Chapter 93: The Past Where It All Started (1)
Before I could step onto the stage, Raise a Suilen took the spotlight, captivating the audience with their electrifying performance. The cheers and applause echoed throughout the venue as they delivered song after song with unwavering energy.
As they exited the stage, I found myself standing in the wings, watching them pass by. "Good luck to you, Nakasone-san," PAREO offered with a smile.
But before I could step on stage, the world around me stopped.
Ahh... Right... I should go back... to where it all started.
Flashback begins.
I stood alone in the deserted streets, the heavy rain obscuring my surroundings in a veil of mist. The sound of raindrops tapping against the pavement filled the air, creating a soothing rhythm that matched the beat of my own thoughts.
"Rain again..." I muttered to myself.
Glancing around, I observed the deserted streets, the rain driving people indoors and casting a somber veil over the city.
Hm... Looks like this rain isn't going to let up anytime soon...
As I stood there, watching the rain pour down relentlessly, I felt a sense of frustration creeping in. There seemed to be no end in sight to this downpour, and I was left feeling stranded on the sidewalk.
With few options available, I spotted a small cafe across the street. Without much hesitation, I darted across the road, the rain drenching me completely before I reached the safety of the cafe.
Taking a moment to catch my breath and shake off some of the water, I glanced to the side and noticed a live house adjacent to the cafe.
"Of all the places..." I muttered to myself, eyeing the sign above the entrance that read "CiRCLE."
Seems like fate had other plans for me today.
As I sat in the cafe, trying to escape the relentless rain outside, a woman with sleek black hair approached me with a friendly smile.
"Hello there! What can I get for you?" she asked, peering down at me.
"Oh... Uhm... Nothing for now, thank you. I'm just waiting for the rain to let up."
She raised an eyebrow curiously. "Why not head over to the live house then? It's right next door."
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "Ah... No, I think I'll pass on that..."
Her outfit caught my attention, a peculiar ensemble topped off with an unusual hat. I couldn't help but wonder if it was some sort of anti-rain gear.
"I'm not really into music too." I lied but I had to.
She chuckled softly. "Ah, don't worry about that. Sometimes, music has a way of surprising us when we least expect it."
"No, sorry... I'll stay here until the rain lets up," I replied, declining her suggestion.
She seemed taken aback for a moment before chuckling. "Haha, alright then..."
With that, she headed back inside the cafe. As I watched her go behind the counter.
Must be an employee.
I observed her as she picked up a guitar from somewhere on the wall and began to play. However, the sound of the rain outside drowned out any music she might have been making.
I couldn't help but wonder what tune she was playing, but with the rain drumming against the windows, it was impossible to tell.
I strained my ears, trying to pick up on the faint melody amidst the rain's relentless drumming. But as the music became clearer, I realized something was off.
The sound wasn't soothing or melodic; instead, it grated against my ears, sending a sharp pang of discomfort through my head.
"Eugh... What's with that sound?"
It wasn't just unpleasant; it felt like nails on a chalkboard, setting my teeth on edge and sending shivers down my spine.
Stepping into the live house, I approached the woman behind the counter with a determined look on my face.
"Hey."
She stopped playing and looked at me, her expression shifting from confusion to surprise at my abrupt interruption.
"W-What's wrong?" she asked, taken aback by my sudden intensity.
"What's with the half-assed playing!? Don't you know how to play?!"
"Eh?!"
Realizing my outburst was uncalled for, I quickly took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to snap like that," I apologized, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up my neck. "It's just... the music sounded... off."
The woman behind the counter regarded me with a mixture of surprise and concern. "I-I'm sorry if my playing bothered you. I'm still trying to grasp my guitar style! A-After all, I haven't played for a long time!"
I felt a pang of guilt for my harsh words. "No, no, it's okay... I shouldn't have reacted like that. I'm just not used to hearing live music, I guess."
She nodded understandingly. "It's alright. I'll try to improve. Thanks for your honesty."
With a relieved smile, I nodded back, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Yeah, no problem. Keep up the practice."
Why did I get so frustrated, I wonder? Oh well... It's none of my concern anymore.
I sighed as I glanced around the live house, realizing that I was now inside it.
"So... Uhmm... Are you the only employee?" I asked the woman behind the counter.
"Hm? Yeah... Kinda? Well, the others just changed live house."
"So you're alone."
"Mhm~ It's alright though since I can handle myself!" she replied with a confident nod.
"I see."
"By the way... Do you play guitar?" she asked with curiosity.
"...I used to, but not anymore."
"Eh? Why not anymore?"
"I... I'm not sure." Why would I tell you that?
"Hmmm~ Then... Can you play for me?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling with interest.
"Huh? Why would I do that?"
"Eh?~ I want to see you play, that's all~" she insisted, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Actually, you need to pay up first before I play," I retorted, half-jokingly.
To my surprise, she immediately produced a stack of yen from beneath the counter. "Now play!" she exclaimed eagerly.
"Huh?! I was just kidding!?" I protested, taken aback by her sudden seriousness.
"Then play something for me!!~" she insisted, her enthusiasm undeterred.
"Stop being childish! You're literally older than me!"
She pouted in response. "Fine, I'll just play on my own then." She resumed playing her guitar, the offbeat notes grating on my ears.
"Argh! Fine! Fine! I'll play! Just stop playing!"
I sighed as I grabbed the guitar she's gonna hand me and looked at her, "What do you want me to play?"
"Hmm..."
She pondered for a moment before a mischievous grin spread across her face. "How about White Night"?
I nodded, recognizing the song she mentioned. "Sure, I can play that."
I positioned the guitar comfortably and began to strum the opening chords of "White Night." As I played, the woman behind the counter watched intently
Despite my initial reluctance, I found myself getting lost in the music, the familiar melody soothing my nerves and calming my mind. Before I knew it, I was fully immersed in the song, letting my fingers dance across the strings with ease.
As the final notes faded away, I looked up to see the woman clapping enthusiastically, a bright smile on her face.
"That was amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "You're really talented!"
My eyes widened as I handed her back the guitar.
"I'm leaving," I muttered, feeling a sudden rush of emotions.
"Eh? W-What's wrong?" she asked, clearly confused by my abrupt departure.
I left the CiRCLE Livehouse and stepped out into the rain, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion swirling inside me.
"Talented..."
The word echoed in my mind, stirring up memories and emotions that I had long tried to bury.
As I walked through the rain-soaked streets, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. There was something about that word that struck a chord within me, stirring up old wounds and doubts that I had thought long forgotten.
"Argh... Damn it... This is why I hate music," I muttered as I walked home.
From the woman's perspective
"I wonder what's wrong? Did I upset him somehow?" I pondered, feeling a twinge of concern. Then, I noticed his bag left behind on the chair. "Oh no, he left his bag!" I rushed to the door and looked outside, but he was already gone. "Maybe he'll come back for it tomorrow..." I sighed, glancing at the student ID displayed on the bag. "Nakasone Kyo... huh..."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone