Eternal Melody

Meanwhile, not too far from the stadium.

Shin was watching a group of hooligans- no, the members of akagumi beating up some men dressed in black.

“Now then, who says you can interfere with our Princess concert?” 

‘I came over because I was worried, but it seems like there is no need to be concerned. Hamano Atushi and the rest of akagumi have things covered, and Kiragi Asuka leads a group of Hyou4 men to deal with anything supernatural related.’

Still, they are truly bold for them to attack the concert like this. Don’t they fear Takahashi Yumi? Even if she is singing on stage with Sumire, she can still do something. That is how frightening that person is. 

Then again, Takahashi Yumi doesn’t have to raise her hand. Akagumi and Hyou4 can handle these. It seems Nagawa is controlling the media too. This place is near the venue, and not every reporter can get into the stadium. There should be more people here, but the area is empty. It didn’t take him long to realize that Nagawa was pulling some strings. 

So that guy can be useful. 

Shin thought back to his recent visit to the SF headquarters. Their clothes resemble the inspectors who came by the other day. Is it just his imagination?

His thoughts broke off when he heard footsteps approaching from behind.

“Not going to play with them, Tachibana?”

This person is Tachibana Masaru, a member of the group Nanairo feather and also one of the people Sumire respects when Shin learned that he found it very strange. Out of all the people she chooses to admire, why is it this guy?

“I like to watch them having fun instead.” 

Shin sighed. “That is just like you.” His gaze fell towards the huge screen showing a live broadcast of the concert.

Sumire wore a bright smile on her face as she sang.

“I do think that she has a mysterious charm about her. But the professional world doesn’t let you get by on charm alone.”

He also became an idol because he liked to sing. But like Yuhi, it did not take him long before he realized how restricting it was. It is not enough to have charisma and talent. She has to have something else.

“Her dream is actually a lot simple. Facing her objective and being able to pursue it head-on despite the complications. That is the lady’s strength.”

“Even if she can’t see beyond that?” 

A tender expression appeared on Masaru’s face.

“I have faith in her potential. A much bigger dream is waiting just beyond the dream he has now. I think the lady could really make that dream come true. But now, there are parts of me that just want her to remain as she is, even though she can’t. It’s just that the shine she has – is something I see as beautiful. It’s so bright; it’s disorienting.” 

“What about your feelings for her?”

At those words, Masaru laughed. “I never thought I would hear you ask me that Shin-chan.”

“Quit acting familiar.”

“You say that, but you watched over her well. I have to thank you for that.”

Shin sighed deeply. “When you sent me that message earlier this year, I wondered what you wanted me to do. When I saw her transfer papers, I wanted to hit you. You encouraged her to come here, didn’t you?”

“Correct. I knew the lady wanted to see Yuhi. I also knew he was sending her secret letters too. So I visited her one night and gave tickets to Tokyo that she could use any time. She was gone by night the next day. It seemed she already made her mind up but wanted a push in the right direction.”

So it was something like that.

“Do you feel bad for Tsueno Mamoru?” 

“There is no need. I think that guy understood better than anybody, Sumire’s dream and the person she loves.”

Masaru slaps his back. “You’re so serious, Shin-chan. There is a reason why I came to Tokyo. It wasn’t just for the lady.” He trailed off. “But you could also say it is because of her.”

Shin felt a menacing presence at those words, and his body shuddered.

A jet black dot fell from the sky like a single thread. The sky color changed into a normal sunset hue to a pitch red blood color sky. There stood a man with long black colored hair wearing a mask. 

Shin became alert, thinking that he was about to chant some sort of incantation. But nothing happened; no, he removed the mask. Shin felt his entire body tremble when he got a look at the man’s face.

“Do you recognize me now?” Lucifer said, almost mocking.

 “Oh, I do; now I have even more reasons why I want to kill you.” Shin gritted his teeth.

When he first started investigating this guy, he felt that the guy looked familiar. But he didn’t understand the reason why. But now he did.

‘This guy was the one who caused the accident in the establishment.’

 This entire time those people have tricked them. It’s no wonder Nagawa couldn’t say anything about his identity.

“Let me ask you a question, is that your real appearance or are you simply mocking me now?” 

“It is my real appearance.”

“Since that does not seem to shock you. I shall tell you an interesting fact. How I forcibly took her first time from her then.” 

 Rage flashed through him. His hand fell to the hilt of his sword. “Just what are you implying, Lucifer?”

Lucifer raised his eyebrow. “Didn’t you hear me? I’m saying that I was the one who soiled her for the first time. I can remember it; clearly, her anguish cries as she called for the name of the one she was in love with. Ah what ecstasy. How even when I erased her memories and did it with her again, she showed the same reaction.”

At those words, Shin couldn’t control his emotions, but before he could step forward, Masaru stepped between them.

“Shin-chan, head back to the stadium.”

“Huh, but-“

“This guy wanted to separate you, Nagawa Sano, Narasaki Hino, Eli and Yuhi from the lady. Shin-chan, you have one of those keys, don’t you?”

Shin’s eyes widened when he heard those words. How does Masaru know about the keys? Since Sumire came to Tokyo, he has helped her with her investigation. The investigation Mamoru was leading right before the accident. Hee finally found a hint, five keys, and a single loc during her disappearancek. Those were the items Mamoru was looking for.

Why did he go through such trouble? Shin still didn’t know. He searched all over for the keys, and imagine his surprise when he realized where they all were? He has one, and the other four belong to those guys.

This must be the reason why the Black Alice organization kept Nagawa Sano. They knew about the key. No, it’s not just Masaru; Sumire must know about it too. 

“Don’t die,” Shin said, clenching his fist as he turned his back and headed in the direction of the stadium.

‘Life is the most precious thing in the world, but it’s also the cruelest thing. Because it has a time limit itself, every life is unique, and because there is no chance to come back to life, you must treasure your current life.’

Sumire’s words appeared in his mind. Even from here, he can hear her sing if he listens carefully.

He won’t allow anybody to intervene. At this stage, nobody can take it from her.

When he arrived at the stadium, the crowd was going wild, not with excitement but resentment. Shin glanced up at the large screen and saw several photographs on Mamoru’s accident and the day before when Sumire went to Tokyo. 

Is this their goal? But then what is with all the attacks outside? No, there is somebody else taking advantage of this moment. 

His thoughts broke off when he heard somebody yelling down the phone. It was Nagawa Sano, and beside him was Narasaki Hino. 

“I thought I told you-“

“San, quit it. You know the entertainment industry is dirty. You cannot .”

“Damn.” Nagawa cursed as he ended the call. “Then let’s get her now. I can help her leave.”

“I would advise against that.” A voice from behind him said. Shin turned around and saw a man with dark-colored hair wearing a lab coat.

Hino sighed. “You have to wait until now to show up.”

“It seems we are all together; that is good.” Eli clapped his hands. “Nagawa Sano, if you take her away now, she will resent you for eternity.”

“But she-“

“Singing is her life. No matter how much people hate her, music will always be on her side.”

‘Shin, do you believe in it? The power of songs? I do. It may seem odd to say this, but I believe music has tremendous power. That power may differ per person, but the end goal is the same. To convey such beautiful emotions to people and to make them smile.’

“I also think we should wait,” Shin mumbled. “Besides, Yuhi is there.”

If Yuhi is there, then there is nothing to worry about.