Lonely Rock for the Blind

Kita Ikuyo raised her head.

"Um?

"I think... I like Nekayashiki-senpai a little bit."

Yellow-green eyes met red eyes.

"... "

Ijichi Hongxia stared at Kita Ikuyo blankly.

beep------

The shrill sound of a whistle came from a distance, pulling the girl out of her daze.

She recalled what Kita Ikuyo had just said and tilted her head slightly.

"Eh?"

Chapter 80 Come and grab it

Under the cover of night, at the place where the band often parted ways after their performance, Ijichi Hikaruka and Kita Ikuyo were still there.

The neon lights shine as usual, casting a colorful, blurred border on the surrounding world.

There is no moon tonight, perhaps because of the storm during the day, dark clouds still cover the sky.

Kita Ikuyo looked at Ijichi Kouka seriously, waiting for her to speak.

Ijichi Hongxia opened her mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but retracted it the next moment.

Kita Ikuyo was not in a hurry, but just waited quietly.

After a few minutes, Ijichi Hongxia slowly spoke.

"A little... a little surprised, haha..."

Ijichi Hongxia smiled and scratched his head.

"Um... just in case, let me ask, what do you like about it?"

Kita Ikuyo said with her eyelids slightly drooping.

"It's between men and women, I guess. I've never been in a relationship, but that's how I feel."

"... "

Ijichi Hongxia pursed her lips.

"...That's...that's great too! Little Kitty is so cute, the kitten is so lucky...ha..."

After saying that, Ijichi Hongxia wanted to laugh a few more times, but found that she couldn't laugh at all.

Kita Ikuyo just looked at Ijichi Nikka quietly.

"...Then why are you suddenly telling me all this, Kita-chan?"

Ijichi Hongka folded her hands behind her back.

"Ijichi-senpai, you like Nekayashiki-senpai, right?"

Kita Ikuyo asked.

“…we just…”

Ijichi Kouka's voice was very soft, and she was interrupted by Kita Ikuyo just after she said four words.

"You mean it's just friendship?"

"!"

Ijichi Hongxia opened her mouth slightly.

"Ijichi-senpai, your actions were actually quite obvious. Besides Nekayashiki-senpai, who couldn't see it... and Goto-san, who couldn't notice it either, I think everyone else knew."

“…Is…is that so?”

"That's why I came to see Ijichi-senpai."

Kita Ikuyo took a deep breath.

"If you keep doing this...I'll take Senpai away from you."

"!"

Ichichi Hongxia's pupils shrank sharply.

My heart suddenly felt tight, as if it was being twisted by a rope.

My breathing also started to quicken.

Snatch, snatch... snatch...?

Repeating this word over and over in her mind, Ijichi Hongxia's red eyes darkened slightly.

Want to take away...the kitten?

"...Xiao Qiduo, why do you like kittens?"

With her head lowered, Ijichi Hongxia asked.

"There are many reasons to like seniors. I just like them. I don't need any unforgettable reasons."

Kita Ikuyo shook her head with a complicated look in her eyes.

"My friends advised me to look at my own thoughts earlier."

"Maybe it's just... an illusion..."

"Please don't have such expectations, Ijichi-senpai."

Kita Ikuyo took a few steps forward and took out the pick from his chest.

"Maybe it's because I admire him, maybe it's because I've grown dependent on him for helping me time and time again, maybe it's because of the hormones generated by his face that makes my heart flutter, or maybe it's because of his past that makes me feel a little sad."

Kita Ikuyo looked down at Ijichi Nikka slightly.

"So... Ijichi-senpai, I just like Nekayashiki-senpai, the kind between men and women."

"... "

Ijichi Hongxia's pupils trembled.

"But...but the band..."

"I won't skip band practice."

"The kitten may join in later..."

"That has nothing to do with what's happening now."

Ijichi Hongxia took a step back.

Kita Ikuyo took a step forward.

"... "

The blond girl clenched her fists lightly.

“…In that case.”

She clenched her fists tightly, then raised her head and shouted.

"So that's the case! Why are you telling me now!!!"

Ijichi Kouka's sudden outburst stunned Kita Ikuyo for a moment.

Ijichi Hongxia took a step forward.

"If you like it! If that's the case! Why are you telling me? Is Kita-chan trying to show off? Or are you trying to laugh at me for being stuck in the same place? What good is there in telling me? Are you asking me to compete with you?! Kita-chan, I have no idea what you're doing right now!"

"... "

"I like him! Yes! I do! Ever since we were kids! But so what? How do I know if he likes me? What if he doesn't? What if my confession is rejected?! We've only been together for a few months! He can't see anymore! His dreams are shattered! I have no idea what he's been through these past few years! How can I confess? I don't dare!"

Tears welled up in Ijichi Hongka's red eyes.

"Since little Xiduo likes it... then just take it away quietly! That way... then I can tell myself... it's all my fault... I didn't take action... that's why this happened... Xiduo, if I tell you now... won't I hate you?"

"... "

Kita Ikuyo was silent.

"Speak up! Kita, what do you want from me? I can't figure it out!"

Ijichi Hongxia cried out.

Kita Ikuyo took a deep breath.

“…You’re right.”

"...?"

Ijichi Hongxia was stunned for a moment.

Kita Ikuyo raised her head, and tears also flashed in the corners of her eyes.

"I just want you to grab it..."

The girl said.

"…ha?"

Ijichi Hongxia was stunned for a moment, then made a sound of disbelief.

"What are you... talking about?"

"I told you to come and grab it... Come and grab it from me!"

Kita Ikuyo grabbed the hem of her skirt with both hands.

"I actually had a feeling a long time ago... that Ijichi-senpai liked Nekayashiki-senpai... I had a feeling about that."

"... "

“I’m not sure, but I have this feeling…”

"... "

"Ijichi-senpai's usual demeanor! The slightly reddened cheeks when he touched Nekayashiki-senpai, the smile on his face when he listened to Nekayashiki-senpai's words... I saw it all!"

"... "

"So... I know very well... I was the one who came later... I was the one who fell in love with the senior later."

Kita Ikuyo raised her head, bit her lower lip tightly, and wrinkled her nose slightly.

"Ijichi-senpai has always been very kind to me... so... I don't want to be a thief..."

Ijichi Hongka's eyes widened slightly.

"…Then why…say it now?"

"...If we delay any longer...it will be even worse."

Kita Ikuyo smiled with tears in her eyes.

"So I want to make it clear to Ijichi-senpai...stealing away without a word...is not what I want to do."

"...Kita..."

"I don't want the band to end either... The feelings I've received from the band are genuine."

"... "

"So... come and compete with me fairly, Ijichi-senpai."

Kita Ikuyo turned and walked towards the station.

"...Tomorrow's practice...I'll try my best...Bye."

"…goodbye."

Ijichi Hongka stood there blankly, watching Kita Ikuyo's back disappear from her sight.

“…Gu…”