Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

After saying this, Ijichi Hongxia seemed to run off to make band plans.

Hibiki Iruma once again devoted himself to the process of researching and learning music.

From guitar playing to music theory to the most basic sight-singing and ear training, music is a complex and difficult thing, and he actually still lacks a lot in this regard.

rather say--

The previous band’s disbandment might not be a bad thing for him.

At least he truly realized what he lacked and was prepared to face these difficulties.

What's more, he is not lonely at this moment.

After all, Chihaya Aine was a rookie of similar level to him, and the practice and communication between the two of them was actually surprisingly enjoyable.

That day's practice continued until late at night.

Only then did he receive a message from Toyokawa Shoko.

"Wow! That's amazing! Iruma-san! This is the first time I've seen a performance like that!"

[Which band's performance did Toyokawa-san watch? ]

Iruma Hibiki asked with a hint of curiosity.

In fact, he was just asking, and he didn't expect Toyokawa Shoko to reply to his message at 11 o'clock in the evening. After all, as a young lady, she should look like——

A morning person like that guy.

Iruma Hibiki took a deep breath, then decided to put down his phone and prepare for bed.

By the way, he also planned to check on Goto Ichiri later.

If that guy slept in the afternoon, he might wake up in the middle of the night tonight? Or maybe he would wake up now?

[Sunset? I think there's a band called that...]

Afterglow...

Hibiki Iruma almost immediately recognized the band that Shoko Toyokawa was talking about. After all, Afterglow was one of the most famous girl bands.

"Yeah! That's it! That's amazing! Really amazing! It would be so great if our band could stand on a stage like that one day!"

Toyokawa Shoko's tone was filled with excitement.

No matter how you look at it, she is in an excited state now.

[Good luck, Toyokawa-san. I wish you all the best.]

Hibiki Iruma sent his blessings to Shoko Toyokawa.

Just when he thought that tonight's chat would end here, Toyokawa Shoko sent another message.

[Is Iruma-san going to take a break? ]

[Hmm? That's about it. Anything else?]

Slightly confused, Iruma Hibiki sat back in front of the computer and gave up on shutting it down. His intuition told him that what Toyokawa Shoko was going to say next might be the highlight of the night.

……

However, Toyokawa Shoko seemed to be in a state of hesitation and did not reply for a long time. Just when Iruma Hibiki thought that the next message would be an invitation to form a band as usual, the message sent by Toyokawa Shoko was a little beyond Iruma Hibiki's expectations:

Iruma-san, what do you think the best band is like?

When Iruma Hibiki saw this question, his heart skipped a beat.

After all, generally speaking, people who ask this question are probably confused about their goals.

Speaking of which——

Would Toyokawa Shoko, who was able to come up with such a perfect plan, ever feel confused?

Iruma Hibiki didn't know.

But at the moment, he put aside some of his prejudices against Toyokawa Shoko and seriously planned to give Toyokawa Shoko a response on this matter.

I think the best band is one where all members see each other as a community with a shared destiny.

[Community of Shared Destiny?]

【Um. 】

Hibiki Iruma lowered his head, staring at his keyboard, and then quickly typed the following reply:

I actually spend more time with my bandmates than with anyone else. From music to life to school, we're connected as a whole in every aspect. We support each other through all the good and bad times, and that's it—for a lifetime.

I think this is the ideal band.

Iruma Hibiki explained what he said.

【But in reality, such a thing is really impossible. 】

Of course, after that, Iruma Hibiki wanted to say something—

[No, I can do it!]

However, Toyokawa Shoko responded more quickly.

The band Iruma-san suggested is actually pretty close to my ideal Crychic. Sure enough, my initial feeling was right. Iruma-san, you and I share the same goal.

It’s not good to idealize the band too much, because… it will make people feel a huge gap when faced with some not-so-good real-life situations, and then—

Iruma Hibiki actually knew that he shouldn't say this now.

but……

He still said it.

Is this a warning?

No, definitely not.

After all, these words were just the troubles in his heart that he had never told anyone.

"But! Iruma-san! If you don't set a grand and perfect goal from the beginning, then there's no chance of achieving it, right? 】

If I aim for 60 points, I will fail. If I aim for 100 points, I will get 90 points.

Hibiki Iruma lightly teased Shoko Toyokawa's statement.

He recovered quickly.

His normal tone returned almost instantly.

[That's right, but I have no intention of giving up 100 points.]

Then, Toyokawa Shoko responded with full confidence.

【Come on, if there's anything I can do to help, please feel free to ask. I won't refuse.】

How about Iruma-san joining Crychic?

Hibiki Iruma laughed out loud at the message on the screen.

He could even feel the tone of voice when Toyokawa Shoko said this.

In the final analysis, if he really replied with "OK" here, it would definitely make the other party jump in surprise.

Toyokawa-san, you're truly, completely unsatisfied.

Of course, in the end, Iruma Hibiki did not choose to play a prank.

Ultimately, playing pranks on something like this is just too much.

【It's because I've been frustrated that I haven't been able to successfully invite Iruma-san.】

So why must it be me?

18 Because I fell in love with Iruma-san at first sight

【Because I fell in love with Iruma-san at first sight! 】

"what?!"

Iruma Hibiki's surprised voice appeared in reality, echoing in the empty room late at night.

Is the other party crazy?

Or was he hallucinating?

etc--

When did he become a jerk who fantasizes about others falling in love with him at first sight?

Iruma Hibiki felt a little bit surprised.

He wiped his eyes again and looked at the screen again.

【Because I fell in love with Iruma-san at first sight! 】

Such responses are still clearly visible.

It wasn't an illusion, nor was it some strange environment. Now, of course, it wasn't a dream either. And in the final analysis—

Toyokawa Shoko is indeed very cute.

But Iruma Hibiki felt that, at least in the short term, he probably had no plans to fall in love or date anyone.

Close relationships between friends are actually more important to Iruma Hibiki now.

After all, although love is always an indispensable part of youth, it is indispensable, and friendship is actually more important.

In the previous incident, he almost lost his best friend and the person he loved most at the same time...

Compared to being under the medical supervision, that is hell.

Adolescence without friends is actually much more miserable than adolescence without a lover.

At least that's what Hibiki Iruma felt at the moment.

【…】

After hesitating for a long time in front of the computer, Hibiki Iruma didn't know how to respond to Shoko Toyokawa.

Seriously refuse?

[Iruma-san? Are you asleep?]

Before Iruma Hibiki could reply, Toyokawa Shoko seemed a little impatient and sent a message to confirm.

"No, it's just that what Toyokawa-san said was a bit surprising, so I didn't know how to respond for a moment. !贰玲瓢鷗球撮⒊ ⑥咎:&"

"My words are surprising? What part are you referring to, Iruma-san?"

……

Iruma Hibiki was silent again for a while.

Then he took a screenshot of the chat record with Toyokawa Shoko's profile picture and sent it over.

The above is the phrase love at first sight.

【etc! 】

[You, don't misunderstand! ]

……

"Huh... so that's how it is!"

When Hibiki Iruma saw Toyokawa Shoko's explanation, he breathed a sigh of relief for a moment and talked to himself loudly. He had definitely talked to himself more times than allowed tonight. He hoped that such loud talking would not disturb his parents' rest, otherwise he would definitely be gently lectured tomorrow.

But regardless, Iruma Hibiki breathed a sigh of relief.

Toyokawa Shoko's words about Lingba Wu+"④溜⒏起Qi宭 are too scary.

Although Iruma Hibiki could roughly understand Toyokawa Shoko's feelings, as expected, the word "love at first sight" used here was really... scary.

After all, if he was a virgin who was looking forward to falling in love, wouldn't he have been tricked into using a whole set of ultimate moves by Toyokawa Shoko's basic attack just now, and then be eliminated on the spot, ending his life?

【She was just joking, just joking! 】

Just like that, he jumped down from the sky tree.

Fortunately, the weak man of the past is dead.