Lonely Rock for the Blind

Page 66

"That's none of your business, Kita."

Nekayashiki Haru's voice was emotionless.

"…Feel sorry…"

Kita Ikuyo was stunned for a moment, then apologized in a weak voice.

"Oh... Really..."

Nekoyashiki Haru picked up the guitar and started strumming it.

The sound of the strings swirled in the room, like a hand, gently lifting Kita Ikuyo's head.

"Sister Xingge is a sister-con, Xiduo."

Nekayashiki Haru suddenly said, startling Kita Ikuyo and looking up.

"Ugh?"

"So you don't have to think about what she wants to see, because it definitely has nothing to do with you. Xiduo, you should think about what you are looking forward to."

“…What am I expecting?”

"Well, the time it takes for you to form a band can be counted in months. How about it? Do you like it?"

Nekayashiki Haru asked, and Kita Ikuyo said after thinking for a while.

"Feeling... happy? Whether it was apologizing to Ijichi-senpai and Ryo-senpai, meeting you, Nekayashiki-senpai, or getting to know Goto-san, these things... were all very happy."

"But ultimately, these are not the themes of the band."

Nekoyashiki Haru shook his head.

"Band, how's it going so far?"

“…It was fun taking photos.”

"Ah."

“It’s also fun to discuss the future of the band with everyone.”

"Ah."

"Maybe... happy?"

"Are you still unsure?"

Nekoyashiki Haru faced Kita Ikuyo.

"Xiduo, your goal should be quite far away, right?"

"Um…"

Kita Ikuyo responded softly.

"If that's the case, the future will be very tiring. The more ambitious the goal, the more effort it will take to achieve it. Maybe there will be less time for fun like this in the future."

Nekoyashiki Haru put down his guitar.

"You're not playing house, are you? Not some band that popped up on a whim of a capricious young lady, but something more serious?"

“…I think so.”

"Then, Kita, are you prepared? The future of the band will be extremely difficult, and it may all be for nothing in the end. Can you accept this?"

"…I…"

Kita Ikuyo grabbed the hem of her skirt.

Is this the band I want?

All the hard work I put into the band will inevitably change my current stable life.

"I…"

Kita Ikuyo can only utter lonely syllables.

Nekayashiki Haru tilted his head slightly, then continued.

"Xiduo, so what are your hopes for the band and the future?"

Kita Ikuyo was stunned.

The dim sunlight from outside the window poured in, covering Nekayashiki Haru's face.

The girl looked at this scene, and it seemed as if she was about to merge into the light.

Memories of the previous performance in front of the park fountain resurfaced.

The girl narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Then he said in a firm tone.

"I still...want to form a band."

Kita Ikuyo stood up and spoke to Nekayashiki Haru in a more condescending manner.

“Although I’m not someone who’s obsessed with music, nor am I a child who was saved by a band, but… I don’t want to…”

Kita Ikuyo clenched her fists.

"I really still don't want to reach the future that is already visible!"

The ordinary and happy Kita Ikuyo in the future.

Kita Ikuyo actually...doesn't want a life that countless people envy.

Something a little more special, something a little more eye-catching.

You can be called whimsical or childish.

Kita Ikuyo wants to form a band.

Kita Ikuyo wants to be special.

"At least, after everything is over, no matter whether the outcome is good or bad, I want to be able to say, 'I tried my best.'"

Kita Ikuyo's voice became higher, and she clenched her fists as she looked at Nekayashiki Haru.

"…I see…"

After a moment of silence, Nekayashiki Haru nodded.

"Wait a moment..."

Nekayashiki Haru walked into the bedroom, and soon the sound of someone rummaging through something came from inside the bedroom.

About 5 minutes later, Nekoyashiki Haru came over holding a wooden box.

Snapped.

Then put it on the coffee table.

"Password 0928, please help me open it."

"Ah...ok."

Kita Ikuyo opened the combination lock and then opened the box.

It's full of picks.

There were all kinds of them, in all colors, which made Kita Ikuyo stunned for a moment.

"Look for it. There should be a black and gold one inside with a cat's head carved on it."

"Ah...ok."

Under the instructions of Nekoyashiki Haru, Kita Ikuyo found the black and gold cat-head pick among the full pile of picks.

"This is?"

“My first pick.”

"Ugh?"

Kita Ikuyo was slightly stunned, then looked at the smiling Nekoyashiki Haru.

"You could call it a lucky pick, at least for me."

"... "

Kita Ikuyo lowered her head and looked carefully at the black and gold pick.

“…Senior, you are looking for it…”

Before Kita Ikuyo could finish her words, she was interrupted by Nekayashiki Haru.

"Kita."

"Yes?"

"Give it to you."

"!!"

Kita Ikuyo was suddenly shocked.

"I don't need it right now, so the quality should be fine. I'm giving it to you as a talisman. Don't underestimate it, it's been through many battles."

"fighting?"

"Every other pick in the box is defeated by it."

"Huh? A defeated general?"

An image popped up in Kita Ikuyo's mind of a group of people hitting each other with picks in the park.

"Anyway, you were once my important partner, but now I leave you to me."

Nekoyashiki Haru leaned back on the sofa.

"come on."

"... "

Kita Ikuyo gripped the pick tightly and suddenly felt her heartbeat speed up slightly.

"Yes! I will do my best! I will also take good care of the important partner you once had!"

"That would be best."

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded and continued.