Ever since I confessed, she has been acting strange. - CHAPTER 2:THE RUNAWAY SONGSTRESS ARC

Episode 9: When the Wings Beat

Even though I ran away from home, it’s not like I had anywhere in particular to go,

and I’m not really the type to go out much.

“It’s my first time in an arcade.”

So I decided to take her to a place where the purpose was just to have fun.

Compared to the main streets, there were fewer people here, which also helped

Otoha-san being recognized. According to her, “If you

confident, people surprisingly don’t notice,” but it’s still better to be

to be careful.

“Do you come here often, Eito?”

“Not really, no. But sometimes on my days off, a friend invites me.”

Entering the arcade, we were greeted by the lively electronic sounds that played randomly.

It seemed like a few new games had been added, but overall, the line up of machines hadn’t changed much since the last time I came here with Yukimichi.

“Is there anything that interests you?”

“………… That one. I want to try it.”

Otoha-san pointed to a game in the back of the arcade.

The machine had a conveyor belt-like shape, with a large monitor set up in front of it.

“A dancing game? I don’t mind, but…”

To be honest, when I decided to go to the arcade, this was the first thing that came to my mind.

I don’t know the details of why she ran away from home, but if something unpleasant happened, it might not be a bad idea to move her body and work up a sweat.

However, this singer is currently taking a break from her activities.

It’s probably not because of her physical condition. She had enough energy to escape from the hotel and climb down with a rope from the roof, and after observing her carefully so far, there were no signs that she was unwell or about to fall ill. Her gait didn’t seem unnatural either – in fact, it was clear at a glance that she had excellent core strength, which I found quite impressive.

That’s exactly why I had assumed it might be something to do with her mental state – perhaps a reason related to her music career – and had avoided suggesting the dance game. But I never expected her to choose it herself.

“Is this really okay?”

“What do you mean?”

Otoha-san tilted her head curiously, showing no signs of concern or hesitation.

“No, it’s nothing. Shall we go?”

Fortunately, no one was playing that game at the moment.

“It looks like you can choose the difficult level. Shall we start with the easiest?”

“I want the hardest.”

That’s quite a confidence. She kind of reminds me of Ojou in that way.

“Eito, why don’t you join me?”

“Sure. It’s my first time playing this game too, so I’m not sure if I can keep up, but if it’s okay with you.”

It seems that this game allows for cooperative play.

The mechanic is that the two of us dance together, and our scores are combined to create an overall score.

After inserting the credits and navigating through the menus, we reached the song selection screen. …Maybe I’ll take a look around.

“Oh? There’s even one of Otoha-san’s songs here. Shall we go with that one?”

“Sure. That’s fine.”

“Alright, let’s start.”

When we started the game, music I’d heard in commercials and such began to play, and markers appeared on the screen. Following the rhythm, we stepped and jumped in time with the markers as they flowed across the screen.

The gameplay involves stepping and jumping in sync with the markers, but as expected on the highest difficult level, the timing is incredibly fast.

“Whoa…”

Relying on my sense of rhythm and reflexes, I managed to step in time. So far, I’ve been able to keep up without making any mistakes.

I’m starting to get the hang of it, and it looks like there won’t be any problems.

“—-”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Otoha-san beside me. She was moving with graceful steps, also without a single mistake. Elegant and cool – so much so that even in the middle of the game, I almost found myself mesmerized for a moment.

While I’m barely able to do this through sheer practice and reflexes, she’s fundamentally different.

Her steps are meant to harmonize with the song and music, carrying a power that speaks to the hearts of those watching.

Most of all, she looks like she’s having fun.

Dancing in sync with the music, she seems to be genuinely enjoying herself.

It’s the kind of charm that makes even the viewer feel joy.

(Wait…?)

But even so, there is a faint hint of something painful – no, it’s sadness.

I thought I could see a trace of sadness in her eyes.

Finally, the music faded and the song ended.

While the machine calculated our scores, I took a moment to catch my breath.

“Eito, you’re amazing.”

“Really? If anything, I think you’re the impressive one.”

“It was your first time dancing with me, but you kept up.”

“I just rely on my trained reflexes and leg strength to get by.”

“That’s not true. Your sense of rhythm isn’t bad either… With a little more practice, you could be on stage with me.”

“Ahaha, I’m honored.”

Hmm… Otoha-san’s eyes seem to sparkle…

“One more time. Let’s dance together again.”

“Sure.”

After that, we played the game one more time and got a high score, but when people started gathering around and we started attracting attention, we quickly left the arcade.

“Haah, haah… I’m sorry. That was careless of me. I didn’t expect so many people to gather around us.”

“No, it’s okay. I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings either.”

We caught our breath in a huge park with a large pond, after jogging there at a brisk pace.

Since it’s a holiday, there are more people than usual, but… well, it’s not as crowded as the main streets or the arcade. As long as we act normal, we shouldn’t attract too much attention.

“Thank you. It’s been a while since I had this much fun.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

After that, we didn’t do anything special, just sat together and looked at the big pond.

In stark contrast to the arcade earlier, a peaceful and serene atmosphere surrounded us.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Eito, why did you come with me when I ran away? You said you were worried about me, but… I have a feeling that there’s more to it than that.”

“It’s not a lie that I was worried about you. But… when I look at you, I can’t help but be reminded of Ojou from the past.”

“Is that your master?”

“Yes. Ojou also tried to run away once in the past. She wanted to get the attention of her parents, who were always busy with work… She wanted them to see her. So somehow, I couldn’t leave you alone either.”

“……………………”

Otoha-san falls silent, lost in thought. The sound of the wind brushes past our ears and a brief silence fills the air.

“…Can I ask you something? It might be a bit personal.”

“Sure.”

“You’re taking a break from your activities right now, right?”

Otoha-san doesn’t answer with words, but she nods slightly to confirm.

“Could it be… that you can’t sing anymore?”

At my guess, Otoha-san’s eyes widen in surprise.

“How did you know?”

“After seeing you today, I could tell it wasn’t a physical problem. That left mental or emotional reasons. And considering it’s something serious enough to force you to take a break… I thought it might be that.”

“You’re amazing, Eito… Yeah, you’re right.”

Otoha-san gently puts a hand on her throat.

“I can talk normally. But when I try to sing… I just can’t get my voice to come out.”

“…I see. I’m sorry for prying.”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t mind.”

The faint sadness I saw during the dance game was probably related to her inability to sing.

“As you guessed, Eito, the doctors also said it was psychological.”

“Do you have any idea what could have caused it?”

“I don’t know. But just before I lost my voice… my father told me something. He said, ‘You shouldn’t sing anymore.'”

“To tell a singer not to sing… that’s something for a father to say.”

“My dad. He never really seemed happy when I sang, even before.”

Otoha-san begins to walk along the edge of the pond with a vague, almost dreamlike gait.

“My mother was a singer too. But she died when I was little. My father was devastated… so I started singing. Because my father loved my mother’s songs.

It was probably an act born out of a child’s innocent desire to cheer up her father.

“For me, singing was a means to an end. A tool. Something to lift my father’s spirits. Nothing more, nothing less. If my father says I shouldn’t sing anymore, then it’s no longer needed… That’s why I think I can’t sing anymore. Because it’s something I don’t need anymore…”

“That’s not true.”

I couldn’t help but interrupt Otoha-san as she tried to finish her thoughts.

“…Why?”

“Because, Otoha-san, you love to sing, don’t you?”

“Love singing…? Me?”

Otoha-san seemed confused by my words. It was as if she hadn’t realized it herself.

“Why do you think that?”

“During the dance game earlier… you looked like you were really enjoying yourself, Otoha-san. You were shining so brightly that I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. But at the same time, you seemed a little sad. It’s because you love singing so much that music brings you joy, but not being able to sing makes you sad. That’s how it seemed to me. And also…”

I closed my eyes and slowly remembered the voice of the singer that played in commercials and on the big screens around the city.

“…her songs can be heard in so many places, even in everyday life. Every time I hear them, I can’t help but think, ‘Ah, this person really loves to sing from the bottom of her heart.

“That’s not…”

“That’s not true? You mean you’ve never really enjoyed it before?”

“……………………”

In response to my question, Otoha-san fell silent. This silence was surely a question to herself.

She was questioning her own heart – her feelings about singing.

“…………………… I see. I really loved singing, didn’t I?”

“You’re just realizing it now?”

“Yes. Seems like it.”

A gentle smile appeared on Otoha-san’s face, as if a weight had been lifted.

“…Until now, singing was always just a means to an end. I thought of it as a tool. Something to cheer up my father, so I thought I wasn’t allowed to enjoy it. But… without realizing it, I’d grown to love it.”

As if to confirm her own feelings, Otoha-san silently wove her words together.

“I think the reason you couldn’t sing anymore is because you were deeply hurt when the person you love the most – your father – rejected the thing you love the most: singing.”

“What should I do?”

“It’s simple. First, go home and talk to your dad. Then tell him how you really feel.”

“But… I think my father hates my singing.”

“Really? I don’t think so.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Even though I just met you today, I could tell how much you love to sing. There’s no way your father doesn’t know that. I’m sure your father has his own reasons, and maybe he said those harsh things to push you away for a reason.”

“…………”

“First, go home and have a real talk with your father. I’m sure he’s worried about you.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to my dad.”

She seemed to have made up her mind in her own way. Her footsteps, once unsteady, were now firm, as if she had planted herself firmly on the ground.

“Thank you… Eito. You helped me to realize something important.”

“Don’t mention it. I haven’t done anything special.”

“No. For me, it’s something very important.”

Before I knew it, the sun began to set.

A refreshing breeze swept through, gently caressing the singer’s long hair as it flowed past.

The scene was somehow dreamlike and beautiful, as if celebrating her resolve and her feelings.

“Well, your running ends here. I’m going to take you home.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Just as we were about to walk back, Otoha-san suddenly stopped.

“Eito. If I ever feel like running away again… will you come get me?”

“Honestly, I’d prefer it if you didn’t run away again… but all right. If that’s what you want, I’ll come and get you again.”

“I see… Heh. I’ll count on you then.”

Otoha-san nodded in satisfaction. The smile on her face was that of a girl her age, and I thought it was more captivating than any smile she had shown in commercials or on the big screens.

“—-Eito!”

A voice I couldn’t possibly mistake made me instinctively turn around.

Running towards me was a girl with long, flowing golden hair—-

“Ojou!? Why are you here…!”

“Haah… haah… What do you mean ‘why’…!? I couldn’t reach you at all, and I had a bad feeling, so I came looking for you. I heard about the commotion at the arcade, so I ended up using people to gather information by sheer numbers… and then…”

Ojou caught her breath, but when she noticed Otoha-san standing next to me, her body stiffened like a stone.

“Ah, I should explain. Ojou, this is…”

“…Habatake Otoha-san, right?”

“Ah, so you already know her. She is famous after all.”

“Yes, that’s right. …Hehehe… I knew it… I had a feeling… And I can tell just by looking that it’s already too late…”

Even Ojou seemed to be shocked by the sudden appearance of the singer.

The light in her eyes seemed to have disappeared, probably because she was too stunned.

“I’m sorry for worrying you. I’m going to take Otoha-san home now, so…”

“There’s no need for that. She can ride in our car.”

“…It’s okay. I’ll walk home with Eito.”

“Oh dear. There’s no need to be so reserved. There’s plenty of room, and more importantly, the car will get you home much faster and more efficiently. If you prefer, I can even walk home with Eito instead.”

“That’s right! Your father must be worried about you, Otoha-san, so the sooner you get home, the better.”

As expected from Ojou. She must have quickly assessed Otoha-san’s situation and made the right decision.

“…Alright. I’ll let you drive me home. But there’s no need for you to go out of your way for me. The three of us can go together.”

“My, my. How kind of you.”

Thanks to Otoha-san’s suggestion, the three of us got into the car together.

In the car, Ojou and Otoha-san’s conversation was lively and engaging. I secretly thought that these two would surely become good friends…