Helios Side Story Episode 12 (Final Episode)

“Ah, don't worry about that.”

“Is that all?”

When we arrived at the practice hall while talking, Nagi-sensei was preparing the koto, seemingly unbothered by the presence of the large film crew and publishing representatives.

“Yusei-kun, you were able to come out. I'm glad.”

She turned a flower-like smile toward me.

“Nagi-sensei, you must have had a hard time too. Thank you so much for everything.”

I went over to her and bowed my head sincerely.

“You're welcome. I only did a little bit. Koki-san, Subaru-kun, and the other men worked hard. More importantly, does this look strange?”

Nagi-sensei spread her arms wide to show off the fuzzy white knit cardigan she was wearing. It was a new piece from Proofreader.

“It suits you very well. Oh, wait a moment. It would be better if the buttons were like this...”

“Wait!”

As I tried to fix how Nagi-sensei was wearing it, I was stopped by a husky voice.

“Yamada-kun, you really don't miss a chance, do you? Don't touch my Nagi.”

When I turned around, Kawasaki-san was leaning against the entrance with his arms crossed.

“Are you sure you're okay being that possessive?”

I said that in disbelief as I walked over to the big man and bowed my head again.

“Kawasaki-san, thank you very much for everything. That advertisement was your initiative, wasn't it? I am truly grateful.”

Kawasaki-san immediately let out a sigh and muttered.

“Honestly, Yamada-kun. You make it impossible to stay angry. I just wanted to settle the score for being called a 'trophy husband.' Now they won't be meddling with the Kawasaki school for a while. ...Anyway, I'm glad you're looking well.”

“...You really were holding a grudge, weren't you?”

Without answering that, he gave a dark, sinister grin like a European mafia boss and patted my shoulder, and then the shutter clicked again.

“Mr. Iguchi, isn't Mr. Kawasaki supposed to be the subject?”

“No, between the press conference the other day and the meeting for the photo book before that, I thought the composition with Koki-kun was interesting. You're both handsome, but your types are completely different, aren't they?”

The two of them seem closer than before. I can clearly see that they cooperated with each other on the advertisement matter and took the lead for both my side and Ichika's side.

“If you want, I can take it off, Mr. Iguchi.”

Pulling at his shirt, Mr. Kawasaki smiled, lifting only the left corner of his mouth.

“...Are you an exhibitionist?”

What a bodybuilder.

“That's good. Why don't you take yours off too, Yusei? Two handsome men half-naked. There'd be demand for that.”

“I'm a handsome guy too, you know.”

Subaru joined the conversation, boasting.

“That's right. I'm a handsome guy in the camera world, too.”

Mr. Iguchi stroked his goatee and struck a pose.

“I'm a handsome guy in the koto world, too!”

Nagi-sensei said, overlapping with what Mr. Iguchi had just said. Are you planning on taking yours off too? I looked down, having imagined it again.

“No, Nagi isn't a handsome guy. She's a cute sea otter.”

“That's terrible. Why am I the only one who isn't a human?”

“Stop taking shellfish from Yamada-kun.”

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Oh, a lovers' quarrel? The Kawasaki school is an interesting place. Keep it up!”

...It feels like it's becoming a lawless zone again. Someone stop it.

After the YouTube shoot with Subaru, today I'm also shooting "Ryuka" with Nagi-sensei for the photo book. Thinking it was a good opportunity, Nagi-sensei invited students who wanted to watch in advance. Perhaps because they want to see the photo book shoot, there is an even larger crowd of onlookers than usual.

"Hey, are you really going to be okay in front of this many people, Yusei?"

Subaru asks, placing a hand on my shoulder in concern.

"There will be even more people at the concert, won't there?"

"But still, you..."

"It's not an unfamiliar emotion, so I'll be fine."

That's right. Even if expressing unknown emotions is extremely difficult, the one needed to express "Ryuka" is a long-standing, tiresome acquaintance I've had to deal with for years.

"Yusei-kun, are you ready?"

"I'm sorry, please wait a little longer."

"That's rare. Take as much time as you need."

I sit in front of the koto and steady my breathing.

Ichika, I want to let the wounds you healed for me open up now. It's a feat I can only perform because I know you are near me, and because I know I can be healed by that smile alone.

The pain I've experienced never truly disappears. It has taken root in the abyss within me and become a part of who I am. It is easy to summon.

Ichika, you said my room was bittersweet. Thinking that I might have inflicted the same pain I've carried for years onto you makes my body go cold with guilt. But Ichika, I will never forget these feelings. It was because of this that you were drawn to my "Ryuka" and looked my way, wasn't it?

So, in order to play this, my precious song, in a state that both you and I can be satisfied with, I will bring the feelings of agony from when I couldn't see a way out, the pain that made me feel like I was going mad, to the forefront once more.

Even though I haven't started playing yet, Mr. Iguchi is clicking the shutter repeatedly.

"Nagi-sensei, sorry to have kept you waiting."

“All right, let’s begin.”

“Dragon Song” begins with Ms. Nagi’s melody. It’s a good sound. It’s the sound I’m most accustomed to, the one I trust with all my heart. It’s easy and feels good to ride on this sound. I played with the sensation that my heart had naturally detached from my body.

I steady my breathing and return to consciousness. I can hear sobbing from various parts of the gallery. The ensemble went well; I think so myself.

“You’ve gotten even better, Yusei. I almost got swept away by you.”

Ms. Nagi smiles at me with a flushed face. Just as I’m about to reply, something slams into my back. “Yusei! I love you!” Subaru hugs me from behind. I lean forward slightly from the momentum. The girls let out high-pitched squeals.

“What is this déjà vu?”

Iguchi-san is pressing the shutter button incessantly.

“Seriously, Yusei, how far away are you going to go, leaving me behind! How can you express such deep darkness at the peak of happiness! You’re not human. You’re a god! You’re the sun!”

“No matter how you look at it, I’m not the sun type.”

“No, you’ve gone too high up. You’re the sun!”

As I give a wry, exasperated smile, Ms. Nagi wears a mischievous grin and says happily,

“In that case, Yusei, you are Subaru’s Helios.”

How many seasons have passed since then? I am holding a small, soft hand, walking through the garden of the Kawasaki main house.

Shall we sit over there?

Yeah.

That bench, where you can see the dogwood trees clearly, is my favorite. As soon as we sat down, I heard a high, energetic voice calling me.

Yu-sensei!

I hugged the child who came running with her arms wide open.

You're wearing a cute outfit today, too. It suits you well, Princess.

She is wearing a glossy blue Proofreader kids dress.

Yu-sensei, my dad is being mean. When I said I was going to marry you, Yu-sensei, he got really angry.

This has become a serious situation. No sooner had I thought that than a large man with a sculpted, handsome face approached, glaring at me with a look that seemed ready to kill me.

You've got some nerve, Yamada-kun, going after a toddler. You're as relentless and opportunistic as ever.

Why are you getting so seriously angry over what a little girl said, Kawasaki-san?

When I said that with a sigh, Nagi-sensei, who was giggling next to Kawasaki-san, offered some advice.

You'd better run, Yuusei-kun. You see, Kouki-san has always dreamed of Sui saying 'I'll marry you, Daddy,' but since you took that away from him, he's in a bad mood and acting like a mafia boss.

Mommy, it's okay if I marry Yu-sensei, right?

The five-year-old girl sitting on my lap stared at Nagi-sensei and asked. She is the spitting image of Nagi-sensei, as if she were just Nagi-sensei with time rewound.

I'm sorry, but Yu-sensei has Ichika-chan, so he can't marry you, Sui.

Sui, then will you marry me?

My child, who is usually quiet, suddenly proposed, and I burst out laughing.

Huh? Is that okay?

Yeah. I love you, Sui, and if you marry me, you can be with my dad too.

...Is that really okay? I couldn't find a way to stop my laughter and kept on laughing.

"Yay. It's a promise!"

I looked at Nagi-sensei and we laughed together. Suddenly, I looked to the side and saw that Kawasaki-san's expression had become even more like that of a murderer.

"You've got some nerve, Yamada-kun, just like your predecessor. Soma seems to have inherited not just your looks, but your personality as well. Now, what shall I do with you?"

"This is bad, we're going to be killed by the mafia. Both of you, run! Subaru-sensei and Taisei are over there, so go get their help!"

They shrieked with joy, held hands, and ran off toward where Subaru and his eldest son were. The three children are close in age and get along well. All three of them are learning the koto from Nagi-sensei, and when Nagi-sensei is busy with childbirth or childcare, Subaru and I teach them on the weekends.

I spoke to the little girl, who was even smaller than Midori, being held by Kawasaki-san. The girl, who had inherited Kawasaki-san's refined features, was clutching a piece of paper tightly in her small hands.

"What do you have there, An-chan?"

"Um, it's a con-tract."

"...A contract?"

"Yeah."

I burst out laughing again. Did they have to take after me even in this?

"Yamada-kun."

I felt the murderous intent again and straightened my posture.

"Ah, sorry. An-chan is just so cute. Is the contract interesting?"

"Yeah, it has lots of letters."

"An looks just like Kouki-san, doesn't she? By the way, is Ichika-chan doing alright?"

Nagi-sensei asked me with an amused smile. Ichika and Nagi-sensei seem to get along well as 'mom friends' and meet up frequently. I have mixed feelings about the fact that Ichika isn't jealous of Nagi-sensei.

"Yes, it was a difficult birth so I was worried, but she is being discharged tomorrow. I'll excuse myself early today and stop by the hospital to check on her afterward."

"That's good to hear. Girls are cute, you know."

Kawasaki-san says this while gazing at the child staring intently at the contract with a look that seems like he might melt.

"Since they are the same age as Asahi, I would be happy if you two could get along."

Nagi-sensei smiles divinely as always.

"Where is Asahi-kun?"

"Since he is the first boy, Grandma won't let him go, so he is over there."

When I looked in the direction Nagi-sensei pointed, I saw the head of the family's wife holding the baby boy, who had only been born a few months ago, with her eyes narrowed in affection.

"Well then, I will take my leave now."

"Please give my regards to Ichika-chan."

I smiled and bowed, then called out to Soma, who was using his whole body to play tag.

"Soma, come here now. Let's go see your mother and sister."

(End)

Thank you very much for reading until the end!

I wrote a story about the children of the Helios group.

The previous story is here.

The first episode of the main story is here.