Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"and many more!"

He was then stopped by Goto Ichiri.

In front of Iruma Hibiki, Goto Ichiri took a few deep breaths, making his little face red, and then looked at Iruma Hibiki as if he was prepared for everything.

"Please say!"

Then she stared at Iruma Hibiki with a determined look as if she was about to die at any moment and said.

"As for me, before this, I didn't consider Goto-san as a romantic partner, or even..."

Iruma Hibiki was silent for a moment.

“I didn’t realize things like my friends until around graduation.”

"So I'm sorry, I can't be so irresponsible as to agree to your confession, Gotou-san, because this will do nothing but hurt you."

Actually, maybe.

For Hibiki Iruma, that broken and joke-like first love was not a joke, nor was it a useless experience.

At least for the moment, this allows him to be here and understand what he should do.

"As for me, I actually have someone I like. I like Su Shi."

"Although our relationship is probably over, I still like her."

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept your confession Goto-kun!"

"but--"

Iruma Hibiki paused.

"I've never forgotten the promise I made to Goto-san. I hope to be your friend."

After finishing speaking, Iruma Hibiki breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Goto Ichiri in front of him.

"Ah, actually..."

Goto Ichiri was actually a little frightened and took a step back, but Iruma Hibiki's response surprisingly didn't make her too sad.

"I'm so happy to be friends with Iruma-san! But Iruma-san has a curse on him, right? So let's talk about friendship in winter, right?!"

Goto Ichiri responded anxiously.

"Eh?"

Iruma Hibiki suddenly wanted to say here that what he said back then was a lie.

But looking at Goto Ichiri who seemed to be taking it seriously, he couldn't bring himself to say such words.

"No, but..."

Then Goto Ichiri's expression changed slightly.

"I'm very happy with the band and the songs we're working on..."

Goto Ichiri said softly.

"Singing on a stage like that is something I never dared to imagine before. Thank you, Iruma-san. Without you, I would never have had the courage to stand on a stage like that."

"It's great to meet Iruma-san. I've always thought so."

Goto Ichiri muttered.

Ever since yesterday's performance, she had actually become a little bolder in front of Hibiki Iruma.

"Actually, when I think about it, I don't really understand why I like this, and there are still many things I don't understand, haha... So now, the fact that I'm about to become friends with Iruma-san already makes me very satisfied..."

In fact, Iruma Hibiki rarely saw Goto Ichiri smile.

Or rather, there are only a handful of people in this world who can see Goto Ichiri's smile.

But at this moment he saw it.

"Would you like to go for a stroll in Linhai Park together? I love it here."

"OK, all right……"

"Anyway, let's go buy some picnic supplies and prepare lunch. Come to think of it—it seems like when we were in junior high, we were always in the same group for almost every long trip organized by the school."

"Ok!"

Goto Ichiri followed behind Iruma Hibiki, leaning forward slightly and nodding quickly.

Every long journey she took during junior high school was a precious memory for her.

And now, today, that feeling is back.

And next to her was still Hibiki Iruma.

This was enough for Goto Ichiri.

and--

Although Goto Ichiri was a little sad about yesterday's song, after all, it wasn't a song that belonged to her and Iruma Hibiki, but...

In fact, Goto Ichiri also thought about it.

Next.

I hope the band's activities go smoothly.

Whether it's ending the band or Crychic.

She was probably a pink starfish, and Hibiki Iruma was a yellow sponge.

Of course, SpongeBob plays with his friends, not always with Patrick.

And naturally, Patrick would wait for SpongeBob whenever he was alone.

Then--

lifetime.

If only it were a lifetime.

It doesn't matter if we're not lovers.

Goto Ichiri actually thought about this.

Until now.

【Iruma-san】

The lover who lived in her fantasy, Iruma-san, finally disappeared.

He became the one next to her, the one who was right next to her at the moment, some tall and reliable, and the two of them always entered the room quietly when they were together.

It seems like everything has changed.

But nothing seems to have changed.

Everything seems to have returned to the starting point.

Ending

This concludes Volume 2.

Unlike the first volume, the second volume ended perfectly according to my plan at around 10 words. I wonder what everyone thinks of it.

The second volume is actually not a Crychic volume, but rather a transitional volume. It is also a volume for everyone's growth. Whether it is Iruma Hibiki, Nagasaki Motoyo, or Goto Ichiri, they have all found what they really want to pursue and have seen through their own feelings. This is cause for celebration.

Next up is the official Crychic volume, and the expedition to the band side has just begun, lol (

Thank you to everyone who has been with me all the way to where I am today. I love you all.

I will read everyone's comments and suggestions, so if you think there is something wrong, you can tell me without hesitation and I will make adjustments and modifications.

Speaking of which, I actually wanted to finish this volume yesterday, but because of something else, I didn't finish it, so I put it off until this morning hhh. Today is special, and future updates will be in the evening as before.

See you in the next volume then.

Volume: Three volumes of Spring Shadow

sequence

Nagasaki Suyo was sitting in a cafe in Ikebukuro.

【I'm going to respond to Goto-san.】

After saying this, Iruma Hibiki left her alone.

Of course, it's not accurate to say that she threw it away. In fact, Nagasaki Suyo seemed to have sensed a hint of Iruma Hibiki's feelings at the end, and she also -

Felt a little bit of pain.

why?

Why can't she have a happy family like an ordinary high school girl?

Why?

Why can't she be like most of the people around her and not be tortured by loneliness?

Nagasaki Suyo was a little confused.

So I got lost in Ikebukuro for the whole morning and didn't go home until the scheduled Crychic meet-and-greet.

[Today is the official band start-up meeting. If you are unable to attend due to any unforeseen circumstances, please contact me in advance.]

In the newly formed Crychic group, Shoko Toyokawa sent this message early on.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. and was expected to last an hour and a half.

Even afterwards, Shoko Toyokawa gave a rigorous band plan and summarized all the topics of the day.

I put a lot more thought into it than when I ended the band.

I think a lot.

A more complete and mature band appeared before Nagasaki Suyo.

"Hello, Nagasaki-san."

Second wine Ling⒌k deleted scar Qi also three followed——

The first person to arrive and discover her was Shoko Toyokawa.

"Takashi, Toyokawa-san."

Nagasaki Suyo responded and slightly suppressed her confusion.

【Since it is something important, don’t lose it a second time. 】

The words that Iruma Hibiki said before turning around still echoed in Nagasaki Suyo's heart.

Yes--

She probably couldn't bear to lose something important anymore.

"Nagasaki-san was at yesterday's performance. What did you think?"

Toyokawa Shoko asked softly, then she pressed the order bell on the table.

“It was an amazing performance, it completely exceeded my expectations.”

Nagasaki Suyo lowered her head, her voice was not as sweet as usual, but with a hint of loss. She tightly pinched the hem of her skirt and did not look directly at Toyokawa Shoko in front of her.

"Iruma-san and I finished the song yesterday. I hope we can convey it to you, Nagasaki-san, and everyone else in the band."

-

It was not until Nagasaki Suyo looked up and saw Toyokawa Shoko's brilliant smile that a small feeling of jealousy emerged in her heart.

"What do you want to drink?"

Toyokawa Shoko asked Nagasaki Suyo.

"Hot Earl Grey tea will be fine."

As always, Nagasaki Suyo ordered her favorite.

"Then I'll start with three servings of hot Earl Grey tea and two servings of mocha coffee."

"Eh?"

Faced with Toyokawa Shoko's order, Nagasaki Suyo showed a hint of surprise.