Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

When this fact was placed before Nagasaki Suyo——

"Ijichi and the others are planning to hold their first performance on Saturday, the first week of school. Yamada-senpai, Goto-san, and the others are definitely good enough to perform on stage. Nagasaki-san, are you coming?"

Hibiki Iruma asked.

Changed the subject.

For Nagasaki Suyo, what Iruma Hibiki said was like a heavy hammer, shattering the last bit of fantasy left in her heart.

So--

If the band breaks up.

If the family is over.

So where can she belong?

The only family member left——by [Mom’s] side?

still--

"I'm sorry, Iruma-kun. I was just jealous that day. I didn't like you saying that. It was just a joke—"

Nagasaki Suyo began her struggle.

At this moment, it seemed that all the emotions, inner thoughts, the upbringing and dignity of a young lady were no longer necessary for Nagasaki Suyo.

All she wanted was—

"I thought I was very important to Iruma-san, so Iruma-san would understand my jealousy over Goto-san."

"I don't mean to break up with Iruma-san."

"If it weren't for Iruma-san, I—"

Hibiki Iruma saw Nagasaki Soyo's tears.

That trace of tears reflected his expression at the moment.

What kind of expression is that?

Iruma Hibiki didn't know.

All he could feel at this moment was probably the tearing pain.

"Shigasaki-san...I...don't have any plans to date again lately."

He spoke softly.

But the original determination is certainly gone.

His tightly clenched fists had been released, and his tone was full of regret and sighs.

Then——

Nagasaki Suyo held Iruma Hibiki's hand, and Nagasaki Suyo also came very close to Iruma Hibiki. The face that Iruma Hibiki had almost thought about day and night and loved deeply in the past was now right in front of her.

"Hibiki, I...I won't interfere in what happens between you and Goto-san anymore."

Nagasaki Suyo shed tears, and she looked so disheveled that she was completely unlike her usual self. Iruma Hibiki could feel the strength in her hands, so much so that his palm felt a little painful when it was held.

Nagasaki Soyo's hands are actually very soft and warm. When she holds them again after a long time, Iruma Hibiki can recall the time when they were dating on the streets of Ikebukuro.

What was Nagasaki Suyo like at that time?

Qian Mi Ba Shan Leng Qi just smiled faintly at Wu Ba.

Every move was filled with smiles and gentleness.

She was the perfect lover he never dared to dream of, a real heroine who could surprise him in every detail.

What now?

Tears blurred Nagasaki Suyo's makeup.

She seemed to have put on careful makeup today. She must have been prepared to meet him from the beginning, so she looked so formal.

"There are also things wrong with me."

Iruma Hibiki lowered his head.

"It's me who made you feel uneasy, Nagasaki-san. Because of my own affairs and decisions, I couldn't be the lover you needed, Nagasaki-san..."

There was deep pain in his tone.

22 Iruma Hibiki always loved Nagasaki Suyo

The sunlight was slightly dazzling.

The date chosen for Chihaya Aine's farewell party was actually a bit strange, as it happened to be the hottest time of the day in recent days.

The palms of Hibiki Iruma and Motoyo Nagasaki's hands were pressed tightly together, and both of them felt a little hot and nervous.

But Nagasaki Suyo did not let go.

When Hibiki Iruma was most rational and knew what to do, she did not let go.

He didn't turn around and leave as heartlessly as before, but only left behind the words "It's all a lie".

As for Hibiki Iruma, in fact, his attitude had probably softened a lot the moment he saw Soyo Nagasaki. He couldn't get angry with Soyo Nagasaki at all, let alone say anything cruel to her.

Shake off her hand?

……

Yes, Hibiki Iruma couldn't do such a thing as a matter of course.

"no!"

Nagasaki Soyo's voice was no longer disguised, and even became a little like a shout, which made Iruma Hibiki start to escape, not daring to look at Nagasaki Soyo's face at this moment.

"Higashi didn't do anything wrong. I was inconsiderate and didn't take Hibiki's feelings into consideration."

……

Iruma Hibiki took a deep breath, then raised his head and met Nagasaki Suyo's gaze again.

"Su Shi, don't tell lies."

"Eh?"

Iruma Hibiki's response shook Nagasaki Suyo deeply in an instant. She stood there in a daze, at a loss, and could only hold Iruma Hibiki's hand even harder.

"I've never thought Su Shi was inconsiderate. In fact, Su Shi has always been taking care of everyone and cares about this band more than anyone else..."

"So if we have to say who made the mistake, it should be me."

After saying this, Hibiki Iruma fell silent.

In fact, he had spent many days and nights thinking over and over again about why the situation had developed to this point.

In the end, the only conclusion he could draw was...

He made an unforgivable mistake.

It was because he failed to handle the distance between friendship and romance well, which made the already insecure Nagasaki Suyo even more uneasy, leading to the end of everything.

Regret?

In fact, there is probably not a moment when Hibiki Iruma does not feel regret for this matter.

The so-called relief.

It is often a kind of comfort for the inevitable facts.

But regret is regret, and remorse is regret. These emotions will not disappear, they will only be forgotten and let go.

And did Iruma Hibiki let go of Nagasaki Suyo?

Looking at Nagasaki Soyo's makeup smudged by tears, Iruma Hibiki took a small step forward.

This step brought him closer to Nagasaki Suyo, and the distance between them was shortened, probably like when they were still lovers.

"Su Shi, what happened recently? Can you tell me about it? I'm a little worried. You said you weren't doing well..."

Iruma Hibiki frowned and said to Nagasaki Motoyo who looked a little embarrassed in front of him.

There were some noisy noises coming from the street outside. It was probably going to be discovered soon, so it was definitely not a good idea to stay here for long.

In addition, Nagasaki Suyo is not a person who completely doesn't care about face.

Iruma Hibiki thought for a while and made a decision.

At least get out of here first.

"Hibiki, are you still willing to listen to me?"

Nagasaki Suyo confirmed carefully.

Probably at this moment, her tears disappeared. Iruma Hibiki turned his back, sighed deeply, and then acted as if he was going to take Nagasaki Motoyo away.

"Yeah, anytime."

Iruma Hibiki spoke softly.

"ring!"

Iruma Hibiki was hugged from behind by Nagasaki Motoyo.

Probably at this moment, all his pain, thoughts, worries, and ideas became somewhat insignificant, and he could feel the slight ups and downs of Nagasaki Suyo behind him.

That is the weight of a girl's tears.

After all—

Nagasaki Suyo is just jealous, not that she doesn't love him, right?

Iruma Hibiki clenched his fists, feeling both painful and helpless.

To be honest, he never thought that his first love would make the girl he loved cry.

This is simply——

that's terrible.

Iruma Hibiki's inner self-blame reached its peak, so much so that he was eager to see Nagasaki Suyo smile normally again.

"Su Shi, I have trouble walking. Can you let go for a moment?"

So he spoke softly, and passers-by at the intersection had already noticed this and cast surprised glances at Iruma Hibiki.

"No."

"What if Hibiki runs away?"

A muffled voice came from behind, and all the strength in Iruma Hibiki's body was drained away at this moment.

"I won't run away, and I won't leave. Actually..."

Iruma Hibiki raised his head and glanced at the clear sky today.

"Since the day we parted, I have been waiting for Su Shi."

When he said this, Iruma Hibiki's eyes probably turned red, but he didn't cry.

After all, if even he cried.

So now there is really nothing we can do.

"Let's go sit in the cafe over there. This way, Su Shi, you'll have time to adjust your mood and touch up your makeup. If you're worried about being seen looking disheveled, just hide behind me..."

"As for the hands..."

Iruma Hibiki looked in front of him, saw Nagasaki Suyo's crossed fingers and his left hand which was also twisted in between, and sighed slightly.

"Just do what Su Shi wants to do."

"Then let's go. Be careful not to fall."

After saying that, Iruma Hibiki took Nagasaki Motoyo to a nearby coffee shop where there were not many people. Usually, such coffee shops have a bathroom, so Nagasaki Motoyo can tidy up her somewhat messy makeup.

"Um……"

A faint response came from behind Iruma Hibiki.

Then the two of them moved slowly through the alleys of Shimokitazawa in such a clumsy and childish way.