Eternal Melody

Chapter 366 - Atushi

The subtle light that is born

when people's feelings come together.

That light embraces felicity, evil, sin, and happiness

The light blazes forth... illuminating the whole truth.

A woman with long dark violet-colored hair stood on the ledge and glanced over at the beach. She arrived in Tokyo only an hour ago. Instead of waiting for her ride in the airport, she decided to walk. She was still quite a distance from the city, but already she saw many people.

"Did you hear? Ibuki Sumire is performing on the horizon stage."

"Ehh what about Quatro Light?"

"They said they would do it together. But gah, won't she back out again? She canceled her slot in the recent music shows."

"I think it is serious this time, and she did an interview."

Her lips curve to a smile when she hears those words. It seems this was the best time to return, Sumire-chan. She can't wait to hear her sing again.

As she quickly passed by the two gossiping girls, she dropped her hat.

"Excuse me--"

"Ta--Takahashi Yumi?!"

Yumi winked as she accepted her hat back. She didn't say anything, but she knew the two girls understood.

Before she meets up with her dear pupil, she needs to observe something first.

__

Akagumi bar - 7:00am

Just because it is illogical does not make it wrong, Atushi recalled the very first few words Sumire had told him during the start of their acquaintance with each other. She said that in all earnest under the moonlight skies, and yet Atushi noticed it.

He noticed that lonely look mixed with anguish and pain on her face whenever she looks away. Yet as he thought that, it felt as though there was something else she was trying to say. As if she was trying to understand it, try to make sense of it. As if she is trying to search for the meaning.

'Then are you saying the pain you've gone through isn't wrong?'.

That's right, a girl like her. Someone like her should never have had to hold and carry such a heavy burden. It was never supposed to be like that. Why did she have to walk down such a thorny path? It did not make any sense to him. What did she do to deserve something like that?

He recalls his feelings when he ran to her house that time and saw it was already in a sea of flames. How much despair he instantly felt and that feeling of hopelessness that he had been trying to hold back.

Those pathetic feelings he held back on the inside instantly came at that moment. It was a signal that he should have taken action when she was right there beside him.

The others were right about him being a 'Coward,' after all, never once has he done anything that would truly help her. He hurt her once, and ever since then, Atushi realized that going back to how they were before was futile attempt.

But even then, even when he first extended his hand out to her that day. Perhaps it was already destined and doomed for failure.

Listen to him sounding all depressed, and this is exactly what makes him completely different than Arashi. At least that person has always been able to face everything head-on, even if it's painful. Even now, he is taking action so that the two of them will be together.

He knew the others believed that he knew something about Arashi's wears bouts. But the truth was he didn't know anything at all, unlike last time Arashi didn't tell him anything.

That's right this time around, and he was completely clueless on the matter. However, that didn't stop him from smiling whenever someone brought up Arashi, such a carefree expression on his face all the time. It's no wonder they all think he knows something.

Anyone would question why he can be so carefree.

Either way, his gaze lands on the sheet of paper in his hands and the ones scattered on the table. He has to find a solution to this matter eventually; otherwise, they'll all be in trouble. Sumire and Yuhi returned three days ago, they only spent a short amount of time in Star Town, but it was enough for problems to arise.

The rumors regarding Sumire's connection to the Yankee world vanished, and Nagawa hasn't dropped by recently either. But some of his stuff was still here, so atushi knew he would return. Still, he most likely did something that made the rumors stop.

His thoughts broke upon when he saw the door open and saw a certain brown hair girl. "Oh, Sumire morning." She nodded and made her way over. "Those guys partied until late last night. So you still gotta be tired."

"I'm fine."

He watches the girl's gaze land on the scattered sheets of paper in the round table.

Atushi briefly closed his eyes before he opened them again. "Ah, these documents are about evolved humans—a souvenir for when I was in Germany. But in the end, it was useless. But during the time I searched for these, I thought it would turn into something. We have to deposit these properly since we don't know what will happen in the future."

That's right, in the end, anything can still happen, and that is why they should prepare for unexpected situations. But before he threw them out, Atushi wanted to make sure that he didn't miss anything.

"Atushi, is it bad that I discovered my powers?"

At that comment, his gaze softens. "I do wonder about that. Indeed, I never wanted to burden you with such a heavy thing. But it is not like I lament the solution you made."

"How was it when Ru discovered his abilities?"

"Well, back then, we didn't understand a thing. So all we could do is be astonished. Since Mamoru-san got his powers, so many things have happened. Even though I left partway, the memories from the beginning are still there. Whenever I remember those times, despite everything I said, being together with them and forming the akagumi was the best thing that had happened in my life. I thought it was fun."

That's right, it was fun, and he was enjoying himself. However, his family had found out about it and thus moved him to another elementary school. The next time he heard any news regarding Mamoru - in his third year of elementary and first year of middle school. Was that he was dead. At that time, he thought it was over.