Angelique blew at her hands and rubbed them. "It has gotten colder lately..." she mumbled to herself and looked at the night sky.

"Angelique..!" A familiar pinkette was running towards her. "Sorry, did you wait long?"

She shook her head. "Rather, I apologise. You had to come all this way to get me."

The two of them started walking. "It's completely fine. Besides, it's not safe for you to be out alone at night." He smiled brightly. "So I'm here to protect you!"

The corners of her lips stretched upwards into a smile. But that's not the smile Robin wanted to see. Still, he tried to remain cheerful around her. Holding her hand, he tagged her along with him.

"Do you want to eat some cakes today, Angelique? I'm suddenly in the mood for some!"

She shook her head. "I'm not really. You can have one if you want to."

"Nah, it's fine then. Let's go home!"

Time seemed to fly away as it was already the beginning of October. The world never stops for anyone. Just like that, it didn't stop its flow in spite of Guiltia Brion being on the verge of disappearing. Everyone knew they had to move on from his awaiting death. But it was easier said than done. After all, Guiltia had left his scars in their hearts. 

It was time for Eve to be the kids' guide and main pillar of support. He had to be mature enough to not express his sadness in front of them. It was his responsibility to look after them.

Guiltia had requested Robin to act as the big brother after the former passed away. The pinkette had been mindful of his responsibilities and did his very best to liven the atmosphere around him.

Among the twins, Ange kept singing. He believed Guiltia would respond to his songs if he kept singing. Sometimes he would break down while singing in front of the elder's coffin.

As for Angelique, ever since Guiltia went in that condition, she created an invisible wall around her heart. It was a wall to protect herself from breaking down. Since then, she hadn't touched the piano. Nor did she touch music. She didn't try to see the unconscious vampire ever again either. She knew she wouldn't be able to bear it.

Robin and Eve were considerate enough not to mention Guiltia in the twin's presence. Silently grieving for the loss of their friend, they tried to help the siblings get over him. That's how time kept ticking by and they were coming closer to the day of Visual Prison.

Until one day, there was an abrupt change in their days.

"Uh..." Angelique looked around hesitantly. How did I even end up here?

To be exact, she was in Eclipse's home, sitting on the couch in between the two members. It all had happened when a red car suddenly stopped in front of her, from which Dimitri came out. And then he had brought her to his home, saying he had something to talk about.

That's how she ended up in her beloved Eclipse's home. David, Eclipse's butler, was kind enough to serve drinks to the three. Dimitri and Hyde had champagne. Still sitting, dumbfounded, Angelique accepted the cup of tea with thanks.

The Scarlet Moon outside shone without Angelique knowing. Dimitri finally opened up his mouth, eyebrows furrowing in concern. "The little pup is wailing again."

"....Ange is?"

"He's singing that song yet again," Hyde answered. She didn't ask how he knew about it. It must've been the power of the Scarlet Moon that let them hear Ange singing.

"He's on the verge of disappearing. We can't fault the little pup for whimpering." She felt a pang in her heart.

"Yes." Nodding, Hyde took a sip of his champagne. "How have you been faring, Angelique?"

"I'm. . .fine." She looked down, placing the half empty cup on the table in front.

"Well, you certainly don't look fine." He looked at her. "We can't find traces of your merry smiles."

Hearing that, she plastered a smile and tried to make it as natural as she could. "I'm fine..."

"Little lamb..." Dimitri's eyes saddened. "We know you well enough to distinguish between your natural and forced smiles. I didn't think you would try to mask your heart from us."

"That's not...!" She feared that she let them down and hurt their feelings. Dimitri and Hyde were her friends. She didn't make her friends sad.

Dimitri continued speaking in a soft voice, "We want to do everything in our powers to make humans happy. That also includes you, little lamb."

"I...." She had locked everything she had felt that night fearing that she wouldn't be able to tolerate it. Besides, that's probably what Guiltia wanted her to do.

"Don't conceal your true self from us, little lamb," Dimitri gave one final push. "We'll help you get over your troubles."

"But..." The dam in her heart was ready to burst out. She was never truly capable of bearing it all along. She whispered, "Guil-san doesn't want it..."

Quizzically, the bluenette asked. "What does he not want?"

"He doesn't want me to cry." She bit her lips, pushing down the surging emotions inside her. She couldn't just let everything out. "So, I have to keep smiling even if it hurts..."

Dimitri now understood where the raven was coming from. He couldn't let her bear such a burden. "However, he didn't mean to force you to hold everything in without knowing so. The last thing that Guil wants is for you to be stuck in the past, blindly believing that everything is fine."

But, Ange keeps on singing like he promised Guil-san. That's why I have to too.....

"Goodness..." Hyde, who silently watched their conversation unfold, sighed. His brows were twitched while his eyes were shut. Sharply, he stood up.

"...!" Angelique gasped inaudibly. Hyde had put both of his arms on the couch on both of her sides. She got trapped between him and the couch. Out of shock, she froze. Dimitri also hadn't expected this but he had faith in his partner.

"Do you think that you're the only one suffering from this?" Hyde's face was really near. However, there was no trace of his typical smirk. His sharp eyes intimidatingly looked down at her.

"That's not what I think..." Angelique replied.

"Then stop being so unreasonable." His voice was stern. "Guil, Dimitri and I have known each other for nearly three hundred years. The three of us are brothers who have been together almost throughout our lives."

The blonde asked, as if his words were a mirror of his heart, "Are you under the impression that none of us are affected by Guil's death?"

Her grey eyes widened. I really didn't think about them. ... For Dimitri-sama and Hyde-sama to lose their brother... it must be far more painful. They must've been feeling far worse than any of us...... I'm such an idiot....

"Despite this, we will keep moving forward." Angelique had never seen such passion and determination in his calm blue eyes. "We know Guil better than anyone. And that Guiltia would never forgive himself if he made someone suffer the same way as he suffered after Yutaka's death."

....! I... She was unknowingly walking on the same road Guiltia had once walked on. The path of closing oneself from everyone else and living in silent despair.

"No matter how Guil's death may affect us, we won't stop from winning this year's Visual Prison. Eclipse will protect humans no matter what."

Finally, Hyde backed away and straightened. "We will keep on singing. Strongly and more elegantly than anyone." After taking a breath, Hyde began singing. It was his unreleased solo.

Hyde's powerful and mighty singing voice left her stunned. His song pulled her into another world and all she could do was feel her insides tremble from it. A whirlwind of emotions spiralled inside her, being ignited by Hyde.

How was Hyde able to sing like this while his brother was on the verge of disappearing? How could he stand so fiercely and bravely like a sword? How could he not be stuck to the present and move forward without any fear?

"....." Angelique didn't know what to say. Hyde was right. Like Guiltia had done in the past, she was ready to close her heart and face away from music. All because she was scared of facing reality.

But it couldn't be helped. She had found a new family: OZ. She felt the happiest when she was with them than she ever felt in her whole life. She never wanted to lose any of them. Guil-san...

When her heart called for the man she dearly missed, an unknown melody rang inside her head. The same happened to Dimitri and Hyde. The men looked at each other before glancing outside through the glass windows.

"This is..." Dimitri muttered. The prison's powers had been activated by none other than OZ. The blue rays of light were the proof.

"What..." The confused girl also looked outside but she couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.

I was asleep in sin at the bottom of darkness
If this is my destiny, I shall accept it

......!! Angelique's hands flew to her mouth in pure shock. It was Guiltia's voice. Guiltia's song. How.... 

The two men of Eclipse shared an understanding nod. They had grasped the situation.

And yet for some reason there was a primordial sound
Like a heartbeat that should never have existed

Memories from the first time they met till their last meeting flashed poignantly in her heart. Meeting Guiltia, Ange's vampire parent, was destiny itself.

And it questioned my existence in a fiery passion
I will never lie again
If the wind blows upon my back

Then Guiltia's memories that she had witnessed shone in her heart. She couldn't imagine how devastated he must've felt after losing his friends.

But I can still sing for you
Even if my body were to crumble into nothing
Our bonds, our memoria will become the wings of this song

Yet, Guiltia was singing. Even after suffering from heartache, he was singing so fiercely. Guil-san is so strong....

But I can still sing for you
I just want to take flight once more
Until this sea of sound disappears into the ridge of light

This was.... Guil-san's true feelings. Angelique bit her lip to suppress the urge to cry loudly. ....He has accepted his fate without any regrets. Instead, silent tears finally fell down, wetting her cheeks. The emotions that she desperately tried to keep buried broke free from its chains.

It's a silent message: for all of us to keep moving on. Just as he has acknowledged his fate, it's time for me to let go of him as well....

Dimitri and Hyde exchanged soft glances before the former placed a comforting hand on top of her head and watched the girl silently shed tears for her friend, her inspiration, her mentor... for Guiltia.

.  . .  . . .  .

Ange gasped inaudibly at the sight of his sister. Eclipse had dropped her off at her home and when he saw her enter, he was surprised after seeing her red eyes. Not only Ange but also Eve and Robin were worried. 

"Are you alright, Angelique?" He was by her side, asking gently. "Did something happen?" He didn't directly ask her why she had cried.

"No..." She shook her head and smiled lightly. She knew her eyes and nose had gone red, thanks to bawling her eyes out. However, that made her heart feel much lighter. After hearing Guiltia's song, she felt like she could actually smile now. "I'm fine."

Indeed, she seemed fine. She even looked better than she had looked in the past month. This made the boys not question her further.

Eve kindly smiled. "Do you want some hot chocolate? It'll warm you up."

"Mm." She thanked the purple head. She sat down on the couch and the two young boys joined her. I should apologise to Dimitri-sama and Hyde-sama for the trouble I've caused...

"Hey Angelique, we just decided on something," Robin stated, smiling. "We're going to do a live show."

"It'll be OZ's final live," added Ange. "On the day of the Visual Prison."

"Oh..." She was taken aback by the fire and strength in their eyes before breaking out into a bittersweet smile. "That's great but.....will you be performing without Guil-san?" Final live,huh....

"No." The brunette smiled. "Guil will be there. He will sing with us."

"Huh?" She widened her eyes. Eve returned with a cup of hot chocolate and handed it to her. He enlightened, "Even if Guil is in a suspended state, he can still sing inside the Prison."

Seeing the confused state of the raven, Ange suggested, "I guess we should explain everything properly first."

"So you heard his song too..." Robin mumbled.

"It must've been the power of the Prison." Eve explained, "It delivered the song to everyone Guil wanted to convey his song to."

"I see...." She gingerly nodded, digesting everything they had just told her. Her voice trembled. "I'm glad.... Guil-san hasn't disappeared yet..." Even if we can't face each other, his song can still reach me...

The three males fondly watched her. It was so unfortunate that Guiltia and Angelique cared so much for each other, yet they couldn't meet the other just because the latter wasn't a vampire. They will be sure to pass her feelings to Guiltia and his feelings to her.

"You should head to bed now," Eve said to the three youngsters. "It has been a tiring and eventful day. Get some rest."

When Angelique got up, her bag fell down from her hand and something scattered on the floor. "Ah, sorry."

Ange's eyes widened, having recognized what the papers contained. Before his sister, he picked the sheets up. "These are..."

"What's this...?" Curious, Robin also checked out its contents. "Wait! This..."

"Did you write this, Angelique?" Eve, who had also been interested, questioned her after looking at the sheet.

"Um...yeah." I haven't touched 'Angelist' ever since I learned of Guil-san's sickness.

"This is amazing!" Ange exclaimed. "It's an amazing song!"

"Yeah! I like it too!" The pinkette nodded profusely.

"The song has a beautiful name too," stated Eve.

" 'Angelist'..." Ange repeated the name. "....I want to sing it..."

"Huh?!" She was shocked at his whisper. "What..?"

Robin joined his friend. "I want to too. It's such a pretty and sparkly song... I want to sing it too!"

"Me too. The notes are very warm."

Ange resolved himself as he took a step towards his twin. As OZ's leader, he had made a decision. There was no doubt I'm his grey eyes. "Angelique, let us sing this song in the Visual Prison."

"......Ehhhh?!?!!!"

To be continued...