The album with the plain cover was held in Kazehara Tetsu's hand.
Shiranami Chihiro stood next to the audition machine, watching him accept his recommendation, and the slight "hope you like it" feeling in his eyes slowly disappeared.
She didn't touch the listening machine again, nor did she put on the headphones again. She just sorted out the remaining albums in her arms and held them steady.
After being quiet for a while, she seemed to be brewing something in her heart.
Then, she raised her head and looked at Kazehara Tetsu, her tone more serious than before.
"Kagihara, can I ask you something?"
"You said."
"You recently, and Honami..."
Shiranami Chihiro considered his words and paused with his eyes on his face, "How is the relationship?"
This question came a bit suddenly.
Kazehara Tetsu raised his eyebrows but did not answer immediately.
He took a look and saw that the girl in front of him, who usually spoke softly and softly, was holding an album and waiting for his answer seriously.
"That's it... it's good."
"Very good, how good is it?"
Shiranami Chihiro was not dismissed by these four vague words. She asked, not loudly, but very stubbornly, "I mean... have you taken a step closer?"
"For example, the relationship is finalized and so on."
When she asked "one step closer", she was a little embarrassed and lowered her eyes, but she still raised her ears and waited for his answer.
Kazehara Tetsu Looking at her look like this, he probably understood.
This is not just casual chat, this is asking questions on behalf of others.
He also stopped doing Tai Chi.
"The relationship will definitely get better and better."
He said, "You don't have to worry about this. We can talk as much as we need to, meet as much as we need to, and we get along well. As for what you said, one step closer..."
He paused, "Not yet."
"It hasn't been officially decided yet..."
Shiranami Chihiro After listening to it, the hand holding the album tightened almost imperceptibly.
"That's it..."
Kazehara Tetsu looked at her drooped head, "What's wrong?"
Shiranami Chihiro did not look up immediately.
She was silent, as if cheering herself up.
After a while, she raised her head again.
"Kagihara, you must be good to Honami."
Kazehara Tetsu was stunned for a moment.
"Of course."
He looked at Shiranami Chihiro's serious eyes, and his tone became a little more casual, "But why are you talking to me about this all of a sudden?"
"Weren't we still talking about the album just now?"
Shiranami Chihiro held the album and stood up straight, as if he was afraid that if he relaxed, he would not have the courage to continue speaking.
"Because, I have always wanted to say it, but I have never found the opportunity. I happened to meet you today, so I..."
She took a deep breath and said, "Honami, you know that person. She looks good with everyone. She smiles all day long. She doesn't refuse anyone who asks her for help. It seems that nothing can ever trouble her."
"But she feels more tired than anyone else. There are so many people in the class, and everything, big and small, all falls on her. Those of us who are friends feel heartbroken when we look at it."
Shiranami Chihiro raised his eyes and looked directly at Kazehara Tetsu, "When it comes to relationships, Honami is the kind of person who, once identified, will take the initiative to pursue. And I chose to give up pursuing Honami's love, and this opportunity was finally given to you, Kagihara."
"So..."
There was something serious about pleading in her tone.
"At least, don't let her down, okay?"
Kazehara Tetsu didn't speak immediately.
He could feel that Shiranami Chihiro had probably rehearsed these words many times in his heart.
Before he could speak, Shiranami Chihiro added another sentence as if he was risking his life.
"One more thing, I've always wanted to say it, Kagihara, you really have too many women."
"..."
Now, it was Kazehara Tetsu's turn to be silent.
"I didn't mean to expose your shortcomings."
Shiranami Chihiro Seeing that he didn't speak, she was a little embarrassed at first, but she had already started talking, so she didn't take it back, "It's just, This School, who doesn't know that the girls who are close to you are one after another. Honami She doesn't say anything, but in her heart, does she really not care at all?"
Shiranami Chihiro shook his head, "She's just too gentle and doesn't want to embarrass you because of these things, nor does she want to make herself look stingy."
After she finished speaking, it was as if the words that had been suppressed in her heart for a long time were poured out, and her whole body felt more relaxed.
She looked at Kazehara Tetsu, there was no hostility in her eyes, only a friend, the simplest protection for another friend.
Kazehara Tetsu was silent for a few seconds and then slowly spoke.
"Shiratori, I have listened to what you said. I know that there are many people around me, and I won't argue with you. But..."
He looked at Shiranami Chihiro, "I will not live up to Ichinose. I can tell you this seriously. I will not let her feel that she has done something wrong when she musters up the courage to pursue something. As for other people and other things... I know it well. I will handle it well and will not let her be caught in the middle."
"Whether you believe it or not, I will do what I say."
Shiranami Chihiro looked into Kazehara Tetsu's eyes, trying to find any trace of perfunctory or coaxing.
But she didn't find it.
This person usually doesn't have a straight face. When he talks, he speaks half truths and half lies, making it difficult for people to understand.
But at this moment, he promised calmly and seriously, and there was no hint of joking in his eyes.
"Okay, then I will believe you once, but if you really make Honami suffer some injustice..."
"I know that among you friends, you are the first one not to spare me."
"Hmm."
What needs to be said has been said.
The stone in her heart that had been hanging for a long time fell to the ground.
No matter what happens in the future, at least today, she said everything that needed to be reminded for Honami.
She lowered her head and looked at the album in her arms, then raised her head and looked at the album she recommended in Kazehara Tetsu's hand.
"Remember to listen to that album when you go back."
Kazehara Tetsu looked at the album in his hand, "If you like it after listening to it, I'll buy you a drink. Thank you for the recommendation."
"You don't need to ask."
Shiranami Chihiro shook his head, "If you were really nice to Honami, it would be better than buying me a drink."
Kazehara Tetsu looked at her, smiled, and said no more.
The two people stood in the music area for a while.
"Then I'll go check out first."
Shiranami Chihiro hugged the album and took half a step back, "It's been a long time picking it up, it's almost time to go back."
"Let's get together."
"Okay."
The two walked to the counter and put the albums in their hands on the counter.
The clerk scanned the codes one by one.
While waiting for the check, Kazehara Tetsu turned his head and looked at Shiranami Chihiro beside him, "By the way, thank you for today's business."
"Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for saying these words for Honami. Honami is lucky to have a friend like you."
Shiranami Chihiro, I didn't expect him to say that. I was stunned for a moment, and my cheeks turned slightly red.
"I just did what I had to do."
"Hmm."
Kazehara Tetsu nodded, "So, don't worry."
"I'll wait and see."