Noel’s oldest memory was the setting sun he saw from the grass near an old and small Japanese style house.

Noel and his grandmother were sitting next to each other on the grass near the house they lived together in and he was singing in an unsteady manner. His grandmother was smiling while listening to him, her face was dyed orange by the sun.

His next oldest memory was the memory of being surrounded by students who were above his grade in elementary school. He could not remember the faces of those children who surrounded him. However the words they said to him were fresh in his mind.

“We don’t play with foreigners! Go over there!”

“His parents must have abandoned him! His hair colour is so weird!”

“I bet they dumped him because he’s a bad child! That’s why we’re gonna beat him up now!”

“Stop that, he’s so pathetic already! He doesn’t even have a father or mother!”

“Why don’t you go back overseas-?”

I’m not a foreigner. My hair colour is not weird. I’m not abandoned. I’m not pathetic. The place where I can return to is right here.

He rebutted their words, returned them blows if they hit him and returned home in a beaten state. It was something that happened again and again. His clothes were covered in dirt, his arms and legs, even his face were bruised and covered with numerous abrasions.

He did not want his grandmother to see him in this state. He was ashamed to let her know that he was bullied again.

Noel wanted to change his clothes secretly, however the sliding door which was in a bad condition opened with a loud rattle and immediately the voice of someone saying “Welcome back” came from inside and the sound of footsteps headed towards his direction. His grandmother’s back was bent making her already small frame look even smaller. However, she always watched over Noel with a kind expression.

This day, once again, Noel immediately hid behind the sliding door and his grandmother who came out to the entrance immediately made a face when she realised what happened.

“You got into a fight again?”

Noel lowered his head and spoke as he faced his grandmother who had a sad expression.

“I, didn’t do anything wrong but they kept saying horrible things.”

As Noel gripped his shirt tightly while saying these words, his grandmother raised her arm and waved him over. Noel entered the entrance way, his clothes still dirty, and stood in front of his grandmother.

Noel’s grandmother, not caring about how filthy he was, embraced him tightly.

“……It must feel horrible.”

“Un…hic”

Feeling the warmth of the embrace, the tears which he would never show anyone spilled out. While being hugged, Noel bit his lips to stop himself from crying.

While patting Noel’s back, his grandmother said gently.

“If you get bullied again, you have to tell Baa-chan, alright?”

“Ok. I’m, strong. I, can handle this myself.”

“If you handle it yourself, your friends and even you yourself will be in pain.”

It really did hurt. His legs that had abrasions after being knocked over, his hands that struck back and within his chest. It was so painful that his tears spilled out. He wiped away his tears with his dirty sleeve.

“Now, go take a bath.”

Noel’s grandmother released him and her clothes got dirty as well. Even so, his grandmother was not angry and she smiled gently while talking.

“Welcome home, Noel.”

With those gentle words, the tears he had been trying to endure poured out at once. The tears and dirt made his face look filthy and his grandmother wiped them away with her wrinkled hands.

 

The night on the day he was bullied, Noel was afraid of the dark more than usual and he was unusually chatty towards his grandmother who was sleeping in the neighbouring futon.

“Baa-chan……was I abandoned because I was a bad child?”

His grandmother always replied properly to Noel’s uneasy words.

“Noel, you’re not a bad child or anything like that. You’re not abandoned.”

“Then am I an unwanted child.”

“Is there such a thing? Noel is definitely a child whose father and mother wished to given birth to.”

Being told that by his grandmother, the feeling of uneasiness disappeared quickly. Even so, Noel was not sleepy and his grandmother let him into her futon.

“Baa-chan will always be with Noel.”

“Un…..”

Noel felt the warmth of his grandmother’s embrace and he slept, feeling relieved.

Noel who was abandoned by his parents and ostracized by those around him because of his outstanding appearance had only one place where could feel at home, which was being by his grandmother’s side.

–Will always be with Noel.

At that time, he believed in those words and he continued living.

 

On nights when he could not sleep, his grandmother would sometimes sing lullabies for him. Noel would sing along with her and she would stroke his head while smiling.

“Noel is good at singing. Your mother liked singing too. You’re both so alike.”

Together with his mother. He felt like he had formed a connection with a kin and those words made him extremely happy. Therefore, he loved singing more and more and wanted to sing.

There was one night where he woke up in the middle of the night and his grandmother was not in the neighbouring futon. He noticed a light shining from the living room and when he slid open the door, his grandmother hid something in her pocket frantically and was wiping her eyes.

“Baa-chan, why are you crying?”

“I’m not crying.”

His grandmother looked over her shoulder, smiling kindly as always. However the area around her eyes were damp.

“You were crying.”

Noel thought as hard as he could to cheer his grandmother up.

(What should I do to make Baa-chan—ah!)

An idea popped into his head and he took a deep breath.

In that small house, the clear song from the young boy rang out.

“Twinkle twinkle li—“

Because he did it in a rush, he sung the song that appeared in his mind at that moment. It was a song he practiced during music period – “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.

When Noel finished singing, his grandmother was looking at with her eyes wide open. Tears no longer appeared in those eyes.

“I will sing for you Baa-chan, so stop crying!”

Noel said as such while he placed his hands on his grandmother’s knees and once more, tears appeared in her eyes. Even though he went through so much trouble to get her to stop crying…… just as he was thinking this, Noel’s grandmother stroked his head gently.

“You don’t feel better……?”

Noel questioned his grandmother, sounding uneasy, but she shook her head with tears still brimming in her eyes.

“It’s nothing like that. I feel a lot better.”

“Then, why are you still crying?”

“Noel’s song was so gentle and beautiful……It made me so happy that I cried.”

While giving such an answer, Noel’s grandmother smiled kindly and wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Noel is a kind child. I felt better almost immediately.”

“Really?!”

His own song made someone happy, that was the first time he knew a way to encourage someone else.

–Then, I’ll sing lots and then Baa-chan will become more energetic?

 

Noel’s grandmother who had promised that they would be together forever suddenly passed away when he was around ten years old.

Even when Noel woke up in the morning, his grandmother was still asleep. No matter how many times he tried to wake her up, she did not open her eyes.

An ambulance was called but by the time they arrived, she had already taken her last breath.

He did not really remember what happened after that. Before he even noticed, a wake was held and he was surrounded by strangers. In the midst of the wake, the voices of those relatives he never met before reached his ears.

“What do we do about that child?”

“What do we do…. I don’t really want to take him in.”

“That kind of hair colour……he must be a child his mother had from fooling around after all.”

“My own child has an upcoming middle school exam. I’m not free to care for that child.”

“Hasn’t anyone seen his mother? Abandoning her own child, what is she thinking?”

“What a troublesome thing she left behind.”

No one was sad about his grandmother’s death. The words that were made of nothing but those which only considered their own lives and self-protection reached his ears again and again but Noel did not even absorb those words and could only stare at the face of his dead grandmother which only looked like she was sleeping.

Just maybe, she would wake up soon. That faint hope was there. As long as she did that, he would not hear the voices of his relatives anymore. The clock continued ticking ahead and before he knew it, it was night.

He shook the shoulders of his dead grandmother.

“Baa-chan, wake up……”

Even if he said that, he would not get a response in return.

Noel breathed in with all his strength and sang, his throat trembling. It was the first song he sung when his grandmother was crying – “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. If it was this song, she might get better. But he could not sing well as his breaths were shaky.

Although Noel’s singing voice rang out, it felt like the sound faded away.

Even if he sung till the end, his grandmother did not praise him. And he had tried so hard.

“Wake up, Baa-chan. I sang you a song? Don’t you feel better?”

She should have said that she quickly became better after listening to Noel’s song.

“……I, don’t want, those people. I want to be here with Baa-chan forever. Baa-chan, you said we’ll be together forever, right……? Therefore……”

That night, no matter what he said to his grandmother, she did not reply. She was not supposed to be that kind of person. She was supposed to be the only person who would respond to Noel’s cries.

 

Day broke before he knew it and those relatives came again. The funeral continued without him understanding anything. His grandmother’s body was placed in a rectangular metal box and returned as small and battered white bones.

Not registering the thought that this was his grandmother’s body, he searched around for her figure. Just maybe, there was a chance that she was among those relatives. Perhaps she was so petite that he did not see her.

Noel returned home and stared at the small funerary urn which held his grandmother. He was then called by a person who was his grandmother’s nephew, someone whom he never spoke to before.

“ Noel-kun, you’ll be under my care from now on.”

The words were friendly, however that face was unable to hide the feelings that this situation was bothersome.

Noel’s fear built up into anxiety and he shook his head. If he left this house, he would really become alone. This person would not give Noel any love. He was convinced of this by this person’s annoyed expression.

“No……I hate this. I want to stay here.”

“I understand that you’re upset but you can’t stay here forever. Stop whining.”

The person who said that tried to gloss over that statement with a smile. I hate it that I have to take care of such a child. Why does it have to be me? I even dislike my own children. His true voice was spilling out messily from that smiling face.

Even so, Noel did not nod his head and the person spoke after letting out a sigh.

“Then, why don’t you take something that belonged to Obaa-chan with you, like a protective amulet. If you do that, then Obaa-chan can be with you forever. Just take one, okay?”

Don’t bring anything that will become troublesome baggage.

Why was this person so bad at telling lies? With that thought, that person realised it as well. That person did not want to tell any lies. However, because he did not want to stir up any trouble, somehow he only chose soft words.

Noel carried out that request in the house where he was absentmindedly searching for his grandmother.

There was nothing that could be done anymore with just a child’s strength. Noel felt that bitter fact. With his head lowered, he ran from where he was. That person did not go after him. That person was probably thinking that it would be better if Noel just vanished somewhere. Noel could hear a sigh from behind him.

Sliding open the opaque sliding door, Noel ran into the house. That action was practically done unconsciously.

“What’s wrong, Noel?”

Perhaps it was due to opening the sliding door so forcefully, He saw his grandmother sitting at her seat looking at him with a surprised face and heard her surprised voice. Noel had returned to the place where he could feel at ease.

There was no way Baa-chan was gone. Because she promised that they would be together forever.

He wiped the tears that spilled out. If he cried, his grandmother would worry. He had to tell her that he was alright. But he experienced a bit of a nightmare so he wanted to be consoled.

“Baa-cha—“

Wiping his tears and looking up, his grandmother’s figure was not there.

Only the chair which did not have anyone on it stood there by itself.

Noel’s grandmother who always comforted him was no longer around.

At that moment, Noel was finally aware of it.

He had become alone.

It was not just the feeing of helplessness. Thinking that there was no longer anyone by his side, he became sad, terrified and he could not stop the tears from pouring out of his eyes. Holding down and suppressing his own crying voice, he cried till the sun had set.

In the room where the setting sun’s rays had found its way into, Noel slowly raised his face.

“……Amulet……”

Right. The person just now said so. He could take something that belonged to his grandmother as a protective amulet. Like so, his grandmother would always be with him. It was that single wish that was born within Noel who had become alone. Wiping away his tears and standing up, he tried pulling out the drawers from a chest of drawers.

–Now that he thought about it, he should have done such a thing. Nevertheless, he needed just one item that brought up memories with his grandmother. He wanted such a connection from now on.

One of the items left behind by his grandmother, a tidily kept chest of drawers. The items he took out from the drawers were a handkerchief his grandmother frequently used, her glasses, a comb as well as a beautiful brooch and necklace that he did not really see her put on. In one of the drawers, there were a few of Noel’s photos that were kept away as though they were precious. There were those of both him and his grandmother. Should he take these? However, there might be other things as well.

The moment he pulled open the bottom-most drawer, what came into sight was the edge of a piece of paper placed at the bottom of the drawer.

“What’s this……?”

Pulling out the drawer completely, he picked up that paper that was at the bottom of the drawer. It was a battered piece of paper that had changed colour and was folded into quarters. Perhaps it was a letter that was left for him?

Because Noel had such an expectation, he unfolded that piece of paper.

If he had something like a time machine, Noel would have wanted to snatch that paper from the younger version of himself and burn it up. Then he should have been able to live normally even if things got harsh with only beautiful memories in his heart.

–It was a battered and stained letter that was hardly readable.

 

I’m sorry…mother…forgive me…Such a child should not have been born……

 

The only words that were readable were these. However, that was indeed what was written there. His instincts told him that even the difficult kanji he could not read were not pleasant words.

“Li, es……lies, if it’s …like this…Baa-chan……!”

— Noel is definitely a child whose father and mother wished to given birth to.

That was what she said. She had denied that he was abandoned countless times. It was inevitable that she had to leave him, perhaps there were some circumstances or something; that was what he belief he formed in his heart as he grew up.

This was the truth.

His hand held onto the letter tightly.

I’m sorry…mother…forgive me

He could hear the voice of the mother he never heard before.

“Liar……”

The words directed at Noel’s grandmother spilled out of his mouth.

Such a child should not have been born……

Noel’s mother’s voice eventually became his grandmother’s voice which echoed within his head.

[Such a child should not have been born……]

Noel cried out in order to drown out that voice.

“Liar! Liar! Liar liar! Those words were all lies, aren’t they!”

About him not being abandoned.

Even about his birth being something that was wished for.

The letter that was in his hand now was the truth.

 

If so, then why does he, someone whose birth was not wished for by anyone, exist?

 

After his grandmother’s death, he was passed around his relatives’ houses several times. With his outstanding appearance and violent words and actions, everyone found him unmanageable.

Moving from one relative’s house to another, transferring from one school to another, he was ostracized by others. Even when he went to middle school, it was still annoying to talk to other people.

“He’s an abandoned child. How pitiful.”

“So that’s why his clothes look like crap all the time. That’s the uniform from his previous school, isn’t it?”

“He can’t even get a new one. Lamer.”

“Just because he’s a halfie, he got full of himself. What a horrible guy.”

Like idiots who can only remember one thing, these people always say the same words. When he entered middle school, it was expected from Noel that he said foul words.

“What do you want, fuckers?”

The verbal abuse that came from the others became reasons for him to beat them up. Through fighting which allowed him to forget these annoyances for a moment, Noel somehow finally felt that he was really living.

Each time, Noel would be shouted at by the relative who took him in as though he was the one at fault.

“Enough with your nonsense already! Who do you think is the one who needs to apologise when you hurt the other children?! You’re just a freeloader, stop giving me so much trouble!”

Regardless of which adult it was, they all said the same thing. If they shoved all the blame on Noel, everything can be settled peacefully. He might have been framed for the entire thing but at that time he was just treated with a look as though they have caught the culprit and they just did not want him to do it another time.

No one was going to defend him. He had already thrown away such a hope a long time ago. As such, he was the only one who could protect himself.

Noel could not do something like keeping quiet even when he was getting punched and kicked. Before anything happened, he should just snatch the will to fight from his opponents first. If he did that, they would not want to get near him anymore.

However, there was that one time he faced a number of opponents alone and as expected, he got seriously injured to the point he almost died. Collapsed on the ground and faintly thinking that it might have been better if he just died, a pedestrian who saw him called an ambulance and he was sent to a hospital.

“I can’t take care of you anymore. You’re disgraceful!”

Even though he was told that by the relative who he was under the custody of at that time while he was in a hospital bed, he did not feel sad. Rather, it felt like he could breathe more easily. He was relieved that he could finally let go.

“Seriously, such a burden……!”

That relative said those words with hatred and Noel responded by speaking scornfully.

“The burden is not me. You all are the ones dragging me down.”

“You……! Who took custody of you when no one else wanted to take care of you—“

“You would look bad if you didn’t, right? Or maybe you just wanted to do some charity work by taking in a pitiful child? You can’t handle it anymore, can you? What a moron.”

Noel then yelled at his relative who was mad to the point of being unable to respond to Noel’s words, his voice full of animosity.

“You’re annoying, just disappear already!”

His relative’s face turned red with anger and he left. After Noel watched the relative’s retreating back, he gripped the white sheets tightly.

(The one who wants to disappear, is me…..!)

Noel’s caretaker was nowhere to be seen even when he got discharged. Of course, who would like to take care of anyone who quarrelled in such a loud manner. When the conversation to go to an orphanage arose, he suddenly realised something.

If he wanted to disappear, he could just do it himself. Noel, who realised that, knew he was in a race against time.

He gathered up a small amount of his belongings and helped himself to as much money that was available in the house. It was probably a cheap price to pay for letting Noel go. Not only were the police not called upon to search for Noel, there was not even a request to investigate the burglary that happened.

 

For a while, Noel camped outside or even stayed at net cafes. However, he ran out of money. With not much choice left, he stood around the business district. He distracted a person who approached him and stealthily took his money. It was the first time Noel found his outstanding appearance useful.
(T/N: It took me a while to understand this statement. Basically someone approached Noel because of his outstanding appearance. Could be a talent agent…could be someone looking for some fun.)

Faking his age, he gained the sympathy of his employer and managed to get hold of a live-in part time job. Finally things started to settle down. At that period of time, he wandered into a Live House.

After he got taken in by his relatives, there had only been his violent outbursts. However, he was unable to forget the positive feelings he had when singing for his grandmother’s sake and singing with the youth he encountered in the park.

The band which he did not know seemed to shine on the stage. It was the first time in a long while where something moved his heart in such a way. As the heartbeat within his chest sped up, the feeling of anxiety grew stronger as well. This was not the situation he should be in.

As though there was a rush to sing, the thumping in his chest rang out louder and louder. He looked down at his chest which was throbbing painfully.

“For what sake was I born……?”

–For the sake of singing

Within Noel, someone answered as such.

★

Noel continued his story bit by bit, breathing out once. Perhaps the alcohol had started to leave his body, he was starting to feel a bit cold.

“The unpleasant things continued and finally I was able to afford one guitar……Since I started singing, I could not stop.”

Noel dived into the world of music at once, it was one of the enjoyable things in this world for him.

“At first, I was satisfied just to be able to sing, however I was not able to forget the band I saw at the live house and I decided to form my own band as well, however…….”

Perhaps he thought that in the world of singing, people could connect with one another. Things went well at first. However as Noel got to the know the people around him or if other people got to know him, the things that he had built up till then came crashing down.

“In the end, I thought I was not needed anywhere. Recently, somewhere in the corner of my mind, I was even thinking of not singing anymore.”

Noel looked down at his hand.

“Until I read this.”

The marks left by his tears have already been blown dry by the wind and they could hardly be seen anymore.

“……The nighthawk had been abused all along.”

Revo who had finally opened his mouth said as such and Noel slowly raised his head to look at him.

As before, that man with an unreadable expression because of his sunglasses was still there. A smile formed on his face.

“The nighthawk was told that he would be killed if he did not change his name. Even so, he refused to throw his name away. Do you know why?”

“Ahh.”

Noel nodded his head and replied without missing a beat.

“The nighthawk just wanted to be a nighthawk.”

The nighthawk is—me.

Upon hearing Noel’s answer, Revo’s smile grew.

“What are you singing for?”

With a slap, the book was closed. Noel traced the words on the cover once and stood up from where he was.

“……I was always bullied. I hate this kind of world. I hate myself.”

Noel’s eyes stared at Revo as well as his own reflection that was in the sunglasses.

“Even so, I’m going to keep on living, I’m going to keep on singing……”

He never understood. The meaning of him living. Clinging onto songs, he tried to think that singing was his meaning for living. However, it was different now.

“I want to be just like the nighthawk who bet his life so his could continue to shine brightly. I have yet to burn just like the nighthawk did.”

Holding “The Nighthawk Star” to his chest, with a clear goal in mind, Noel spoke sharply in the direction of Revo’s sunglasses.

“It’s alright if I die… I want to leave behind traces that I was burning as I lived.”

Reflected within Revo’s sunglasses was the face of a cheerful man. The man reflected in the sunglasses and the man in front of his eyes smiled in the same way.

Noel left the dark alleyway and started running. The streetlights shone on Noel.

He did not know that such sounds existed within his body. These sounds that gushed up like a fountain within Noel urged Noel’s feet to move faster.The sounds that overflowed from within his head circulated throughout his whole body together with his blood, singing.

Looking at Noel running off into the light from the dimly lit place, Revo broke out into a smile.

★

Noel grabbed onto what seemed to be unlimited amounts of sound pouring out one by one. Not wanted any of the flowing sounds to escape his ears, he carefully listened to and searched for the sounds within himself and tied them down, filling pages with his writing of music notes.

At that moment, as the words were overflowing, he had his hands full writing all of them down.

The sheet music was buried in the dark blackness of the codas and lyrics. It was likely that if someone else saw this, they would not be able to decipher it. Scores that only Noel understood were piling upon each other. The blank spaces between the dark crowded words were getting even less than the one before.

Noel put down the ball point pen that was in his hand. He straightened the guitar that was in his arms. His hands were tense, just like the first time he held a guitar.

In a room with only one person, the strings of the guitar were plucked and Noel took in a deep breath.

Noel’s song spread its wings to fly into air, and it shot off to the other side of the sky.

The last verse had ended. Noel caught his breath and shut his eyes.

“………………”

Keeping his eyes closed, the echoes left behind in his ears by that song cleared out his ears. This was definitely it. He had grabbed all the melodies and words that welled up from within him.

What’s left to do afterwards was to deliver it.

Setting his guitar down, Noel tried to reach for his mobile phone. But it could not be found. Perhaps it was in his pocket or so he thought, but it was not there. He searched for it for a while and finally found that it had been carelessly left on the floor.

It probably fell some time ago.

“What the heck am I so rushed about…….”

While somehow making himself embarrassed, Noel opened his mobile phone and searched for Revo’s phone number, given to him by Ichizou.

The call got through after just one ring. Before the person on the other side of the phone could say anything, Noel spoke.

“I got a song so I’m heading over now.”

[Alright. I’ll wait in the recording studio while you get here.]

There were the only words he exchanged with Revo over the phone. Even though not much was said, the message got across. While thinking that this was the first time he ever had that sort of feeling, Noel ran out of his apartment.

★

Noel stared at the door of BUNNY ONION’s recording studio.

He was not feeling uneasy. Even so, why was the beating within him becoming faster. He was nervous.

Without knocking on the door, Noel opened it. Just as he thought, it was only Revo in the studio. Revo had his back towards the door and was looking at the booth then his dark figure turned towards Noel.

Closing the door, Noel took out the music score sheets from his guitar case and stuck them out in front of Revo.

“Here, the scores.”

“You’re alright not looking at them?”

“I can do this without looking at them. It’s my song.”

Hearing Noel’s words, Revo let out a chuckle.

“That’s promising. The preparations here are done – how impatient.”

Revo had shrugged his shoulders. Before he could finish his words, Noel had entered the booth. The silent space. The only sound that could be heard was probably his own breathing. Even the sound of opening his guitar case sounded painfully loud.

He stood before the microphone with his guitar in a ready position.

The man who could be seen glaring in the booth opened his mouth.

“Is this fine?”

[You may start anytime—wait, before that, there’s something important.]

Clenching his fists like he was trying to rein in a horse that had an instinct to run, Revo asked through the microphone.

[What’s the song’s title?]

Revo’s eyes met Noel’s and the latter showed a smile. A smile appeared on Revo’s face, which had a serious expression before, when he saw Noel’s expression.

–I will be able to deliver this to your heart.

“The Nighthawk Star.”

Right after saying that, Noel’s guitar started playing at full force, just like a nighthawk’s ever rising cry. That sound rode on the voice and words that gushed up from Noel’s entire body and the song dashed into the sky.

“—I’ll aim straight for the sky so sadness won’t catch up with me.”

For what sake did his sing, for what sake had he run all the way to this time. Till now, he did not know.

He did not know his goal and was always lost. Even so, the heat that resided within his chest kept smouldering.

No matter where he went, the ostracism continued and he could not receive acknowledgement from anyone. He, someone who no one had hopes for, did not understand his reason for living.

Unable to digest the heat residing within him, he was not capable of doing anything but hurting himself and those around him.

However, now there was a light he wanted to send. That excess heat he always had was transformed into light, transformed into a song and Noel’s wings spread open, just like the nighthawk’s.

The open wings [song], the open wings [song]……He wanted to leave behind evidence that his life burned till it could burn no more.

That scream gushing from within him was sung loudly in a rising voice while Noel was smiling.

“—-It’s alright if I die! I will burn as long as I’m alive!”

Exhaling a large breath, sweat ran down his cheek and fell onto the back of his hand. Noel’s ragged breathing reverberated through the soundless booth.

Even the sound of his pulse could be heard from within his body, as though his heart was going to tear itself apart.

A comfortable refreshing feeling that was more than the time when he sung Revo’s song took control of Noel’s body and without thinking, he smiled.

“……That time when I first listened to your song, I wanted to sing it before thinking about anything.”

That song had the power to make that happen. A song that grasped Noel’s heart, jolted it and made him sing. Noel focused his gaze, one that was full of respect, straight on the man who made that song.

“You definitely can make this song better.”

Lowering his head, his sweat scattered onto the floor.

“Please! I want to sing this song of mine burn until the end. I want to send this to people like me. To do this, please lend me your strength!”

Noel shut his eyes and continued to keep his head lowered while waiting for Revo’s words. What reached his ears was the faint sound of the door opening.

The door to the booth opened and Revo came over. Lifting his head, Noel came face to face with Revo. The thick soundproof glass was not separating the both of them.

In the soundlessness where it seems like Noel’s heart could be heard, the other party spoke.

“You and I are 相棒 [Partners]. There’s no such thing as lending or borrowing.”

(T/N: The Katakana for partner was beside the Japanese word for partner. So I wanted to reflect it as such.)

Noel’s eyes widened at the words that were said before him. Rather than saying anything to retort that statement, what came first was the sound of a relieved laugh.

“……Since when have you made up your mind? You’re being way too pushy.”

Not wanting to let others see his relieved face, Noel used one hand and pretended to straighten his hair in order to hide his face. However, he quickly dropped that hand.

“In order to create the greatest song, I will also work my hardest till the end.”

Revo said as such and held his hand out in front of Noel. As usual, the expression behind those sunglasses could not be read.

However.

“Let’s deliver your songs and get close to someone’s world.”

“……Yeah!”

Noel grasped Revo’s hand and the other party squeezed his hand as well. The strength in the hand grip made his words feel even more certain and gradually, joy spread throughout Noel’s chest.

(Ah…isn’t this…bad….tch)

Not wanting to show his face that was growing steadily warmer, Noel released Revo’s hand and turned his face away. At that moment.

“Al-righty!”

“Woah?! Wh, what!”

Revo’s suddenly yell caused Noel to jolt in surprise. He was feeling elated till this moment but quickly, it got blown away by surprise.

Revo started rifling through the pockets of his coats like he was having fun then grabbed onto something which he passed to Noel.

“I’m going to give this to NoeNoe who’s been working so hard.”

“Don’t call me th–? What’s this?”

The object that was held in his hand was a small snack, about the size of a palm. He could see the words Chocolate Chip Cookie on top of it. Noel, who did not eat much snacks in the first place, had never seen this snack before.

“You probably hardly drank or ate anything, right? Anyway, at this moment, you probably need this.”

“Well……you thought I might be hungry?”

Speaking of which, after barely eating anything at Ichizou’s store yesterday, hardly anything other than water had crossed his lips. Because of that, he was not sure if he was hungry or not. When he opened the small package, what was inside seemed softer than he thought.

After eating a piece, Noel’s eyes widened.

“What the heck is this, it’s tasty!”

Upon entering his mouth, a gentle, smooth sweet chocolaty taste spread out. Noel had no idea such a snack existed.

“When you’re tired, a sweet treat is definitely a must. Above anything else, theobromine, which can be found in chocolate can calm a person’s mind.”

Revo was saying those words while being proud of himself but as Noel was preoccupied with savouring his treat, those words went over his head.

“I don’t understand a word that you just said.”

“Eh-? Just because it’s NoeNoe, I explained it in a way that even an elementary schooler would understand ~”

“How’s that any of your concern, you damn Sunglass—“

(Eh…….?)

His vision seemed to be swaying. It was almost like the time when his brain got rattled after being socked in the jaw. However the pain of being hit was not present and Revo had no reason for hitting Noel. In the midst of his fuzzy and shaky vision, he seemed to see Revo’s dark silhouette tilting its head.

“Noel?”

“No, it’s noth—“

He had no idea how was it that he was still standing. His head was unusually heavy. And that weight became something he could not support.

“Whoops.”

Around the time when his field of vision flickered, Noel heard Revo’s voice and at the same time, something hit his chest. His staggering body was stopped at once and what he only saw was the floor and the tip of Revo’s boots. In front of Noel’s chest was Revo’s arm which supported his body. Before Noel could understand that he had collapsed, his eyelids closed all a sudden.

“You did well.”

His voice, that came from nearby, echoed in Noel’s ear.

Was that voice from reality or a part of his dreams, while being unclear of the boundary between the two, Noel fell asleep.

★

After the sound of a knock, the door to the studio opened forcefully before any wait for a response was given. Revo looked at the face of the person who opened the door without seeming particularly flustered. The face which donned a pair of red and green spectacles was flushed and gasping for breath.

“Sorry for intruding! Revo-san! Noel has a song, is that tru—“

An ecstatic Ichizou’s eyes fell on Noel who was limp in Revo’s arms.

“You arrived. Good timing.”

Revo laid Noel, who had fainted and was sleeping, on the sofa in a slightly careless manner and then looked at Ichizou in a carefree manner. The blood drained from Ichizou’s face which was initially red from excitement. With a face that was even more ashen than Noel’s unwell looking one, he rushed up to Noel.

“Noel-?! Am, ambulance & ambulance-!”

“He’s fine, he’s just sleeping. It seems like he wore himself out. Let him rest for a while.”

“I, I see……that’s good.”

“Anyway, Ichizou-kun, please help me out later. I’ll leave Noel to you.”

“I unders—wait, eh?! Wai, where are you going?! Leaving what to……Revo-SAN?!”

Ichizou’s voice trailed behind him but Revo waved his hand lightly without turning around and left the studio.

 

Leaving the building, the spring wind passed by, caressing Revo’s cheeks.

Revo tapped on his mobile phone and placed it against his ear, perhaps the signal was crossing large planes so a small noise was present. After the noise, the call connected. Where have you been, an angry voice from someone worried about Revo flew out. In that interval, Revo slipped his words in.

“There’s a singer……no, there’s a band which I want to be the Producer for.”

The party on the other side of the phone gulped. After making sure his words were clearly delivered, Revo ended the call.

The receiver of the call did not call back. If they knew Revo’s personality well, if they tried to call, they would probably get an announcement such as “The number that you dialed is beyond a horizon reachable by radio waves” being played.

“Let the show begin.”

★

“Didn’t I say that this part is not done like this?!”

Noel’s furious voice rang out within the studio.

It was already the middle of April and the song recording has started for Noel’s debut. Naturally, that song was “The Nighthawk Star”.

A single male staff expressed his opinion to Noel, who was angrily yelling, but Noel brushed it off. However that staff kept hounding Noel.

“It’s not that I’m complaining. However, I thought it would be difficult for you to shoot through with that treble. After this you will have the chance to sing this song live……therefore, you should sing this part in a gentler—”
(T/N: It’s true. Lots of attempts at trebles if you listen to Noel sing Yodaka no Hoshi live …But it’s nothing compared to Asa to Yoru no Monogatari and Kakumei no Yoru ni.)

“It’s not tough or whatever. If I did that then no one would be able to feel the beat of the song. Are you trying to spoil this song?”

Noel spoke while glaring at the other party and the staff member also flared up. His tone became slightly rougher.

“That’s not what I meant! All the members here, aren’t we gathered together for your sake?!”

Noel did not believe in the staff’s words.

Till now, Noel had seen a lot of people who would push their opinions towards him with the song in consideration. There were also those that made Noel’s song mediocre.

(Also……)

Before this recording, he heard the conversation between the staff in the lobby.

“Can that person can really do it–?”

“Noel-san? Wasn’t it that guy who argued with Revo-san earlier? I’m, kinda scared –“

“It’s good that the new song has been decided, but it feels a bit dangerous.”

It was certain that a relationship of trust had not been established yet. But it did not sit well with Noel that they were being so secretive when they chanced upon him. He remembered the malicious words during his childhood times. Though, as expected, this kind of level was not something that would cause him to raise his fists.

At that moment, there was the single sound of a hand clap. In the room that became silent at once, Revo declared in a voice with no feeling of tension at all.

“It’s a bit early but shall we just wrap things up for today?”

The ones in the studio were flabbergasted.

“Haa?! What are you talking about?!”

“Oh, I’m hungry already.”

“Haa?!”

Noel shouted at Revo who did not really feel nervous at all. The staff members were also noisy and looking at Revo, their faces pale.

“But, but Revo-san, there’s no time…….!”

“Ok, meeting’s over~”

“Wait just a minute here, Sunglasses!”

Just before Revo left, he tapped Ichizou on the back. With that, Ichizou suddenly turned his face towards Noel.

“Noel, I’ll send you back.”

“I’m not done yet!”

“Wait, Noel. Listen to me.”

Noel was about to chase after Revo but Ichizou grabbed both sides of his shoulders. While facing Noel with a stiff smile, he opened his mouth.

“That Revo-san is someone who would follow through with what he said, do you think he would change his mind?”

“Well…………………………”

In the end he would always just slip away from them. Everyone who was present probably predicted that.

Aside from Noel, the staff also kept quiet when they heard Ichizou’s declaration. Perhaps Revo’s smiling face also surfaced in their minds.

“…….I get it.”

Noel let out a single sigh. Giving up on the idea of chasing after Revo, he picked up his coat and headed for the door.

“Thanks for your hard work!”

“Thanks.”

Ichizou spoke in a bright manner while Noel also quietly expressed his thanks while turning his head towards the inside of the studio. The staff members also returned the words with a “Thanks for your hard work” but they were feeling restless.

“What now……There really isn’t any time left……”

“We’ve been waiting for so long too……”

As Noel stepped out of the studio, he could hear those voices coming from behind him. There was frustration from the project being delayed but they also felt that Noel was to blame for it.

(Even though I know that’s the case……!)

This was not something he should compromise on. If he gave way, the parts where he compromised on might become sloppy.

(This is my song. I have to deliver it, it’s meaning…….!)

They do not think that just having the song as how Noel sees fit was good enough, were his strong feelings not delivered to the staff? With that thought in mind, his heart sunk a bit.

★

That night after returning home.

Noel stared at the music score. Noel was anxious about the lack of time. Even though there was hardly any time left, he did not want to give up now.

(Even those asses from the band before had a lot of complaints.)

This is good enough. No one would be able to hear such a subtle thing. They were merely bastards who only knew how to complain. All for the sake of dragging Noel down. All for the sake of making themselves look better.

(It’s the world of professionals, but nothing’s really changed huh…….)

After thinking that, Noel shook his head.

“No…….that’s not right. If I could just convey these in words more properly……”

A song is not just the tune, the words must be conveyed as well.

Until now, Noel’s pushiness has caused many people to go against him. Even if he knew that, this personality of his which snapped immediately got in the way. Blood would rush to his head and the words he was thinking of would not come out. On the contrary, he would lash out at others with violent words.

“……A shitty bastard.”

He could not control himself. Even though it was his own heart. Even though he wanted to communicate, he could not.

“Like this, can I really deliver a song……”

Anxiety and fear caused Noel’s insides to grow cold.

“If that’s the case…….Everything would be useless again……tch!”

The black music score that was the result of composing “The Nighthawk Star” entered his eyes.

This song was going to die without entering anyone’s ears. He hated only that.

He looked up at the night sky through the small window. Because the lights of the city got in the way, the stars could not be seen. Even if there was only a little light, it would probably be able to point out a direction.

★

The day after the recording, due to something cropping up for Revo, they all had a day off. As recording had been going on for a while, Ichizou persuaded Noel to rest his body. Because he had been so tired, he slept till it was late afternoon but once he woke up, he could not just idle at home. Noel took his guitar and left his apartment so he could rehearse and sing a bit.

During the time when he first met Revo, when he went out, his breath became white but lately, it had become considerably warm. Sure, it was past the Sakura season but today the sky was entirely blue and it was a bit too hot to wear his coat.

Just when he about to step out of the apartment building.

“Yo.”

“Uwah?!”

From the other side of the concrete block, Revo poked his face out. The thought “this black mass is alive” ran through Noel’s head.

Noel backed up while steadying his heart as his pulse was racing from the shock.

“Wh, why the heck are you here…….?! Didn’t you have something on today?!”

“I want you to accompany me to somewhere for a bit. Want to come along?”

While saying that, Revo leisurely walked off. Noel worried for a few seconds whether it was alright to follow but he quickly chased after the other party.

Noel walked while starting at the black back that was a few steps before him. On this sunny spring day, this man dressed in pitch black completely did not fit this setting.

“Hey, where are we going? The studio?”

“Nope. Heh–, you’re really a music idiot huh, Non-tan.”

“Who the heck is Non-tan?! Hell, I don’t want to hear the term music idiot coming from you!”

“Fu fu, thanks.”

“That’s not a compliment!”

Even though the enraged yell was directed at Revo, he continued to hum, walking without saying anything. Noel also continued walking as such for a while but angrily shouted again when he realised that the original question was dodged.

“As I was saying, tell me where we’re going!”

“You’ll ruin your throat if you do that too much. Well, I guess your throat isn’t that weak—ah haha.”

Once more, the question was evaded. Seems like Revo had no intention of answering at all.

Knowing that he had no other choice but to follow, Noel sighed. It would probably be good if there was somewhere he could keep his guitar. However, if the place they were going had something to do with recording, he would probably need it.

Noel walked along silently. Once they went out to the main street, Revo hailed a taxi. Revo got into the taxi and told Noel to get in as well.

“So where are we actually going…..”

“Don’t mind, don’t mind. Or would you rather we run there?”

 

If it’s this guy, he might really do it. Noel got into the taxi obediently. In the time when he was having trouble getting his guitar case into the vehicle, he did not hear Revo telling the driver the destination.
(T/N: I honestly cannot imagine Revo running anywhere in all black and boots)

The taxi set off and Revo started having a conversation with Noel in a carefree manner.

“Nevertheless, you were really showy yesterday. Ah, that’s youth.”

He seems to be having fun……or rather, he was nodding in a delighted manner. After Noel shot an irritated look in Revo’s direction, he looked out of the vehicle’s window thinking that such an act was futile.

“……Even for me, there are things I can’t give up on.”

“Yup yup, that’s how it is. How young.”

Revo nodded earnestly upon hearing Noel’s frustrated words. That reaction irritated Noel further and he returned his averted gaze back at Revo.

“……You’re not disagreeing with me?”

“Why do you think I would disagree with what you? I’m not your enemy.”

“Really, that’s the first time I heard of this.”

“What a mean thing to say after snagging a gentle gentleman such as myself, Noerun.”

“Zip it.”

Noel sharply said as such to Revo who was pretending to cry. Revo let out a laugh.

“Even for me, I definitely won’t compromise on something I don’t want to compromise, you know?”

“Ah, sure……”

Revo was smiling but Noel, who personally knew about having a pushy attitude, could not smile at all. As expected, Noel did not have any strength coming from within him to retort those words.

“Ah, we’re almost there.”

Noel looked out from the window again and he saw a building which had an exterior that resembled that of a museum. It also had some spheres on top of it.

Getting out of the taxi and going towards the entrance, there were sign boards showing the words “Observatory” and “Planetarium”. The show times were also written on top. Seemed like it was almost time for the show to start.

“You wanted to come……here?”

Noel pointed at the Planetarium’s signboard and Revo nodded. Before Noel realised it, Revo had two tickets in his hand.

“Yeah, that’s correct.”

“Is there a studio here as well?”

“Eh? No? Come on now, it’s about to start. Get a move on.”

“……Eh?”

While being dragged along by Revo, Noel stepped into a dark space.

He completely could not understand what this man was thinking. There was no studio so why was he brought to this kind of place?

…….This guitar case was seriously getting in the way.

 

It might be because it was a weekday afternoon or because the Planetarium was small or perhaps it was both. The visitors present were Noel and Revo, other than that was a young child and his mother who accompanied him and a duo who looked about elementary school aged. Revo sat in a seat in the corner away from the other two groups.

Noel put down the seat one space away from Revo’s and the ceiling turned into the inside of a sphere. The planetarium show had started. Noel did not have a concrete idea of what was going to happen. Perhaps he should just sit down?

Before he could ask Revo anything, the lights switched off. Dazzling stars spread out in front of his eyes. With a dark and quiet space that was accompanied with soft music, he might just accidentally doze off.

Music with a relaxed tempo flowed out and a woman’s voice started explaining about the constellations. The stories of the spring constellations, matching the current season, could be heard. The famous ones include Virgo, Leo, Cancer… the Ursa Major which contained the Polaris that was mentioned in “The Nighthawk Star” was also present. The Ursa Major just barely looked like the shape of some living thing but Cancer looked like nothing but the Kanji [人]. Only Noel was frowning.

He could confidently say that he made a song such as “The Nighthawk Star”, but he did not know the constellations at all.

While staring at the dome filled with a starry sky, Noel realised something.

(Ha! Right, if we’re inside a planetarium, then as expected, he should have removed those Sunglas….?!)

He might be able to see a bare-faced Revo. Noel got up with a large movement and looked at Revo.

“What’s wrong, NoeNoe? It’s not good if you don’t behave yourself, right?”

Revo, who was listening to the explanations like he was having fun, looked at Noel who suddenly stood up. Through those Sunglasses.

“Take off your sunglasses at this kind of moments!”

Noel growled with his voice lowered as the situation went out of his expectations. Even so, the other guests did not hear him.

Revo pushed up his sunglasses with his index finger in a deliberate action.

“Ahh, this? It’s a specially engineered pair of sunglasses~ I can see normally. The stars are bright.”

“You got to be kidding……”

Giving up on seeing Revo’s bare face, Noel sunk into his seat, sulking a bit.

Before his eyes were a starry sky. A small star that one may or may not see after a big star.

He wondered where the Nighthawk star could be.

“Where is the Nighthawk star, I wonder?”

Thinking that his thoughts might have slipped out of his mouth, Noel covered his mouth without thinking. However, that was not his own voice. It was a small voice that could be heard from the seat next to the empty seat next to his. Noel looked at Revo and the other party spoke to him with his eyes fixed on the night sky.

“I’ve always kept searching for it.”

“Eh, it actually isn’t here, perhaps?”

He thought it would surely be here. However, it was true that he did not hear any name like the “Nighthawk Constellation”.

Revo put his hand at his chin while still looking at the stars.

“Who knows? I thought that maybe this world might have it.”

“What? This world? Can you just look up such a thing?”

“That wouldn’t be interesting at all, would it-? If you search for it yourself, then don’t you agree you’ll be even more touched when you find it? Young people these days have no romance at all. That’s bad–Noel. No matter when or where, a musician must always hone his sensitivity.”

“Shut up already.”

While saying such a thing, the explanation ended and all the stars disappeared. The lights returned and the announcement that the show ended played.

[Thank you for coming to this performance today. We look forward to seeing you again–]

 

The dazzling sunshine was a bit obscured when the two left the planetarium. Looking up at the sky where the sun was setting, Revo asked Noel a question.

“It was rather interesting, wasn’t it?”

“Well……”

Noel remembered the time when he and his grandmother lived together a long time ago. On nights when the skies were clear, they would definitely see a sky full of stars if they looked up. The large stars would always twinkle brightly. While for the small stars, one would need to fix their eyes desperately before one could finally see their shine. Remembering the night sky that he saw, it almost seemed like the planetarium’s screening where all the stars could be seen felt fake somewhere. The real night sky gave more of the feeling that the stars themselves were shining.

Noel followed Revo and looked up at the sky as well. The stars have yet to show up. However, Revo, continued staring upwards while talking to Noel though one wondered if he could really see any stars through those sunglasses.

“The starry sky is made up of every single star shining continuously. How romantic.”

“That again?—So? Taking me to this kind of place, what do you want from me?”

Was it about the complaints about his attitude or worst still, was it about calling off the debut. It probably had not reached that kind of level where such a thing would happen but Noel was ready for it and he clenched his fist. He shifted his line of sight from the sky to Revo, but suddenly Revo’s form had vanished. Startled, he looked around and saw that the other man had shrewdly hailed a taxi by the roadside and was trying to get in.

“Hey, wait up, where are you going?!”

Noel ran up to the taxi and Revo gave him a puzzled look. It looked like an expression that asked why Noel was asking such a thing. Then, Revo broke into a smile and raised a hand lightly.

“I, the genius producer, have work to do later on. Go back by yourself. See you tomorrow, Noe-noe.”

“I said don’t call me N……I don’t care anymore! Wait!”

As expected, the door of the taxi closed, Revo waved his hand carefreely and the Taxi drove off unsteadily.

Noel had his hand stretched out in mid motion and as the taxi disappeared, he stood on the spot for a while.

“In the end, what are we even here for, Sunglasses?! I don’t get it!”

(N,no……there must be some kind of meaning to this. There’s no way! If not……)

It would become a situation where it was really just two men visiting the planetarium. He wanted to get away from such a development. While walking, Noel thought desperately for a possible reason.

(Is it to console me……No, I’m not particularly down about anything, it can’t be him trying to console me or anything…….There has to be some kind of reason!)

He continued thinking while walking for a while, still, he did not know the reason. Would someone who was supposed to be heading for work specially show up at another person’s house?

“I don’t get it……!”

Grabbing his own head, Noel invoked stares from the pedestrians around him. Continuing to walk, at some point of time, he entered a street where there were a lot of people.

Maybe, people in the music industry are just like that. If so,

“Will I become like that……”

“Uwa.”

That voice could be heard from right behind him. It was just a feeling but it felt that that “Uwa” was directed at Noel. On reflex, Noel turned around and shot a glare at whoever it was. However, he ended up only staring after he saw the person who was standing right behind him.

“What are you doing, Eiji?”

The person behind him –Shibukawa Eiji was standing there with an astonished expression staring at Noel with his eyes widened and mouth agape.

Eiji who usually favoured wearing clothing with flashy colours was dressed in complete black today. Was he just in the mood for that today? However, as per usual, his hair was energetically spiked towards the sky.

“I’m not doing anything……It’s just that I happened to see Noel by chance and just as I was trying to say something, I heard a weak sounding statement that did not make me think of Noel’s words—and I thought I’ve gotten the wrong person.”

It seems like he heard a monologue. Somehow Noel became embarrassed and he yelled, flustered.

“That’s not…….! Never mind about now, I did not become weak! There’s some other matter…….tch-Ignore what I just said!”

“Eh-, I’m not offended or anything?”

Eiji smiled wryly. Certainly, Noel was venting his anger mainly to hide himself but Eiji did not look like he took offense at all and was grinning.

“Good that you’re here. If you don’t have anything on later, shall we go for a drink?”

“Well, I have……”

It was not exactly true that he had nothing on. However there was a recording session tomorrow and he wanted to avoid alcohol to keep his throat in a good condition.

“It’s fine, just accompany me for a glass. Didn’t I give you information before–? It was a while ago.”

“……..Ah? What about?”

“You wanted to look up things about Revo so that’s what I did.”

Noel ran through his memories. Speaking of which, he remembered that he did say that to Eiji on the night when he first met Revo. He felt that he did not say anything to the extent of wanting to look up information but Eiji seemed to have interpreted it as that. In reality, Noel wanted to know what kind of person Revo was, so he asked Eiji “Do you know him?”

“Ahh…..Oh yeah, There was something like that……But there wasn’t anything that I would call information.”

“Don’t say that! Well, I did research more after that, but there was nothing else more than what I already searched up on. Who is that person, really?”

“That’s my question…….”

He was nowhere near the truth even when he thought about it, and he was just as troubled about it now.

Asking Eiji about Revo, that seemed like an event from so long ago. Even Noel never thought that Revo would really become the producer for his debut. Noel recalled the events that have happened lately and it seems like Eiji was having the same thoughts too.

“That Revo did indeed become your producer for a real debut huh. Well, tell me all about that while we’re drinking. It would be completely off record. Probably.”

“Not probably, make it clear that it is……If not, I won’t go.”

“Oh?! You’re really coming along with me?! Yes~!”

After laughing while saying that, Eiji suddenly lowered his gaze. Then what could be heard was him muttering a few words in a quiet voice.

“……Me meeting you today, feels like some kind of destiny.”

It was not known if that was a monologue or was it directed at Noel.

“Ha? What do you mean by destiny? That’s gross.”

Noel said those words bluntly then he suddenly noticed something. A lonely expression had surfaced within Eiji’s eyes. However, that vanished in a flash. Eiji grinned like he always did and put his arm around Noel’s shoulder.

“Haha, this sort of talk again. Alright, let’s go drink-! By the way, you have your guitar with you, were you practicing until just now?”

“……………don’t remind me.”

“Ah? Why?”

Noel hid his face and spoke in a disheartened tone. Eiji tilted his head. Noel could not say that two men went to view the planetarium together and he did not know the reason. In the end, today, the guitar had no chance to show itself. It was only a useless accompaniment.

Halfway while walking while being dragged by Eiji by the shoulder, he picked up a floral scent. He did not think that Eiji would put on perfume. However it did seem to come from his clothes.

Eiji seemed to be acting strange today.

Noel and Eiji entered a pub nearby that was the size of half a private room. Before Noel could say he did not want to drink anything today, Eiji had already ordered beers and he made a toast in high spirits.

Just to go along with Eiji who had downed near to half a mug at one go, Noel drank just a little of the foam. Suddenly, a thought surfaced in his mind.

Right after meeting with Revo, Eiji showed up. It felt as though the timing was way too good.

“Did……”

“Nn?”

“That Sunglasses say something to you so you came over?”

“Ha? Sunglasses?”

Eiji should know what Revo looked like. However, he did not know about him not removing his sunglasses no matter the occasion, even when viewing the Planetarium which was like the night. No one should understand if he suddenly mentioned sunglasses. Eiji’s eyes grew round.

“…….No, it’s alright if I misunderstood something. Forget it.”

If he thought carefully about it, it should not be the case that Eiji went to meet Revo directly—Noel knew this at the very least–. He ended the conversation that resulted from him thinking too much. After meeting Revo, he did not feel that all his actions made sense, he probably just overthought things.

(No, it’s annoying that that there’s no reason for the planetarium……!)

“In the end, the debut is decided right? Thought it didn’t seem like you knew anything about the announcement.”

Eiji leaned against the table and asked his question. Noel nodded coldly.

“Whatever.”

“Oh, let me congratulate you again! Another toast!”

“Do it yourself.”

“Nnn! Eh, let’s celebrate Noel’s major debut—“

“Stop that.”

“What–, I thought I was going to this all by myself—“

Eiji had cleared his throat and was beginning to propose a toast but Noel’s sharp gaze and voice caused his to lower his beer mug like the fun was gone. Noel thought Eiji might already be drunk but speaking of which, that guy was always like that.

The finger food arrived just when Eiji had almost finished his beer. Avoiding the spicy food that could affect the condition of his throat, Noel reached out for the yakitori. Eiji ordered another mug of beer.

“But, you said you won’t agree that easily, why did you change your mind?”

“…..This is off the record, isn’t it? If that’s the case, there’s no need for me to answer.”

“What, you’ll give me an answer if it was an actual interview?”

“Who knows.”

It was not that he did not want to talk about that process. However, he felt that he preferred to keep that major incident to himself. It was so major that Noel changed that night.

(……No, did I really change……?)

Even now, there was a rift between him and the staff. Though it was for the sake of improving the song, things were said that would deepen the rift. He was going for a recording session tomorrow and it might not be just a mere conflict.

During the time when Noel fell into silence, the beer which Eiji ordered arrived. However, Eiji did not pick up the mug and just tilted his head while looking at Noel.

“Noel……Is there something up? I mean, you have a debut so it can’t be nothing, right?”

“Not at all, I’m fine……”

Noel was somehow staring at the beer’s foam which was starting to disappear.

Once more, Noel kept quiet and fell into silence. Even though this was only a half-room sized store, the sounds of objects and people’s voices spilled out. However, the space between these two was a still quietness.

(It’s rare for this guy to not say a peep…)

Noel, who suddenly thought that, looked at Eiji. He was looking at someplace that was far away. Noel stared at Eiji and the latter said as a smile appeared on his lips.

“……Hey, Noel. Do you think you can destroy the rock world?”

“This again?”

–Do you think you can destroy the rock world?

That was something Eiji had asked Noel time and time again. When that question came along, Noel always answered the following.

–Of course.

Words that were thrown out with confidence. Thinking back, there was no basis or content for this. Noel just had not strayed from his goal that time. Given such a clean reply, Eiji probably agreed.

Suddenly, Noel was full of questions. Looking at Eiji, this time it was his turn to do the asking.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Me?”

Eiji never thought that he would get questioned by Noel and he pointed at his own face in surprise. Then he scratched the shaved portion of his head. He spoke while staring into space.

“Hm—well, I was just thinking about the past.”

“Ha?”

Noel’s eyes widened when he heard Eiji’s reply. He had thought that after asking such a question, the answer would be fixed within Eiji.

Eiji gulped down his beer, stared at the beer mug and opened his mouth slightly to say something.

“I….truth to be told, in the past, I had no interest in music at all.”

“Eh, you didn’t?!”

As expected, Noel raised his voice in surprise. Eiji laughed, amused at Noel’s reaction.

“Yep. Somehow I get excited when I listen to popular songs with my friends but there never been one instrument that made me excited or really listen to them.”

An unexpected declaration from a man who always had an antenna extended out searching for new music. Noel was sure that Eiji was familiar with various types of music since a long time ago.

“But, just listening is not going to fill my belly. Money won’t come in either. It was wasteful to spend time just to listen to things that don’t add value.”

“Do you feel the same now?”

“I said that was in the past!”

Gon, Eiji knocked the table lightly. As though he was embarrassed about the him who thought that way before, he put on a sour face. He then hid that expression by taking another gulp of beer.

“However, I thought there was a chance that there was a power that could not be found anywhere else.”

Eiji lowered his head slightly and a distant gaze appeared in his eyes again. He had this look earlier. There was something strange about Eiji today.

— Me meeting you today, feels like some kind of destiny

What happened on this day? Also, the clothes were not as flashy as they usually were.

“I had this really good friend when I was in high school, he…..”

Eiji closed his open mouth. Then he spoke with a lowered tone.

“……killed himself.”

Those words fell heavily with a thud.

Noel had experienced his grandmother’s passing but his grandmother died from illness. It was different from the circumstances of choosing one’s death. The mental state of those left behind were also different.

Eiji forced a smile on his face as he looked at Noel who had fallen silent.

“Sorry, saying such serious things at a drinking place, I’ll stop!”

“It’s fine. Go on.”

As Noel said that, his line of sight went to the black clothes. The garment did not, in any way, fit Eiji well. However, it was probably good enough for meeting a “buddy” he was close to. Noel also understood why there was a floral scent coming from the clothes.

Noel drank a mouthful of beer that almost had no foam left and raised his head.

“I’m just returning the favour.”

Noel said, looking at Eiji. Eiji stared back with a surprised look but almost immediately, he laughed loudly.

“Ha ha ha! Something must be wrong for you to be this kind, huh?!”

“I’m going back.”

“A-, hold on a minute! My bad!”

Once Noel stood up, Eiji held him back with his hand. Eiji laughed but gradually that laugh became weaker. It was difficult to find a chance to talk. Noel searched for words to say. Uneasily, he spoke the words that came to his mind.

“……Why did he kill himself?”

Quite likely, such words were too blunt to say to someone’s face. However, it could not be helped as this was the only thought in his mind. Noel waited for Eiji’s reaction awkwardly.

It did not seem like Eiji reacted to Noel’s words badly, rather, he took the chance to talk and spoke immediately. Noel was relieved.

“I don’t really know the reason why he committed suicide. I didn’t notice what kind of worries he might be having, he didn’t write such things in details in his wills or memo either.”

That’s selfish for someone who calls himself your friend, such words came up to Noel’s throat but he put his mug to his lips again to seal them away.

“Even though I regarded him as ……my closest friend, don’t you think it’s selfish?”

“You……even though I didn’t say that.”

“Tahaha, did I get it right? Anyways, that’s how the obvious thought isn’t it? He was really a selfish guy?”

Eiji said while laughing as though he was joking around but sadness resided within his eyes.

As time went by, his defenses were getting weaker. Just a moment of carelessness would cause his emotions to spill out. Noel remembered. There were no longer opponents he had to beat down and these emotions were no longer unmanageable.

“I super pissed at myself for not noticing……It’s frustrating that when I did do something, it would be in vain. I would just get into a fight to forget those feelings.”

Eiji spoke while mocking himself. Though Eiji looked like the type who would be used to fighting, it was the first time Noel heard of such a declaration. The Eiji that Noel knew was the one who was a bit of a boorish internet article writer, not the type who would pick fights.

“That’s not the only reason, I did not have a good relationship with my family either-. All sorts of things piled up and it got rough. I quit school, got into trouble……well, it was possible for me to graduate high school, but I don’t want that. Anyway, I could not help but think that the whole world was stupid. I was seriously a stupid kid.”

Noel could understand the feelings when Eiji was at his rough times. The anger and sadness within his heart, in addition, in order to distract himself briefly from to those nameless indigestible feelings, it was better to get into the tension of fights. The violence would fill up his head and even if it was just for a moment, the anger, sadness and hatred were forgotten.

“After that, things were pretty rocky for some time, then by chance, I got into a part time job at a live house.”

Lowering his eyes, Eiji, whose gaze was at somewhere far away turned to Noel. The eyes that were looking back to the past were suddenly back at the present. That kind of feeling.

“Because I had never been to anything like a live house, I thought that the explosive sound that time was amazing and perhaps that would come again. However when the band that was there started playing their first song, why did that explosive feeling disappear. Without thinking, I stopped moving so I could hear the music better.

Eiji gulped his beer like it was delicious. After putting down his beer, he said, laughter intermingled with his speech.

“They were so bad, the coordination was non-existent—I could tell even though I only seen them for the first time, a band which just didn’t mesh well. The vocals were being left behind by the band. Sometimes he tried to match the music. A person who doesn’t trust others or smile.”

Noel recalled his own experience when Eiji spoke about a band that had no teamwork.

Things would be fine when the band was first formed but right around the time they disband, things would get intense. It did not matter if they were. They could quarrel using sound. It was so obvious that even first-time viewers would feel that their relationship was bad. He had no right to make a comment about others.

“However.”

Just as he was getting overwhelmed by his inner thoughts, Eiji’s voice brought him back to his senses.

Using his thumb, “ton”, Eiji jabbed his own chest.

“That guy’s song was like a sharp sword and it pierced me straight through here. It resounded within me.”

Reminiscing that moment, Eiji’s voice became slightly louder. And he continued to press his thumb against his own chest like so.

“I get that feeling that that guy’s songs were acknowledging these irritating feelings of mine. I thought that I’m not the only bastard who felt that this world was stupid.”

Eiji was looking downwards but suddenly his line of sight went to Noel. Staring hard at Noel’s eyes, Eiji spoke.

“That time, you also thought that the world was dumb, didn’t you, Noel?”

“Ku……!”

Noel did not manage to get any words out during that moment of surprise while Eiji was smiling like he just uncovered the secret behind a magic trick. Eiji’s workd pierced Noel through his heart and gradually, it actually felt real.

Noel closed his eyes once, thinking back to all the music events he participated in till today.

“Ah…I thought that way. That stupid world won’t change at all, not even a bit.”

Just when he thought the next thing will go well, a conflict happened and it just went downhill. It seems that Eiji had witnessed his lowest moment.

Thinking as such, Noel realised something.

(……wait, the band which he was talking about that had a bad relationship from the start was mine…….!)

As soon as Noel realised that, he just wanted to sink somewhere and vanish. He had thought the bad relationship was at least not that obvious for those who were part of the audience but the discordance of the music revealed it all. Though it was a matter of the past, Noel’s face gathered heat and he slumped his shoulders, lowering his head.

“You may be like that but your song gave me the chance to destroy this crappy world of mine, you know?”

“Eh……”

Noel once again, raised his head in surprise to Eiji’s words.

“After listening to your music, it was the first time an interest in music welled up within me. I never knew there would be songs such as that that would echo within your heart. Such amazing fellas exist, after that, people I hung out with introduced me to other people they linked up with through SNS, I started listening to other songs and I broadened my social network. The frustration that I was feeling till then lightened a bit.”
(T/N: SNS – social networking system. I.e. things like facebook and twitter)

Eiji did not have to face of a person who felt that this world was stupid, despite narrating all that. Even after the times Noel met Eiji, he never once showed that kind of face.

Eiji’s “shitty world” was destroyed and from there, a new world grew.

Then the light in Eiji’s eyes seem to darken though he had been speaking in an enjoyable manner.

“But……I am able to laugh now, sometimes, I think about my friend who had passed. Then, I think. “Why did you die?””

Eiji shut his eyes, lamenting the death of his friend.
(T/N: Actually it’s hard to discern if Eiji was referring to one friend or more than one friend. I’ll just assume one.)

Even now, that feeling was etched into Eiji’s heart and would probably never fade away. As though to put up with that pain, Eiji gripped his beer mug tightly.

“Definitely, the world was probably crappy to the point he wanted to die. It can’t be helped if he thought that. But……I want to tell him that, just through a single song, just at that moment, his world can be destroyed and transformed into an interesting one. However, it’s not possible anymore.”

Eiji released the strength in his fist that was tightly clenched from regret. At the same time, a smile returned to his face.

“That’s why I continue to write about music for those fellas who are like him, those who feel that the world is so shitty that they want to die, telling them that “There’s interesting people like him!” “If it’s this person then he’ll get through to you!””

For the sake of reaching out to people like that guy who was in distress all by himself, who died alone—That’s probably the circumstances that became the reason why Eiji was writing articles on the internet. If it was on the internet, anyone could easily access such articles.

Noel kept quiet and then BANG! A remarkably loud sound shot out as Eiji clapped his hands. As expected, Noel was taken aback and he stared intently at Eiji.

“Anyways, the prelude has gone on for too long.”

“Ah? Prelude? To what?”

Noel asked, somewhat confused. Eiji grinned, a bright smile flashing across his face just like his usual self. The dark cloud he was engulfed by just before was gone. No, it would not be right to say that it was gone. It was in the depths of his heart and he was not showing it so that people could see that he was having a good time. Noel felt that this was the first time he encountered Eiji’s strength.

In a blink of the eye, Eiji had pointed his finger right at the tip of Noel’s nose.

“I don’t know what kind of worries you’re having but you should sing your way. There’s a lot of people saved by it. At the very least, one of them is here.”

“……I see.”

He did not think it was anything as grand as saving Eiji, but if he destroyed Eiji’s crappy world, then even at that point of time, his own songs could save others. Noel gave a small smile at that thought.

Even till now, singing the way he wanted brought nothing but conflict. However, from what Eiji said, singing his own way was probably not a completely bad thing.

(The way I want……huh?)

How could he prevent conflict, do things his way……and produce a good song? He still did not know the right answer.

Noel let out a small sigh as the worries stirred in his mind then Eiji leaned his body towards him.

“Therefore–, I’m also going to do things my way and introduce you from another angle-please let me interview……”

Eiji was talking as though the situation was so convenient for him that one wondered if what he said just now was a lie. However, Noel had stopped listening midway through his words.

The words that Revo said earlier played in his head again.

— The starry sky is made up of every single star shining continuously.

Even Eiji, who did not know anything till now, carried various thoughts, held onto his convictions and continued to deliver words to others as a writer.

“……The stars that shine in the night sky are not alone. And the reasons why they shine differs for all of them.”

“Ha?”

Right in front of Eiji who was blinking in surprise, Noel rose from his seat and carried his guitar case.

“Sorry, Eiji. I’m a bit busy. How much was that?”

“Oh? It’s fine, this kind of thing is my treat. More importantly, did some good tune appear?”

“Something like that. –Eiji.”

Eiji said, his eyes full of expectation and Noel grinned as well.

“Thank you.”

“Hm? For what? In any case, I should be the one doing the thanking?”

“Ah—Then it’s for the drinks! See ya!”

Noel said hurriedly then as though to express that he wants Eiji to do his best, he lifted his beer mug,

Leaving the pub, Noel rushed to the rehearsal studio. It was the right choice for him to bring his guitar along with him after all.

Once he reached the rehearsal studio he was familiar with, he took out his guitar and positioned it at once. The song was of course “The Nighthawk Star”.

In order to shape it to a form that can be delivered, Noel continued to sing it over and over again.

 

Eiji looked on at Noel’s back as the latter rushed out of the door. Then he suddenly looked at the place where Noel was seating.

“……For the drinks? You barely drunk anything.”

Eiji laughed joyfully by himself as he looked at the mug that was not even half emptied.

Noel’s singing voice had definitely became more polished compared to the first time Eiji saw him. However at the present, it had yet to pierce his heart, to move him like it did on that day.

He felt that with Revo’s help, Noel could rise even higher.

“Noel’s songs will reach you, definitely.”

Looking up at the ceiling, towards the sky, Eiji threw out those words.

★

The next day, Noel reached the recording studio in BUNNY ONION earlier than anyone else.

“Morning! Noel! Why did you leave first?! I was surprised & surprised!”

The next one to arrive at the studio was Ichizou who had received a message from Noel.

Just right after Ichizou opened the door, he went towards Noel who was seated on the sofa.

“I wanted to practice. Be-sides-, there wasn’t any particular need for you to come in early, right?”

“It’s not like that. I’m your manager, you know.”

Ichizou said and then he held out a plastic bag in front of Noel. Noel took the bag and looked inside. It contained a sandwich and a bottle of mineral water.

“In any case, If you’re immersing yourself in practice, you didn’t eat properly again right? It’s only this but eat it before everyone else comes in. What if you collapse again?”

“…….I get it.”

He was found out. With a little bit of persuasion from Ichizou who was being firm, Noel ate the sandwich. Just then, the studio door opened. He caught a glimpse of something black at his peripheral vision, he did not even need to look over to know who it was.

“Morning. You both are early.”

“Good morning, Revo-san.”

Revo was not surprised by Noel’s presence. It seemed like he knew why Noel arrived early.

Did he grasp Noel’s actions again? Noel felt annoyed at that thought so without thinking, he glared at Revo when the latter looked over.

“You didn’t ruin your throat, did you?”

“I’m not that stupid.”

Noel replied harshly and Revo shrugged his shoulders slightly. After that, they did not particularly say anything else to each other.

The remaining staff members arrived and when everyone was present, Noel stood up. Of course, Revo was also around. He was standing near the wall with the same smile on his face as per usual.

“Hey……Can I have your attention for a while, please?”

Everyone present focused their attention and gaze on Noel as he spoke in a quiet voice. He noticed that there were some among them who were giving him skeptical looks. However even the expressions of those with reproachful eyes gave an incredulous expression when they looked at Noel.

Although Noel was supposed to be used to standing in front of large crowds of people, he was more nervous than usual.

“In the end, I……don’t think that I’m wrong about what I said two days ago. Also, I’m not going to give up on what I feel is ideal.”

There were some of them who grumbled under their breaths when they felt that Noel would not change his opinion. If it was the Noel before today, he would have just ended things here.

However, now, he understood the real intention of the staff, he could not afford to let their relationship become any worse. If so, sooner or later, the song will probably be affected.

“However……I shouldn’t have worded it like I did that time. I apologise.”

The staff members’ expressions softened just a little at Noel’s apology.

“You might not be interested, you may not want to listen to excuses but ……hear me out for a while. Until now, I’ve encountered people who’ve been getting in the way of my songs. So I thought it was the same situation here.”

Every time he was oppressed, people would get in his way shortly after. Therefore, when others were pushing their opinions onto him, he thought they were definitely trying to get in his way. That was probably what went through his head while he tried to rebel against them.

“But I understood that there isn’t anyone here who wants to corrupt this song. Every member here has their own different ideals and convictions so you tried to give me your opinions. I’m sorry for not understanding that.”

Noel was not the only one who had the aim of reaching their idea of a “good song”. All the members here were exploring their various versions of “The Nighthawk Star”. Those conflicts born from this were necessary in this journey. This was the place where the song will definitely be acknowledged, even if it was not by every member, if he thought that it was “good”.

“Even so, no matter what, I want this to be done the way I have envisioned it to.”

Some of the staff members said something but Noel had already entered the recording booth. From the inside of the booth, Noel looked at the staff members present and spoke to them through the microphone.

“I’m an idiot…..I can’t explain what I mean in words well. I think it’s easier to get your understanding through singing.”

Once Noel put on his headphones and stood in front of the microphone, the staff members moved around in a fluster. After a quick sound test, they played the song without saying anything. Even without any words from Noel, they went for the part that was right before the bridge of the song, the part which caused the dispute.
(T/N: The novel used the term C Melo. It’s a Japanese term for bridge of a song. The part of the song which differs from the other verses. In the case of The Nighthawk Star, it can be broken down to 0:00: Intro 0:23: Verse 1 or A1 Melo 0:41: Pre Chorus or B1 Melo 1:03: Chorus or Sabi 1:22: solo 1:50: The bridge or C melo 2:10: Chorus or Sabi 2:28: Outro or D melo.)

Noel closed his eyes. Even though he could not see, even though the staff members were behind the glass, he knew that everyone had their focus on him.

The guitar solo that gives the feeling of a nighthawk soaring into the sky at a high speed.

Right after that, he sang the bridge part with a high note in one breath. A voice that was even stronger, even more stable and clear than how Noel sang it two days earlier reverberated.

He inhaled a deep breath then the sound from his headphones cut off at the part where he was supposed to sing a phrase at the outro. The sound that travelled to Noel’s ears instead was the voice of a staff member.

[That was amazing! Let’s go with this! Don’t you agree, Revo-san?!]

Taken aback by the voice that sounded excited, Noel’s eyes flew wide open.

Maybe because he was singing in a good mood, he forgot that he was in the middle of recording.

The staff member was saying something to Revo within the control room.

When Revo directed his gaze at Noel who was still standing around, Noel noticed a feeling that felt like a sense of loss within him.

“E……h?”

Noel stretched his neck.

[What’s the matter?]

Noel’s puzzled expression could be seen from outside the booth.

It felt strange. He should have sung the way he had in his mind. It should also had been transmitted to others ears in that way. But even so, Noel felt as though his heart had touched a spider’s web and got slightly entangled within it.

See how Noel was acting, Revo spoke to him.

[Wasn’t it alright the way you did it just now?]

“Not really…”

Noel shook his head in response to Revo’s words.

The nighthawk which was speeding through the sky in Noel’s imagination—had suddenly vanished.

“Sorry. Something’s wrong. This won’t do.”

[Eh? What’s wr…]

“No. I also sang this properly, but……”

Noel was at a loss for words. Why was it that he could not say anything at this kind of time. That irritated him.

Perhaps that irritated expression showed up on Noel’s face as well and the staff members’ expressions darkened.

He wanted to sing just like a nighthawk soaring into the sky. However, the nighthawk disappeared midway when he sung like he did earlier. The nighthawk star was not possible.

“Does this song want to soar at one go…….?”

Noel was also anxious and that was the only statement he could say.

He sung it the way he wanted to. Even so, the nighthawk did not respond.

He felt that his body that was hot was becoming colder. It felt like his knees were about to buckle but with strength in his legs, he was barely standing. He lowered his head, which felt heavy, without realizing it.

(If so, does it mean I’m unable to express the song’s meaning……!)

At the time after he thought that, he heard a voice speaking to him through the microphone.

[If that’s the case.]

It was the male staff whom he had an argument with the two days ago.

[How about…… you try singing the song at one go from start to finish instead of just the bridge?]

Noel’s eyes widened in response to that question. Looking in the direction of the booth, he could see numerous people staring at him in anticipation. Noel shouted, not minding his surroundings.

“That’s it! Please do!”

The staff member was surprised by Noel’s yelling voice which could be heard even if a microphone was not present and for a moment he gave a flabbergasted expression. However, that expression quickly turned to a smile and he nodded.

Why did he not realize such a simple thing? The song could only be complete if he sung from the beginning to the end. It was obvious that the nighthawk would disappear if it stopped flapping its wings midway.

The short intro reached Noel’s ear drums through the headphones and jolted his brain. With that as a signal, Noel’s body grew warmer as though the blood within his entire body was boiling. He was prepared to fly till he became a star. What was left was to just focus on the song.

 

After Noel was done hearing the last note, finally he could breathe deeply. He slowly opened his eyes which he had closed naturally.

Turning his gaze in the direction of the booth, he felt that the light reflected off the surface of the soundproof glass seemed a bit dazzling. In that direction, he could see the smiling faces of the staff members. There were those who were giving him a thumbs up, there were also those who were in complete amazement, their cheeks flushed.

Even Revo who was in the control room, seated at a position where he could see everything, stood up and looked at Noel. His sunglasses clearly caught Noel’s refection and he nodded with a smile.

–I delivered it. I could deliver it.

Perhaps that feeling he experienced cut his threads of focus and tension, Noel sat down at where he was just standing. In the direction of the booth, there were a few people who seemed like they were flustered but not caring about them, Noel let the strength leave his body……only at this time could he think that it was good to let his strength slip away

(Only the people here were able to put in all their effort to help me create this song.)

Every person held onto their individual pride and worked to the fullest. They drew out the charm possessed by this song and made as close to Noel’s ideal as possible.

He wanted to make a song that would push people who are fighting from behind. A song that was made with that thought in mind made him feel supported as well.

Noel gave a small smile. If he did not smile, something might spill out of his heavy feeling eyes.

(It seems like it’s the opposite. How did I end up being the one that was supported instead?)

He never experienced being supported by someone before. Because he was surrounded by these uplifting feelings and stability, this song definitely had spread its wings.

From the beginning till the end, he had always been singing the way he wanted by himself. He never noticed such a simple thing.

(If even now, I never noticed various things like before……)

Till now, he never regretted surviving on his own. Because he could not place his trust in others, he had no choice but to live on his own. However, in this period of time, if there was something he overlooked, he felt a bit disappointed at himself for it.

“Noel-sa-n?”

“Noel, are you alright?”

The booth door opened and numerous staff members as well as Ichizou, who looked pale, peeked in while if he should call an ambulance.

Noel raised his head and looked at the rest while laughing.

“Haha. What, I just felt weak. How lame.”

After reassuring the rest, Revo who was trying to hide the smile forming on his lips suddenly popped his face in.

“Eh–, did Noe-pipi become weak kneed? Don’t you think that’s lame since you’re in a band?”

Revo said as such while stifling his laughter and Noel stood up quickly, glaring at the other party.

“Shut your mouth, Sunglasses! Don’t come here! And who is Noe-pipi?! Stop increasing your repertoire of nicknames just like that!”

“You don’t think it’s cute? Shall we go with Noe-pipi for your debut?”

“What kind of threat is that?! If you dare to do that, I’ll smash those sunglasses!”

When Noel noticed his surroundings, he saw that the people around him and Revo had their backs turned to them.

“? What…?”

Noel tilted his head and looked at them and noticed that everyone’s shoulders were shaking repeatedly. At the moment Noel realised, his face quickly grew hot.

“Don’t laugh!”

Security, elation, satisfaction……One might even say that he felt blessed.

(A…reh?)

However, a wind blew across the crevices of Noel’s satisfied heart.

(What…is this…?)

The song was done. But somehow, he desired more than what he had.

This was supposed to be something he wished for yet something was not enough.

He stepped out of the booth while thing and the guitar case he habitually used entered his line of sight.

“Ah……”

He understood.

Why had he not realised it until now. He never had any good memories about it till now so he pretended not to notice it at all.

(Does that mean……that I have to perform this song by myself?)

Only this fact opened a hole in Noel’s heart.