Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Page 51

The phone suddenly vibrated. Kita Ikuyo sighed, then answered the call, her voice instantly becoming exceptionally sweet.

"Huh? Hey? Rin-chan~ What? Going to the amusement park? Actually, I just went a few days ago, but I don't have time today, maybe next time."

After hanging up the second call, Kita Ikuyo began applying eyeliner.

buzzing~

【8:43】

Kita Ikuyo picked up her phone while applying eyeliner.

"Good morning... I can't go to karaoke today, I have something to take care of, sorry."

After turning down another phone call, Kita Ikuyo began to focus on drawing her eyeliner.

However, not long after that...

buzzing~

"I don't have time today."

buzzing~

"I'll definitely do it next time."

buzzing~

"Sorry sorry."

...

Click...

After hanging up the tenth phone call, Kita Ikuyo finally finished her makeup.

It's 8:49 now. Luckily, I only wore light makeup today.

He looked at himself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

"Okay! Let's go!"

With her guitar slung over her shoulder, Kita Ikuyo ran toward the station.

Receiving a dozen or so phone calls every weekend morning is normal for Kita Yuyo, given that she has quite a lot of friends.

This class and that class, high school, junior high, elementary school.

My weekend schedule has reached the point where reservations are required.

Clutching the shoulder strap of her guitar bag, Kita Ikuyo immediately ran towards the open car door.

【9:15】

The agreed time is fast approaching, I have to hurry.

After all, keeping a promise is very important. If you break your promise, your reputation among your friends will suffer. No matter what, it's best to arrive early.

Even if unexpected situations arise, it's important to clarify things beforehand at the agreed time; otherwise, people might feel uncomfortable being bothered and might not invite you again next time.

If you don't invite someone, the relationship will fade, and if the relationship fades, you'll be even less likely to invite them. If you don't invite them to participate in activities, the relationship will fade even more.

This is the vicious cycle.

Eventually, they became invisible, and their social circle collapsed and shrank instantly.

Kita Ikuyo has developed a strange conditioned reflex in her interactions with friends.

Even though she understood that Nekoyashiki Haru and her usual friends were not in the same category, she had already clearly distinguished in her mind what she should and should not do.

Occasionally, acquaintances will comment that you must find this very tiring.

Tap tap tap tap!

Kita Ikuyo ran up the stairs at lightning speed, almost jumping three steps at a time. In the stairwell on the third floor, she quickly twisted her body, spread out one arm to maintain her balance, and then ran towards room 302.

【9:25】

Kita Yuyo stood in front of room 302 without blushing or panting, took out a mirror from her bag and opened it.

"My hair is a little messy..."

She gently combed her hair with her hands, slowly and deliberately.

【9:28】

"Ok."

Kita Ikuyo nodded in satisfaction, then pressed the doorbell.

"Cough cough~"

Kita Ikuyo cleared her throat gently, waiting for the first greeting after the door opened.

Click...

The door was pushed open.

"Good morning, Nekoyashiki-senpai..."

The tone that should have been raised suddenly dropped, and the melancholy young man that was expected turned into a purple-haired, slovenly-dressed woman.

"Oh, Xiaohong, good morning."

Hiroi Kikuri greeted her softly.

"Good morning... Wait! I didn't come to the wrong house, did I? Why is Ms. Hiroi here?"

"...Ah, I stayed here yesterday because I was homeless, and I'm staying here today too."

Kikuri Hiroi nodded, and Ikuyo Kita blinked.

"You seem... a little different than usual..."

"What's the difference?"

Kikuto Hiroi turned to look at Ikuyo Kita and asked.

"Uh... Normally he'd be sprawled on the ground, drinking and greeting me with a smile, and might even try to get me to drink more, looking like a complete useless person."

"...A useless person...I'm sorry..."

Kikuri Hiroi sighed, first a soft sigh, and then continued.

"I can't drink alcohol today... As for laughter... Japan is still facing a declining birth rate, so it's really hard to laugh."

"...?"

Kita Yuki tilted her head.

Kikuri Hiroi shook her head and explained.

"Not only is the birth rate declining, but social conflicts are also escalating. The prime minister was assassinated for supporting a cult, and prices are soaring. I can't see a future for Japan... Thinking about it, Japan never really had a future, and I don't have one either. I'm already this age, and I've never even been in a relationship. How am I going to get married? Money too. I'm already living beyond my means. Once people get tired of my music, I'll have no income at all. And can the band really continue? I'm so worried. Ah, I can't see a future... And it's not just Japan, is it? Global warming too. Arctic glaciers have started melting. Although it doesn't affect the Earth much, it's already impacting animals. What's after the polar bears? Brown bears? Pandas? They're all already in danger. Eventually, it'll probably affect humans too, right? Thinking like this, there's no hope at all. It's better to be safe sooner rather than later..."

"Alright, alright, stop! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"

Kita Ikuyo snapped out of her shock and quickly covered Hiroi Kikuri's mouth.

"Sorry, I said some things that weren't pleasant to hear... Sigh..."

Kikuri Hiroi shook her head and then walked towards the sofa.

Then I sat down quietly.

"...What exactly happened...?"

Kita Ikuyo looked at Hiroi Kikuri with a puzzled expression.

"That guy gets like this when he doesn't drink."

An explanation came from the side at just the right time, and Kita Ikuyo looked to the side in surprise.

"Senior, you've finally shown up! Good morning."

Good morning, you're here so early...

Nekoyashiki Haru yawned.