Chapter 778

End Game

"For seven, please."

The waiter tipped his colored head.

"This way please."

Airu kept herself close to me.

I could feel her bubbling aura of unrestrained bliss.

Slowly, I began to feel the same way.

Like an infectious disease that penetrated my defenses.

"Don't look around." She said.

"Huh?"

Her fingers curled around my hand.

"Nevermind." Her grin was reassuring.

"Let's just get to our booth."

Chapter 779

End Game

The waiter calmly ushered us along dim halls of dark sleek surfaces,

so smooth, the rainbow lighting above fused with everything below.

Speakers in the ceiling thumped with trance beats,

giving us a spring in every one of our steps.

With much determination, Airu pressed on ahead,

quickly passing a bar area lit with fluorescent violets and greens.

There was already a gathering there, making a racket.

Dyed hair of all kinds turned to give us a glance over.

Girls with mini skirts meandered towards a tiny dance floor,

gyrating their hips in slow hypnotizing circles.

I tried not to look but my peripherals could not be ignored.

I stared back. What was this place? Where were we?

Chapter 780

End Game

She tugged my hand urgently, making an uncomfortable noise.

"Sorry about that. I didn't know."

"It's okay." I said.

We finally reached the karaoke and dining booths.

Here the air was fresher, without the hint of smoke.

Even the lighting was cleaner and brighter.

"This is your booth for the night.

Please press the button when you're ready to order."

The waiter slid open the door and beckoned us in.

"Thank you."

Without reply, he spun and left us on our own.

Chapter 781

End Game

"I'm sorry about that, I haven't been here in a long time."

Airu looked apologetic.

"It seems to have changed."

"It's fine." Takashi smiled. "We aren't too out of place."

Soshi brushed his bangs back and gave us the meanest sneer he could.

"Am I bad ass enough?"

We laughed as Miko swatted at his head. "No, you're just bad."

"Just hope that the food hasn't changed."

Juria joked.

"I heard it was good."

"Well, let's order first."

Chapter 782

End Game

The booth was rather cramped.

With the raised tatami seating and our feet beneath the low table,

there was barely any room to move around.

Every now and then, there would be an exchange of embarrassed glances as feet touched.

"That looks good. Do you guys want it?"

The touch screen panel displayed a glamorous full screen picture of a dish.

We huddled around it and stared in mouth-watering awe.

"Juria, just make the decisions!"

She grinned deviously and

triumphantly pressed her thumb

against the monitor.

There was the rewarding sound of a successful order.

"Airu, what else is good?"

"Hmm.. try their assorted Osaka-style sushi."

There was another twinkling sound effect.

"There."

"Do we have enough?"

"25 dishes? That's alot."

"Not even!"

Chapter 783

End Game

Our waiter came back overladen

with trays of appetizers and miso soup,

balanced upon his thin arms.

The trays itself were spilling over

with monstrous portions,

and it was only the start.

It was all-you-can-eat here,

as well as all-you-can-sing.

No time limit, no constraints.

It was heaven for those with unquenchable desires.

Succumbing to the craving of the flesh.

The beginning of it all.

The beginning of the end.

Chapter 784

End Game

The flatscreen TV flashed to life,

an electrifying purple screen

welcoming our patronage.

Dinner was finished by now,

the booth full

with a thick smell

of hearty dishes.

We turned our attention to the paramount event.

"We better not sound as bad as the people down the hall."

Soshi laughed.

Just a few rooms away,

we could catch the feeble drunken

wails of high pitched school girls,

and the straining of their male counterparts.

We shuddered.

"Seiji, it's up to you for a good show."

"What?"

Chapter 785

End Game

"You're the best!"

They grinned at me.

"I haven't sang in ages!"

"Come on!"

Under the table,

I felt Airu's fingers against mine.

"We'll sing together."

"Alright, alright."

Miko giggled.

"It seems like you only listen to Airu."

"Oh hush." Airu waved her off.

But I didn't miss the smile creeping along her lips.

Chapter 786

End Game

"Where's the remote?"

Takashi who was closest to the screen

sifted through the seating cushions.

No matter where he looked

the remote wasn't to be found.

"Well, I found the microphones."

They were clipped directly on top of the TV.

"Here." He handed us the black cylinders.

They were solid weights in our hands,

heavy and sturdy, cold but rather comforting.

My fingers traced its simple shape.

The button to bring it to life.

To bring my voice to life.

Would it come to life?

Chapter 787

End Game

"Seiji,"

Airu turned towards me in a low whisper.

But her eyes were full of fierce intensity.

"Just this once,"

"Would you sing for me?"

I stole a glance at the others.

Takashi was still searching for the remote,

while everyone else fought

over the remaining food.

"As if you really meant it."

She sounded desperate.

I smiled.

"Of course I'll mean it."

Tonight, I'd sing for her.

As if it was the only night we had left.

Chapter 788

End Game

"Oh wait..."

"What if it's touchscreen?"

"You're silly." Juria poked her boyfriend

before reaching up to the screen.

"It works!"

"Takashi you're an idiot."

Akira said coldly,

but his mouth curved up.

"Eat your ice cream."

Takashi shot back, laughing.

The TV came to life,

buzzing with spiralling colors.

A stylish menu faded into existence.

Choose your destiny, it seemed to say.

"Which song do you guys want to sing?"

Chapter 789

End Game

"You pick, Seiji."

Her eyes twinkled.

I looked at her curiously.

She was expecting something.

I had promised to sing for her hadn't I?

Why was it so hard to think of a song?

It would be very disappointing

if I couldn't come up with something.

Everyone remained silent.

Just like they always do.

Like they expected a lot out of me.

As if music was what I was meant to do.

Chapter 790

End Game

"Let me look through the menu first."

"Good idea." Airu grinned.

I struggled out of my seat and leaned closer to the screen.

My face was illuminated with a hazy violet glow.

"They've got English songs."

"That's more like Airu's strong suit." I replied, chuckling.

Takashi shifted so I could settle in beside him.

The monitor was warm to the touch,

responding nimbly under my fingers.

One finger was enough to pull up the menu.

Japanese pop. As usual.

I decided to choose something everyone knew.

Nothing too fancy, Seiji.

Chapter 791

End Game

"Hey, that's a good song."

Takashi observed.

"Yeah, I was thinking of that one.

I love the tune."

I tapped once. Twice.

It hummed and turned red.

"There."

Airu grabbed my arm excitedly

and pulled me back to my spot next to her.

"I love that song!"

I smiled.

"I'll dedicate it to you then."

Chapter 792

End Game

The screen buzzed and a video flickered on.

An image of a blue sky, stretching across the horizon,

grassy field so green it hurt the eyes.

The vast expanse of eternity encased in a black frame.

It was a song that everyone knew. Beginning with a dreamy guitar riff.

Something cheerful, yet was it something I could sing right now?

Airu looked happy.

Maybe I should look happy too.

"Let's have fun tonight." She said.

That's right. I didn't have much time left.

I nodded at her and lifted the microphone.

Listen to the song here:

Chapter 793

End Game

Ai Uta. Love Song.

Just simply two words.

I winced at the cheesiness.

But all around, we were grinning,

singing along in delight.

I watched Airu's lips move in sync with mine.

As if she was mouthing the words,

because our voices didn't seem like our own.

It was something much more beautiful.

Than what I could ever imagine.

Chapter 794

End Game

For the first time in a long time,

I was singing.

I could feel my breathing,

from my diaphragm,

a gentle pressure

forcing a steady stream of air,

through my vocal cords,

vibrating, humming,

a tickling sensation

in my throat.

It took a while to get used to it.

I was tempted to cough

from my stale vocal cords.

I heard myself almost crack a few times.

But I swallowed it.

No one else noticed though.

Chapter 795

End Game

"Is this road,

this life you've chosen

good enough for you?

I don't know, but...

Just standing by your side

these days we spend

laughing and crying

Is the meaning of my life

I sing this love song for you"

Chapter 796

End Game

Airu was shining tonight.

I had never heard her sing before.

But now I realized her voice was a masterpiece.

Smooth and strong.

Singing with her was no hindrance.

Instead, I couldn't help but feel inspired.

I watched her lips.

And matched my own with hers.

Like our voices had become one,

her harmonies intertwined with my melody.

Something in her was so full of determination.

Like she was holding on to every word.

Every word meant something.

Chapter 797

End Game

" 'Hey, what did we talk about then?'

The day we first met we were so formal with each other

Since then so many things have happened, we've even fought

And spent time together getting to understand each other

We met under this wide sky of ours and fell in love, forever"

Chapter 798

End Game

She was blushing by now,

her eyes avoiding my own.

At first, I hadn't noticed it.

The lyrics. But slowly...

I realized what I was singing.

I promised to sing for her.

Were these going to be my true feelings?

Was this what I had to say?

Something I kept hidden inside me all this time.

Something we could never say to each other.

No matter what,

we were always afraid.

Afraid our words,

would destroy

what we've experienced.

what we've created.

Chapter 799

End Game

"Just standing by your side

On these days we spend laughing and crying

Is the meaning of the life I spend with you

And I sing this love song for you

Sorry for causing you trouble all the time

The time we've spent together

has been packed full of events, hasn't it?

We spend day after day

And the love we've created grows

I'll send this crap song to you

I'll swear to God, 'I'm crazy about you!'

I'll keep holding your hand"

Chapter 800

End Game

These words we could only say them...

here.

Through song.

I gripped the microphone tighter.

She didn't hear me that time.

But through here.

Was the only time

I could tell her.

No one else knew.

It would just be between us.

Chapter 801

End Game

"As long as my voice goes on

I'll keep singing by your side

When I get old and lose my voice,

I'll keep holding your hand

Thank you isn't enough to say this

Let's share our tearful smiles and sadness

and happiness for the rest of our lives

Night after night

I'll sing about

my love with you"

Chapter 802

End Game

Between every word,

she would be smiling at me,

ever so slightly, secretly.

Like we were in on a little private talk.

Her furtive glances at me

out of the corner of her eye

made me feel heat rising

along my cheeks.

Airu, at this moment,

it's just the two of us.

The world had faded away.

Just like always.

It was always

just the two of us.

Airu, I want to take your hand,

and run away, day after day,

year after year.

Chapter 803

End Game

It's you. Isn't it?

You are the one.

The red thread of destiny.

Even as this music is fading out,

I would sing for you.

Even if the world were to end,

if everything was to change,

if everything we've experienced,

would be destroyed,

let me sing to you from now on.

Chapter 804

End Game

Every word that had been sang,

lingered in the air,

like the aroma from burning incense.

I inhaled the scent.

It filled my lungs and body,

with you, you were inside me.

My heart was beating you.

It was you through my blood.

Giving me life.

Giving me breath.

I will accept.

Chapter 805

End Game

The music ended,

much to our aggravation.

I wanted it to continue,

on and on, forever.

I could sing it all day.

All the time.

If she was there in front of me,

singing with me, I knew I could.

Sing with me more.

Sing with me lots.

Chapter 806

End Game

There was cheering all around,

applause and clapping like

the sound of a thousand fans.

Slowly, I came back to my senses.

"Now, that was some great singing."

Takashi grinned.

"I hope they heard that."

Soshi pointed to the room next ours.

"You guys are amazing!"

Miko looked at us in admiration.

"Please teach me!"

We laughed.

Airu caught my eye.

Her eyes were wet,

tears brimming.

But it was like something in us clicked.

Her heart was free.

That's why there were tears.

Chapter 807

End Game

"Another song!"

"Yeah!"

Another song?

Airu, should we sing again?

She glanced at me;

and I caught her message.

Right away, immediately.

I took a swig from my glass cup,

full to the brim with orange pop.

It's carbonated bubbles

burned along my throat,

fizzing,sizzling, buzzing.

"We'll sing a bit later.

I want a breather.

It's really hot."

Chapter 808

End Game

Airu got up with me

and we headed out of our booth,

taking a leap of faith

down the elevated steps,

back into the main corridor.

I heard their low voices behind us,

saying how we were always together.

Takashi changed the subject.

I smiled at his sensitivity.

He always knew what to do.

The door shut behind us and

we were together again, just us.

Our hearts yearned for more moments together.

Chapter 809

End Game

I took a deep breath and sighed.

Ah...

She was silent, just staring down the empty hall,

listening to the sounds of our friends belting

through the sound-proof doors,

and the off-tune howling a little further afield.

I felt a smile playing on my lips,

and I let my fingers reach over to hers.

She responded instinctively,

stepping closer against me.

There was nothing left to say.

We had said it all.

Our hearts were still and at peace.

In the moment.

Chapter 810

End Game

"Thanks, Seiji."

I slid my arms around her waist.

She shivered against me,

like my touch was her release.

"You really sang for me."

She smiled, dimples gracefully brushing her cheek.

"I have a lot of firsts with you."

"This is the first time someone sang for me."

"Singing together and having someone sing for me..."

"That's another to put on the list."

I patted her head.

"Let's do more before the night is over."

"Okay."

Chapter 811

End Game

I took her hand and led her away from our friends.

Not knowing exactly what we were going to do.

She followed after me, without hesitation.

We were on the same page,

our hearts and minds aligned.

It was a liberating feeling.

In the moment, there were no worries.

There was no sorrow.

There was no pain.

Chapter 812

End Game