Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Of course, I can't bring myself to express such a daydream now.

Whatever the reason, I can't say it, and I don't have the right to say it. In a sense, the latter is more tragic.

"I haven't decided yet, but with my grades, I definitely won't be able to get into university..."

In the end, Goto Ichiri put aside his immature fantasies.

"So, Pochi-chan isn't aiming for advancement, right?"

Chihaya Aine changed her words, allowing Goto Ichiri, the former school deserter, to gain some respectability.

"Yes, it is……"

At this moment, Goto Ichiri really wanted to hide under the table.

"As for me, I haven't actually decided whether to continue my studies yet... But when I come back, I really do want to form a band. If Ijichi-san and Iruma-san both have their own bands, maybe I'll join one myself and we can perform together!"

Chihaya Aine smiled brightly.

In fact, this is what she really wants to say today, and it is also the biggest purpose of the farewell party.

For Chihaya Aine, she recently realized one thing, that is, making everyone wait for her for three years is actually a shameful thing.

Although Ijichi Kouka has started over, Iruma Hibiki has not.

So Chihaya Aine felt that she had to say something more.

"Oh! A joint performance, that's really interesting."

Ijichi Hongxia sighed.

"When the time comes, let's all go to my sister to apply."

Then she seemed to have imagined what happened at that time and smiled.

"Goto-kun, there must be something you want to do no matter what."

"Eh?"

Iruma Hibiki's sudden words startled Goto Ichiri who was standing beside him.

She even couldn't hold the cup and pretend to drink tea anymore.

"Hmm? Isn't that so? Actually, Gotou-san has given me this feeling since not long after I met him."

Iruma Hibiki continued speaking and asked a question in return.

"Something I want to do no matter what..."

Goto Ichiri repeated it.

Fragments of memories from the past began to flash through her mind.

"some!"

Then she stood up and answered firmly.

"The loudest one today."

Ijichi Hongxia, who was standing by, was also amazed, and then she embraced the atmosphere at the moment.

Although Goto Ichiri's behavior was somewhat shameful in public, it didn't matter at the moment.

"So, Pochi-chan, you should also do your best."

Chihaya Aine echoed from the side, and she gently did not ask what Goto Ichiri wanted to do no matter what.

But then, Goto Ichiri looked at Ijichi Nichina firmly, with flames burning in his beautiful blue eyes.

And for Ijichi Hongka, this look was enough to convey Goto Ichiri's meaning at the moment.

"Speaking of which, if there's a performance, I'll definitely come. It's great to be able to catch it just in time."

Chihaya Aine also realized what Goto Ichiri wanted to do no matter what, so she said it just right.

"By the way, Ichichi, have you prepared the repertoire for your performance?"

Hibiki Iruma asked as he stirred his hot Earl Grey tea.

He had no idea why he was asking this question.

Probably complicated.

There's a hint of worry about the band ending now, that's for sure.

Secondly——

Speaking of which, he once wrote the lyrics for the song "Qi Er Shan Ling Si Cu ⑦ Umbrella ⑷" for this band...

Ah, right.

In a flash, Iruma Hibiki realized that he had already given the lyrics to Toyokawa Shoko.

Shoko Toyokawa will soon complete the arrangement and post it online. Although the naming rights have not yet been confirmed, Shoko Toyokawa may regard it as a personal collaboration between the band and Hibiki Iruma.

Seriously speaking, the problem that Iruma Hibiki is facing right now is just the ghost of the old band that ended, the band that belonged to him, Nagasaki Soyo, Ijichi Nijika, and Chihaya Aine.

At the right time, following his habit, Iruma Hibiki made an irrational decision, but it disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Yeah, we're ready. This time, the song was chosen by Pochi-chan. Iruma, you're definitely going to be surprised."

Ijichi Nikka smiled brightly at Iruma Hibiki.

"Really? Then I'll be looking forward to it."

"Iruma-san, Iruma-san! How about we meet at the station on the day of the performance?"

Chihaya Aine took the opportunity to invite Iruma Hibiki.

"Well, it's possible, but... what should I do?"

"Because there's something I'd like Iruma-san's help with, is that okay?"

Chihaya Aine didn't give a precise answer, but continued asking.

"Yes, sure. Do we need to arrive early?"

And naturally, Iruma Hibiki had no reason to refuse.

"No, it's just a small matter."

"Hey! Stop being so secretive and tell us!"

On the side, Ijichi Nikka was a little dissatisfied with Chihaya Aine's secrecy.

"This is revenge. Revenge for Ichichi-san not telling us the song."

Then Chihaya Aine responded in a joking tone.

"Hey - how could this happen!"

At Ijichi Hongka's exclamation, both of them laughed out loud.

"Is it okay, Goto-kun?"

At this time, Iruma Hibiki showed concern for Goto Ichiri who had sat down again.

"Well, it's okay."

At this moment, Goto Ichiri's answer had become more powerful and even firm.

She seemed to be absolutely looking forward to the topic just now.

And it was not until this moment that Hibiki Iruma felt the reality—

Ijichi's band has truly been established and is on its way. The past is over.

25 Farewell to Chihaya Aine

I don't know when it started, but the topic of conversation became Chihaya Aine's anticipation for studying in the UK, and Ijichi Kouka's envy and slightly worried voice.

Although Hibiki Iruma would occasionally speak, she gradually became a bystander and listener in a sense. As for Ichiri Goto, her eyes were mostly filled with admiration and envy for Chihaya Aine.

Then, this topic didn't last long. After Chihaya Aine's vanity was greatly satisfied, she smiled and said with an expression of being ungrateful:

"Ah... This is so troubling. Studying abroad is not easy. I'm worried I might make a mistake and not do well."

After the wife's death, Qishan Master Lingmeng was completely spoiled.

Acting like a spoiled brat completely.

This kind of coquettishness was not even concealed at all. Even someone as clumsy as Goto Ichiri realized at this moment that Chihaya Aine was not actually troubled from the bottom of her heart, but just wanted everyone's attention and comfort.

And there is actually nothing wrong with this little bit of coquettishness.

Both Ijichi Nikka and Iruma Hibiki smiled faintly.

"Don't worry, Chihaya-san will be fine."

As Ijichi Kouka said this, she glanced at Iruma Hibiki, who smiled and nodded.

"Rather, if Chihaya-san has a problem, then the world would be destroyed."

To use a slightly exaggerated statement, Iruma Hibiki and Ijichi Kouka satisfied Chihaya Aine's coquettish behavior at this moment like parents coaxing a child.

"Chihaya-san, there will definitely be no problem. Unlike me..."

Even Goto Ichiri rarely responded.

"Thank you everyone, but Goto-kun is also very good, so you should be more confident."

After feeling deeply satisfied, Chihaya Aine also took the opportunity to take care of Goto Ichiri, demonstrating her gentleness and magnanimity.

Seeing Chihaya Aine acting so funny, Iruma Hibiki was the first one to laugh.

But the scene at the moment is indeed quite happy, so such a smile is not surprising.

halfway--

At some point, Goto Ichiri went out on his own.

If you think about it carefully, it was actually Goto Ichiri who said he was going to the bathroom and then never came back.

"I'm leaving for a while."

Hibiki Iruma stood up, said something to Ijichi Nikka and Chihaya Aine, and left the store. He then walked in the direction that Goto Ichiri and the others had roughly left in his memory.

Then when he walked to a vending machine, Iruma Hibiki saw Goto Ichiri hiding between the vending machine and the telephone pole.

"not happy?"

Iruma Hibiki didn't buy any drinks, after all, the restaurant they were dining in didn't allow takeout of alcohol.

"Ah, no...it's just that the atmosphere inside was a bit tense, so I came out to get some fresh air..."

Goto Ichiri shrank even further, while Iruma Hibiki stopped at the perfect spot, maintaining a familiar distance between himself and Goto Ichiri.

“I’m actually quite surprised.”

Hibiki Iruma turned his head to look at Goto Ichiri's face, and Goto Ichiri's gaze, which had been peeping at him until now, disappeared in an instant.

"Ijichi said you decided on the performance."

Iruma Hibiki continued.

"Ah, that's—"

In an instant, a fleeting light flashed on Goto Ichiri's face. Perhaps for a socially anxious person like her, bravery is like fireworks that will only bloom in a brief moment, leaving a rainbow in the night sky.

"I had a song I really wanted to sing, so I decided... And my plan was actually full of loopholes and completely unsatisfactory. Thanks to Ijichi-san and Yamada-san's revisions, and Chihaya-san's suggestions..."

"Chihaya-san's advice?"

Iruma Hibiki asked back.

"Eh?!"

This question made Goto Ichiri think that he had said something wrong. After tidying up his words, he said:

"Well... Chihaya-san set up a schedule for everyone's training and subsequent performances... that's pretty impressive."

"Ah, that's it."

Hibiki Iruma sighed.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"