Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

I was a little overwhelmed for a moment.

He was just a novice in love, and he couldn't handle interpersonal relationships well as a matter of course. So facing the coldness on Toyokawa Shoko's side, he fell silent for a moment.

The hotel corridor was quiet, with only the occasional gurgling sound of luggage carts touching the marble floor.

The elevator's warning sound also sounded once or twice from time to time.

Apart from that, there was faint laughter coming from the room.

I guess everyone had a lot of fun when he was not around.

After all, he had already been eliminated early in the previous game.

And on the other side.

Toyokawa Shoko straightened up, realizing she had just spoken out of turn, venting her deepest dissatisfaction on someone important to her...

How to do?

How to do?

She was in a panic.

Do you want to apologize now?

The feeling of regret intertwined with her previous feelings made Toyokawa Shoko's nose sore, but her self-esteem did not allow her to cry at this moment.

Last night's coquettishness was already the limit.

Shoko Toyokawa doesn't want to be a weak person.

Just like what she had been taught—

She should be decent and elegant, and deal with everyone around her politely.

But what's the cost?

Shoko Toyokawa was also silent, with darkness all before her eyes. The ventilation and lighting in this small house were very poor. If she listened carefully, she could hear the sound of wheels on the road and the conversations of pedestrians.

Apart from being a shelter from the wind and rain, this place is not really a home.

Not to mention the terrible smell that permeates the air...

Shoko Toyokawa's heart hit rock bottom.

"If Xiangzi is not here, I can never be completely happy."

【Lie. 】

This was Shoko Toyokawa's first reaction when she heard Hibiki Iruma's words.

Weren’t we smiling happily in the photo when we were having lunch together?

Wasn't it clear that when he looked at Wakaba Mutsu and Nagasaki Suyo trying on their wedding dresses, there was an exceptionally gentle and focused look on his face?

Playing games in the room -

Didn't she say that intimate contact with other girls is not allowed?

Dark emotions were surging in Toyokawa Shoko's heart, but she had to pretend to be a young lady at this moment, as if everything was normal.

She also didn't know the meaning of doing this.

Maybe he was angry at Iruma Hibiki.

So he treated Hibiki Iruma as a stranger and a friend.

I don’t think my boyfriend is someone I can share my vulnerable side with.

With a hint of self-esteem, resentment, envy, blame and other complex emotions intertwined, Toyokawa Shoko's revenge is to distance herself from Iruma Hibiki.

"Did I bother Xiangzi? Was moving hard? Are you still busy?"

Hibiki Iruma asked.

Perhaps to him, Shoko Toyokawa's attitude was also a little scary.

He had sensed the surge in the silence.

Iruma Hibiki felt a bit like drowning, and the panic of helplessness isolated the joy deep in his heart, and it disappeared in an instant.

"The move went smoothly. Don't worry, Hibiki. If you were busy, it doesn't matter now."

Toyokawa Shoko responded.

"Why don't you just ignore everyone if it rings? Come out secretly and call me. Is it ok over there?"

"I saw Sushi's update. Was everyone playing board games in Xiang's room just now?"

"How can the game continue if Hibiki suddenly shows up?"

Toyokawa Shoko spoke a lot in a normal tone.

Probably with a hint of resentment.

But it's disguised too well.

Hibiki Iruma sensed something was amiss, but the drowning feeling he had felt before forced him to continue the conversation at this moment.

"Hahaha, I actually lost the round just now. Now we're deciding who gets to post the note."

Iruma Hibiki responded.

Try to say something lighthearted to cheer up Shoko Toyokawa.

"And because I missed Xiangzi, I just..."

"It's a bit rude of you to play with others while thinking about me when I'm not here."

"is it?"

Iruma Hibiki asked back with a laugh.

"I don't think so..."

Then he responded.

"For me, not being able to be with Xiangzi..."

"ring."

Suddenly, Shoko Toyokawa stopped Hibiki Iruma from speaking.

"You know, no matter what you say, I can't be with you now?"

"..."

At this moment, Iruma Hibiki's pupils shrank.

It was obvious that Toyokawa Shoko's words were filled with anger.

"Have fun, I need to rest."

"and many more--"

When Iruma Hibiki tried to stop it.

Toyokawa Shoko fell silent.

Yes, until this moment, Shoko Toyokawa, who said these farewell words, still did not hang up the phone.

she was--

It wasn't that he genuinely wanted to say goodbye to Hibiki Iruma right now, or to mess up their relationship.

She was just... probably, waiting for Hibiki Iruma's response.

"ring?"

Suddenly, Ruoye Mu's voice came from the other end of the phone.

Shoko Toyokawa gripped the phone tightly, leaning close to the receiver.

"Ah, wait, Mu..."

"Is it Xiang?"

Suddenly Ruo Ye Mu asked this.

"Well, why did Mu come out?"

The sound from Iruma Hibiki's end became smaller, which seemed to cover up the sound from the receiver, but Toyokawa Shoko could still hear it.

"It's a bit boring without Hibiki."

"Oh, I see. I'll be right back."

"Is Xiang okay?"

Thinking that Iruma Hibiki had hung up the phone, Wakaba Mutsu continued the conversation.

She also has a genuine concern for Shoko Toyokawa.

But for some reason, every time she tried to provide assistance to Toyokawa Shoko, she was cruelly rejected.

as if--

The connection between them in the past was now nothing more than a fragile sandcastle.

After all, what kind of identity does this person named Ruoye Mu have in this place?

Ruoye Mu was always thinking about this matter and seeking it.

But in the end, the only person who gave her the answer was Hibiki Iruma in front of her.

From other people, all Ye Mu received was empty, hot and cold responses, suddenly close but suddenly angry, and such ambiguous and meaningless answers.

"I……"

Hibiki Iruma wants to explain the truth to Mutsumu Wakaba.

After all, Wakaba Mutsu was the first person to know about Toyokawa Shoko's affairs.

but……

Did Toyokawa Shoko want him to tell Wakaba Mutsu about what had just happened?

Hibiki Iruma was a little confused.

"Okay, I understand. I won't ask any more questions."

Suddenly Ruo Ye Mu said this.

"Xiang, just don't feel embarrassed."

……

When Hibiki Iruma noticed her phone again, the call had already been hung up.

In fact, this was not what Shoko Toyokawa originally intended.

On the phone that Toyokawa Shoko had thrown away, a notice of overdue payment had already arrived.

51 Unequal Relationship

Let's go out and buy some snacks to bring in. If you need anything, you can order now. Of course, anything too unhealthy or too large is prohibited.

Hibiki Iruma was posting messages in the newly formed discussion group that did not include Shoko Toyokawa.

Avoided Toyokawa Shoko.

Subconsciously, a firebreak was drawn between lovers.

He didn't know why he did this. He probably felt that no matter what Toyokawa Shoko said, she didn't seem to be indifferent to what happened today.

Look, wasn't she angry and furious just now?

In fact, Iruma Hibiki may also have some grievances of his own.

So when Wakaba Mutsu said in an overly considerate and somewhat unusual way, "Xiang, don't feel embarrassed," Iruma Xiang actually felt an inexplicable warmth.

Perhaps at this moment, the tired desire to pour out has finally found a fulcrum for release.

Come to think of it, Wakaba Mu always seems to be the best person to confide in.

When talking, Ruo Yemu always had a blank expression on his face. As the best listener, he would nod occasionally, stare intently, and speak very briefly from time to time.