Lonely Rock for the Blind

"Are you clearly making progress?"

"That's too slow."

Ijichi Hoshige looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

"You should know that if they keep fooling around like this, the band won't be able to truly stand on the stage."

"Wouldn't it be better to try a different approach? Take them to see a band from their era, instead of playing the bad guy yourself when things don't go well."

Nekayashiki Haru continued.

"And I have a feeling you wouldn't be so ruthless."

"Huh? Do you think I'm the kind of person who would protect my sister?"

Yidizhi Xingge said dissatisfiedly.

"Oh... I clearly remember there was always an empty seat in the performance schedule?"

Pa-san suddenly said at this moment.

"That...that's because I haven't found the right band yet!"

Ichichi Xingge quickly explained.

"Oh, sister control."

Nekoyashiki Haru sighed.

"What?! I'm not!"

"Sister complex~"

Pa-san said with a smile.

“Everyone says I’m not!!!”

Ichichi Hoshige pounded on the bar in anger.

"Stop talking! Or I'll fire both of you!!!"

"Ugh, you're just threatening me straight away."

"That's more like an admission from the store manager."

"You two are so long-winded!"

Ijichi Seige yelled, then lowered her head.

"Anyway, they must pass the test! Otherwise, I will never let them play! Qing! You notify them when the time comes!"

"Understand."

Nekoyashiki Haru smiled, nodded, and made an OK gesture.

"Also... I... I really don't have a sister complex."

"I understand that, too."

Nekayashiki Haru's smile widened.

"?!"

...

……

.........

Rehearsal room.

When the four members of the band came back after the performance, it was almost time to open for business.

The four of them slumped in their chairs, each one looking more listless than the other.

“…I’m sorry everyone…the performance might be canceled.”

Ichichi Hongxia forced a smile.

"But...but! Next time it will definitely be okay! Even if sister doesn't let us perform, we can still go to other livehouses. We'll definitely find a place where we can perform!"

“That’s…that’s true!”

Kita Ikuyo followed suit.

"I...I will try my best..."

Goto Ichiri quietly expressed his determination.

"... "

Yamada Ryo looked at the three people quietly.

"…cold…"

Being looked at like this, Ijichi Hongxia suddenly felt a sense of guilt.

"I'm sorry... Liang, I was the one who invited you... but now..."

“I’m not unhappy…”

Yamada Ryo shook his head, then covered his stomach with an uncomfortable expression.

"...The flower I just ate on the road...seems a little off..."

"That's why I told you not to eat carelessly anymore! Seriously!"

Ijichi Hongka walked up and wanted to take Yamada Ryo away to the hospital.

Click.

The door opened and the four people looked up at the same time.

"The colors are really dull. It seems you are really disappointed."

Nekayashiki Haru walked in and took his usual seat.

"kitten…"

Ijichi Hongxia supported Yamada Ryo and said softly.

"Oh, so there's no need..."

Muttering softly to himself, Nekayashiki Haru raised his head.

"Alright everyone, I have an announcement to make."

"what?"

Kita Ikuyo looked at Nekoyashiki Haru with curiosity.

"After careful consideration, Sister Xingge... the store manager intends to conduct an assessment on you in a week."

"Test...assessment?"

Ijichi Hongxia was slightly stunned.

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded.

"If you pass the assessment, you can perform at Fanxing. Oh, by the way, the judges are me, the store manager, and Pa-san."

Yamada Ryo's eyes lit up and his stomachache went away. He walked up to Nekayashiki Haru and grabbed one of his hands.

"?"

Snapped!

A handful of dandelions was swatted onto Nekoyashiki Haru's shoulders.

"Mr. Judge, please take good care of me during the assessment in a week."

"…Bribe? And this feels like grass? You're bribing me with grass? Am I worthy of being bribed by grass?!"

Nekayashiki Haru was wavering, while Yamada Ryo looked at the others and gave them a thumbs up.

"The kitten is done. Okay, let's go bribe Pa-san next. I still have a few flowers. After the bribe is successful, the store manager will no longer be important."

"Hey!"

With a slap, Ijichi Hongka's hand slapped Yamada Ryo on the head.

"Don't think about these evil things!"

Yi Dizhi Hongxia said slightly angrily.

"whispering sound…"

Yamada Ryo showed a regretful expression.

Kita Ikuyo said as she hugged her guitar bag tightly.

"So... as long as I work hard from now on... the performance will be fine?"

"Hmm... that should be it. As long as you work hard... Really, sister, why don't you explain it more clearly?"

Ijichi Hongxia sighed and agreed.

Kita Ikuyo was slightly stunned.

“…Work hard…”

Chapter 61: I’m Giving It to You

Nekoyashiki home.

"it hurts!"

When her fingers were scratched by the guitar strings, Kita Ikuyo reflexively pulled her hand back.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru, who was listening quietly nearby, was slightly stunned.

"The Band-Aid is under the coffee table."

"Um…"

Kita Ikuyo took out a Band-Aid from under the coffee table and carefully put it on her hand.

“…You’ve been working really hard lately.”

Nekoyashiki Haru took off his headphones.

"Usually I would practice for a while and then rest for a while, but now I don't rest at all."

"…Because Friday's test is very important."

Kita Ikuyo smiled bitterly.

“But I still feel like I’m totally out of it…”

Kita Ikuyo raised her head and continued after a moment of silence.

"Senior, what do you think the store manager wants to test us on?"

"... "

Nekayashiki Haru was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"I just want to see if you have what it takes to perform on stage."

"That's for sure! But... I want to know something else..."

Kita Ikuyo hugged her guitar tightly.

"Manager, is there anything else you're looking forward to?"

"... "

Nekayashiki Haru's eyelids closed slightly under his sunglasses.

"Have."

“…What is it?”

Kita Ikuyo looked at Nekayashiki Haru and asked.