(Wuwa Reveries in the Crimson Beyond: ost - Epic Orchestra Cover)[1]
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Lyrics but more precisely, the lyrics to a new song.
Even though the band's recent routine had mostly become school, practice, and street performances, they had never once forgotten about preparing new songs and future live shows. In order to go head-to-head with MyGO on stage, they always made sure to stay in peak condition.
As the band's lyricist, Hitori often wrote on her own in private. This notebook, a gift from Tomori, was her dedicated lyrics journal.
If it were just an ordinary set of new song lyrics written inside, Haru might not have reacted so intensely. The problem was, the lyrics in this notebook looked incredibly familiar, so familiar it was almost uncanny.
As the band's composer, Haru recognized it instantly.
This was the same song he had composed in the simulation, the very piece that led Kessoku Band to their pinnacle, "The Ever-Blooming Pure White Flower." (VOL 5 Chap 28)
"I-I just finished writing these lyrics recently… and I really wanted you to see them first, Haru…"
Hitori's voice trembled with embarrassment as she averted her eyes. Her heart churned the moment the notebook left her hands.
"The Ever-Blooming Pure White Flower" was the song she performed best within the Dream.
At her peak, she had been able to perform this difficult piece with flawless precision. But since many of the details of the Dream were blurry, even Hitori, who had drilled the song into muscle memory, found it nearly impossible to fully replicate in the real world.
Still, from the fragments she could recall, she had managed to reconstruct the lyrics.
"Haru-san… what do you think?"
Clutching her small fists nervously, the girl looked seriously at Haru, who was now frowning deeply as he studied the pages.
Because of the gaps in her memory, the real-world version of the song inevitably differed from the one in the Dream. But Hitori had filled those empty spaces with her own colors, pouring every ounce of her love and resolve into the lyrics.
To others, these might seem like just another set of band lyrics, but to Haru, the composer....
This was the purest, most romantic form of confession.
There were no flowery words, no obvious flirtations, no hidden love letters.
This was a girl's expression [Hitori's] utterly unique and pure. A confession only the two of them could understand.
"…"
Haru fell silent.
The memory of dating and marrying Hitori in the simulation was still vivid in his mind, and his heart stirred with a strange, unnameable feeling.
"The Ever-Blooming Pure White Flower" had been a song he wrote with his own hands, for the person he loved. But now, the lyrics Hitori wrote had transformed its meaning. It was no longer a melody he poured into alone.
It was the crystallization of both of their hearts, a true collaboration of emotion.
Haru had never imagined that, in the real world, before he even composed the piece, this version of Hitori would already create the lyrics and not only that, the emotion she poured into it was just as deep as his.
It was the first time he truly felt the depth of the feelings she had hidden away... so quiet, yet so powerful.
"Hitori… what do you think about the lyrics you wrote?"
Haru's voice was hoarse, his emotions surging uncontrollably. He lifted his black eyes, sharp enough to pierce through anything, and looked at the girl in front of him who was shy, but mustering all her courage to raise her head.
Faced with his question, Hitori froze, unsure what to say. Her clenched fists pressed down on her thighs, trembling faintly.
Her nerves left her fumbling in hesitation, just like all those times she'd faltered when talking to Haru. But this moment of doubt sent a jolt of fear through her. She realized she was on the verge of slipping back into her old self.
No. She had to speak.
"…I've always been following your compositions, Haru. You've always been able to write amazing songs so effortlessly. You were the core of every live performance, guiding everyone forward, and I was always the one slowly trailing behind under your protection. Every step I took was only possible because you were there, gently pushing me from behind."
"You held my hand… and even though I was lost, you still led me forward."
"I always wanted to catch up to you, Haru. But every time I took a step forward, I'd get scared and retreat. I was afraid you'd look at me with disappointment, afraid you'd stop expecting anything from me."
The pink-haired girl's eyes trembled as she met his gaze, as if they were simply discussing an "ordinary" band matter.
"Whenever I thought about that, I'd shrink back… but even then, you'd take my hand and pull me forward again."
"But I know... I can't rely on you alone."
Her sky-blue eyes no longer wavered. In the soft glow of the daylight lamp, her gaze shone like a field of stars. The girl who used to hide behind Haru was no longer timid. She pressed her lips together and stared straight ahead.
Then, with a voice trembling from emotion and determination, she spoke:
"Because I am the Guitar Hero!"
A hero has to protect and lead others.
Hitori wanted to see Haru look at her with surprise. She wanted to hear him speak words of wonder and praise beside her ear. But she didn't want to simply rest content and comfortable in his arms like she did in the Dream. She didn't want Haru to be the only one holding her hand.
Her happiness, she had to seize it with her own hands!
She was the Guitar Hero, and she belonged only to Haru!
"I poured everything into these lyrics, Haru. My gratitude to you, and all the feelings I've hidden away until now. Everything, everything is in there."
Having spoken all the words in her heart, Hitori sagged like a deflated balloon. Her straightened back collapsed inward, and the brave, determined expression she had worn faded, replaced by nervousness and anxiety.
Haru let out a long, heavy breath.
He had imagined, to some extent, how this timid girl might express her feelings. He had guessed she'd drop some kind of "hint" once he came over. But he never expected such a pure and courageous emotional blow from Miss Bocchi.
Honestly, this was even more powerful than a straightforward "I like you."
"After reading lyrics this moving, I think I need to give a proper response."
Haru gently closed the precious notebook, something that existed nowhere else in the world. A faint, dazzling curve tugged at his lips. He lifted his dark eyes and, with clear deliberation, answered in a soft, measured tone:
"I'll give everything I have to finish this song. A song just for you and me."
"I'll make this song ring out across the country even across the world, so everyone can hear the music we made together. But to do that, it won't just be me putting in the work. You'll need to give it your all too, Hitori. We have to stand side by side and keep moving forward."
"Hitori… will you entrust me with everything you've got?"
Her eyes widened. Disbelief overflowed from them like waves.
Her mind went blank from the sheer impact, but her body reacted instinctively, she bowed slightly.
"Th-this foolish girl asks only to spend the rest of her life under your guidance!"
It sounded like a formal wedding vow between husband and wife, yet Hitori didn't feel embarrassed or out of place in the slightest. With trembling hands, she reached back into the closet and pulled out a heavy little piggy bank.
"...This is my dowry. Please don't hold back."
"Isn't this moving a bit too fast?" Haru muttered, eyes narrowing as he gave her a dry look, then tapped her forehead gently with a practiced hand chop.
"Eh? Aren't we already… in that kind of relationship?"
You mean purely physical, right?
"S-sorry! Did I… did I misunderstand something?"
Hitori looked down, flustered and crestfallen, her whole demeanor unsure and pitiful, so much so that she barely seemed like the same girl who had just delivered that powerful confession. Seeing her trembling like a scared bunny, Haru exhaled deeply.
Then....
He gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. Her pretty face lit up with a sudden, fiery blush.
Before she could react, he slowly raised his hand and brushed aside the long bangs that had covered her cheeks.
What met his eyes were her pale blue, glass-clear eyes, trembling with vulnerability. Her skin was like white porcelain, glowing softly under the dim light. Her long, delicate brows framed her features like morning clouds at the break of dawn.
Her soft, silken cherry-pink hair fell across his shoulder, along with the gentle fragrance of shampoo.
To put it bluntly, Bocchi once her looks were fully revealed was undeniably top tier.
"H-H-Haru-san?!"
Completely stunned, Hitori began to squirm in a flustered panic, her thin white shirt brushing unintentionally against Haru's body. The feather-soft texture made his expression tighten.
Trying to stay calm, Haru muttered irritably, "I've been thinking this since earlier but Bocchi, do you ever think about how you affect other people?"
"Eh? Did I… do something bad?"
Utterly unaware of her own effect, Hitori asked timidly, starting to bow her head in apology out of habit. But she didn't realize that motion, in itself, was the final straw for Haru.
Feeling her heat press against his chest, Haru's breath caught.
This is bad. This is really bad.
He silently cursed to himself, then, under Hitori's wide, uncomprehending gaze, leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
"Mm?!"
Too shocked to process what was happening, Hitori let out a confused squeak. Her eyes widened as her mind failed to keep up with reality.
Blood surged through her, and her delicate cheeks burned red as her heartbeat thundered in her chest. Instinctively, she leaned forward, trembling, her resistance fading until she finally melted into his arms.
"...Now do you get it? You really have no self-awareness at all."
Haru slowly released the motionless girl from his arms, his tone a mix of exasperation and disbelief.
Despite her shy and anxious personality, Bocchi had stats that were wildly overpowered, completely at odds with her character. And yet she had absolutely no idea how devastating her presence could be. She'd stare up at him with those doe-eyed looks, her face a silent plea for attention, completely unaware of the effect she was having.
If it were anyone else, they'd have already swindled her savings to go play pachinko.
"…"
Barely breathing, Hitori buried her face in Haru's chest. From this close, she could clearly hear the rhythm of his heartbeat.
The scent she loved so much wrapped around her like a warm blanket. The feeling of happiness was so overwhelming it made her whole body feel light and dizzy.
"Bocchi?"
Haru frowned, puzzled. All he did was kiss her, yet now she wasn't even moving.
A kiss isn't made of sea prism stone. It's not like she's a Devil Fruit user or anything.
Just as Haru was about to check on her, Hitori suddenly lunged at him again, her expression hazy. Their lips met once more, inexperienced but fiery with sweetness, leaving him briefly stunned.
This time, Bocchi pushed forward hard, as if trying to pour every ounce of her pent-up emotion into him.
And at this point, Haru wasn't even sure if pushing her away would be the right thing to do.
After a moment...
The pink-haired girl, nearly breathless, slowly pulled away. A silvery thread lingered between their lips. Her eyes darted to the side, as if she had only just realized what she'd done.
The tips of her small ears peeked out from behind her hair, dyed completely red.
Where did this shameless girl come from!?
She wasn't sure how long she'd gone overboard, but it definitely felt like a long time.
"S-sorry, Haru-san! I think I… sort of lost my mind there…"
Sweat formed on her brow as she instinctively began to apologize. Normally, Haru would forgive her right away with a smile. He loved teasing her, but he was always gentle. Yet today, his eyes narrowed coldly as he stared back at her.
Oh no… did he start to hate me?
No way, I don't want that!
If Haru is going to hate me, then at least, at the very least, let it be ten years after I'm dead!
"…If a simple apology fixed everything, human relationships wouldn't be so complicated."
Haru let out a deep breath and slowly took hold of Bocchi's wrist.
His slightly chilled gaze settled on Hitori's breathtaking face, then drifted down to her clean white blouse. The loose-fitting shirt hugged the curves of her figure a little too perfectly, until his eyes landed on what could only be described as an illegal-level mountain range.
"Eh?"
Bocchi trembled slightly. Feeling the warmth of his hand on her wrist, she nervously pressed her lips together.
The next moment, she suddenly sensed an intense heat. Realizing what was happening, she went completely still.
…
When they emerged from the closet, Bocchi was still nestled in his arms.
Hitori had pulled her pink-and-white tracksuit back on, both hands pressed against her flushed face.
But the blush on her ears and the wine-colored tint on her cheeks peeked through her fingers. Even now, cradled against him, she kept dodging Haru's gaze like an ostrich trying to bury its head in his chest.
At some point, her hair had gotten tucked behind her ears, exposing the pale skin underneath. Her bangs and side locks were slightly mussed.
With her dark brows arched like a painting, and her delicate features glowing red, Hitori looked completely radiant, her beauty on full display before Haru.
"I… I'm gonna go rinse my mouth."
Forcing her wobbly body to move through sheer willpower, the pink-haired wild serpent bolted from the room in a blur.
Haru watched her retreating figure, his expression a little complicated. He turned back toward the closet, then gave up on the idea of closing it. Hearing her footsteps thudding down the stairs, he took a deep breath and pressed his fingers against his temple.
This is bad. Why do I feel like my resistance is dropping every time?
Maybe it started with Taki last time, but Haru found himself less and less able to resist these rosy-cheeked, lovestruck girlfriends of his and with Bocchi looking all soft and vulnerable like that, he'd seriously almost lost control.
Still, he had to keep his composure, at least until the "death line."
…
Moments later, Bocchi had returned to her "pink wild serpent" mode, cheeks still burning red and her jewel-blue eyes shimmering with nervous moisture.
Seeing Haru coming downstairs, she panicked and lowered her head, her pale skin tinged with a soft pink glow.
"U-um, Haru-san…?"
"Are you still mad at me?"
Fiddling nervously with her fingers, Bocchi wore a tearfully apologetic expression, but with a hint of anticipation behind it.
What if I say yes?
Seeing that look on her face, Haru nearly lost his self-control all over again. He took a deep breath, then raised his hand and playfully struck her forehead with the "Karate Chop."
At the same time, a faint smacksound echoed beside his ear.
"Wuah?"
Watching her clutch her forehead with a little whimper, Haru sighed, exasperated but amused.
"I wasn't angry in the first place. Just… maybe tone it down a bit next time."
I mean, you kissed me for over ten minutes. Anyone would break at that point.
Haru had never imagined that the usually passive and timid Bocchi could be so aggressively forward in moments like that. And then, to top it off, she went right back to looking all apologetic and fragile. She nearly snapped his sanity multiple times.
"…By the way, what time is it now?"
The question slipped out without thinking, and Bocchi's eyes widened in alarm.
"It's almost six…! Mom, Dad, and Futari will be home soon!"
A lot of time had passed since they returned from STARRY. Knowing the Gotoh family, if her parents found Haru still there, they'd definitely invite him to stay for dinner.
And then Futari would probably say something like "It's too late to go home," and push for him to spend the night.
And if he stayed over… the place he'd sleep was a guaranteed 100%: Bocchi's room.
Haru had nearly lost it once already today. If he spent the night in Bocchi's room, things might really cross the line.
He quickly massaged his temple to cool off, then turned to the girl beside him.
"In that case, I should probably get going. It'd be a problem if your parents saw me here."
"Ah… y-you're right."
Hitori nodded, face still red. She clearly understood her parents all too well.
They had just officially started their relationship today. Whether it was from embarrassment or just wanting to keep it private for now, she wasn't ready for her family to find out. Just hearing them tease her would probably make her faint on the spot.
But Hitori was naturally clingy and deeply reliant. Now that she was finally together with the one she loved, a quiet ache of longing settled in her heart. Even though they'd spent so much time close already, it still didn't feel like enough.
At least… just one more time.
"…Haru, can you close your eyes for a second?"
"Hm?"
Haru smiled knowingly, then gently lifted her chin with his hand.
Under her shy gaze, he leaned in and kissed her again. Just for a few seconds, slow and sweet then softly pulled away.
"Happy now?"
Blushing hard, Bocchi gave a tiny nod.
Her brain completely blank, she just stood there in a daze, watching him wave goodbye and head for the door. Then, suddenly, she crouched down, ears burning red.
She pressed her hands to her cheeks as if they were a kind of emotional armor, suppressing the jittery excitement inside. From between her fingers, her misty blue eyes peeked out.
"…If only Haru could stay mad at me a little longer."
The words slipped out before she could stop them. Realizing what she'd just admitted, her face turned crimson, and she bit her lip in embarrassment.
Today had been… a lot for Hitori. Far too much.
Her already limited processing power had overheated and crashed several times.
Even after Haru left her house, Hitori still felt completely dazed, her body soft and weak as if she couldn't take another step.
But despite that, she couldn't help it, she was already looking forward to the next time he'd visit her home.
…
A late afternoon on the cusp of winter.
After leaving the Gotoh household, Haru walked straight toward the train station.
He strolled along the sidewalk beside a street in Yokohama, where scattered withered leaves lay over the cold asphalt. The bare tree trunks along the roadside had grown sparser, sketching a quiet sense of loneliness into the frosty scene.
Cold wind sliced past the back of his neck. The only sound was the whoosh of cars speeding by.
That simmering heat he'd felt earlier seemed to settle down, soothed by the chill in the air.
"I need to keep calmer next time. One more slip and I might really lose it."
Haru let out a slow, steady breath, the warmth of it billowing into white clouds in the frigid air.
At the rate things were going, it was only a matter of time before he broke.
He had some confidence in his ability to stay rational—but long-term pressure without a proper outlet could eventually spiral out of control. And right now, Haru was teetering right on that edge.
He had to stay sharp.
"…If it really comes to it, I'll need to find a way to raise my value and capability as fast as possible."
Muttering under his breath, Haru sighed again. He suddenly remembered, there was still one simulation target he hadn't tried yet.
Ever since obtaining the ULTIMATE Romance Simulator, he had completed seven formal simulations with different targets. After each one, he'd normally unlock a new character. But even after finishing his seventh simulation, the system showed no signs of opening any further slots.
That probably meant he couldn't add any new simulation targets.
"Honestly, it might be for the best. If I kept gaining more and more… I'd eventually hit my mental limit."
As the difficulty of the simulations increased, so did his reliance on VR Simulation to resolve difficult scenarios. Even if it cost him three simulation uses, it was highly effective.
But every time he used VR Simulation, it came with a steep mental toll. Sometimes, it even left him struggling to distinguish reality from fiction. That was why Haru had been trying to cut back.
Still, there was one target left to simulate.
Togawa Sakiko...
Haru considered whether it was finally time to test a simulation with Sakiko.
He'd been so swamped recently that his simulation count had grown steadily, ballooning into a ridiculous three-digit number. At this point, he could brute-force his way through with VR Simulation if necessary.
More than that, he genuinely wanted to know would something change once Sakiko's simulation was complete?
"…"
Lost in thought, Haru realized he'd arrived at the entrance to a familiar park.
This park held more than a few memories for him. It was where he'd first met Mutsumi, where he'd gone on dates, it had been their gathering spot more than once.
Perhaps it was just instinct, or pure coincidence, but his eyes swept across the inner area and then he abruptly stopped walking.
"…Sakiko?"
[1] https://youtu.be/9vC2h6t_RNc?si=TptY68hw_AVtihAA