Chapter 778

End Game

"For seven, please."

The waiter tipped his colored head.

"This way please."

Airu kept herself close to me.
I could feel her bubbling aura of unrestrained bliss.
Slowly, I began to feel the same way.
Like an infectious disease that penetrated my defenses.

"Don't look around." She said.

"Huh?"

Her fingers curled around my hand.

"Nevermind." Her grin was reassuring.

"Let's just get to our booth."

Chapter 779

End Game

The waiter calmly ushered us along dim halls of dark sleek surfaces, 
so smooth, the rainbow lighting above fused with everything below. 
Speakers in the ceiling thumped with trance beats,
giving us a spring in every one of our steps.

With much determination, Airu pressed on ahead,
quickly passing a bar area lit with fluorescent violets and greens.
There was already a gathering there, making a racket.

Dyed hair of all kinds turned to give us a glance over.
Girls with mini skirts meandered towards a tiny dance floor, 
gyrating their hips in slow hypnotizing circles.

I tried not to look but my peripherals could not be ignored.

I stared back. What was this place? Where were we?

Chapter 780

End Game

She tugged my hand urgently, making an uncomfortable noise.

"Sorry about that. I didn't know."

"It's okay." I said.

We finally reached the karaoke and dining booths.

Here the air was fresher, without the hint of smoke.
Even the lighting was cleaner and brighter.

"This is your booth for the night. 
Please press the button when you're ready to order."

The waiter slid open the door and beckoned us in.

"Thank you."

Without reply, he spun and left us on our own.

Chapter 781

End Game

"I'm sorry about that, I haven't been here in a long time."
Airu looked apologetic.
"It seems to have changed."

"It's fine." Takashi smiled. "We aren't too out of place."

Soshi brushed his bangs back and gave us the meanest sneer he could.
"Am I bad ass enough?"

We laughed as Miko swatted at his head. "No, you're just bad."

"Just hope that the food hasn't changed."
Juria joked. 
"I heard it was good."

"Well, let's order first."

Chapter 782

End Game

The booth was rather cramped.
With the raised tatami seating and our feet beneath the low table,
there was barely any room to move around.
Every now and then, there would be an exchange of embarrassed glances as feet touched.

"That looks good. Do you guys want it?"

The touch screen panel displayed a glamorous full screen picture of a dish.
We huddled around it and stared in mouth-watering awe.

"Juria, just make the decisions!"

She grinned deviously and 
triumphantly pressed her thumb 
against the monitor.

There was the rewarding sound of a successful order.

"Airu, what else is good?"

"Hmm.. try their assorted Osaka-style sushi."

There was another twinkling sound effect.

"There."

"Do we have enough?"

"25 dishes? That's alot."

"Not even!"

Chapter 783

End Game

Our waiter came back overladen 
with trays of appetizers and miso soup,
balanced upon his thin arms.

The trays itself were spilling over
with monstrous portions,
and it was only the start.

It was all-you-can-eat here,
as well as all-you-can-sing.
No time limit, no constraints.

It was heaven for those with unquenchable desires.
Succumbing to the craving of the flesh.

The beginning of it all.
The beginning of the end.

Chapter 784

End Game

The flatscreen TV flashed to life,
an electrifying purple screen
welcoming our patronage.

Dinner was finished by now,
the booth full 
with a thick smell 
of hearty dishes.

We turned our attention to the paramount event.

"We better not sound as bad as the people down the hall."
Soshi laughed.

Just a few rooms away, 
we could catch the feeble drunken
wails of high pitched school girls,
and the straining of their male counterparts.

We shuddered.

"Seiji, it's up to you for a good show."

"What?"

Chapter 785

End Game

"You're the best!" 
They grinned at me.

"I haven't sang in ages!"

"Come on!"

Under the table,
I felt Airu's fingers against mine.

"We'll sing together."

"Alright, alright."

Miko giggled. 
"It seems like you only listen to Airu."

"Oh hush." Airu waved her off.
But I didn't miss the smile creeping along her lips.

Chapter 786

End Game

"Where's the remote?" 

Takashi who was closest to the screen
sifted through the seating cushions.
No matter where he looked 
the remote wasn't to be found.

"Well, I found the microphones."

They were clipped directly on top of the TV.

"Here." He handed us the black cylinders.

They were solid weights in our hands,
heavy and sturdy, cold but rather comforting.
My fingers traced its simple shape.
The button to bring it to life.
To bring my voice to life.

Would it come to life?

Chapter 787

End Game

"Seiji," 

Airu turned towards me in a low whisper.
But her eyes were full of fierce intensity.

"Just this once,"

"Would you sing for me?"

I stole a glance at the others.
Takashi was still searching for the remote,
while everyone else fought
over the remaining food.

"As if you really meant it."

She sounded desperate.

I smiled.

"Of course I'll mean it."

Tonight, I'd sing for her.

As if it was the only night we had left.

Chapter 788

End Game

"Oh wait..."

"What if it's touchscreen?"

"You're silly." Juria poked her boyfriend
before reaching up to the screen.

"It works!"

"Takashi you're an idiot." 
Akira said coldly,
but his mouth curved up.

"Eat your ice cream." 
Takashi shot back, laughing.

The TV came to life,
buzzing with spiralling colors.
A stylish menu faded into existence.

Choose your destiny, it seemed to say.

"Which song do you guys want to sing?"

Chapter 789

End Game

"You pick, Seiji."

Her eyes twinkled.

I looked at her curiously.

She was expecting something.

I had promised to sing for her hadn't I?

Why was it so hard to think of a song?

It would be very disappointing 
if I couldn't come up with something.

Everyone remained silent.

Just like they always do.

Like they expected a lot out of me.

As if music was what I was meant to do.

Chapter 790

End Game

"Let me look through the menu first."

"Good idea." Airu grinned.

I struggled out of my seat and leaned closer to the screen.
My face was illuminated with a hazy violet glow.

"They've got English songs."

"That's more like Airu's strong suit." I replied, chuckling.

Takashi shifted so I could settle in beside him.

The monitor was warm to the touch,
responding nimbly under my fingers. 
One finger was enough to pull up the menu.

Japanese pop. As usual.

I decided to choose something everyone knew.

Nothing too fancy, Seiji.

Chapter 791

End Game

"Hey, that's a good song."
Takashi observed.

"Yeah, I was thinking of that one.
I love the tune."

I tapped once. Twice.

It hummed and turned red.

"There."

Airu grabbed my arm excitedly
and pulled me back to my spot next to her.

"I love that song!"

I smiled.

"I'll dedicate it to you then."

Chapter 792

End Game

The screen buzzed and a video flickered on.
An image of a blue sky, stretching across the horizon,
grassy field so green it hurt the eyes.
The vast expanse of eternity encased in a black frame.

It was a song that everyone knew. Beginning with a dreamy guitar riff.
Something cheerful, yet was it something I could sing right now?

Airu looked happy.

Maybe I should look happy too.

"Let's have fun tonight." She said.

That's right. I didn't have much time left.

I nodded at her and lifted the microphone.



Listen to the song here:

Chapter 793

End Game

Ai Uta. Love Song.
Just simply two words.
I winced at the cheesiness.
But all around, we were grinning,
singing along in delight.

I watched Airu's lips move in sync with mine.
As if she was mouthing the words,
because our voices didn't seem like our own.

It was something much more beautiful.
Than what I could ever imagine.

Chapter 794

End Game

For the first time in a long time,
I was singing.

I could feel my breathing,
from my diaphragm,
a gentle pressure
forcing a steady stream of air,
through my vocal cords,
vibrating, humming,
a tickling sensation
in my throat.

It took a while to get used to it.
I was tempted to cough
from my stale vocal cords.
I heard myself almost crack a few times.
But I swallowed it.

No one else noticed though.

Chapter 795

End Game

"Is this road, 
this life you've chosen 
good enough for you?
I don't know, but...

Just standing by your side 
these days we spend 
laughing and crying
Is the meaning of my life 
I sing this love song for you"

Chapter 796

End Game

Airu was shining tonight.

I had never heard her sing before.

But now I realized her voice was a masterpiece.
Smooth and strong.

Singing with her was no hindrance.
Instead, I couldn't help but feel inspired.

I watched her lips.

And matched my own with hers.

Like our voices had become one,
her harmonies intertwined with my melody.

Something in her was so full of determination.
Like she was holding on to every word.

Every word meant something.

Chapter 797

End Game

" 'Hey, what did we talk about then?'
The day we first met we were so formal with each other
Since then so many things have happened, we've even fought
And spent time together getting to understand each other

We met under this wide sky of ours and fell in love, forever"

Chapter 798

End Game

She was blushing by now,
her eyes avoiding my own.

At first, I hadn't noticed it.
The lyrics. But slowly...
I realized what I was singing.

I promised to sing for her.

Were these going to be my true feelings?
Was this what I had to say?

Something I kept hidden inside me all this time.
Something we could never say to each other.

No matter what,
we were always afraid.
Afraid our words,
would destroy 
what we've experienced.
what we've created.

Chapter 799

End Game

"Just standing by your side
On these days we spend laughing and crying
Is the meaning of the life I spend with you
And I sing this love song for you

Sorry for causing you trouble all the time
The time we've spent together 
has been packed full of events, hasn't it?
We spend day after day
And the love we've created grows
I'll send this crap song to you
I'll swear to God, 'I'm crazy about you!'
I'll keep holding your hand"

Chapter 800

End Game

These words we could only say them...

here.

Through song.

I gripped the microphone tighter.

She didn't hear me that time.

But through here.

Was the only time

I could tell her.

No one else knew.

It would just be between us.

Chapter 801

End Game

"As long as my voice goes on
I'll keep singing by your side
When I get old and lose my voice,
I'll keep holding your hand

Thank you isn't enough to say this
Let's share our tearful smiles and sadness
and happiness for the rest of our lives
Night after night
I'll sing about 
my love with you"

Chapter 802

End Game

Between every word, 
she would be smiling at me, 
ever so slightly, secretly.
Like we were in on a little private talk.

Her furtive glances at me
out of the corner of her eye
made me feel heat rising 
along my cheeks.

Airu, at this moment,
it's just the two of us.
The world had faded away.
Just like always.
It was always 
just the two of us.

Airu, I want to take your hand,
and run away, day after day,
year after year.

Chapter 803

End Game

It's you. Isn't it?

You are the one.

The red thread of destiny.

Even as this music is fading out,

I would sing for you.

Even if the world were to end,

if everything was to change,

if everything we've experienced,

would be destroyed,

let me sing to you from now on.

Chapter 804

End Game

Every word that had been sang,
lingered in the air, 
like the aroma from burning incense.

I inhaled the scent.

It filled my lungs and body,
with you, you were inside me.

My heart was beating you.

It was you through my blood.

Giving me life.

Giving me breath.

I will accept.

Chapter 805

End Game

The music ended,
much to our aggravation.
I wanted it to continue,
on and on, forever.
I could sing it all day.
All the time.
If she was there in front of me,
singing with me, I knew I could.

Sing with me more.
Sing with me lots.

Chapter 806

End Game

There was cheering all around,
applause and clapping like 
the sound of a thousand fans.

Slowly, I came back to my senses.

"Now, that was some great singing."
Takashi grinned.

"I hope they heard that." 
Soshi pointed to the room next ours.

"You guys are amazing!" 
Miko looked at us in admiration.
"Please teach me!"

We laughed.

Airu caught my eye.

Her eyes were wet,
tears brimming.

But it was like something in us clicked.

Her heart was free. 
That's why there were tears.

Chapter 807

End Game

"Another song!"

"Yeah!"

Another song?

Airu, should we sing again?

She glanced at me;
and I caught her message.
Right away, immediately.

I took a swig from my glass cup,
full to the brim with orange pop.
It's carbonated bubbles
burned along my throat, 
fizzing,sizzling, buzzing.

"We'll sing a bit later. 
I want a breather.
It's really hot."

Chapter 808

End Game

Airu got up with me 
and we headed out of our booth,
taking a leap of faith 
down the elevated steps,
back into the main corridor.

I heard their low voices behind us,
saying how we were always together.
Takashi changed the subject.

I smiled at his sensitivity.
He always knew what to do.

The door shut behind us and
we were together again, just us.

Our hearts yearned for more moments together.

Chapter 809

End Game

I took a deep breath and sighed.

Ah...

She was silent, just staring down the empty hall,
listening to the sounds of our friends belting
through the sound-proof doors,
and the off-tune howling a little further afield.

I felt a smile playing on my lips,
and I let my fingers reach over to hers.

She responded instinctively,
stepping closer against me.

There was nothing left to say.
We had said it all.

Our hearts were still and at peace.
In the moment.

Chapter 810

End Game

"Thanks, Seiji."

I slid my arms around her waist.

She shivered against me,
like my touch was her release.

"You really sang for me."

She smiled, dimples gracefully brushing her cheek.

"I have a lot of firsts with you."

"This is the first time someone sang for me."

"Singing together and having someone sing for me..."

"That's another to put on the list."

I patted her head.

"Let's do more before the night is over."

"Okay."

Chapter 811

End Game

I took her hand and led her away from our friends.
Not knowing exactly what we were going to do.
She followed after me, without hesitation.
We were on the same page,
our hearts and minds aligned.

It was a liberating feeling.

In the moment, there were no worries.
There was no sorrow.
There was no pain.

Chapter 812

End Game

The multicolored lights blazed around us now,
the lobby darker than ever.

We could only see 
between the moments of darkness 
and the flashes of blinding intensity.

It was rather late at night and the music was cranked up extra loud.
Every beat vibrated through the floor and walls, up our legs and into our heart.

Something made us pause near the bar.
The dance floor was crowded, figures huddled close,
grinding together with a repetitive rhythm.

A strange force pulled us nearer.

The tempo became embedded in our soul.

Chapter 813

End Game

I tightened my hand on hers.

I saw their eyes raking along her long bare legs,
up past her shorts, before feasting greedily on her delicate features.

An ominous feeling told me it wasn't a good idea to be here.
Amongst the malevolent gazes of 
bleached blonde hair,
hard edged faces,
heavy make up,
mini skirts,
and black jackets,
the coward in me felt inferior.

But instead of leaving, I returned their glare 
and slipped an arm around her waist.

I would not back down any more.

Chapter 814

End Game

She leaned closer to me,
welcoming my touch.
In the air all around her,
I could only feel her heart in a meltdown,
her complete attention tuned to me.
She was mine. And no one else's.

I wrapped her around me and turned her away from their dirty looks.
We would be alright. They could never pull us apart.

I led her closer, deeper into the crowd,
deeper into the thick sea of throbbing music, 
disappearing behind anonymous faces,
entranced in their own worlds.

"Airu," I looked into her eyes.
Her eyes were blurry, saturated with emotions of every kind.

"Will you dance with me?"

Chapter 815

End Game

Her lips suddenly found mine,
a light kiss in the dark,
hidden behind swaying forms
of delirious, elated people.

I felt my eyes leap open in surprise.

In an instant, 
a powerful burst of light,
that brought momentary euphoria on our paradise,
I saw her mouth curved in a 
victorious, seductive smile.

Unable to resist, 
I pulled her against me
and leaned deeply into her being, 
devouring her lips.

She melted against me,
and we became one.
Amidst the whirling,
incomprehensible,
escatic dance beats,
our bodies moved together,
suddenly captivated
in the same motions
as the crowd.

Chapter 816

End Game

Swallowed up by irrational stupor,
like a supernatural hex,
there soon was no space between us,
twisting and writhing against each other.

A steady pulse of music
was the incantation.

I felt our skin together,
her cool, smooth, skin
yet, on fire, all at once.

Every inch of her body,
was new territory to explore.
In the dark, no one would know,
where my hands would go.

I heard 
her pleasure,
her desire,
her excitement,
in all abandonment.

Chapter 817

End Game

My mind was blank,
was empty, forlorn, 
gone silent.

I could 
no longer 
discern
the truth from lies,
the reality from reverie,
the right from wrong.

Instead, my heart reigned.

It was sovereign.

The emotions creeping through my body,
with a consuming fire,
drove my actions.

Every movement, every moment was enjoyment.
I enjoyed the way her hips moved,
the way her back arched,
the way her neck tilted,
the way her lips were smiling,
the way her eyes gazed at me,
the way her arms wrapped around me,
the way her legs rubbed against mine.

I was swallowed whole.
I wanted more.

Chapter 818

End Game

I saw her mouth move but I couldn't hear anything above the music.

"What?" I asked her back, loudly.

She said it again, louder.

But I still couldn't hear her.

Her lips parted slowly.
I watched them, glistening with lip gloss.

She shook her head. Never mind.

Instead she hugged me,
arms around me tightly.

Just her simple gesture,
filled my heart with unbearable joy.

She was beginning to mean too much to me.
So much that I would be unable to escape.

Chapter 819

End Game

We were pressed up against the flock of people,
crammed in the small space,
desperately ingesting 
any morsel of song 
that we could.

The song changed into something much much slower.

Like brainless corpses, 
everyone at once began to move 
sluggishly.

Following the spell,
without a second thought.

While I was aware of this weird phenomenon,
I had no wish to separate from it.

I embraced it.

Chapter 820

End Game

I felt her arms wind around my neck, gently, elegantly.
In response, her waist was warm in my own arms.
Together, we swayed to the music,
flowing timelessly around us,
caressing our souls 
with its lingering touch.

It coaxed us
closer and closer,
to each other.

Until, our heads were touching,
resting against each other.

She was soft and comfortable to hold.
Like water, she melded against me.

Chapter 821

End Game

In our own world,
locked in each other's arms,
we hardly noticed the dwindling numbers,
as the dance floor quieted down.

The slower songs signified that the floor was about to close off temporarily.

The miniskirts and bleached blonde heads were taking a break,
leaving more empty space between the sweaty bodies.

Through the gaps, I didn't notice a few figures heading our way.
A steady gait, a confident sway, a beeline pushing past remaining couples.
I didn't notice as the crowd nearly dispersed at the sight of them,
stepping warily out of their sacred procession.

I snapped out of our paradise when a sudden vice-like grip
brought down its wrath on my shoulder.

Chapter 822

End Game

The crushing grip tore us apart,
a high pitched yelp coming from Airu.

"Who the hell are you?"

I stumbled and regained my stance.
Adrenaline pounding through my veins.
"Shouldn't I be asking that?"

Three guys. All three a head taller than me.
Red Hair. Baseball Cap. And Buzz Cut.
Black jacket. Baggy t-shirt. And Wifebeater.

"Who the hell is this, Airu?"

Airu looked up at the sound of her name, wide-eyed.
Recognition gradually entered her eyes.

"George?"

Chapter 823

End Game

"It's been a while, Airu." He sneered.

I took the opportunity to push him back,
grabbing Airu's arm.

She remained quiet.

"You punk, stay away from her."

"Screw you." I spat.

I matched his glare,
with as much valour 
as I could summon.

"George, stop please."

There was a pause.
Mere milliseconds 
became lightyears.

"He's my boyfriend."

Chapter 824

End Game

I stared at her for a moment, incredulous.
Had I heard her right?
The unspoken,
was finally exposed.

She gave me a soft smile 
out of the corner of her lips.
Her hand held mine tightly.

In the heat of battle,
the spur of the moment,
was her words truth
or harmless deceit?

The spell of the unsaid
was broken and shattered.

With this, perhaps,
the uncertain became our reality.

Chapter 825

End Game

My muscles were still tense
as they unexpectedly bowed before me.

"Sorry sir, please forgive us."

I raised my eyebrows in amusement.
Moments ago they had thrown us apart with brute force,
threatening me with nonsensical intimidation.

"What?"

They looked at me pleadingly
and in apology guided us by the arm
off of the silenced dance floor.

"Seiji, this is George."

He gave me a deft nod.
"Her old schoolmate."

Chapter 826

End Game

"I'm so glad to see you again. It's been many years."

She nodded enthusiastically. 
"Not surprising to find you here! 
How have you been, George?"

His friends sat on either side of us, 
quiet and unmoving, listening in, 
eerily like stone statues.

"Been the same. I wish I continued school.
But the past can't be changed."

He tilted a cup to his lips.
It reeked of alcohol.

"I told you to stay out of trouble."
Airu said a-matter-of-factly.

His red head sighed and changed the subject.
"Looks like you've been well." He cast a glance at me.

She beamed, happily.
Her arm linked around mine.

"Yup."

Chapter 827

End Game

"Your girlfriend, used to be a gangster."
He chuckled heartily, his teeth glistening white.

I laughed and massaged her hand absent-mindedly. 
"Really?"

"No!"

"In elementary school yes!" George retorted.

"She was known as Hime-sama."

Airu covered her face. "Don't bring that up."

"We were her followers."

"More like servants." His friends chimed in.

"If we were out of line, 
she would yell at us so loudly,
we would've cried that night."

I shook my head. 
Was that really something to bring up?
It was as if they had no shame. 
Yet it felt genuine.

Despite their large frames and gruff features,
their speech became supple and benevolent.

What was going on?




*hime-sama - Princess

Chapter 828

End Game

"You've changed, Hime-sama." He smiled sadly.

"As we all have."

"Everyone changes, whether we like it or not."

"That's true." Airu surmised, dreamily.

"I like the changes though!" 
She continued, giving me an affectionate look.

I returned the grin.

The winds of change never stops.
Time never stops.

Here we were, all of a sudden, 
boyfriend and girlfriend.

That's what we had become right?

Chapter 829

End Game

The conversation died and came to an awkward pause.
All we could hear now was the background noise;
loud voices and music once again pumping through the speakers.
The enchanting sorcery had started again.

We needed to leave.
Or we would never escape.

"We should really head back now."

Airu nodded. "Maybe talk to you later."

"You guys should have a drink first." 
He teased, raising his cup.
"Drinks on me."

She hesitated. "Maybe..."

I grabbed her hand, laughing.
"We're underaged. Let's go."

It took another tug to pull her away from the bar.

Chapter 830

End Game

"You'd get drunk, Airu."

She hung her head, defeated.
"Yeah... I just wanted another thing to put on our list."

The hall now was empty and deserted,
even the room down from ours had been silenced.
No longer was there any off-pitch wailing.

I could hear our friends' chatter however.

"Let's just go back and sing another song."

"Okay."

The night was drawing to a close.
We both knew it.

Chapter 831

End Game

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close,
holding her with as much tenderness as I could muster.
She exhaled softly and fell against my chest.

"We danced tonight." She mumbled quietly.

"Yes we did."

"I had fun."

"I did too."

"I don't want this to be over."

I kissed the top of her head.

"It won't."

"Okay."

I felt her voice waver,
an effort to believe me.

Chapter 832

End Game

"You guys are so so late!" 
Miko scolded with adamant retribution,
at least as much as she could conjure.

"What took you so long?"

"We were totally going to look for you."

"Oh.. I met some old friends!" 
Airu smiled secretively.

"Yeah, and got free drinks."
I sat down with a thump.

"You're underaged!"

"I'm kidding." I grinned.

What was a lie and what was the truth?
Even with friends, 
sometimes the truth 
had to be hidden.

Chapter 833

End Game

"You still owe us a song."

"But we haven't heard you guys sing yet!"

"Too bad, you both missed it!"

"Takashi was totally off tune."
Juria laughed. Takashi pushed her playfully.

"Your punishment is to sing us another song!"

"Fine, fine." 
Airu finally gave in and I caught the look in her eye.

I nodded.

Certainly, she didn't mind either.

Chapter 834

End Game

Her fingers deftly brushed the screen,
without hesitation, 
she already knew
the song of her heart.

Yes, this song.
I knew this song.
It was familiar to me some how.
What was so familiar about it?

Chapter 835

End Game

The piano...
was so nostalgic.
As if a thousand years had gone by,
and a thousand memories lay hidden away
behind us, in the fabric of the universe,
deep space, hung amongst the stars.
The stars which slowly disappeared.

Stealing away the thousand memories.

Memories were leaving me.

I could no longer remember...

Chapter 836

End Game

She began singing.
Her voice, 
alone
echoing
across
the vast
expanse
of my soul.

Slowly,
it filled me with life again.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

These sudden feelings that 
I had lost something dear to me,
were just hallucination right?

I still had her.
She was singing to me.

First love.

Chapter 837

End Game

"Tomorrow, at this time
Where will you be?
Who will you be thinking about?

You are always gonna be my love
Even if I fall in love with someone once again
I'll remember to love
You taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
It's still a sad song
Until I can sing a new song"





Listen to the song here:

Chapter 838

End Game

I watched her lips,
move slowly,
every word,
a struggle.

Her eyes were full of pain.

Why are you singing such a song?

You haven't lost me yet.
I haven't lost you yet.

Why were you singing this song?

Chapter 839

End Game

"The paused time is
about to start moving
There's many things that I don't want to forget about

Tomorrow, at this time
I will probably be crying
I will probably be thinking about you

You will always be inside my heart
You will always have your own place
I hope that I have a place in your heart too
Now and forever you are still the one
It's still a sad song
Until I can sing a new song"

Chapter 840

End Game

There was silence.

All of them
stared at me.
Confused,
accusing,
surprised,
and one painful pair of eyes.

"Stop."
My finger was still on the screen,
pressing so hard, 
frozen ripples distorted the colors.

"What?" She said.

"Stop."

A single teardrop fell.

Chapter 841

End Game

I didn't release her hand
until we were in the hall again.

"That hurts."

She rubbed her wrist,
now a little red,
from the force of my grip.

"Sorry."

She hung her head, 
looking away,
blinking back tears.

Everything that had happened in the last few days.
Everything we've said or left unspoken.
Seemed to have only brought her more sadness.
More pain.

"Why?"

Chapter 842

End Game

"Why?"

I said again.
Louder,
slightly more furious.

She winced and stepped backwards.
Her back to the wall.

"Why did you sing that song?"

Only more tears seemed to escape.
I willed for the tears to stop.
It was no longer rousing
feelings of tenderness,
but I was frustrated.

Why was I frustrated?

I was in pain too.

Chapter 843

End Game

Her words trembled on thin air.

"I can't take it anymore, Seiji."

Tears streamed down her cheek like rivers.
Rivers of pain wrenched out from deep within.

"I'm so sorry..."

"You don't have to say anything."

"But I know."

"That this is all a lie..."

"This is all an act..."

"This is all my fantasy..."

"You and I both know that this will end..."

"Tomorrow, we will go home."

"Tomorrow, everything will return."

She stopped.
Her heart faltering.
Her eyes squeezed shut.

"Tomorrow, you will return to Aoi's side."

Chapter 844

End Game

Aoi...

Aoi...

Aoi...

Silence.

I couldn't hear anything.

But Aoi's name,
resonating throughout my mind.

Like the dull 
pounding of a 
warhammer
in my frail 
worn down 
skull.
Threatening to 
shatter my 
heart
into a million pieces
to give way finally,
the release of the dam
we had created
in the past
few days.

Chapter 845

End Game

Aoi felt so far away,
a billion light years,
in a separate dimension.
So far away,
I could see no light,
I could feel no connection,
I could not reach.
I felt nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing at all.
Who was Aoi?
I no longer knew.
My precious Aoi.
I could no longer see.
In my mind, all was bare.
Bone dry.
Empty.
An empty vessel.

Chapter 846

End Game

All of a sudden,
my breath grew thin,
and drawn out,
a difficulty of breathing,
this crushing force
in my lungs.

Airu's eyes grew wide,
when she realized,
what she had done.

With a word,
with just a name,
the perilous world around us,
the false landscape we had created,
this impenetrable bubble,
crumbled, 
like the devastating fall of a great nation.
Of a great kingdom.

This fantasy, this lie, this act,
gave way to reality.

The utmost quintessence of betrayal.

Chapter 847

End Game

In the end,
I was left with a ragged hole
in my heart, in my soul, in my mind.
A hole, its dimensions
much much greater
than what it must have been before.

Was this the end of me?
Was this the end for all of us?

"No!" Airu cried out in anguish.

I watched. I watched with no emotion
as her knees trembled and buckled,
her torn body falling limp to the floor,
her back dragging against the wall,
racked with sobs.

Emotion was not possible.
In the moment.
The moment, was what we had been living in.
The moment, was what we had desperately created.
The moment, was the escape.
But the moment, had been destroyed.

Chapter 848

End Game

"No..." She said.

Aoi... was all I heard.

What had I done?
What had happened?

My precious Aoi
on her God-forsaken bed,
sweat-soaked and broken,
frozen in a white timeless chamber,
abandoned by all the world.
Abandoned by me.

Chapter 849

End Game

Abandoned. Until I couldn't feel a thing.

I wanted to hear her cry out to me.
But there was silence.
I wanted the urge to rush to her side.
But there was immobility.
I wanted the pain to punish me.
But there was no relief.
Those things had been long gone.
Those habits had been long decimated.

Aoi, was no longer inside me.

Chapter 850

End Game

"I'm so sorry.." Her tattered sobbing.

I turned towards her, taking a step closer,
a shuffling step, 
my foot sliding 
across the floor,
lifelessly.

She looked up at me, scared, guilty
-- she too, knew of what she did --
and pressed herself against the wall,
as far away as she could from me.

Instead, I collapsed next to her.
Shoulder to shoulder,
backs against the wall.

There was only a soundless retribution.

Chapter 851

End Game

It could have been seconds.
Or minutes.
Or hours.
That passed.

But it passed in silence.

There was an indistinct
apathetic drone in my mind,
the buzzing, humming, ringing sound
of complete silence.

I closed my eyes.

Finally, everything else caught up to us.
The present held no comfort.

Only the silence did.

Chapter 852

End Game

She took away what there was left.
"Seiji..."

I shook my head,
telling her not to speak.

But she didn't see me,
too caught up in her own trembling emotions,
her trembling voice, and trembling hands.

"I'm scared..."

"I'm going to lose you. Aren't I?"

"Everything... everything was my fault."

"You hate me. Don't you?"

"It's ended. All this. Is over."

Chapter 853

End Game

She stared at me wordlessly,
as I stared blankly ahead.

I knew her eyes were drowning in tears,
but there were none in my own;
her words had no power on me.

It was like I had been stripped of all.

Everything I had.

I was stark naked now,
not even left with a suit in mourning. 

Exposed to the imposing real world,
the scalding light of truth, 
the frigid air of purity,
upon the snow-covered ground 
of a white, white desert.

My barren uncovered self,
was a horrible sight to see.
So horrible that I had no blame
for anyone -- but myself.

But the present too, 
had betrayed us.

Chapter 854

End Game

"No." My parched lips cracked.
"Not yet." I licked my lips, a futile attempt to moisten it.
"Not over yet." I managed to whisper. 
A ghost of a whisper.

The rest of the evening.
Was what we had left.

She looked at me strangely,
through the tears,
which now soaked through her shirt.

She opened her mouth but closed it again.

Was she supposed to have hope?
What had I meant?

"It's not your fault."
I said quietly.

Chapter 855

End Game

My words gave her some strength.
My words gave us some strength.

"Seiji, please..."

She pleaded.

"Don't leave me."

"I'll do anything..."

I avoided her eyes.

"Give me some time."

"I'll tell you the answer, tomorrow."

Her eyes questioned me.
The tears on her cheeks were drying,
slowly pulling her soft skin taut,
like a dehydrated, cracked riverbed.

"Tomorrow, I'll know."

Chapter 856

End Game

It was a reassurance for the both of us.
Tomorrow, we would know the answers.
The only hope left.

I realized we had tried so hard 
to imagine something,
out of nothing.
Out of the false refuge
of the present.

But nothing would still remain nothing.

I could no longer push things aside.
I could no longer listen to her lies.
There was no safety in the moment.

I must decide.
All at once,
I must decide.

God, help me decide.

Chapter 857

End Game

"What's up?"

We hadn't noticed him come up beside us.
He planted his crisp white sneakers in front of me.

"What are you doing out here?"

I tried to say something smart, 
something to make us laugh.
But nothing came.

"Not going to come back inside?"

He snorted at our pathetic state,
not comprehending, not aware
of it all spelt out in the air.

He sighed.

"Well, let me help you guys out."

That was odd of him.
I hadn't expected something like that.

Chapter 858

End Game

"What?" I finally said, exhausted.

"Hold on."

Like a spectre, 
he disappeared through the door, 
as quickly as he had appeared.

We stared at the door,
wondering what to do.

Airu fidgeted.

What would I say to her now?
What kind of answer would there be tomorrow?

There was only silence between us.

Chapter 859

End Game

It wasn't long till he returned,
his hands full.

"Here."

He squatted in front of us and offered us our glasses.

"Thanks." I smiled.
Airu tipped her head, disheveled bangs brushing against her knees.

He wasn't as bad as I originally thought he was.
As I had thought he was a few days ago.

Without a word, 
he sat down beside me, 
knees to his bony chest.

I stared blankly at the swirling bubbles, 
white dots, against a field of glowing orange.
They popped one after the other, dissipating into air.

They had no answers for me.

Chapter 860

End Game

Nothing felt as refreshing before.
For my parched lips and burning throat,
it was salvation and redemption.

It didn't take long for us to finish the cups.

I was feeling better already.

"Thanks, Akira."

His eyes held no emotions,
thin like slits that stared into the distance.

"No problem."

I tried to give the both of them a smile, but I was too tired.

Chapter 861

End Game

I was all of a sudden too tired.
I was tired of this all.
What seemed like years.
The struggle between truth and lie.

Like the drink was a reflection of my naked self,
bathed in a cleansing, purging rain.
It took away everything,
all my pain, all my sins.

I could feel it now,
the light airy breeze,
of a place far far away,
from this.
Where I felt nothing
but joy and peace.

Chapter 862

End Game

I watched as her eyes closed,
lightly, slowly, peacefully,
the silence of the moment,
her soft blanket,
the gaseous carbonation
now a pillow in our stomachs.

Akira looked at us curiously.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"When are we leaving?"

"Maybe soon."

Chapter 863

End Game

"Okay." I said, yawning.

There was no reply.

He sat there quietly,
waiting, waiting.
Unable to return inside.

Just like us, 
we would be unable to return
to where we were before.

I closed my sleepy eyes.
Imitating Airu.

She looked more comfortable this way.

The only thing left to do was to get used to this.

Chapter 864

End Game

The world remained dark.

I could see nothing.

Heavy eyelids
refused to open.

Not that it mattered.

It felt better this way.
Like floating on a cloud.

No need to see.
No need to think.
No need to feel.
No need to move.