Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Ichi Nijika smiled and scratched her head.

"Um... just in case, let me ask, what kind of interest do you have?"

Kita Ikuyo said, her eyelids slightly lowered.

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

"... "

Ichi Nijika pursed her lips tightly.

"...That's great! Kitten is so cute, the kitten is so lucky...ha..."

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

Kita Ikuyo simply watched Iji Chikuri Natsumi quietly.

"...Why did Kita suddenly tell me all this?"

Ichi Nijika crossed her hands behind her back.

"Ijichi-senpai, you like Nekoyashiki-senpai, don't you?"

Kita Ikuyo asked.

"...We are just..."

Ichi Nijika's voice was very soft, and she had only uttered four words when Kita Ikuyo interrupted her.

Are you trying to say it's just friendship?

"!"

Ichi Niji Natsumi slightly opened her mouth.

“Ijichi-senpai, your behavior was actually quite obvious. Apart from Nekoyashiki-senpai not being able to see it... Goto-kun didn’t notice it either. I think everyone knows what’s going on.”

"...Is...that so?"

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

Kita Ikuyo took a deep breath.

"If you continue like this... I'll steal my senior away."

"!"

Ichi Nijika's pupils contracted sharply.

My chest suddenly felt tight, as if it were being strangled by a rope.

His breathing also began to quicken.

Steal it, steal it... steal it...?

As she repeated the word in her mind, Ichiji Nijika's crimson eyes darkened slightly.

They're trying to steal... the kitten?

"...Kita, why do you like kittens?"

With her head down, Ichiji Nijika asked.

There are many reasons why I like my seniors. I just like them. There's no need for any profound reason.

Kita Ikuyo shook her head with a complicated expression.

"My friend advised me to clarify my own thoughts sooner rather than later."

"Perhaps 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 her chest.

"Perhaps it's because of my longing for him, perhaps it's because of the dependence I've developed from his repeated help, perhaps it's the hormones generated by his captivating face, or perhaps it's because of his past that makes me feel a little heartache."

Kita Ikuyo looked down at Ichi Niji Natsumi.

"So... Ijichi-senpai, I just like Nekoyashiki-senpai, in a romantic way."

"... "

Ichi Nijika's pupils trembled.

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

"I will not neglect the band's practice."

"Maybe the kitten will join later..."

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

Ichi Nijika took a step back.

Kita Ikuyo took a step forward.

"... "

The blonde girl clenched her fists slightly.

"...In that case..."

She clenched her fists tightly, then looked up and shouted.

"If that's the case, why are you telling me now?!"

Kita Ikuyo was taken aback by Ichika's sudden outburst.

Ichi Nijika took a step forward.

"If you like it! If that's the case! Why did you tell me? Is Kita trying to show off? Or is he trying to mock me for staying stuck in the same place? What's in it for me to tell you? To make me compete with you for it?! Kita, I have absolutely no idea what you're doing right now!"

"... "

"I like him! Yes! I just like him! I've liked him since I was a child! But so what? How do I know if he likes me back? What if he doesn't? What if I confess and get rejected?! We've only been back together for a few months! He can't see it! His dreams are shattered! I don't understand anything about what he's been through these past few years! How can I confess? I'm too scared!"

Tears streamed down Ichiji Nijika's crimson eyes.

"Since Kita likes it... then just take it quietly! That way... that way I can tell myself... it's all my fault... it's because I hesitated to act... that's why this happened... if Kita tells me now... won't I resent you, Kita!"

"... "

Kita Yukiyo remained silent.

"Speak up! Kita, what do you want from me?! I don't understand!"

"Ichi Nijika cried out."

Kita Ikuyo took a deep breath.

"...You're right."

"...?"

Ichi Nijika was taken aback.

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

"I just want you to come and take it from me..."

"That's what the girl said."

"…ha?"

Ichi Nijika was stunned for a moment, then let out a sound of disbelief.

What are you... saying?

"Come and try to take it from me...come and try to take it from me!"

Kita Ikuyo gripped the hem of her skirt tightly with both hands.

"I actually sensed it a little bit a long time ago... that Ijichi-senpai likes Nekoyashiki-senpai... I sensed it a little bit."

"... "

"I'm not sure, but I just have this feeling..."

"... "

"I can tell from Ijichi-senpai's usual demeanor! The slight blush on his cheeks when he touches Nekoyashiki-senpai, the smile on his face when he listens to Nekoyashiki-senpai speak... I can tell from all of that!"

"... "

"So... I know very well... I'm the one who came later... I'm the one who fell in love with my senior much later."

Kita Ikuyo raised her head, biting her lower lip tightly, her nose wrinkling slightly.

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

Ichi Nijika's eyes widened slightly.

"...Then why...say it at this time?"

"...If it drags on any longer...it will be even worse."

Kita Ikuyo smiled through her tears.

"So I want to make things clear with Ijichi-senpai... Stealing without a word... is not what I want to do."

"...Kita..."

"I don't want the band to end... The emotions I received in the band were genuine."

"... "

"So... let's compete fairly, Ijichi-senpai."

Kita Ikuyo turned and walked towards the station.

"...I'll try my best in tomorrow's practice...Goodbye."

"…goodbye."

Ichi Nijika stood there, stunned, watching Kita Ikuyo's figure disappear from sight.

“…Gurgle…”