While still not being able to utter a word, Noel ended up in front of the studio. There was nothing but despair through that door.

“Noe-Noe is here!”

What happened to the serious attitude in the car—Revo’s called out in a bright voice, patting Noel with a thump on the shoulder.

The gazes of the staff members and the band members who were done with their preparation turned to Noel. Then they welcomed Noel just like how they always did.

“Is your body alright already, Noel?”

“Though I feel that you can just go for the performance without the rehearsals—“

“He’s got amazing explosive power after all.”

If it were the usual him, he would have confidently replied with an “of course” and lead the way himself.

But now, that was not possible.

“Noel?”

Noel who had not said anything looked suspicious – No, they called out to him because they were sure he was acting strangely.

He had already decided that he could not do this. This was not the time to rest. He had failed as a pro. He understood. He understood all of this and he thought he could do something about this, but yet he could not even make a bit of sound.

The anxiety caused his breathing to become ragged and his field of view narrowed in. Even though there was nothing on him, his shoulders felt as heavy as though something was clinging onto it. He was looking downwards as well.

“Noel.”

That voice reached Noel’s ear in a straight line like the glittering of starlight, and he raised his face. The first thing that entered his sight were pitch black sunglasses. He could see the starry night sky in the light that reflected off the sunglasses.

“Your songs can reach anyone. And for the sake of that, I intend to do whatever I can. And this is one of those things. I’m glad it made it in time.”

Revo handed Noel a two-toned guitar case that was black and blue.

“Open it up.”

Noel did not have the energy to retaliate. He wordlessly accepted the item and opened the case.

(What… is this?)

It was a guitar that was designed with a fusion of a burning blue flame and a silver wing. That flame wing was giving off a sparkle from within them. Subconsciously, Noel touched its surface and lifted the guitar up. Revo pointed the twelfth fret that was in the middle of the guitar. He noticed that there was a word there, like it was floating among the blue flame.

(Ah….)

[Noël]

Then Revo’s finger shifted, this time pointing at the guitar head.

[VANISHING STARLIGHT]

It was obvious proof who this guitar was made for.

(My….)

Vast feelings of joy spread out within his chest.

…….but at the moment, that just lead up to his despair increasing by many folds. Noel put in strength to the beautiful guitar.

(Even if I receive something, like this……I can’t do anything now!)

His guitar skills were still not as good as YUKI or Leda. It was meaningless if his voice, or song could not come out. The guitar would mean nothing as well.

That crossed his mind and Revo, acting at his own pace, placed the guitar across Noel’s body with the strap.

“Now that looks right. Go on then, deliver your song.”

Revo’s hand pushed Noel’s back and Noel’s body stood in front of the microphone. Without him realising it, the band members of VANISHING STARLIGHT were standing by.

(Impossible….)

If he stood in front of the microphone, perhaps he would be able to sing. He held such a small expectation. However, even if he was seen standing in front of the microphone, his voice would not come out. He knew even if he did not try. The microphone did not pick up the sound of him exhaling.

At Revo’s signal, the members performed [The Nighthawk Star].

The usual Noel would have sung with all he could at this instant, but his body was not able to respond.

The voice that rode on these sounds could not be formed right now. No matter the situation. No matter what he did. Tears of frustration were on the verge of spilling out.

(It’s already useless.)

• Your song can reach anyone.

Revo’s words crossed his mind and a burst of hot angry flares shook within Noel’s chest.

(Reach anyone? But who is this “anyone”? I can’t reach anyone at all!)

He shut his eyes tightly and glared at the image of Revo that appeared at the back of his eyelids.

(Who is that precious person of yours? You said you brought them along but there isn’t anyone here, is there?! Are you going to say that only I can reach that person?! Even if they’re here, to do that for someone who I don’t even know….)

The Revo who appeared within Noel’s eyes stared at him. Noel opened his eyes and raised his head.

When Noel opened his eyes, Revo was staring at him from behind his sunglasses.

Noel surveyed the inside of the studio. Even though there was someone who looked at Noel with worry, there did not seem to be anyone who looked like they were in a concerning situation —except for Noel.

(Don’t tell me….)

He did not know what that person was pondering about behind those jet-black sunglasses, but that gaze was not directed at anyone else, just at Noel. Only that he could be sure of.

—Go on then, deliver your song.

Revo said this and pushed Noel from the back. Even now, he was still staring at Noel.

(Is this, about me…singing for my own sake….?)

This song existed for the people who listened to it. Something like singing for his own sake had never crossed his mind. He made a song from the first emotions that gushed up from within him. Joy filled Noel just from being able to sing the song from the bottom of his heart.

This song was made for someone’s sake, [with exception of himself].

While thinking that he “wanted his songs to reach anyone”, Noel had excluded himself from the framework of that world.

After all, he was an existence that was not needed in this world.

—because the mother who gave birth to me thought of it that way. She wished for it to be that way.

(That’s wrong……!)

No matter what other people thought, Noel existed in this world. That was why [The Nighthawk Star] could be completed, reaching many people. If he was really not needed in this world, then surely there would not be such a good reception.

Each person who listened to Noel’s songs was given a message that resonated with them.

Many people spent money for the sake of Noel’s songs, and that result was solidified in numbers and displayed on a chart.

Revo was looking at himself.

(I’m here. Even if I’m in this world…. it’s alright.)

There was always something weighing on his body in a painful manner, but his feet were not on the ground and he just floated and wavered. However, finally at this moment, the soles of Noel’s feet stepped on the surface of this world. It felt like a crisp outline had appeared around the fuzzy image of his own body.

(This song was created for the sake of pushing someone forward.)

Noel merely wanted to deliver this thought, so perhaps he never thought of receiving the song which contained such thoughts himself.

Pushing the back of those who listened to his songs.

Noel perked up his ears. His pulsing heart, the blood that coursed through his body, the small ringing in his ears……the sound of his band members’ performance that leapt in.

(Listen, Noel.)

The heaviness that weighed upon his body till it was unable to move vanished. He lightly touched his guitar and faced straight forward.

(With this song, I can live.)

Grabbing the microphone, he pulled it towards his lips.

(It’s alright if I live. I have to live!)

The inside of his head, his whole body and his throat vibrated strongly, and a voice that came close to screaming surged up from Noel.

The last part of the song. Screaming that eleven word message.

“—since I am alive, I will burn until the very end!”

This was the most soulful scream he had till now.

“That was great.”

Someone’s voice suddenly brought Noel back to his senses.

“….I sung….”

Noel whispered and then placed his hand against his throat. Then he tried making a few rounds of “ah” sounds. His voice came out.

There were sounds coming from around Noel. Someone shook the shoulders of the shocked Noel and he turned to look at his band members.

“Noel is completely in ac-ti-va-tion mode!”

“Or rather, it’s an upgrade?”

The band members said as such, misunderstanding in a good way but Noel was still distracted and could not say anything.

Noel stared at his own palm. After the instant that his voice came out, a load that was that heavy lifted from his body and his head and heart felt refreshed. It could probably said that the state of his mind right now was as though an evil spirit was lifted.

While clapping his hands with a “pachi, pachi”, Revo went in front of Noel.

“That scream just now was pretty good. Even though it’s just a scream.”

Noel stared in the direction of Revo’s sunglasses. Though he could not see through it, he still tried to read the other party.

Did Revo notice that he was unable to use his voice? Just when Noel wanted to question Revo about that—

“Noellllllllllllll!”

A loud teary voice rang out and Ichizou had rushed towards him.

“This is great & greatttttttt! And I was worried about what to do too!”

“Ah—geez—! You’re so noisy!”

“Yell at me with all your might, Noel!”

The band members and staff looked over at Noel and at Ichizou who was on the verge of tears, wondering what had happened. Pulling away Ichizou who was wiping his own eyes that were brimming with tears with a wry smile, Noel turned straight to the onlookers and bowed his head.

He was where he was now because of these people who supported him.

“I’m sorry for suddenly taking a break. I had some….trouble.”

Noel raised his head and smiled to reassure everyone who was here.

“But thanks to all of you, I’m going to show the purpose of this song even more than what has been done before.”

For the sake of those who have supported him. For the sake of himself who was fearful. For the sake of someone who he had not met yet. He believed that he could keep on singing.

Revo walked over and stood in front of Noel. He shrugged his shoulders in a way that seemed to say “good grief”.

“Non-Non is a simple person after all.”

“Who’s simple, damn you. And why am I Non-Non? There’s not a trace left of the original name.”

“I’m praising you, Non-Non.”

“It doesn’t make me happy, you shitty sunglasses!”

Laughter started to rise up in response to Noel’s usual snapping at Revo. Noel felt comforted by the air of the place that was just like always.

(I’m fine. I can sing.)

If it was this sort of environment, he could definitely be assured that he would be alright.

Revo took a step closer to Noel and spoke softly.

“But, I did get a bit anxious, you know?”

As expected, Revo noticed it. However, even when Noel looked at his face, as per usual, his expression could not be read.

“……You’re lying, shitty producer.”

This problem that Noel could not solve by himself was settled this easily. Feeling vexed, Noel glared at Revo with all his heart… however he could not do it as well as he usually did. For some reason or another, feelings of gratitude were seeping out of him.

Noel only clenched his fist tightly and lashed it out towards Revo’s brow. Without looking surprised, Revo smiled slightly. The wind pressure from the fist that stopped right before his sunglasses only caused his black hair to sway.

After an instant of silence, a buzzing sound came from around Noel and he smiled.

“I’ll return this favour during the celebratory event. I’m going to give you a thrashing, just you wait and see.”

Noel’s heart burned even more when Revo did not even seem shocked at a fist being hurled towards him. He really wanted to wreck that expression of his.

“I look forward to it.”

Revo said, then lightly bumped Noel’s fist with his own.

*

The footfalls of six people rang out in the streets in the middle of the night. Five people walked behind a man dressed in complete black, being brought along by him. Noel thought that an onlooker who saw them would think that they were a pretty suspicious looking group, but fortunately there was hardly anyone around.

Revo hummed a song in a good mood as the sound of his footsteps were heard, and Noel caught up from behind him.

“Hey, can you just tell me where we’re going already?”

“Well well, just come along with me. Nothing bad is going to happen.”

“Why are you only able to say such suspicious lines….”

Without stopping his tracks, Revo replied Noel. With that tone that sounds like he was thoroughly enjoying himself, it does not seem that Noel would get his answer no matter how many times he asked. Not being to do anything else, Noel could only follow that black back.

“Oh right, just a reminder but once the celebration event is over, we have to return here immediately, ok?”

“I got it.”

Perhaps there was some kind of rule, but Noel got reminded multiple times. He did not know if there was any reason for them to have to stay long term in the world that they were heading towards either. Noel nodded every time he was told about that.

Ichizou’s voice could be heard from behind Noel.

“I wonder if anyone would think that we’re a suspicious organisation, walking in a crowd like this in the middle of the night….”

“You don’t have to worry about something like that! If we get taken in for questioning, we’ll just make something up! Leaving that aside, I’m really looking forward to what’s going to happen-!”

Eiji cackled as he hit Ichizou’s shoulder, then he overtook Noel and followed Revo.

At this moment, Noel and the rest were being brought to another world by Revo. The six people in the group were Revo, who was leading the way, Noel, Ichizou then Eiji, Yamaguchi and Marie.

However, Revo only told them to follow along and things like how they were going to get there, where could they go to when they were there, in the end, he did not know. And like that, Noel and the rest could only follow Revo’s black back.

Why were they following Revo who did not tell them anything at all—Noel thought in amazement as he walked though it was his own decision. Then he noticed. Revo looking like he was having fun became the reason above all to follow him. Noel himself was excited about what kind of world was going to be shown to him. Surely the other four had the same mindset, so they decided to follow Revo.

“Speaking of which, Noel-san. The other band members have gone ahead to that side?”

Hearing Yamaguchi’s calm voice from behind him, Noel turned his head over his shoulder then slowed down his steps to walk alongside the other party.

“Yeah. They seem to have their own individual activities in the world at the other side. What busy fellas.”

Noel was happy that he got to form a band with people like that. He praised them and without thinking, his tone leapt.

“They’re really individuals with skill, aren’t they?”

“They really are. They really set a high bar for me. Give me a break already.”

“That sounds fun.”

Yamaguchi’s words that were full of sincerity made Noel somewhat embarrassed. Right now, it could be easily seen that he was in a celebratory mood. However, Noel acknowledged those feelings in a frank manner and smiled at Yamaguchi.

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

Seeing Noel’s expression, Yamaguchi’s calm smile grew wider.

“I’m also enjoying myself despite being at this age.”

“It doesn’t really look that way though.”

Noel showed a wry smile, then all of a sudden, Yamaguchi turned his head around. Noel followed that line of sight and there was Marie, tailing after them a short distance behind. It seemed that Yamaguchi was taking care not to leave who was walking behind him too far behind.

That Marie had been talking less and less since the start. Without realising that both Noel and Yamaguchi had turned to look at her, she looked around, fidgeting, looking like she was not able to calm down.

“What’s wrong?”

Noel spoke to Marie and her shoulders jolted in fright, then she looked at Noel and shook her head left and right with large movements.

“It, it’s nothing?! There’s nothing wrong at all! I’m probably just about nervous about the whole thing.”

Marie frantically replied Noel as such, then she laughed, covering her lips. While keeping her mouth covered with her hand, she looked around herself again. It was not a look of nervousness. It seemed that she was wary about her surroundings.

Noel shot a look of suspicion at Marie and when she saw the expression before her, her face stiffened. It was dark so Noel could not get a good look, but she seemed to look pale.

A gentle night wind blew past, carrying a sweet smell. When Noel looked to the front, Revo, who had been walking before all of them came to a stop.

The lights were off and the shutter had been pulled down but it seemed like they were in front of some kind of shop. And there, Revo turned his head and looked back.

“Here we are.”

“Ehhh?!”

 Upon hearing Revo’s words, the one who gave the most obvious exclamation of surprise was Marie. Everyone’s line of sight turned to Marie and she covered her mouth and lowered her head, flustered.

Noel looked up at the sign board. The words [FLOWER ASATO] was written on it.

“Ah, this is a florist shop? Oh yeah, you said you have a friend who worked at a florist shop. It wouldn’t happen to be this one, would it?”

Noel turned his head over to look at Marie as he pointed at the sign board and she nodded with a stiff smile and awkward movements.

“Ye, yes, th, that’s it……! Um, this is just an ordinary florist shop, do you mean somewhere else….?”

Marie asked Revo nervously as though she was cowering about something and he pointed, not straight at the florist shop but adjacent to it.

“Not the flower shop. Here.”

Revo said and he entered a narrow side street that was adjacent to the florist shop. The absence of lights made the path dark and the back of Revo’s black form melted into the space. Before he could no longer be seen, Revo turned his head around.

“If you guys don’t keep up, you won’t be able to reach the other world, you know?”

Noel who had spaced out suddenly came back to his senses and turned his head back to the rest of the bewildered group.

“It’s really suspicious but we can only follow him right now.”

Noel said and he chased after Revo. And following Noel’s movements, the sound of footsteps was made. But—-

“Bu, but, this place should be a dead end!”

Marie’s confused voice could be heard. Because she said that this was the florist shop where her friend worked at, it seems like she knew the area well. But since Revo said that this was the place, there was surely a world that they have not seen before on the other side. Noel was going to sing there. And he wanted to show her that scene.

Marie was petrified, her face full of confusion and hesitation. When Noel thought till that point, he grabbed her wrist. Marie’s face that was of complete confusion suddenly changed to that of surprise and she stared hard at Noel’s face.

“You want to hear my songs, don’t you? Let’s go.”

Noel walked while pulling on a petrified Marie’s wrist.

“Ye….yes!”

Replying with a voice that cracked into a falsetto, Marie also followed closely.

After making sure that Marie was following, Noel released her wrist and hastened his pace. Then he caught up with Revo. When Noel raised his head without thinking, the other party was covering his own mouth and had turned to look at him. However, Revo had not managed to hide the corners of his broad grin.

“What the hell are your grinning about?”

“Eh~ nothing~?”

“Stop making that face! It’s freaking annoying! What is it already?!”

Noel yelled angrily at Revo, but he only grinned and never answered Noel’s question. And it was not just Revo; it was dark so he could not be completely sure about it but Ichizou and Eiji and even Yamaguchi were looking at him with strangely compassionate gazes. However, he felt that he would lose if he reacted to them, so Noel only continued walking, stomping on the ground as he did.

“This path….”

While Noel was in the middle of feeling how uncomfortable this was, he heard Marie, who had been silent till now, speak.

“Shouldn’t be this long….”

Speaking of which, Marie did say that this was supposed to be a dead end. Was it that her memory was mistaken or was the road extended without her knowing, or was it—

(Because this road is linked to another world….?)

There were no streetlights so it was dark. As they proceeded forward, they weaved between structures that possibly looked like buildings. However, even if he looked around, he could see nothing but dark walls. It was almost as though they were walking in darkness itself.

When he looked, he could see a thin strip of night sky between the buildings. He saw a bit of it earlier, but now the moon was extremely thin as though it could disappear any time and the stars were quite visible.

Noel walked as he stared at the twinkling stars and then there was an instant when it felt like the twinkling of the stars got brighter. Actually, it should have been just an instant of a small twinkling, but it felt like he was going to get sucked into that light.

Without thinking, he stopped in his tracks and looked ahead of himself. Nothing changed from earlier, Revo’s black back was there.

“Noel?”

Ichizou’s voice called out to him from behind. He turned around and it seemed like the rest did not see anything. They just stared at Noel who had suddenly stopped walking, puzzled.

Was it just a trick of the eye— no, that should not be the case. He returned a gaze to Revo, seeking answers. But at that moment, he was able to see the light from the streetlights coming from that direction.

Without giving a reply to Ichizou and the rest who were looking at him strangely, Noel quickened his pace to chase after Revo.

His heart was beating loudly. It did not come from the feeling of unease but from the feelings of anticipation that had already grown.

Revo’s form was illuminated by the streetlamp. He turned to look at the rest and made a theatrical bow. As though he was an actor standing under a spotlight.

“Welcome.”

Being guided by that voice, Noel’s feet stepped onto the concrete that was shone on by the streetlight. He had expected that there might be at least some sort of special sensation, but it was just plain ordinary concrete. Even so, his heart beat loudly in excitement.

Marie, who was following behind, murmured as she was stunned.

“This kind of……That road is supposed to be a dead end……I passed by that area many times since I was born but we could exit to this kind of place……”

“True. Somehow, this is a place we do not know about—and it seems to be our destination.”

Yamaguchi was staring at somewhere far off. Noel followed the line of sight and his eyes widened.

“That place is……”

The words reflected in his wide opened eyes were – [LINE CUBE SHIBUYA].

*

26 October. He has been in this world for a night already, but Noel could not sleep well and woke up when it was dawn.

At some point of time, he arrived in front of LINE CUBE SHIBUYA and for a while, everyone stared at the words LINE CUBE SHIBUYA, but they were told by Revo that they would come over the next day and showed them to the hotel that they were arranged to stay at. They were told to prepare their luggage in advance and the luggage had been sent to their rooms in the reserved hotel.

He had thought that he would probably sleep well from the physical exhaustion to the body from coming to this world but it felt like they had not even walked one kilometre. He did not feel tired at all.

Noel looked down from the window of the hotel that was reserved for the group. As far as he could see, the cluster of buildings were also present in the world where he came from, but the scenery was a little different. Most likely the arrangement of the buildings and towers that stood out and the colours as well as the topography were different.

Suddenly he thought of Ichizou sending a message to a “Falsely similar LINE” using the social networking service  LANE. This place was definitely a falsely similar world. Even so, the people who were waiting for Noel lived in this world.

While watching the street become brighter, Noel breathed in the fresh air deeply, showing a broad smile.

*

In the waiting room prepared for the group, Noel lightly touched the guitar that he received from Revo –FLYING NIGHTHAWK.

The rehearsal right before the opening act for Sound Horizon’s Major Debut Tenth Anniversary fan event celebration had also ended smoothly so all there was left was the actual performance itself. Since they came here, he had checked over and over again multiple times and for today and tomorrow, there were two live performances each, so doing all this was a given so that he could perfectly give his all for all four performances. However, because things have been going so smoothly, he was uneasy. If he was going to make a mistake, if he made a mistake during the performance, would he be able to recover from it—Noel shook his head, thinking that he needed to loosen up. In order to have a stage performance with no mistakes, they had been piling on their practices until now, so it was fine. They had to be perfect even during the rehearsals. He was probably just feeling weak in the knees because of the nervous pressure he had.

With a slap, Noel hit both his cheeks, stood in front of the mirror and glared at himself.

“Calm down. This is not like me. If I go on like this, I’m gonna flub during the actual performance which would be terrible to watch.”

There was a small knocking sound—or so it seemed. Raising his face and looking at the door, there was no longer any sound. Just when he smiled wryly to himself, thinking that he was hearing an auditory hallucination out of nervousness, there was a knock after all.

Noel made a response to the knock. However, the door did not open at all. Noel tilted his head, and when he placed his hand on the doorknob as though to open it, the door slowly opened. Then when he looked in the direction of the thing behind the door, his field of vision was dyed red. Noel became alert—then when he saw what the object was, he felt his energy leave at one go.

“Wha…”

“Heave ho.”

(T/N: Heave ho just sounded weird. You all know how the platelets in Hataraku Saibou always go Yoi-sho, yoi-sho? Same thing.)

A muffled voice said and then what entered the room with some struggle was a character costume that was a red and white rabbit with a head that was shaped like an onion.

After straightening its head that wobbled after bowing, the character costume raised its right arm. It was holding a bag of something in its right arm.

Then he could hear a falsetto that sounded somewhat familiar.

“Hi, Noel! I am Bunny-on – on! RevoP wanted to pass something to you so I brought it –Brought -on!”

(T/N: Bunny-on speaks with an “on” sound at the back of its statements)

This guy just made a mistake on its characteristic.  Noel was saying that with his eyes but most likely the one that was inside could not see him.

“What are you doing….Ichizou.”

“I, Ichizou? Who’s that- on? I don’t know-on! There isn’t a person in here-on!”

“Heh–.”

Noel stared at the part where the air hole was, which was where the other party’s face probably was. Not even three seconds passed and the red and white costumed character fidgeted and calmed down before a sigh could be heard from the airhole. Then he heard Ichizou’s usual voice.

“……Um, this thing is called Bunnyon. A friend from BUNNY ONION asked me to do this because he wanted some advertisement for the company….Ah, areh? I can’t get it off.”

It seems like Ichizou was trying to remove Bunnyon’s head for a while but in the end, he could not get it off and gave up.

“I thought if you saw this, it might ease some of your nerves. A costumed character is therapeutic, you know!”

“This, is therapeutic….?”

“Eh-? Everyone said that this was cute though.”

Noel stared unblinkingly at Bunnyon’s red and white face. Rather than being therapeutic, the first feeling he had was that of wariness.

“Even if it’s just a bit, I wanted to help you in this way, Noel. If I did this, I could encourage you and even fire the audience up a little bit.”

“Well…It drained me instead.”

“Eh?! Is that okay?! Is it bad?!”

“Whatever.”

While speaking to Ichizou, Noel realized that whatever extra energy he had in his body had whittled away.

“Ah. There’s this too. Revo-san wanted me to pass this to you.”

Ichizou held out the sack that he had in his left hand. When Noel saw that, he received the bag, leaping at it. It was the cookies he got from Revo in the past after he managed to come up with “The Nighthawk Star”.
“Is he serious!”

“….So it’s sweets that decisively got you excited….”

“Of course. I’m not a kid. Which grown man would get excited over a costumed character?”

“You’re excited over sweets though……”

That was also true. Noel was stuck in his words, but he retorted immediately to what Ichizou pointed out.

“The, these sweets are not available anywhere else except for this world! You would know if you tried it!”

“Yes yes.”

“Are you looking down on me?! These are really damn delicious, okay?!”

Noel was seriously yelling in a furious manner at Ichizou who chuckled within the costumed character. From the day Noel was born, he had never felt this much impact when it came to food. He was determined that he was going to get Ichizou to eat it and become shocked as well….When he was not wearing the costume that is.

“Then I’m going to go before the audience.”

Ichizou walked off with his head shaking—no, that would be Bunnyon. Noel called out to his back.

“…We’ll be counting on you to grab the audience, Bunnyon.”

Hearing Noel’s words, Ichizou—Bunnyon turned his large head back and without any change in his expression, that voice was spilling with joy and motivation.

“You too, Noel! I look forward to the best live! Good luck-on!”

“I really can’t loosen up after all.”

While watching Bunnyon leave with unsteady steps, a wry smile floated on Noel’s face for a while before it gradually it turned to a smile of confidence.

After a while, someone knocked on the door, and the face of a staff member poked in and addressed Noel.

“Noel-san, it’s about time.”

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. After watching the dazzling twinkling stars in the back of his eyes. Noel opened them and stood up from his chair.

“Yeah, alright.”

The monitor that displayed the entire venue became dark. The guests also turned off their electronic devices and the entire area became enveloped in darkness. However, cheers of anticipation that rose up.

Noel’s body was enveloped with light that were like stars.

The voices and claps from each and every person in the venue bounced around.

Noel opened his eyes and the sparkle of blue stars entered his irises. In an instant, he felt like he was thrown into space.

(They’re pretty….)

One by one, the twinkling blue stars seemed to welcome Noel.

“Noel-!”

The voices that called out to Noel reached his ears like a comet.

He was welcome here. The people here were waiting for Noel.

(Yeah. I’m here. I have come here! Lend me your ears!)

For the sake of delivering this song, he had come all the way here.

The sound of the FLYING NIGHTHAWK sped up and Noel’s singing was released at each of the blue stars.

“I’ll aim straight for the skies to outrun my sadness—”

Noel sung as he was enveloped in the light of the blue stars.

These were the people who were waiting for Noel. He was able to reach this place because he was saved, helped and supported.

(I am happy.)

Because he continued to live, not losing to his despair, the days when he could sing like this had arrived.

The letter that he received from his mother in his memories crossed his mind.

Noel could say it clearly now that that letter did not seal his fate.

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

That was all he could read on that barely legible letter. Those words had always remained carved within the recesses of Noel’s memories, into his core.

(You….did not have anyone to support you….?)

Being disowned by their own parents, losing a loved one and then only having their child left. Noel was unable to imagine to mental state of someone who had to give birth to and raise a child alone. However, he understood the feelings of helplessness of someone who had no one to depend on. No matter how many people there were, one would feel nothing but loneliness if they did not connect with anyone. And there was a child, an existence that was like a shackle that one could not cut off even if they wanted to.

(Was I in the way? Was I not needed? Or—)

She might have hated Noel. If that were the case, then he would live with all his might and fight back. He felt it was like that, but there was something that bothered him.

The light purple flowers that he was given – he was quite sure they were called Shion—swayed in his mind.

(Or….Did you regret it when you thought about me?)

Perhaps if someone supported Noel’s mother, then she might not have abandoned her child—abandoned Noel—such thoughts of helplessness must have crossed her mind.

These were merely conjectures. However, after having such speculations, there was something that Noel could do from now on.

What one can say with certainty was that Noel was born and that he was here now. There was no mistake, the fact was that she gave birth to Noel.

Even though he lived a life that could not be considered blessed, right now, the Noel who was singing “The Nighthawk Star” could believe that he was happier than anyone else. If was also great that he could deliver these feelings to others. If he could, he wanted to share these feelings with someone.

(I can think like this because I feel fulfilment….?)

He could no longer change the past. The fact that Noel was abandoned by his mother could not be changed. However, from now on, before someone had to make decisions that were like those of a mother abandoning a child, he wanted this song to become their pillar of support. Furthermore, no matter where his mother was now, he wanted this song to reach her.

“—It’s alright if I die!”

Even if he died, he wanted this song to reach someone, to stay in their hearts and become some sort of sustenance for them.

Noel sucked in a deep breath as though he was taking in the energy of the entire area into himself and gave his all to shout out the final phrase.

“—as long as I’m alive, I’ll burn until the end!”

He wanted to tell the rest that he could burn like this because he was alive.

Noel’s shout that came from all his energy rang out within LINE CUBE SHIBUYA.

*

His body was floating in the middle of warm water.

It was a dream that he dreamt of often during his childhood days.

He left his body to this comfortable feeling, but he suddenly realized something.

(…This isn’t right.)

He was in a place that was warm, where he could feel comfortable and secure. It was the same as the dream he saw often. However, Noel noticed that this was not his usual dream.

(There’s…no sound.)

In his usual dream, he should hear the gurgling of the water, the slow heartbeat from far away and the slightly more rapid heartbeat from a shorter distance away.

There was no sound at all. He could not hear. What he knew was that there was a feeling that someone was next to him.

The lack of sound—there was nothing scarier than that in reality. However, the Noel within this dream did not know what sort of thing sound was. It seemed like he did not have the concept of sound or what not in the first place. Therefore, even though he could not hear anything, he did not feel lonely or uneasy. Because only here, could he feel warm and at peace.

When Noel closed his eyes. He felt a small pulse within his head. Noel perked up his ears when he noticed the pulse.

He could hear the sound of the heart next to him make one more thump. But since that beat, he could not hear anything else from beside him anymore. What he could hear was the sound of the slow heartbeat from far away and another heartbeat that was closer than the one that was beside him.

There should have been three sets of heart beats, but at some point of time, he could only hear two.

The heartbeat that he could hear clearly from the start right beside him could no longer be heard anymore. This was a place that was supposed to put Noel at ease but he, who was watching the dream, could not bear with the unease, the sadness, and the loneliness.

(Why did it disappear……?)

The thing that was always beside him had vanished. He noticed the feeling of loss when he opened his eyes.

*

The white ceiling of the hotel was dim and shaky. Noel got up when he felt coldness at the edge of his eyes. The water that spilt from his eyes seemed to be remnants of his dream. He wiped it off and finally he realised that he had been crying.

“Why….?”

The contents of the dream were different from usual. At first there was no sound then he heard the heart beats, then….one of the three heart beats disappeared. It was not like the dream he usually had. It was supposed to be him hearing all three heart beats and then all the sounds disappearing, then he would wake up after that had ended.

It almost felt like the dream today had a continuation.

And what stuck out to him as different more than anything was that he had a strong sense that this was his dream. Even now, he always thought that this was a dream about him, however, for today, he had a sense that was stronger than any time before that this was really about him.

Noel pressed down on his racing heart.

“Then, all the dreams before……?”

If they were not his dreams, than whose dreams were they?

There was a sparkling light from something in the corner of Noel’s vision. When he directed his gaze over, the light of the window reflecting the morning sun from the slightly open curtain was shining into his eyes.

The second day when they were in this world had arrived.

The night had ended and morning had arrived.

Noel stared at the mirror that was installed inside the hotel room. Because he woke up crying, he carefully checked that his eyes were not swollen or bloodshot.

With a feeling of relief, Noel looked at his own face in the mirror. The gray eyes also looked back at Noel from the other side.

“What was that….”

He tried asking the reflection, but even though there should not be any response, he still held a small expectation. He felt a sense of stupidity and loneliness acting like that.

He looked away from the mirror and at the door. There was still time before the rehearsal. Before that, there was something Noel wanted to do in this world.

Ichizou had told him many times in a noisy manner that if he wanted to go out, he should disguise himself, so having no choice, he wore a mask and covered his head with the hood of his parka. Before stepping out of the room, he looked at the mirror and he looked even worse than suspicious. It did not seem that anyone would even want to talk to him. He had thought for an instant about whether he wanted to wear sunglasses, but he decided he better not after all. He jibed at himself that he did not have one in the first place and left the room. He wanted to take a look at the people and streets of this world.

(I want to look for that too….)

For a while, Noel looked around, but this place did not differ much from the scenery of Noel’s world. There was not much feeling of novelty even though he walked on unfamiliar streets. He went to complete the other goal he had earlier.

He went into any convenience store that crossed his eyes, but he could not find it. Perhaps he was not able to find it because he never seen it in its state when it was sold in stores. He scratched his head as he left the convenience store without buying anything.

“Damn. What was the name again? I thought I would know once I see it.”

He walked down the road and looked at a drug store. With the anticipation that the item might be sold there, he entered the store. He searched in the small store that was crammed with shelves.

“There it is!”

Without thinking, he raised his voice. It was the item he was searching for. However.

“It, it’s this……! Woah, does it come in such a huge bag….?!”

What he was searching for was the cookie he got from Revo after he made “The Nighthawk Star”. What Ichizou brought with him yesterday was also chocolate chip cookies. The moistness, the smooth taste, the fragrance of vanilla and the sweetness of the chocolate made Noel completely addicted to it. However, in the world where he and the rest were from, he could not find it anywhere. He decided that he would definitely buying it if he came to this world.

(This is……such a……!)

For convenience, there were numerous small bags stuffed into a large one. He was moved that he now had the sweets in his hands but feeling the piercing gazes from around him, he frantically grabbed a few in his arms and headed for the cashier.

Noel left the store, beaming to himself after buying up a portion of the store’s goods, then he noticed that the mobile phone that he had put on silent mode was vibrating. Rather, he had noticed that it was vibrating from just now but he really did not pay too much attention to it.

“Geh….”

He opened his flip phone and on the display was a list of the name “Ichizou”. He came out without saying anything to the rest so it was obvious that this was going to happen. Even so, he was still somewhat fearful.

He had the correct this with care. The sound of the call tone rang once and then Ichizou’s scream split Noel’s ears.

[NOEL-! WHERE ARE YOU?!]

“I’m, I’m heading back now. Isn’t there still time before the rehearsal?”

[It’s not about that! You’re not in your room after all?! I told you to tell me if you were going somewhere! This place is different from our world isn’t it? What if you get lost then–]

Beep.

Without listening to the lecture that had started to its end, Noel showed a strained smile as he pushed the button to end the call. It seemed like it would be better to return earlier than to listen to the lecture here.

While holding the bag that contained the cookies, Noel walked on the path back to the hotel. A city scenery that was not unusual. If someone told him that this was the world where Noel and the rest were from, he would be able to accept it.

However, this seemed to be a fundamentally different world. The cookies that Noel could not find no matter how he checked are now within his hands. Such delicious sweets should have become a topic even in Noel’s world.

“Because it was the world where Revo (That guy) is from, I thought it would be a weirder world, but it doesn’t seem that weird….”

It was obvious for the language but the people, scenery and culture somehow did not change at all. This place was way more like Noel’s word than a foreign country.

This was such a similar world yet the way he looked at things was different from how Revo saw it. How much more different worlds had that guy seen?

“I wonder what you see through those sunglasses….”

A slight interest welled up. What was reflected in those sunglasses that Revo did not remove even indoors, in a planetarium or outside. No, rather than wanting to know what was reflected in those sunglasses, he wanted to know what he was planning to look at through those sunglasses.

— If it were your singing voice, just maybe, it would be able to reach that place. I was placing my stakes on your songs.

— you could say they’re dead or they haven’t been born, perhaps. Or they don’t really exist.

Revo’s words had been bothering him. What kind of existence was that? Will Noel’s song reach them someday?

In a few hours, the second day of the concert was going to start.

Something was going to happen. He had that kind of premonition. Rather than just being a mere premonition, it also contained a large anticipation.

He stopped once, opened one of the packets and placed a cookie in his mouth.

“…Delicious.”

The moistness and sweetness made him smile without realizing it. I would be able to reach them—he believed.

Noel placed another cookie in his mouth and then started to run. The rustling of the vinyl bags in his hands was noisy but they brought a good liveliness to his heart which was swelling with excitement.

*

The second day of Sound Horizon’s tenth anniversary fan club event. The second performance. The setlist was VANISHING STARLIGHT’s “The Nighthawk Star” and then Sound Horizon’s “Rein’s World” and “Halloween All Night Long”.

(T/N: If I wrote Rein no Sekai and Asa Made Halloween, I will feel obligated to change The Nighthawk Star to Yodaka no Hoshi.)

It was the same as yesterday’s two performances and today’s first performance—No, it was more than that. Noel sang those songs with vigor like he was racing through them. His breathing hastened. It felt like his heart was going to explode.

(But–)

He wanted to see what laid ahead. He wanted to show them.

(We are not at the end yet!)

Loud cheers erupted from the audience as the sound of the guitar resounded.

The fourth song of the live concert, the final song—The coupling track of “The Nighthawk Star”, “Mother”.

He had heard from Revo that this was the first time this song was put into a CD. He was glad that the song that many people were waiting for was made into a CD and he was able to sing it on this stage.

Noel shot a look of challenge towards the audience seats.

He wanted them to think “I’m so glad that it was VANISHING STARLIGHT who covered this song” once they heard it. No, they had to think it. With that resolution, Noel took in a deep breath.

“Upon the shoulders of a boy singing during a moonlit night—”

His voice vibrated carefully and Noel’s singing voice resonated throughout the event hall. Together with the cheers from the audience, the already loud sound and heat filled the hall.

In the middle of all that energy that merged together, Noel held a sense that something was out of place.

(Wh, what….?)

He was confused but he could not show it on his face, could he? Singing was the only thing that drove Noel above everything else. Even while focusing on the song, Noel started thinking at the back of his mind.

(This is my voice, right? I’m, the one singing?)

The feet that stood on the stage, the hands that held onto the microphone, the throat that was vibrating, the singing voice that he heard with his own ears all belonged to Noel.

However—

(It feels like they’re not mine….)

From the depths of his body to his peripherals, all of these are moved by Noel himself. Yet, as though all the focus has gone into his singing, he felt like his own body did not belong to himself.

There was some sense of discord in his heart that was already beating strongly from the first three songs.

(My voice and heartbeat….are harmonising?)

It was just like the dream he had often since the past, the one about being in water. Lately, he had not seen it as much, so why did he see it this morning, and it was also slightly different from the usual one he had.

The heartbeat that he heard from far away. Also, the heartbeat that he could hear from right next to him. The sound that was pulsing at the same speed as Noel’s own was comforting, then the nearby heartbeat suddenly became inaudible out of the blue and at the same time the heartbeat from far away and the sound of the water all vanished. If it was the usual dream, it would end right there. However, in the dream he saw this morning, the contrary happened and he could hear the sounds that he could not hear in his usual dream then the small heartbeat that had overlapped with his disappeared.

(I can’t hear any heartbeats now though….)

Some was singing together with Noel. He did not know if the people listening now were able to hear it, but Noel was sure he was able to hear that voice.

He had no basis. But, he felt that the one singing together with him was the owner of the heartbeat. That one heartbeat that disappeared in his dream. Such an existence was singing together with Noel right now.

Did “He” disappear? Or did he exist within Noel? Was he alive or was he dead?

(I don’t know but….)

“He” was singing now.

(The person whom Revo (that guy) wanted his songs to reach….could it be….)

The person who was singing with Noel now?

(It reached him. It’s reaching him.)

The song that Revo wanted to reach out with had reached “him” and it even felt like he was enjoying himself.

In his usual dream about being in water, all the sounds would disappear and the dream came to an abrupt end. Noel had always thought that it was his dream. However, in the dream that Noel had this morning, he strongly felt that it was his own and the sounds did not disappear.

Could it be that dream was “his” dream? If so, “He” was—

(Unable to hear or sing anymore….?)

Right now, “he” was probably listening to sounds and singing through Noel’s body.

(….You want to reach someone as well?)

There was no reply. Noel did not know if he managed to deliver such feelings. However, the feeling that there were two people singing had not disappeared yet. Taking that as an answer, Noel continue to sing “Mother”.

It was just speculation, but the feeling that the two of them were singing together was genuine.

His lips curled upwards. Was the one smiling Noel or him?

(It is definitely not possible to have this kind of session with anyone else.)

At least, Noel was excessively thrilled by this situation and he enjoyed singing more than he ever did.

Even though Noel said he wanted his songs to reach everyone, no matter who they were, they were only limited to those that were visible to him, those existences that were before his eyes. But now he understood what Revo meant by “not knowing if they are alive or dead”. Revo probably wanted the songs to reach those vague existences that could not be seen. Songs were a method to link “him” to this world….Just like how Noel who had always been by himself was able to connect with people through songs.

(Reaching all the way to those who can’t be seen, what the heck, that is….)

Using songs as a means to reach his hand out to even those that were not visible. No matter how Noel twisted or flipped his head or even if he were reborn, he probably would not have such a thought.

(I’m no match for him, damn!)

It was a complete defeat—even though he thought that, he did not feel vexed.

Catching a glimpse of Revo in the audience, Noel continued to sing with “him”.

Then Noel looked across the audience. He let the audience see himself, to let the audience see himself as well as “him”.

(……Do you see that? These are the people who are listening to our song.)

Did “he” feel that he was connected to this world as well? That would be great. It would be great if “he” was not alone.

“I wander on the shores beyond the “cage”, never to return….”

The cheers and applause loudly resounded in this wide space that did not seem enough. It was known from the sounds how passionate they were from listening to Noel’s song. Large numbers of people were calling out Noel’s name.

“———–”

Mixed within those cheers, someone was calling out to the name of someone who was not here. He did not hear it well but it was not a voice of excitement, a soft voice, like whispering. Noel felt it was directed in his direction even though it did not call out for him. Surely it was calling out to the person who sung with Noel?

Noel was a bit lost about whether he should speak, but he decided to speak within his heart.

(Your song also reached someone, didn’t it?)

….There was no answer, but he did not feel lonely.

*

After the celebratory event ended, Noel sat in a chair inside the dressing room and suddenly laid down on the table.

The room on the other side was filled with a buzz, but only the waiting room where Noel was at was quiet.

(……It’s over–….)

The excitement had yet to cool down completely. His head still felt hot and it seemed like he could keep on singing. However, he was so tired that his body was reluctant to get up. He was strangely comfortable.

(I wonder if this is what it feels like to be thoroughly satisfied?)

Leaving his body to the comfort and fatigue, Noel stared into space.

Absentmindedly, Noel suddenly noticed something in the mirror and he stared at it.

Noel’s expression was tired. However, those eyes were still sparkling.

He still wanted to perform. He still wanted to sing. The eyes belonging to that Noel in the mirror appealed as such and he smiled a wry smile.

(Hm……?)

Was that my face? For some reason, he felt that there was something different. Where was the difference?

(The colour, of my eyes–)

At that moment, the door to the waiting room opened with a loud bang.

“Noe-Noe-!”

Without thinking, Noel straightened up and turned towards the door. Revo laughed when he saw Noel staring wide eyed as he walked before the other party.

“Ahaha, did I surprise you?”

“No……”

What in the world was he thinking about till now in front of the mirror? Noel stared at the mirror again, but only himself with a surprised expression and Revo who was laughing heartily were there.

(Well, nevermind….)

He turned his head in a fatigued manner. Once Noel’s gaze left the mirror, Revo stood in front of him.

“Good work out there.”

Revo, who had a broad grin, should be even more tired than Noel, but one would not be able to tell from how he looked. It was somehow annoying. Surely he was tired and did not want to let the other party realise it.

“….Aren’t you tired? Besides, you should knock on the door.”

When Noel said that, Revo raised his brows in surprise.

“Dear me? Noe-cchi, are you actually worried about me? How kind of you.”

“……Now I absolutely regret that I said that.”

Noel turned his face away as he said that, a vein popping on his forehead. However, when he turned away Revo had already spun around and thrust an air microphone in his direction.

“So, what are your thoughts now that this is over?”

Pushing away the hand that Revo had stuck in front of him, Noel turned his body towards Revo and stared at the other party’s sunglasses. While staring at his own eyes reflected in it, Noel spoke.

“….I understand the meaning of what you said.”

“The meaning of something I said?”

Revo tilted his head, staring blankly. Did he forget or was he trying to gloss over the subject. Whichever is fine. Noel told Revo what had happened earlier.

“They might be dead or they might not even be born yet or perhaps they don’t even exist….You said that if it was such an existence, perhaps my songs would be able to reach them.”

Noel who had a serious expression suddenly smiled widely. He had remembered what Revo had said after that.

“You said that you placed your stakes on me, didn’t you –That was the right choice.”

Perhaps he lived a little bit up to those expectations. A laughed spilled out when he thought of that.

“I felt like I could sing with someone. If it were you, you would probably understand that meaning more than me, right?”

Revo had a surprised expression for a brief moment, but that quickly changed to a smile and he shook his head left and right slowly.

“No….”

Noel was stunned at that reaction. He had thought the other party would have nodded in affirmation.

Revo straightened his sunglasses and said to Noel.

“There isn’t anyone who would understand the meaning of that better than you.”

That reaction was pretty anticlimactic. He had thought that the request was more for Revo’s sake but somehow or other it felt like the request became for the sake of himself and “him”. Then Revo made a triumphant expression like he had met his goal.

“Is that alright?”

“What did you think about it?”

“What do you think?”

Revo was silent. As if he did not listen to Noel’s question, Noel knew that the other party was just waiting for his answer. Because he understood this, Noel felt like he was never going to get a reply in his entire life unless he replied first. Noel also waited for a few seconds, keeping quiet, but he had never been one to have patience. He opened his mouth first. He realized that there was no point being stubborn in this kind of situation.

“I delivered the song properly. That’s what I think. ….It’s great.”

“Then, that’s what I think as well.”

Revo smiled, feeling somewhat relieved when he heard Noel’s words. When Noel saw that smile, he smiled in the same way as well.

“What? What’s up? You both have the same face. Did something good happen?”

Ichizou’s voice came from the door that was still open and Noel’s shoulders jolted in fright before he frantically furrowed his brow and glared at Ichizou. Just now, he was in Bunnyon’s costume, but at some point of time, he had changed back to his usual suit.

“Who has the same face? Don’t lump us together.”

“Ehh….why are you angry at me?—oops.”

Ichizou took out his smartphone from his suit pocket and looked at the display.

“Ah, it’s from Nii-san. I wonder if it’s about the closing party? Excuse me.”

Cutting his conversation with Noel and Revo, Ichizou turned his back to them and started to take his call.

“The call is connected to this world……?Is there a connecting line or what?”

“Hm? Do you want an explanation? But it might be a bit difficult for you, Noe-Noe….”

“Ahh, I wouldn’t get it anyway, you’re annoying! I don’t need it!”

Noel reacted to the teasing and turned his back towards Revo.

“Then, it’s about time. Shall we head back to the other world?”

Noel only just faced his back to the other party but he was surprised by those words and turned his head around.

“Eh. Alr, already?! I wanted to stay a bit longer……”

“That was what we had agreed on, right, Non-tan?”

“Well, that’s true….Don’t call me Non-tan!”

Before they came to this world, Revo did remind him that “Once the celebration event is over, we have to return here immediately, ok?” At that time, Noel also agreed to the condition. However, when he sang in this world and when other people listened to his song, he felt like staying here more. The celebratory event had come to an end, but his interest in this world grew. He wanted to know more about it and he wanted to do more lives in this world.

Seeing Noel have that kind of gaze, Revo pompously pressed against his own forehead and shook his head.

“….I also cannot bear to send you back home when you are looking at me with such sparkly eyes.”

“Wh, who the hell are you talking about?! I mean I’m fine with….”

“But you know……”

Revo showed a somewhat troubled expression but that quickly got replaced with a smile. Revo than said cheerfully to Noel who had a bad premonition about that expression.

“It would be troubling if you become unable to return, right?”

“I won’t be able to go back?!”

“Ah ha ha ha ha ha.”

“Don’t gloss over it by laughing! Were we actually threading on thin ice in these two days?!”

“Fu fu fu fu fu…. ”

“I told you not to gloss over it……Stop laughing like something’s going to happen-!”

Noel pressed Revo, whose secretive sinister laughter rang out, for an answer with a pale face. Ichizou, who had been behind them, finished his call and spoke to the two.

“Noel it seems like I managed to reserve my family’s store for the after party. Nii-san and the rest are waiting for us!”

There were people waiting for Noel, whether they were from this world or their original world.

Noel’s expression relaxed without thinking when he thought about that reality.

“….I get it. Alright then, shall we head back?”

*

At the front of the Izakaya [Ichizou] hung a handwritten sign “This store is reserved for the day!”. Perhaps Ichizou’s young brother, Gonosuke also helped with writing the sign, there seemed to be a child-like drawing on it. It looked like Noel holding his guitar. They could hear the voices of Ichizou’s family members already from the door of the store.

Ichizou opened the door and entered it, calling out in a good mood.

“I’m back—”

From the inside of the store, Ichizou’s family replied with a “Welcome back”. The background music that could be heard faintly within the store was of course, “The Nighthawk Star”.

Following behind Ichizou, Noel also planned to enter the store. However, Revo was standing still a short distance away from the store and Noel stopped in his steps, noticing that the Revo was looking over at him.

Seeing that Noel had stopped in front of the shop, Eiji, who had returned together with the group, peered over at him.

“What’s up, Mr-star-for-today?”

“Ah, it’s nothing….You can go on ahead.”

When Noel said that, Eiji, Marie and Yamaguchi noticed that Noel was looking at Revo, so they nodded without saying anything more and entered the store.

“Alright, I’m gonna drink lots-!”

“Geez, the main star today is Noel-sama, isn’t it?”

“Seems like today is the day to indulge in delicious sake.”

While listening to the three sounding like they were having fun, Noel stood in front of Revo. Revo did not move from where he was standing.

“You’re not going in?”

The other party showed a rare smile of pity.

“There’s a mountain of things that I want to do here but even so, I’m Sound Horizon’s producer. It is a ten year milestone.”

Now that he mentioned it, that was the case. If he were not around, it would probably be troubling for those from Sound Horizon. Noel understood, but he still stared at Revo with a doubtful look.

“….Really, why can someone like you work which such awesome people?”

“Eh? You don’t know why?”

Spreading his arms out, Revo asked Noel the question intentionally. If Noel said he did not know why, it seemed like he was going to be made fun off. If he said he did know, the other party might just dismiss it as that was how it is and tease him anyway—Above all, Noel was the one who knew the reason the best.

“You’re bloody noisy, shitty producer.”

He said as such, looking a bit sulky.

“Ah, right right, Noel. I won’t be able to come back here for a while.”

“Ha……?”

Noel’s eyes grew wide at the unexpected words then he yelled loudly at Revo.

“Say such things earlier-!”

“Ah ha ha, sorry sorry, I was busy-“

Revo was probably not lying about being too busy to talk about it but it was his utter lack of self-reflection that was irritating.

–I wanted to make more songs with you too.

“….If that’s the case, you won’t be able to do more productions?”

Revo quietly nodded in response to Noel’s question. He could not be clear about Revo’s expression through the sunglasses, but it felt like Revo also held the same feelings about wanted to do more together as well.

“Therefore, keep on making music the way you want to for a while.”

If it was you, Noel, you’ll be fine. That was the story that his smiling face said.

With a look like the circumstances were a pity, he showed his trust in Noel. That was only half the story—that was what it felt like. While looking at Revo’s face, Noel grinned.

“Even if you don’t say that, that’s what I plan to do. I can’t do anything else anyway.”

Revo chuckled when he heard what Noel said.

“I don’t think that’s the only thing you can do right? Why don’t you set your goals somewhere else~ For example….love!”

“What are you saying. I’m not getting myself into that kind of situation.”

“Eh~? But love is the evergreen theme for creators, isn’t it?”

Noel glared at Revo, who persisted with that line of thought while smiling, and spoke with a threatening tone.

“I know that you are only saying that because you find it amusing….!”

“Che. I got found out~?”

Noel’s clenched firsts shook when Revo did not even bother to hide his intentions. However, considering that this was not the time to get angry, he just let out a sigh.

“Geez……When you’re not around, I’m gonna become real amazing.”

“I look forward to it.”

While laughing heartily, Revo turned his back towards Noel. The black back started to become further away. Noel did not know if there would be a chance to meet him again. A chance to perform together again would come. If there was not one, then Noel would make one.

However.

“….Revo!”

Without thinking, he called the other person to stop. Speaking of which, this was probably the first time he called out Revo’s name directly.

–But I have not done anything in return yet. Even if he stayed back, I can’t do anything. Even so.

Once Revo turned his head, these words surpassed any kind of shyness, embarrassment or stubbornness that Noel had.

“Thanks a bunch!”

An amazing smile appeared and Noel said those words to Revo.

Revo who had turned around looked more surprised than Noel had expected—though that being said, he could not see Revo’s expression properly due to the sunglasses but to Noel, that was what he could see.

Revo stared at Noel through his sunglasses and then smiled quietly.

“It should be me thanking you. I had fun.”

This time, he turned around and did not look back. He raised his right hand and spoke.

“See you.”

That black figure disappeared into the darkness. However the place that spread out towards the direction he walked was not darkness. It was surely a bright place. No, rather, that was the kind of place he would create himself. Surely he would create with his own hands, a place so radiant that sunglasses were needed.

(I also want to…go to that place someday.)

At that time, he would try to borrow those sunglasses. However, at this moment, he was still some distance away from that back.

Right before that figure disappeared into the darkness, Noel corrected his posture and shut his eyes. Then he bowed to that figure.

When he raised his head, and there was the short alleyway that he had seen earlier. It did not surprise him. If he got surprised at each and everything Revo did, his heart would give out.

“….See you.”

Noel’s words were carried away by the wind.

It felt like those words would be able to reach him, even if he was in another world.

“Noel-!”

A voice calling Noel came from [Ichizou].

With a smile, Noel walked off to the place where there were people waiting for him.

“I’m coming!”