Chapter 72: The Wall (Part 2)

A moment later.

They prepared to shoot again.

It was now 3:46 PM, and the approaching evening sun, though bright, had lost its harshness.

The soft, not dazzling white light gently illuminated the world, outlining vague but clear contours.

It was the best time for shooting.

In a small open space in a corner of this world, Nijika's energetic and youthful shouts rang out.

"Alright, one more time!"

Her voice fell, and her pattering footsteps sounded, then quickly stopped.

Then came her expectant yet playful countdown.

"5. 4. 3. 2. 1."

All five jumped together.

Click.

The camera recorded the moment.

On the screen.

Kita, mid-air, happily hugged Ryo's arm, Ryo's expressionless hand was holding Nijika's hand.

Nijika's face had a blush of joy, and her other hand was intertwined with Hitori's.

Beside Hitori, Ishikawa Hayato stood as if suspended in the void, showing no sign of jumping, his hands slightly spread, and his head slightly tilted back.

His face was devoid of any color except for a faint pride.

Like a god transcending the mundane world.

Because it was so youthful and fantastical, his presence as a male in the same frame as these four girls blended perfectly... "That's great! It adds a youthful vibe on top of the band feel."

Nijika said in surprise, holding the camera.

Kita also eagerly requested, "Can you send me the photo data?"

Hitori looked at the photo and eagerly said, "Me too..."

Listening to their expectant voices, looking at the even more perfect band photo this time.

Nijika felt a little relieved, and couldn't help but look around at everyone with joy.

"We're starting to have the demeanor of a band. We're one step closer to our dream of becoming a popular band!"

As Hitori and Kita responded.

Ishikawa Hayato glanced at Ryo, who was silently walking away, holding her stomach. It seemed the time gained from eating grass was limited.

As he pondered whether to catch up, he recalled some scenes and stopped.

"Okay!" Nijika happily raised her hand with the ribbon.

"Then, let's hold a concert in the summer (tentative), release a demo CD (tentative), release our first album in winter (tentative)—and become a passionate, lyrical rock band of Shimokitazawa!”

Kita, with a brilliant smile, retorted, "There isn't a single definite goal, is there?"

Nijika awkwardly smiled and withdrew her hand.

"Indeed, we haven't even finished the songs yet."

And this time, it was Nijika's turn to deliver a blow on Hitori.

Hitori froze completely, as if about to melt, stuck in place.

And when she came to her senses, she suddenly realized everyone had already left.

Accustomed to this situation, she remembered what Nijika had just said, looked left and right, found a corner of the park, and sat down.

The setting sun passed through the gaps in the leaves, leaving beautiful patches of light on the ground.

And she, looking at that beauty that seemed to require no thought, sighed and took out her notebook from her canvas bag.

Although after finishing the lyrics, she had desperately wanted to show them to Hayato.

But when it was time to hand them over, she hesitated again.

The moment she thought about handing them over, she suddenly lost confidence in the lyrics again.

Would the inspiring lyrics she wrote satisfy Hayato and everyone else?

Would Hayato, who encouraged and cheered on others, approve?

After much thought, she made a decision.

Although reluctant, she would ask someone else to review them.

...

On the other side, Ishikawa Hayato caught up with Nijika, who was walking back.

Nijika heard the hurried footsteps approaching from behind and turned her head.

Seeing it was Ishikawa Hayato, she asked with her usual gentle and soft smile,

"Hayato-kun, what's wrong?"

"Nijika, I think..."

Ishikawa Hayato thought for a moment, and after reconfirming what he was about to say, he looked up but saw Nijika suddenly become tense, her smile receding, and her expression a little downcast.

He paused, quickly understood, and explained with a smile,

"It's not that reason. This wall won't become Ishikawa Hayato's escape route."

Nijika, her thoughts exposed, stared blankly at Ishikawa Hayato, then covered her mouth and burst out laughing.

She said nonchalantly,

"Hayato-kun, it's really mean to tease Kita-chan like that. What is it?"

Ishikawa Hayato's expression became serious.

"Please don't worry and speed up the progress. Everyone is ready."

...

The next day, it was Monday.

After morning classes, Ishikawa Hayato and Hitori ate lunch in a corner.

Afterward, he looked at Hitori's heavy dark circles under her eyes and said to her,

"Hitori, go back to your seat and rest for a while."

Hitori hesitated.

"Um, I still have to teach Kita-chan guitar..."

Ishikawa Hayato said very directly,

"I'll go explain it to Kita for you."

"Mm..."

Hitori didn't object; although she felt a little apologetic to Kita, she agreed.

Later, after she finished tidying her lunchbox, as Ishikawa Hayato was about to leave, she mustered her courage and called out to him.

"Hayato."

Ishikawa Hayato stopped, turned his head, and what he saw was a notebook Hitori handed out with both hands, and Hitori's determined gaze, as if betting everything.

"The lyrics are finished," Hitori said.

Ishikawa Hayato smiled, returned to where he had just been sitting, and took the notebook.

"Let me take a serious look."

Then, his gaze quietly moved across the pages, reading each line carefully as if repeatedly reviewing it.

Hitori nervously clutched the skirt under her tracksuit jacket.

A moment later.

Ishikawa Hayato exhaled and looked up at the anxious Hitori, saying,

"Hitori, I've always felt that you are a very important person who can help me achieve my goals."

Listening to these words, which contained neither praise nor disdain, Hitori's heart soared even higher.

She didn't dare to speak, just quietly looked at the buttons on Ishikawa Hayato's chest.

She didn't know what expression Ishikawa Hayato had, only heard him say,

“Excellent lyrics, truly good.”

Hitori didn't ask Ishikawa Hayato what he meant by those words.

After hearing them, she felt a wave of relief.

A radiant smile then bloomed on her face.

Feeling a bit carried away, she remembered Ishikawa Hayato saying she was a very important person, and suddenly decided to pluck up the courage to try.

She had hesitated for so long.

Now was surely the best time.

Ishikawa Hayato probably wouldn't refuse, right?

She asked.

“Then, Hayato, the date we talked about yesterday…”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Hitori immediately apologized to herself, crying.

'I'm sorry!'

She still needed a little more time to prepare!

Next time, she would definitely say it during the date!

Ishikawa Hayato thought for a moment, then smiled and held up two fingers.

“We'll do it two weeks from now.”