Ichizou was waiting in a fidgety manner as he stood in front of the door that led to the event hall. The part about him watching the spectators walk into the event hall while being unable to calm down did not change, but his face that was pale earlier now had become flushed from excitement. From the direction of the door, the voice of the event moderator, who was briefly introducing VANISHING STARLIGHT, could be heard.

“Noel! Quite a lot of spectators have entered! And it seems like there are even more on their way!”

Without raising his voice, Ichizou reported the situation softly and then looked straight in Noel’s direction.

“I can only say this….Go break a leg! I will be watching from the side!”

“M’kay.”

At the same time Noel nodded, he stuck out his fist. Ichizou’s face suddenly lit up when he saw Noel’s fist and he delightfully bumped his own fist against Noel’s—But right before he could, a streak of mischief grew in Noel’s heart. Noel nimbly dodged Ichizou’s fist and Ichizou staggered. He raised his complaints immediately.

“Ehh-?! Wait a minute, Noel?! Why did you dodge?!”

“No particular reason.”

After giving a nonchalant answer, Noel let out a chuckle. A reaction that he had expected. Ichizou laughed as well when he saw Noel make that face but when he thought back to what happened, he put on an angry face again.

“Noel, you’re just like Revo-san, aren’t you? It feels like Revo-san would do this kind of thing to you, Noel.”

“We’re not alike! Don’t make such silly comments!”

The fist that had avoided Ichizou came over this time round and knocked his shoulder lightly. Ichizou felt a slight degree of pain but he quickly laughed at Noel.

“Seems like you’re not nervous anymore.”

“You were the only one who’s nervous. I was fine from the start.”

What stubbornness. There was no need to be nervous. From this point on, what Noel had to think about was singing with all his ability and deliver “The Nighthawk Star”.

[Let’s welcome the members of VANISHING STARLIGHT up on stage!]

With the words said by the moderator through the microphone, the clapping and cheering of the spectators could be heard. Just as Ichizou said, it seemed like quite a lot of people had entered the hall and the clapping and cheering was pretty loud. One step at a time, like someone chewing, Noel walked forward.

Getting onto the platform, he looked at the audience seating area and it was packed to the brim with people…..not that he could say it was to that extent but there were more people gathered there than he had expected.

The young female fans in front of them screamed loudly and conspicuously once Noel went on stage. When his gaze shifted to their direction, they shrill cries rose even more and he instinctively averted his gaze.

Then he looked at area that was further back and saw a few people who were clearly out of place, in contrast to the rising tension of the event hall. They were glaring in this direction—at Noel. It was those three, Yuuki and his friends.

(Do they intend to cause trouble….?)

However, there were staff members standing by next to them. It was not sure if they realized that fact or not and they continued to glare at Noel. Noel turned his sight away from them and looked at each and every person in the event hall. Then he called out the band’s name through the microphone.

[We’re VANISHING STARLIGHT.]

Noel spoke in a stiffer voice than he had wanted to and the clapping and cheering rose. For some reason, he could hear the voices of young women “So cute-!”. Who in the world are they directing that at.

The moderator spoke to Noel with a statement that had been scripted.

[This should be the first time you’re standing on stage in front of your fans, how does it feel? There’s so many people gathered here.]

[Ah….I’m really, happy about it. Thank you.]

Noel still thought about an answer to the question that was prepared and known and advance but those words were really from his heart. He truly never expected that there would be this many people here.

He had to bring these people enjoyment—Noel, who renewed his resolution, could hear a noise that was not cheers reach his ears from the sides of the event hall. He could not hear them clearly but it seemed like those were not kind words.

The moderator also seemed to feel that the tension in the air was uncomfortable and he pointed his microphone at Noel.

[Is this when we get to hear about [The Nighthawk Star]…..]

[I–]

Noticing that he cut off the moderator’s words midway, Noel slid in his words.

[I’m an idiot so I don’t know how I should speak to convey the good thing about the song….The words won’t be enough and there’s also conflicts while making it.]

For an instant, the event hall went silent. Perhaps spectators who have heard the rumors were also among the crowd.

[However, I take music seriously. We made the song so we will not be embarrassed by it. We put in all our passion to sing with all that we have….So that’s the compilation we have today, “The Nighthawk Star”. Anyway, do you all want to have a good listen to it just once?]

When Noel said those words, he was staring at his former members, Yuuki, Ryou, and Jun. He also wanted—no, he only wanted to deliver that statement to them.

Noel closed his eyes for a moment then he looked at the members of VANISHING STARLIGHT, Yuki, Leda, Ikuo, Akito and Junji one by one. They already had their instruments on standby. Noel nodded at them.

Then Noel took half a step forward, and he grasped his microphone and signaled to the event hall that he was going to start.

[The Nighthawk Star.]

Amongst the cheers of those who were just waiting for this, Noel felt that the sound of a bird’s wings reached his ears.

–It doesn’t suit me to talk on and on. I’m going to hit them hard with the song first.

During their meetings, suggestions of interviews, talk shows and so on have been raised several times but Noel said as such and rejected all of them. VANISHING STARLIGHT had somehow seemed to become the trending topic among the masses so there would be something to talk about and that was how a talk show was proposed. At one moment, Noel did think that this must be done but no matter how long a time they took, no matter the vast number of words they strung together, it did not even deliver even one percent of what this three minute song could do.

I want to deliver this song. I want people to listen to it. Only that was the most important.

Noel gripped onto the microphone and fixed his gaze upon the event hall. Together with the sound of the guitar, the heat that rapidly gushed up from within his body was put into his singing voice.

[I’ll aim straight for the skies to outrun my sadness–]

With Noel’s singing voice rising up, the cheers stopped in an instant.

(If you’re stunned by this, I’ll leave you behind, you know?)

It was not just Noel who was not showing any mercy. The other members of VANISHING STARLIGHT were also tossing their listeners violently with the beautiful sound they are producing.

(It would be a waste if you don’t hang on!)

As though to snap the spectators who were stunned awake, Noel yelled and sung.

[For what am I bursting into song? For what have I rushed forth?]

Noel’s singing provoked the spectators, knocking them awake. Noel’s singing hit them further in their heads.

[I’ll leave behind <the proof of my life engulfed in fire> [a star]…..]

People who were seemed to just be intending to walk past stopped in their tracks. For several seconds, they stared intently in this direction, then rushed over.

The voice that burst into a song that was delivered with more power than usual.

[Shaking in that cage..is the shadow of my lying <self> [you]….]

When he sung to this part, snap, an unnatural sound that was not part of the performance could be heard.

(Eh….)

His voice that had been amplified could not go through the microphone. The climatic excitement of the spectators halted in an instant and the staff members started to become panicked.

There was trouble with the microphone.

(Crap.)

Noel’s hand which was holding the microphone dropped. At that instant, the performance by the band members also stopped abruptly.

The focus of everyone in the event hall was on VANISHING STARLIGHT and they only returned it with silence.

(Crap, crap, crap….This kind of–)

Noel stuck out his index finger and raised it above his head and while staring at the event hall—he smiled.

The Nighthawk had not stopped flapping its wings.

“So—”

Noel’s voice, even without going through the microphone, rang out loudly throughout the event hall.

It was the middle of the song again.

Noel was not going to stop singing.

“I’ll aim straight for <my ideals> [the skies] to outrun <reality> [my sadness]!”

Noel’s raw singing voice brought the heat back to the spectators and they raised their arms above their heads.

(Isn’t this—the damn best…..!)

The unexpected trouble made it the best performance.

As though this had been planned, with precise timing, the band members returned to their playing. Noel also did not miss the sound of the microphone reconnecting. Noel repositioned himself with the microphone again and after that continued to sing. In no time, they had reached the final part of the song.

Noel yelled the last eleven words to the entire event hall.

[Since I am alive, I will burn till the very end!]

When the last remnants of the final phrase disappeared, the applause started. The clapping came together with the cheering and the sounds rose together, reverberating throughout the event hall. However, Noel heard something from an unknown direction a distance away.

“tch…!”

He sung it. With all his might.

Noel was still posed in front of the microphone stand, holding it with his face lowered. Sweat that dripped from the tip of his nose formed small spots next to his feet.

(Did I….deliver it?)

The sound that he heard from a distance gradually grew closer. Those were the applause and cheers that did not cease in this small event hall.

When he raised his head, before him was a whirlpool of wild excitement.

“Encore!”

That voice of one person reverberated through the event hall at one go.

Encore. Just that one word returned the energy to his body that was supposed to be like a withered fruit.

He could go again. He could fly again. He could soar once more. There were no limits within him.

Noel grinned broadly and he stuck his index finger into the air.

[Let’s go, one more time-!!]

The wild voices pushed Noel onwards and riding on waves of cheering, the band members continued to perform.

The cheers and applause echoed. Would anyone have expected this level of high tension?

Surely—Even Revo could not have predicted this.

(…But, that guy isn’t here now.)

He wanted him to see the result of how much they have done until now. Although it was useless now, he still regretted having the chance to let Revo see where he was standing now.

In the middle of the notes that trailed behind the song’s end, the growing strong emotions that came from within him gushed out from Noel’s throat that had already reach its limits.

[Revo!]

Noel yelled out that name at the microphone, his voice hitting on it.

[You saved me. Now I want you to see the current “me”!]

The event hall that had reached the peak of its excitement fell into a stillness for an instant—

“I see you.”

That voice clearly reached Noel’s ears.

Noel stared in the direction where the voice came from. Through the gap between the spectators, there was a dark figure that appeared to be like a shadow. It was supposed to be an outstanding appearance, but he really did not notice until now. Seeing that Noel was looking intently at that speck, the spectators also followed Noel’s line of sight—and when it hit them that Revo was indeed there, they started buzzing in conversation.

Before anyone could notice, Revo had lightly and gently slipped his way between the people who were crowded together in the tight space and he got onto the platform. Then he stood next to Noel.

Noel’s flabbergasted expression was reflected upon the pitch black sunglasses which did not allow anyone to see through it.

“You….why…..”

After smiling at Noel who was dumbfounded to the point of speechlessness, Revo suddenly took the microphone from him and turned towards the audience.

[Eh-, let me do the introductions. I’m the producer for VANISHING STARLIGHT, Revo.”

Cheers, applause and the shrill sound of finger whistles welcomed him.

[And, this person who’s burned till the end is the vocalist Noel. Let’s call him Noe-Noe!]

“Noe-Noe!”

The voices of the spectators calling Noel could be heard, but Revo, noticing that Noel was still stupefied from surprise and fatigue, took Noel’s hand.

[Present–]

Revo responded on his own with a falsetto and the laughter started. Despite that, Noel ignored those things like there were incidents not happening to him.

Was the person standing in front of him actually real?

“Ah, eh…..eh?”

[Just like the rest of them, I am extremely delighted that there’s so many of you gathered here for their sake. Thank you very much.]

Revo lowered his head and the band members of VANISHING STARLIGHT followed suit. Only Noel was slow on the uptake and he frantically imitated the rest. Scattered applause rose up. In the midst of that sound, “So cute”, the voices of women could be heard. Though Noel noticed them, he did not think they were directed at him.

When the long applause started to come to a conclusion, Revo raised his head.

[I’ll continue to work hard together with my partner from now on. Here, Noe-Noe.]

“Ye, yeah….”

The microphone that had been taken from Noel returned before his eyes without missing a beat and he accepted it in a flustered manner. While holding the microphone, he was kind of brought back to the reality in front of him. He focused his attention back to the audience, not thinking about Revo.

The gazes that had a medium level of heat after the live were focused in Noel’s direction.

[….Next time, we’ll show you guys something that’s even better than this. I will meet your expectations. Therefore, I would like you all to continue supporting us!]

The passion of the event area had not cooled down yet but Noel still raised the mood.

At the last part, Noel punched his fist out and the guests all raised their fists again and responded with cheers.

[Thank you for today! I had a damn lot of fun!]

Feeling great, tired and with excitement that had not cooled off, the atmosphere in the waiting room was noisy, In the midst of that, a chill yet presence commanding voice rang out.

“Good work everyone—Hey, Noel. Even though there was trouble with the equipment, you raised the tension more than expected. It was a rousing success!—Oya?”

The instant Noel recognized that Revo was there speaking in a voice that had no tension, he wordlessly stepped in front of Revo and then grabbed the other party’s shirt and yelled.

“Damn you, Sunglasses! Why are you here?!”

“Eh? I don’t think there’s any producer who doesn’t look at the activities that his singers are undertaking. What are you saying? Geez, Noe-Noe.”

“Don’t call me Noe-Noe! It’s not about that!

Force surged into the hand that was grabbing the shirt and he glared at the sunglasses. The person before him was indeed Revo.

“It’s not about that…..”

For some reason his hand started to shake and Noel removed his hand from Revo’s shirt and lowered his head so that it could not be seen.

He was watching.

“….I’m sorry for saying such words without knowing the work that you put in.”

—I don’t need you.

That dialogue that was so embarrassing that if he could go back in time, he would stop himself even if he had to wallop his own self.

“I was conceited. I was supposed to be able to trust you as a partner, be able to place my trust in your work as a producer but I did not understand those things at all.”

While keep his head lowered, Noel bowed his head at Revo.

“I’m sorry.”

“Noel…..”

There was a chuckle.

“You’ve grown up.”

Revo’s gentle voice said those words while still laughing. Once Noel raised his head, there was Revo with a face like he was having fun.

“You actually learnt how to use a  word such as “conceited”, just kidding.”

“Are you making me out to be an idiot?”

“What are you saying, those words carry the emotion from my heart.”

“Are you saying I’m an idiot from the bottom of your heart?!”

Noel grabbed Revo’s shirt once more but he held himself back and just glared at the other party.

“Regardless, I thought you really disappeared or something….It’s not because of what I said but it’s not like I played no part in this.”

After Noel said that with a sullen tone, Revo showed a smile that had a depth of meaning. Then that smile got directed at Ichizou. Ichizou, who got the smile aimed at him, turned stiff and he averted his gaze awkwardly from Revo as well as Noel.

“What?”

“Ah—it’s nothing, umm….”

Ichizou mumbled and his gaze wandered to some other direction. Noel stared hard at Ichizou then Revo lightly said some impactful words.

“I feel sorry to you for saying this, actually I had been supporting you all this time.”

“………Ha?”

“I mean I can’t possibly allow the debut of an important artist to fail, right?”

“Then, why….well, is it my fault?”

“Why do you think it’s your fault, Noel?”

“Isn’t it because I said too much?”

“What did you say too much of?”

It was difficult to make out Revo’s expression through his sunglasses. However, it looked like he honestly felt that Noel’s words were strange.

While his clenched fist shook, Noel yelled.

“….Don’t tell me you didn’t notice anything at all?! It’s just me who felt that way?!”

“So what is it?”

Revo placed his hand under his chin and tilted his head.

Could it be.

“You don’t even remember?!”

“Eh? If you want me to remember, then why not say it one more….”

“Who would say itttttttttttt?!”

He could not say such an embarrassing thing one more time. Furthermore, in a place where there were other people who could witness it.

“Damn! If I wasn’t the reason then why?”

“Noe-Noe seemed to have interest in being a producer, so I thought I would let you give it a shot for your future plans!”

“Give it a shot…..”

“Yup, a producer’s work.”

Somehow it seems like Yamaguchi’s guess was right on the mark. As expected from Yama-san. After thinking that, Noel yelled again. His throat was already at its limit but he could not help but be loud.

“You think I could do it?! I thought I was causing trouble for the people around me these few weeks!”

“But the event was a big success, wasn’t it?”

“That’s because I had the help from those who are here! If not, I’ll just be stuck not being able to do anything, fuck!”

Even though Noel was hurling vulgar words, he still pointed at the members of VANISHING STARLIGHT, Ichizou, the staff members and others who were behind him.

“Noel….”

Noel’s ears picked up Ichizou’s moved voice. That voice made Noel turn and face the other party suddenly.

“Ah, no….just now…..”

Ichizou’s warm expression was directed at Noel. With that face in front of him, Noel then remembered what he said and he felt his face grow hot. It was embarrassing to say it once more but it was a fact that the people here did help and support him.

While Noel’s face became hot, he acknowledged that fact.

“—Ah, fuck! That’s right, I can’t do anything without their help. In addition, you’re pulling strings from behind!”

“That….Noel, don’t talk about people like they’re villains. It’s embarrassing.”

“Aren’t you acting like one?! No, you’re even worse than one!”

It would be easy to understand if all this happened due to feelings of hostility towards Noel. However, Revo’s actions were all for Noel’s sake.

Speaking of which, what Revo said next reinforced that line of thought.

“Basically, it’s because it seemed like the lesson will stick to you if the method is tough and I was also getting busy with various things. So I thought that I should just take the plunge. Don’t people say that lions toss their cubs from the cliff?”

“You, shitty producer…..!”

He was thankful….even so, somehow Noel got mad as though he was messed around with. In the end, because Noel was able to grow, he felt even more irritated.

“…So as I expected, the burden on you increased because of me, right? If you were supporting me without being seen?”

“It wasn’t a big deal. You did even better than I had expected. But it’s true that preparing for the other side made me really busy.”

“Other side?”

Was this about the other world that he spoke about before. Even though it was a different world, was he doing something similar there? Without answering the question that Noel had asked, Revo continued to speak.

“But really, you did well. The one who has been drawing everyone here is without doubt you, Noel.”

Revo’s words pierced straight through Noel’s heart. Not being able to hold against that direct strike, Noel turned his face away.

“….Really?”

“It’s going to take a while, so I’ll talk about it later.”

“You shitty producer, you’re really too…..!”

Just when one thought things were going up, they fell. After looking at an irritated Noel in an amused manner, Revo dropped the pitch of his voice a bit and spoke while staring at Noel.

“You’re able to push various people in the back as well as pull them towards you. Even I was surprised by that energy.—I honestly think that you’re really cool.”

And just when one thought things were going down, they rose again. Noel was supposed to be pissed off from being messed around with but with this, joy won.

On that day, Revo had said that he wanted music delivered to someone who was somewhere where he could not deliver music to. Is his goal to push that person or to pull that person from somewhere.

In any case, since Revo had come back, it was probably because he had something that he had hopes that Noel could do.

Revo held his clenched fist in front of Noel.

“Good work for the event. There’s no mistake, it was a huge success.”

Hearing those words, Noel smiled as he bumped bis own fist against the other party’s—or so he thought at that moment. Revo nimbly dodged that hand causing Noel to stumble.

“Wha…..! You—”

“It’s fun teasing Noe-Noe after all~”

“……………….”

“Areh? What’s wrong?”

It seems like Revo thought that Noel would have an angry and he tilted his head but Noel only stared at his own fist and then fell into silence, hugging his head.

(…..Earlier, I did the same thing to Ichizou…..?”

Noel glanced at Ichizou and Ichizou looked at Noel with a strangely gentle face and then patted him on the shoulder.

“See, didn’t I say you were just like Revo-san?”

“We’re not alike!”

“What? Noe-Noe, are you imitating me?”

“I’m not!”

While gazing at Noel who was yelling angrily in a bemused manner, Revo passed by Noel’s side to thank the other members for their work. As he passed, Revo hand hit Noel’s back with a ‘pon’. It was an action to show his thanks and that he would push Noel from behind so that he could move forward from now on.

*

The debut event ended and even though Revo had returned, Noel’s busy days continued. Three days after the event on the sixteenth of September, he headed for a live recording for a radio show.

Sitting across Noel at a table was a young woman who was the DJ for the show and she introduced Noel while smiling.

“Now then, let me introduce our guest for today. It’s our pleasure to have Noel-san, the vocalist of the trending superstar band VANISHING STARLIGHT with us!”

The DJ clapped by herself and after that she stuck her hand out towards Noel, signaling him to introduce himself.

“…..Hello. I’m….Noel.”

He was definitely nervous but the confusion would be great if he did not know what to say in this kind of setting. Turning to the outside of the recording booth, he could see Ichizou looking uneasy. The other members seemed to have other jobs so it was only Noel doing the recording. It could not be helped that Ichizou was nervous but it was slightly irritating.

Without her smile faltering despite Noel being unable to say much on a radio show, the Radio DJ continued the program in an adept manner.

“Oh right, it seems that the event to commemorate your debut was a rousing success, right?”

“Thanks. There was a seriously huge amount of people who showed up and that was surprising. I thank you all for that.”

While still speaking in a stiff tone, Noel spoke sincerely. The DJ who was facing him smiled and she leaned slightly forward towards him.

“It seems like there was trouble where the sound from the microphone got cut off once and you had to sing Acapella right?”

“Yeah, it got cut for a while.”

“I also received news that some people were wondering if it was possible that this kind of performance was planned from the start. Can I ask about that incident here?”

They had discussed on how to proceed with the questions beforehand but Noel merely answered the question honestly for a question that could be considered at the standard of “ We’re going to ask a few questions about the event so please think about it before answering.”

“Nope, it was really a normal kind of equipment trouble.”

“Eh?”

“—Ah. Is it alright if I talk about this?”

Noel glanced over in the direction of the recording where Ichizou was to ask him but it was already too late even if Ichizou wanted to say no. Ichizou just smiled a forced smile while nodding his head. When she saw the nod, the DJ continued enthusiastically.

“Looks like Mr Manager is okay with this too. Then, did you all decide that in that kind of situation, you had to do an acapella performance?”

“Yeah, everyone in my band said they decided to stop playing their instruments the moment I put down my microphone.”

“All the members made that judgement at the same time….that’s amazing.”

When the DJ spoke, not with lip service but with words that came from her heart, Noel also nodded.

“Honestly, if I were in their shoes, I won’t have the confidence that I could do such a thing. They’re really awesome people after all.”

Even now, he could hardly believe that he was making music with such people. If he managed to bite on while they tried to shake him off, he was able to draw out even more that what he could do.

“It seems like you really have a lot of faith in your band members.

“That’s because….they’re people who really have such amazing skills….”

Noel nodded, slightly embarrassed when the DJ talked to him with a warm gaze and bright smile.

While carrying out this honest conversation, it went past the time when Noel was supposed to be on stage. Then at that point, suddenly, the DJ said something in an amused manner.

“Speaking of which, Noel-san, you were called out as Noe-Noe by the fans~~ It’s so cute! Was that a nickname from long ago?”

“Absolutely not! That guy called me that on his own….!”

Noel wanted to deny it but the DJ looked at, not Noel, but the exit door. Before Noel could show a puzzled expression, the DJ raised her voice.

“Alright then, let me introduce the one who gave that name! The musician whose true identity remains an absolute mystery, the Producer for VANISHING STARLIGHT, Revo-san!”

“Hah?!”

He had not heard of this development. When Noel raised his voice in surprise, Revo entered the booth and raised one of his hands.

“Hi~~ I’m RevoP!”

“Hey, why are you just coming in like that, Sunglasses?!”

He was not informed of this flow of events before no. No, even more than that.

Revo sat down next to Noel in an extremely natural manner.

“I thought you weren’t coming here today?!”

“Ah haha, were you surprised?”

“Do you have to surprise me each and every time?!”

“Yep.”

“Don’t yep me!”

Noel noticed that the DJ was watching the interaction between him and Revo with a friendly smile. Then with a bright voice that matched that smiling face, she addressed Noel and Revo.

“You get along so well with producer-san~!”

“Of course. Noe-Noe and I are partners after all!

Even though it was a radio show, Revo still pushed his chest out. Seeing Revo act as such , Noel growled angrily in a low voice.

“That’s-not-good! Also, I don’t acknowledge that nickname!”

“But it seems like it’s usage has become widespread?”

“Are you joking?!”

“The mail that we received from them had the words Noe-Noe written in them. You’re so loved, Noe-Noe!”

The DJ said as such, all smiles. But Noel hugged his head instead. That being said, the people who were listening through the radio probably can’t see him.

“This is being, love, loved….?”

Next to Noel who was hugging his head, Revo made a declaration while enjoying himself.

.”While Noe-Noe is in a state of confusion, shall we go on to introducing the  songs?”

“What kind of timing is that!”

“Fu fu. Once producer-san gives his go sign, I’ll introduce it. By the way the ‘gap’ between the “Noël” when he’s singing and the Noe-noe while talking is really ‘moe’.”

“Mo-e…..?”

(T/N: Moe or 萌えsort of means being able to elicit feelings of affection and protectiveness)

As though she did not hear what Noel had uttered while sounding puzzled, the DJ, without her smile cracking, spoke through the microphone in  a smooth and easy to listen to her voice.

Then please give it a listen, VANISHING STARLGHT’s “The Nighthawk Star.””

*

After the live recording for the radio, Noel wearily laid down on the sofa of his dressing room.

“Damn….that Sunglasses…..!”

Revo had called him “Noe-Noe” during the event and it seemed that name stuck with all the fans.

Speaking of that important Revo, right after radio show,

“See ya, I ‘m really busy!

“Then don’t come over!”

And with that exchange with Noel, he quickly returned.

(But….he really seemed to be in a rush.)

It seems like it was true when he said he was busy….. If so, what was this about taking the trouble to go on air just to make fun of other people.

Seeing that Noel was clearly exhausted, Ichizou spoke to him with a strained smile.

“Noel, I know something is tiring you out….but I have some good news and bad news for you…..?”

“….Do you intend to divulge bad news to me when I’m in this kind of state right now….”

“……………………….”

Hearing Noel’s exhausted response, Ichizou held his tongue for a short moment in awkwardness. However he quickly spoke in an intentionally bright voice.

“Eh, well, then I’ll tell you the good news! It seems like the response to the radio show was great! And earlier, lots of mail came shortly after the show as well.”

“Isn’t that fucking bad news?! That’s not the image of the band at all…..”

“The DJ from earlier also said it. It’s probably because of the gap between the image you have in the band and how you are without faking it. It’s okay to be made fun of! This was informed in advance anyway.”

Ichizou, who was smiling, got his shirt grabbed by the other party.

“Is it because of you?!”

“No, it’s not.”

Ichizou raised both his hands in a surrender pose and asserted that he was innocent.

“That Sunglasses! I’m definitely going to wreck those sunglasses of his one day!”

Remembering the face of the man who was determined to be certainly the culprit despite the lack of evidence, Noel started his image training of wrecking the sunglasses from this point on.

Taking his hand away from Ichizou who had been wrongly accused and grabbed on to, Noel glared at the other party who was smiling wryly.

“So, what about the bad news? Though to me I had more than my fill of bad news!”

Noel sounded angry but Ichizou did not react. Noel looked at him and saw that he had a stern expression. That face made Noel realise what was happening.

“….Is it about that rumour?”

“Yes….It’s a bit too exaggerated so it’s almost to the point that our office can no longer overlook it. There’s this rumour out there that your former member got hospitalised because of your violent actions, Noel.”

“Hospitalised….”

Noel muttered and then kept quiet. Ichizou looked over in his direction and Noel swiftly turned his gaze to another direction.

“….Hey, Noel, why are you looking away?! Don’t tell me you know something?!”

“No, it’s nothing to do with those guys. It’s just that something like that happened last time….I also got hospitalized during that time.”

“What in the world are you doing, Noel….”

Ichizou’s face turned pale when he heard Noel’s words but decided not to hear the answer. He cleared his throat intentionally and returned to the topic at hand.

“I thought it would resolve by itself if we left it alone but it seemed like rumours grew in proportion to your popularity after all. We’ll deal with it but Noel, because we feel that it won’t do if you don’t say anything to your fans, just in case, we would like you to think about….Noel, are you listening?”

“I’m listening.”

He was listening but he wondered if it was really alright to just leave it to the agency to handle. If he was a professional, he ought to let people he could trust deal with it. He understands that but Noel had no confidence that his heard would be able to accept it if the incident reached an end just like that.

That thought left Noel’s mouth faster than he could ruminate on it.

“…I’ll go talk to them. I think that’s what those guys wish for too.”

“Ehh?! No, Noel, if you go to them directly, it seems like it’ll grow into something bigger….ah.”

Ichizou covered his mouth upon uttering an unpleasant opinion but Noel had already heard all of it. Noel glared angrily and Ichizou drew back like he wanted to escape but then Noel’s gaze dropped and in a strange manner,  tilted his head.

“Noel?”

“…..I know you’re worried. They haven’t ruined anything thus far. I just sometimes think that it might be good if I listened to their words more.”

Thinking back to his past actions, he often regretted that he could have done more to make things better. That was surely because now he could afford to do so. When people did not have extra energy or time, they did not know what to do. Right now, only Noel, who was their former fellow band member could go to the place that they desired so they could no longer choose how they wanted to bring Noel down. It was not as if Noel did not understand the feelings that his negotiations would not go smoothly.

Ichizou’s eyes widened but he crossed his arms and then muttered about his worries in a small voice.

“Hmmm….but, I wonder if they are the kind of people who you can talk through to with those words…..?”

“You seem like a kind person yet you have times when you make scathing remarks.”

“Eh?! Is, is that so? But they’re people who spread rumours on the internet and are doing things without getting their own hands dirty, right? I can’t see people like that favourably.”

“I can’t possibly favour people like that either.”

They are people who ridiculed Noel’s attitude and hard work towards music. He could not like them but he felt like he would regret it if he did not confront them.

“I want to make things clear myself.”

Noel looked at Ichizou’s eyes and said those words clearly. Perhaps Ichizou realised that Noel had steeled his will. The expression he made while thinking about things carefully relaxed and he let out a sigh.

“….I get it. But please absolutely do not do anything dangerous okay? If you injure the other party—”

“I won’t.”

“Noel, you can’t get yourself injured either, okay? If in the times when it seems like you’re going to get beat up, think about what’s most important to you.”

(T/N: In case you all get confused why Ichizou is saying this, it’s because he’s trying to think of an impetus for Noel to run away.)

The most important thing now. Noel was well aware of what was in his hands and he gripped his hand tightly as though to protect it and nodded.

“….I understand.”

This was the only thing he must not let go.

*

Noel wanted to contact Yuuki and the other two but the mobile phone he used last time was broken—by himself—so he did not know their contact details. However, he asked Eiji who said he had interviewed them before and got their contacts so Noel invited them out.

The place he invited them to was one of the studios in the building where their recording studio was as well. If anything should happen, Ichizou and other staff members would be able to rush over. This suggestion was from Ichizou—or rather–from Noel’s agency, One & One + One.

Concerns that Noel might get beaten up again or maybe, he might be the one doing the beating instead and once more, it would become an incidence of violence. Noel also thought about his agency’s position and perhaps they got worried so he did not complain.

Noel waited quietly by himself in the studio. He looked at the clock and saw that it was almost the time they had arranged to meet. The receptionists already knew, so unless they got lost, they should be arriving soon.

Or perhaps they did not come after all. Just like last time, would he continue to wait by himself.

Contrary to Noel’s thoughts, the door opened. It seemed like they were not late this time round.

Yuuki, Ryou and Jun entered the studio. Ryou and Jun glared at Noel once and then immediately looked around the inside of the studio.

“Heh, the vocalist-sama of the new debuted band sure borrowed a pretty nice studio~”

“We want such benefits too.”

The two of them were grinning while looking around the studio however, Yuuki who held a leader like position among them confronted Noel with a serious look. Rather than saying that he was hostile, he had a face he was going to challenge Noel earnestly. It was not a look that the Yuuki from last time would have.

“What do you want to talk about.”

His tone was low and even Ryou and Jun seemed to be taken aback and they stared at Yuuki.

Silence fell upon them for an instant. The first one to take action was Noel. After looking at Yuuki, he lowered his eyes.

“I apologise, for hitting you that time. I’m sorry.”

The three of them stared wide eyed in response to Noel’s apologies. Speaking of which, Noel had never apologized to them—No, that was the case even for his former band members whom he had formed a group with. Could it be that they had never expected that they would be able to hear Noel’s apologies? They were unbale to hide their shocked expressions ,

However, looking as though he was pleased with Noel’s attitude, a smile floated on Yuuki’s face….. An unpleasant smile.

“…I don’t really care. I don’t take that to heart anymore.” Yuuki,  who had a serious expression until this moment, looked down at Noel with a light smile , just the same as that time.

(What’s with that face he had earlier…….?)

He had never seen Yuuki with such a serious expression before.

“So? You want us to stop spreading the rumours just because you apologised?”

Perhaps Yuuki was taking delight in Noel’s troubled expression and he said this in such in a good mood. However, Noel continued speaking, keeping calm all the way.

“It can’t be helped if the fans know the truth. However, right now, the rumours are distorting the facts. It’s vexing that speculations and conjecture that it’s all my fault or someone got sent to the hospital are spreading. That’s between me and you guys.”

For an instant, Yuuki had a terribly irritated and sour expression when he looked at Noel then he quickly put a smile on his face once more.

“It wasn’t us who spread those rumours though. A fan could have heard us talking outside and then spread the news around. We didn’t do anything.”

“That’s right. You didn’t try to correct the mistaken information or even try to stop it from spreading.

“We can’t stop something that just spreads on its own.”

“Yeah yeah, The power of social media spreading news is terrifying-“

Ryou and Jun said as such and the three of them laughed. After that, Yuuki looked at Noel.

“But, if you want me to say that the rumours are different from what happened, I can say it.”

“….I doubt you’re just going to do that.”

“Of course.”

Yuuki grinned after he said that and then he jabbed his index finger into Noel’s chest. It was as though he was being jabbed by the muzzle of a pistol.

“Only if you stop your debut.”

After a detestable smile appeared on Yuuki’s lips, he uttered those words. As expected, those words came out and Noel had no choice but to say what he had thought about in advance.

Noel understood their feelings to the point that he predicted what they were going to say. Jealousy, envy, lamenting why it was not them, frustration and anger. Just a couple of months ago, Noel directed such defeatist feelings internally at himself. Right now, those three men were directing those feelings outward—at Noel.

“…..You guys should know that it already cannot be stopped. Just think of how many people are involved in this.”

“I’m saying that I want you to stop-“

Yuuki raised his voice and spoke in a sing-song…..Do you mean to stop and bother everyone around me. Noel curled both his hands into fists but he spoke, keeping his calm.

“It’s not as though I can stop it just because I say so.”

“Ah-I see. If that’s the case.”

It seemed like even Yuuki had considered Noel’s refusal. He backed down readily and played his next hand.

“After the CD goes on sale, how about you stop if your CD sales does not get into the top five of the Paracon charts?”

The “Paracon” that Yuuki was talking about was the tally of sales of a CD after it gets released. The Paracon Ranking which was listed in a ranking order and what people really paid attention to seemed to be the Weekly Charts.

“Like I said, I can’t just—”

“—Then music.”

Noel was also shocked into silence by a demand that came from uphill.

As though that demand had slipped down the slope, Yuuki expressed what he wanted.

“Talk to your producer to produce our music.”

“That sort of thing….”

“I won’t let you say that it can’t be done.”

His pace just got messed up. He could not lose his calm over this kind of thing. Noel took in a deep breath and stared hard at Yuuki.

“That’s for him to decide after seeing your abilities. Not me.”

The smile on Yuuki’s lips vanished and once more, an irritated expression appeared.

“Like I said, just drop a word in for us. I mean…..”

The last part that Yuuki said became stronger as though he was biting onto it. If one looked closely, one could see that his clenched fists were shaking in regret.

“Why is it not us who have formed a group together and just you who gets a debut……..!”

“That—”

–Were those your real words?

Those words were said but for some reason Noel’s lips were sealed. The wide open eyes that glared at Noel reflected the agony that was spilling out.

(This is the first time I’ve seen him making a face like this….)

Looking at the other party’s eyes, Noel recalled the time when his abilities were not recognized and he was still smoldering.

Within his body was anger that bubbled like magma and had no place to go. It continued to circulate around the dark feelings that could not be diverted and trapped him. That displeasure.

It was not known if the feelings Yuuki had now were the same as Noel’s back then. However, he was sure that the root of it was the same. He managed to guess how they felt but at this kind of time, Noel also did not know what to say to resolve their feelings. It was likely that it could not be resolved by anyone’s words.

Noel stared hard at Yuuki’s face. The other party faltered once but even so, he continued to glare at Noel.

While not flinching at Yuuki’s sharp gaze, Noel spoke.

“I understand, I’ll accept your conditions.”

The anger disappeared for a moment from Yuuki’s expression and what took its place was a look of surprise.

“And in return, you all better keep your promise. This time.”

The three of them had a slight look of displeasure at Noel’s words but they quickly regained their composure.

“That’s right, I will write those conditions on the internet. So no one can fake anything.”

“I don’t know if anyone would take things like that seriously.”

“I know. If you quit, they’ll take it seriously quickly.”

While laughing a throaty laughter, Yuuki directed Jun to operate his smartphone. Then he mocked Noel.

“Are you in the right mind? A no name band that just debuted getting into the top five of Paracon? Do you really think you can do it?”

“Yeah. I think we can.”

Noel looked firmly at Yuuki’s eyes and said as such. The irritation on Yuuki’s face strongly displayed itself when he heard that. With a loud clicking of his tongue, he spat at Noel.

“…..You haven’t changed at all. You’re still a crazy idiot who hasn’t seen the world.”

A crazy idiot. That would probably hold true if it was the Noel from some time back but now things were different.

“Right now, I have the confidence to brag about what I made. And right now, I also possess the proof to substantiate that confidence. It’s just that.

[The Nighthawk Star] he created gave him that much confidence.

As though to suppress his irritation, Yuuki spoke in a calm tone.

“…..No matter what, you won’t be such a big man if it weren’t for your producer and your back band.”

Yuuki’s words flew straight at Noel. Surely he must have meant for that to be a nasty remark but Noel had to chew on those facts one by one.

Therefore, he had to respond sincerely, not to Yuuki who was right before him, but to those who had supported him.

“Yeah, if I did not have their support, I can’t do anything at all. Therefore, at this time, I want to answer the expectations they have of me with all my might.”

Before he could listen to Noel’s words to the end, Yuuki clicked his tongue and at the same time turned his back towards the other party. Ryou and Jun frantically chased after him.

“Hey, that’s enough already, right?”

Listening to Ryou’s words Yuuki looked over his shoulder at Noel and stared at him.

“…Don’t forget the conditions.”

“How can I?”

Noel also glared back with a tough gaze and watched as the three left the studio.

The quiet sound of the door closing sounded like the signal of the start of a battle.

After meeting with Yuuki and the rest, he sent a mail to Ichizou telling him he was done and Ichizou dashed over. Revo was also following behind him. Apparently, he had heard of the incident from Ichizou.

“Noel, so what happened….?!”

Looking at Ichizou who was begging for information and Revo who he could not tell if he was interested or not from his unreadable expression, he felt a bit….no, he was pretty sure he did something reckless and finally he regained his calm thoughts.

“……..”

Noel glanced at Ichizou, who looked like his body would be thrown to the edge of despair if one pushed his back a bit, then wordlessly averted his gaze.

“Wait-?! What’s with that reaction! Did it not work out?! Did it fail?! That’s why I said I wanted to be here with you but you insisted that you could do it yourself, Noel….!”

“Like it’s—Geez, you’re annoying! For the time being, I made a deal, OK?!”

With that loud voice, Ichizou who had been rattling on and on was forced to shut up. However, he was not the kind to end it there. He looked at Noel’s expression and stared with his eyes full of suspicion.

“Then, why are you making that kind of face?”

Noel did not reply for a while but if he continued to not respond then Ichizou would continue to have his eye on him. Noel gave up and spoke.

“……the condition they proposed was that If we manage to get into the top five of the Paracon charts, they will stop the spread of the rumours…..”

“Noel, don’t tell me….”

The forceful gaze from Ichizou, who had turned pale, was awkward and Noel averted his gaze while giving a small nodded.

“…..I accepted it.”

“What were you thinking-?!”

In response to Ichizou who was screaming on the spot at Noel’s reply, Noel covered his ears and spoke back to Ichizou.

“I’m sorry for not consulting you guys first…..but…..”

“But, what?”

A disgruntled Ichizou seemed to want to say something but Revo who had kept quiet until now beat him to it first. Revo seemed to want to hear the continuation of Noel’s paused words.

He recalled the jealousy, envy, anxiety and frustrated eyes that Yuuki and the other two had.

“It’s because somehow…..I sort of understand their feelings………?”

Midway through his sentence, Noel realised he could not accurately discern their feelings and the end of his statement ended with a question mark. Hearing that, Revo shrugged, looking slightly bemused.

“I wouldn’t know even if you asked me.”

“Shut up. I’m not good at talking about things like this.”

He just thought that somehow, they were like himself in the past. But he might be wrong about it. Regardless, if that might be the case then he would like [The Nighthawk Star] to also be delivered to—

Ichizou’s stern face appeared in front of Noel’s eyes while he was deep in thought and he was taken aback.

“They really said that they wouldn’t spread rumours anymore, right?

“Ye, yeah. They said that.”

He was being strongly pressured but Noel still replied, nodding at Ichizou.

Ichizou stared hard at Noel but after hearing Noel’s reply, he showed a nonchalant expression.

“Then, I suppose it would be fine.”

“Eh.”

Noel doubted his ears when optimistic words came out of Ichizou whom he thought would be the most worried. Perhaps Ichizou himself also noticed it and he suddenly pointed at his own face.

“Ah,  what I said just now was quite optimistic & optimistic?!”

“Well…Yeah, it was.”

Noel nodded and next to him, Revo let slip a chuckle.

“The one who’s the most optimistic is Noe-Noe who actually made that kind of promise.”

“Shut it! You’re saying that on purpose, aren’t you?!”

Noel yelled angrily at Revo who seemed to be enjoying himself rather than being snide. This kind of composed behaviour irritated him far more than a sarcastic one would….It felt like this was displaying the difference between their calibers.

Ichizou had completely took a turn from the panic he was in earlier and while considering every single word that was said earlier, he spoke calmly.

“Getting to the top five of Paracon is not an easy matter in my opinion. And I’m sure this coincides with the sales date of other artists who have been doing well. However….”

Within Ichizou’s composed voice and the eyes that looked at Noel was heat.

“I do not think that it’s impossible for VaniStar.”

Rather than calling it confidence, that serious expression was full of conviction. It seemed that his worry about Noel possibly doing something reckless had somewhat lightened up. That feelings of delight and some regret rose up in Noel and he turned his gaze away from Ichizou and he intentionally made a sulky expression.

“You say that but in any case, you’re still going to worry like it’s the end of the world just before the results get released.”

“I won’t! …..probably.”

Even the person who said that had no confidence and Ichizou had averted his gaze from Noel. Noel wanted to ask what happened to his serious face earlier but this was more like Ichizou and he held back his laughter.

After letting their thoughts wander to the incidents of the day after tomorrow for a while, Ichizou turned to look at Revo.

“What do you think, Revo-san? Can we get into the top five places of Paracon?”

Ichizou asked with a somewhat nervous look but Revo just shrugged his shoulders with his ever usual non-changing expression and spoke with a tone of dry humour.

“Who knows. That’s for the people who listen to judge, I can’t do anything.”

“That’s how it is, isn’t it- As expected of Revo-san.”

As soon as he understood, Ichizou slumped his shoulders. Seeing Ichizou like that, Revo continued speaking playfully.

“What Noel has done should give him the confidence that this is possible.”

“…..That’s how it is as well, isn’t it—As expected of Revo-san.”

Just when one thought that things were going down, they climb up again. Could anyone who stood before this man not be messed around with? With that thought, Noel looked at Revo and Ichizou’s exchange and then Ichizou turned to Noel, looking like he thought of something.

“Hey, Noel, perhaps they wrote something about this on the internet already…..”

“Ah….speaking of which, they did write something with their smartphone. It probably got spread on the net already.

“Tell me such things earlier-!”

Ichizou frantically took out his smart phone and while listening to his phone, left the room in a bustle. Most likely he was reporting back to his office.

After watching Ichizou leave in a hurry, Noel looked at Revo and spoke.

“….Did I screw up?”

With his usual frivolous expression、Revo shrugged in a joking manner.

“Well, I don’t know.”

“You don’t….Seriously, you.”

“This was what you thought to be the best method to settle the problem, right? If that’s the case, I’ll trust your judgment and wait.

Trust and wait.

Why was it that the words that Noel had difficulty saying came out so easily for this man? For most cases, it would not be strange to show anger to such recklessness.

(Also…)

Should I say it? I don’t know. The conditions were more than this.

Revo seemed to be aware about Noel’s dilemma and he did not leave where he was standing.

Noel noticed that the other party was quietly waiting for him to speak and he eyes wandered to his feet. Then he spoke.

“…..I didn’t say this to Ichizou but if we didn’t get into the top five, I’ll have to stop making music and I’ll have to ask you to produce music for them instead of me. That’s their demands.”

“Wah, what a selfish agreement. Even though that was said, it’s not possible for me to produce music for them though?”

Without sounding particularly surprised, Revo laughed while spoke as though he was taking them lightly.

Just like he thought. But still.

“…..I won’t let you.”

Noel’s mouth eased up and he raised his head to look right at Revo’s sunglasses.

“You’re my producer and my partner, right?”

Revo broke into a small smile as well. However, that quickly became a teasing grin.

“Oh, you became really frank, haven’t you, Noe-pi.”

“Shut up! I, I was just stating the facts! You’re a producer after all! Also, did you just call me with a disgusting nickname! I’m gonna wreck your sunglasses!”

Revo laughed heartily, looking at Noel who had rattled on and on in a loud voice to cover up his embarrassment. Noel held back his feelings of regret and with a clock of his tongue, turned away from Revo’s face. He was getting made fun of.

“Hey, Noel.”

“What?!”

Hearing Revo’s airy tone, Noel replied in a wary manner, thinking that he was going to be made fun of again then he came to the suddenly realization that he was not called using some nickname from Revo’s abundant pool of varied useless nicknames. He never expected that…..Revo would listen when he asked not to be called by a nickname.

He looked at Revo and the latter was just like he always did, with an easy-going expression.

“Even though those three raised such a condition, were you bothered by the Paracon results?”

The topic at hand returned in a flash. Noel thought for a moment. I’m not bothered—it would be a lie if he said that. However, other thoughts more important than that have occupied his mind.

The black sunglasses reflected Noel’s face. His own eyes that were reflected gave the answer. Somehow, he could not stay calm.

“I’ll just deliver my song.”

Noel replied and Revo continued to smile an aloof smile and spoke.

“Then what if I said this?”

After speaking in a casual tone like he was having a normal daily conversation, Revo’s tone dropped ever so slightly. Perhaps he dropped his voice slightly because he wanted to imply something. The words that came next made it immediately clear what he meant.

“Depending on the results of the Paracon ranking, I will request something of you.—you as a musician that is.”

His heart jumped as though it got punched.

This man’s usual speech and actions had ticked Noel off countless times but Revo, as a musician—though the exact words never came out—held feelings of respect for Noel. And that Revo had a request for a “Musician”.

Noel’s heart pulsed strongly and his blood rushed throughout his entire body.

Noel calmed himself down and clenched his fists. Then he cast his eyes downwards and inhaled a deep breath before looking at Revo.

“A request, you mean….?”

Holding back an overly eager heart, Noel asked quietly.

However, Revo only placed his index finger to his own lips and chuckled.

“It’s still a secret now. That‘s also something you can look forward to depending on the results~ Oh dear. I have to leave soon. See you, Noel.”

Revo looked at the clock that was hanging in the studio and cut his conversation short without having said anything relevant. Noel shouted without thinking to get him to stay back.

“Wa….wait a moment! I’m not gonna wait, tell me what it is!”

“If I tell you what you’re looking forward to, then it’s not fun for me.”

“Are you up to something?! I’m telling you to hold it!”

“I’m sort of busy for the preparations for “what’s ahead”~”

Saying that he is busy with such a leisurely tone. Revo turned his back at Noel who wanted to give chase and then while waving one hand lightly, he opened the door to the studio.

“Seriously-, when you’re around, Noe-Noe, things don’t get boring.”

Saying that in a sing-song voice, Revo headed for the door and disappeared from sight. Noel felt like all his questions were evaded. And he also failed to make a retort against the “Noe-Noe”.

(Crap….)

As though to hold down his heart that continued to throb loudly, Noel gripped the front of his chest.

(More than those rumours and stuff, I’m more bothered by what Revo (that guy) wants to request of me…..!)

Collapsing onto the sofa, he covered his face. Then as though to take Revo’s place, Ichizou returned, looking dispirited.

“Uu, as expected, they got angry….And it’s supposed to be our role to trust the artists of our agency too….Eh, what’s wrong, Noel? Revo-san isn’t around though.”

Noel raised his tired face, pointed at the direction of the door and exhaustedly murmured to Ichizou.

“I’ve already got manipulated by his secretive behavior. I’m tired….”

“Ah-….”

Ichizou made a sound that showed the feelings of acceptance better than words and crossed his arms.

“He did such a thing huh, that Revo-san.”

“Yes he did…that guy.”

Noel and Ichizou nodded at each other in a quiet manner then let out sighs at the same time.

*

1 Oct 2014.

That day was, to Noel, his fated day—and it was not an exaggeration to say that.

On the evening of the day when VANISHING STARLIGHT’s [The Nighthawk Star] went on sale. The CDs were already lined up on the shelves of the CD shops one day before as part of “Flying Get” pre-sales bit today was the actual release date.

(T/N: Flying get refers to selling CDs, manga, etc one day before their release date.)

Ichizou was pressing his hand against his chest while standing in front of the window of a large CD shop.

“Nervous & Nervous….! If feels like my heart is bursting…..!”

Standing next to Ichizou, who was chattering his teeth in anxiety by himself,  was a man who was wearing a Parka with the hood lowered over his eyes and black rimmed glasses. He raised his head and gray eyes looked at Ichizou from behind the glasses.

“….Like I said, why are you even more nervous than I am.”

“Rather than that, why are you this calm, Noel?!”

“I could calm down because you’re panicking too much….it just diverges like that….Speaking of which.”

Looking at his own reflection in the show window, Noel made a face and straightened the spectacles that did not suit his face at all.

“Spectacles are bloody annoying.”

Of course these were fashion spectacles that have no degree. Ichizou passed it over to him as soon as they met up.

(T/N: Go google Da-te Megane)

This morning, Ichizou sent a message that said [Before you come over, wear something plain and casual, if possible, something that makes it hard to tell it’s you, Noel! Also, no black clothes!] With a bit of trouble, he chose a deep blue parka and gray pants before heading over.

He thought that what he was wearing was plain but when he met Ichizou, the latter swiftly pulled the hood of the parka on Noel and then shook his head and sighed.

“That didn’t work…..You don’t have any ability for being a Ninja at all, Noel. Our Gonosuke has that kind of talent.”

“I don’t need that kind of talent.”

He did not need it but as expected, it ticked him off to be compared with a five year old child.

Thinking of the exchange they had in the morning, Noel wondered if he had to be told that much and took one more look at his own reflection in the show window. Ichizou who stood next to Noel looked at him and frowned.

“If possible, I would have preferred you wear something like sunglasses—”

“Rejected!”

“Yeah, I thought you would say that….that’s why, at the very least, I prepared spectacles. You’ll be the one who would have problems if you get found out, you know? Who knows if you’ll get swarmed by girls and become stuck?”

“That kind of thing…I’m not a celebrity….”

“No, you’re already one! Have some self-awareness!”

Noel listened to Ichizou angrily rebuke him in a quiet voice. Now that he mentioned it, Noel remembered what his position was right now. Although it was not confirmed, because he had also managed to release CDs, he had technically entered the realm of celebrityhood. Even though that was said, he was barely aware of it.

“Why don’t you realise how much you stand out, Noel?”

Ichizou looked at Noel and tilted his head, thinking how strange it was. Noel also frowned and answered as though it was natural.

“Ah? Is that so, is it my hair?”

“No, other than that, there’s various other things that are flamboyant! In addition, I can say that Revo-san is black but Noel, you also mostly have a black image as well?”

“….Eh.”

“You don’t realise & don’t realise?!”

Noel gave a look of astonishment after hearing Ichizou’s words in which the latter reacted once more with the same astonishment. It was true that the clothes he owned were mostly black….probably. He realised that he had problems when told today to wear something other than black as well. Although he told himself that he was thinking too much about it, a fact is a fact.

“Are you making me not wear black from now on?!”

Angrily yelling at Ichizou after that got pointed out, Ichizou only shook his head unconcernedly. It seemed like he did not think that Noel would be that shocked.

“Eh-, that won’t do. The clothes that you have suit you anyway. Anyway, this is only so that you don’t get found out today.”

Ichizou then had a nervous look and turned towards the direction of the CD shop’s entrance.

“Th, then…..let’s….”

“Damn! I’m going first!”

“Ahh?! Wa, wait up!”

Noel stuck his hands into the pockets of his parka and fairly quickly, passed Ichizou who was not moving forward. Ichizou soon caught up with him and they both stepped foot into the shop that was playing the latest tracks.

Noel surveyed the shop to search for their own CD but could not find them. Just as he walked in thinking that they might be further back in the shop—

“No, Noe, Noel…..!”

Ichizou called Noel in the soft voice, grabbed his shoulder and shook him. Straightening the glasses that became crooked from the shaking, Noel turned to Ichizou.

“What’s with that all a sudden! It hurts, you know!”

Spinning around, Noel could see that Ichizou, with sparkling eyes, had his gaze set in the direction of his foot and was gripping Noel’s shoulder forcefully with an excited expression. Then, with a trembling index finger, he pointed and directed Noel’s line of sight to somewhere lower.

Right next to Noel—were the CDs for [The Nighthawk Star] stacked up at an obvious location that can be seen right when one entered the shop. There were also promotional POP displays showing a considerable amount of zeal. Apparently, the store clerk there had gone for the debut commemoration event and was talking about it with much enthusiasm.

“”Ohhhh…..!””

The two of them let out a loud exclamation and then shot accusatory glances at each other for their volumes.

“….You’re noisy. Didn’t you say I can’t blow my cover?”

Noel made a small jab with his elbow into Ichizou’s side, whispering. Ichizou made a face and gave a forced smile.

“Ouch! That hurts. Noe-I mean you made a sound too.”

“I did not.”

“You did too.”

Noel suddenly turned his face away and he could hear Ichizou’s relieved laughter coming from next to him.

“That’s great….the sale went without a hitch.”

“…..Yeah.”

Once more, Noel returned his line of sight to the CD shelves. He was really delighted to the point that he let out a yell but on the contrary, when he looked at them like this, it did not feel like it was their CDs and it was some other person’s situation. Finding the contradiction in his heart funny, Noel let out a small laugh.

“Excuse me….”

Suddenly there was a small voice coming from behind them and Noel and Ichizou both wheeled around. Standing there was a young girl in her uniform. The young girl’s gazes reached them and then in an instant she looked down. With an even smaller voice, she pointed at the shelf of CDs.

“Can I….take a look over there?”

“Ah! Sorry, please do!”

Ichizou apologized to the young girl in a flustered manner and while pushing Noel’s back, the two of them left the area. The young girl lowered her head as though to excuse herself and then stared at “The Nighthawk Star” CDs.

With Ichizou pushing his back, Noel walked further into the shop and eventually they both came to a stop. After hiding under the cover of the shelves, they looked in the direction of the store entrance. The young girl was still in front of the shelf that had “The Nighthawk Star”. She picked up the CD and stared at its jacket which kept the case shut.

“I wonder if that girl is going to buy it?”

“………Who knows.”

As opposed to what he had said, Noel kept his line of sight in the direction of the young girl. However, the girl had a serious expression. Even when watching from the sidelines, it was clear that she was in a dilemma.

It was like that for a while however in the end, the girl returned the CD that was within her hands back onto the shelf. She looked so distressed it made one think if the girl could be heartbroken at the moment. As though to cut off the lingering attachment that she felt, the girl left the area with haste.

Noel and Ichizou both found strength within their bodies to move.

“….She seems to be a middle school student? That’s definitely an expensive purchase for a kid of that age. Just buying one CD is quite expensive with their kind of pocket money and they probably need money too, to go out with their friends to play….”

“Yeah. It seems that way.”

It was not as though they did not feel disheartened by this. However, it just could not be helped. Just as Noel stood up straight and was about to leave the area.

“Ah!”

Ichizou yanked on the sleeve of Noel’s parka. Then he pointed at a low location where the CDs were being sold earlier.

The young girl who had put the CD back had returned. Once more, she glared at the jacket of the CD and thought long and hard, then….she left. But she returned again.

Watching the girl who was immensely troubled, Noel turned his head towards the CD shelf that was before his eyes. He realised the CDs lined on that shelf were CDs of western music that he wanted in the past.

“….Let’s go already.”

“Already?”

If someone could be so troubled over this, that alone was worth it.

“Even if she could not buy it now, she might be able to buy it in future. I will continue to sing for the sake of that.”

The young girl looked at the shelf in a seemingly regretful manner and then slowly left the place. Watching that scene and feeling that it was really a pity, Ichizou smiled.

“….You’re right. Surely, the next time—Ah.”

A familiar voice rang out and Ichizou felt silent while Noel stopped in his tracks.

The short intro had made him let out a noise without thinking and he frantically covered his mouth. Even so, his mouth started moving when the lyrics played out.

[I’ll aim straight for the skies—]

That singing voice was delivered to people’s ears amongst the buzzing within the shop.

Out of the blue, Noel and Ichizou stared at the speakers that were installed near the ceiling. Noel’s voice resounded through the store. Pointing at the speakers, Ichizou smiled.

“There’s also a chance to listen to it like this.”

Noel nodded as well and the two headed for the exit. Right before they reached the automatic door, a frantic sound of footsteps could be heard and Noel looked over his shoulder on instinct. The girl from earlier had returned to the shelves. She picked up one disc in her hand and stared at the jacket before nodding her head in determination. And with that determined look, the girl went towards that cashier. A smile showed on her face.

“A child at that age takes in various things. A time where everyone just frets over everything.”

Suddenly Ichizou mumbled such words and Noel looked over at him. Perhaps something happened during that time to Ichizou, as cheerful as he was.

“”The Nighthawk Star” would definitely get delivered to that troubled child.”

Ichizou looked at Noel with a joyful gaze. Noel moved his gaze from Ichizou back to the girl.

“……What a huge load on her mind.”

“Yeah, even so, she still bought it.”

What else could she have done with the money she spent on the CD. Surely, there were many things she could have spent it on. Even so, she chose to buy “The Nighthawk Star”. She chose that out of the tens of thousands other pieces of music out there.

(I have to pay back for those thoughts.)

He wanted to deliver the music he made from now on to that girl. He wanted her to think that it was great that she bought that CD, that it was great she showed her support. For that sake—

“…..I don’t think the results from Paracon, the sales numbers, those kind of things are all that determine the worth of this song. But….”

Looking at the CDs stacked in an obvious place, Noel spoke as though he was mumbling.

“Those numbers will acknowledge the music that was worth them spending money on.”

Noel also had financial troubles. When he ran away from his relatives’ house, the factor that determined if he could survive on his own was money. It was only recently that he was able to use the money on music.

“….I thought it was great that I could just make music the way I want, but if no one listens to it then there’s no meaning to it.”

Standing near the shelves where “The Nighthawk Star” was stacked, Noel stared at the jacket of the CD.

“The results of Paracon is more important than I have thought.”

These numbers that anyone could understand were an unshakable fact that the song was acknowledged by people. Noel reached out his hand like he was going to take one CD but he stopped. It was not like he thought of something but he just felt that if he touched the CDs that were lined up at the front of the shop, he might feel more at peace. However, he had already done all that needed to be done. Now he the only thing left was to wait—Just being to wait was annoying though.

The hand that was about to touch the CD went back into the pocket of his parka forcefully and Noel lowered his gaze.

“It’ll be fine. It will be a result that comes from you doing your best, Noel. There was a child who took the plunge and bought it despite being worried!”

Noel looked up upon hearing Ichizou’s words and upon looking in the direction of the cashier, the girl who had a determined expression when she walked over with the CD was saying something to the employee with a delighted look. For some reason Noel got embarrassed and he pulled the hood of his parka lower down.

“…..I’m glad we came over here today.”

“And it would be better if you were happy in a more honest manner.”

“Zip it.”

After he glared daggers at Ichizou, the girl who had completed her payment came closer, hugging the bag containing the CD to her chest. Glancing at the side of her face that was just filled with joy and not a hint of regret, words unknowingly left Noel’s mouth.

“…..Thank you.”

The moment the girl passed by him, the words naturally spilled out. The girl probably thought something was up and Noel noticed her staring at him. However, Noel just overtook her and walked towards the front of the shop.

Ichizou who tailed behind him smiled happily.

“Noel. It looked like that girl noticed, you know?”

“Whatever…I just wanted to say that.”

Ichizou said that in order for Noel to try to keep low but even if he got found out, Ichizou would not get angry. It seemed like he was happy about what happened…..Of course, Noel was happier than the other party was from within his heart but he hid his face with his hood because it seemed like Ichizou would be excessively annoying if he let it show.

“Alright! Then, let’s head for the next store!”

“…so troublesome.”

Even though Noel said that, he walked faster than Ichizou and headed for the next CD shop they had in mind.

*

A week after the official launch of “The Nighthawk Star”.

“The Nighthawk Star” was being played on television, the radio and even in the streets. Did a lot of people take it up or was it very little. The person involved, Noel, was unable to judge the situation accurately but for Noel who never had the chance before now for such a large number of people listen to him, this was more than plenty.

However, he could not feel satisfied. He had made the decision to deliver songs that were more than this to the fans who had expectations and to the people who did not know of VANISHING STARLIGHT.

In addition, today, the date in when the results till now would be displayed as numbers—The weekly ranking charts for Paracon –was closing in.  Other big shot artists and popular artists had overlapping release dates for their CDs. And with that situation, VANISHING STARLIGHT must make it to the top five.

He had a strong sense of determination, however—

“………………………..”

Noel’s eyes were shut. Ichizou grabbed his shoulder and shook it.

“Hey, Noel! Wake up?! I thought you wanted to look at the rankings?!”

A voice yelled loudly and Noel reluctantly opened his eyes.

“Why are you that energetic…..”

“I got nervous so I could not sleep at all! This is max tension!”

Ichizou who had given a thumbs up while smiling to the point that was almost dazzling made Noel contort his face.

“Fucking noisy…..”

The morning of 8 October. The time, five in the morning, when the Paracon Ranking got released was getting closer. Yesterday, Noel said he definitely had to see the rankings, so together with Ichizou, they stayed over at the studio.

After washing his face, finally he could open his eyes properly. If he could not get into the top five—that uneasiness woke him up.

When he went back, Ichizou had opened his notebook laptop. The laptop got out of its standby mode and the screen became brighter. That blue light was also dazzling to his sleepy eyes.

At this time, Ichizou who seemed to be the most nervous was unexpectedly calm. Opening the search site Goggle, he quickly typed in the words “Paracon Ranking Weekly Charts”. The sound of Ichizou’s typing seemed to ring out with Noel’s beating heart and his pulse raced.

Clicking on the first hit after the search was done, and with a bit of lag, the first ten places on the chart were displayed on the screen.

The first was the song from a female group, the second was from a male group, the third went to an overseas artist….After scanning the fifth and the tenth place, Noel’s eyes widened.

The words “The Nighthawk Star” or even “VANISHING STARLIGHT” could not be seen.

“You’re kidding…..!”

While glaring at the display, Noel stood up without thinking.

“Eh? It should not be there though.”

Whose calm voice was that, for an instant, Noel did not know. From the back of the red rimmed glasses, calm eyes stared at Noel, who had stood up, with a curious gaze.

“It should not be there…..”

Ichizou calmly said those words with the same mouth that encouraged Noel by saying that everything will be fine.

Ichizou then clearly spoke to Noel, whose blood was draining from his face, while pointing at the display.

“Because this is the chart from last week.”

The hands of the clock were pointing at 4:55. The charts for this week will only come out in five minutes. Noel froze for a while but at the same time his body moved, he grabbed the front of Ichizou’s shirt.

“Say so earlierrrrrrrrrrr!”

Part of him was embarrassed and the other part was just venting his anger.

“Ehh?! You’re the one who misunderstood by yourself, right?!”

“Shut up! Fuck….It’s your fault that I’m embarrassed!”

“It is not!”

Noel was completely venting his anger and he sat back down into his chair and turned his body away from Ichizou. His face was ridiculously warm. He was definitely still sleepy. And like this, he was now completely awake.

While turned around and sulking, he could hear the sound of Ichizou inhaling sharply. Upon looking at the clock, the hands had already passed five.

Later all they had to do is press the refresh button and the screen would change to the ranking for today.

“Noel….are we good, good to go? I’m going to, going to look, okay?—What?”

Noel nodded at Ichizou who had a nervous pale face.

“Yup. As expected, it’s like you to have this kind of reaction.”

“? More importantly, can we look at the ranking?”

Noel nodded by himself, accepting Ichizou’s nervous reaction and Ichizou, while looking confused, turned back to the display. At the point of time when he was calm, Ichizou had noticed that what was displayed was last week’s chart.

Noel also returned his line of sight to the laptop. Ichizou held on the mouse and looked like he was about to click….then he turned towards Noel with a hesitant expression.

“…..Is it really okay, Noel?!”

“Just do it already!”

Noel slammed the table where the laptop was on when Ichizou hesitated at this period of time.

“Didn’t you say that the results will come from me doing my best on the day of release?! Didn’t the you at that time believe in my music?!”

“I do believe in it! Why are you that doubtful, Noel?!”

“Because you keep quivering!”

“Isn’t that normal! For something this important! I’m ready to click anytime once you give the word!”

“Are you scared or are you hasty? Which is it?! Then let’s just see it already!”

“Al, alright….I’m clicking.”

Once more, Ichizou’s index finger reached for the mouse.

Noel will decide what to do from now on depending on the results.

And with there was a click sound.

Ichizou clicked on the refresh button with a look of resolution. Perhaps the internet was slow- there was some lag. During that time, Ichizou put his hands together and closed his eyes tightly like he was praying. On the contrary, Noel continued to stare at the screen.

His chest hurt from the unease and anticipation. He had a sense of anticipation or something even at this kind of time. How confident of him. The corner of Noel’s lips turned up a little.

For a split second, the display of the laptop turned pure white then gradually, the results displayed on the screen. The words appeared and then in the next moment, the images appeared.

The square images showed the results of the newest Paracon weekly ranking charts. At first, the words or the images that were displayed did not enter his head. The sound of the fan of the laptop venting out hot air was surprisingly loud.

He then heard the sound of Ichizou gulping.

“Noel…..!”

Noel knew that the other party’s eyes were looking in his direction but Noel’s gaze did not leave the display. He still could not comprehend what was before him. He read those words in his head over and over again.

Third place The Nighthawk Star VANISHING STARLIGHT

“Third place…..?”

Once he mumbled those words, Ichizou shouted next to him.

“Yeah, it’s third place, you know, third place! THIRD PLACE!”

In response to Ichizou’s excitement, Noel slowly pointed at the screen and stared at him.

“….This…is dated today?”

“It’s for today! There’s no mistake! The debut song got third place! That’s remarkable, Noel!”

Noel only continued to stare at the words on the screen.

Third place The Nighthawk Star VANISHING STARLIGHT

Ichizou removed his glasses and wiped off the tears that have welled up then he gradually realized that Noel was motionless and called out to him.

“Noel? Why do you have such a grim expression?”

Still with an expression that could be called grim, Noel shot a sharp look at Ichizou.

This was amazing. That was why he felt doubtful. It was true that he had confidence that he made a great song but could this be true?

“….Is this your doing? No, that Sunglasses’ doing?”

Hearing what Noel said, Ichizou closed his mouth shut and froze but he quickly spoke loudly while pointing at his laptop.

“It’s not like that! Look, look at it once more! If you’re skeptical, then press the refresh button more times!

An excited Ichizou clicked the mouse button many times in succession.

No matter how many times the page refreshed itself, the ranking order did not change.

“It is indeed third place, Noel! It’s not a dream or a fantasy, this is real!”

Real. The word that Ichizou said finally fell with a thud onto Noel.

“y…..!”

The next moment, Noel’s shout of delight could be heard in the morning studio.

They were accepted. The results were clearly displayed in terms of numbers like this.

(In this case….)

Revo wanted to request something of him as a “Musician”. Wouldn’t that mean that that was proof that Revo had acknowledged Noel as a Musician? Noel trembled at that thought.

He had become a bit closer to Revo.

For that sake, he had to resolve the things that happened in the past.

*

On the day when the Paracon results were released, Noel managed to make a phone call in between the people who rushed over, the calls and the messages that came to congratulate him.

The party that received his call was the one who took the leader position of the trio who used to be in his band- Yuuki.

Of course he should have already seen the Paracon results as well. Noel thought that Yuuki would say something over the phone but the latter did not utter a word until Noel spoke first. Then after telling Yuuki that he would be waiting at the studio where they had a talk before,

[…..Got it.]

He only heard that short reply from the phone then the call was immediately cut. He had expected that the call would turn into an argument but Yuuki’s voice was so calm to the point it sounded cold.

Ichizou, who seemed to have been unable to sleep a wink because he was concerned about the Paracon results, woke up from his nap—Noel also did not manage to sleep much but—When he told Ichizou that he was going to meet Yuuki and the other two that evening, the latter said he would come along as well.

“What are you going to do even if you’re there? Even if you’re there, you’re not used to brawls and you’ll just get in the way.”

“You shouldn’t be getting into fights! I’m going to be there so that I can keep watch and confirm the facts with them. Didn’t they promise that they will explain the truth behind the matter to their fans? I want to make sure of that.”

“What kind of manager-like stuff are you saying.”

“I am your manager! Even though I also forgot about that recently!”

After shooting back at Noel who spoke in a half joking, half serious manner, Ichizou suddenly averted his gaze and dropped his voice.

“….As expected, when it’s just Noel, it makes me feel immensely uneasy….”

“Oi, what do you mean by that.”

Ichizou’s soft mumbling did not escape Noel’s ears. Ichizou pretended not to hear Noel’s question with a stiff expression. Then, Noel’s phone vibrated for an instant in his pocket – it was a notification for an incoming message. Usually, Noel would just leave it but this time, he stopped pressing Ichizou for answers and took out his mobile phone immediately. The mail came from one of the staff members who was part of the team.

(Not this one huh….)

It was a congratulatory message from one of the comrades who produced “The Nighthawk Star” together with him. Of course he was glad. But on the contrary, he was a bit disappointed as well.

He had not received any calls or messages from Revo.

(And I told him the results pretty early too…..)

What in the world was the request that he wanted to ask of Noel as a “Musician”?

As though to hide his impatient feelings, Noel shoved his phone back into his pocket.