[Creative] Helios Part 2 Episode 8

When I returned to the wings, Yusei-kun was pressing his eyes, his shoulders shaking as he cried.

Are you okay, Yusei-kun?

I was... so moved. It was truly, truly wonderful. Nagi-sensei, you're crying too. You must be exhausted.

He said that with a choked laugh and led me to the dressing room.

The dressing rooms are divided into a small room for the head of the school and me, and a large room for the other performers. As I went to greet the students in the large room, Subaru-kun came over, frowning.

Sensei, I'm sorry, I was told to give this to you. I told them to go to the gift drop-off, but they insisted.

What he held out was a gorgeous bouquet made of many sunflowers.

Sunflowers... could it be?

Reading my expression, Yusei-kun interjected.

Subaru, what kind of person was it?

Well, let's see, he was a handsome guy with a big, sturdy build.

As soon as I heard that, I grabbed Subaru-kun.

Which way did he go!

Whoa, what the! I don't know! Maybe the entrance?

As soon as he heard that, Yusei-kun ran off at full speed. I hurriedly followed him.

Huh? Wait! Sensei! It's dangerous to run like that in a kimono!!

Because if I don't hurry, he'll run away again.

As I ran, I glanced at the bouquet and noticed a bright yellow card tucked inside. I caught a glimpse of the side with a message written on it.

Koki-san!

Koki-san, Koki-san, Koki-san!

I ran toward the entrance with all my might, nearly tripping as I went. Sweat poured from my body, which was still hot from the stage lights, and trickled down my back one drop after another. Yusei-kun, who is fast on his feet, was already out of sight. I stopped by slamming into the railing of the second-floor atrium and looked down at the first floor, where a crowd had formed. Since it was break time and there were many people, Yusei-kun was surrounded by guests and couldn't move. Koki-san!

I looked around in a panic and saw a familiar, large back in the crowd. He was just below me.

"Koki-san! Koki-san!!"

Even though I called out so loudly that my throat hurt, my voice was drowned out by the commotion and didn't reach him. Koki-san was heading toward the exit.

No, don't go!

I wouldn't make it in time even if I chased him. Something. I suddenly reached for my obi. Maybe. This is important... but.

Please, reach him!

I threw it with all my might, aiming for his broad back.

Koki-san noticed something hit his shoulder with a thud and fall. He picked up the fallen object, looked up, and upon seeing me, he looked startled and said something. Koki-san, no! Don't run away!

I ran desperately and scrambled down the stairs as if I were tumbling. Because I was wearing a kimono, it was hard to move my legs. My feet got tangled in the hem, and I almost fell.

Koki-san was coming up with long strides.

Please! Please! Don't disappear.

I finally reached him at the landing of the stairs. I was out of breath. The obi was constricting me, making it hard to breathe.

"Nagi, you... I thought my heart was going to stop. Don't run at full speed in a kimono like that. It's dangerous."

"......But......"

Koki-san, whom I hadn't seen in a while, had thinner cheeks.

"Please. Don't run away anymore."

Koki-san hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

“...Anyway, it’s dangerous for the lead of Part 1 to be in a place like this. Let’s go to the dressing room.”

I say this to Koki-san, who has placed a hand on my back and is trying to move forward.

“Yusei-kun is...”

Following my gaze, Koki-san understands the situation.

“He was trying to catch you, Koki-san.”

“Oh, good grief. Yamada-kun is the same as ever. I’ll go save him, so wait in the dressing room.”

“Please! Don’t disappear.”

“It’s alright. I’ll go as soon as I rescue Nagi’s knight.”

Saying just that, Koki-san ran back down with long strides. Immediately after, I was surrounded by elegant madams.

“You must be Nagi Kawasaki-sensei. Your performance just now was truly wonderful. I still haven’t stopped trembling.”

“Oh, th-thank you very much.”

I answer vaguely while worrying about what’s happening below.

The madams, following my gaze, spoke one after another.

“Oh, that person. He’s your student, isn’t he? He’s surrounded, how terrible! So that’s why you were worried and came out of the dressing room, Sensei?”

“Was his name Yamada-san? He’s gotten so good, hasn’t he? And he’s so handsome, I can’t take my eyes off him.”

The madams, without caring about my reaction, were excitedly talking among themselves.

Koki-san, who had gone near Yusei-kun, who was being jostled by the guests, took MIB sunglasses out from his chest pocket, put them on, and said in a loud, clear voice:

“Excuse me, Yusei Yamada has a schedule to attend to, so please make way.”

Then, strangely enough, the people stepped aside smoothly. As expected, Koki-san is a god. ...Or perhaps they thought he looked like a mafia member and were afraid of being killed.

“My, the Kawasaki School has such sturdy-looking bodyguards. As expected of the renowned Kawasaki School, as a fan, I feel so proud.”

Once I was retrieved from the entourage by Koki-san and entered the dressing room, Yusei-kun headed back to the large room.

Koki-san...

As soon as the small room's door closed, I clung to Koki-san like a magnet. As Koki-san hugged me, he spoke in a voice as gentle as it was when our feelings were mutual.

It was a wonderful performance, Nagi. My heart wouldn't stop trembling.

Koki-san's voice, heard for the first time in a while. No... I realized it. I realized that I could never truly get close to you, Koki-san. Inside me, I am ugly. I get jealous, yet I lack the ability to match it; I am a mess of loneliness and various emotions, and I can't even pretend well. But I can't be anything more than this. Nothing more than the pathetic, small me who crawls on the ground. Since that's all I am, I exposed that I am lower than everyone else and poured that into my performance. I thought that if I played like this, everyone would leave. But my feelings overflowed, and I couldn't keep them inside my heart. This is the real me.

I am an ugly person who, despite being scorched by terrifying passions and leaving behind only charred remains that make one want to look away, still tries to burn my heart to ashes.

But I can't hide it anymore. Koki-san tightened his grip on my arms as he held me. It was wonderful. Truly. My heart is still racing. You've broken through your slump. You really worked hard. Your performances until now were somewhat inhuman, like a nymph. They were clear, transparent, and became beautiful with a touch of sensuality, but there was an unapproachable atmosphere. However, today's performance expressed emotions that everyone possesses. While keeping your original aura, it grabbed the heart and wouldn't let go.

It's okay to expose what's in your heart. That actually resonated with the listeners' hearts and sounded divine.

Then, looking at my face, Koki-san declared.

Do you know that many in the audience were moved to tears listening to your performance? Once the head of the school's performance is over, go out on stage and give your greeting as planned. The audience wants that. You are going to make the Kawasaki school prosper, aren't you? Now, fix your makeup.

Even though he said that, I couldn't pull away from Koki-san. But Koki-san, you'll disappear again during that time, won't you? I won't disappear. I promise. You brought your knight back safely, didn't you?

Koki-san read my face, which was still anxious. You don't trust me? I can't blame you, but this is a problem.

Nonomiya-san even said to keep you in a cage.

Kaito, that guy... Another voice spoke up. Mother will keep an eye on you. Koki-san and Mother will go to the wings of the stage together. It's okay, I'll hold onto you tightly so you don't run away.

Since this is the head of the school's dressing room, it's not strange for Mother to be here. But she's wriggling in that weird way again, and it's creepy.

Nagi, Mother will fix your makeup. Ah, that's right, when I was a child, Mother always did my makeup. When she did, I felt a little more beautiful and gained confidence in my own performance.

It's been a while since I've done your makeup, Nagi. You cried quite a lot again, didn't you? But it's okay, I'll hide it well for you.

Mother, you're good at makeup.

Of course. I went to makeup school for years for your sake. Mother's makeup, applied with hands that have grown a few more wrinkles, feels pleasant. There, it's done.

Koki-san stood behind me, placed his hands on both my shoulders, and said, Nagi, look at your face in the mirror. Yes, you are very beautiful. Look straight ahead.

My eyes meet Koki-san's in the mirror.

"Nagi, you are the next head of the school. You are a performer who will reign over the historic Kawasaki school. Today, Nagi, you gave a performance worthy of that, no, even better. Hold your head high, face forward with that look on your face, and go captivate the audience."

I looked at Koki-san in the mirror once more. As long as this person is here, I will be fine.

Just as I was called with "It's time" and was about to go, Koki-san spoke up as if he had just remembered something.

"Oh, I almost forgot."

He then took the sea otter obi ornament he had picked up in the lobby out of his pocket and tucked it into my obi.

"I never thought this thing would become a weapon."

A platinum bangle shone on Koki-san's wrist.

Continue here.

The previous story is here.

Episode 1 is here.