Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"Thank you, Lenai. You made me determined to stick with guitar again."

"Well, that's good. Xiang, keep up the good work."

After hearing Hibiki Iruma's decision, Kaname Rakuna sat back in her seat and soon began to doze off.

"You can eat as much buffy as you want today, Lenai. It's my treat, but just don't eat too much to the point of feeling sick."

After thinking for a while, Iruma Hibiki made a decision.

"are you serious?"

Shiina Riki questioned after hearing what Iruma Hibiki said.

"If Wildcat could control how much she eats, I wouldn't have such a headache. Stop spoiling her so much."

"Ugh-"

With a cute cry, Kaname Rakuna showed an unhappy look to the serious Shiina Riki. Of course, even when she was unhappy, her face was still extremely cute.

"Three cups at most, you hear me?"

"ring."

Kaname Rakuna turned her head and gave Iruma Hibiki an expectant look.

After thinking for a while, Iruma Hibiki realized that what he had just said was indeed too much trust in Kaname Rana's almost zero self-control, so he had no choice but to avoid Kaname Rana's expectant gaze.

"Just do as Shiina says, but when I get the chance later, I'll treat you to Buffy, Lenore."

"Pull the hook."

"Okay, pinky promise—"

Iruma Hibiki and Kaname Rakuna were playing a boring little game, while Shiina Riki beside them sighed, and then as if he remembered something, he smiled again in an instant.

But this smile suddenly disappeared when Iruma Hibiki turned around to look at her, and in the blink of an eye, it turned back into the serious and earnest face of the sharp-tongued junior.

"Then please give me your guidance for the rest of the work today."

Iruma Hibiki said seriously.

"Ah."

With Shiina Riki's gentle response, today's work began.

But at the end, Shiina Riki asked one more question with some concern:

“When are you going to join the new band?”

"Probably one or two weeks after school starts at the latest. Actually, my guitar skills seem to be improving quite quickly."

Iruma Hibiki roughly estimated the time he would need.

It seems like every vacation ends like this:

During spring break it was novels, now it’s guitar.

"Well, come on."

After leaving a very light word of encouragement, Shiina Riki returned to the backstage.

The moment the door between the front and backstage closed, the smile on her face disappeared a little. Silently, Shiina Riki clenched her fists, and then showed a look of determination.

she was--

Maybe I need to work harder.

Only in this way can she stand beside her predecessors and reach the position of her elder sister a little, right?

Perhaps, even if she tried her best, she could not surpass her genius sister.

But despite this, she also has places she wants to go.

In order to reach such a place—

She's willing to do anything.

Hibiki Iruma was quietly busy at the front desk. Ring was just as lively today, but since it wasn't a big performance day, most of the people who came were familiar faces from the girl band.

"Long time no see Iruma."

"Long time no see, Yamabuki-senpai."

For example, there was Saya Yamabuki, Hibiki Iruma's initial work partner.

"I heard your novel is a big hit, congratulations."

"It's all thanks to Yamabuki-senpai. I was shocked when the PPP official account forwarded it."

"Ah... that..."

Yamabuki Saya sighed.

"That was Kasumi's doing, luckily it didn't cause any PR incidents."

"Ah... As soon as I saw the word kirakiradokidoki in the retweet, I guessed it must be Toyama-senpai. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, but speaking of which, Iruma, you have some bad intentions."

Yamabuki Saya said with a smile.

"I don't understand what Yamabuki-senpai is saying."

Iruma Hibiki rarely acted stupid.

The so-called bad intentions were actually that Hibiki Iruma pretended that she didn't know Maruyama Aya during a routine girl band online event.

"puff--"

Yamabuki Saya laughed out loud.

"I won't bother you anymore. Come on, it would be great if the band issue could be resolved."

At the end, Yamabuki Saya gave Hibiki Iruma some blessings as usual.

Not long after the band's official account announced the reorganization, Yamabuki Saya came to ask about Hibiki Iruma's situation. This made Hibiki Iruma a little flattered, and at the same time, he also felt the cooperation and care between the bands.

This is also the reason why he takes such good care of his descendants and cats.

The Ring is a warm place.

No wonder someone is willing to protect this place.

Iruma Hibiki thought lightly.

"Want to buy a protein bar? It's a Roselia collaboration. Please support Hina Minato."

"Manager, it's better to be moderate when promoting your own employees."

Of course--

The manager of Ring is a weird guy.

Iruma Hibiki can guarantee it with confidence.

28 The beginning of a new semester

Summer vacation is almost over.

Any gains?

Did you have a meaningful summer?

Have you ever traveled with someone you love? Have you ever gone out with your most important friends?

Even if there is nothing.

So, have you done what you like most?

Faced with such a question, Iruma Hibiki's response was probably ambiguous. It was only when the day-ahead cleaning date was set that Iruma Hibiki finally sobered up a little from his drowsy practice.

Ijichi Hongxia has also been undergoing hellish training recently.

Even recently, I can occasionally see a new figure...

In fact, later on, Iruma Hibiki did think about whether to work part-time at Fanxing, but his position, or rather his job, was gone.

Instead, there was Kita, who both he and Goto Ichiri were a little afraid of.

The so-called new figure that can be seen occasionally is Xiduo.

Iruma Hibiki didn't know if it was his own illusion, but he always felt that every time he went to Fanxing to join Ijichi Nijika's hellish training, he would meet Kita.

Talk about it.

Actually, Ijichi Hongka's band is still lacking a lead singer.

Iruma Hibiki thought quietly.

With a little worry about Ijichi Kouka, and under the daily teaching of Goto Ichiri where it is hard to tell who is the teacher and the student, and Yamada Ryona's almost mischievous torment, Iruma Hibiki's guitar skills are improving rapidly.

Today's goal is to play sixteenth notes continuously at 210 bpm.

[Wait, Yamada-senpai, this speed...]

[If you can't do that, you're not a qualified rock musician. You're fired.]

Conversations like this have actually been filling up Hibiki Iruma's life lately.

"Iruma, it's okay not to take it seriously. Ryo is making things difficult for her."

Even Ijichi Hongxia would say that sometimes.

"It's okay. I'll do it."

And Iruma Hibiki always responded like this.

When he replied like this, Yamada Ryo would always give him a tacit and serious smile.

Yes, Iruma Hibiki has gotten to know Yamada Ryo a little bit recently. Behind her seemingly frivolous appearance, perhaps Yamada Ryo actually understands his feelings very well.

of course.

I hope that the 3 yen that Yamada Ryo owes him can be paid back before the end of the year.

You know, his part-time job in Ring only made him about that much.

Even though he still had nearly ten times more pocket money, but——

The money you earn yourself is definitely different.

Just like that, during the blissful yet hellish training camp, Hibiki Iruma's summer vacation came to an end. If there was one thing that bothered him at the end of this summer vacation, it would probably be this—

[Xiang, are you free recently? ]

Nagasaki Suyo actually asks this question quite often lately.

【Is there anything I can help you with? 】

Iruma Hibiki always answered.

After that, Nagasaki Suyo would often ask where she wanted to go, and Iruma Hibiki would always choose after a little hesitation.

Refuse.

[Sorry, Sushi, I have something very important to do recently.]

"Ah, it's okay. Xiang's matter is more important. I just miss Xiang a little. Xiang hasn't been replying to my messages much lately, and I can't make plans to meet up, so I'm a little worried."

"I know, Hibiki is practicing guitar hard, keep working on it, it's okay from my side."

No matter how you look at it, they are related.

Iruma Hibiki can guarantee it.

but--

What is the current situation between him and Nagasaki Motoyo?

Hibiki Iruma was actually a little confused, but the current situation was pretty good. Hibiki Iruma was enjoying the interactions and relationships with the people around him.