Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Page 57

"Is the performance okay? Hongxia, you're planning on going on stage before summer vacation, right? If there are three newcomers, three months wouldn't be enough time."

Ijichi Hongxia was slightly silent.

She actually knew.

It is probably true that the original performance plan could not be kept up, because the positions of guitar singer and lead guitarist seem somewhat similar, but are actually completely different.

Playing and singing at the same time is something that cannot be learned quickly.

Besides, Chihaya Aine is not a genius——

This was her own confession when she described her practice progress.

"Well, it's okay. If it's too late in the summer, we can just change the debut date to fall."

But soon, a smile appeared on Ijichi Hongxia's face.

The cold silence on the other end of the phone lasted even longer.

"Hongxia, you mentioned before that you wanted to form a band and debut as soon as possible, right?"

"Ah, yes, because at that time, I really admired and envied your band, Liang. Your performances were amazing."

"So it's okay?"

Yamada Ryo confirmed once again.

“If the band’s tonality isn’t there, it’s going to be hard to keep going.”

She added again.

"cold?"

At this moment, Ijichi Hongxia already understood what Yamada Ryo on the other end of the phone actually wanted to say.

"Hahaha... I think you're taking it too seriously, Ryo. As for me, at least I'm very happy so far. I don't have any complaints. It feels good to move forward with everyone."

"That's good."

After hearing Ijichi Kouka's reply, Yamada Ryo seemed to be relieved.

This is also the reason why Ijichi Hongka can never do anything about Yamada Ryo. Although this guy is weird and often owes money and doesn't pay it back, he occasionally shows a side that cares about others.

and--

[In fact, Liang, that guy, seemed to be leaving the team in a carefree manner, but in fact, it was not at all relaxing. ]

Ijichi Hongxia thought so in her heart, then smiled helplessly, and then she asked with a hint of worry and expectation:

"Ryo, when are you planning to form a new band?"

"Wait a minute Hong Xia——"

At this moment, Yamada Ryo stopped the conversation between the two.

On the other side, Hibiki Iruma was yawning in the Fuzugawa Bunko.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Iruma, for asking you to come to the Fuzugawa Library so late at night. However, I still have something I want to confirm with you about tomorrow. We will reimburse your travel expenses and accommodation tonight."

"Yes, I understand. Please continue, Editor Machida."

After the band's rehearsal, Iruma Hibiki, who was called to the Fuzugawa Bunko by Machida Sonoko, yawned with obvious fatigue on his face.

The long journey made him extremely tired.

Just then, Iruma's cell phone vibrated at an inopportune time.

Then came the second blow.

The third time.

In fact, Iruma Hibiki had muted all notifications from the very beginning, leaving only the notification sounds for important people.

For example, my parents and Nagasaki Suyo.

"Let's take a look. It's not something important."

"Feel sorry."

Iruma Hibiki apologized to Machida Sonoko, and then turned on his phone during the meeting somewhat embarrassedly.

But unexpectedly, he discovered that the message notification sound did not come from anyone he thought, but from Iruma Renjian's social account -

【+10978】

A big red bubble floated in the upper right corner of the app icon at this moment.

Hibiki Iruma had no idea what was going on until he opened his Iruma Renkan account and discovered that his account had been mentioned by Guitar Hero a few minutes ago.

Following Et's address, Iruma Hibiki found the original copy of Guitar Hero.

[Today's update is a song I perfected and written by Iruma-san called "Godknows..."]. Although I can't confirm whether it's Iruma-san's original work, I haven't been able to find this song anywhere, so this video is temporarily prohibited from being reposted, copied, or used in any other context. Please listen below——]

【My sincere confession to Iruma-san! 】

Iruma Hibiki's pupils shrank for a moment.

He suddenly understood where the terrifying red bubbles came from.

"Iruma-san! I'll go to your book signing event! I'll play this song for you right there! As a return gift!"

Goto Ichiri is broken?

In fact, when Hibiki Iruma first saw the words in front of him, besides joy, the first thing that popped into his mind was this terrible thought.

Is this person really Goto Ichiri?

Do not--

Such doubts are unnecessary.

On the other side of the video, that black G-Force card and that pink sportswear, it looks exactly like her, there is no possibility of fakery at all.

but--

In fact, Iruma Hibiki couldn't imagine that Goto Ichiri would do such a bold thing.

[Hibiki? What's going on with Goto-san?]

Then——

Iruma Hibiki saw the message sent from Nagasaki Motoyo.

Almost instantly, all the shock and joy were poured with a bucket of cold water.

"It was a brilliant move to have you here tonight, Iruma-sensei."

Opposite Iruma Hibiki, Machida Sonoko also noticed that something was wrong and she couldn't help rubbing her temples with a headache.

Is the feng shui of the Fuzugawa Bunko bad recently?

Aside from a certain flopped autograph session, the autograph sessions of newcomers lately have always been so - grand.

[Iruma-san, did you write this song? Amazing!]

Afterwards, Iruma Hibiki saw the reply letter from Ijichi Kouka.

In the band’s group, the topic about him gradually unfolded.

There was also news about Chihaya Aine—

[This is a really nice song. The guitar part is quite difficult! And even though there's no vocals, you can really feel the emotion of the song just by reading the lyrics!]

Is Iruma-san really just a newbie? Come to think of it, the lyrics for this song are so different from what we discussed this afternoon! The level of completion is terrifying!

[Chihaya-san, let's chat privately.]

【Eh? 】

Chihaya Aine, who didn't realize that something was wrong, was dragged away by Ijichi Kouka and the small window was opened in the middle of the conversation.

At the same time, on a high-rise building in Ikebukuro, Nagasaki Suyo stared at the screen, waiting for a reply from Iruma Hibiki.

87 Iruma Hibiki rejects Goto Ichiri

The aroma of classic yet cheap BOSS coffee wafted through the air. Hibiki Iruma rubbed his forehead with a headache and then drank the super concentrated black coffee in one gulp. The intense bitterness sobered him up a little.

"Teacher Iruma, no matter what happens tonight, remember to get some rest. I'll help you take care of the rest."

Machida Sonoko was also drinking coffee at this moment. Now was a rare break time for the two of them.

However, even though she had been busy for a long time, Machida Sonoko had no idea how much effect today's preparations would have on her tomorrow.

In short, no matter what, thanks to Guitar Hero, there will most likely be "more" people attending Hibiki Iruma's autograph session than usually expected.

"But is everything okay with you, Mr. Iruma?"

"Well, please rest assured Editor Machida, I will do my best not to affect tomorrow's book signing event."

"That's not what I'm talking about."

Machida Sonoko rarely showed a serious expression.

"I mean, it's okay on your end, right? After all, we've already done everything we can to prepare for the book signing event. The rest will depend on how we handle it tomorrow. On the other hand, it's you who—"

Machida Sonoko didn't continue speaking, but just waited quietly for Iruma Hibiki's reply.

As midnight approached, the Busei Bunko was silent, with only this one office with the lights on.

"Well, it's okay."

Iruma Hibiki responded softly.

In fact, during these few hours, Ijichi Nikka, Nagasaki Suyo, and Chihaya Aine had been sending him messages non-stop, and his explanations hadn't stopped either, but—

Things were like an avalanche, completely out of his control.

"Godknows..." is undoubtedly a song of extremely high quality. It is precisely because of this that it has become a very deep part in Hibiki Iruma's memory, so much so that he, who had just learned some music theory, was able to restore it almost perfectly.

Goto Ichiri is an amazing guitarist and has a lot of potential as an arranger. The "Godknows..." she perfected is actually slightly different from what Hibiki Iruma remembers. However, Shoulders of Giants——

These words are the most appropriate to describe this song today.

The excellent arrangement and lyrics, coupled with Goto Ichiri's outstanding guitar skills, although only with guitar accompaniment, the intense solo in the original song of "Godknows" is even more thrilling and shocking than what Hibiki Iruma remembered.

This is a reproduction that goes beyond the original.

Yes, Goto Ichiri’s cry was indeed from the bottom of his heart.

Iruma Hibiki heard and felt that cry, and Goto Ichiri conveyed it exactly and accurately.

It was precisely because of this feeling that Hibiki Iruma felt a little overwhelmed at the moment.

"Don't worry, Editor Machida. I'll take care of things for tomorrow."

"Oh? Have you made a decision about the Guitar Hero thing?"

Machida Sonoko looked at Iruma Hibiki curiously. To be honest, the question she asked at this moment was a little rude and she couldn't read the atmosphere.

However, at this moment, she is Hibiki Iruma's editor.

As an editor, she has to plan for the longer term.

So she asked anyway.

"Well, I've made up my mind. If she comes to the book signing tomorrow to confess her feelings, I will reject her in person."

Iruma Hibiki lowered his head and spoke softly and lowly.

There was a hint of pity and pain in his tone.

He could already foresee the outcome of this matter——

After tomorrow's rejection, I'm afraid his relationship with Goto Ichiri will end here.

Because, Iruma Hibiki understood what kind of effort and courage it took for Goto Ichiri to make such a voice and make such a decision.

And he-

He likes Nagasaki Suyo.

Nagasaki Suyo is already his girlfriend.