Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"Oh, not bad!"

Supporting Goto Ichiri, Ichichi Nikka looked at the park in front of her and smiled.

"Alright! It's time for the band's second group photo!"

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Borrowing Money (Part 2)

"Ah...ah ah..."

Making a sound like a zombie, Goto Ichiri was helped up the slide.

"Alright, alright, Goto-kun, smile."

Kita Ikuyo, who had her hands on Kita's shoulders behind her, said with a smile.

"Ah...okay..."

Goto Ichiri forced a smile.

"Okay, okay, look here!"

Ichi Nijika held up her phone and waved to the two people on the slide.

Click!

The phone clicked, freezing the moment between Kita Ikuyo and Goto Ichiri.

"How was it? How was it?"

Kita Ikuyo pulled Goto Ichiri to Ichichi Nikka's side.

"Not bad, hehe, Kita looks cute no matter how you photograph her."

Nijika Ichichi opened the photo and smiled.

"I'm...I'm sorry...I really did drag Kita down."

Goto Ichiri apologized with a crestfallen expression.

"Don't say that! Goto is also an important member of the band, he didn't hold us back!"

Kita Ikuyo said earnestly to Goto Ichiri.

"Yes, yes, Ichiri is also an important member of the band!"

Ichi Nijika nodded in affirmation.

"Alright, alright, let's go film somewhere else!"

"Huh? Where are Nekoyashiki-senpai and Ryo-senpai?"

Kita Ikuyo asked.

Ichi Niji Natsumi paused for a moment, then looked around.

Then, in the distance, I saw two people slumped on a bench.

"Ugh! Those two lost all their enthusiasm as soon as they arrived! We haven't even started filming them yet!"

"Ichi Nijika said with dissatisfaction."

"Alright, alright, let's film our own scenes first, let's ignore the other two for now!"

Ichi Nijika pushed Kita Ikuyo and Goto Ichiri in their wheelchairs and walked towards other parts of the park.

While the three were exploring other suitable spots for taking photos in the park, they sat on a bench.

"...The sun is so warm today..."

Nekoyashiki Haru sat relaxed on the bench.

"It feels like it's been years since I've sunbathed like this..."

"Yes... the breeze feels nice too."

Yamada Ryo, leaning against the other side of the bench, said.

"Hehe, it's really nice to encounter this kind of weather at this age."

Nekoyashiki Haru sighed.

"Yes, it's afternoon, but it feels like noon."

Yamada Ryo smiled, then quietly moved a little closer to Nekoyashiki Haru.

"...Sigh, what a pity, I've been having some troubles lately."

"what?"

Nekoyashiki Haru asked doubtfully.

"I've got my eye on a bassist."

"Then?"

"I bought it."

"And then?"

"It seems like you plundered too much before, there doesn't seem to be any grass left to eat nearby. Can you lend me some money, little cat?"

"...Didn't I just borrow your things a few days ago?"

I'll pay it back next month!

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru was silent for a while, then took out her wallet and counted the bills with the touch of her fingertips.

He pulled it out and handed it to Yamada Ryo.

"Here you go, you have to pay me back next month."

"Don't worry! I never break my word!"

Yamada Ryo assured.

"I hope so..."

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I have a feeling that it might take some time before I can get this money back.

After thinking for a moment, he took out a few more Fukuzawa Yukichi cards and handed them to Yamada Ryo.

"?"

Although Yamada Ryo was puzzled, he took it immediately.

"You don't need to pay back this money... Don't use it for anything else, use it for food. At your age, you definitely won't be able to survive on just grass."

"... "

Yamada Ryo stared blankly at Nekoyashiki Haru.

"Are you still there? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Nekoyashiki Haru asked in confusion.

"I'm still here, but I was suddenly so moved by your kindness that I can't speak."

Yamada Ryo nodded.

"I won't use this money for anything else."

"That's good."

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded.

“I used to know someone like you who couldn’t save money.”

"?"

Yamada Ryo looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

"Store manager?"

Why do you think it's her?

"Sorry, I don't know who you know, but the store manager seems like a good fit?"

"They've already opened a shop. In my childhood memories, I did like to spend money recklessly..."

Nekoyashiki Haru lowered her head.

"Anyway, it's not the store manager, it's someone I've only known for the last two years."

Nekoyashiki Haru raised her head and smiled.

Yamada Ryo remained silent, then looked quietly at Ijichi Nijika, who was taking pictures in the distance.

"...A woman?"

"...Yes? Why are you suddenly asking about gender?"

"It's nothing, I'm just curious, you can continue."

Yamada Ryo licked his finger and then began counting the money in his hand.

"In short, I wasn't like this when I first returned to China. Back then, I was irritable, cold, and liked to do some inexplicably childish things."

"Oh? For example?"

"...for example, paying money to challenge musicians from popular bands to a duel."

Boxing? Or kickboxing?

"It's a musical instrument!"

"Oh my god! Using musical instruments as weapons?!?!"

Yamada Ryo counted the money while showing a shocked expression.

"...is a performance..."

Nekoyashiki Haru sighed.

"Anyway, that's how I was during that period. I was running around everywhere, sometimes even working as a mercenary for other bands that needed members... The reason was that I wanted to hear more..."