Orario, Southwest Central Plaza
As the sun began to set, Shaka who'd been busy all day walked down the street carrying a paper bag full of groceries. Adventurers streamed back from the dungeon one after another, heading to the guild's exchange to convert their spoils into Faris.
Shaka glanced toward the dungeon entrance, hoping to spot familiar faces.
"Still not back at this hour? Did they head deeper in?"
Shaking his head, he continued toward the hostess of Fertility. Shaka knew he'd be washing dishes again that night.
The clock tower in the distance chimed four times, its bells echoing across the square. The central fountain burst into a magnificent water display, bringing cool relief to those finishing their work.
Just then...
A melodious violin tune filled the bustling square. Kaori Miyazono, dressed in a white jumpsuit, held a brown violin to her shoulder. As she drew the bow across the strings, a lively, vibrant melody spread through the air.
Countless people stopped to listen.
Tiny starlight sparkled around the performance area, adding brilliance to the square as darkness fell. Passersby soon noticed something unusual:
"Hey all my tiredness from the day just vanished after listening to this!"
"Me too! I feel so much better!"
"Is this magic? It's incredible!"
After the violin opening, a rhythmic guitar joined in. Yui swayed her body to the beat, fingers dancing across the strings as music full of determination and drive filled the air.
Then Yuki stepped forward with a magic stone megaphone, her clear voice ringing out like a lark:
"Always, in the light scenes never seen before yesterday..."
"Following each step along the way..."
...
"The future world you paint will be guided by the skies of the past."
The song "Courage" echoed through the streets of another world, transporting Shaka for a moment. He quietly set down his grocery bag and burst into applause the moment the music ended.
His clapping roused the mesmerized crowd, and even louder applause erupted all around.
"What was that? It was so beautiful!"
"Amazing! Play another one, girls!"
The crowd cheered enthusiastically. Yuki chuckled into the megaphone, scratching her head: "Everyone's had a long day we're glad you enjoyed our music!"
"We loved it!"
"One more song!"
Cheers continued as the small band played two more pieces. When the music finally faded, the crowd dispersed.
Shaka picked up his groceries and turned to leave with a smile.
"Shaka!!"
Yuki's cheerful voice called out from behind. Before Shaka could react, Yuki had thrown herself into his arms.
"Shaka how was our band?!"
"Fantastic!" Shaka praised without hesitation.
"Hehe~" Yuki giggled. "Can you believe it? I actually have a knack for singing!"
Shaka was genuinely happy for her finding happiness in this world mattered more than anything else.
"By the way, the music seemed to restore physical and mental strength?"
Yuki smiled mysteriously: "That's Kaori's magic. Not only that it can even boost overall stats slightly for everyone in range!"
"And while she's playing, nothing can interrupt her. It's like a super armor skill in games isn't that awesome?!"
Shaka's eyes widened in surprise: "That's incredible!"
Looking at the band, he couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if Tachibana Kanade or other future music students joined them forming a group that could set the "battlefield atmosphere." With a magician handling lighting too...
As long as my background music is playing, no one can beat me!
From now on, he'd be a person with his own theme song wherever he went. Shaka smiled as he made plans in his head.
"Oh right Kaori's being so brave! I heard she's going to confess to the guy she's liked for years!" Yuki whispered in his ear.
"Huh?" Shaka was startled.
"Not exactly a direct confession more like she told the boy's best friend... Ugh, it's all so complicated!" Yuki scratched her head in frustration.
"But either way it's amazing!"
Hearing Yuki's excitement, Shaka realized the story from April was about to unfold. He didn't know if the timing was right, but one thing was certain: Kaori would not miss Arima Kousei's final performance this time.
"That's wonderful!" Shaka said sincerely.
"Yeah spending your last days with someone you love... How amazing." Yuki's face was full of envy.
"I don't think I'd have that kind of courage."
Unlike Kaori, Yuki's condition was far more severe. Her body, ravaged by illness, left her with no room for "romance." Anyone seeing her true state would be shocked and her immunodeficiency syndrome meant romance was all but impossible.
But her melancholy faded quickly as she laughed brightly: "It's okay though I have you, Shaka!"
"But if I'm gone one day... you mustn't be sad."
Looking at Yuki's wide, toothy smile, Shaka's heart ached. Without thinking, he blurted out:
"Or... what if you treat me as your romantic partner? Just in this world what if I'm your boyfriend here?"
Yuki froze, her face flushing bright red. After a moment, she forced a smile and waved her hand:
"No... that's not right. If we did that, you'd be even more heartbroken when I'm gone."
"Things are perfect as they are now."
Shaka could hear the hesitation and longing in her voice like a stray dog catching a whiff of steak, knowing it could never have it but unable to forget the scent.
Hands on his hips, he looked up confidently: "It's fine! I've got plenty of room in my heart one more won't make a difference. I'll even reluctantly share my embrace with you!"
When Yuki remained silent, Shaka smiled gently:
"You won't die. As long as we get stronger together, you'll get better."
"Lies."
Yuki's expression hardened as she looked down.
"What?"
"You're lying, aren't you? Who could ever like someone who's just skin and bones, bald, a 'mummy' stuck in a hospital bed all day?"
Yuki looked up, a self-deprecating smile on her lips even as tears streamed down her face.
"At least the Yuki in front of me right now is cute, isn't she?!"
Seeing her like this, Shaka spoke with unusual seriousness: "Even if it's a lie what if we have a fake 'online romance'?"
He realized his earlier words might have given Yuki false hope. Unmet expectations would only bring pain and resentment. So he extended his hand:
"It's Cinderella's magic! This spell won't break until the final bell tolls!! My princess will you wear the glass slippers I made for you?"
Yuki stared at the outstretched hand, covering her mouth as tears welled up again. She knew that taking this hand would give her the "love" she'd never dared to hope for like a fairy tale, sudden yet natural.
Should I take it?
she'd only ever been friend to Shaka, afraid that deeper feelings would leave nothing but pain for the other person. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
Say yes, say yes...
Just then, Yui hopped over after packing up her instruments, hugging Yuki from behind:
"What are you two talking about?"
Shaka summed it up simply: "Love and wishes."
He took Yuki's hand firmly, smiling: "From today on, Yuki is my Cinderella."
"Really?!" Yui's eyes darted between them before she raised her hand excitedly: "Yui has a wish too!"
Before Yuki could respond, Yui sighed dreamily: "Yui wants to get married! I want to be a bride!"
Yuki's eyes went wide:
"Married?! No way this is way too sudden!"
Yui puffed out her chest confidently, hands on her hips: "Hehe I know! Dreams are all about thinking big! Let's go for it!"