Chapter 18: The Song That Was Born
#24OchitaKanojoThe Song That Was Born
Tears spilled naturally from my eyes at the sheer brilliance of the flowing melody.
Beyond my expectations, Tendouji Yukari’s voice blended seamlessly with YOUKNOW’s song.
Perhaps it was because Yuki had stayed up late last night, refining and rearranging the piece, shifting it from Takato Mizuho’s style to something closer to Tendouji Yukari’s.
I felt as if I were being swallowed by the surging sound and the emotions of the singer.
Yet, precisely because the song was so magnificent, the raw intensity of its emotions was almost terrifying—too ominous to bear.
A feeling of love, which should have been a positive emotion, had pierced through its limits, becoming warped and twisted into something dark.
Tendouji Yukari’s abnormality was amplified by the pent-up emotions she only revealed when Yuki was YOUKNOW.
The more perfected the song became, the more glaringly this fact stood out.
I now regretted making Yuki compose this piece using my mother as an example.
And yet, I couldn’t help but feel something close to jealousy toward the two of them, who accepted this dangerous song so joyfully, without a shred of concern.
That was just how deeply this song stirred the negative emotions of its listeners.
As music, it was exceptional—but this was not a song that should be publicly released.
Suppressing the emotions threatening to pull me under, I told Yuki my thoughts.
“This song should only be heard by Kashiwagi.”
“Yes, that’s my intention. This is an Only-One Song from me to Yuito-san.”
Surprisingly, it was Tendouji Yukari who agreed with my suggestion.
“Yuki, is that alright with you?”
“Yeah, I don’t mind.”
To Yuki, in a way, this song was created for the two of them—so as long as he saw it through to its conclusion, that was enough.
I had no idea how Kashiwagi would interpret this song upon hearing it.
A distorted, yet deeply passionate love song, sung solely for him by someone wearing the face of his ex-girlfriend who had betrayed him.
Any person with a sound mind would recoil in disgust and run away.
If they had a sound mind, that is…
Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to sympathize with Kashiwagi. But with Yuna-chan—knowing that the place she ended up after betraying Yuki was nothing more than a sinking, mud-ridden ship—I did feel sympathy… No, perhaps it wasn’t sympathy at all, but a twisted sense of pity born from my own superiority at still being by Yuki’s side…
I sneered at my own pettiness.
Yuki looked at me curiously as I struggled with the storm of emotions welling up inside me.
“Nee-san, what’s wrong?”
“Oh my, did Mizuki-san get affected as well?”
It seemed that Tendouji had a certain understanding of the situation.
“You really intend to deliver this to Kashiwagi?”
I knew it was pointless, but I asked once more for confirmation.
“Of course. It’s an unimaginably wonderful song. I even thought of making it into a PV-style video.”
“I don’t particularly mind that.”
“Do as you please. Just don’t involve us any further.”
More than anything, I didn’t want Yuki to stay near this woman any longer.
“Eh? But Nee-san, after going through so much to create this song together—”
“Considering the song’s quality, there’s no need for anything beyond this. She can handle the visuals however she wants.”
Now that the song was complete, this woman would stop at nothing to ensure Kashiwagi received it—to convey her feelings. I had no idea what kind of ending awaited, but as I originally expected, nothing good would come of it.
That was precisely why I couldn’t allow Yuki to be dragged into this any further.
More than anything, I just wanted to take Yuki and get away from this woman as soon as possible.
Tendouji smirked, as if seeing right through my thoughts.
“I had hoped you would stay and watch until the end, but if you insist, I suppose it can’t be helped. I’ll have someone else take on that role.”
“Yes, please do.”
“Ehh, Nee-san, but then we won’t see how it ends—”
For once, Yuki looked genuinely dissatisfied.
“Yuki, this is my request. Don’t get involved with this woman anymore. I’ll make sure to tell you how it all turns out.”
I pleaded with Yuki desperately.
I would be the one to relay the conclusion.
Call it overprotectiveness if you will, but I was prepared to be the filter if necessary.
From this woman who tainted everything around her… I was the only one who could protect Yuki, who remained oblivious to the poison she exuded.
“…Alright. If you say so, Nee-san. Tendouji-san, as promised, you can do as you wish with the song.”
“Fufu, thank you. For indulging my selfish request. I’ll be sending my gratitude in due time—please look forward to it.”
“No need. The best gratitude you can offer is staying out of our lives.”
“Oh my, you’ve come to despise me quite thoroughly, haven’t you? I actually felt a certain kinship with you, Mizuki-san.”
I ignored the unsettling words of the woman before me and began preparing to leave.
“Nee-san, there’s no need to rush so much—”
“Sorry. I feel sick. I need to get some fresh air.”
“Really? I’m sorry—I didn’t notice. Let’s hurry, then.”
Yuki’s concern for me was like a faint breeze clearing away the heavy fog in my heart.
Tendouji Yukari watched our exchange with an amused smile, as if savoring a spectacle.
Without even meeting her gaze, I turned on my heel and fled.
It was already quite late, so we took a taxi home.
As my nerves finally began to ease, I asked Yuki if I could hold him for a moment. He agreed.
And at last, I felt like I had reclaimed myself.
I had reclaimed my place—as Yuki’s sister.