The holo advertising screens along the buildings switched to live camera feeds, capturing her bright, joyful expression. When the opening ceremony came to an end, we stopped playing and let Kurayami, in the guise of Yure, greet everyone at the event.
"It's been a year since I first stood here. Before that, I hesitated and was so afraid to reveal myself to the public, because I was different from everyone else. Growing up feeling like I couldn't do anything at all, until I finally found who I was… it made me realize that this world isn't small. I grew up knowing very little about how beautiful the world outside really is. These two older brothers of mine, Eska and Esto—they've always looked after me. Thank you so much for giving Yure the chance to stand here today. And thank you to everyone for your support, for giving me the strength to keep going even when things get hard."
"Yurei is already amazing! Nothing can stand in your way!" Someone in the crowd shouted, moving her deeply.
"I've come up with a project—creating another world, one that everyone can visit, a concert space that can hold hundreds of thousands of people. Yure hopes to create a world where everyone can be like Yure. And before long, it will become real!"
Yure raised her hand to the fans, who were buzzing with excitement about what was coming in the near future, while Seto and I slowly began to play again.
"So for today, let's just have as much fun as we can!!"
"Yoooooooo~hooooo~hooooo~hooooo!"Green glow sticks rose in waves, and seen from above the stage, they formed the shape of a moth.
The azure butterfly fluttered out from the sleeve of the kabuki-masked guitarist. It flew toward the moon, then flipped through the air and landed on the glass of the OMUP office building.
Inside a dimly lit room, it saw two men in conversation. A mysterious man in a suit was angrily tearing documents apart, pointing accusingly at the person seated before him. He stepped aside, allowing the butterfly to see the other man being reprimanded—a figure wearing a mask over his head. The masked man laughed lightly, raising his hands as he explained himself to the furious man. Hearing this, the suited man turned and punched the office window right where the butterfly was perched. Startled, it immediately darted away.
Reaching an alley between buildings in central Tokyo, it slipped through an air vent and found Kurayami and three older brothers sitting together, sharing a meal. They had moved their residence to the heart of the city to lie low, as the events of that evening still haunted them. And once again, the butterfly slipped into Seoki's body.
The four of us sat eating in the dining room. Haruki set his chopsticks down on his bowl and looked at his younger sister.
"How's school?"
Kurayami chewed her food before answering. "…..Same as always."
"Is that so? Don't worry about tuition. I'll take care of it."
"That's right. Focus on your study~ no need to worry~" Seto added with a rhyme.
"Do you want us to help out over there?" I asked quietly, speaking to Haruki, who was now in charge of Taiyoshin.
"That can wait until after dinner. I've got a plan I want to sell," Haruki replied. I nodded.
"What are you two whispering about?" Kurayami looked at us suspiciously.
We both turned to her, feigning innocence. "Huh?"
"Or maybe~ are you in love, big bro? Come on, let me see my future sister-in-law," Kurayami teased Haru.
"Wait till seventeen, then we'll talk, a'ight?" Haruki said, patting her head as she entered her teenage years.
"And what about you, missy? Got someone you like yet?" I asked.
"I didn't grow up like normal people. Having romance right now would be weird."
"That's fine. When you're older, this master here will teach you all about it," Seto said confidently, pointing at his own chest.
"Over my dead body," Haru cut in.
"Hehehe," Kurayami and I laughed together.
"Seoki, could you go pay for my medicine at the hospital for me? I've been feeling a bit feverish lately. Oh… it's already nine," Kurayami glanced at the clock.
"Sure. I'll go now," I replied immediately, patting my best friend's shoulder. "Let's go."
"Kay! I'll grab some yakisoba for Dango too," Seto said, getting up and throwing on his raincoat.
"Take care," Haru said as we went downstairs, got into the car, and drove off into the night.