Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"Lixi, can't we... go on stage yet?"

This question also made Takamatsu Deng, who had been staying next to Iruma Hibiki, feel a little panicked.

"Sure, sure. I didn't say you couldn't go on stage! It's just..."

After the nervous explanation, Shiina Riki lowered his head, and occasionally looked towards Iruma Hibiki.

The same is true when I work.

Every time Shiina Riki, the junior who likes to "overthrow his superiors", wants help from somewhere, he will look at Iruma Hibiki and then make this gesture.

Just like an obedient dog, it develops some strange conditioned reflex under the training of its owner?

"If you don't practice enough and don't prepare your best before the performance, and then there are mistakes or imperfections, you'll feel regretful, right?"

"Well, yes, that's it."

Shiina Riki quickly nodded in agreement as Iruma Hibiki said.

"Yeah! I have to practice hard too!"

Gao Songdeng was also very attracted and immediately agreed with this statement.

"As for the wedding, it seems a bit hard to refuse. How about we adjust our rehearsal time next week?"

"what……"

Around the time that Iruma Hibiki said this, Shiina Riki also opened his mouth to say something.

【How about we practice together for a whole day? 】

The words got stuck in her throat and she couldn't say them.

After all, she is the one who feels bored on campus, usually uses it to catch up on sleep, and doesn't mind skipping classes. It would be too much to expect everyone to accompany her just because of her.

"I have no time to talk every day, so it doesn't matter."

Nagasaki Suyo was the first to respond.

She remembered that her mother had no plans to come home this week.

So it doesn't matter.

"That's fine with me. I'm always alone at school and home anyway, so I might as well prepare for the performance with everyone else!"

Gao Songdeng's interest was also aroused at this moment.

But what she said made Iruma Hibiki frown slightly.

Indeed, with Takamatsu Deng's personality, it would be easy for him to become a forgotten person in the corner.

Being alone with others.

Keep your head down and live in your own world.

And he, perhaps because he had been in the same situation before, had no way to deal with such a guy.

"Where's Mu?"

At this time, Iruma Hibiki asked Wakaba Mutsu, who had just started to feel a little bit upset.

"Xiang, what should we do?"

It’s just that Wakaba Mu cares more about Toyokawa Shoko than his own affairs.

"Before the show, that guy should definitely come to rehearse once or twice."

Shiina Riki was actually a little angry. She wanted to say something extreme, but probably because Iruma Hibiki was present, she restrained herself in the end.

If Ye Mu just stared at Iruma Xiang like this, it would be as if he was handing in his decision.

It was as if he regarded Iruma Hibiki's ideas as his own, and Iruma Hibiki's decisions as his own, so firmly and surely.

After a moment of silence, Iruma Hibiki finally spoke:

"I'll check with Xiangzi. Before that, everyone should practice according to the plan. I will do my best to ensure that Xiangzi will not miss this performance."

……

Iruma Hibiki smiled gently.

Probably when he saw his smile, Wakaba Mutsu already knew Iruma Hibiki's decision.

Then she was slightly surprised.

But the surprise disappeared very quickly, and then turned into some gentle expressions, and then a hint of imperceptible worry.

And Hibiki Iruma just stood there, in the center of Crychic, quietly bearing everyone's expectations and pressure.

"Then I'll leave Toyokawa to you, Hibiki."

"Well, okay, don't worry Lixi, I will take care of it."

After agreeing to Shiina Riki, Iruma Hibiki's cell phone rang.

That's an alarm clock.

This was decided upon Shiina Riki's suggestion.

Rehearsals are about to begin again.

……

We practiced until the evening. Today we started a little early and ended a little early. The scheduled practice was over around 7 o'clock.

Shiina Riki actually changed somewhat after that meeting.

Her anxiety and urgency became slightly less severe, and she then began to pay more attention to the changes in the people around her.

For example, today, she originally did not agree to shorten the rehearsal time, but when she mentioned that Iruma Hibiki had just returned, so the rehearsal should be gradually expanded, and the highlight of the day was the welcome party, Shiina Ritsuki immediately compromised.

because--

perhaps.

For her, her sister's affairs are always the sword of Damocles hanging over her head. As long as Shiina Maki exists, she will roar like an unwilling vengeful ghost.

But happy things are happy things.

Things that make you feel at ease are things that make you feel at ease.

Isn't her predecessor, Hibiki Iruma, also carrying everyone's expectations and moving forward bit by bit?

In fact, Shiina Tatsuki can speak for herself slightly.

Although the deeper part of the heart cannot be comforted by such words.

But it was enough to make her smile at this moment.

"Xiang, is everything okay?"

While packing up, Wakaba Mu came to Iruma Hibiki and asked.

Compared to Iruma Hibiki, Wakaba Mutsuki is actually a little petite, and coupled with her personality, she looks a little pitiful.

"Don't worry, Mu."

Iruma Hibiki smiled at Wakaba Mutsu, and then spoke lightly.

"Little cucumber, I will enjoy it and give you my thoughts."

"Ah."

Wakaba Mu nodded slightly.

"Mu, the same goes for me. If next week's schedule seems a bit too much for Mu, then we can adjust it. From what I've heard, Mu seems to be always busy."

"Hibiki wants to know?"

Wakaba Mu asked softly.

"Will Mu tell me?"

"Ah."

Then, in response to Iruma Hibiki's question, Wakaba Mutsu nodded.

17 The Return of Four

Seeing Wakaba Mu's reaction, Iruma Hibiki sighed.

Then he suddenly had an urge to rub Ruoye Mu's head. Of course, he suppressed this urge in the end. After all, it was indeed a bit too much to do so here.

Even though Wakaba Mu doesn't look like someone who would overreact or be easily manipulated, deep down, I still have a very bad impression of him.

But this kind of thing is unacceptable to Iruma Hibiki.

He didn't want to be hated by Wakaba Mu.

"Then tell me next time you have a chance. This isn't a good occasion right now."

"By the way, Mu."

Iruma Hibiki paused for a moment.

"Thank you. It's great that I got to know you, Xiaomu, because of Crychic."

Then he smiled at Wakaba Mutsu.

Perhaps he hoped that this tenderness and smile could soothe Wakaba Mu's wounded heart.

Although he is a hopeless virgin who would be laughed at if he walked on the street, and he is also terrible at handling interpersonal relationships, Iruma Hibiki can still understand Wakaba Mu's situation by putting himself in his shoes.

That was a situation he absolutely could not tolerate.

If he were Ruo Ye Mu, he would have exploded at this moment.

It is absolutely impossible to do everything like Ruoye Mu and still try his best to make amends.

"..."

Ruoye Mu was silent for a moment.

But he was obviously happy.

This was probably the happiest moment for her since the band was formed.

"I think so too. It's great to know Xiang."

But this atmosphere didn't last long.

Because the curious Takamatsu Deng soon intervened.

"Hibiki and Mutsu, are you talking about something?"

"I'm worried that Mu will push himself."

Hibiki Iruma responded to Touma Takamatsu.

"Xiao Mu..."

Takamatsu Deng folded his arms across his chest and looked at Wakaba Mutsu with some conflicted emotions.

"Although I really want to be with you all for the rest of my life, if Xiaomu gets into trouble, don't worry about me. I will always be waiting for you!"

……

Faced with Takamatsu Deng's reply, even Wakaba Mutsu had a slight tendency to retreat.

And on the side, Iruma Hibiki suddenly laughed.

"Eh?"

Naturally, such a smile made Gao Songdeng uneasy.

"Did I... say something strange..."

She confirmed it carefully, just as if she had discovered the stone in the beginning.

"No, that's not surprising."

Iruma Hibiki was the first to respond.

"Well, not surprising."

And Wakaba Mu also responded in the same way.