Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"...No, I wanted to say this before, it's a bass."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said, but Kita Ikuyo immediately shook her head."

"How could that be?"

Kita Ikuyo took off the "guitar bag" from her back, put it on the ground, unzipped it, and then lifted it up with both hands.

"A bass has four strings and a guitar has six strings. I'm not that ignorant."

The instrument in the guitar case undoubtedly has six strings.

She was showing it to the three people behind her, except for Nekoyashiki Haru.

"...Bass guitars also have six strings."

"Ichi Nijika said calmly."

"This is a six-string bass."

Then, Yamada Ryo, a master of bass, glanced at the instrument and made a judgment on it.

"…well?"

Kita Yuki tilted her head.

"well?"

Then it tilted its head to the other side... no, it tilted its body to the side and then fell to the ground.

Splat...

It made a funny sound.

"I...I borrowed my allowance and New Year's money for the next two years from my dad to buy this..."

"This is truly a do-or-die situation! I only dare to borrow for one year in advance."

Yamada Ryo gave a thumbs-up in agreement.

"She's a JK (high school girl) like me."

"There's nothing good about being like you!"

Ichi Nijika sighed.

Chapter Sixteen: Encounter

"There are no real guitars anymore... only guitars called basses... the band's dream is shattered here, sob sob sob..."

"Kita, wake up!"

Kita Ikuyo, who was rolling on the ground, was helped up by Ichi Nijika, who then shook her vigorously, finally pulling her back from her mental world.

"So what am I going to do?! I don't have any money left to buy a guitar!"

Kita Ikuyo grabbed her head with both hands and shook it wildly, displaying a completely deranged state.

"Yes, I can take back your bass."

Yamada Ryo suddenly spoke, which startled Kita Ikuyo for a moment, and then she looked at Yamada Ryo.

"Senior Ryo!!!"

Kita Ikuyo exclaimed, moved, and Yamada Ryo continued.

"But after the recycling, I'll only be able to eat grass. But don't worry, I've scouted the area, and there's plenty of grass to eat in the nearby green belt. I should be able to survive until next month without any problems."

"No, no, no, this is a huge problem!"

Ichi Nijika exclaimed in surprise from the side.

Why are neither of them eating properly?

Nekoyashiki Haru said at this moment.

"I have a spare guitar that I can lend you if you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all! Thank you, Nekoyashiki-senpai!"

Kita Ikuyo immediately got up, grabbed Nekoyashiki Haru's hand, and thanked him.

"... "

Ijichi Nijika's crimson eyes instantly locked onto Kita Ikuyo's hand, which was holding Nekoyashiki Haru's hand.

It was just a subconscious gaze, devoid of any emotion or intention.

"I still want to reclaim the bass."

Suddenly, Yamada Ryo spoke up, and Iji Chi Niji Natsumi paused for a moment before looking at Yamada Ryo.

Aren't you going to eat?

"I can eat grass."

Yamada Ryo said proudly.

"...How did you grow so tall...?"

Ichi Nijika sighed.

...

……

.........

on the street.

Snap, snap, snap, snap.

The white cane tapped rhythmically on the ground, a sound that affected Kita Ikuyo's footsteps as she walked beside him.

"Does Nekoyashiki-senpai live around here?"

Kita Ikuyo asked softly, afraid that if she spoke too loudly, she would frighten Nekoyashiki Haru and cause him to fall.

"Yes, it's in the building next door."

As they entered the residential building, Kita Ikuyo, who was behind them, volunteered to walk up to Nekoyashiki Haru.

"Nekoyashiki-senpai, let me show you the way."

"Thank you."

Nekoyashiki Haru thanked him, Kita Ikuyo smiled, and then gently took Nekoyashiki Haru's hand and led him to the elevator.

"Which floor does Nekoyashiki-senpai live on?"

"3th floor."

"Okay—let me see…3rd floor, pressed!"

Stepping into the elevator, Kita Ikuyo smiled and pressed the button for the 3rd floor.

"...You really have a lot of energy."

Nekoyashiki Haru sighed from the other side.

"Hmm? Why do you say that?"

"He can describe his actions with such energy just by pressing an elevator button, so he's very energetic."

"Huh? I...I'm sorry?"

"I'm not blaming you..."

Nekoyashiki Haru smiled.

"I'm actually quite envious of you."

"envious?"

"Although I'm the same age as Hongxia, I've lost my vitality. To be honest, I'm already like an old man."

"Ugh?"

"I fall asleep easily and feel very tired every day."

The elevator doors in front of us slowly opened.

"That's why I envy you."

"... "

Kita Ikuyo looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

Life is tough because of blindness, which is probably why Nekoyashiki-senpai is so tired.

As Kita Ikuyo thought about this, the smile on her face became a little heavy.

"Kita."

"yes?!"

Suddenly, Nekoyashiki Haru's voice rang out, startling Kita Ikuyo, who quickly turned around to look at Nekoyashiki Haru.

"I have no complaints about my life now. The time for crying and being irritable is over, so there's no need to feel sad for me."

Nekoyashiki Haru said with a smile.

"…senior…"

Kita Ikuyo watched this scene, her pupils contracted slightly, and she nodded after pursing her lips.

"I see!"

Kita Ikuyo nodded, and a smile returned to her face.

Nekoyashiki-senpai doesn't need pity, so I don't need to wear a long face either.

"Senior, is it just ahead?"

"Yes, 302."

"Okay, let me see... Ah! Found it, senior, I..."