't mean Xiao Mu is unimportant."

"As for me, I want to take everyone's feelings into consideration."

……

Ruoye Mu didn't say anything else.

Perhaps she was still somewhat dissatisfied with this answer.

But there was a strange emotion surging in my heart.

It was an emotion she couldn't understand at the moment, it came so suddenly and unexpectedly.

After a day of fear and trepidation, I received this response.

Maybe for Wakaba Mu, this is something worth being happy about, right?

is it?

Even Ruoye Mu himself was a little confused.

But in Iruma Hibiki's eyes, Wakaba Mutsu looked unhappy and stayed there alone, just like usual.

"Su Shi is so slow, Mu, shall we go find Su Shi?"

Perhaps because of the depressing atmosphere, Hibiki Iruma looked at the time, then stood up and decided to leave the depressing rehearsal room first.

"Ah."

And Wakaba Mutsu did not hesitate after hearing what Iruma Hibiki said.

She quickly put her guitar away and stood up, following behind Hibiki Iruma.

"Come to think of it, Mu, did you leave early today because of Xiangzi?"

Iruma Hibiki suddenly asked with some concern.

"Ah."

Ruoye Mu still nodded and admitted it.

"Xiangzi, how is it..."

"Fortunately."