Lonely Rock for the Blind.

I think Yamada called me that? But I've forgotten what it was.

"You say you care about someone... but you don't even know their full name."

Kikuri Hiroi rarely makes a sarcastic remark.

"Names don't matter!"

Nekoyashiki Haru said angrily.

"So, what do you care about?"

Kikuri Hiroi licked the chocolate residue from her teeth with her tongue and then asked.

"…color…"

"Ah, I knew you'd say these things."

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"No no."

Hiroi Kikuri shook her head with a forced smile.

Nekoyashiki Haru tapped the ground with her cane in dissatisfaction.

"In short... there are many factors."

"What exactly?"

“In Nijika’s band, Kita basically has no foundation. Although her guitar position is not that important, practice is still necessary.”

"You're really worried about Hongxia's band, huh..."

"That's for sure, End of Band is the band I'm most looking forward to."

"Yuyuko will probably make a scene if she hears this."

"Uh…"

Nekoyashiki Haru was slightly speechless, then shook her head and continued.

"However, it's not just because of the band; I care about Kita, and there are other factors as well."

"for example?"

"...That child seems to be pursuing something..."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said softly."

Hiroi Kikuri was slightly taken aback.

"what?"

"I don't know, but I could feel a bit of that regret and a lack of confidence through the sound."

"...Is this some kind of superpower?"

Hiroi Kikuri stared in disbelief.

"Maybe so, after all, the way they went blind was quite bizarre to begin with."

Nekoyashiki Haru laughed.

"Back to Kita, her color is like a red canvas covered by a gray veil, wanting to break free but being held back by all sorts of things."

"... "

"...I'm quite curious to see the color beneath that gray veil, which is why I care about Kita."

"Really... Have you considered taking her on as a personal disciple, Mr. Poison Cat?"

"...I will teach you everything I can."

Nekoyashiki Haru sighed.

"I have a feeling that Kita will grow up to be very successful, especially in music."

Why emphasize the music aspect specifically?

Hiroi Kikuri asked in confusion.

"Don't worry about it."

Nekoyashiki Haru stood up.

"In short, I will always keep an eye on Kita, and she will definitely be able to help Nijika a lot in the future."

"Whoa..."

Hiroi Kikuri raised an eyebrow slightly.

Are you leaving?

"Okay, please take me back."

"Hehe, I'll stay for another day?"

"...If you don't drink, you can stay here, but you have to sleep on the sofa."

"Any liqueur-filled chocolates will do, let's go."

Hiroi Kikuri took Nekoyashiki Haru's hand and walked towards his apartment.

...

……

.........

On the tram, Kita Ikuyo squinted slightly.

Its yellowish-green pupils were fixed blankly on the ground.

What replays in my mind is the boy's unrestrained performance on the fountain platform.

Wow! So handsome!

Wow! That's so cool!

Wow! That's amazing!

These ideas seem to be all there, but... there seems to be more of something else.

Regret?

Up until now, I seem to have been too normal, haven't I? I've wasted so much time?

The boy's performance, bathed in sunlight reflected off the fountain, seemed like some kind of stimulant, constantly stimulating Kita Ikuyo's senses.

Recalling that scene in her mind, what was Kita Ikuyo thinking about most?

She asked herself the question, and then naturally got the answer.

It is aspiration.

Chapter Forty-Six Special

Suddenly one day, Kita Ikuyo made a discovery.

Am I... too ordinary?

No… being ordinary isn’t so bad, is it? Being an ordinary person is something many people can’t achieve in their entire lives, right? Besides, I’m a young woman with a super fulfilling life, so it seems like I have nothing to complain about?

I have so many friends, and I have plenty of food, drink, clothing, and shelter. My life seems perfect, doesn't it?

If that's the case... then what right do I have to complain about being ordinary?

Kita Ikuyo thought to herself, then cast that thought into the abyss of her heart.

Let's just leave it as it is.

My life and my future are already crystal clear.

Kita Ikuyo is a happy, ordinary person.

ordinary…

When Kita Ikuyo saw the instrument making a thumping sound in the blue-haired girl's hand, she stopped in her tracks.

The blue-haired girl ignored the pedestrians around her, playing her band's music and releasing her voice in all directions.

That instrument... is it called a bass?

Kita Ikuyo seems to have seen a lot of jokes about this instrument.

What sounds are inconspicuous? What is a guitar called bass? What bassist is responsible for street dancing on stage?

But Kita Ikuyo only realized at that moment that those were real stereotypes.

The sound vibrated softly in Kita Ikuyo's heart, but... she wasn't captivated by it.

More, much more in other aspects…

The thing that he had cast into the abyss of his heart crawled up his veins.

Kita Ikuyo.

Cheerful JK (high school girl).

She is fashion-conscious and skilled at makeup.

We cover all the popular TV dramas and are quick to adopt all the latest internet selfie trends.

On social media, there are hundreds of red dots every day, and in order to maintain interpersonal relationships, there are even formulaic ways to reply.

I never stay home on weekends. I go shopping, to amusement parks, and to karaoke, and I always have at least three people with me. I buy cute toys and souvenirs and visit local attractions, which gives me great stamina.

These are what Kita Ikuyo owns!

…Then what?

These things... seem to be something that Kita Ikuyo's friends all have.

Actually, there are some fashionable clothes that Kita Ikuyo doesn't really like.

In fact, Kita Ikuyo is not interested in most TV dramas.