Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"Stop talking! Or I'll fire both of you!!!"

"Oh, they've started threatening right away."

"The store manager's words sound more like an admission."

"Stop nagging, you two!"

Ijichi Hoshika shouted, then lowered her head.

"In short, they have to pass the test! Otherwise, I absolutely won't let them participate! Qing! You can let them know when the time comes!"

"Understand."

Nekoyashiki Haru smiled and nodded, giving an OK sign.

"And also... I... I'm really not a sister-complex person."

"I understand."

Nekoyashiki Haru's smile widened.

"?!"

...

……

.........

Rehearsal room.

When the four band members returned after the event, it was almost time for the restaurant to open for business.

The four of them slumped listlessly in their chairs, each one looking utterly dejected.

"...I'm sorry everyone...the performance may have to be canceled."

"Ichi Nijika forced a smile," she said.

"But...but! Next time will definitely be fine! Even if my sister doesn't let us perform, we can go to other livehouses. We'll definitely find a place where we can perform!"

"That's...that's true!"

Kita Ikuyo echoed.

"I...I will try my best..."

Goto Ichiri quietly expressed his determination.

"... "

Yamada Ryo quietly watched the three of them.

"…cold…"

Feeling guilty as she was being stared at like that, Ijichi Nijika suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

"I'm sorry... Liang, I was the one who invited you... and now..."

"I'm not dissatisfied..."

Yamada Ryo shook his head, then clutched his stomach, looking uncomfortable.

"...The flower I ate on the way here...something seems off..."

"That's why I told you not to eat just anything! Honestly!"

Ichi Nijika stepped forward, intending to pull Yamada Ryo away to the hospital for a checkup.

Click.

The door opened, and all four people looked up at the same time.

"The colors are really dull; it seems you're quite disappointed."

Nekoyashiki Haru walked in and sat down in her usual spot.

"kitten…"

"Ichiki Nijika helped Yamada Ryo up and said softly."

"Sigh, that's why it was completely unnecessary..."

Talking softly to himself, Nekoyashiki Haru raised his head.

"Alright everyone, I have some news to announce."

"what?"

Kita Ikuyo looked at Nekoyashiki Haru with curiosity.

"After careful consideration, Sister Xingge... the store manager's idea is to conduct an evaluation of you in a week."

"Examination?"

Ichi Niji Natsumi was slightly taken aback.

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded.

"If you pass the assessment, you can perform at Starry Night. Oh, by the way, the judges are me, the store manager, and Pa-san."

Yamada Ryo's eyes lit up, and his stomachache disappeared. He walked up to Nekoyashiki Haru and grabbed one of his hands.

"?"

Snapped!

A handful of dandelions were slapped onto Nekoyashiki Haru's shoulder.

"Mr. Judge, please be kind to me during the assessment a week from now."

"...Bribery? And is this texture grass? You're trying to bribe me with grass? Am I worthy of being bribed with grass?!"

Nekoyashiki Haru wavered, while Yamada Ryo looked at the others and gave them a thumbs up.

"The kitten is all taken care of. Okay, now let's go bribe Pa-san. I still have a few flowers left. Once the bribe is successful, the shopkeeper won't be important anymore."

"Hey!"

With a slap, Ijichi Nijika's hand suddenly landed on Yamada Ryo's head.

"Stop thinking about these evil and heretical things!"

Yi Dizhi Hongxia said slightly angrily.

"whispering sound…"

Yamada Ryo looked disappointed.

Kita Ikuyo hugged her guitar bag tightly and said.

"So... as long as we work hard from now on... the performance will be fine?"

"Hmm... that should be it, as long as you work hard... honestly, sister, you didn't explain it more clearly."

Ichi Nijika sighed and agreed.

Kita Ikuyo was slightly taken aback.

"...Keep trying..."

Chapter Sixty-One is for you.

Nekoyashiki home.

"it hurts!"

Kita Ikuyo's finger was cut by the guitar string, and she reflexively pulled her hand back.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru, who was listening quietly nearby, was slightly taken aback.

"The band-aid is under the coffee table."

"Um…"

Kita Ikuyo took out a band-aid from under the coffee table and carefully applied it to her hand.

"...You've been working really hard lately."

Nekoyashiki Haru took off her headphones.

"We used to practice for a while and then rest for a while, but now we don't rest at all."

"...Because Friday's assessment is very important."

Kita Ikuyo smiled bitterly.

"But I still feel completely inadequate..."

Kita Ikuyo raised her head, remained silent for a moment, and then continued.

"Senior, what do you think the store manager wants to assess us for?"

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru paused for a moment before speaking.

"I just wanted to see if you were capable of performing on stage."

"That's for sure! But... I'd like to know something else..."

Kita Ikuyo hugged her guitar tightly.

"Does the store manager have something else they're looking forward to?"

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru's eyelids closed slightly beneath her sunglasses.

"Have."

"...What is it?"

Kita Ikuyo looked at Nekoyashiki Haru and asked.