Chapter 86: Inside the Memories of Elf-san
Maybe Kyoka’s song had shaken them to the core—because the audience seats were still buzzing. They didn’t even notice me now standing on stage, nor the intro of the song beginning to play. Their minds seemed elsewhere.
I thought for a moment this might be the time for a Dragon Screw…
"But that would be tasteless."
One good surprise is enough. The words I need will be in the song I’m about to sing.
Top Chat: It’s starting.
Top Chat: Here we go.
Top Chat: Range aside, this is a tough song too.
"—On days when you were by my side, night always seemed to come faster. That’s why I’d run to see you first thing in the morning. Because I wanted to say, 『Good morning』."
A quiet opening. Calming, as if to settle down the restless audience.
Top Chat: She slips in so softly.
Top Chat: First time hearing this, but it already feels like a masterpiece.
Top Chat: Every Siren song is good. Come listen and you’ll see.
Top Chat: Wait, were there sailors in here too, lol.
"—In summer, I was always more energetic. On a whim, I’d jump on you to wake you up. But you never got mad—you just held me sleepily in your arms, saying, 『Good morning』."
I walked across the stage.
The stage, built for a hero show, was wide. I moved slowly, drawing near the audience, drifting away, then coming close again—walking in a circle.
Top Chat: Elf-san moves in such a unique way.
Top Chat: It’s not like an idol’s dance, but… is this also dancing?
Top Chat: Any Elf experts here?
Top Chat: Maybe this is seiðr from Norse mythology. Most of the records of seiðr were lost, but there are legends that describe it as chants paired with a circular dance.
"—Even though you already knew the answer, you still asked me what I wanted to do today. I gladly told you. I’d grab the swimsuit I bought yesterday, and we’d go to the pool—even though I hadn’t even eaten breakfast yet."
At some point, the whole audience had quieted, listening only to me singing.
Kyoka really is incredible. No matter what age she was when she wrote this, anyone would be astonished. Honestly, it feels like no matter how old you get, writing a song like this is impossible.
Top Chat: So this is seiðr, huh.
Top Chat: Maybe we’re caught up in it too.
Top Chat: Well, we’re definitely charmed.
Top Chat: Exactly.
Top Chat: I just want to keep listening like this forever.
"—We were the first ones at the public pool. When I tried to dive right in, that was the only time you scolded me. I knew it wasn’t anger. That’s why I didn’t need a hot dog."
I gently hugged the mic. Somehow, it just felt like the right thing to do.
Top Chat: So this really is a song about little Kyoka-chan and Elf-san, huh?
Top Chat: Elf-san (older sister now).
Top Chat: Elf was supposed to be just a character… supposed to be…
Top Chat: Feels like common sense itself is starting to crack.
Top Chat: Just take it as it is. I already gave up thinking. Look, Elf-san’s in that baggy shirt again.
Top Chat: Something’s slipping out, lol.
"—The sun’s setting too fast! It’s already gone! I whined, not wanting to go home yet. And you always patted my head, always said those words!"
The song reached its climax.
A poem that rushed, desperate, nearly in tears. A child’s poem, lamenting the day ending too soon. And yet, also a kind poem—teaching that another joyful 『tomorrow』 would always come for that child.
"—I want you, my beloved, to wake me up again. Greet me with your brightest smile. I want to hear you say, 『Good morning』."
I sang it with all my heart—for the little Kyoka I could never grant that wish to.
"Perfect."
Top Chat: Ah,
Top Chat: clap clap clap clap
Top Chat: Damn, I was totally entranced.
Top Chat: I just remember how, around the start of the second verse, chat suddenly went quiet.
Top Chat: The whole audience got sucked into the world of the song, lol.
Top Chat: We got pulled in too.
Top Chat: Haa… I just want to savor this afterglow…
Top Chat: Oh, here come the scores.
Top Chat: Let me savor it longer!
Top Chat: Don’t be unreasonable, lol.
"99.9."
Top Chat: Ooooooh!
Top Chat: OOOOOOOOOOOH!
Top Chat: Amazing!
Top Chat: Practically a perfect score!
Top Chat: Elf-san, don’t try fixing it with a diagonal karate chop, lol.
Top Chat: That only works on old TVs!
"Why not?"
Top Chat: Uh… hard to explain…
Top Chat: Actually, we should be asking you—how were you so sure you’d score that high?
Top Chat: Because it’s Elf-san.
Top Chat: …Fair point.
Top Chat: Hey, don’t just agree with that, lol.
"When I released it as Siren, I made the ending easier to sing."
"Kyoka."
"I added a breath point so anyone could sing it. That’s why it was just a little different from the version you knew, big brother."
Top Chat: Easi…er to sing…?
Top Chat: Uh, excuse me, but isn’t the last part of 『Let’s Walk Toward Tomorrow』 basically a no-breath nightmare zone?
Top Chat: Wait—are you telling me this was the hand-hold version…?
"I see. Then I lost."
I’d sung with everything I had, but if it was the wrong version, then that couldn’t be helped. A shame.
"Hey, big brother."
"Mm?"
"I know I was the one who challenged you, but… maybe singing was never about winning or losing."
Looking at her, Kyoka wore a refreshed expression, as though a burden had been lifted.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Because—this is what the people listening felt."
Top Chat: Encore! Encore!
Top Chat: Elf-san! Siren!
Top Chat: Encore! Encore!
Top Chat: Elf-san! Siren!
"Encore! Encore! Encore!" The chant filled both the chat and the venue.
"See?"
"I see. That makes sense."
"Big brother, let’s sing more!"
"Yeah! Are there still songs I know?"
"Of course! Old songs, new songs—we’ll sing them all!"
Pulled along by Kyoka’s brightest smile, I ran back onto the stage with her.
Comments (1)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.