Lonely Rock for the Blind

"Hey... you were just saying you couldn't sleep because of energy drinks, but aren't you still drinking them now?"

"Because it tastes good. Come to think of it, I didn't realize it was so delicious before."

“…You’re addicted.”

Ichichi Xingge said with a pout.

"It's okay, it's okay, it's just an energy drink."

Nekoyashiki Haru waved his hand and said, and this action made Ijichi Seika inexplicably see a drunkard.

"You really have been corrupted by Ju Li..."

Ichichi Xingge grinned.

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"You weren't like this before."

"But what Sister Xingge was talking about was when I was a kid, right? Things like that don't have much reference value."

Nekayashiki Haru smiled and shook the energy drink in his hand.

"Although Ju Li is quite unconventional, I do agree with some of her life philosophies."

"what?"

Ichichi Xingge asked in confusion.

"Drink to your heart's content."

Nekoyashiki Haru said and took another sip of his drink.

"Huh? What kind of philosophy of life is this?"

Yidizhi Xingge was speechless. At this moment, the black-haired woman behind him walked over.

With long black hair and dark green eyes, she walked to the side of Ichichi Xingge with a smile. With her hands hidden in her sleeves, she took the unopened box of juice next to Ichichi Xingge.

"What are you two talking about?"

She asked after taking a sip of her juice.

"Nothing... Anyway, why did you come here during the day? Shouldn't you usually be sleeping at this time?"

Ichichi Xingge glanced at the woman with long black hair and said

"Ah~ I'm dealing with jet lag and have a little work to do. I'm bored during the day, so I thought I'd come and keep you company, Manager~"

The woman with long black hair covered her mouth and laughed.

"But then again, you already have Nekoyashiki-kun to keep you company, so it seems you don't really need me."

She said, opening her eyes slightly.

"You're just adding to my burden by saying you're accompanying me. I even have to watch this guy finish his lunch."

Ichichi Xingge sighed.

"You don't have to look at it."

Nekoyashiki Haru whispered.

"Do you think that's possible?"

Yidizhi Xingge's voice suddenly became cold, as if it carried a gust of cold wind.

"…Feel sorry…"

Faced with such a Ijichi Hoshika, Nekoyashiki Haru could only apologize weakly.

The black-haired woman watched the scene with a smile.

"Oh, right. So, who are you?"

Nekoyashiki Haru suddenly asked in the direction where the laughter came from.

"…well?"

The woman with long straight black hair was suddenly stunned.

"Wait wait! Nekoyashiki-kun, don't you know who I am? I think I introduced myself to you last night?"

"Hmm... I have no idea. Is he the sound engineer?"

"Yes!"

"Oh, Pa-san, now we know each other."

Nekoyashiki Haru said with a smile, but this made Pa-san suddenly feel frustrated.

"Am I easily forgettable?"

"Hmm? Not really. It's just that I tend to forget things when I'm not trying to remember them. After all, I only recognize people by their voices."

"Ugh..."

Pa-san looked at Ichichi Xingge.

"Manager——"

"What are you doing? Are you still picking on a blind man? He's already blind, what do you want?"

Ichichi Hoshige was tapping away on the keyboard.

"Ah... How heartless, Nekoyashiki-kun. The manager too."

Pa-san could only scold Nekayashiki Haru and Ijichi Seika in a coquettish tone, and then sat down on the chair naturally.

"So, what do we do in the morning?"

Pa-san suddenly asked Ichichi Xingge.

"You don't have to do anything, because there is no work for you during the day."

"Hey--what's Nekoyashiki-kun doing?"

"He doesn't have to do anything."

"Mmmmm, such a pet!"

Pa-san covered his mouth in surprise.

Pfft!

Ijichi Xingge clenched the juice tightly, then looked at Pa-san on the other side.

"What can a blind man do now?"

"That's what you said, but you're just pampering him, right, boss? Uhhh—pampering your childhood neighbor's little brother? How cute, boss."

“…I’m going to fire you.”

"I'm sorry, I was possessed by a ghost just now. Please forgive me."

Pa-san apologized immediately, and Ijichi Xingge sighed and continued typing on the keyboard.

"But I feel like what Pa-san said is actually not wrong. Sister Xingge has indeed always been very nice to me."

Nekoyashiki Haru said from the side, which made Ijichi Seika stunned.

"Aha?"

"She's been like this since she was a kid. At first, I thought she was a fierce female bully, but later on, I found out she's just not good at expressing herself. Sometimes, she'd even bring delicious treats to me and Hong Xia. So, she's a tsundere after all, right? No, it's tsundere tsundere tsundere tsundere... tsundere~"

"Hey! Don't exaggerate my past and interpret it on your own will! Shut up!"

Ijichi Hoshige said to Nekoyashiki Haru beside her with a blushing face.

"Hey, what's the matter? I really want to hear about the past between Nekayashiki-kun and the store manager."

Pa-sang suddenly took advantage of the situation and pressed forward, and Yidizhi Xingge snapped the tablet computer shut.

"I'm going home, you two can look after the store."

“He ran away!”

"Escaped~"

"You two are so annoying!"

Ichichi Xingge looked at the two of them angrily.

Pa-san smiled.

"You're bored anyway, so it's no big deal to chat about the past. Ah! How about we do it in the form of a game?"

Pa-san brought over the bottle of energy drink that Nekayashiki Haru had finished.

"Let's play truth or dare."

"…don't want…"

Ichichi Hoshige protested.

"Come on, come on... Are you coming, Nekoyashiki-kun?"

Pa-san begged Ijichi Hoshige, and when he noticed the resistance on her face, he asked Nekayashiki Haru again.

"I don't mind, it's fine."

"Look, manager, your neighbor's little brother also agreed. Let's play a game."

"Tsk..."

Ijichi Xingge sighed and then returned to her seat and sat down.

"Beforehand, please don't ask any inappropriate questions."

"I understand, I understand."

Pa-san nodded and turned the drink can.

Chapter 19: Dirty Adult Group

The drinks can was spinning on the counter. Fortunately, Nekayashiki Haru drank it all and no remaining drink was thrown out.

After about 5 seconds, the beverage can stopped.

Nekayashiki Haru couldn't see and could only wait for the other two to announce the results.

"It's the store manager~"

Pa-san lowered his face with one hand and smiled at the drink can pointed at Ijichi Xingge.

"Tsk...just ask whatever you want to ask."

Ichichi Xingge crossed her arms and said unhappily.

"If you're so reluctant, you can try a big dare instead."

"I'd rather tell the truth."

Pa-san smiled and then asked.

"Has the store manager ever been in a relationship?"

"...Why is this game always so tied to romance?... No, I've been single since birth."

"Okay, okay, it's your turn to ask, Nekayashiki-kun."

Pa-san shrugged indifferently, then said to Nekoyashiki Haru.

"My turn now? Sister Xingge, do you still hug your doll when you sleep at night?"

"!"

Ijichi Xingge's face suddenly turned red, and Pa-san on the other side immediately came over.

"Did you sleep with a doll in your arms? It's so cute."

"shut up!"

Yidizhi Xingge said to Pa-san angrily.

"Sister Xingge, please answer."