Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Page 219

Although population mobility between bands may be commonplace, only bands that have entered the idol circle and truly begun to move towards a bigger stage will gradually form fixed members.

However, the band that Hibiki Iruma experienced was different.

The band that Shoko Toyokawa wanted was a complete band from the very beginning.

So it was understandable that she would be angry about his departure and his temporary move to perform with another band.

"You need to explain it properly."

Iruma sighed, looking at the lunch box and drinks in his hands, hoping that this treat would make everyone happy.

As for Toyokawa Shoko——

what can we do about it?

Iruma Hibiki didn't know.

He yawned.

Today he chose an extra-enhanced American coffee, even though drinking coffee at night was a risk and would likely make his condition worse.

But Iruma Hibiki has reached the point where he has to drink coffee.

Slept well last night.

But after all, there is not enough sleep.

Thinking about this and that, Iruma Hibiki finally arrived at RIng's rehearsal room at just the right time, despite some delay.

After showing his membership card and confirming the door number of the practice room with the front desk, he finally walked towards Crychic.

As a result, when he was at the door, he ran into Nagasaki Suyo, who seemed to have just come out of the bathroom.

"Hiroshi, good evening."

Nagasaki Motoyo greeted Iruma Hibiki with a smile.

"Good evening, Sushi."

And Iruma Hibiki responded somewhat awkwardly.

"Everyone saw Xiang's performance tonight. It was amazing. That song—"

Nagasaki Suyo walked forward gently.

As a legacy of the past.

Or maybe it's the tacit understanding developed during their time as lovers.

Nagasaki Suyo walked up to Iruma Hibiki, took some of the things from Iruma Hibiki's hands, then held the handles with both hands and hung them in front of her.

"Hibiki wrote it when he was leaving the band, right?"

"Ah."

Iruma Hibiki nodded.

"Su Shi also made suggestions at that time, so I revised it, but later the band..."

When mentioning what happened at that time, Iruma Hibiki's words were once again delayed for a moment.

He didn't know how to talk about that time in front of Nagasaki Motoyo.

At least at this moment, his feelings towards Nagasaki Suyo are definitely very complicated.

"Because of my reasons——"

However, under Iruma Hibiki's surprised gaze, Nagasaki Suyo spoke.

"Because of my lie, I didn't get the chance to perform that song..."

Nagasaki Motoyo suddenly said this, so frankly that Iruma Hibiki was a little unsure of what to do.

Actually——

As far as Iruma Hibiki remembers, this was the first time that Nagasaki Motoyo directly responded to what happened at that time.

"Because at that time, I said that I didn't like Xiang's lies."

Then...

Nagasaki Motoyo said something that surprised Iruma Hibiki even more.

"So, it's great to see Hibiki performing our songs again, that's what I think."

Nagasaki Suyo said with a smile in front of Iruma Hibiki.

For some reason, Iruma Hibiki always felt that if Nagasaki Suyo had her hands free at this moment, she would definitely be playing with her hair at the temples with one hand.

"Actually, this was also Hongxia's sudden decision. I was also shocked when the performance started."

Nagasaki Suyo, who was blocking the door, seemed to be planning to say something.

For Hibiki Iruma, facing Nagasaki Soyo is always easier than facing others.

So naturally, Iruma Hibiki accepted the current situation.

"Eh? Is that so?"

"Well, Hongxia told me to bring my guitar to school today, and then she told me the music after school. Luckily, I practiced that song after Xiangzi composed it, otherwise today would have been a disaster."

"Ijichi-san, she wouldn't make a decision that would bother Hibiki."

Nagasaki Suyo said this with certainty.

"makes sense."

And Iruma Hibiki also responded in this way.

Then the atmosphere fell into silence.

"Align. 2. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37

And Iruma Hibiki finally asked the question that concerned him the most.

In fact, he didn't know how to start.

But because the other person was Nagasaki Suyo, he felt that it might not matter.

Of course, here Iruma Hibiki finally escaped from the truth of what Nagasaki Suyo just said, that it was a lie that she didn’t like him.

"Are you all mad that I went to perform with another band..."

Iruma Hibiki said.

Actually——

If you think about it, wasn't it Toyokawa Shoko who gave that song to Ijichi Kouka? That day, he and Chihaya Aine performed with the Ending Band.

"Um, yes."

Nagasaki Suyo responded decisively.

"Actually, I'm a little angry too."

Then she answered in the affirmative.

"Hikari was finishing up the band's performance, and he never called me once."

"what……"

"As for me, actually..."

In front of Iruma Hibiki, Nagasaki Suyo showed a sad expression, then she took a few steps forward and came in front of Iruma Hibiki.

"I've always wanted to find an opportunity to reconcile with Ijichi-san and the others."

"But Hibiki has always been..."

"Ah...that's it..."

Iruma Hibiki didn't know how to respond to Nagasaki Soyo at this moment.

So I just spoke softly and awkwardly.

"I understand. Next time I go to finish the band, I will ask Su Shi to come with me."

certainly--

No matter how you look at it, it would be great if the original issue could be resolved, so Iruma Hibiki supports Nagasaki Soyo's decision.

"In this case, it won't matter to me. Li Xi is a little angry, so Xiang should be careful. But don't worry, I will always stand by Xiang and help him."

Nagasaki Suyo chuckled in front of Iruma Hibiki.

The time we could stay in the narrow corridor had come to an end.

"Isn't Xiangzi here?"

Iruma Hibiki asked about the topic that concerned him most at the moment.

"Ah."

And Nagasaki Suyo just nodded.

For some reason, just tonight, Iruma Hibiki felt that it was great that he didn't have to face Toyokawa Shoko at this time.

34 Overexertion

It rained in Ikebukuro at night.

The temperature dropped sharply. In the middle of practice, Hibiki Iruma noticed Takamatsu Touma, who had curled up slightly beside him, so he took the initiative to stop the rehearsal:

"Everyone, take a break. I'll go get some drinks."

Iruma Hibiki spoke softly, then put down his guitar and stretched. Before leaving, he also picked up the scattered lunch boxes.

"What would you like to drink?"

"coffee."

"black tea."

"milk."

"It will be all right."

After noting down what everyone wanted, Iruma Hibiki took the remote control and turned up the temperature of the indoor air conditioner, then walked out the door.

The Ring was already more or less bustling at this point. Perhaps because of the rain, there were fewer passers-by today, and only the ones present were die-hard fans of the band.

And Iruma Hibiki came to the counter and placed an order.

The person working the front desk today was a new person whom Hibiki Iruma had never seen before. He seemed to be a student from the nearby Hanaoka.

While waiting in line, Iruma Hibiki took out his cell phone and looked at the message on it.

Machida Sonoko unexpectedly sent him a routine greeting. Of course, such a greeting was to some extent like a weasel wishing a happy new year to a chicken, and her thoughts were too easy to understand.

However, Iruma should actually be thankful for this.

After all, there is never a shortage of authors submitting their works to the Fushigawa Bunko, and it is a blessing to be valued by the editors.

【I'm fine, and I'm preparing a new work. 】

Iruma Hibiki responded to Machida Sonoko.

What kind of new work do you plan to write?

【A light novel with a high sugar content about love. 】

【Eh? 】

Seeing Machida Sonoko's frightening response, Iruma Hibiki laughed.

But that's indeed what he was thinking at the moment.

But after the chat, Iruma Hibiki felt a rare sense of loneliness, and he wanted to see Toyokawa Shoko.

It has only been a short time since we said goodbye, but I already feel a little bit of longing.

The line ahead was a bit long, and this feeling lasted for a long time, until——