Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"That's about it for now. I'm sorry, but if you really want to join a band, we might disappoint you."

But compared to lies and deception, or to lure Nagasaki Soyo into the band and to his side for the sake of opportunity and his own demands, Iruma Hibiki finally chose to be honest.

In fact, such honesty is also a bit difficult.

After all, no matter what——

The girl in front of him looked like the one he would fall in love with at first sight in almost every detail.

Then he saw Nagasaki Suyo smiling gently, and the lovely voice sounded again, a little incongruous, but gentle enough like a poisonous wine, slowly flowing into the ear canal and deep into the brain along with the warm sun today.

"Iruma-senpai is also a newbie who's just starting out on guitar, isn't he? So if it's possible, I think we can work together, but it's a little different than I expected..."

"I thought Iruma-san would say something like, 'It's really unusual for a young lady from Tsuki no Mori to play in a band!'"

Nagasaki Suyo's chuckle eased the atmosphere a little.

It was not until this time that Iruma Hibiki realized that he seemed to be too serious. After all, the two of them did not know each other, and he had not even introduced himself.

The chat that gets straight to the point without any small talk is efficient, but it is also a bit too official.

He is not the band's agent or interviewer. In the final analysis, the band's affairs are actually still completely unfinished. He doesn't know what to say to Ichi Hongxia. What if Ichi Hongxia is also a bassist?

"Well, it's really rare for the eldest daughter of Tsuki no Mori to play in a band."

In the same tone as reading a stick, Iruma Hibiki repeated Nagasaki Suyo's words.

“So, yeah—”

And Nagasaki Suyo responded with a sharper tone and sweeter timbre, as if she had deliberately dragged out the ending of the sound, and then both people sitting there laughed out loud.

"Would you like something to drink?"

At this time, Yamabuki Saya also came over and started taking orders.

"Hot Earl Grey tea."

"me too."

"Okay, two cups of hot Earl Grey tea."

Yamabuki Saya returned to the front desk with the tablet in her arms and breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the atmosphere between the two people had eased a lot.

"Saiya—"

At this time, Kasumi Togawa, who had finished her work, ran out of the performance room and pounced on Yamabuki Saya, pressing her on the counter.

"Shh, Kasumi, Iruma-kun might start a new band. That's great."

"Hey! Band!"

Togawa Kasumi raised her head and looked at the two people chatting in the sun. For a moment, she suddenly recalled the day when she met Popipa's people many years ago.

"Did Ijichi-senpai just invite Iruma-senpai?"

"Well, maybe? I'll ask when we meet tomorrow."

"Eh--"

Nagasaki Suyo supported her chin with both hands, looking thoughtful.

"Why did you want to form a band, Iruma-senpai?"

She kept playing with her fingers, and this time her movements were a little bigger and a little stronger, causing a slight sizzling sound from the friction between her nails.

And Iruma Hibiki also realized that this was probably the core of the problem.

Why did he want to form a band?

Is it because of Ichichi Hongxia?

No, obviously not—

The reason he wanted to form a band was...

Because I want to meet the heroine, I want to enjoy the brilliant life after traveling through time, I want to make up for the regrets of the past, I want to do things that I could never do in my previous life...

Many complicated thoughts flooded into Iruma Hibiki's mind, but in the end they were all resolved by the gentle smile of Nagasaki Suyo in front of him, and he smiled gently.

Speaking of which, the God of Fate really loves to play jokes.

When he had given up expectations for the heroine and the story, his heroine suddenly appeared in his life.

"As for me, it's probably because I want to meet someone and do something together."

In the end, Iruma Hibiki, who was not so socially anxious but also a little sensitive about his reputation, gave such an answer. Although it was ambiguous, it could be said that he expressed what he was thinking.

In fact, this was what he looked forward to every boring day and night in Kasai District.

"I have the same idea as you, Iruma-senpai."

And Nagasaki Suyo also responded softly.

“Meet someone and start a band together.”

Of course, she wasn't lying at all.

Even she chose the position of bass entirely for this purpose.

Just a little bit...

"Everyone working together towards a common ideal and goal, practicing together every moment, and performing on stage together, that's something that's very touching. What do you think, Iruma-senpai?"

"Yeah! I think so too."

Iruma Hibiki nodded, confirming what Nagasaki Motoyo said.

After all, isn't this what he longs for?

At this point, what is there to hesitate about?

Secretly, Iruma Hibiki clenched his fists lightly.

"Nagasaki-san, I'll go talk to Ijichi-san and do my best to form our band."

"Well, let's exchange contact information. I won't bother you today. They seem to be busy over there."

Following Nagasaki Soyo's gaze, Iruma Hibiki noticed that the front desk was busy again. It was probably the intermission of the performance inside.

"I'm so sorry. Next time we meet, it's my treat."

With some apology, Iruma Hibiki smiled at Nagasaki Suyo.

Then a second contact, [Nagasaki Suyo], appeared in his empty phone.

13 Happy Rainbow Summer

"Iruma-san! Is it true that you found the bassist?"

"Yes, but Ijichi-san, you actually called me directly..."

While having lunch in his free time in the afternoon, Hibiki Iruma received a call from Kouka Ijichi. In fact, he contacted Kouka Ijichi around 1 o'clock, but he didn't expect that Kouka Ijichi would be so excited to call him directly.

That’s right, Ijichi Hongxia on the other end of the phone is definitely excited at this moment.

"Are you from Xiagao?"

"No, she's the eldest daughter of Tsuki no Mori, her name is Nagasaki Suyo."

"That's great! Master Wu Ba O is so nice!"

The joy in Ijichi Nikka's voice made Iruma Hibiki smile slightly. In a sense, Ijichi Nikka was his benefactor, the salvation of a guy like him who unfortunately didn't get a good spot in the class from the beginning.

So naturally, now that he can help her a little, it can be considered a kind of repayment.

And Iruma Hibiki was also happy about this.

"Speaking of which, Ijichi-san, what's your position?"

"Drummer, oh, drummer, that's great! By the way, Iruma-san, what instrument are you planning on learning? I forgot to ask before!"

"Guitar."

"Drummer, guitar, bass, isn't this the perfect 3-piece band setup?"

It was obvious that Ijichi Hongxia had not yet recovered from her excitement. Through the receiver, Iruma Hibiki seemed to hear a strange noise. It seemed to be the sound of a washing machine?

It seems that when this call was made, Ijichi Hongka was doing housework.

"Because I can't confirm your thoughts, Ijichi-san, I didn't give him a precise response. If you think it's okay, how about I invite Nagasaki-san and we meet later?"

"please!"

With the happy voice of Ijichi Kouka, some of Iruma Hibiki's worries disappeared.

"Oh, sorry, Iruma-san, you should still be working right now, right? I hope I'm not disturbing you by calling you now."

"I just noticed this now."

"Eh!!! Sorry!!!"

"Just kidding, I'm taking a break now."

"Iruma-san, are you being a bit mean?"

Iruma Hibiki could imagine what Hongxia looked like on the other end of the phone at that moment.

And it was pretty much what he imagined.

At this moment, Hong Xia was sitting on a stool in the small laundry room. She lifted her sleeves. Her and her sister's clothes were rolling in the washing machine, and in the sink, in the basin filled with white foam, their underwear were placed. She had a smile on her face, a very happy smile, even her puffed cheeks, pouting lips and angry tone were all pretended.

"Absolutely not, but what's the best place and time to meet?"

"how about tomorrow?"

"Stars?"

"Ah, if that's too much trouble, Nagasaki-san, we can arrange it mid-week next week."

"Anyway, I'll go check the time."

Hibiki Iruma took a bite of the sandwich in his hand and made a decision.

"Yes! Please, Iruma-kun! If it's tomorrow, we can go to the mall in Shimokitazawa after watching Ryo's performance together, or go to the piano store!"

"Okay, I'll make an appointment and give you a definite answer later."

After hanging up the phone, Iruma Hibiki quickly finished his lunch. Although he was not busy in the afternoon, he still did not intend to slack off until the busy time.

The part-time job here is easy and there are no special regulations, but Iruma Hibiki is still grateful to the seniors who take extra care of him.

"Looks like everything went well, Iruma-san."

Saya Yamabuki, who had lunch at the front desk, had bread as her staple food. The chocolate snails that looked particularly delicious were paired with fragrant milk tea.

"It's all thanks to you, Senior. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have been able to make up my mind even after two months..."

"To Come."

"Yes, I will……"

I don’t know what kind of mood I was in.

I'm afraid that at this moment, even Iruma Hibiki has a little enthusiasm for forming a band.

He opened his Amazon shopping cart and checked the logistics of the guitar.

Suddenly he could understand why everyone liked to buy pianos in offline music stores.

"I've confirmed with Ijichi-san, she's the drummer. When are you free, Nagasaki-san? How about we find a time to talk about the band in detail?"

After editing the message and reviewing it again to make sure there was nothing rude in it, Hibiki Iruma clicked send.

【You can come anytime.】

Then, just as he put away his phone, Nagasaki Suyo's reply came.

Ijichi-san and Iruma-san, please make your decision. If possible, the sooner the better. I can't wait for the band activities.

[How about tomorrow evening? We'll meet at the entrance to Shimokitazawa Station.]

[Sure, I'm free today and tomorrow.]

14 Goto Ichiri’s “Boyfriend”