Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

Sanjiao Chuhua came to Toyokawa Shoko and looked at her friend with a hint of worry. How many years have she and Toyokawa Shoko known each other?

If we count from when I was a child, it has been more than ten years now.

She has seen all kinds of Xiangzi.

But today Xiangzi is——

"Well, it doesn't matter. I've made my decision."

There was a hint of determination in Shoko Toyokawa's eyes as she gently put on a black lace mask.

"I'll step away for a moment."

Then, after speaking somewhat coldly and glaring at Sankaku Hatsuka, Toyokawa Shoko walked out of the preparation room with her cell phone.

The performance hall was still extremely busy today. Since Mujica debuted, although there have been many twists and turns, it has been generally smooth.

Before the performance began, the noise there could already be heard through the walls to the corridor outside the preparation room, and then into Toyokawa Shoko's ears.

At exactly 6:00 p.m., Shoko Toyokawa made a phone call.

After waiting for a few minutes, a lazy female voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Hey?"

The moment she heard that voice, Toyokawa Shoko's expression changed slightly, but soon returned to normal.

"Goto, put Hibiki on the phone."

"Ah! Oh... I get it!"

Almost instantly, such a cold voice frightened Goto Ichiri on the other end of the phone.

Accompanied by the sound of footsteps and a door opening.

"Ring, Toyokawa's phone..."

"Okay, wait a moment, Xiangzi."

……

After waiting patiently for 3 minutes, Iruma Hibiki finally stopped what he was doing and came to the phone.

"What's wrong Xiangzi?"

He asked softly, and Shoko Toyokawa could hear the sound of water on the other end of the line.

"What are you doing?"

"I was just preparing lunch. As you know, the university preparatory classes have been very busy recently. Pochi and I are repeating this year, so we have to work hard. However, since it's a rare occasion, I think we should still eat well, so I'll be cooking tonight."

Hibiki Iruma's voice was a little tired and hoarse.

Shoko Toyokawa felt a little distressed.

She opened her mouth.

Almost instantly, she seemed to recall the cottage that was filled with memories of the two of them.

During her most destitute years, they had spent the irreplaceable and most precious two years there.

As long as Toyokawa Shoko closed her eyes, she could imagine Iruma Hibiki standing in front of the kitchen sink washing his hands. Probably behind him, delicious food was cooking in the pot.

I remember that at the beginning, the two clumsy people didn’t understand anything.

A lot of food was wasted.

It makes the already tiring life a mess.

There were also quarrels.

Of course, there are times when we almost say goodbye.

but--

"Hiroshi, I can't help it."

Toyokawa Shoko spoke softly.

"Xiangzi..."

And from the other end came the gentle voice of Hibiki Iruma.

"I'm very happy and blessed that Xiangzi can make such a decision, but - if you still have a little attachment to the stage, don't give up."

"I'll take care of the PR stuff. Actually, I was also at fault for what happened last time... I never thought our kiss would be filmed."

……

"Su Shi is so happy."

Toyokawa Shoko spoke as if she was angry.

On the other end of the phone, Hibiki Iruma showed a helpless smile.

"Su Shi, ah..."

Then he sighed.

"So, Hibiki, I've thought about it. After today's performance, I'll make our relationship public. Are you...ready?"

Toyokawa Shoko said this firmly, as if she had no choice but to accept Hibiki Iruma's refusal. However, at the end of the sentence, her pleasant voice softened a lot and became a little nervous.

"As for me, I've probably already prepared everything. Or rather, my relationship with Xiangzi is no secret at all."

"How's your exam preparation going?"

Suddenly, Shoko Toyokawa changed the subject.

"It should be no problem. I will definitely pass the exam this time."

"Don't tire yourself out."

"You too."

"Then I'm going to go on stage."

"Well, come on. Although I can't go to the scene, I will watch the live broadcast."

With a rustling sound, Iruma Hibiki sat down at his seat. His desk was piled with various textbooks, Tokyo University admission strategies, and interview papers from previous years.

"Um……"

At this point, the call had actually ended, but Shoko Toyokawa didn't hang up for a long time, and Hibiki Iruma didn't hang up either.

The two of them maintained this.

Wasting phone bills.

If it were before, such a thing would have been a disaster for Toyokawa Shoko and him, a luxury that they would not even dare to think about.

"An open relationship...is it better to be engaged or married?"

Suddenly Toyokawa Shoko asked.

"What do you think, Xiangzi?"

At Iruma Hibiki's question, Toyokawa Shoko looked at the sparkling ring on her hand.

"I'm back, Hibiki and Pochi-chan, did you guys have a good meal today?"

Suddenly, a voice came from the other end of the phone that Toyokawa Shoko felt a little annoyed about -

"Xiang, let me hug you. You've been working hard these days. I miss you so much when I can't see you."

"Wait a minute, Su Shi..."

Then Shoko Toyokawa heard the sound of something falling to the ground.

Her mood became increasingly unhappy.

"Engagement, engagement is more appropriate—"

Iruma Hibiki struggled to respond quickly, but it was obvious that Nagasaki Suyo on the other end was just trying to cause trouble. From behind, Toyokawa Shoko could only hear strange muffled sounds and some faint smiles from Nagasaki Suyo.

"This guy……"

With a hint of resentment, Toyokawa Shoko cried and hung up the phone.

"I just think about myself."

Finally, she sighed helplessly and said what she had said a long time ago.

But this time, these words were a little helpless, but also a little nostalgic and gentle.

Then——

For Shoko Toyokawa, perhaps her final farewell performance has begun.

My friend Morimi Tomihiko once lived in a four-tatami-mat rental during his university years, yet it was there that he completed his masterpiece, "The Four and a Half Tatami-mat Mythology Series." A genius light novel writer from outer space! An inspiring young man preparing for the University of Tokyo's literature program! Iruma Rengen, the youngest Akutagawa Prize nominee! A fantastic new work in the works!

At Mujica's performance, one of the sponsors, Fuzuigawa Bunko, prepared a poster of Hibiki Iruma. It could be said that this opportunity for cooperation was brought by Hibiki Iruma, and Fuzuigawa Bunko naturally gave it back to him in full.

until--

After the three songs were over.

Shoko Toyokawa did not leave the stage for a long time.

"I want to make an announcement here."

She then spoke softly, placing a hand gently on her black lace mask.

But when she did this, Sanjiao Chuhua suddenly came to her side, held her left hand that was about to touch the mask, and then under her serious gaze, Sanjiao Chuhua shook his head.

-

Perhaps, Toyokawa Shoko loves Iruma Hibiki very much and can't wait to complete all this.

but……

Triangle Chuhua became a loser twice.

Perhaps in this regard, she understands Hibiki Iruma better than Shoko Toyokawa.

My feelings towards Toyokawa Shoko are more like those of Kaguya-hime and Moonlight.

At the same time, Hibiki Iruma also updated his blog.

27 The last day of work with seniors

The promise made at the farewell party was definitely not false.

It's not a spur-of-the-moment ritual.

For Hibiki Iruma, this was an extremely serious and persistent decision, even more so than before. He couldn't help but vaguely have the same feeling as during the previous spring break.

With only a short time left before school starts, Iruma Hibiki wants to spend all his time playing the guitar.

"Shiina, I might not come to Ring starting tomorrow."

Naturally, after the farewell party, it was also Hibiki Iruma's last day of work. Perhaps a chance encounter with one's junior didn't require an overly deliberate farewell, but for some reason, Hibiki Iruma felt a little reluctant to leave Ring at this moment.

It was not until this time that he realized the feelings of his senior Toyama Kasumi when she was trying to protect the Livehouse that was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Maybe after staying in a place like a livehouse for a long time and being connected with friends, you are destined to gradually become bad at saying goodbye.

So, Iruma Hibiki prepared to say goodbye to Shiina Tatsuki and Kaname Rakuna honestly.

"Okay, I get it now."

Shiina Riki said this calmly, as if it was just an ordinary thing.

"Don't let your guard down just because it's the last day. If anything goes wrong on your side, it will affect me."

Then she added dissatisfiedly.

"Xiang, can't you not leave?"

Rakuna's reaction was more straightforward. When she said this, Shiina Riki also looked at Iruma Hibiki who was standing aside.

"Because there's a band I want to join, I want to spend some time practicing guitar."

Hibiki Iruma looked at Kaname Rakuna and smiled slightly.

The feeling that Kaname gave him was different from that of anyone else, as if the two of them had just met for the first time and had already become close yet relaxed friends.