#lots of posts today sorr-- wait it's MY BLOG!!!

[girlinyourphone]

[archiveikemen]

Mashiro Kanade Main Story — Chapter 17

I do not own any of the content being uploaded on this blog, everything belongs to CYBIRD. Please support them by downloading and playing their games.

read this before interacting with my posts

Kanade: What you need is hunger for more.

MC: What?

Kanade: Once you're satisfied, you don't crave for more.

Kanade: Are you going to just stop there?

I quietly accepted our differences.

I looked up at Kanade, whose hair was dyed a reddish colour by the sun.

MC: If you're writing songs to satisfy that hunger...

I took a deep breath before I continued.

MC: Then I'm doing the opposite.

My tone was surprisingly calm.

Kanade waited for me to continue, with a somewhat amused expression on his face.

MC: My heart is overwhelming with emotions.

MC: Those thoughts and feelings are ones I cannot fully understand alone.

MC: I have to express them through a song.

MC: Therefore, the more emotions I fill my heart with, the more songs I can write.

When I finished talking, Kanade let out a small sigh.

Kanade: ...I see.

Kanade: Desire and fulfilment...

Kanade: ...Are indeed opposites.

For some reason, Kanade was smiling as he said that.

When I noticed his expression, I also relaxed my face.

(I feel that we've gotten a lot closer today.)

I don't know if this is proof of that, but we weren't awkwardly silent throughout the date.

The air between the two of us was peaceful.

(Maybe it's because I learned a little more about Kanade's background and his way of thinking.)

(Also...)

I looked down at our hands, which were still clasped together.

(I never knew Kanade's hands were this big and warm.)

I realised that we weren't too different from the couples around us.

Things have changed so much from the day I first arrived at the Sakuragi.

Kanade: I learnt a lot from you today.

MC: Huh!?

I looked up in surprise when I heard that unexpected remark.

Kanade looked at me with a satisfied smile.

Kanade: In return, I'll show you what I know about dating.

Kanade: So, look forward to it.

MC: O-okay...

(Is it safe to assume that there will be a second date?)

Feeling overjoyed, I replied almost instantly.

Even before he told me to look forward to it, I was already overwhelmed with excitement and my heart was hammering against my chest.

(At least he enjoyed today's date enough to thank me.)

(Although, at the end of the day, I don't think I actually taught you much about dating.)

(Did I really do well?)

While I was busy thinking to myself, Kanade let go of my hand.

Kanade: Let's go home. I'm tired of walking.

MC: Alright.

When we returned to the Sakuragi, I parted from Kanade at the entrance.

I was still in a dreamy state of mind.

(That was so much fun...)

(Spending time with Kanade.)

(Maybe it's because we spent so much time together.)

As I walked absentmindedly down the hallway, I nearly bumped into Henri, who just came out of the living room...

Henri: Oh... I'm sorr— are you okay?

MC: Ah, I'm so so sorry I wasn't watching where I was going!

Henri smiled as I looked up at him, flustered.

Henri: Welcome home, MC.

MC: Thanks, Henri.

Henri: Did you go on a date with Kanade? I heard about it from Kyoichiro.

MC: Um, yeah...

MC: But it wasn't an actual date. It was just a demonstration.

Seeing how embarrassed I was, Henri laughed.

Henri: Ahaha what is that supposed to mean? Anyways, how do you feel about your first date?

Henri: ...I mean, Kanade went to a park with you.

Henri: I can't imagine him doing that.

MC: That's what I thought too.

I responded in a joking tone, looking back at the great time I had today.

MC: I don't know how Kanade felt about it, but I enjoyed myself very much.

MC: I heard many stories.

Henri: What do you mean?

Henri asked with great interest.

MC: Um... he talked about his past, music, and so on.

Henri: His past...

Henri: Did he tell you about his mother's death?

MC: He did.

(I see. Henri already knows everything.)

But, for some reason, Henri kept silent for a moment...

Henri: ...

MC: What's the matter?

Henri, who had been staring at the floor, suddenly looked into my eyes.

His voice became a little softer than before.

Henri: But Kanade didn't mention the part where his father said he was a 'madman'?

MC: Erm...

Those words made my heart ache.

(A 'madman'? His own father called him that?)

MC: ...Why?

Henri whispered to me,

Henri: ...When Kanade's mother passed on, he continued writing songs as if it meant nothing to him.

Henri: His father saw it, that's why he said such a thing to Kanade.

MC: Oh...

I was at a loss for words.

Henri: I really like Kanade a lot. But...

Henri: I'm worried that he will treat you the same way he treated his mother.

MC: ...What do you mean?

Henri's eyes were more serious than ever.

Henri: I'm certain that Kanade will always prioritise music over you.

Henri: The only reason why he even cares about you right now, is that he recognises your talent in music.

Henri: And if you're unable to live up to his expectations, he'll easily lose interest in you.

Henri's words shocked me.

I unconsciously turned my gaze to the floor.

MC: That's...

(Perhaps he's right.)

(It's not just about music. There's always something you risk losing when you want to gain something.)

I understood that very well.

(In Kanade's case, he even sacrificed the time he could've spent to grieve his mother's death, in order to grow more popular worldwide as SO.)

Kanade made that decision when he was only 14 years old.

(Maybe I need to prepare myself for that too...)

(Even if he only cares about my talent, I want to continue making music with him.)

I made up my mind, but my heart still hurt.

(Ah... I know this feeling.)

I looked up quietly and took a deep breath.

(I'm know it now.)

(For me, Kanade is the person I want to make music with. But before I knew it, he became the person I always want to spend time with.)

(That's why...)

Henri: ...MC?

Henri called out to me, tilting his head.

MC: I'm sure Kanade didn't mean to neglect his mother.

MC: I think he did mourn her death, but in a different way from his father and other people. So he was misunderstood.

MC: Moreover, I doubt that his mother, who loved him so much, would've said he was crazy.

I couldn't stop myself, so I blurted everything out.

For a split second, I thought I saw a hint of sadness on Henri's face.

Henri: I...

After a short thoughtful silence, Henri gave me his usual smile.

Henri: As long as you don't get hurt, it's okay!

MC: Thanks, Henri.

I smiled back at him.

After parting with Henri and returning to my room ——

I was alone, staring at my own hand, which could still feel the warmth of Kanade's touch.

I clasped my hands together.

== Flashback Start ==

Kanade: Aren't we on a date?

== Flashback End ==

(Kanade held my hand... until the end of our date.)

Just thinking about it made me feel a sweet tightening sensation in my heart.

(What should I do?)

(I think I'm growing fond of Kanade.)

As soon as I realised my feelings for Kanade, I could feel a song writing itself in my head.

(It won't stop.)

I came up with the lyrics and hummed the melody.

I rushed to write them down.

All that came to my mind was Kanade, and they were all warm and happy thoughts.

(This is the first time I've ever felt this way...)

While MC was accepting her own feelings... ——

Kanade was composing in his bedroom.

Kanade: ...

He smiled softly, strumming the strings of his guitar.

Just then, a knock on the door echoed through the room...

Kyoichiro: Hey, I'm coming in.

Kyoichiro opened the door and stepped into the room without waiting for an answer, as usual.

Kanade stopped playing his guitar and looked up in silence.

Kyoichiro's eyes widened when he saw how unusually happy Kanade was.

Kyoichiro: ...?

Kanade: What's the matter with you? Staring at people's faces.

Kanade: Not tired of seeing my face?

Kyoichiro laughed at Kanade's casual remark.

Kyoichiro: Oh? I've been tired of it since a long time ago. (he's joking)

Kyoichiro: I came to see you because I wanted to ask what time you'll be at the music room tomorrow.

Kanade: I'll leave at 8am.

Kyoichiro: Got it.

Kyoichiro: By the way, you went out with MC today, right? How did it go?

Kanade: ...It wasn't bad.

Even Kyoichiro has rarely seen Kanade being so cheerful.

Kyoichiro: It's kind of refreshing to hear you react to anything apart from music.

Kyoichiro: Ah—... this was what Henri talked about.

Kyoichiro said to himself.

Kanade: Hm? Did you say something?

Kyoichiro: Nope.

Kanade: Hm...

Kanade lifted his mouth into a smile and started humming again.