Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"It's a bit hard to choose... maybe ramen is better."

Iruma Hibiki hesitated and didn't make a decision for a long time.

"I'll just order this!"

Ijichi Hongxia was the first to click on the fried chicken set.

"Pochi-chan really likes fried chicken, and she'll definitely ask me for it if it's cold. Fried chicken nuggets are easier to share so everyone can have a taste."

Looking at Ijichi Hongka's brilliant smile, Iruma Hibiki also made his own decision.

"Then I'll eat the same thing as you."

Then he also clicked on the fried chicken set, but when choosing the flavor, Iruma Hibiki chose mustard flavor.

Then, along with the sound of the ordering machine, the receipt and the change fell into the ticket outlet.

“It’s ready!”

When she returned to her seat, Ijichi Hongxia saw Kita who seemed to be chatting with Goto Ichiri, and Yamada Ryo who was holding up his face and looking handsome while browsing his phone.

After Ijichi Hongka came back, Yamada Ryo quickly scanned the receipt on the table. After confirming that he had a share, he smiled with relief and then gave Ijichi Hongka a thumbs up.

"Liang, remember to pay back today's money."

It was not until Ijichi Hongxia delivered another blow that the disdainful expression on Yamada Ryo's face finally subsided.

"Please give me a few more days."

"It's only the beginning of the month! And there's still New Year's money... Liang, you didn't spend it all lavishly again, did you? "

Ijichi Hongxia sighed.

Yamada Ryo's private financial situation is indeed very worrying, even though her pocket money is actually as much as Kita and Goto Ichiri combined.

On the other hand, the topic of conversation between Kita and Goto Ichiri was focused on the aquarium.

When Iruma Hibiki sat down, he heard them say:

"Would you like to go to the aquarium together later? I'm very interested in Kasai Rinkai Park because my seniors have mentioned it many times."

"And there's a national festival nearby!"

"National Festival?"

"Yeah! It's a festival that showcases specialties and delicacies from many countries. I think there's a battle on the beach, so there's a lot of delicious food."

Kita rummaged through his phone and saw a picture of Hibiki Iruma that was all too familiar to him.

Indeed, there is such a festival in Linhai Park twice a year, but because it is just a small event, it is generally only known to people who live nearby.

Iruma Hibiki had seen it many times, but had never tried it.

but--

aquarium.

When Kita and Goto Ichiri mentioned this place name, Iruma Hibiki fell into silence.

He still remembered what Shiina Riki had told him about Takamatsu Touma.

Regarding what happened back then, Iruma Hibiki felt that the person he felt most sorry for was probably Takamatsu Touma. She was innocent and knew nothing, but was affected by everyone's emotions and hurt.

And until now, he still...

While feeling guilty, Hibiki Iruma also felt a bit helpless.

What was his thinking when he returned to Tokyo so early this time?

Maybe there is also a part of me that wants to make up for the regrets of the past.

"senior."

Until Kita called his name.

Hibiki Iruma raised his head from his thoughts. The world around him seemed like a loading model, from outline to black and white entity, and finally rendered in color.

Finally, under Kita's worried eyes, his thoughts were pulled back to reality.

"Um, sorry, I was just distracted."

"It's ok."

"I just told Pochi-chan that we should go to the aquarium later."

In fact, Kita wanted to invite Iruma Hibiki privately.

But she was still somewhat shy.

If they were just friends, Kita would probably invite him without hesitation, and then the two of them would happily take photos in various places all day long.

But when faced with Iruma Hibiki and his own imagination, Kita couldn't do that.

It's as if the lively, sociable, lively Kita is dead.

She was actually a little worried that things would go wrong when she was alone with Hibiki Iruma.

So naturally she wanted to pull Goto Ichiri along.

And Iruma Hibiki smiled slightly.

"Sure, as long as you're free. Or just treat it as a way to relax before the performance or to welcome Hong Xia back?"

"Eh? Hongxia is leaving Tokyo?"

"+Qi Ling⑧ Qia ⒋ Pipa 岜 Qi Qi Ling Meng `Family trip."

Ijichi Hongxia also joined the conversation with a smile at this time.

"so good!"

Kita sighed.

Only Yamada Ryo was left watching everyone. After waiting for a while for the meal, he suddenly brought up a topic:

"Are you ready for the show?"

Actually, it’s a bit inappropriate to talk about this here.

But it is also the part that Yamada Ryo is concerned about.

Beneath his unreliable behavior, Yamada Ryo is probably the guy who cares the most about the band, otherwise he wouldn't quit his original band just because of a simple incompatibility between the bands.

For Yamada Ryo, what she probably expects is not even the cheers from the huge audience. If she were asked to form a band, she probably would not have such grand ideals and goals as Toyokawa Shoko.

She just wants to do what she likes and stick with it.

So Yamada Ryo asked about the performance before the end of the winter vacation.

"I'm planning to start hellish training soon! Senior, do you want to come too?"

The first to respond was Kita, who raised her hand. She quickly looked at Iruma Hibiki with eyes sparkling with anticipation.

But it wasn't just Kita who was waiting for Iruma Hibiki's response.

"that……"

Ijichi Hongxia wanted to say something.

But she saw Kita surrendering to her.

……

Yes, Ijichi Hongxia probably understood what Kita meant.

And the meaning of such a look.

30 Pochi-chan left midway

"sure."

"I'm OK."

To Kita and Ijichi Nijika's surprise, Iruma Hibiki actually agreed directly.

"As long as it doesn't cause any trouble for everyone."

"how come."

Ijichi Hongka was obviously happy because of Iruma Hibiki's promise, and she also had some more expectations for the future, but she still had the same worries.

But for now, this is enough.

It would be better if everything remained as it is.

This is probably the case with Yi Chizhi Hongxia's gentle wife lingba⑸罒Luba⑦ (seven).

As for Hibiki Iruma, the reason why he agreed was very simple. He really had a lot of things to do and people to meet during the remaining winter vacation, but his time was very free.

The decision he had made in his mind had not yet reached the stage of being implemented.

It would be better to say that he is still hesitating and struggling, lacking the most crucial part.

Practicing with the band right now might not only be a fulfillment of my previous promise, but also a plan for the rest of the winter vacation. Maybe—

Not bad.

As Hibiki Iruma thought about this, a smile slowly appeared on his face.

Just when the meal arrived and they were eating for a while, Iruma Hibiki noticed that Goto Ichiri had walked out of the store at some point.

Knowing Ichiri Goto, he knew that she was probably over-socializing and wanted to relax a little alone.

After saying something to everyone, Iruma Hibiki chased after him.

Sure enough, I saw Goto Ichiri standing next to the vending machine at the door.

"One mile."

"Eh? Why did Xiang come out?"

Goto Ichiri was a little surprised by Iruma Hibiki's arrival.

Perhaps because everyone seemed to be having a great time chatting just now, although she was able to join in the conversation, she gradually became just a listener.

When the topic turned to school and shopping, Goto Ichiri, who had no say, chose to leave.

"Because I saw you coming out, I came here."

Hibiki Iruma answered.

“It’s just like junior high school.”

"junior high school……"

While Goto Ichiri was mumbling to himself, Iruma Hibiki continued:

"Yeah, junior high school."

"Ichiri, do you know what nickname my classmates gave me back then?"

Goto Ichiri looked at Iruma Hibiki with a hint of curiosity. If Iruma Hibiki was a handsome bystander who knew a little about what was happening in the class, then she was definitely an autistic patient.

Hibiki Iruma chose to behave that way in junior high school because he had inner troubles, things he pursued, and contradictions.

But she is purely socially anxious.

This is the difference between the two.

So she didn't know some of the things that Hibiki Iruma knew about his junior high school days.

"I'm a follower. Everyone says I always follow you. If I see you leave, I'll follow you."

As Iruma Hibiki spoke, he started laughing.

Goto Ichiri, on the other hand, showed an embarrassed expression.

"Feel sorry."

She apologized subconsciously.

Unexpectedly, Iruma Hibiki actually hugged her quietly after looking around.

"Don't apologize. It was great that I was a follower back then. At least that's what I think recently."

After a brief hug, Iruma Hibiki let go of Goto Ichiri. Looking at her cute face that turned red because of the warm hug, Iruma Hibiki also breathed a sigh of relief.