Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

The performance at the welcome party seemed a bit too much, and with all the noise, the whole Lower High School was actually in an uproar during the school dismissal period.

Even the school band members who were focused on competition results and performances attended the welcome party.

As the center of the crowd, Hibiki Iruma couldn't help but feel a little nervous as he watched the people coming and going in the corridor.

As far as he could remember, he had never been at the center of a crowd like he was at this moment. He was not used to this feeling, nor did he adapt to the current atmosphere.

However, no matter how uncomfortable or adaptable he is, for Iruma Hibiki, what happens next is very important.

"What are you thinking about? Xiangxiang."

"Xiang Xiang, what a weird name."

Hibiki Iruma was complaining about Chihaya Aine on the other side of the screen.

"But is it okay? Is it a holiday over there?"

"Ah... um... yes, speaking of which, that girl just now was so cute."

Chihaya Aine clumsily changed the subject.

"Girls?"

For a moment, Hibiki Iruma didn't react and didn't understand who Chihaya Aine was talking about.

"Yes! The one with the bright and sunny personality next to Pochi-chan. She's the new member of the band, right? I saw it on the band's blog a while ago."

"Ah, you mean Kita."

Iruma Hibiki also realized who Chihaya Aine was talking about at this moment.

"Yeah! That's her!"

"She's indeed a lovely girl."

Iruma Hibiki responded to Chihaya Aine with a smile, a hint of emotion in his voice.

Putting aside her silly behavior, Kita definitely deserves the compliment of being "cute."

"Kita is the lead singer on guitar."

Iruma Hibiki continued.

"Hey, the guitar lead singer."

But following his words, Chihaya Aine's mood actually dropped slightly for a moment.

"Speaking of which! Xiangxiang, you're going to go on stage soon, right?"

Once again, Chihaya Aine changed the subject.

"Well, that's really messed up..."

As for Hibiki Iruma, he sighed at the topic.

"What if I don't practice well for a surprise attack? What will happen to the performance..."

Iruma Hibiki complained like this.

Fortunately, he has not fallen behind in playing guitar recently.

Let’s just say it’s the level of hard work.

Moreover, he actually practiced hard on the songs arranged by Toyokawa Shoko.

Or--

Shoko Toyokawa is a genius when it comes to arranging music. She can come up with excellent arrangements that are just right for the band, allowing everyone to perform to their best potential.

Therefore, the music she arranged was always able to maintain a level that Hibiki Iruma could play just right.

It's not too difficult.

But not too simple.

"Come on! Hey—"

On the other end of the video call, Chihaya Aine took out her guitar.

"Xiang Xiang, what's the music like today?"

"Please don't call me that weird name like er⊙(八)鷗凌(九)沾齳九! It's embarrassing!"

Finally, Iruma Hibiki spoke up and mentioned the strange name that Chihaya Aine used.

He really couldn't stand it anymore.

"Eh? But I think they're cute! Look at Xiang Xiang, Hong Xia Xia, Pochichi and the like."

"Pochichi is so weird!"

Hibiki Iruma#[梦_首,+发 complained loudly again.

"I don't think so."

Seeing that Chihaya Aine was still stubborn, Iruma Hibiki sighed helplessly.

Then he searched for a while and found the score file on his mobile phone and sent a copy to Chihaya Aine. Then he put on a pair of headphones.

On his mobile phone, the original version of the song, which was arranged by Toyokawa Shoko and then sung softly at that time, sounded in his ears. With a hint of nostalgia, Iruma Hibiki fell silent for a moment, and then relaxed a little.

The noise in the classroom became louder and louder, but fortunately everyone tacitly agreed not to disturb him while he was making preparations.

A few minutes later, Goto Ichiri came out.

"Xiang, Hongxia said, it's okay, it's time to go on stage."

"I see."

Iruma Hibiki responded to Goto Ichiri and then came to her side.

"Ichiri, are you okay?"

Then he asked Goto Ichiri with concern.

"No, not really..."

Goto Ichiri stammered in response, even his legs were shaking a little.

From the very beginning, she was asked by Iruma Hibiki's classmates about Hidetaka and the band.

For those with social anxiety, this is simply hell.

If it weren't for Ichichi Hongxia, she would have died long ago.

"It's really great to be able to perform with you again, Ichiri..."

Then, Iruma Hibiki suddenly said this.

"Eh?"

Goto Ichiri suddenly exclaimed in surprise at what Iruma Hibiki said.

"I originally thought that after the band ended and got back on track, there would be no such opportunities anymore."

Iruma Hibiki spoke softly.

Probably with a hint of emotion.

"How, how could it be... When Xiang is coming, everyone will welcome him..."

Goto Ichiri tried his best to say something at this moment.

"I know that."

But what responded to her was Hibiki Iruma's answer with a sigh.

"Well, it's a rare opportunity anyway, so let's all work hard together."

Finally, Iruma Hibiki patted Goto Ichiri on the shoulder.

After all, it was now his turn to cheer for Goto Ichiri.

"Yeah! I'll try my best!"

Seeing Goto Ichiri mustering up his courage, Iruma Hibiki also breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, before going in, Hibiki Iruma took out his mobile phone, took a photo of his classroom, and then sent it to the Crychic group.

[I am currently attending the welcome party. I will be late for today's rehearsal.]

After sending this message, without receiving a reply, Iruma Hibiki opened the door of the classroom.

At this moment, the classroom is already full of people.

"Then let's get started! Our performance."

"Oh!!!"

The nonsensical welcome party began.

It was like the school festival that Hibiki Iruma had never really enjoyed.

I remember that during this year's school festival, he was still immersed in the sadness of a broken heart and the disbanding of his band, so much so that he had no intention of participating in class activities at that time.

But Yidizhi Hongxia dragged him to one place after another, so he could barely be considered to have experienced it.

On the open day, Ijichi Hongka took him to visit the booths of each class, and of course Yamada Ryo was there too.

……

And at this moment, this small welcome party was like a re-enactment of the school festival.

Iruma Hibiki looked in the direction of Ijichi Kouka.

Speaking of which——

At that time, the school festival performance that everyone had been looking forward to at the beginning was not successfully held in the end.

It's a pity...

But it doesn't matter.

It's not too late now.

With a smile on his face, Hibiki Iruma stood on the platform under the blackboard where the podium had been removed.

On the blackboard, a classmate who was probably good at drawing drew a simple welcome party poster.

In the audience, excited people gathered together in their Xiagao school uniforms, looking forward to the performance.

To be honest, the classroom is not suitable as a performance venue. I just want to borrow the performance room in Xiagao, but it is not enough for such a small class activity.

So we drew the curtains, turned off the lights, and tried our best to create the atmosphere of a dark stage, which became the limit of what we could do.

"Thank you all for coming to our class welcome party today. Well, today's welcome party is to celebrate Iruma-san's return to school!"

-

Ijichi Hongxia began her opening remarks.

And Iruma Hibiki glanced at his companions around him.

Except for Yamada Ryo, everyone else smiled and nodded at her.

The only one is Yamada Ryo.

From the very beginning, I stared at him sideways.

31 Wakaba Mutsu's Prayer

There was a slight silence in the rehearsal room.

During the days when Toyokawa Shoko and Iruma Hibiki were not around, if Crychic didn't have a clear goal, it would be like it is now, with everyone just sitting in their seats in silence.

But the day of actually performing on stage is approaching. Is it really okay to sit there doing nothing and remain silent like this?

While such worries existed, Shiina Riki also felt that the current training, at least for the few people at the moment, had reached its limit. What else could they do?

She has been playing Kasuga Shadow all the time, and has even developed some annoyance towards it recently.

Practicing the same song over and over again will quickly wear out your enthusiasm.

This is true for people like Shiina Riki who like "Kasuga Shadow", and it is also true for others.

"I saw Xiang's live broadcast. Would you like to come and watch it?"