Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"That's none of your business, Kita."

Nekoyashiki Haru's voice was devoid of emotion.

"…Feel sorry…"

Kita Ikuyo paused for a moment, then apologized in a weak voice.

"Ugh...really..."

Nekoyashiki Haru picked up the guitar and began to strum it.

The sound of the strings swirled in the room, like a hand gently lifting Kita Ikuyo's head.

"Sister Xingge is a sister-complex, Kita."

"Nekoyashiki Haru suddenly said, startling Kita Ikuyo, who looked up."

"Ugh?"

"So you don't need to think about what she wants to see, because it's definitely not related to you. You should think about what you're expecting."

"...What am I expecting?"

"Hmm, you guys have been in this band for months now. How about it, do you like it?"

"Nekoyashiki Haru asked," Kita Ikuyo replied after thinking for a moment.

"I feel... very happy? Whether it's apologizing to Ijichi-senpai and Ryo-senpai, meeting you, Nekoyashiki-senpai, or getting to know Goto-kun, all of these things... are very happy."

"But these are not the band's main themes."

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head.

"How's the band doing so far?"

"...It was fun taking a group photo."

"Ah."

"It was also fun to discuss the band's future with everyone."

"Ah."

"I guess... I'm happy?"

Are you still unsure?

Nekoyashiki Haru faces Kita Ikuyo.

"Kita, your goal seems pretty far off, doesn't it?"

"Um…"

Kita Ikuyo responded softly.

"In that case, the future will be very tiring. The greater the goal, the more effort you will need to put in to reach it. You may have very little time to play around like this in the future."

Nekoyashiki Haru puts down her guitar.

"You guys aren't playing house, are you? This isn't some band that just popped up on a whim by some spoiled rich girl, but something much more serious?"

"...I think so."

"Nata, are you prepared? The future of the band will be extremely tough, and in the end, it might all come to nothing. Can you accept that?"

"…I…"

Kita Ikuyo clutched the hem of her skirt tightly.

Is a band... the kind of band I want?

All the effort I've put into the band will inevitably change my current stable life.

"I…"

Kita Ikuyo could only utter lonely syllables.

Nekoyashiki Haru tilted her head slightly, then continued.

"Kita, so what are your expectations for the band and for the future?"

Kita Ikuyo was stunned.

The dim sunlight streaming in through the window obscured Nekoya Shikiharu's face.

As the girl watched this scene, it felt as if she herself was about to merge into the light.

Memories of performing in front of the park fountain came flooding back.

The girl squinted her eyes, then took a deep breath.

He then said in a firm tone.

"I still... want to form a band."

Kita Ikuyo stood up and spoke to Nekoyashiki Haru in a more condescending manner.

"Although I'm not really a music fanatic, nor am I some kind of kid who was saved by a band, but... I don't want to..."

Kita Ikuyo clenched her fist.

"I still don't want to reach that foreseeable future!"

Kita Ikuyo, whose future is filled with ordinary happiness.

The life that countless people envy, Kita Ikuyo actually... doesn't want.

More unique, more eye-catching.

Whether you call it wishful thinking or childish and immature, it doesn't matter.

Kita Ikuyo wants to form a band.

Kita Ikuyo wants to become special.

"At the very least, after everything is over, regardless of the outcome, I want to say, 'I gave it my all.'"

Kita Ikuyo's voice rose as she looked at Nekoyashiki Haru, clenching her fists.

"…I see…"

After a moment of silence, Nekoyashiki Haru nodded.

"Wait for me a moment..."

Nekoyashiki Haru entered the bedroom, and soon after, the sound of something being rummaged through could be heard coming from inside.

About five minutes later, Nekoyashiki Haru came over carrying a wooden box.

Snapped.

Then I put it on the coffee table.

"Password 0928, please help me open it."

"Ah... okay."

Kita Ikuyo unlocked the combination lock and then opened the box.

It's full of picks.

There were all sorts of them, in all colors, which left Kita Ikuyo stunned for a moment.

"Look around, there should be a black and gold one inside with a cat's head engraved on it."

"Ah... okay."

Following Nekoyashiki Haru's instructions, Kita Ikuyo found the black and gold cat head pick among a pile of picks.

"This is?"

"My first pick."

"Ugh?"

Kita Ikuyo paused for a moment, then looked at Nekoyashiki Haru who was smiling.

"You could also call it a lucky pick, at least that's how it is for me."

"... "

Kita Ikuyo lowered her head and carefully examined the black and gold pick.

"...Senior, you're looking for...?"

Kita Ikuyo was interrupted by Nekoyashiki Haru before she could finish speaking.

"Kita."

"Yes?"

"It's yours."

"!!"

Kita Yukiyo was taken aback.

"I don't need it now, and the quality should be fine. I'm giving it to you as a talisman. Don't underestimate it; it's been through many battles."

"fighting?"

"All the other picks in the box are its defeated opponents."

"Huh? A defeated opponent?"

Kita Ikuyo conjured up an image in her mind of a group of people in a park smashing each other with picks.

"Anyway, he used to be an important partner of mine, but now I'm handing him over to you."

Nekoyashiki Haru leaned back on the sofa.

"come on."

"... "

Kita Ikuyo gripped the pick tightly, suddenly feeling her heartbeat quicken slightly.

"Yes! I will do my best! I will cherish my senior's important partner!"