Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Page 34

Chapter Twenty-Six: A Hit on the Back

"In short, we don't have money to go to a photo studio, so the only places we can take pictures are behind plants, in parks, on steps, and behind fences."

Ichi Nijika held a foxtail grass in one hand, walking briskly while waving it in her hand.

"Isn't the kitten quite wealthy? Can't you lend me some?"

Yamada Ryo asked, breaking off a blade of grass in his hand and tucking it into Nekoyashiki Haru's hair.

With a head full of foxtail grass and tapping the wall with a white cane, Nekoyashiki Haru spoke.

"I have no objection."

"But, in the end, that's not our band's money, it's Kitten's money, and Kitten hasn't even joined the band yet... What do you two think?"

"Ichi Nijika said, and then asked the other two questions."

"I think it's really not a good idea to borrow money from Nekoyashiki-senpai, since it's not the band's money."

Kita Ikuyo said, while inserting a foxtail grass into Goto Ichiri's hair next to her.

“I…I want to take photos outside…I don’t want to go to a photo studio…It feels so scary if the staff ask me, and they’ll definitely force me to smile while taking the photos…It’s terrifying, so scary, going there would mean losing my freedom.”

"It's a deal then! We'll film outside!"

Stopping in front of the park, Ichiki Nijika turned around and announced to the four people.

Then, in the next moment, he suddenly froze.

"Hey! Ryo, Kita, don't bully others!"

Ichi Nijika sighed as she quickly stepped forward and removed the foxtail grass from Goto Ichiri and Nekoyashiki Haru's heads.

"Why did you just let those two do it?"

"I have no objection."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said."

"You have a problem with that! But is it just my imagination? Why do I feel like you've been saying those four words a lot lately?"

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru tilted her head.

Actually, saying "I have no objection" was a habit he developed when he was with a certain drunkard. Because the drunkard kept dragging him around, and he couldn't refuse each time, it wasted a lot of time. So, he simply started saying "I have no objection" directly.

Thinking about it this way, I'm influenced by her in every way now? I've already become her shape?

"Ah! You tilted your head? Are you feeling guilty?"

Ichi Niji Natsumi shifted her position to look directly at Nekoyashiki Haru's face.

"... "

As Goto Ichiri watched the interaction between the two, he suddenly had a strange feeling.

Huh? Wait a minute…

Just now... just now I was being bullied... no, no, it was just a harmless prank.

But I'm not the only one! Mr. Nekoyashiki is the same?

Wait, could it be that... Mr. Nekoyashiki is actually the same kind of person as me... No, no, he's not my kind no matter what, but are we in similar positions within the band?

That's...that's great! So, this means they're from the same small group?!

Is this a giant leap away from isolation? No…maybe a hundred steps!

After Ichi Nijika returned to the front of the group, Goto Ichiri quietly walked up to Nekoyashiki Haru and gently poked his shoulder with her finger.

Feeling the poke, Nekoyashiki Haru turned to Goto Ichiri.

Look here! Goto Ichiri! Do something!

"…hey-hey--"

Goto Ichiri twisted the corners of her mouth into a smile, her eyes trying to project the best possible look of approval, while she gave Nekoyashiki Haru a thumbs-up, as if to express her approval.

"...?"

Meanwhile, Nekoyashiki Haru, who can't see anything, can only wait in bewilderment for what happens next.

After waiting for a while and finding that Nekoyashiki Haru didn't react, Goto Ichiri's expression suddenly froze.

What to do, what to do! Mr. Nekoyashiki isn't reacting at all?! Could it be that I misjudged the situation? No... no! Was my acceptance not obvious enough? Right... right! I'm still hunched over, so that makes sense!

Goto Ichiri tried to straighten his back and widened his smile, his thumb starting to wiggle up and down, repeating the motion like a Live2D animated skin in a 2D mobile game.

"...?"

Haru Nekoyashiki tilted her head to the other side.

It's still not working!!! Is it really too difficult for me? I have absolutely no experience doing this for the first time! I guess I'm just hopeless!

One...it must be that your back isn't straight enough!

Goto Ichiri straightened his back with all his might, causing his whole body to lean backward.

How about...?

"... "

Haru Nekoyashiki's expression began to show a hint of unease.

Wait... why isn't Yili saying anything?

Although I felt there was someone in front of me... but thinking about it carefully, was she really still in front of me?

After hesitating for a moment, Nekoyashiki Haru gently extended her cane forward.

Snapped.

It hit Goto Ichiri's calf.

"!!!"

Goto Ichiri's eyes widened.

Is it...is it that I'm not standing straight enough?

Alright… Goto Ichiri… This is an opportunity! An opportunity to escape the dark and gloomy closet and step into the light!

Give it your all!!!

Click!

My spine is making an ominous sound.

"Gah!!!"

Goto Ichiri let out a strange cry and knelt down on the ground with a thud.

Waist, waist, waist, waist, waist, waist!!!

Tears streamed down Goto Ichiri's face from the pain, while Nekoyashiki Haru, who finally sensed Goto Ichiri's presence, smiled gently at her.

Although I don't know what happened.

But smiling is definitely fine.

far away.

"...What are those two people doing?"

Ichi Nijika watched the scene in the distance speechlessly.

"I don't know, maybe he'll become my godfather."

After thinking for a while, Yamada Ryo guessed.

"Wait a minute! Seniors! Goto-kun looks really bad! Huh?! He's lying on the ground! He sounds like he's wailing? How pitiful?!"

Kita Ikuyo covered her mouth with both hands in shock.

"Hiss... I remember when I did my research before... there wasn't this step of recognizing a godfather?"

Yamada Ryo hesitated.

"Stop acknowledging or denying your godfather! Speaking of which, why are you researching that kind of thing?! Pochi's hurt his back! Come help me!"

Ichi Nijika, who occasionally saw her older sister strain her back at home, finally understood what was happening and quickly called the other two people to come and help.

...

……

.........

"Waaaaah..."

Goto Ichiri kept sobbing.

Supporting her, Ichika could only helplessly stroke Goto Ichiri's head.

"Okay, okay, it's alright now, it'll be fine in a few days."

"Waaaaah..."

"Why are you crying even louder?!"

Nijika Ichiji exclaimed in shock.

Goto Ichiri, on the other hand, closed his eyes tightly and immersed himself in his own mental world.

I... I forgot that Mr. Nekoyashiki was blind...