Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

No.

Maybe it's not intuitive either.

But it was Nagasaki Suyo's understanding of him.

Iruma Hibiki was a little unsure how to continue, but it was true that if Toyokawa Shoko couldn't even inform Nagasaki Motoyo of her decision...

Doesn't Xiang realize that Xiangzi has been making selfish decisions and actions, regardless of what others think?

【Xiangzi has his own difficulties, Su Shi.】

Iruma Hibiki responded to Nagasaki Suyo's words.

but--

In fact, unexpectedly, he was also wavering.

Yes, if I really want to say it, his wish at this moment is probably the same as before, at least the performance of "Kasuga Shadow" must be...

Even though it would be reasonable to stop here, "Kasuga Shadow" is special. It is Takamatsu Touma's confession and expectation.

Maybe none of them mattered.

It doesn't matter if Ruoye Muneng is friendly with Toyokawa Shoko, it doesn't matter if he is considerate of her as a boyfriend.

Nagasaki Suyo...

Perhaps she could also understand Toyokawa Shoko's situation. After all, Toyokawa Shoko was now in a reality similar to hers but more tragic.

But how should Takamatsu Deng understand all this?

Of course, as long as you say it, Gao Songdeng will definitely accept it.

At least in Iruma Hibiki's opinion, Takamatsu Touma doesn't seem like someone who would fight for anything.

So what about Shiina Riki?

What about Shiina Tatsuki, who sees the band as an opportunity to prove herself and tries her best to do well?

Even if all this can be solved.

The end of everything.

Can he accept this result?

Iruma Hibiki asked himself.

When the decision so far was placed before him and everything became a dilemma, Iruma Hibiki suddenly felt a sense of fear in an instant.

He felt that at this moment, Nagasaki Suyo's answer might have some truth in it.

Shoko Toyokawa's decision is understandable, but it is far from correct.

[It's difficult to respond, right? ]

Nagasaki Suyo continued to ask.

She sat up suddenly in bed.

The sadness and grief of the whole day turned into joy with the sudden turn of events at this moment.

In the darkness, Nagasaki Suyo once again caught the last ray of light that penetrated the darkness, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth in an instant.

【um, yes. 】

Hibiki Iruma answered honestly.

He sighed.

In fact, at this moment, he wondered if he was being too stingy. He felt that contacting Nagasaki Suyo now would only make the past complicated relationship even more complicated.

But in fact--

He and Nagasaki Motoyo will never become strangers, nor will they become lovers.

The relationships between friends and companions will continue.

And they are true friends who can talk about any topic with each other.

Can they still rely on each other in the current situation?

[Su Shi, you guessed right. It was Xiangzi who told me that if things really didn't work out, we could cancel the performance, but I didn't think that would be a good idea...]

"If everyone's hard work is wasted with just one sentence, then... that's too much."

Iruma Hibiki replied.

[Even if there are excuses and reasons, but this is the last performance... I absolutely want to continue.]

【If this ends, Hibiki's efforts will be in vain.】

Nagasaki Suyo suddenly said this.

"Hibiki is the one who cares the most about the band and everyone else. He even gave up his important writing career for this, didn't he? That was a promise he made with Goto-san, right?"

【It's a promise that's more important than Hibiki's lover.】

-

Suddenly, Nagasaki Suyo's reappearance of the past made Iruma Hibiki feel subtly suffocated.

He felt like someone was grabbing him by the neck and questioning him.

81 Nagasaki Suyo flying against the sky

[Xiang, can the rehearsal continue? ]

"It's news about Xiao Mu."

Nagasaki Motoyo suddenly said this as she looked at the screen that lit up on Iruma Hibiki's phone.

"What is Hibiki going to say?"

Next to her bass bag, Nagasaki Motoyo just smiled at Iruma Hibiki, as if waiting for his answer. The agreed time was not far away, and Shiina Riki also confirmed the time in the group chat. She seemed to have gone home to eat dinner and sent a message in the group chat:

[Let me know when you're leaving. I'll be there soon.]

In this case.

Then he also tagged Iruma Hibiki.

"Mu her..."

Hibiki Iruma looked at the message from Wakaba Mutsu. In fact, at this moment, Hibiki Iruma was slightly moved. Wakaba Mutsu must have lied. She took the responsibility alone and said things that no one wanted to say, so the rehearsal that might have been ruined got some time to turn around.

At least at this moment, Nagasaki Suyo is already in front of Iruma Hibiki.

"Sushi, is it okay that your hair isn't dry enough?"

Iruma Hibiki changed the subject.

"It's all Hibiki's fault for contacting me too late."

In response to Iruma Hibiki's concern, Nagasaki Suyo quickly revealed a look of resentment and blame.

"With only 20 minutes to get ready, there's no way I'm going to be able to leave on time."

"Sorry, Sushi, there seems to be a hair dryer in the bathroom of this store. Would you like to borrow it? It's a bit cold today. It would be bad if you catch a cold."

Iruma Hibiki said with some concern.

"Hibiki, don't you think I'm in the way and want to get rid of me?"

Naturally, his reply aroused Nagasaki Suyo's suspicion and dissatisfaction.

Yes, although there seems to be no difference between the present and the past, something has changed substantially. Iruma Hibiki doesn't know what Nagasaki Suyo is planning at this moment.

but……

There is at least a gap between the two of them at this moment.

"There's a prep room with hairdryers here that seems to be unisex. How about Hibiki coming with me?"

Suddenly, Nagasaki Suyo asked this with a gentle smile on her face.

"It's not just because I doubt Hibiki, I can't leave him alone with the look on his face."

……

Hibiki Iruma was silent for a moment, then turned and looked at the glass curtain wall beside him.

indeed……

He looked very bad at the moment.

It's terrible.

The expression on his face was purely like that of a dead child.

If adults see this, they will definitely treat you as a loser and give you a good beating.

"ring?"

The silence naturally attracted some attention from Nagasaki Suyo.

By the time Iruma Hibiki came to his senses, Nagasaki Suyo's hand was already in front of him. Iruma Hibiki leaned back quickly as if in response to the stress.

Nagasaki Suyo's hand was quietly hanging in the air, and after a while she gave up on her own initiative.

"The bangs are messed up."

She spoke softly, then turned her head away with a look of pain on her face.

"Xiang, you really listen to Xiangzi..."

Then, Iruma Hibiki heard Nagasaki Suyo's soft complaint.

"Everything should be centered around Xiangzi."

"Too cunning."

……

"Come on, Sushi, let's go to the preparation room."

Iruma Hibiki took a deep breath and agreed to Nagasaki Suyo's request to divert his attention.

"Okay, okay. Don't make things difficult for Xiang Xiaomu. I have a solution."

Facing Iruma Hibiki Nagasaki Suyo, she smiled.

After paying and entering the preparation room, Nagasaki Suyo found the hair dryer and took a photo.

[Sorry, my hair isn't dry yet. It'll take a while.]

[Huh? You're blow-drying your hair at this hour. What were you doing before?]

Naturally, Shiina Riki was a little dissatisfied with the repeated delays.

[I'm feeling a little under the weather today. My calorie intake was probably low recently, so I just woke up. Sorry.]

"Oh, I see. Then your health is more important. Remember to eat well."

Faced with such a reason, Shiina Riki immediately put away his temper.

That's what she is.

Sometimes I get angry easily, but as long as there is a reasonable reason, I will admit my mistakes decisively.

He's a guy with very clear boundaries.

[Mu, I think I can continue...]

And Iruma Hibiki also responded to Wakaba Mutsu.

In the empty room that had been booked in advance, Ruo Yemu sat on the chair. The room was quiet and she was the only one holding a guitar and looking at her cell phone.

So far, she's the only one here, but whoever comes later will say:

"I just arrived."

This is also a kind of strange rule that has been agreed upon.

"Hiroshi, can you help me out?"

"what happened?"

Suddenly, Nagasaki Suyo called out to Iruma Hibiki.