A collection of short stories written for the MLQC Fandom. Grouped according to character. Posts aren't frequent and will come as and when inspiration strikes!
š Essays
A series of personal posts and analysis written by me to provide a better understanding on my favorite character in game. These posts are going to be more frequent once S2 starts!
š Translations
A list for the occasional translation I do. Focus is on Kiro/Helios only. Do note that these translations were done with the help of Google Translate!
š Miscellaneous Content
A collection of all the miscellaneous content that one would find on my blog. These include asks, reblogs and other fun stuff!
šø Note: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date āēę²ä¹ēŗ¦ā releasing on 3rd June 2026! šø
āI want to show you every wonder you've heard of but never seen.ā
āHold me. Claim me.ā
Translator: @cheesy09
In the heart of this barren wasteland, we revel without end, pouring spheres of melody into the sea of sand and watching beautiful ripples spread across its surface.
š Burning Sands Date Blurb:
The coarse sting of the desert lashes against his skin, yet only makes his eyes shine brighterālike stars at the edge of the desert, sending you a passionate invite.
āāHold me. Claim me.ā
š Date Preview:
At Kiro's invitation, I set off with him on an impromptu trip deep into the desert to take part in the mysterious "Burning Festival", only to end up organizing with him a DJ performance that belonged to us alone.
The bonfire burns fiercely, orange-gold flames dancing against the night.
Nearby, someone idly strums a guitar. The notes are off-key, scattering into the wind, yet somehow moving all the same.
In the distance, pillars of light sway through the darkness. The unfinished construction continues; metal and plaster, wood and machinery, paint and glassāall of it is gradually being assembled into this barren land.
Suddenly, a streak of light flashes past. A bicycle wrapped in LED strips glides by like a fish swimming through water.
This place feels less like a campsite and more like a construction site built from the dreams of countless people.
The two of us are wrapped in the same blanket, shoulder to shoulder.
A pale golden glow rests upon his ever-smiling eyes. Together, we quietly watch everything around us. Then, we each pick up the small cups before us and gently clink them together.
"Some of these artworks look so fragile. How are they supposed to take them away?"
"They won't. Everything hereājust like that Burning Festival icon and those sunflowersāwill be burned."
He raises a hand and points toward a massive, indistinct structure at the center of the grounds, his voice as light as the music drifting through the air.
"Perhaps some things can become whatever they want to be precisely because they're destined to disappear."
I don't answer. Instead, I gently squeeze his fingertips and bring my ear as close to his heart as possible.
Closing my eyes, I listen, and immerse myself in the most beautiful work of art I possess in this moment.
ā ļø TW: This chapter contains depictions of child abuse and dark psychological themes such as manipulation, PTSD, panic attacks, depression, etc. Kindly proceed at your own discretion! ā ļø
āLet me possess your flawless soul. Let me see your sinful eyes.ā
āS3 Chapter 8 āTo Chase a Deerā Tagline
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[8-1: Above Ashes]
Kiro: [humming] ........
A dimly lit corridor reeks of the smell of blood. Most of the ceiling lights have been smashed, leaving only a few flickering weakly.
Kiro steps over several bodies sprawled across the floor, the soles of his shoes squishing through blood, each step making a faint, sticky sound.
At that moment, a Black Swan member respectfully walks up behind him, lowers his head and speaks in a hushed voice.
BS Member: Boss, both the outer perimeter and the interior of the lab have been secured, and most of the personnel have been cleared out.
Kiro: Most?
Kiro doesn't even turn his head, his tone icy. The man nervously wets his lips and bows his head further.
BS Member: The target escaped through an underground passage with two core members. By the time we arrived, the passage had already been blown up.
BS Member: Their database also initiated a self-destruct program before we breached. While we did manage to intercept itā¦
He pauses there, glancing up cautiously to gauge the reaction of the person before him.
BS Member: It will still take some time to fully recover the data.
Kiro: Seems quite a bit of information has leaked.
BS Member: Iāll investigate it right away.
Kiro says nothing more and continues forward, as if taking a leisurely stroll. The rhythm that had paused moments ago resumes, echoing in steady beats.
His gaze sweeps over the surroundings little by little. He's surprised to find that in such a short time, this place has already taken shape. Indeed, people are always at their most efficient when it comes to plotting evil.
He hums a couple of notes under his breath, then frowns again, as if something is still missing.
He shrugs, hands in his pockets, and walks past the corner. At that moment, a huge transparent observation window comes into view.
Behind the glass is a cramped white room, with more than a dozen or so children huddled in the corner.
They look no older than tenāemaciated, their arms covered in needle marks and bruises, and some of them even bore obvious surgical stitches on their bodies.
They clearly notice the footsteps outside the glass, yet not a single one dares to lift their head.
Kiroās steps come to a halt. The relaxed curve of his lips tightens little by little, pressing into a flat, emotionless line.
Something seems to yank sharply at his nerves, and a surge of nausea and disgust rises in his stomach. He immediately turns his face away and quickens his pace.
BS Member: Boss, how should we deal with those children?
Kiro has already walked several steps ahead, not looking back.
Kiro: Take them back for examination.
Kiro: Keep the ones with issues. The rest you send to an orphanage.
The long corridor is left behind as he walks out of the laboratory. The night loomed thick and heavy, the surroundings desolate and silent.
Once the Black Swan members are done with the gradual transfer all valuable āassets,ā a burst of flame suddenly ignites.
The sound of shattering glass rises one after another, and firelight flickers across Kiroās face, casting shifting shadows.
He watches quietly for a moment, and at last, a slight smile appears on his lips.
Although Poseidon has escaped, watching this filthy place burn to ashes does make him feel a little better.
He begins humming that melody again, the flames dancing before his eyes like a perfect rhythm. He weaves that searing heat into the tune on impulse, like a dance of life itself.
The music sounds closer to right, yet something still feels missing... After all, he aims to dominate the charts, so this kind of half-finished piece isnāt going to cut it.
Thinking this, he lets out a somewhat dissatisfied yet arrogant snort.
Turns out that staying shut away to compose really was a waste of time. He shouldāve just kept his muse by his side from the start.
But no matterāmost of the pressing matters at hand have now been dealt with. Itās about time he lets himself do as he pleases for a while.
In the distance, the flames climb higher, staining half the night sky a dark red.
BS Member: Boss, itās almost time.
Kiro gives a brief acknowledgment. After one last glance at the sea of fire, he turns and walks toward the car waiting in the shadows.
The flames are not yet extinguished; they crackle behind his tall figureābut can no longer draw even the slightest glance back from him.
Kiro: Time to invite my muse.
ā
Late at night, the corridors of B.S. are steeped in a dim, deathly silence. I press myself close to the wall, lightening my footsteps as I make my way towards my destination.
Since returning, I have gradually confirmed the changes within this world, as well as the changes within myself.
Even though the little boy claims to be powerless to alter the current situation, I have no intention of being a sitting duck, just waiting to be swallowed up by the mire.
Itās time to go to the Black Cabināthe place where the gears of this world lieāand see whatās really going on.
In the past, I rewrote fate there, so maybe I can still find some way forward again. Some fragment of hope.
I take a deep breath and continue feeling my way ahead, activating my Precognition Evol before every corner. Like a form of training, I try to anticipate in advance and avoid the patrolling guards.
As that light, ethereal power begins to surface, flickers of light and shadow flash before my eyes in the corridor. No matter how hard I concentrate, the images always feel like theyāre behind a layer of frosted glassāblurred and indistinct.
It seems that using my Precognition Evol with precision is far from simple.
Still, even though I donāt actually see the future, the path remains clear. I donāt run into a single Black Swan member along the way.
A trace of doubt lingers in my mind, but thereās no time to dwell on it. Just a few more turns, and Iāll reach the Black Cabin hall. I canāt help but quicken my paceā
And at that very moment, a voice suddenly comes from behind me.
??: Out exploring? Count me in!
The voice is light and cheerful, carrying an oddly out-of-place delight as it echoes through the silent corridor.
My steps halt abruptly, and my heart skips a beat, as though someone's seized it in a tight grip.
MC: ā¦?!
I turn my head stiffly. A figure stands quietly in the shadows at the far end of the corridor.
In the next second, he steps forwardādim light spilling along his silhouette, revealing that brilliant golden hair and those deep azure eyes.
Itās Kiro.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Excerpt: Marginalization]
A reflection repeated across countless workplaces, and countless corners of society.
BS Member A: Where did you all go tonight? Did something big happen?
BS Member B: Nothing much. Just carried out a mission.
BS Member A: Is it something you canāt talk about?
BS Member A: Just give me a hintāI promise I wonāt tell anyone.
BS Member B: Fine. For the sake of all the years weāve worked together, Iāll give you a little pointer.
BS Member B: Watch what you say and do lately, and especially donāt end up on the wrong side.
BS Member B: As for which Deity you should curry favor with, and which one you should keep your distance fromā¦ you should have a sense of that yourself.
BS Member A: ā¦....
BS Member A: Whatās the Bossās stance on this?
BS Member B: The Bossās stance has never changedāto lead all of humanity towards evolution.
BS Member A: You look pretty stressed, man. Letās hit a bar laterāmy treat today.
BS Member B: I still have some cleanup work to finish. Another time. Iām heading out.
BS Member A: ā¦ā¦
BS Member A: What the hell was that all aboutā¦
BS Member A: No, I need to ask around. If this keeps up, Iām going to get pushed to the sidelines.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Excerpt: Hidden Rules]
The fastest runner doesnāt always get to stand at the starting line.
Athlete A: Did you hear? Shen Hao got disqualified in the end.
Athlete B: Serves him right. Who told him not to know his place, insisting on competing with Sun Ming for that spot?
Athlete A: Butā¦ thereās nothing wrong with what he did, is there?
Athlete B: Donāt play dumb. You know exactly what kind of background Shen Hao comes from.
Athlete B: Sure, heās talentedābut Sun Ming isnāt any worse, and his familyās well-connected.
Athlete B: No matter how you look at it, it's why the coach preferred giving Sun Ming the opportunity.
Athlete A: Tskā¦ what a pity.
Athlete B: A pity? Heās just stupid.
Athlete B: You think Iāve never been pushed around? Last year during training, my knee injury report got suppressed for three whole months!
Athlete B: But did I say anything? I just gritted my teeth and finished the whole run.
Athlete B: But whatās with you today? Donāt tell me you actually feel sorry for Shen Hao.
Athlete A: Not really. I was just hoping to watch a good showāan underdog rising from the bottom and all that.
Athlete A: But if we add a little fuel to the fireā¦ wouldnāt it get interesting again?
Athlete B: Oh? Got a clever idea?
Athlete A: Letās start by buying Shen Hao some rat poison.
Athlete A: Then find a chance to egg him onāpeople like him are the easiest to push over the edge.
Athlete B: Not bad. Letās go.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[8-3: Fake Candy]
I stand there, stunned, my mind going completely blank.
Wasn't he supposed to be in seclusion, working on his music this whole time? Why is he hereā¦?
Only a few scattered lights are on in the corridor, their glow dim as they fall over him, yet they make his smile shine so brightlyālike an unfading star in the night sky.
And yet, for some reason, looking at that almost perfect smile, I feel a pang of unspeakable bitterness in my chest.
The subtle sense of dissonance from before, now finally has its answer.
Heās like a doll carefully crafted in the image of the pastābeautiful and dazzlingābut missing the most important piece of his soul.
Looking at Kiro like this, my throat tightens even more.
Seeing that I haven't responded for a while, he reaches out and lightly taps the tip of my nose, then casually pinches my cheek.
Kiro: Huh? Why has Miss Chips suddenly turned into a wooden doll?
His fingertips are soft and warm, yet somehow they canāt seem to soothe my heart at all.
Heās so into this role he's been playing... that I honestly have no idea how to make him stop without hurting him in the process.
In the end, all I can do is part my lips and forcefully suppress all those turbulent emotions back down.
MC: Didnāt you say you were in seclusion? What are you doing here?
Kiro: Mmā¦ I am in seclusionābut I do go out for walks every once in a while.
He blinks and glosses over the question. Before I can press any further, he smoothly changes the subject.
Kiro: So, what are we exploring this time? Iāll be your lookout!
As he speaks, he lifts a hand to his forehead, scanning the surroundings with exaggerated seriousness.
If it were the old me, I probably wouldnāt find anything strange about this; I might have even burst out laughing.
But now, every single one of his reactions feels like a play that has been rehearsed far too many timesāso perfect that there isnāt a single flaw to pick apart.
MC: Kiroā¦
He immediately turns to look at me. The moment our eyes meet, those eyes soften into an even gentler smile.
Like a loyal, endearingly clumsy little bearāhis entire heart and eyes are filled with only me.
I swallow back the words resting on the tip of my tongue. Looking at the person before me, I ultimately can't bring myself to shatter the illusion.
So I smile as well, trying my best to make it look the same as before.
MC: Haha, stop teasing me.
MC: Now that the Boss has caught me red-handed, how can I possibly keep exploring?
Kiro: ā¦!
Hearing that, he glances around, then tilts his head, looking utterly confused.
Kiro: The Boss? Where is he?
Kiro: All I see is the Queen playing a little late-night game all by herself~
The instant I hear that word, my heart violently skips a beat.
I thinkā¦ this is the first time Iāve ever heard Kiro call me that in private.
An indescribable ache rises in my chest. I struggle to keep the smile on my face, unwilling to let any crack show.
But Kiroās gaze still pauses for a moment. His tone remains lighthearted, yet his eyes are so sharp that no one can possibly hope to hide from him.
Kiro: Hm? Looks like I guessed wrong?
Without waiting for my answer, he props his chin on one hand and paces around me like some great detective.
Kiro: Have you come here looking for me? Noā¦ if that were the case, you wouldāve texted me first, or just gone straight to my place.
Kiro: Then are you here for a walk? But thereās not exactly much scenery to admire here at B.S.
MC: Iā¦
Kiro: ā¦Oh! Donāt tell me that you heard some important intel and came all the way here to report it to the Boss?
He puffs his cheeks in mock offense, every word wrapped in casual amusement.
And yet, I can vaguely sense that beneath the teasing and playfulness, there's an unseen thread that is slowly tightening.
Heās probing me, trying to figure out what exactly I came here to do.
ā¦And I donāt want to lie to him.
Even if love has disappeared; even if I can no longer tell how much of this moment is real and how much of it is false, I still want to trust the person standing before me.
My instincts tell me that no matter how much things change, Kiro will never hurt me.
So I gently take his hand, wanting to soothe the rippling unrest hidden in his heart.
MC: Actually, I came here tonight in order to get inside the Black Cabin.
MC: I think something may have gone wrong with this world and I need to go inside to verify it.
His expression freezes for a brief moment, and even his smile appears veiled by a layer of mist.
Kiro: But how are you going to get there by yourself?
MC: ā¦I have the black box that will let me enter there.
I vaguely catch onto whatās bothering him and quickly add another explanation.
MC: Werenāt you in seclusion? I just thought that I shouldnāt disturb you.
His lashes tremble faintly. The smile that had frozen within his eyes returns once again, as if nothing happened at all.
Kiro: Hmph. Even if I were to hole myself up deep under ground, the moment you called, Iād crawl straight out to see you.
He takes my hand in his own and our fingers intertwine almost perfectly.
Kiro: Iām coming with you.
Kiro: After all, Iāve been there with you before. Itās not like this is the first time.
He says it lightly, but there isnāt the slightest room for negotiation in his voice.
Kiro: Besides, you said it yourselfāsomething may be wrong with this world. Then thereās even less of a chance that Iām letting you face it alone.
Kiro: What ifā¦ you disappear again for another six months or so?
He says it casually, like an offhand joke. But beneath that nonchalant tone, there seems to be a weight to his words that cannot be touched.
Like he's tightly gripping onto a key capable of opening a hidden treasure, unwilling to let go of it so easily.
That familiar sweetness seems to drift through the air again, enticing me to accept his candy.
And before I realize it, a smile forms on my lips, and I nod gently at him.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[8-4: Just One Step Away]
Kiro pulls me against the wall, lowers himself, and carefully watches the surroundings with a serious expression.
Every now and then, he would turn back to gesture for me to stay quiet, or pull me behind him before we reach a corner.
Our fingers remain tightly intertwined, our clothes brush together, and our footsteps stay perfectly synchronised, moving together in the same rhythm.
Everything is exactly as it used to be.
And yet, everything is completely different now.
Even though everyone here obeys him, he insists on sneaking around with me, playing this so-called adventure game.
What kind of feelings is he carryingā¦ while doing all this with me?
I lower my gaze to our intertwined fingers, and within that intimate warmth, I sink into a kind of silent unease.
Suddenly, he comes to an abrupt stop. Then he turns and pulls me toward a half-open door beside the corridor.
Kiro: Shh, someoneās comingā
He pulls me into a small meeting room, and the door closes softly behind us, instantly plunging the surroundings into complete darkness.
The room feels smallāso small that I can clearly feel his breath falling against the top of my head, along with his clean scent surrounding me.
Soon, faint footsteps echo outside the door, drawing near from afar, before gradually fading again.
In the darkness, I can barely see anything. However, through the thin layer of fabric between us, his body seems strangely stiff.
Instinctively, I lift my head, wanting to see his expression.
But in the very next second, Kiro also turns his face away, hiding himself deeper within the shadows. I am left stunned for a moment, then canāt help speaking up.
MC: ā¦Whatās wrong?
He seems to press his lips together briefly, his tone deliberately light.
Kiro: Nothing. It just occurred to me thatā¦ if we werenāt still hiding from the āenemy,ā Iād definitely be hugging you properly right about now.
However the excuse is far too flimsy, as if even he himself canāt believe it.
Looking at the arm he keeps pressed close against my side, my heart aches little by little.
Even though we're so close to each other right now, even though every breath I take is filled with him, it still feels as though we're always one step away from each other.
Even more distant than that ray of silver light once was.
Bitterness wells in my heart, but I still slowly and hesitantly lift my arms and gently wrap them around him, mimicking the relaxed tone of his voice.
MC: Itās okay, a hug won't hurt. No one will notice.
The person in my arms freezes in place, his entire body visibly stiffening. Even the breath brushing over my hair seems to stop for a moment.
The muffled sound of his heartbeat echoes faintly against my ear.
Those few seconds stretch so long they feel almost unreal, until little by little, something pulls him back from a place I cannot see.
His hand lifts and slowly settles against my back.
At first, the touch is light, like he's testing the waters. Then, unconsciously, it tightens.
Kiro: Youāre so warm.
But why is it still not enough?
Silence quietly spreads between us. After an unknown amount of time, he releases me without hesitation and opens the door to glance outside.
Kiro: Letās go. The coast is clear.
Those smiling crescent-shaped eyes make it seem as though whatever just transpired, never happened in the first place.
ā
Along the rest of the way, he continues scouting the āenemy situationā with exaggerated seriousness, and would deliberately startle me every now and then just to mess with me.
Compared to when I first saw him, he feels more like the āKiroā who used to act this way in front of me.
So, trying to set aside the heavy feelings weighing my heart for the time being, I play along with this adventure game beside him.
After a few more turns, we finally arrive at the hall leading to the Black Cabin.
But in the next second, the phone in Kiroās pocket suddenly vibrates.
He pulls it out and glances at the screen, a slight frown appearing between his brows. Yet when he turns back to me, heās smiling again.
Kiro: Wait here for me a moment. Iāll be right back.
MC: ā¦ā¦
He turns away, lifting the phone to his ear, his figure gradually being swallowed by the dim light until he disappears around the corner.
At the same time, the stiff smile on my face gradually fades away as well.
I know Kiro has been pretending this entire timeāto be his past self; the version of who he used to be with me.
But it seems that he too lacks confidence in that version of himself, which is why he's still subtly been using his power on me.
If, in there, he were to hear the questions I truly want answered, he'll realize that I may have already seen through his lies.
And thenāhow would he react?
MC: ā¦Iām sorryā¦ Kiro.
I glance back once more in the direction where he disappeared. Then, I take out the black box and awaken the power within my body.
When I open my eyes again, countless points of starlight drift around me, like fragments of a shattered kaleidoscope suspended in endless darkness.
As the sound of turning gears comes to a stop, a calm, familiar voice slowly echoes out.
??: You still came after all.
MC: ā¦ā¦
Specks of light leap and stretch into a glowing white staircase. Following its guidance, I look toward the radiant door at the end of the void.
MC: Did you already foresee this moment?
MC: Is that why you said last time that I would return here again?
??: Youāre mistaken. I never foresee inevitabilities.
Thereās little emotion in his voice, yet it carries an inexplicable hint of arrogance.
??: You people always believe you are making your own choices. But have you ever considered that your choices themselves may also be inevitable?
MC: ā¦You still enjoy speaking in riddles, don't you?
MC: But let me correct youāthe fact that I've been able to get here time and time again already proves that not everything is predetermined.
MC: Even if my choicesā¦ are always accompanied by loss.
??: That sounds rather sad.
??: Still, congratulations. Once again, youāve successfully reached the future.
The words sound like a heartfelt affirmation.
And yet, for some reason, beneath his tone I can hear the faint trace of self-mockeryā¦ and helplessness.
MC: Then was the change in this future also within your expectations?
For a moment, the air itself seems to freeze. Even the drifting dust appears suspended in place.
??: It's you that has led the world to this future.
??: That question shouldnāt be directed at me.
Rather than answer me directly, he instead throws the question back at me once again.
In all the times Iāve come here before, Iāve never once felt at ease. I still donāt know who this mysterious voice truly is, or what his purpose might be.
And yet, it is through his guidance, more or less, that I am able to keep making choices and keep moving forward with resolve.
Even if his words are always ambiguous, he has at least been honest. A sudden hunch tells me that, perhaps, unlike that little boy, he doesnāt actually know what changes have happened to the world.
Perhapsā¦ he is also one of the things undergoing change.
MC: Looks like this place has trapped you here.
MC: I hope that youāll show yourself the next time we meet.
Rather than continuing to waste time probing each other, there are more important things waiting for me right now.
I close my eyes again.
In the past, every time I reached the place where the gearsā laws reside, it felt as though some invisible force was pulling me downward into it.
But this time, I aim to reach it through my own will.
Very quickly, a warm yet scorching power wraps itself through my bloodstream. The light cast against my retinas suddenly trembles, and the brief unrest surrounding me falls silent.
When I open my eyes, I find myself standing within chaos.
Countless specks of dust dissolve into drifting particles. The shattered gear fragments that once crumbled away like ashes have completely vanished, leaving behind only an almost absolute darkness.
From deep within comes the faint sound of something rejoining and meshing together once more.
Until, at last, it coalesced into a tremendous roar, like the beating of a heart.
It's the sound of gears turning.
ā
After the girlās figure disappears from the Black Cabin, a ghostly figure quietly emerges within it.
At the same time, that mysterious, low voice echoes once more.
??: Youāve come.
The silhouette stands there silently for a moment before finally speaking in a calm voice.
[?]: Weāve all returned.
Silence flows between them, as though swallowing everything into shadow.
After a long while, a sigh drifts through the void.
??: This door is finally going to close.
ā
When I come back to my senses, I realize Iāve somehow already left the Black Cabin and returned to the B.S. hall.
Before my awareness can fully emerge from that chaos, my eyes catch something and suddenly sharpen.
Not far away, Kiro stands with one hand gripping his elbow, the other resting against his chin.
He appears calm, yet the slight tension in his fingertips feels as though heās suppressing emotions he doesnāt want others to notice.
The moment he sees me suddenly appear in the hall, the agitation in his eyes vanishes instantly. Then he strides quickly toward me.
Kiro: I just stepped away to take a phone call, and when I came back, you were goneā¦
He unconsciously grips my wrist tightly, as if afraid I might disappear again.
Seeing the worry and lingering fear filling his eyes, a guilty ache rises quietly in my chest as well.
Just as I'm about to explain, he hurriedly speaks up again.
Kiro: Did that place suddenly drag you in?
Kiro: Otherwise, you definitely wouldāve waited for me. There's no way you would've left me behind to go into the Black Cabin by yourself.
MC: ā¦ā¦
In that moment, I suddenly realize that more than worrying about me, he seems more unwilling to accept the possibility thatā¦ I chose not to wait for him.
Soā¦ I lie as well.
MC: ā¦Yeah. I was going to wait for you. But then some force suddenly dragged me insideā¦
Kiro: ā¦ā¦
Kiro's lashes tremble faintly, the deep blue in his eyes falling still.
At last, he gazes at me for a long moment. The grip around my wrist finally loosens, and instead, he takes my hand in his.
Kiro: Itās okay. As long as you're back.
Kiro: So? Did you find what you were looking for?
And just like that, we become two liars at the same time, carefully using those lies to patch over everything.
As if, so long as neither of us tears the illusion apart, we can pretend itās still intact.
MC: Actually, I didnāt really get any useful information eitherā¦
When I say that, a comforting smile slowly blooms across Kiroās face. He lifts a hand and gently brushes the loose strands of hair from my forehead.
Kiro: Itās okay. Donāt worry. Everything will get better.
His voice is soft and gentle, like the song of a siren.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[8-6: Cheat Code]
After leaving the hall of the Black Cabin, Kiro naturally takes my hand and leads me back down the corridor we came from.
As we turn a corner, someone in a researcherās uniform walks toward us and gives a slight nod, seemingly about to report something to Kiro.
Researcher: Boss, regardingā
Kiro: Later.
He waves a hand dismissively, his tone casual yet unquestionable. The man immediately steps aside obediently, watching us pass.
As we walk past him, I think I catch a faint golden light in his eyes, like an impossibly thin veil of gold draped across his irises, flickering softly.
Just as I instinctively begin to turn back for another look, my hand is suddenly tugged gently.
I snap back to attention and realize I almost walked straight into the corner wall. Kiro smoothly pulls me to the other side to avoid it.
By the time I steady myself and look back again, the corridor behind us is already completely empty.
Strangeā¦ maybe I'm seeing things.
I temporarily push down the doubts in my heart and follow Kiro into his office. Wondering why he brought me here, I can't help but glance at the person beside me.
In the next second, he walks to the window and pulls open the blinds a bit, letting in a faint trace of starlight. Then, he leads me to take a seat on the sofa in the reception area, gazing at me with a smile.
Kiro: Rest here for a bit.
MC: Won't I be bothering you? That person just now seemed like he had something he wanted to report to you.
Kiro: Don't worry, it's nothing especially urgent.
I press my lips together slightly and the image of that man's deeply respectful attitude surfaces in my mind again.
Back at the desert shop, Kiro had said that he'd been busy stabilizing Black Swan.
But now, it seems that what he wants isn't order, but absolute obedience.
MC: ...Still, judging from that person's attitude just now, seems like your authority as Boss has really sunk deep into people's minds.
He tilts his head thoughtfully and continues along with my words.
Kiro: I guess so. Most of the troublesome matters from before have already been dealt with.
He pauses for a moment, and then his tone grows a little more serious.
Kiro: So instead of going to the Black Cabin to search for answers, you can rely on me more from now on.
Kiro: Whether as Kiro or as the Boss of BS, I can help you and work alongside you.
He leans slightly closer, his fingertips gently brushing the center of my brow.
Kiro: I don't want these trivial matters keeping your mind occupied all the timeādisturbing you, making you uneasy, causing you to constantly frown...
His voice is soft and gentle, every word trying to ease my burdens, to lift those heavy things off of my shoulders little by little.
Itās as though heās turned himself into air sweet enough for me to breathe in completely.
And yet, once that sweetness disperses, everything he has feels as though it will vanish along with it.
And I want to give to him everything that he's longed for without holding anything back.
MC: I understand. You shouldnāt worry so much either.
A brief silence spreads between us, the only sound in the office being the low hum of the central air conditioning.
We rarely used to fall into silences such as this. Looking at his lowered eyes, I want to carefully probe a little further, to say something more.
But in the next second, he speaks first, as though following his own train of thought.
Kiro: Oh, right. Remember when we talked before about the changes in this world?
After getting his answer, he doesnāt linger much on my emotions, and instead, casually twists the ring on his finger.
Kiro: I thought about it for a while afterward and also looked into things here and there.
Thoughtfully, he rubs his thumb against my fingers, tilting his head back slightly as if recalling something.
Kiro: Iām thinkingā¦ that maybe weāre overthinking it.
MC: ā¦Overthinking it?
He nods, his expression growing more serious. Turning toward me slightly, he looks straight into my eyes as he speaks.
Kiro: I mean, hasnāt the world always been like this, really?
Kiro: People will stop at nothing for profit. Some will wage wars to plunder others; others will experiment on children; while some are obsessed with deadly hunter gamesā¦
Kiro: Ulterior motives, deceptionā¦ none of these things have ever disappeared throughout history, nor are they some new kind of development.
As he speaks, his voice softens again, his expression turning gentle once more.
Kiro: So, it's possible that the people around you were simply too good to you before. And now, after disappearing for half a year so suddenlyā¦
Kiro: It's expected that the contrast would feel overwhelming for you.
He spreads his hands, as if stating the simplest truth in the world.
His lips move as he speaks, but his voice feels strangely distant, as though itās coming from far away, drowning out my own thoughts.
And he seems to interpret my brief silence as something elseāfatigue, perhaps, or hesitation.
So his voice lowers again, like heās sharing a secret meant only for me, a private thought hidden deep inside him.
Kiro: Maybe one day, youāll also start thinkingā¦ it would be better if all the bad people simply disappeared. They just arenāt worth saving.
He looks steadily at me. Thereās no cruelty in his tone, no malice at allāif anything, thereās even a trace of tenderness.
I look back at him, a faint bitter smile rising to my lips.
Because honestly, I canāt say Iāve never had thoughts like that myself; in those utterly exhausting moments, in those times when I gave everything I had and still remained powerless.
No matter how hard I try, this world always seems to fall short of my expectations, handing me setback after setback every time I'm on the verge of success.
I really have wondered beforeā¦ Why? What gives? Is any of this truly worth it?
Within Kiroās impossibly clear eyesāeyes carrying a subtle, tempting pullāa distant figure suddenly rises in my mindā
The collective āmeā who failed across every timeline.
T/n: In case it isn't clear, MC's talking about the Black Queen from S1 here! (So loving the many S1 references in this season) :>
She once said similar things too. About worlds and people that were no longer worth saving.
Maybe that āme,ā just as Kiro said, endured countless moments of being shattered and hurt, and in the end, chose to give up.
āPerhaps I have already seen the endpoint of a future where I surrender, and one day, I too will become another āme.ā
MC: But Iā¦ I still donāt want to give up. I donāt think this world is supposed to be like this.
MC: You once said that we would stand in darkness to protect the light. Because of those wordsābecause of youā¦ I found so much courage and strength.
Gently, I take hold of his cold hand in mine.
MC: You remember, donāt you? That āmeā who gave up everythingā¦ I donāt want to become her.
Perhaps the distance between that āmeā and myself isn't nearly as far as I once believed.
Maybe that āmeā never truly disappeared at all, and has always been quietly watching from within the shadows.
But the moment my words fall, Kiroās eyes brighten instead.
Itās as though he has suddenly discovered a cheat code and lightly claps his hands together once.
Kiro: Miss Chips, havenāt you noticed a key point here?
Kiro: Since sheās the other side of you, then if you and her join togetherā¦ wouldnāt that make you the most complete version of yourself?
MC: ā¦?
I freeze.
Kiro: One resolute heart, and one brave and resilient one.
Kiro: Put the two together, and wouldnāt that be the Queen in her most perfect form? Wouldnāt that finally allow you to truly save this world?
He looks at me, and within those deep blue eyes is the reflection of a complete version of myself, as though it is something flawless.
Kiro: What should I do? I can hardly wait to make that moment a reality with youāfor us to save the world perfectly together.
A kind of fervor I have never heard before slips into his voice, like someone who has waited far, far too long and is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
But is that light really warm?
Why is it that deep within his eyes, within the narrow gap between that passion and tenderness... I see something that absolutely terrifies me?
ā ļø TW: This chapter contains depictions of child abuse and dark psychological themes such as manipulation, PTSD, panic attacks, depression, etc. Kindly proceed at your own discretion! ā ļø
āLet me possess your flawless soul. Let me see your sinful eyes.ā
āS3 Chapter 8 āTo Chase a Deerā Tagline
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[8-1: Above Ashes]
Kiro: [humming] ........
A dimly lit corridor reeks of the smell of blood. Most of the ceiling lights have been smashed, leaving only a few flickering weakly.
Kiro steps over several bodies sprawled across the floor, the soles of his shoes squishing through blood, each step making a faint, sticky sound.
At that moment, a Black Swan member respectfully walks up behind him, lowers his head and speaks in a hushed voice.
BS Member: Boss, both the outer perimeter and the interior of the lab have been secured, and most of the personnel have been cleared out.
Kiro: Most?
Kiro doesn't even turn his head, his tone icy. The man nervously wets his lips and bows his head further.
BS Member: The target escaped through an underground passage with two core members. By the time we arrived, the passage had already been blown up.
BS Member: Their database also initiated a self-destruct program before we breached. While we did manage to intercept itā¦
He pauses there, glancing up cautiously to gauge the reaction of the person before him.
BS Member: It will still take some time to fully recover the data.
Kiro: Seems quite a bit of information has leaked.
BS Member: Iāll investigate it right away.
Kiro says nothing more and continues forward, as if taking a leisurely stroll. The rhythm that had paused moments ago resumes, echoing in steady beats.
His gaze sweeps over the surroundings little by little. He's surprised to find that in such a short time, this place has already taken shape. Indeed, people are always at their most efficient when it comes to plotting evil.
He hums a couple of notes under his breath, then frowns again, as if something is still missing.
He shrugs, hands in his pockets, and walks past the corner. At that moment, a huge transparent observation window comes into view.
Behind the glass is a cramped white room, with more than a dozen or so children huddled in the corner.
They look no older than tenāemaciated, their arms covered in needle marks and bruises, and some of them even bore obvious surgical stitches on their bodies.
They clearly notice the footsteps outside the glass, yet not a single one dares to lift their head.
Kiroās steps come to a halt. The relaxed curve of his lips tightens little by little, pressing into a flat, emotionless line.
Something seems to yank sharply at his nerves, and a surge of nausea and disgust rises in his stomach. He immediately turns his face away and quickens his pace.
BS Member: Boss, how should we deal with those children?
Kiro has already walked several steps ahead, not looking back.
Kiro: Take them back for examination.
Kiro: Keep the ones with issues. The rest you send to an orphanage.
The long corridor is left behind as he walks out of the laboratory. The night loomed thick and heavy, the surroundings desolate and silent.
Once the Black Swan members are done with the gradual transfer all valuable āassets,ā a burst of flame suddenly ignites.
The sound of shattering glass rises one after another, and firelight flickers across Kiroās face, casting shifting shadows.
He watches quietly for a moment, and at last, a slight smile appears on his lips.
Although Poseidon has escaped, watching this filthy place burn to ashes does make him feel a little better.
He begins humming that melody again, the flames dancing before his eyes like a perfect rhythm. He weaves that searing heat into the tune on impulse, like a dance of life itself.
The music sounds closer to right, yet something still feels missing... After all, he aims to dominate the charts, so this kind of half-finished piece isnāt going to cut it.
Thinking this, he lets out a somewhat dissatisfied yet arrogant snort.
Turns out that staying shut away to compose really was a waste of time. He shouldāve just kept his muse by his side from the start.
But no matterāmost of the pressing matters at hand have now been dealt with. Itās about time he lets himself do as he pleases for a while.
In the distance, the flames climb higher, staining half the night sky a dark red.
BS Member: Boss, itās almost time.
Kiro gives a brief acknowledgment. After one last glance at the sea of fire, he turns and walks toward the car waiting in the shadows.
The flames are not yet extinguished; they crackle behind his tall figureābut can no longer draw even the slightest glance back from him.
Kiro: Time to invite my muse.
ā
Late at night, the corridors of B.S. are steeped in a dim, deathly silence. I press myself close to the wall, lightening my footsteps as I make my way towards my destination.
Since returning, I have gradually confirmed the changes within this world, as well as the changes within myself.
Even though the little boy claims to be powerless to alter the current situation, I have no intention of being a sitting duck, just waiting to be swallowed up by the mire.
Itās time to go to the Black Cabināthe place where the gears of this world lieāand see whatās really going on.
In the past, I rewrote fate there, so maybe I can still find some way forward again. Some fragment of hope.
I take a deep breath and continue feeling my way ahead, activating my Precognition Evol before every corner. Like a form of training, I try to anticipate in advance and avoid the patrolling guards.
As that light, ethereal power begins to surface, flickers of light and shadow flash before my eyes in the corridor. No matter how hard I concentrate, the images always feel like theyāre behind a layer of frosted glassāblurred and indistinct.
It seems that using my Precognition Evol with precision is far from simple.
Still, even though I donāt actually see the future, the path remains clear. I donāt run into a single Black Swan member along the way.
A trace of doubt lingers in my mind, but thereās no time to dwell on it. Just a few more turns, and Iāll reach the Black Cabin hall. I canāt help but quicken my paceā
And at that very moment, a voice suddenly comes from behind me.
??: Out exploring? Count me in!
The voice is light and cheerful, carrying an oddly out-of-place delight as it echoes through the silent corridor.
My steps halt abruptly, and my heart skips a beat, as though someone's seized it in a tight grip.
MC: ā¦?!
I turn my head stiffly. A figure stands quietly in the shadows at the far end of the corridor.
In the next second, he steps forwardādim light spilling along his silhouette, revealing that brilliant golden hair and those deep azure eyes.
Itās Kiro.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Excerpt: Marginalization]
A reflection repeated across countless workplaces, and countless corners of society.
BS Member A: Where did you all go tonight? Did something big happen?
BS Member B: Nothing much. Just carried out a mission.
BS Member A: Is it something you canāt talk about?
BS Member A: Just give me a hintāI promise I wonāt tell anyone.
BS Member B: Fine. For the sake of all the years weāve worked together, Iāll give you a little pointer.
BS Member B: Watch what you say and do lately, and especially donāt end up on the wrong side.
BS Member B: As for which Deity you should curry favor with, and which one you should keep your distance fromā¦ you should have a sense of that yourself.
BS Member A: ā¦....
BS Member A: Whatās the Bossās stance on this?
BS Member B: The Bossās stance has never changedāto lead all of humanity towards evolution.
BS Member A: You look pretty stressed, man. Letās hit a bar laterāmy treat today.
BS Member B: I still have some cleanup work to finish. Another time. Iām heading out.
BS Member A: ā¦ā¦
BS Member A: What the hell was that all aboutā¦
BS Member A: No, I need to ask around. If this keeps up, Iām going to get pushed to the sidelines.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Excerpt: Hidden Rules]
The fastest runner doesnāt always get to stand at the starting line.
Athlete A: Did you hear? Shen Hao got disqualified in the end.
Athlete B: Serves him right. Who told him not to know his place, insisting on competing with Sun Ming for that spot?
Athlete A: Butā¦ thereās nothing wrong with what he did, is there?
Athlete B: Donāt play dumb. You know exactly what kind of background Shen Hao comes from.
Athlete B: Sure, heās talentedābut Sun Ming isnāt any worse, and his familyās well-connected.
Athlete B: No matter how you look at it, it's why the coach preferred giving Sun Ming the opportunity.
Athlete A: Tskā¦ what a pity.
Athlete B: A pity? Heās just stupid.
Athlete B: You think Iāve never been pushed around? Last year during training, my knee injury report got suppressed for three whole months!
Athlete B: But did I say anything? I just gritted my teeth and finished the whole run.
Athlete B: But whatās with you today? Donāt tell me you actually feel sorry for Shen Hao.
Athlete A: Not really. I was just hoping to watch a good showāan underdog rising from the bottom and all that.
Athlete A: But if we add a little fuel to the fireā¦ wouldnāt it get interesting again?
Athlete B: Oh? Got a clever idea?
Athlete A: Letās start by buying Shen Hao some rat poison.
Athlete A: Then find a chance to egg him onāpeople like him are the easiest to push over the edge.
Athlete B: Not bad. Letās go.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[8-3: Fake Candy]
I stand there, stunned, my mind going completely blank.
Wasn't he supposed to be in seclusion, working on his music this whole time? Why is he hereā¦?
Only a few scattered lights are on in the corridor, their glow dim as they fall over him, yet they make his smile shine so brightlyālike an unfading star in the night sky.
And yet, for some reason, looking at that almost perfect smile, I feel a pang of unspeakable bitterness in my chest.
The subtle sense of dissonance from before, now finally has its answer.
Heās like a doll carefully crafted in the image of the pastābeautiful and dazzlingābut missing the most important piece of his soul.
Looking at Kiro like this, my throat tightens even more.
Seeing that I haven't responded for a while, he reaches out and lightly taps the tip of my nose, then casually pinches my cheek.
Kiro: Huh? Why has Miss Chips suddenly turned into a wooden doll?
His fingertips are soft and warm, yet somehow they canāt seem to soothe my heart at all.
Heās so into this role he's been playing... that I honestly have no idea how to make him stop without hurting him in the process.
In the end, all I can do is part my lips and forcefully suppress all those turbulent emotions back down.
MC: Didnāt you say you were in seclusion? What are you doing here?
Kiro: Mmā¦ I am in seclusionābut I do go out for walks every once in a while.
He blinks and glosses over the question. Before I can press any further, he smoothly changes the subject.
Kiro: So, what are we exploring this time? Iāll be your lookout!
As he speaks, he lifts a hand to his forehead, scanning the surroundings with exaggerated seriousness.
If it were the old me, I probably wouldnāt find anything strange about this; I might have even burst out laughing.
But now, every single one of his reactions feels like a play that has been rehearsed far too many timesāso perfect that there isnāt a single flaw to pick apart.
MC: Kiroā¦
He immediately turns to look at me. The moment our eyes meet, those eyes soften into an even gentler smile.
Like a loyal, endearingly clumsy little bearāhis entire heart and eyes are filled with only me.
I swallow back the words resting on the tip of my tongue. Looking at the person before me, I ultimately can't bring myself to shatter the illusion.
So I smile as well, trying my best to make it look the same as before.
MC: Haha, stop teasing me.
MC: Now that the Boss has caught me red-handed, how can I possibly keep exploring?
Kiro: ā¦!
Hearing that, he glances around, then tilts his head, looking utterly confused.
Kiro: The Boss? Where is he?
Kiro: All I see is the Queen playing a little late-night game all by herself~
The instant I hear that word, my heart violently skips a beat.
I thinkā¦ this is the first time Iāve ever heard Kiro call me that in private.
An indescribable ache rises in my chest. I struggle to keep the smile on my face, unwilling to let any crack show.
But Kiroās gaze still pauses for a moment. His tone remains lighthearted, yet his eyes are so sharp that no one can possibly hope to hide from him.
Kiro: Hm? Looks like I guessed wrong?
Without waiting for my answer, he props his chin on one hand and paces around me like some great detective.
Kiro: Have you come here looking for me? Noā¦ if that were the case, you wouldāve texted me first, or just gone straight to my place.
Kiro: Then are you here for a walk? But thereās not exactly much scenery to admire here at B.S.
MC: Iā¦
Kiro: ā¦Oh! Donāt tell me that you heard some important intel and came all the way here to report it to the Boss?
He puffs his cheeks in mock offense, every word wrapped in casual amusement.
And yet, I can vaguely sense that beneath the teasing and playfulness, there's an unseen thread that is slowly tightening.
Heās probing me, trying to figure out what exactly I came here to do.
ā¦And I donāt want to lie to him.
Even if love has disappeared; even if I can no longer tell how much of this moment is real and how much of it is false, I still want to trust the person standing before me.
My instincts tell me that no matter how much things change, Kiro will never hurt me.
So I gently take his hand, wanting to soothe the rippling unrest hidden in his heart.
MC: Actually, I came here tonight in order to get inside the Black Cabin.
MC: I think something may have gone wrong with this world and I need to go inside to verify it.
His expression freezes for a brief moment, and even his smile appears veiled by a layer of mist.
Kiro: But how are you going to get there by yourself?
MC: ā¦I have the black box that will let me enter there.
I vaguely catch onto whatās bothering him and quickly add another explanation.
MC: Werenāt you in seclusion? I just thought that I shouldnāt disturb you.
His lashes tremble faintly. The smile that had frozen within his eyes returns once again, as if nothing happened at all.
Kiro: Hmph. Even if I were to hole myself up deep under ground, the moment you called, Iād crawl straight out to see you.
He takes my hand in his own and our fingers intertwine almost perfectly.
Kiro: Iām coming with you.
Kiro: After all, Iāve been there with you before. Itās not like this is the first time.
He says it lightly, but there isnāt the slightest room for negotiation in his voice.
Kiro: Besides, you said it yourselfāsomething may be wrong with this world. Then thereās even less of a chance that Iām letting you face it alone.
Kiro: What ifā¦ you disappear again for another six months or so?
He says it casually, like an offhand joke. But beneath that nonchalant tone, there seems to be a weight to his words that cannot be touched.
Like he's tightly gripping onto a key capable of opening a hidden treasure, unwilling to let go of it so easily.
That familiar sweetness seems to drift through the air again, enticing me to accept his candy.
And before I realize it, a smile forms on my lips, and I nod gently at him.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[8-4: Just One Step Away]
Kiro pulls me against the wall, lowers himself, and carefully watches the surroundings with a serious expression.
Every now and then, he would turn back to gesture for me to stay quiet, or pull me behind him before we reach a corner.
Our fingers remain tightly intertwined, our clothes brush together, and our footsteps stay perfectly synchronised, moving together in the same rhythm.
Everything is exactly as it used to be.
And yet, everything is completely different now.
Even though everyone here obeys him, he insists on sneaking around with me, playing this so-called adventure game.
What kind of feelings is he carryingā¦ while doing all this with me?
I lower my gaze to our intertwined fingers, and within that intimate warmth, I sink into a kind of silent unease.
Suddenly, he comes to an abrupt stop. Then he turns and pulls me toward a half-open door beside the corridor.
Kiro: Shh, someoneās comingā
He pulls me into a small meeting room, and the door closes softly behind us, instantly plunging the surroundings into complete darkness.
The room feels smallāso small that I can clearly feel his breath falling against the top of my head, along with his clean scent surrounding me.
Soon, faint footsteps echo outside the door, drawing near from afar, before gradually fading again.
In the darkness, I can barely see anything. However, through the thin layer of fabric between us, his body seems strangely stiff.
Instinctively, I lift my head, wanting to see his expression.
But in the very next second, Kiro also turns his face away, hiding himself deeper within the shadows. I am left stunned for a moment, then canāt help speaking up.
MC: ā¦Whatās wrong?
He seems to press his lips together briefly, his tone deliberately light.
Kiro: Nothing. It just occurred to me thatā¦ if we werenāt still hiding from the āenemy,ā Iād definitely be hugging you properly right about now.
However the excuse is far too flimsy, as if even he himself canāt believe it.
Looking at the arm he keeps pressed close against my side, my heart aches little by little.
Even though we're so close to each other right now, even though every breath I take is filled with him, it still feels as though we're always one step away from each other.
Even more distant than that ray of silver light once was.
Bitterness wells in my heart, but I still slowly and hesitantly lift my arms and gently wrap them around him, mimicking the relaxed tone of his voice.
MC: Itās okay, a hug won't hurt. No one will notice.
The person in my arms freezes in place, his entire body visibly stiffening. Even the breath brushing over my hair seems to stop for a moment.
The muffled sound of his heartbeat echoes faintly against my ear.
Those few seconds stretch so long they feel almost unreal, until little by little, something pulls him back from a place I cannot see.
His hand lifts and slowly settles against my back.
At first, the touch is light, like he's testing the waters. Then, unconsciously, it tightens.
Kiro: Youāre so warm.
But why is it still not enough?
Silence quietly spreads between us. After an unknown amount of time, he releases me without hesitation and opens the door to glance outside.
Kiro: Letās go. The coast is clear.
Those smiling crescent-shaped eyes make it seem as though whatever just transpired, never happened in the first place.
ā
Along the rest of the way, he continues scouting the āenemy situationā with exaggerated seriousness, and would deliberately startle me every now and then just to mess with me.
Compared to when I first saw him, he feels more like the āKiroā who used to act this way in front of me.
So, trying to set aside the heavy feelings weighing my heart for the time being, I play along with this adventure game beside him.
After a few more turns, we finally arrive at the hall leading to the Black Cabin.
But in the next second, the phone in Kiroās pocket suddenly vibrates.
He pulls it out and glances at the screen, a slight frown appearing between his brows. Yet when he turns back to me, heās smiling again.
Kiro: Wait here for me a moment. Iāll be right back.
MC: ā¦ā¦
He turns away, lifting the phone to his ear, his figure gradually being swallowed by the dim light until he disappears around the corner.
At the same time, the stiff smile on my face gradually fades away as well.
I know Kiro has been pretending this entire timeāto be his past self; the version of who he used to be with me.
But it seems that he too lacks confidence in that version of himself, which is why he's still subtly been using his power on me.
If, in there, he were to hear the questions I truly want answered, he'll realize that I may have already seen through his lies.
And thenāhow would he react?
MC: ā¦Iām sorryā¦ Kiro.
I glance back once more in the direction where he disappeared. Then, I take out the black box and awaken the power within my body.
When I open my eyes again, countless points of starlight drift around me, like fragments of a shattered kaleidoscope suspended in endless darkness.
As the sound of turning gears comes to a stop, a calm, familiar voice slowly echoes out.
??: You still came after all.
MC: ā¦ā¦
Specks of light leap and stretch into a glowing white staircase. Following its guidance, I look toward the radiant door at the end of the void.
MC: Did you already foresee this moment?
MC: Is that why you said last time that I would return here again?
??: Youāre mistaken. I never foresee inevitabilities.
Thereās little emotion in his voice, yet it carries an inexplicable hint of arrogance.
??: You people always believe you are making your own choices. But have you ever considered that your choices themselves may also be inevitable?
MC: ā¦You still enjoy speaking in riddles, don't you?
MC: But let me correct youāthe fact that I've been able to get here time and time again already proves that not everything is predetermined.
MC: Even if my choicesā¦ are always accompanied by loss.
??: That sounds rather sad.
??: Still, congratulations. Once again, youāve successfully reached the future.
The words sound like a heartfelt affirmation.
And yet, for some reason, beneath his tone I can hear the faint trace of self-mockeryā¦ and helplessness.
MC: Then was the change in this future also within your expectations?
For a moment, the air itself seems to freeze. Even the drifting dust appears suspended in place.
??: It's you that has led the world to this future.
??: That question shouldnāt be directed at me.
Rather than answer me directly, he instead throws the question back at me once again.
In all the times Iāve come here before, Iāve never once felt at ease. I still donāt know who this mysterious voice truly is, or what his purpose might be.
And yet, it is through his guidance, more or less, that I am able to keep making choices and keep moving forward with resolve.
Even if his words are always ambiguous, he has at least been honest. A sudden hunch tells me that, perhaps, unlike that little boy, he doesnāt actually know what changes have happened to the world.
Perhapsā¦ he is also one of the things undergoing change.
MC: Looks like this place has trapped you here.
MC: I hope that youāll show yourself the next time we meet.
Rather than continuing to waste time probing each other, there are more important things waiting for me right now.
I close my eyes again.
In the past, every time I reached the place where the gearsā laws reside, it felt as though some invisible force was pulling me downward into it.
But this time, I aim to reach it through my own will.
Very quickly, a warm yet scorching power wraps itself through my bloodstream. The light cast against my retinas suddenly trembles, and the brief unrest surrounding me falls silent.
When I open my eyes, I find myself standing within chaos.
Countless specks of dust dissolve into drifting particles. The shattered gear fragments that once crumbled away like ashes have completely vanished, leaving behind only an almost absolute darkness.
From deep within comes the faint sound of something rejoining and meshing together once more.
Until, at last, it coalesced into a tremendous roar, like the beating of a heart.
It's the sound of gears turning.
ā
After the girlās figure disappears from the Black Cabin, a ghostly figure quietly emerges within it.
At the same time, that mysterious, low voice echoes once more.
??: Youāve come.
The silhouette stands there silently for a moment before finally speaking in a calm voice.
[?]: Weāve all returned.
Silence flows between them, as though swallowing everything into shadow.
After a long while, a sigh drifts through the void.
??: This door is finally going to close.
ā
When I come back to my senses, I realize Iāve somehow already left the Black Cabin and returned to the B.S. hall.
Before my awareness can fully emerge from that chaos, my eyes catch something and suddenly sharpen.
Not far away, Kiro stands with one hand gripping his elbow, the other resting against his chin.
He appears calm, yet the slight tension in his fingertips feels as though heās suppressing emotions he doesnāt want others to notice.
The moment he sees me suddenly appear in the hall, the agitation in his eyes vanishes instantly. Then he strides quickly toward me.
Kiro: I just stepped away to take a phone call, and when I came back, you were goneā¦
He unconsciously grips my wrist tightly, as if afraid I might disappear again.
Seeing the worry and lingering fear filling his eyes, a guilty ache rises quietly in my chest as well.
Just as I'm about to explain, he hurriedly speaks up again.
Kiro: Did that place suddenly drag you in?
Kiro: Otherwise, you definitely wouldāve waited for me. There's no way you would've left me behind to go into the Black Cabin by yourself.
MC: ā¦ā¦
In that moment, I suddenly realize that more than worrying about me, he seems more unwilling to accept the possibility thatā¦ I chose not to wait for him.
Soā¦ I lie as well.
MC: ā¦Yeah. I was going to wait for you. But then some force suddenly dragged me insideā¦
Kiro: ā¦ā¦
Kiro's lashes tremble faintly, the deep blue in his eyes falling still.
At last, he gazes at me for a long moment. The grip around my wrist finally loosens, and instead, he takes my hand in his.
Kiro: Itās okay. As long as you're back.
Kiro: So? Did you find what you were looking for?
And just like that, we become two liars at the same time, carefully using those lies to patch over everything.
As if, so long as neither of us tears the illusion apart, we can pretend itās still intact.
MC: Actually, I didnāt really get any useful information eitherā¦
When I say that, a comforting smile slowly blooms across Kiroās face. He lifts a hand and gently brushes the loose strands of hair from my forehead.
Kiro: Itās okay. Donāt worry. Everything will get better.
His voice is soft and gentle, like the song of a siren.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[8-6: Cheat Code]
After leaving the hall of the Black Cabin, Kiro naturally takes my hand and leads me back down the corridor we came from.
As we turn a corner, someone in a researcherās uniform walks toward us and gives a slight nod, seemingly about to report something to Kiro.
Researcher: Boss, regardingā
Kiro: Later.
He waves a hand dismissively, his tone casual yet unquestionable. The man immediately steps aside obediently, watching us pass.
As we walk past him, I think I catch a faint golden light in his eyes, like an impossibly thin veil of gold draped across his irises, flickering softly.
Just as I instinctively begin to turn back for another look, my hand is suddenly tugged gently.
I snap back to attention and realize I almost walked straight into the corner wall. Kiro smoothly pulls me to the other side to avoid it.
By the time I steady myself and look back again, the corridor behind us is already completely empty.
Strangeā¦ maybe I'm seeing things.
I temporarily push down the doubts in my heart and follow Kiro into his office. Wondering why he brought me here, I can't help but glance at the person beside me.
In the next second, he walks to the window and pulls open the blinds a bit, letting in a faint trace of starlight. Then, he leads me to take a seat on the sofa in the reception area, gazing at me with a smile.
Kiro: Rest here for a bit.
MC: Won't I be bothering you? That person just now seemed like he had something he wanted to report to you.
Kiro: Don't worry, it's nothing especially urgent.
I press my lips together slightly and the image of that man's deeply respectful attitude surfaces in my mind again.
Back at the desert shop, Kiro had said that he'd been busy stabilizing Black Swan.
But now, it seems that what he wants isn't order, but absolute obedience.
MC: ...Still, judging from that person's attitude just now, seems like your authority as Boss has really sunk deep into people's minds.
He tilts his head thoughtfully and continues along with my words.
Kiro: I guess so. Most of the troublesome matters from before have already been dealt with.
He pauses for a moment, and then his tone grows a little more serious.
Kiro: So instead of going to the Black Cabin to search for answers, you can rely on me more from now on.
Kiro: Whether as Kiro or as the Boss of BS, I can help you and work alongside you.
He leans slightly closer, his fingertips gently brushing the center of my brow.
Kiro: I don't want these trivial matters keeping your mind occupied all the timeādisturbing you, making you uneasy, causing you to constantly frown...
His voice is soft and gentle, every word trying to ease my burdens, to lift those heavy things off of my shoulders little by little.
Itās as though heās turned himself into air sweet enough for me to breathe in completely.
And yet, once that sweetness disperses, everything he has feels as though it will vanish along with it.
And I want to give to him everything that he's longed for without holding anything back.
MC: I understand. You shouldnāt worry so much either.
A brief silence spreads between us, the only sound in the office being the low hum of the central air conditioning.
We rarely used to fall into silences such as this. Looking at his lowered eyes, I want to carefully probe a little further, to say something more.
But in the next second, he speaks first, as though following his own train of thought.
Kiro: Oh, right. Remember when we talked before about the changes in this world?
After getting his answer, he doesnāt linger much on my emotions, and instead, casually twists the ring on his finger.
Kiro: I thought about it for a while afterward and also looked into things here and there.
Thoughtfully, he rubs his thumb against my fingers, tilting his head back slightly as if recalling something.
Kiro: Iām thinkingā¦ that maybe weāre overthinking it.
MC: ā¦Overthinking it?
He nods, his expression growing more serious. Turning toward me slightly, he looks straight into my eyes as he speaks.
Kiro: I mean, hasnāt the world always been like this, really?
Kiro: People will stop at nothing for profit. Some will wage wars to plunder others; others will experiment on children; while some are obsessed with deadly hunter gamesā¦
Kiro: Ulterior motives, deceptionā¦ none of these things have ever disappeared throughout history, nor are they some new kind of development.
As he speaks, his voice softens again, his expression turning gentle once more.
Kiro: So, it's possible that the people around you were simply too good to you before. And now, after disappearing for half a year so suddenlyā¦
Kiro: It's expected that the contrast would feel overwhelming for you.
He spreads his hands, as if stating the simplest truth in the world.
His lips move as he speaks, but his voice feels strangely distant, as though itās coming from far away, drowning out my own thoughts.
And he seems to interpret my brief silence as something elseāfatigue, perhaps, or hesitation.
So his voice lowers again, like heās sharing a secret meant only for me, a private thought hidden deep inside him.
Kiro: Maybe one day, youāll also start thinkingā¦ it would be better if all the bad people simply disappeared. They just arenāt worth saving.
He looks steadily at me. Thereās no cruelty in his tone, no malice at allāif anything, thereās even a trace of tenderness.
I look back at him, a faint bitter smile rising to my lips.
Because honestly, I canāt say Iāve never had thoughts like that myself; in those utterly exhausting moments, in those times when I gave everything I had and still remained powerless.
No matter how hard I try, this world always seems to fall short of my expectations, handing me setback after setback every time I'm on the verge of success.
I really have wondered beforeā¦ Why? What gives? Is any of this truly worth it?
Within Kiroās impossibly clear eyesāeyes carrying a subtle, tempting pullāa distant figure suddenly rises in my mindā
The collective āmeā who failed across every timeline.
T/n: In case it isn't clear, MC's talking about the Black Queen from S1 here! (So loving the many S1 references in this season) :>
She once said similar things too. About worlds and people that were no longer worth saving.
Maybe that āme,ā just as Kiro said, endured countless moments of being shattered and hurt, and in the end, chose to give up.
āPerhaps I have already seen the endpoint of a future where I surrender, and one day, I too will become another āme.ā
MC: But Iā¦ I still donāt want to give up. I donāt think this world is supposed to be like this.
MC: You once said that we would stand in darkness to protect the light. Because of those wordsābecause of youā¦ I found so much courage and strength.
Gently, I take hold of his cold hand in mine.
MC: You remember, donāt you? That āmeā who gave up everythingā¦ I donāt want to become her.
Perhaps the distance between that āmeā and myself isn't nearly as far as I once believed.
Maybe that āmeā never truly disappeared at all, and has always been quietly watching from within the shadows.
But the moment my words fall, Kiroās eyes brighten instead.
Itās as though he has suddenly discovered a cheat code and lightly claps his hands together once.
Kiro: Miss Chips, havenāt you noticed a key point here?
Kiro: Since sheās the other side of you, then if you and her join togetherā¦ wouldnāt that make you the most complete version of yourself?
MC: ā¦?
I freeze.
Kiro: One resolute heart, and one brave and resilient one.
Kiro: Put the two together, and wouldnāt that be the Queen in her most perfect form? Wouldnāt that finally allow you to truly save this world?
He looks at me, and within those deep blue eyes is the reflection of a complete version of myself, as though it is something flawless.
Kiro: What should I do? I can hardly wait to make that moment a reality with youāfor us to save the world perfectly together.
A kind of fervor I have never heard before slips into his voice, like someone who has waited far, far too long and is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
But is that light really warm?
Why is it that deep within his eyes, within the narrow gap between that passion and tenderness... I see something that absolutely terrifies me?
šøĀ Note: This date āå½čæä¹ēŗ¦ā was translated from Chinese with help of Google Translate! šø
[This date was released in CN on 22 March 2026 :>]
A few things to keep in mind before reading the date:
This date has two different endings, which depends on the choices you make. As such, I have assigned two different colours depending on what choices lead to which ending: red and orange. How the story unfolds is up to you to decide! :>
Some of the dialogue within the date have links that lead to video clippings from the date that will let you hear the way Kiro delivers his Hamlet lines in Chinese!
There is an event story that comes with this set of cards that works as a prologue to the date, however it isn't necessary to read for the date itself. Basically, in the prologue, Kiro and MC join a theatre troupe for a live action roleplaying event where they'll be allotted random characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet. And so, Kiro is given the role of Hamlet while (to their mutual surprise) MC gets Gertrude.
The whole event covers them acting out various scenes from the play while also discussing the scenes and their characters as well. Once the event comes to an end, they both head to check out the British Library where they come across a book that sucks them into it's magical pages, which then leads to the events of the date:
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Introduction]
Hamlet
After the King of Denmark dies, his brother ascends the throne and marries Queen Gertrude. Prince Hamlet is at once filled with grief and turmoil over his fatherās death and his motherās remarriage.
One day, the ghost of the late king appears and reveals the truth of his deathāthat he was murdered by his brother, who poisoned him to seize the throne.
Having learned the truth, Hamlet vows to avenge his father.
ā
*All artifacts, exhibitions, and related content mentioned in this text are fictional settings within the game and are used solely for narrative purposes. They do not reflect real-world situations.*
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 1]
The night is dense, and a thin mist shrouds the ancient castle in the distance. Tall spires pierce the night sky, and towers of dark stone rise in uneven layers, steeped in the weight of time. Their ink-dark outlines seem to grow out of the night itself, exuding a sense of composed solemnity.
I move my stiff fingers and touch the rough, cold stone beneath me. The chill gradually dispels my dizziness, and only then am I surprised to find myself sitting on a terrace.
ā¦What is this place?
I look around in confusion. Through the misty rain, rows of low buildings stretch along the coastline. Several old, solid watchtowers stand in the corners, and I can just make out the faint outline of a harbor.
The sea breeze lifts strands of my hair, the sensation so real that my heart jolts.
ā¦Wasnāt I just with Kiro, looking at the Shakespeare exhibition? How did I suddenly end up here?
Waitāwhere is Kiro?!
With no one beside me, confusion and unease wrap around me like the night fog. Then, in the next instant, a faint rustling sound comes from behind.
A figure suddenly rises from behind a nearby stone wall. He looks ashen and disheveled under the moonlight, his eyes scanning the surroundings in confusion.
The moment he sees me clearly, he strides over in a rush.
Kiro: Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?
He checks me inch by inchāmy arms, my shouldersāhis eyes filled with undisguised lingering fear, making my heart soften all at once.
MC: Iām fine. Iām not hurt. What about you?
He pauses for a moment, as if only just remembering himself. Then he lifts his arms, gives them a shake, and moves his legs as well.
Kiro: Iā¦ I think Iām fine too.
But Iām still not reassured. Only after carefully checking him over and confirming that heās truly unharmed do I finally begin to calm down.
MC: Where are we, exactly? Could this be part of the exhibitionā¦?
Perhaps now that he has the space to think, he cautiouslyāand curiouslyālooks around the empty terrace.
Kiro: Weāll know if we check.
Kiro: If itās part of the exhibition, there should be other visitors here too.
He blinks, then cups his hands around his mouth like a megaphone.
Kiro: Is anyone thereā!!
But the endless night offers no reply. We exchange a glance, seeing the same doubts reflected in each otherās eyes.
Just as weāre about to make our way toward the castle, a sluggish, eerie sound suddenly breaks through the silence.
In the next second, Kiro shields me behind him. I carefully peek out from over his shoulder.
At the far end of the terrace, a translucent figure slowly appears. He is clad in heavy armor, his lips tightly pressed, his presence dignified and imposing, even in stillness.
Though some distance away, the lingering resentment radiating from him is unmistakable.
Ghost: Thus was I, sleeping, by a brotherās handāof life, of crown, of queen at once dispatchedā
Ghost: Cut off, even in the blossoms of my sin, unhouseled, disappointed, unaneledā
Ghost: No reckāning made, but sent to my account with all my imperfections on my head.
His voice is low and hoarse, steeped in blood-deep resentment, and then, I hear Kiro murmur under his breath.
Kiro: Thisā¦ isn't this Act 1, Scene 5 of Hamlet?
Kiro: Those are lines recited by the murdered old kingā¦!
A flame seems to burn in his eyes, igniting his whole being with vibrant intensity.
Looking at the castle once more, everything seems to take on a strange, almost magical qualityāand I find myself forming a rather crazy hypothesis.
MC: So what happens next?
Kiro: According to the story, Hamlet is supposed to show up here.
But even after the ghost finishes speaking, the air falls back into silence. No one appears.
I wait for quite some time before softly tugging at Kiro's sleeveāonly to find that the air around him has suddenly grown inexplicably heavy.
Itās as if he doesnāt feel my touch at all. He simply stares at the solitary ghost in shock, then slowly begins to walk toward it.
MC: ā¦Kiro?
He doesnāt respond. He keeps moving forward, as if something deep within him is pulling him ahead, until he stops before the old king.
As though he has finally confirmed something, his breathing softensābecoming almost respectful in it's gentleness.
The old king raises his translucent hand, as if trying to pat Kiro on the shoulderāyet it leaves behind nothing but the faintest trace of wind.
As though suppressing overwhelming grief, Kiro's shoulders tremble uncontrollably, as though bearing an emotion that does not belong to him.
Everything grows stranger and stranger. A chilling sense of unease grips me, and I run toward him, wanting to ask whatās wrongā
But after only a few steps, I crash into something solid. Likeā¦ an invisible barrier.
Is this Evol? Why canāt I get close to him? Whatās happening to him? What is this place?
Countless questions flood my mind, but none are answered.
Kiro sinks deeper into the emotions, raising his arms toward the heavensā
Kiro: O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? Shall I couple hell as wellā?
It is clearly his voice, yet it speaks of a sorrow and bewilderment that do not belong to him.
Every word and phrase carries heart-wrenching grief, uncontrollable furyāand beneath it all, a restless confusion that has nowhere to settle.
ā¦That is not Kiro.
The moment this thought forms, a cold white light flashes across the skyāAct I, Scene V.
MC: Act 1, Scene 5ā¦?
I recall what Kiro just said, and am momentarily stunned.
But the time I come back to my senses, the ghost has vanished without a trace, leaving no one but Kiro, standing there in a daze, like someone who just struggled to wake up from a heavy dream.
Seeing me walk towards him, he slowly comes back to his senses.
Kiro: MC, pinch me.
Not understanding, I lightly pinch his arm and watch him slowly let it a sigh of relief.
Kiro: Iām back?
MC: D-Donāt scare me like that.
Perhaps sensing my panic, he takes my hand and gently explains what just happened.
Kiro: Donāt worry. While it did feel like a soul temporarily āborrowedā my body just now, it didnāt hurt me.
Kiro: Even so, just experiencing it for that short momentā¦ I could barely breathe.
Kiro: His emotions were so complex and heavyā¦
His voice seems to trigger some kind of response. From the depths of the universe comes the sound of pages turningāloud and immense.
And in the sky where those mysterious words appeared earlier, new text emerges.
āWelcome to the world of Hamlet.ā
āBefore the story ends, you will not be able to leave.ā
āSpecial exemption: You will not face true death in this world.ā
Kiro: So it really is the world of Hamletā¦
His voice is soft, yet filled with a reverent excitement.
MC: Sounds like weāre about to start a new adventure?
Kiro: Mm. But there might be danger, so we have to keep holding onto each other tightly.
He threads his fingers through mine, gripping them firmly, then seems to remember something important.
Kiro: But if Iām Hamlet, then you'reā¦
Kiro: Just now, did you feel any emotions that werenāt your own?
Meeting his expectant gaze, I shake my head.
Kiro: Itās okay. It just means that your role hasnāt appeared yet.
Kiro: Thereās no story in this world where I exist without you.
He says it with complete certainty, then directly stops a passing attendant.
He clears his throat deliberately, making the attendant visibly nervous.
Attendant: Prince Hamlet, Your Majesty Queen Gertrudeāhow may I serve you?
MC: ā¦?!
ā¦The Queen? Hamletās mother?!
Our eyes meet, and shock spreads silently between us.
For a long moment, we both remain quiet, trying to process this completely unexpected development.
Choices:
1. <<Protest>>
2. <<Let nature take its course>>
ā
1. <<Protest>>
If someone can set the rules of this world, then shouldnāt I be able to get a role with more scenes opposite Hamlet?
Thinking this, I look up at the sky where the words had appeared earlier, with a sense of anticipation, and call out loudlyā
MC: Excuse meā! Iād like to change my roleā
No response comes. Just as I start to feel a little disappointed, I hear Kiro's soft laugh.
Kiro: Itās okay. This is fine too.
Kiro: No matter what role you have, it wonāt affect our story.
ā
2. <<Let nature take its course>>
MC: Forget it. This storybook world must have its own reasons for this.
MC: Who knows, maybe a role like this will let us encounter all kinds of strange and wonderful things?
Seeing me shrug it off nonchalantly, he thinks for a moment, then nods in agreement.
But a moment later, as if something else comes to mind, he lowers his head and presses a kiss to my lips.
Kiro: No matter the reason, to me, youāll always be my MC.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 2]
Very quickly, we figure out the rules of this worldā
Whenever we step into a scene written by Shakespeare, we take on the roles of its characters. And when the words that mark the end of a scene appear, the invisible restraints quietly fade away.
Neither of us can quite put the feeling into words yet. Itās as if weāve truly entered the world of Hamlet, quietly experiencing the joys, sorrows, and fate of its characters.
On the marble steps of Elsinore Castle, we see the wicked Claudius whispering schemes with his confidant Polonius.
We also see the noble youth Laertes bend down to pick up a stone by the garden pond, flicking it across the water in a neat series of skips.
Right now, Kiro and I are sitting on the grass in the garden, basking in sunlight from centuries past.
Perhaps itās because everything is so peaceful that I turn to look at Kiro, only to follow his gaze and notice a young man.
Bathed in warm sunlight, the young man flips through a parchment scroll as he hurries toward the library.
MC: Is that Hamletās friend?
Kiro: Mhm. Horatio.
Kiro: The person who will stand alongside Hamlet to the very endāand also the one who will carry the truth and tell it to the world.
The boy in our line of sight suddenly stops, as if something has occurred to him.
Then, without minding the grass, he sits cross-legged on the lawn and begins scribbling something onto the scroll with a quill pen.
MC: This is amazingā¦ I never imagined that weād get to see their lives outside the story like this.
Kiro: Feels like theyāre no different from us, doesnāt it?
Kiro: They get lost in thought, feel confused, cry, and laugh... Everyone truly has their own story.
MC: Now that you mention itā¦ I suddenly feel like this is a rare opportunity.
MC: I should take this chance to experience a bit more of Queen Gertrudeās life.
Seeing my unusually serious expression, Kiro canāt help but laugh.
Kiro: Then letās work together and open our hearts to them a little more.
Kiro: That way, we might hear their innermost thoughts more clearly.
As if in response, the familiar sound of pages turning echoes from the sky. We instinctively look up and see the words āAct III, Scene Iā quietly appear across the heavens.
ā
In the next instant, an irresistible force sweeps over me, and the surroundings shift abruptlyā
The gentle greenery of the garden vanishes from sight, replaced by the pale gray stone walls of the castle corridor. Heavy wooden beams press down from above, their aged grain dark and cracked, while a few hanging chandeliers cast a cold and indifferent light.
Beside me stands a man wearing a crown. His brows are furrowed, yet the sinister intent in his expression cannot be hidden.
My heart begins to pound uncontrollably.
This is Claudiusāthe one who poisoned the king, and the one the queen chose to rely on.
Across from us stand two ministers, their expressions respectful and composed.
Claudius: And can you by no drift of conference get from him why he puts on this confusion, grating so harshly all his days of quiet with turbulent and dangerous lunacy?
My heart clenches sharply, a heavy, dull ache spreading through me.
I donāt understand what these emotions are, and yet I am instinctively swept up in them.
It feels as if a heavy boulder is dragging my heart endlessly downward, making it hard for me to breathe.
Then, blurred images begin to surface before my eyes: a stretched out red carpet, music and ceremony filling the air. Iādressed in regal attire, standing beside Claudius.
Below the wedding platform, Hamlet arrives late, silent and brooding, as though the entire world has turned its back on him.
When I come back to my senses, the three people beside me are still quietly plottingāto lure Hamlet into revealing the truth beneath his madness.
A sharp pain spreads through my palm, and I suddenly realize how tightly my fingers are clenched.
Almost instinctively, I want to speak upāto tell them to stop hurting a child who has just lost someone dear to him.
But when the words reach my lips, the moment I meet Claudiusās gaze, I swallow them back down.
Claudius: Sweet Gertrude, leave us.
Claudius: We have closely sent for Hamlet hither.
There is not the slightest hint of negotiation in his toneāonly a declaration of what has been decided.
Choices:
1. <<Leave>>
2. <<Don't want to leave>>
ā
1. <<Leave>>
I know that this is the only way the story can continue as it should.
So I let cowardice take hold of my mind, and word by word speak the lines that have long been set in stoneā
ā
2. <<Don't want to leave>>
A strong resistance surges within me, and I instinctively fall silent.
I gaze toward the end of the corridor, as if I can already see that familiar figure walking out from the light and shadow.
I want to go to him. I want to stand by his sideājust as I have done countless times before.
In my daze, I even sense that this same urgency isn't coming from my heart alone.
My legs tremble slightly, yet even as the soles of my shoes scrape harshly against the floor, I still cannot take a single step forward.
In the next second, I hear my own voice speak in submissionā
ā
MC: I shall obey you.
I deliver my lines mechanically, like a puppet being controlled, and move step by step to the side of the corridor.
Only when the invisible pressure lifts do I flex my arm slightly, realizing my body is finally back under my control.
The next moment, as the doors are pushed open, Kiro steps into my sight.
Dressed in a dark robe, his figure appears even taller. The liveliness that once filled his features has faded, replaced by a profound melancholy that cannot be dissolved.
I instinctively move toward himāonly to collide once more into that familiar invisible barrier.
So all I can do is stand there, watching him from a distance, as he is gradually pulled into emotions that do not belong to himāviolent and overwhelming.
Kiro: To be or not to beāthat is the questionā¦
Those questions that are constantly posed toward fate echo hollowly through the corridor, receiving no answer.
And those eyes, once always filled with starlight, are now veiled by a thin mistāas if he is lost in Hamletās confusion, struggling with the same struggle Hamlet is.
An indescribable bitter ache rises in my chest. I cannot bear to watch any longerāand yet I cannot seem to look away.
When the scene ends, the corridor falls back into silence, and I stand there, stunned for a moment.
Not far away, Kiro braces his arms against his knees, head slightly lowered, his chest heaving as he catches his breath.
I finally run towards him and gently pull him into my arms.
MC: Are you okay?
Kiro: [slightly out of breath] ā¦Iām fine.
Kiro: Itās just thatā¦ experiencing it firsthand like this, I'm starting to realize that Hamletās emotions are far more complex than I had imagined.
He slowly steadies his breathing, then lifts his hand to gently rub between my brows.
Kiro: Donāt worry. Iām a seasoned actor, after all. I have plenty of experience when it comes to stepping into a role.
Kiro: Or rather, what about you? Do you feel uneasy about becoming Queen Gertrude?
I freeze for a moment, only then realizing that the heavy weight from earlier is still slowly echoing in my chest.
MC: Mmā¦ I can sense that she seems to feel very guilty towards Hamlet, but also very afraid.
MC: Itās like every second, there are two forces pulling at her soulā¦
Those deep blue eyes flicker softly as he cups my face with gentle hands.
Kiro: Thatās my fault. I didnāt tell you an important acting principle in advanceā¦
MC: Hm? What principle?
Seeing how mysteriously heās acting, my curiosity is instantly piqued.
Kiro: You can empathize with her with all your heartābut you must return the pain back to her.
Kiro: Only then can you truly see herāand get closer to her.
Perhaps noticing my half-understanding nod, he reaches out his hand toward me.
Kiro: But even if you do get affected, itās okayā
Kiro: As long as you hold onto my hand tightly, Iāll help you find yourself again.
The warmth in his eyes completely dispels the gloom in my heart, and I instinctively tighten my grip on his hand.
MC: Thenā¦ if you had the chance, would you tell Hamlet that his mother has always harboured guilt towards him?
Kiro: I think heās always known that.
Perhaps noticing my surprised silence, he slowly smiles.
Kiro: Iāve always felt that what kept him trapped in the night his father died wasnāt anyone else, but himself.
Kiro: He was the one who abandoned this hypocritical and conspiratorial world, choosing to let that flame burn his own heart.
Kiro: Choosing, instead, to stand on the side of justice and conscience.
MC: ā¦He was a brave person too.
A beam of sunlight slips through the window lattice, scattering softly into his eyesāwarm and gentle.
Kiro: Yeah, itās just a pity that he wasnāt very lucky.
Kiro: So in this wonderful encounter, if we can let him touch something beautiful, even just a little bit, within the cracks of his fateā¦ that would be enough.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 3]
Therefore, in the warmest hours of the afternoon, Kiro would invite Horatio to a small hall for hot ale.
A clay jug simmers over the fire. The scent of grain and alcohol, wrapped in gentle heat, seems to drive away Denmarkās ever-present damp cold.
The two young men sit across from each other, drinking lightly, chatting about the absurd rumors drifting through the streetsāas if theyāve momentarily forgotten the weight of their country and their obsession with revenge.
And when dusk seeps into the hall, he pulls out old books from Hamletās time studying in Wittenberg.
Moonlight filters through the window lattice, falling across the parchment pagesāilluminating passages of classical philosophy and handwritten translations of ancient Greek tragediesā¦
His fingertips brush over the annotations, as if also tracing the thoughts of the young princeāpure and unguarded, before fate had shattered him.
Time slips by quietly, and inevitably, I begin to worry about what is to unfold next in the storyāHamlet accidentally killing Polonius by Gertrude's bedside.
Though the mysterious message said death will not befall us, it does not seem to extend that mercy to the people of this world.
And Kiro, who will have to carry out this act himself, must be enduring unimaginable struggle and guilt.
Thinking of this, I look at Kiro with concernāonly to meet a pair of knowing eyes.
Kiro: Worried about the next scene, Miss Chips?
I pause for a moment, then nod honestly.
MC: Are you scared?
Kiro: I am.
He doesnāt hesitate at all, simply meeting my gaze with even greater candor.
Kiro: Iām scared of making an irreparable mistake with my own handsā¦ scared of the loss of life.
Kiro: Iāve even thought that if Claudius had never killed the old king in the first placeā
Kiro: Then Hamlet wouldnāt have been trapped in this spiral of revenge, and none of these tragedies would have happened.
His voice is calm and light, yet for some reason, my chaotic thoughts begin to settle.
MC: Ifāand I mean ifāyou had a choice, would you let all of that happen?
Kiro: I'd leave the choice to Hamlet in that moment.
Kiro: Thatās his fate. It wouldnāt be fair for me to decide it for him.
His lashes lower slightly, and when he looks up again, his gaze is unwavering.
Kiro: But if I couldā
Kiro: I would cover your eyes before that moment arrives.
ā
A few days later, as the sound of turning pages echoes once more, that inescapable tragedy arrives as scheduled.
The curtain stirs slightly and the dagger in Kiro's hand drives straight towards Poloniusās chest.
Choices:
1. <<Instinctively close your eyes>>
2. <<Subconsciously try to stop him>>
ā
1. <<Instinctively close your eyes>>
As āintruders,ā we always have to bear the weight of fate alongside Hamlet.
But the struggle Kiro keeps buried deep inside him constantly tugs at my heart.
So I close my eyes, and in the next instant, I hear the dull sound of something being pierced, thick and heavy.
ā
2. <<Subconsciously try to stop him>>
Perhaps, deep down, I could never bear to let Kiro face that kind of guilt and helplessness. Nor could I bear to see his hands be stained with blood.
Even though I know rationally that this is an unavoidable part of the story, my body reacts before my mind can catch up.
Instinctively, I reach out, trying to seize the dagger.
But in the very next moment, itās as if the blade has a will of its own and drives straight into Poloniusās heart.
ā
Everything happens much too quickly.
Polonius collapses to the ground in disbelief, falling silent forever.
Thick, warm blood gushes along the blade, splashing onto the backs of our handsābinding Kiro and I together as accomplices.
Blood rushes to my head in an instant. It feels like I'm being strangled by an invisible hand, every gasp tinged with the metallic scent of blood.
My heart nearly leaps out of my throat, and for a moment, I canāt even tell whose fear this is anymore. Only vaguely, can I sense that Gertrudeās fear goes far beyond than what lies before us.
And every time Hamlet looks over, that fear seems to claw its way out from deep within my bones.
MC: What a rash and bloody deed is this!
In the very next moment, an irresistible force lashes out at me and Iām shoved hard against the bedside.
His presence presses in from all sides. His eyes, so close to mine, burn with restless fire, yet are veiled with a layer of disdain.
Kiro: [laughing scornfully] A bloody deed? Indeedāalmost as bad, good mother, as kill a king and marry with his brother.
MC: ā¦!
The ugliness I tried so hard to conceal is easily exposed. The fear and shame buried deep within Gertrudeās very bones spreads inch by inch along my spine, throughout my whole body.
Almost instinctively, I try to escape, but a tight grip seizes my wrist and Iām forced back into place.
As he leans down, a heavy shadow falls over me, swallowing me whole.
Kiro: Peace, sit you down.
Perhaps it's because we are so close that I can finally see his eyes clearlyā
That obsessive, burning gaze seems to wrap around me, carrying a probing intent that trespasses boundaries.
His eyes sweep lightly over my disheveled clothes, and something dark and complex flickers beneath themāresentment, jealousy, and a scorching desire on the verge of breaking free.
Kiro: And let me wring your heart; for so I shall.
Instinctively, I raise my hand to cover his mouth, trying to stop him from saying anything inappropriate.
But as soon as my fingertips touch his lips, I flinch back as if burned.
Shock, shame, and a hidden, restless stir spread through my limbs; the surging, heavy emotions swallowing me whole.
In a daze, I feel as if I have truly become Gertrude.
It isn't until I come back to my senses that I realize Iāve collapsed onto the ground, as if all the strength has been drained from my body.
I look around blankly. Everything before my eyes seems veiled in mist, the sounds around me distant and muffled. Even my own breathing feels unreal.
Before I can react, my trembling fingertips are suddenly enclosed in a firm, warm grip. Kiro takes my hand and pulls me forward, running out of the chamber.
We run through the courtyard, and out of the castleā¦ slowly leaving the entire world behind us.
MC: Where are you taking meā?
Kiro: I donāt know either.
Kiro: Let fate take us wherever.
I freeze for a moment, feeling the real warmth of his hand as it tightly holds mine.
And the surging emotions inside me seem to be carried away by the wind rushing toward us.
In that instant, I realise that perhaps after losing control like that, we both need some way to let it all out.
So we keep runningārunning for a long, long time; until neither of us can take another step, and we finally stumble and collapse onto the beach.
We look at each other, our fingers still tightly intertwined.
Our heartbeats mingle, as if soothing the tremors left by the storm, letting me slowly sink into a state of tranquility.
Then, a sky full of stars comes into viewācountless constellations stretching into a flowing galaxy.
The ebb and flow of the tides, the rotating of the starsā¦ it feels as though everything in the world is following its own destiny.
Even if we canāt escape fate, at least I have this momentāand someone who will stand with me within it.
ā
Following Poloniusās death, it seems that the gears of fate have begun to turn faster.
Like an inescapable cycle, Laertes, son of Polonius, returns with a heart full of vengeance, taking Hamlet as his sworn enemy.
And this hatred is exactly what the guilt-ridden Claudius needs mostā
Anotherās hand to secretly eliminate Hamlet at last, and cover up his own crime of regicide.
A storm powerful enough to devour everything is quietly brewing beneath the surface of calm.
And yet, our lives seem untouched. For before dawn one day, Kiro brings me to a chapel deep within the castleā
A pastor stands beside the altar, holding a thick Bible. Members of the royal court stand with heads bowed, their expressions solemn.
Amid the scent of beeswax candles, the quiet prayers echo beneath the domed ceiling, carrying an indescribable sense of sanctity.
MC: What are they doingā¦?
Kiro: Celebrating mass for the late king.
I suddenly recall the day we first arrived in this worldāthe old kingās sorrowful words still seem to echo in my ears.
And now, under the silent gaze of the divine, that lingering regret seems to grow lighter and lighter.
The next second, however, a thought strikes me.
MC: But the script never mentioned thisā¦
Kiro: Hamlet asked for it.
He says it as if itās only natural, then solemnly performs a gesture of prayer towards the front.
Kiro: As his son, he would want to make up for the regret that his father carried.
I pause for a moment, then place my hand over my chest as well and bow towards the altar.
As the prayer draws to a close, the sorrow and regret also seems to properly settle.
Soft daylight filters through the stained-glass windowsāand a new day begins.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 4]
Fate stretches ahead like a path already carved, silently leading toward its end.
But it isn't until I sit in the arena that I realize that Iām not as calm as I thought I would be.
Even though, in the earlier parts of the story, weāve confirmed again and again that this world wonāt bring us real harmā
At this moment, as I watch Kiro stand across from Laertes with a longsword in hand, calm and composed, my heart still tightens into a knot.
Beside me, Claudius keeps glancing at Laertes, as if some pre-arranged conspiracy lies hidden between them.
A louder, more restless unease spreads through my limbs, as if that other soul already senses the misfortune about to arrive.
Before I can think further, the sharp clash of blades slices through the silence.
Kiro: Strike one.
My entire body tenses instinctively, but Kiro only lowers his sword with an easy flourish, its tip angled toward the ground, his expression sharp and brilliant.
At Claudiusās signal, a servant brings forward the wine that had long been prepared, and a false sense of festivity rises across the arena.
But a cold instinct keeps drawing my gaze back to that cup of wine, and my heart sinks deeper and deeper.
I pause for a moment, struck by a thought that feels almost impossible.
Could it beā¦ that Gertrude knows that the wine is poisoned? If so, why would she still drink it?
Clangā!
The blades collide once more, locking tightly together, cold sparks frozen in midair. Both sides push with all their strength, neither willing to yield an inch.
They remain in a stalemate for a long moment. Then, as if catching Claudiusās subtle cough of instruction, Laertes glances nervously at the tip of his sword.
In that instant of distraction, Kiro's eyes sharpen, and with a turn of his wrist, he presses his blade down.
Although every movement of the blade carries an unfamiliar court fencing techniqueāwithin it, I keep catching glimpses of a familiar shadow.
In those eyes burns a fire Iāve never knownāsolitary, fierce, as if it could burn the entire world to ashes.
But a gentler, stronger force quietly surrounds that flame, keeping it from consuming itself.
ā¦In that moment, they seem no longer separate.
And in the next second, the swordācarrying the will of two soulsāpierces this treacherous world once again.
I'm unable to tear my gaze away, feeling two nearly identical emotions slowly intertwine within my heartā
I want to stand beside him, to declare war on this damned fate together with him.
And so, I lift the cup filled with deadly poison, and pour it down in a single go.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
If you have chosen to go with the options in red, then proceed with the Ending of Your Choice: Here
If you have chosen to go with the options in orange, then proceed with the Ending of Your Choice: Here
Giving Kiro 'Hamlet' is the best, smartest decision Papergames has ever made. God forbid, the devs give him Shakespeare's other less well-known works because I would be flipping tables, breaking dinnerware, and setting my house on fire. Also, that evolved karma of Kiro biting MC's lip as he's kissing her!?!?šš„µ Definitely wasn't on my bingo card.
ASDFGHJKL @keliosyfan!!!! You read my mind, girl š Of course, Kiro would be given Shakespeare's OG emo boy! He was practically made for the role!! āTo be or not to beā is such poetic phrasing for a character like Kiro who capitalises on duality.
Speaking of which, I'll be posting the date tonight cuz it has been sitting in my drafts for over a month now. I had wanted to translate the event story as well, but I just don't have the time for that. I will however put a couple of notes on the post since it does act as a sort of prologue to the date. I've tried to format the date in a way that can, to some degree, let you experience the choice-based endings that they had for this particular set of dates. Hopefully it isn't all over the place š¤
šøĀ Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! šø
[Note: This date was translated with the help of Google Translate :>]
PART 1: Here
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 4]
After confirming the setlist, what follows is endless practiceāsession after session, rehearsal after rehearsal....
From the music room at home to the rehearsal stage across the ocean, every time I finish up a full run-through with him, I feel my heart race just a little faster.
And in what feels like the blink of an eye, it's the day of the actual performance.
Kiro stands beside me in a dazzling stage outfit. The lights seem to favor him, tracing the edges of his silhouette, making him look radiant and almost unreal.
He leans down and carefully adjusts the mask on my face, his voice low and gentle.
Kiro: Ready?
MC: Ready.
The moment we step onto the stage together, the lights snap on in perfect unison above us.
In front of us stretches a vast sea of people, layer upon layer, so dense it feels almost endless.
Screams and cheers surge in from every direction, vibrating through my chest until it almost goes numb.
I place my hands on the keyboard, and for a split second, my fingertips tremble.
Just then, Kiro begins to speak, effortlessly drawing all attention to himself.
Kiro: Hello, everybody! Kiro here!
Kiro: I'm really happy to be here at Cosmos tonight, and even happier to be collaborating with the band TwinkLe on this stage.
Kiro: I've been following them since their debut.
Kiro: Their music has a really fresh, natural feel to it, and I can feel the vitality that connects them in their performances.
Kiro: Unfortunately, their lead vocalist couldn't make it today, but I'm still honored to be performing alongside the other member of the band.
Kiro: She's TwinkLe's keyboardistāand my most important partner tonight.
Kiro: Please give her a warm round of applause, everybody!
As the applause erupts, I smile and answer with a cascade of arpeggios from the keyboard.
Kiro: And nowālet the music take you away.
The instant the music starts, I tense up, pressing all five fingers firmly onto the keys.
I can't believe itāmy racing heartbeat is drawn to you āŖ
I pour myself into the rhythm, tuck my breathing into the chords, doing everything I can to keep my fingers aligned with the quickening tempo and melody.
But when we reach the chorus, I still end up making a mistake.
Two notes.
Just two notesālike ripples flashing across the surface of the water, swallowed almost instantly by the beat of the drums.
Yet my heart jolts. Even though my hands keep playing, my eyes unconsciously drift towards Kiro.
The moment I look up, he's already caught on.
Kiro: [singing "Gravity" lol] Through your eyes, through your body āŖ
Kiro: All my burning sweetness belongs to you āŖ
He sings and dances at the same time, his steps precise as he makes his way towards me.
He stops right in front of me, and the lights fall on him, outlining him in gold.
He flashes me a smile, then lifts his hand and taps out a short improvised phrase across my keyboard.
And just like that, my fleeting mistake transforms into a part of the improvisation.
Audience: AHHHHHHHHHH!!!
I take a deep breath and follow the emotion he hands back to me, letting my fingers fall onto the keys again.
In that instant, I realize that I needn't keep focusing on my "mistake".
Not when Kiro is standing in front of me, his smile bright and certain.
The tight string inside my chest loosens, replaced by a growing, unmistakable joyā
I hear his voice flowing past my ears, and I hear my own playing turn light again beneath my fingertips.
I start to enjoy myself.
I enjoy the feeling of us sprinting forward within the same melody. I even lean into it, bolder this time, meeting him with another improvised exchange during the interlude.
The cheers below surge like a rising tide. Flashing lights rain down on us like a storm.
And suddenly, a thought flickers through meā
It's as if, when the world was first composed, we were notes written into the same line of music from the very beginning, destined to share the same tempo, the same frequency.
When the song ends, Kiro stands center stage, breathing hard, his smile still immensely dazzling.
Kiro: This next song...
He pauses deliberately, teasing the crowd.
Kiro: ...is a brand-new track composed by TwinkLe.
Kiro: I only received the sheet music last week.
Kiro: This song was written by the lead vocalist for his keyboardist.
Kiro: When he handed me the score, he asked me to make sure I told everyone the story behind itāthe story of them.
The audience grows unusually quiet. I hold my breath, and through my in-ear monitor I can clearly hear my heart pounding wildly.
Kiro: You see, the lead singer... has a girl that he's liked since he was a kid.
Kiro: Every time he saw her, he didn't know why, but it felt like seeing spring. It made him happy, made him smile, and made his heart race.
Kiro: And the best part of this is that... this girl likes him too.
Kiro: There's not a word in this world that can describe how happy that makes him.
Kiro: Happinessā
He repeats the word with deliberate weight.
Kiro: As it turns out, "happiness" isn't some illusory concept that merely exists in the world of poetry; It's very much real.
Kiro: Like the urge to pull her into his arms the minute she shows up.
Kiro: Or when she resolves herself to stand by his side, even when she's nervous beyond measure.
Kiro: Emotions that he once had to digest alone they could now share with each other, half and half.
Kiro: He's certain that... having her here made him the happiest person in the world.
Kiro: And so he wants her to have a happiness that will never yieldāa happiness that he'll defend, for as long as he lives.
As he says this, his gaze naturally settles on me.
Under the stage lights, that shade of blue in his eyes is impossibly clear-bright, unshadowed, without the slightest trace of darkness.
The look lasts only a second, but to me, it stretches longer than eternity.
The cameras are closeāclose enough to carve this moment into memory.
Kiro: I'm honored to be singing this song.
Kiro: And be a witness to this happiness.
Just then, a staff member hurries onto the stage and hands him a pen.
None of the previous performers had this segment, so it occurs to me that this must be the "surprise" that Mr. Andy mentioned he was going to prepare just for the two of us.
Kiro takes the pen with practiced ease. He turns toward the camera and writes the first stroke directly onto the lens.
KIRO.
The letters sweep boldly across the glass, fluid and decisive, completed in a single breath.
Then, he holds the pen out to me.
ā
[OPTIONS]
1. Sign as TwinkLe
When I take it, my fingers are still trembling a bit.
Countless flashes glitter below the stage like a sky full of restless stars, blinking without pause. I lift my hand toward the camera and write the name of the band we chose together, right beside his.
In that moment, it feels less like a signature, and more like an unbreakable circle that I'm drawing around our soulsāhis and mineābinding and sealing them together.
As the final stroke is made, there is a heartbeat of silence across the entire venue.
And then the cheers erupt, crashing down like a tidal wave, overwhelming and thunderous.
Kiro turns to me with a smile and softly mouths a "Well done" at me.
And the music surges back in the very next second.
ā
2. Don't sign
I gently shake my head at him, and instead of taking it, I let my fingers fall back onto the keyboard.
I answer what he just saidānot with words, but with a variation of the new song's intro.
A response that only Kiro can understand.
The light in his eyes instantly flares, and without hesitation, he tosses the pen aside and turns back to the microphone.
ā
Following the cue of the melody, he begins to sing, and the instant his voice falls into place, the crowd explodes again.
Before the universe was born
We were one
Drifting through the vacuum,
Missing each other, splitting apartā
Until the sun rose
And the city roared to life.
My throat tightens. Without thinking, I open my mouth and sing with him, loud and unrestrained.
MC: When our gazes met in the chaos, I finally realizedāEven the deep sea can breathe āŖ
We run along the path of meteors, from reality into the virtual.
Our heartbeats thunder, fueling our courage to loveāand be loved.
The stage lights blaze against our skin; every inch of me feels like it's on fire.
In my in-ear monitor, all I can hear is my own quickened breathing and his voice, so close it feels almost tangible.
No matter what the tens of thousands of people in the crowd are screaming and cheering for in this enormous festival, I could care for none of it.
All I can see is him.
And those brilliant, burning blue eyes that belong only to me.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Memory Silhouette]
As Kiro moves quickly through the backstage corridor, the lingering swell of emotions still surge within his chest.
Once he reaches a quiet, secluded corner, he pulls out his phone and makes a call.
Two rings later, the line connects. A lazy voice comes through, layered over noisy background sounds.
Hephaestus: Hello? All wrapped up? You sounded great just now.
Kiro: You're at the festival?
Hephaestus: Mm-hmm~ Since I'm on vacation, figured I'd come take in the fun.
Hephaestus: It's total chaos outside right now though. Just heaps upon heaps of people piling up to ambush you two.
Hearing the unmistakable glee in his tone, Kiro arches a brow.
Kiro: I know. That's why I'm calling you.
Hephaestus: I'm technically on leave. Handling the Boss's personal affairs isn't included.
Kiro: I'll send you the intel on those 'big fish' we've been tracking. Consider that payment.
Hephaestus: Now that's more like it. What do you need?
Kiro: Find me an Evolver that can teleport me and her someplace else.
Kiro: I've already sent you the location.
Hephaestus: [after checking it] Wait... what? Didn't you two sing enough just now?
Hephaestus: Count me in. I sing pretty well too, you know.
His teasing voice crackles through the receiver.
Kiro: If you want to sing so bad, go find a karaoke bar yourself. We're in no need of any backup vocals.
Hephaestus: .....
Hephaestus: You're no fun. But that stunt you pulled just now? It left half the organization staring in shock.
Kiro: If they don't like it, they can stop looking. You just do what you're supposed to.
After exchanging a few more words, Kiro ends the call.
No matter what Black Swan thinks of him, Kiro couldn't care less. If anything, he smiles.
He hadn't planned on saying so much on stage. But for some reason, the joy in his heart just wouldn't stop surging.
He wanted everyone to know that he was hers. That he belonged to her completely.
Like a dragon in a game guarding its treasure, ostentatiously staking its claim over it.
His phone keeps lighting up with new notifications; friends who watched the concert flooding him with praise and congratulations.
For a long time now, he has wanted to share this happinessāvast enough to rival that of the whole world.
He slips his phone back into his pocket and heads back towards the lounge. The music surges in waves from the front stage. Even through the wall, it remains clear, the floor beneath his feet vibrating softly.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that things must already be blowing up on social media right about now.
Outside the venue, countless people are probably eagerly awaiting him to make an appearance, to say something, to respond.
But right now, all Kiro wants is to be with her. To savor this lingering exhilarating joy a little longer.
The image of her on stage flashes before his eyes againāthe way she played so freely, so passionately.
And driven by the memory, he increases the pace of his steps, pushing faster and faster, not wanting her to wait even a second longer.
Finally, after turning the last corner, he steps into the lounge.
Warm light spills across the room, outlining that familiar figure, and, as if sensing his footsteps, the girl turns around.
The moment she sees him, her smile blooms.
Warmer than sunlight. Brighter than the stars.
She lifts her phone, smiling as she shows him all the messages their friends just sent.
The screen full of blessings feels like a shower of flowers at the most important ceremonyāfalling around them as they walk forward hand in hand.
And holding on to her hand, he will keep leading her towards even more beautiful horizons ahead.
T/n: By drawing parallels to "the most important ceremony", Kiro is likely referencing a wedding ceremony here!
Noticing that he's gone quiet, she waves a hand in front of him.
He smiles, catches that hand, and presses a gentle kiss to it.
Kiro: Let me be yours, forever and ever.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 5]
The moment we step offstage, Savin is already jogging towards us, speaking in a rush.
Savin: There are too many reporters outside. The hallway is completely blocked.
Savin: Donāt stop and donāt answer anyone. Letās get back to the lounge firstāIāll handle the rest.
As he talks, he parts the crowd and ushers us forward quickly.
ā
The door shuts behind us, sealing off the noise outside in an instant.
Kiro and I let out long sighs at almost the same time and collapse backward onto the sofa together.
I stare at the glaring white light above me for a long time, until my vision begins to blur and double. Only then do I slowly come back from that surreal, weightless haze.
The dampness in my palms and the fine layer of sweat at the back of my neck cling to my skināproof that the grand performance just now wasnāt a dream.
Once my breathing steadies, I turn to look at Kiro.
At the same time, he happens to turn to look at me.
We lock eyes for two secondsāand then, simultaneously, burst into a fit of laughter.
It's silly and goofyālike that of two kindergarten children.
But it seems that aside from this silly laughter, I donāt know how else to express how I feel right now.
Only when our laughter starts to grow soft and listless, does Kiro prop himself up and lean in closer to me.
His slightly damp bangs brush against the tip of my nose, his breath burning hot against my skin.
Kiro: [breathlessly] What do I doā¦ It's ridiculous how much I love you right now.
MC: What do I do? It's ridiculous how much I've always loved you.
I mimic the helplessness in his tone.
Kiro: If you love me, then kiss me.
I tilt my face up and kiss him without hesitation.
Our breathsāwhich were only just starting to calm downāstart to grow chaotic again during the kiss.
The hand he had braced beside my face drifts unconsciously to my neck and the back of my head, fingers sliding gently into my hair.
Our moist lips and teeth meet in trembling exchange as our fingers mindlessly tangle and comb through each other's damp hair.
Kiro: Tell meāwhat did it feel like, performing with Superstar Kiro?
Perhaps due to the effort heād put in on stage, or perhaps due to the heat of the moment, his voice turns husky, carrying with it a languid, teasing allure.
MC: ...I canāt really describe it.
MC: Felt like I was just moving on instinct.
I realize, as I say it, that I truly canāt put it into words.
Even now, when I try to recall those short dozens of minutes, my mind still comes out blankālike itās been washed clean by a roaring tide.
The only thing I clearly remember is Kiro's singing voice beside me.
Kiro next to me, and meāperforming on the same stage as him.
He pauses for a second at my answer, then lets out a soft laugh.
Kiro: All instinct, huh?
Kiro: Then your instincts are incredible. And so brave too.
He praises me lavishly, pulling me into another tight embrace, the rapid rise and fall of his chest echoing against my own.
I canāt help letting out a quiet, breathless laugh as well. It feels like every cell, every nerve in my body is urging me to release the excess rush of dopamineā
And then simply revel in the steady flood of endorphins born from this hug.
We stay wrapped around each other, relaxed and content, savoring this brief moment of respite.
However, the phone on the coffee table keeps chiming insistently, dragging us back to reality.
MC: Are you going to check it?
MC: I have a feeling there are gonna be a lot of trending topics blowing up tonightā¦
He turns his head to glance at his phone, but instead of reaching for it, he just watches the screen light up again and again.
Kiro: Let them blow up. Iāve imagined this day so many times.
Kiro: I've imagined our performance, being recorded by the whole world.
Kiro: And us, side by side, in everyoneās eyesāfor a long, long time to come.
Those words hit my chest and leave it aching. I can barely respond, yet I canāt help wanting to say more.
MC: Actuallyā¦ I still feel a little regret.
MC: During the first song, I was too nervous. I wasn't able to play the song perfectly.
The whole show went unbelievably smoothly, yet I canāt stop thinking about those two small wrong notes that were saved during the performance.
The thought that those two performances will forever remain on the internet and be watched on repeat makes me want to make them even more perfect.
Kiro: Hahaha! And since when did you catch my perfectionist syndrome, huh Miss Chips?
He grins mischievously. I swat him lightly, but he catches my wrist and gently pulls me closer into his arms.
MC: Itās not perfectionism. I'm just... not quite there yet.
MC: Standing on that stage, I suddenly get why you're always able to sing at concerts for so long.
MC: Turns out that the stage really is addictive.
As I say those words, the image of that glittering sea of lights flashes through my mind again.
Kiro smiles and gently pinches my cheek.
Kiro: If you're still not done with it, then how about we continue somewhere else?
MC: Continue?
Kiro: Mhm. I havenāt heard enough of your voice from the performance just now.
Kiro: And I havenāt seen enough, either.
Kiro: So letās change locations and keep our performance going.
ā
I had assumed we would need to fight our way past the media and crowds just to leave the festival.
But somehow, after Kiro makes a quick phone call outside, a portal suddenly appears right inside the lounge.
ā¦Right. I forget sometimes that heās actually the omnipotent Boss of Black Swan.
ā
The place looks like a band rehearsal studioāsmall in size, but packed with instruments of every kind.
Kiro glances around, clearly pleased, and nods to himself.
Kiro: Alright. Now we can sing what we want to sing, and play what we want to play.
MC: Pfftā¦ That sounds more like karaoke.
Kiro: No, no, no. I said a performance.
He raises his index finger and shakes it, looking quite serious.
As he speaks, he pulls out a prepared phone stand, sets it up facing the small platform in the corner of the studio, and hits record.
Then he casually picks up an electric guitar, pulls me to the center of our "stage," and clears his throat.
Kiro: Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Kiro and Miss Chips' Sweetheart Special Concert.
MC: Waitāwho exactly are the audience members?
Kiro: Hey, no interrupting me. As for our audience members, well, there are plenty.
Kiro: Savin, Apple Box, Cello, Madam Seidel, Key, Hephaestus, Caleb, Mr. Andyā¦
He starts rattling off names like heās reading from a grocery list. By the end of it, heās even counted Apple Box and Celloās cat and dog friends.
I laugh so hard I can barely breathe and quickly wave my hands.
MC: Enough, enough! Thereās no way this place can fit that many people!
Kiro: Hmph. Anyway, since our dear audience members canāt attend in person, weāll be presenting tonightās concert in recorded format instead.
Kiro: Iām the guitaristāand one of the lead vocalists for tonight.
As he says that, he hands the mic to me.
MC: And Iām the keyboardistāand also one of tonight's lead vocalists.
MC: Please enjoy our first songā¦
I turn to look at the anticipation in his eyes, and suddenly a mischievous idea pops into my head.
MC: āTwinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.ā
Kiro: ā¦?
He freezes for a split second, as expectedāand then laughs.
Kiro: I have to admit, as an opening number, thatās a brilliant choice, Miss Chips.
While speaking, he strums the strings of his instrument, and his clear singing voice fills the otherwise empty room.
Kiro: Twinkle, twinkle, little starā¦ How I wonder what you areā¦
I press down on the keys and join him in harmony.
MC: Up above the world so highā¦ Like a diamond in the skyā¦
The simple melody plays note after note, light and carefree. Before long, we finish, and neither of us can hold back our laughter.
Kiro: Now for the second song.
He shifts his stance, and his whole presence changes in an instant.
The moment the melody begins, I recognize itāitās his breakout hit.
The guitar and his singing flow out instinctively, naturally, pouring from his fingertips and throat without pause.
I hear the weight of every note as it falls, as well as the surging, overflowing emotions in his voice.
And later, we sing TwinkLeās songs.
When we reach familiar sections, he deliberately leans in closer to me, prolonging certain notes, as if teasing me to keep up.
And I answer him with brighter chords, drawing peals of laughter out of him.
By the end, my throat is a little hoarse and my fingertips ache.
But I donāt want to stop. Not in the slightest.
Finally, we sing that not-quite-perfect song again, and this time, I donāt make a mistake.
Or perhaps, I no longer care if I do.
When the chorus rises once more, I lift my face and kiss his lips, with an urgent, desperate need.
Fragments of lyrics dissolve into breath, leaving only his fingers still plucking at the strings.
The phone on its stand stays lit, faithfully recording our childish yet fearless performance.
The stars outside the window flicker. Compared to them, this vast world is but a tiny speck among them.
Yet even they are not nearly as important as a single kiss from the one I love.
So let the rest of it be.
All I want is to sing a little longer tonight, and play a little longer.
Pour out all of my excitement, my nerves, and the happiness that I still canāt quite process into the music.
He draws me closer to him, his forehead resting against mine, and speaks softly, one word at a time.
Kiro: This is the most beautiful performance of my life. I will never let it end.
ā
After Cosmos ends, we stay overseas for a few more days, traveling properly before finally boarding a flight back to Loveland City.
When we get off the plane and see each other in our heavy disguises, we both canāt help but laughābut neither of us lets go of the otherās hand.
Maybe something will change because of this music festival. But at the same time, maybe nothing really will. Work will still be work, and life will still be life.
Apple Box: Woof! Woof!
The moment we push open the door, Apple Box barrels into Kiro's legs so hard he nearly stumbles. Cello refuses to be outdone, weaving excitedly around our feet.
Kiro: I missed you guys so much!
We crouch down and smother the pets with hugs and affection for a long while before it finally feels like weāre truly home.
Kiro lazily scratches Cello under the chin, then suddenly straightens up as if heās remembered something incredibly important.
Kiro: Miss Chips! I just rememberedāthe game updated today, didnāt it? Time for another battle!
MC: Oh right! But we havenāt even unpacked our luggage yet.
Kiro: Between luggage and the game, the game obviously wins!
Kiro: Weāve been working nonstop lately. Nothing like a good ole' gaming session to tide us over~
MC: Okay, okay, let me log in firstā
ā
Dragging our pets along with us, we return to our long-missed Sweet & Cozy Gaming Room and click open the game icon like itās a ritual.
Ding.
A new message pops up in my chat window.
Stranger: So are you Kiro's girlfriend or not?
Itās that same Level 1 account.
I check the timestamp. The message was sent while Kiro and I were still overseas, enjoying our trip.
ā
[OPTIONS]
1. Block
I raise an eyebrow and toss the ID straight into the blacklist.
As casually as wiping dust off a table.
ā
2. Reply
I type a line of my own, light and unhurried, and hit send.
šøĀ Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! šø
[Note: This date was translated with the help of Google Translate :>]
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 1]
MC: Three, two, oneā¦ can I come in now?
Kiro: Wait, wait! Give me two more secondsā
Kiro: Okay, you can come in!
Unable to wait any longer, I twist the handle and push the door open.
Kiro stands in the middle of the room, grinning as he spreads his arms wide.
Kiro: Ta-da! Welcome to Kiro 'n Miss Chips' Sweet & Cozy Couple Gaming Room. Feel free to look around~
MC: Wow!
I never expected that in less than a day, Kiro would be able to completely transform this little room of ours.
I look around. The game cartridges that were once scattered everywhere are now neatly organized. Bunny and bear cushions sit atop the soft beanbag sofa.
Our computers sit side by side on the desk, each with its own distinct setup, yet they appear remarkably harmonious together.
The once-bare wall now holds a photo collage, capturing all of our happiest moments together.
Kiro: Over here is the media corner, this is the snack rackā¦ and lookā
Kiro: I even set up a play area for the little ones.
Kiro: That way, the chances of them interrupting our gameplay are greatly reduced, lowering the risks of a āteam wipeoutā.
As he explains, he pats the cat tree beside the couch, clearly very proud of his clever arrangement.
Thereās a glimmer of anticipation in his bright blue eyesāmixed with just a hint of nervousness.
Kiro: So? Anything that still needs improving?
MC: Hmmā¦ nothing that I can spot at a glance.
MC: Why donāt we do a real test run? What do you think?
Kiro: Thatās exactly what I was thinking!
Kiro: What do you want to play? PC or console?
MC: Let me thinkā¦ how about we start with the new dungeon event in that online game of ours?
MC: I wanted to co-op with you before the New Year, but we never had the time.
MC: And once the holiday ends, weāll be rehearsing intensively for the Cosmos Music Festival. Once we get busy, weāll probably miss the version rewards again.
Kiro: Oh right! I almost forgot about that. Looks like weāre in for a long night then.
Laughing and chatting, we sit down side by side at our computers and press the power buttons together.
While we wait for the game to finish updating, Kiroās phone suddenly rings.
He answers, listens for a few seconds, then turns to look at me.
MC: What is it?
He doesnāt respond. Instead, he switches on speaker mode, and the following second, Savin's voice comes through the phone.
Savin: Since youāre the closing act, it shows just how much the Cosmos Music Festival organizers value your status. The scheduleās a bit tight, though, so you can take your time to think it over first...
MC: The Cosmos Music Festival?
Savin: Oh! Is MC there too? Happy New Year!
Savin: I wasn't expecting work to come knocking before the holidayās even over. Donāt worry, thoughāit wonāt take up your time together.
Savin: Itās a large-scale world-class festival. If youāre free, MC, tell Kiro to bring you along. Itās going to be huge!
Kiro: Uh, Savinā¦ the reason I put you on speaker is becauseā
He awkwardly cuts off Savin's enthusiastic rambling.
Kiro: A couple of days ago, TwinkLe also received an email inviting us to perform at the festival.
Savin: ........
Savin: ā¦Huh???
The atmosphere turns a bit awkward for a moment.
One is his stage, while the other is ours.
Both are a cause for celebration, yet placed side by side like this, they leave everyone at a momentary loss.
Kiro swallows, then exchanges a glance with me.
Kiro: So, Savin, what should we do in this situation?
Kiro: If there's a scheduling conflict, then how about we just cancel my solo performance?
MC: Wait, donātā
Savin: Hold on, hold on.
Savin and I speak at the same timeāand stop at the same time. The air falls silent again for a few seconds before Savin clears his throat.
Savin: I know you donāt get a lot of chances to perform with MC, and so you treasure them.
Savin: But donāt forgetāthere are a lot of Little Sodas whoāve been waiting a long time to see you on that stage too.
Savin: How about this? You two talk it over first. No rush. Just give me an answer within the week.
Savin: Though I have to say... you two are really getting bigger and better. Good news like this and you donāt even think to share it with me.
Savin: Tsk tsk. The kids grow up and suddenly they donāt need their manager anymoreā¦
After teasing us with a laugh, Savin hangs up.
Kiro lowers his phone and turns to me, pouting a little.
Kiro: Miss Chiiips.... why were you going to stop me just now? I thought youād choose TwinkLe without a second thoughtājust like me.
MC: Of course I want to choose TwinkLe, butā¦ Iām a Little Soda too.
MC: Getting to see Superstar Kiro close out a globally livestreamed festival? Thatās a dream come true for so many of us.
Kiro: Then why donāt we just do both?
MC: Huh??
I freeze for a moment and look up at him.
MC: By ādo both,ā you meanā¦ youāre going to attend both events?
Before I even finish speaking, Kiro nods without hesitation. I quickly cup his face in my hands.
MC: Hey, donāt make bold promises so easily!
MC: The festival schedule is really tight, not to mention all the factors we won't be able to account for.
MC: Besides, we havenāt given the organizers a final reply for the band yet. We can take some time to think it through.
Thatās what I say out loud, but really, Iām buying myself time to process everything.
Thereās no way I donāt want to stand on stage with Kiro.
Just imagining the applause from the crowd, and his sparkling eyes under those stage lights, is enough to warm my heart.
But I also know that this is Cosmos we're talking aboutāa massive, world-class festival that tens of thousands of people will be attending.
Countless artists dream of performing there, and TwinkLe has been fortunate enough to receive an invitation.
But to actually perform on such a stage, I still need to work so, so much harder to truly be deserving of it. And that will inevitably affect Kiroās own schedule.
If we choose āour stageā at the cost of his career, wouldn't that be too reckless? Too selfish?
The moment his main job stands in front of us as an obstacle, I know that, even if it hurts, Iāll still instinctively make the compromise.
Kiro hums twice, looking even more energized by my concerns.
Kiro: Hmph. Even if I think about it for a few more days, my answer won't change.
Just then, a loud clatter erupts from the living room, followed by frantic meowing and excited barking.
Kiro: ā¦Sounds like something got knocked over. Iāll go check it out.
He sets down his phone and strides out, sounding somewhat helpless.
Kiro: Apple Box, Cello, what are you two up to now?
His voice is quickly drowned out by even louder chaos outside, claws scratching and skittering across the floor, and a dog's excited panting.
I shake my head with a smile and turn back to the screen, opening the game client.
The familiar loading screen lights up. As the background music begins, my thoughts slowly settle back into place.
The moment I log in successfully, a message pops up in my private chat windowā
Stranger: Are you Kiro's girlfriend?
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 2]
The strangerās message hits the surface of the screen like a pebble thrown into the calm waters of a lake.
I freeze for a moment, fingers hovering over the keyboard. It takes me several seconds before I remember to check their profile.
The displayed avatar is the systemās default gray silhouette. The level clearly reads: āLv. 1.ā The account is completely empty.
ā¦This only makes things weirder.
When I donāt reply, another message pops up.
Stranger: Hello, may I ask if youāre Kiro's girlfriend?
For a split second, I almost laugh.
Hiding behind a screen to send paparazzi-like messages like thisāand still polite enough to start with āhelloā?
MC: Who are you?
The moment I send the message, the name in the chat box turns gray. The user logs off.
I stare at the dimmed username, still trying to make sense of it all.
For a level-one alt account to log into an online game just to ask something so abrupt and pointlessāwhatās the goal here?
Are they trying to confirm something? Or are they just testing my reaction, to see if Iād panic?
The more I think about it, the more uncomfortable l feel. Like someone slipped a hand into my pocket without permission, rummaged around carelessly, and then walked away like nothing happened.
Just then, the noise from the living room stops.
Not long after, Kiro pushes the door open. Thereās a bit of cat fur stuck to his hoodie, and he pats at it while muttering with a laugh.
Kiro: They knocked over the feeder again. And now Celloās playing innocent, just like Apple Boxā¦ honestly.
He walks over and leans in beside me. The moment he sees me sitting there motionless, the smile on his face fades.
Kiro: Whatās wrong?
As he speaks, his gaze flicks to my screen. His expression darkens almost instantly.
Kiro: Give me a sec.
He moves quickly back to his own computer, fingers flying across the keyboard in a rapid clatter.
Windows flash and switch on the screen so fast I canāt even tell what heās looking for. All I see is his brows knitting tighter and tighter together.
His lips press into a hard line. I can see his throat move as he swallows down his anger.
Looking at his current expression, I suddenly regret letting him see that message.
Today was supposed to be a happy day.
We were going to discuss the music festival. Heād just finished renovating the games room. We were about to log in and clear a dungeon togetherā¦
There were so many bright, cheerful little bubbles floating around us...
And this one message came in and popped every single one of them.
I canāt help reaching up, my fingertips gently lifting the corners of Kiro's tense lips.
MC: Forget it.
MC: There are many bored, miserable people in this world who have nothing better to do.
I try to make my tone sound casual. Light. Like it doesnāt matter at all. I even smile at him.
MC: Moreover, we havenāt done anything wrong, nor are we hiding anything we're ashamed of.
MC: If they ask one question and I let it ruin my mood, thatās giving them way too much credit.
Kiro: Arenāt you scared though?
MC: Why would I be? Iām justā¦ annoyed, thatās all.
Kiro: Youāre really not shaken at all?
He looks at me steadily, his voice serious, like he needs to know the truth.
MC: Really, Iām fine.
MC: Letās not talk about it anymore. Is your game updated yet? Iāll wait for you at the main city gate.
He presses his lips together slightly, like he still wants to say something. In the end, he just exhales.
Kiro: Almost. Iāll sort my inventory and be right there.
As he speaks, he clicks the teleport button. With a sharp flash, his character disappears from my side.
Kiro himself drags his chair a little closer to mine and gently brushes his elbow against me, as if to blur the line between our two computers.
While sorting through his inventory, he keeps chatting; first complaining about the new dungeon mechanics for a bit, then suddenly asking if Iām hungry and whether we should order a late-night snack.
I laugh and play along, responding to everything, but when I glance at our two characters standing side by side on the screen, my heart still sinks a little.
In the virtual world, the two of us can stick close to each other without hesitation, strolling down the busiest of streets without anyone interfering.
In real life, though, we always have to be mindful to avoid certain gazes and steer clear of certain shadows.
But now these shadows, restless as they are, are even reaching into our little cyber corner to haunt us.
If even this small, free world of ours has to be watched by unseen eyes... It would be downright suffocating.
As my feelings grow increasingly complicated, something heavy and uncomfortable lodges itself into my throat.
If we just keep the topic changed and shift the mood, just like this, it could passāat least on the surface.
But I know Kiro too well.
The more I say āItās fine,ā the less heāll truly let it go. And then, when the night grows quiet, he'll ponder and ruminate on it alone, turning it over and over in his mind.
Noā¦ that would be no different from the past then!
We promised each other that weād be honest about all of our feelings.
So this time, I have to be the one who keeps that promise first.
MC: Kiro.
MC: I was wrong just now.
Right before entering the dungeon, I suddenly stop.
I reach out and lightly touch his fingers. He doesnāt hesitate for even a second before immediately taking my hand in his.
MC: I shouldnāt have pretended like I didnāt care. To be honest, I was a little startled when I saw that message.
Kiro hums softly in acknowledgment. His palm is warm and steady, giving me the reassurance I need to finish what I want to say.
MC: But it was just thatāa jump scare, really.
MC: The reason I said I wasnāt scared was because they logged off right away. That makes it seem like even they felt guiltyā¦
Kiro: And if they hadnāt logged off?
Kiro: What would you have said?
I freeze for a moment.
His gaze rests on my face. Thereās no obvious emotion in those blue eyes, but thereās something urgent beneath the calm of his tone.
I donāt look away. I think it through carefully before answering.
MC: Itās hard to say.
MC: Were it a normal social setting and someone politely asked me, then of course Iād say āYes, I am Kiro's girlfriend.ā
MC: But... strangers hiding in anonymity like this? Not even daring to show themselves?
MC: Why should I satisfy their voyeuristic desires?
As I speak, the uncomfortable knot in my chest finally finds its outlet. My words come a little faster.
MC: [angry now] So more than fear, I just found them rather boring.
MC: Donāt they have their own lives to deal with? How is ours any business of theirs?
MC: I refuse to let people like that disrupt our everyday lives!
As he listens to me, the tension in Kiro's eyes gradually softens.
He looks like he agrees, like heās finally letting out the breath heās been holding, and a smile slowly returns to his face.
Kiro: Youāre right, Miss Chips.
Kiro: We have our own lives to live. Who has time for people like them?
He finally relaxes completely. His fingertips gently caress my knuckles, then thread themselves between my fingers one by one, holding on with a quiet tenderness.
Kiro: By the way, have you ever heard of āThe Principle of Yielding by the Happier Partyā?
MC: ā¦Principle of what?
Kiro: Itās a theory I came across a few days ago while looking for inspiration for a new song.
Kiro: Put simply, it's when people who arenāt doing very well themselves are especially obsessed with whether other people are doing well.
Kiro: The happier and more content you are, the more they want to hurt you, provoke you, and cause you discomfort in any way they can.
Kiro: And the people who are truly happy end up having to spend energy guarding against, avoiding, and protecting their own boundaries.
MC: Thatās so unfairā¦!
I mutter under my breath, genuinely indignant.
MC: Why should we have to yield to someone elseās gossipy or insecure nature when weāre just trying to live our lives?
Kiro considers something, then unexpectedly nods. He tilts his head toward me and curls his lips into a faint soft smile.
Kiro: Mhm. So we wonāt yield anymore.
MC: Huh?
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Exclusive Radio]
You can listen to it: Here
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Memory Silhouette]
The smooth tone of the guitar echoes in my ears, sketching out a bright, lively melody.
I count the beats in my head, one by one. My fingers hover over the keyboard, ready to fall in time with the rhythm at any second.
But for some reason, they seem to have a mind of their own and press down just a fraction before the beat sounds.
MC: Oh noā¦
Once I miss that first beat, the next few fall slightly out of sync as well.
Kiro: Donāt rush. Letās try again.
Between the resounding strings, Kiro's voice comes through steadily, grounding me and pulling my focus back into place.
At last, the final note settles into the air. I let out a long breath, and the tension in my body slowly loosens.
MC: Sighā¦ I wasn't really in good form today. I kept rushing the beat, and I almost forgot part of the melody.
Kiro: Weāre just getting into the swing of things. Just relax a little and enjoy it~
His warm hand slips naturally into mine and he guides me to the sofa. I take the opportunity to lean my head against his shoulder and nuzzle closer without thinking.
Seeing me like this, Kiro lowers his gaze thoughtfully.
Kiro: How about we simplify that section a bit? I could switch the guitar to legato chords there. That should sound pretty good too.
MC: No, no! That would lose the layering! We had refined this piece so many times before settling on it.
MC: Iāll just practice more later.
MC: I think I just got nervous because I started imagining what it would feel like on stageā¦
Kiro: Youāve always been amazing on stage, you know~ Just play the way you usually do.
After saying that, Kiro pulls a sheet of paper from the side and starts circling and marking it up.
Kiro: Hmmā¦ judging from how everything sounded this afternoon, all these songs worked pretty well. We can probably pick two more from here.
Kiro: What do you think?
I lean over to look. Heās circled several songs from the setlist we played earlier.
MC: Hmmā¦ I think this oneāand this one tooāare even better!
Kiro bursts out laughing when he sees what Iām pointing at.
Kiro: Why are they all songs from my album?
MC: Well, this time youāre attending as Superstar Kiro.
MC: TwinkLeās songs are great too, but the Little Sodas are definitely looking forward to your solo tracks.
We huddle close together as we stare at the list for a long while. Then suddenly, as if something clicks, Kiro snaps his fingers.
Kiro: Iāve got it. We'll open with one of my solos.
Kiro: Then Iāll write a new song for TwinkLe in Kiro's style. It'll be a perfect balance!
I blink, slowly processing his words.
MC: Now? But the festivalās next month.
Kiro: Exactly. So Iāll draft a demo in the next couple of days.
Kiro: And then you can write the lyrics. What do you say?
He looks so excited that I canāt help but poke his cheek with a smile.
MC: Wait a secondāwasnāt someone always complaining saying, āUgh, I have no inspiration, I canāt write a single thingā?
Kiro: Thatās different. When it comes to inspiration about you, my brain has more than I could ever use up.
Kiro: Just holding you like this and practicing together is enough to give me new ideas.
He hugs me and sways us gently, humming a few light, tender notes off the top of his head.
The melody feels like a slowly blooming flower bud in spring, or like the coolest drop of dew in summer.
Kiro: What do you think? Nice?
MC: Itās beautiful. You really just made that up?
Kiro: Of course. When itās about you, inspiration is justā¦ love itself. As long as Iām by your side, I'll always be able to feel it.
His eyes sparkle. He leans in and steals a quick kiss.
Kiro: Just wait till I tell you the good news.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[Chapter 3]
The next day, we schedule a video call with Mr. Andy, one of the Cosmos festival organizers.
Back when Kiro was still developing his career overseas, Andy had already been one of Superstar Kiro's key supporters. This time, too, heās the one who personally vouched for Kiro to be the closing act of the festival.
When the call connects, I instinctively straighten my back.
Kiro notices. The corner of his lips curves slightly, and out of frame, he quietly reaches over and takes my hand.
Andyās face appears on screen. Heās wearing an extravagantly styled casual blazer, and when he sees us, the wide grin beneath his sunglasses spreads even further.
Andy: Hi, Kiro! Happy New Yearā
Andy: Oh! And dear Miss MC, Happy New Year to you too!
After exchanging a few pleasantries, we get down to business.
Andy: Kiro, I believe Savin has already conveyed my invitation to you? Soāwhatās your answer? Youāre not going to turn me down, are you?
Kiro: Of course not. Itās justā¦ thereās something weād like to tell you first.
He adjusts the camera slightly so Iām fully in frame.
At the same time, his hand tightens around mine, steady and reassuring. A confident smile spreads across his face.
Kiro: Thereās something we havenāt made public yet. We wanted you to know first.
Kiro: Actuallyā¦ she and I are both members of TwinkLe. Iām the lead vocalist.
MC: And Iām the keyboardist.
Andy freezes for a moment... and then smacks his forehead with a loud slap! His expression shifts instantly from shock to chagrin.
Andy: TwinkLe? Waitāyou guys are the TwinkLe?! Oh my God, does that meanā¦ I sent you duplicate invites?
Andy: Thatās on usāour mistake. Iāll coordinate and adjust it right awayā
Kiro: No need to adjust anything. What I meant to say is that weād like to accept both invitations.
Andyās gaze moves back and forth between the two of us, his expression growing more astonished by the second.
Andy: Waitā¦ are you two planning to perform at the festival at the same time?
Andy: Are you sure about this?
Kiro: Weāre sure.
Kiro's answer is immediate and firm.
He leans forward slightly, jaw set, every word clear and steady.
Kiro: Iāll be accepting the invitation as Superstar Kiro.
Kiro: While sheāll be accepting it as TwinkLeās keyboardist.
Kiro: And weāll be performing on stage together.
Andy pauses for a bit, then raises a hand to his forehead as if trying to process just how bold this decision is.
Andy: I have to admit, your idea is... absolutely crazy.
But when he says ācrazy,ā heās smiling. Thereās no trace of objection. Only excitement.
Andy: And I love it.
Andy: You have my full support.
We hadnāt expected him to agree so readily. Kiro and I exchange a surprised and delighted look.
MC: Thank you so much! We definitely wonāt let you down.
Andy: Haha, to be honest, I was on the airship the time you two went public with your relationship.
Andy: So I understand.
A surge of warmth instantly wells up inside me and that moment flashes through my mind again. Kiro, standing beside meājust like he is now, and introducing me to everyone, declaring to the whole world that he belongs to me.
On the other side of the camera, Andyās expression softens, as though touched and reflective.
Andy: A lot of artists, once they've settled down into stable family lives find themselves growing softer in their creativity.
Andy: But youāre completely different, Kiro.
Andy: Because of this vibrant love, your desire to express yourself has only grown stronger.
Kiro: Of course. After all, she is my muse.
As he says it, he casually turns and kisses my cheek, right there on camera, as if to make some kind of quiet declaration.
Kiro: As long as sheās with me, my inspiration will never run dry. The world will always feel alive to me.
He says it with complete ease. Even though heās told this to countless people before, he still never tires repeating itāagain and againālike heās determined to carve it into reality.
Until itās no longer just words, but an undeniable fact.
My cheeks burn. All I can do is nod vigorously, overcome by shyness.
MC: Iām the same. Muse, inspiration, the worldā¦ it's all the same for me.
Andy: Wow. Seeing you two like this, really takes me back. Itās like Iām reliving that moment all over again.
Andy looks at us and grins even wider.
Andy: Actually, watching you just now gave me an idea. As the organizer, I think I need to arrange a special surprise segment for the two of you.
MC: Surprise?
Andy: It's classifiedāfor now. Youāll find out when the time comes.
He winks, looking exactly like an elder whoās already hidden away a New Yearās gift in advance.
The moment the video call ends, I barely have time to breathe out a sigh of relief before Kiro cups my face and presses a kiss to my lips.
MC: ā¦Pfft, what are you doing?
Kiro: Hum, hum. Thatās me stamping my mark on you.
Kiro: Now that youāre officially tied to the stage with me, there's no backing out.
MC: I would never back out.
I imitate him, lifting my hands to hold his face, my fingertips brushing against the curve of his smile.
MC: Sharing the stage with you has always been a dream of mine.
His eyes curve into crescents, a myriad of emotions shimmering within his gaze as he leans in again.
This time, his warm lips carry heat and breath as they envelope mine.
This kiss isn't a playful āstampā of possessionābut a full and unguarded one, filled entirely with Kiro's essence.
ā
The days that follow feel like they're on fast-forward.
The Cosmos organizers quickly release the official lineup, with TwinkLe and Kiro's names prominently listed side-by-side.
They also announce that TwinkLeās lead vocalist wouldn't be able to attend due to health reasons, so only the keyboardist will be participating in this collaboration.
The news instantly causes the internet to explode.
I know that now that the news is out, the trending lists will be flooded for days.
I know people will comb through TwinkLeās social media and discography, dissecting every lyric and performanceāanalyzing what makes this band so special. Questioning what qualifications this keyboardist has to stand alongside Kiro.
But none of that matters to me.
All that matters is Kiroāand the sheet music laid out in front of me.
Weāve decided to perform two songs this time. One is Kiro's breakout hit.
While the other isā¦
Just as I'm done lifting my fingers off the keyboard, the door to the study suddenly bursts open with a loud bang.
Kiro stands there, golden hair in complete disarray, grinning at me.
MC: Donāt tell meāyou actually finished it that quicklyā¦?
Before I can finish my sentence, he dashes across the room, stepping over scattered sheets of music, and launches himself straight at me.
His arms wrap around me in a tight, solid embrace before I can even finish what I'm saying.
He tackles me back onto the sofa, and from the side, Apple Box and Cello start up a chorus of teasing meows and soft barks, as if theyāre cheering us on.
Kiro braces himself over me, then lifts a hand and slips the headphones over my ears, smiling with unmistakable pride.
The moment the earcups settle in place, the world goes quiet. All thatās left is the warmth of his breath brushing against my ear.
Kiro: Listen.
He presses play.
Music flows into my ears. First a clean, delicate intro, like someone gently drawing back a curtain in a dimly lit room.
The fabric half-hides the light outside, flickering between shadow and glow, as if something invisible is dancing at the fingertips.
A sense of urgency and anticipation rises naturally with the rise and fall of the melody.
Then the tune climbs, and when it reaches the chorus, the curtains are drawn completely open. Brilliant sunlight pours straight into my heart, and my mind clears in an instant.
MC: Wowā¦ wowā¦
I sound like a robot thatās lost the ability to speakāonly capable of monosyllabic amazement.
Kiro's smile grows even more triumphant as his fingers gently brush against my earlobe.
Kiro: So, does listening to this melody give you inspiration, my lyricist?
MC: A littleā¦ but Iām not sure I canā
Kiro: [affectionately soft] Thereās no ānot sure.ā
He silences me with a quick, light kiss, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
Kiro: Youāre in-charge of making this sound even better.
My face grows warm from the kiss, and my eyes well up with tears. I nod hard.
šø This post contains details for an upcoming S3 Company Project + Date releasing on the CN server soon! šø
āIn your eyes, what kind of me do you see?ā
Translator: @cheesy09
š New Exclusive Project: āLyra Awardsā Ceremony
As Kiroās new album becomes a major hit, the International Music Association extends a collaboration invitation to our company, hoping we can take on the once-in-a-decade āLyra Awardsā ceremony.
This award holds extraordinary significance for all musicians, and Kiroāwho has been nominatedābecomes involved in the event preparations in a different wayā¦
š Accompanying Date: Distance Date
Those blue eyes shed every trace of todayās smiles, revealing their truest state in this momentādistant, and lost.
The shadow of the eaves falls, as if drawing that starlight that once illuminated me countless times before, into darkness along with it.
šø This post contains details for the upcoming Main Story Season 3 Chapters 5-8 update that will go live on 28 April 2026! šø
āI want you to witness with your own eyes, the sun strangling the sun.ā
āMy Black Swan Queen, please follow my lead.ā
Translator: @cheesy09
š Accompanying Rumours & Secrets: Before the Star was Born
āA long, long time agoābefore perfection ever came into being.ā
The interrogation room is washed in a harsh, pallid light. An Xing sits on the rigid chair, listening to the calm, repetitive questioning echo again and again.
The same topics circle endlesslyāthe Twin Leaves Orphanage, the First Laboratory, 3684ā¦
Like countless fine, piercing needles, the questions come from all directions, pinning him in place, trapping him here.
āāWill Iā¦ still have to get those really painful injections?ā
This is a curated list for all of Kiro's Main Story Chapters / related content that I have translated.
Additionally, y'all can check this post for updates on upcoming main story content that I will be translating in the near future as I will keep updating this post! :>
šø Season 2
[Chapters 65 - 68: The Host]
š® Chapter 65-67 Summary (Coming Soon)
š® Chapter 68: Records of Bygone Days (Coming Soon)
[Chapter 69 - 70: Why Love is Love]
š® Chapter 69: When the Night Grows Quiet: Kiro's Part: Part 1 | Part 2
š® Chapter 70: Our Future and Eternity: Kiro's Route + Season 2 Ending
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
šø Season 3
[Chapter 1-4: Why Love is Love]
š® Chapter 2: The Sun Remains: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
šøĀ Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! šø
[Note: This date was translated with the help of Google Translate :>]
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[PART 1]
MC: I didn't know that TwinkLe's songs could now be played at KTV!!
T/n: KTV is nothing but a Chinese karaoke bar! :>
As soon as the team building ends, I run home excitedly and share with Kiro the surprise I happened to discover at the KTV.
Kiro: So fast?
His eyes suddenly light up, as if caught a bit by surprise.
Kiro: If I had known that, I would've gone with you.
MC: If that happened, those microphone masters would've made a lot of money, getting to hear the singing of such a big superstar up close.
Thinking of what happened just now, I pull Kiro onto the sofa with a bit of amusement.
MC: You have no idea! Every time I put on a TwinkLe song, everyone would rush to the mic and then just join in the chorus.
MC: I didn't get to sing even a few lines myself...
Seeing my lips raised despite my "complaints", Kiro can't help but smile.
Kiro: Turns out that our songs are quite popular.
MC: Hehe, I actually wasn't expecting it.
MC: I also heard them say that TwinkLe is good in every way except that it releases songs way too slowly.
As if thinking of something, I blink and put my hand to his lips like a microphone.
MC: Question for my best partner, TwinkLeās shining starā
MC: It's been a while since TwinkLe released a new song~
MC: Fans are eagerly waiting for news of a new album!
MC: So here's the questionāare there any recent plans for some new songs that you can share with the team?
Kiro: A pleasure to be interviewed by you, my inspiration partner~
He cooperates by leaning forward slightly, moving closer to the "microphone", and putting on another bright smile.
Kiro: Thank you to all our fans for your attention to TwinkLe.
Kiro: But Twinkle belongs to two people, so I need to go back and discuss the matter~
Kiro: New songs might be released soon, so stay tuned~
Seeing how serious he is, I can't help but laugh out loud, and nestle comfortably in his arms again.
MC: This is great! Seems like since joining TwinkLe, Iāve had so many incredible experiences in my life.
MC: Performing on stage with you, getting copyright fees for your songs, and being able to play our own songs at KTV...
My excited words bubble through the air. I look up and find him smiling at me. Only then do I catch myself and feel a little embarrassed.
MC: Hehe, it's my first time experiencing these things, so Iām a little excited. Please donāt laugh at me, sempai.
Kiro: Of course not.
Kiro: When I received my first copyright fee and heard my own song at KTV for the first time, I was as happy as you, MC.
As if recalling some distant memory, a smile appears between his eyebrows.
The next second, I feel him affectionately hooking my fingertips.
Kiro: This is great. With TwinkLe, we have more and more shared experiences now.
I look into those eyes that are like the sea. The beat of my heart rises and falls in the same rhythm as those waves countless times, but it still doesn't feel enough.
Before I can react, the voice in my heart is already speaking out.
MC: Then I'll work harder, and one day I'll be able to write an entire song for you~
MC: This way you'll know how happy I am every time I hear the songs you write for me.
Kiro: Why wait? You can write now, whenever you want.
He says it without the slightest bit of hesitation, as if it's the most natural thing ever.
MC: Huh? But you know very well that writing songs is never an easy task.
Kiro: Itās certainly not easy, but itās not that difficult either.
Probably seeing that I'm still hesitant, he puts on a thoughtful expression.
Kiro: However, I'm more worried about something else.
MC: What?
Kiro: If I received a song written by you, there is a very high probability that I'd faint from sheer happiness.
He frowns, as if that was an actual concern of his, which makes me laugh out loud.
MC: What if itās hard to hear?
Kiro: What are you talking about? You're a member of the popular band, TwinkLe!
His blazing eyes seem to reflect light into my heart, giving me some courage.
MC: Then I'll give it my best shot!
MC: But if I get stuck, or encounter any other issue...
Those eyes saturated with warm starlight look at me knowingly, smoothing away all my hesitations.
Kiro: Don't worry, your partner is always here, waiting for your call!
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[PART 2]
Kiro: You really don't need me anymore?
Kiro holds on to the study door with both hands and pokes his fluffy head in bit by bit.
Looking at his aggrieved expression, I can't help but want to laugh, but I also feel my heart soften a little.
MC: Who said I don't need you?
MC: But this song is for you, so I'm going to try to finish it on my own first.
MC: [grinning] After all, I also want you to be surprised enough when you receive it.
His wrinkled facial features slowly relax, and his eyes sparkle.
Kiro: I somehow understand how you feel when you're waiting for me outside the small dark room.
Kiro: While I am a little worried, I hope that inspiration will come to your mind soon.
MC: Hehe, I have my own god of inspiration, y'know. He will bless me.
I say meaningfully, hooking my arms around his neck and burying my face into his hair, rubbing against it at random.
MC: Let me suck some of that brain juiceā!
Kiro: ....Ahhh, that tickles...! [starts laughing]
He instinctively shrinks his head, and after a long time, suppresses his laughter, bends his knuckles and hides behind the door.
Soon, a clear knock sounds on the wooden doorā"knock knock knock."
Almost at the same time, a faint smile appears in those eyes just a few inches away, like stars falling into the water, swaying into my heart.
Kiro: Did you hear that? Inspiration is knocking on your door.
ā
After closing the door, I just sit down in the place where he usually writes his songs, and I soon notice some traces of silence.
The chair has been adjusted perfectly for me, as if he has just gotten up and left. On the tidy desk, pens, sticky notes and various stationery are neatly arranged, as if ready to capture fragments of inspiration for me at any time.
An idea comes to my mind, and I pick up a pen and open up my notebook.
Perhaps it's because I tend to get lost in my thoughts about Kiro, but by the time I come to my senses, I find that the tip of my pen has already written out a line of lyrics.
A strange and fresh throbbing sensation builds up, as if urging me on, and a steady stream of ideas emerges from my mind.
While thinking about him, I flip through the music theory books at hand.
Before the sky goes completely dark, I end up writing the last sentence.
I stare at the dozen or so lines of words, and can hardly believe that I'm the one who has written them.
Without wasting any time, I excitedly run out of the study with the lyrics book in my arms, and happen to see Kiro looking over here.
In an instant, a hint of joy appears in his eyes, and he stands up and walks towards me.
Kiro: ...?! How was it?
MC: It was amazing! When I read those books on music theory before, I always found myself growing more and more confused.
MC: But today, when I picked up the pen, it seemed to go quite smoothly.
Kiro: Like I said, songwriting isn't that difficult!
He says it like he's always believed that I could do it, and relishes this moment of satisfaction.
Kiro: Now do you know how awesome you are?
It's like my heart is being held up by a small cloud. It feels light and airy, and even sways a little.
I can't help but laugh and nod slowly.
MC: Hehe, I'm finally starting to believe that I can do this.
The smile in his eyes spreads quietly, as if even my happiness pales in comparison to his. Then, he looks at the lyrics book in my hand with some anticipation.
Kiro: So, how's it going today?
MC: I've written something.
MC: But I can't show it to you right now because it isn't complete yet.
Kiro: That's strange... when did you become such a perfectionist?
MC: All I can say is that Master Kiro and Mr. Flower have taught me well~
MC: So I must polish the song I wrote for you.
Kiro: ....So I'm the bad influence?!
Seeing his look of frustration, I try hard to suppress my laughter and poke him in a serious manner.
MC: No bad-mouthing my senior.
MC: Even if you are him, I won't allow it~
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[PART 3]
For the next few days, I keep ideating new songs. And for some reason, the lyrics that I had successfully written that day seem to get more and more lackluster the more I read them.
I bite the tip of my pen and try to start from scratch. But the more I try to write something amazing, the more my mind turns up blank.
MC: ....Why is this so difficult?!
Kiro: If you keep frowning like that, your eyebrows are gonna get all tangled up.
A smiling voice suddenly sounds and I turn around to see Kiro frowning in imitation of me.
The very next second, I find myself leaning into his arms a little discouraged and nuzzling him with my head.
MC: You say it's not that difficult, but it is obviously very difficult, extremely difficult, super difficult!
Kiro: Would you consider seeking some off-site assistance?
He blinks at me, as if to say "pick me, pick me".
When I think about the creative block I've been in for so many days, I almost subconsciously feel like giving in.
But the next second, my obsession with surprising him makes itself known in my heart, making me purse my lips and swallow the words on my lips.
After wrestling with the prospect for a while, an idea suddenly pops into my mind.
MC: Kiro, could I... accept your help without revealing the content of the lyrics?
Kiro: ...?
He is obviously taken aback, as if he wasn't expecting me to ask such a thing.
But after a moment, the surprise in his eyes slowly morphs into a smile, and then he nods.
Kiro: Since MC wants to save the surprise for last, I will cooperate to the end.
ā
MC: So beautiful!
A few hours later, we find ourselves standing on the beach on the outskirts of Loveland City.
The sunlight pours down, as if covering the endless sea with a flowing golden veil.
The sand under my feet is warm and soft, and the breeze with its salty sea scent blows across my face. Everything is gentle and bright.
MC: Did you bring me here to improve my mood?
Kiro: Yes and no.
He doesn't answer directly, but just smiles and looks into the distant.
His gaze passes through the surging sea and extends all the way to the distant horizonāas if he's chasing the boundless light, or waiting for me to discover something.
Kiro: You might as well find the answer yourself, MC.
I nod thoughtfully, cast my gaze towards the vast world, and slowly let it wander between the wind and waves.
Suddenly, a soft golden light flashes across my vision. I squint my eyes a bit and look carefullyā
Not far away, the waves gently lift up a transparent bottle and slowly carry it towards the shore.
MC: Is that a message in a bottle...?
Kiro: Letās go and take a look!
But as we excitedly run closer towards it, I find that the bottle is empty, and feel a little disappointed.
MC: ....Turns out that the bottle's empty. Here I was thinking that it was inspiration sent by God.
Kiro: Hmm? I got inspiration though?
Kiro says seriously, and leans over to pick up the bottle.
After simply cleaning and drying the bottle, he picks up a couple of pretty shells off of the beach one by one as though they are treasures.
He gently spreads sand into the bottle, and then embeds the shells in it. His careful movements are like he's carving a precious piece of art.
Just as sea water pours into the mouth of the bottle, a tiny vortex forms in it, like a gentle storm.
He holds up the bottle carefully, as if admiring his masterpiece.
Kiro: The last shelf of the display cabinet belongs to me~
T/n: This is a reference to the event story, where Kiro and MC each took turns getting an item that reminded them of each other, which they would then place on an empty shelf in their display cabinet back home. So by saying that the last shelf belonged to him, what Kiro is implying is that this 'shells-in-a-bottle' that he made reminds him of her.
I am left stunned for a moment, and then realize something.
MC: ...Is this how you see me?
Kiro: Mm, it's the you right now.
Kiro: Although your thoughts are all over the place, your distress is quite vivid.
As he gently shakes the bottle in his hand, something sparkles and glows inside.
The storm in the bottle has subsided, and the shells and pebbles are scattered in an unusually chaotic manner. However, this does not affect their brilliance.
And the desire to write him a song probably comes from feelings like theseāeven though I am lost and stumbling, I still can't help but desire to hold this light in front of him.
I look at the glass bottle for a long time, then look at Kiro in disbelief.
MC: That's amazing. Inspiration seems to come to you anytime, anywhere.
Kiro: It's not as magical as you think it is.
He can't help laughing and reaches out to help me tuck my wind-blown hair behind my ears.
Kiro: You know best how desperate I get, waiting for inspiration.
Kiro: Fortunately, I got luckier than anyone else and found my muse.
He places the bottle gently next to me with a meaningful look in his eyes, and I suddenly realise something.
MC: Since I'm writing a song for you, that means... I should find inspiration from you.
Kiro: Bingo~
Kiro: However, because our relationship is so tight, this search has become more of a subconscious behavior.
Kiro: Like when I wake up in the morning, I'm automatically curious about what you dreamed about last night
Kiro: And since you were frowning just now, I thought you might be wondering as to why I brought you here.
Kiro: Without even knowing it, my heart seems to have already started paying attention to your happiness and sadness.
That tender gaze falls on me, like countless times before.
I hear a sudden soft click in my mind, as if a door is quietly being opened.
Instinctively, I look at him in all of my naivety, as he stands behind the door, looking at me with a smile, like some kind of silent invitation.
Then, he turns and steps into the world beyond it.
It is as if some soft thread is gently pulling at my ankle, making me take slow steps and follow him.
The sunset glow on the horizon slowly spreads out like a tide, casting a gentle light upon his back. A few seabirds fly over our heads, their wings carving echoes into the sky, as if they too are chasing in his footsteps.
And in this God-sent beautiful world, he is the only one my gaze falls on.
He encompasses all things beautiful, yet even that is far from enough to describe who he is.
The world opens its arms to me in this moment, and I'm able to hear the voice of my heart with startling clarity.
Countless unfinished words burst through my heart, and a certain melody quietly rings out in my ears.
So, following it, I hum softly.
The notes are like the echo of a heartbeat, spreading quietly between us along with his uncontrollable smile.
When the melody reaches its end, my fingertips quietly touch his palm.
In a world so quiet that only the beating of a heart can be heard, I hear his voice.
Kiro: I can hear your heart singing.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[PART 4]
A week later, after I finally finish writing the song word for word, it is finally time to record the demo.
But when Kiro takes me to stand in a field covered in daisies, doubts suddenly arise in my heart.
MC: Aren't we going to record the song? ...Why aren't we in the studio?
Kiro: Donāt you think this place fits your lyrics well?
Looking in the direction of his voice, I see the shadows of flowers dancing in the wind, the snow-white petals swaying in a gentle halo.
It is as if my whole heart has fallen into a pure white dream. It takes a while before I come back to my senses.
MC: ...Did you specially look for this place?
Kiro: Yeah! Recording here should make it easier for you to mobilize your emotions.
As he speaks, he walks to the back of the car, opens the trunk, and takes out some simple recording equipment.
Soon, a wire meanders through the flower field and a microphone is steadily set up. But when I hear the sound of wind and birdsong, something suddenly occurs to me.
MC: But if we record outdoors like this, won't it be affected by the noise?
Kiro: How professional of you~ But I came prepared.
He blinks, and somehow produces a few support rods from who knows where and props the windscreen on top of them securely.
In an instant, the noise is blocked outside and the world suddenly grows quiet.
Kiro: If there are still problems, we can use noise reduction later.
Kiro: But I think retaining some of the natural state might bring out a more special feeling.
Kiro looks at the simple recording studio in front of him with satisfaction and plugs the audio visualizer into the computer. After some adjustments, he puts a pair of headphones on me.
Kiro: Whenever you're ready.
His quiet voice falls softly through my headphones, hitting the tip of my heart slowly and steadily.
The world seems to wait patiently with him, quietly soothing all my tension.
The moment my eyes fall on him, the melody seems to flow quietly along with my heartbeat, naturally finding its starting point.
The recording begins.
My voice falls softly in front of the microphone, like I'm quietly pouring my feelings into the flower field. For a moment, I even forget that I'm recording, and I just feel the notes grow naturally along with my emotions.
So, I secretly glance at Kiro, and only when I see his expression relax do I feel completely relieved.
Just when I think the recording is about to end smoothly, I suddenly see him frown.
Kiro: Seems like your emotions are breaking up. Try again.
I nod and do as he says, trying to fine-tune my breathing and the rise and fall of my emotions. But just as my singing is about to fade into the air, I hear that soft but harsh voice again.
Kiro: Your ending tone is unstable. Try again.
So I try to sink back into the melody and start singing again.
Unfortunately, not long after that, he presses the pause button again.
I'm left a tad bit confused for a moment, but in the next second, a pair of eyes gently pulls me out of the fog.
Kiro: Relax a little more and don't let your emotions be led by the rhythm.
Kiro: Your voice is a little tight. You can try to mix in some of your breathing into the music.
For a long time afterwards, with those meticulous instructions, I keep trying to weave my emotions back into the melody.
Whenever my voice starts to get a little tired, he always notices it before I do.
As I sip the honeyed water to moisten my throat, I catch a glimpse of him replaying the previous track over and over again, as if he's completely immersed in the melody.
Perhaps recording his music has always been a stubborn struggle for him.
That concentration of his, like some kind of silent attraction, suddenly causes me to calm down and move closer to the microphone again.
ā
Kiro: Got it.
Those short syllables suddenly sound, making me feel dazed for a moment.
MC: Huh? You got it? Is it done? Are we done recording?
Perhaps it's because my tone betrays my utter disbelief, that Kiro secretly curls the corners of his lips and puts on an apologetic expression.
Kiro: Um... no, I think I missed something just now.
Kiro: Can you do it again?
MC: O-of course!
Sighing in my heart, I move closer to the microphone again.
But when I notice his gaze fixed steadily on me, I can't shake the feeling that something is off.
The next second, my eyes sweep past the still-unlit recording light, and thatās when I notice a certain someone's inability to resist curling his lips, a glint of unmistakable mischief hiding in his smile.
MC: ...Kiro, are you not recording at all?
Kiro: Woops, looks like I got caught.
Kiro: I wanted to secretly trick you into singing the song again.
Seeing his innocent and self-righteous expression, I'm unable to refuse. Holding back my laughter, I sing the song into his ear once again.
MC: So, Mr. Devilish Music Producer, can I call it a day now?
He stands up, squeezes my shoulders, and offers me the camp chair.
Kiro: Hahahaha, thank you for your hard workāthat's a wrap for today!
Kiro: As compensation, this devilish music producer will immediately give you the best demo this world has ever seen.
As he speaks, he casually sits down cross-legged on the grass and turns on his MIDI keyboard and computer.
As his fingertips deftly dance atop the keys, the soundtracks on the screen jump and connect into a single file as if by magic.
Sometimes he listens to the music with his ear tilted, while other times he adjusts the tone, as if completely immersed in the melody.
Suddenly, he turns and looks at me seriously.
Kiro: This demo is going to be a hit. I'm going to be the first to buy it when it comes out.
Kiro: You can either release it as your own solo or as a song for TwinkLe. Which do you prefer?
Seeing how serious his expression is, as if he's earnestly waiting for an answer, I scratch my head doubtfully.
MC: Is it really that good...? Or do you have too much of a filter on me?
Kiro: Please! Even though you rarely do it, you always make great music~
His eyes are filled with an unconcealable smile, but his tone is extremely serious.
Kiro: As for whether I do have a filter on you, youāll know once you listen to the song.
His gaze rests upon the audio track, brimming with a calm certainty.
While I do have my doubts, I can't help but be infected by his confidence and start anticipating the results.
The clouds in the sky float and disperse, and then, I finally hear his excited cry.
Kiro: And it's done!!
The next second, he pulls me to lie down on the open lawn and turns on the music player.
As the notes unfold through the air, Kiro slowly closes his eyes. A calm and focused look quietly climbs onto his face, and he seems to be gently immersed in the melody.
So, I close my eyes tooā
Mountains roll in soft succession, light streams like liquid dawn, and a golden sunbeam pours down as if delivering divine ordinance.
Heaven and earth breathes and gently takes my hand.
Even after the air has long fallen silent, I'm still unable to bring myself to open my eyesāas if keeping them closed will keep me from waking from the dream.
MC: You're saying, this is a song I wrote?
Kiro: Of course. No one besides you could've done it.
He speaks with such certainty, as though this song has been a part of me since the moment it was born.
Suddenly, I realize that he has always kept his faith in me, from the moment I said I wanted to give song writing a try.
Before I can say anything else, I am already voicing the doubts in my heart.
MC: Kiro, why do you have so much faith in me?
I slowly open my eyes and see him freeze for a moment, as if the question itself feels strange to him.
Kiro: Because this is a song you wrote for me.
Kiro: Rather than it being something that was done out of duty, this is more of an expression of your love.
Kiro: I wake up to your love every morning and fall asleep in it again every night, soā¦
As he speaks, a gentle light settles on me, as though it has finally found the place where it belongs.
Kiro: I know better than anyone just how magical your love is.
I've already stated my feelings about the whole thing back on my Twitter account, so I won't be repeating myself here. But tldr; I am devastated. I think when I first heard it I was trying to wrap my head around the "WHY????" of it all, but after two days of sitting and processing the news since it was announced, I'm starting to be resigned to the reality of never getting to accompany Kiro (MY WIFE. MY LOVE. MY LIGHT.) again on this beautiful journey of ours, and here him call me "Miss Chips!" ever again.
That being said, I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS AS AN END. So for those wondering, yes, I'll still be here, translating Kiro's content and posting on my blog, because I'm way too invested in him after all these years not to, and it will take some time for me to slowly grow out of my obsession with him. But until then, Cheesy09 will still be here, keeping the torch lit for those that still love him.
I know that many of you guys will be moving on now that it's officially over for us Global players, but if you ever find yourself thinking about this little star of a man and want to chat, just know that I'll always be here!
šøĀ Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! šø
[Note: This date was translated with the help of Google Translate :>]
NOTE: This date is to be read only AFTER reading Season 3 Chapter 2, as it contains heavy spoilers for the main story!!
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[PART 1]
My head hurts...
A dull ache pulls me awake. Slowly opening my eyes, I find myself surrounded by darkness.
With my cheek pressed against the cold, hard floor, I instinctively try to prop myself up, only to find that my hands are tightly bound.
MC: ....What's going on?!
I look around in horror.
Where am I? Wasn't I just at the signing event for Kiro's new album...?
ā[Star of Flashback]ā
MC: Have all security personnel in position. In 20 minutes, fans will be allowed inside in batches.
Colleague: Yes, Boss.
After the release of Kiro's new album, we arrange for a signing event in order to thank all of his fans.
After confirming the details for the flow of movement during the opening, I head back to the dressing room.
Kiro stands in front of the full-length mirror, already styled and ready. The tailored suit fits him perfectly, making his tall frame look slender and even more refined.
MC: How are the preparations going?
When he sees me, he winks and gives a slight smile.
Kiro: MC, perfect timing!
Kiro: Help me chooseāwhich necklace looks better?
He holds one in each hand, testing them against his collar.
Kiro: I think the music note matches this outfit better, but the spade one has more personality.
The gold note catches the light, matching the color of his hair. I barely hesitate before taking it from his hand.
MC: This one looks better~
I casually unfasten the clasp and take a step closer to himā
But the person in front of me instinctively leans slightly away from me.
My hand freezes midair.
This tiny step back feels like an invisible wall, quietly reminding me thatā
Things are not the same as before.
A hollow, bitter ache spreads throughout my chest. Iām about to withdraw my hand and return the necklace to himā
When, in the next second, he casually leans forward again, as if nothing at all happened.
Seeing me freeze, he smiles and blinks at me.
Kiro: Hmm? Aren't you going to help me put it on, MC?
Those blue eyes are still so clear and bright, no indication that he was the one who had taken a step back just then.
What is he thinking? I search his gaze, but I canāt read anything from it.
I reach out and fasten the necklace around his neck.
He glances at himself in the mirror, the corner of his eyes crinkling a bit.
Kiro: This is perfect~
On-Site Director: Kiro, itās about time. Please get ready to head out.
He answers with a casual acknowledgment, then gives me a small wave.
Kiro: Iāll leave the arrangements for the interaction segment to you, boss~
Watching his figure depart without hesitation, I let out a long breath, swallowing the dull ache in my chest, and turn to check on the event materials.
I head toward the storage room where the event materials are kept and a young man in a staff uniform walks straight towards me.
Young Man: Boss, the quantity of materials doesnāt match the original allocation.
MC: What? Didnāt I tell everyone this morning to double-check everything carefullyā
The man lifts his head and I suddenly find myself staring into a pair of dark, bloodshot eyes, heavy with something oppressiveā
MC: ā¦!
ā[End of Flashback]ā
Just as my scattered memories begin to piece themselves together, I hear a creaking soundā
The door opens.
??: Youāre awake.
That familiar voice instantly puts me on alertāItās the same young man from before.
He takes two hurried steps toward me.
??: Youāre Kiro's boss, right? If youāre here, heāll come to see me. He definitely will.
??: Right nowā¦ heās the only one who can save me.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[PART 2]
ā¦What is he talking about?
Fear spreads through my body. My hands and feet turn ice-cold.
He kidnapped meā¦ just to see Kiro?
Is this extortion? Is he after money? Or is he some kind of obsessive fan?
Endless possibilities spiral through my mind along with the fear. I take a slow, steady breath, forcing myself to calm down.
This man is dangerous. I need to find a way out and then warn Kiro about this.
The rope around my wrists burns against my skin. I try hard to think of a way to escape.
Memories of being caught by Yi, the youth who used to follow Joker around, surface. Back then, I used my Evol to subtly tamper with his memory and made him āletā me go.
Perhapsā¦ I can try that again?
I swallow, trying my best to steady my voice.
MC: You want to contact Kiro, right?
MC: Then let me call him. If itās me asking, heāll come.
I see hesitation flicker across his face and press the advantage.
MC: Donāt worry. Iāll call him right in front of you.
He young man ponders for a few seconds, then finally steps closer to me.
Young Man: No funny business.
I nod quickly, and the moment his hand clamps around my arm, I release my Evol.
In an instant, a flood of memories crashes into me.
In the blur of his memories, I see him sitting alone in a dim living room, albums and posters scattered everywhere.
All of them are of Kiro.
Young Man: Not this oneā¦ and not this one either!!
He snatches up album after album, franticālike someone drowning, clawing for the one rope that might keep him afloat.
Young Man: Why doesnāt it feel the same anymore?! Why?!
Young Man: Why does none of it workā¦ it wasnāt like this before!
He grips his hair so hard the veins stand out on the back of his hands.
Young Man: I want to dieā¦ I want to dieā¦ someone save meā¦
His near-hysterical scream makes my ears ring.
ā
As I tear myself out of his memories, I finally start to understand why he wants to see Kiro so much.
In the long stretch of his lonely past, that streak of golden light was the only thing he had.
But now, he can no longer āseeā it.
No. This isnāt the time to sympathizeāI need to get out of here!
I shake my head hard, forcing those chaotic thoughts away.
MC: After you brought me here, Kiro agreed to come see you. So you let me go, while you stay here and rest as you wait for him.
The hand gripping me noticably falters. I press on, pouring more Evol into the suggestion.
Finally, he unties the ropes binding me.
It worked!
The moment the rope loosens around my wrists, I bolt out of the room.
The corridor is pitch dark and I hurry down the stairs at full speed.
In this old, run-down apartment complex, even the hallway lights are broken. The only sound that can be heard is the echo of my own hurried footsteps.
In the darkness, I slam straight into someone.
The fragile string of tension inside me snaps. Every hair on my body stands on end, and a scream nearly tears out of my throat.
Does he have an accomplice?!
From the darkness, an urgent voice breaks throughā
Kiro: MC? Is that you?
MC: Ki-Kiro?
Just before the tide of emotion can overwhelm me, I am suddenly drawn into an embrace.
In the darkness, the force of his hold on meāso powerful it makes my shoulders acheāfeels undeniably real.
And for a split second, I have the strangest illusionāas if nothing in this world has ever changed.
As if the man by my side right now, is the same man that has always loved me.
Kiro: Iām sorry, Iām late.
A trace of frustration flickers in his voice, as if he's blaming himself, yet it also carries a hint of inexplicable annoyance.
The tension thatās been strangling my nerves finally loosens. All the fear and bitterness that Iāve been suppressing rushes up at once, stinging behind my eyes, and I end up hugging him even tighter.
After a while, he seems to hesitate for a bit, then pats my back and gently eases me away by the shoulders.
Kiro: Are you hurt?
MC: Noā¦ He tied me up and said he wanted to see you.
MC: I didnāt want you dragged into this, butābut no matter what, I had to find a way to get out firstā¦ soā¦
MC: Rightāwhat do we do now?
My heartbeat hasnāt settled. My words tumble over each other, disjointed and breathless.
Kiro: Donāt worry. BS will handle the rest.
Moonlight slips through the cloud cover, pouring in through the glassless corridor window. It brushes across his eyes, casting them in shadow.
There's something in them that I can't put my finger on. Something dangerous.
MC: ā¦How will they handle it?
Kiro: Heāll be sent to the police station, of course.
The usual smile is gone from his fair face. He studies meālike heās assessing something. Or thinking.
For some reason, Iām reminded of the familiar hug from earlier.
MC: Kiro, just nowā
Before I can finish, he gently takes my hand.
Kiro: MC, letās go up to the rooftop. Get some fresh air.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[PART 3]
Kiro leads me up the stairwell of the old apartment building, step by step.
MC: Are you sure we don't need to go deal with that guy from beforeā
Before I can finish, his grip tightens around my hand.
Kiro: Heās not important.
We climb up several more flights, and at the top, he pushes open a rusted iron door with a creak.
ā
The night wind is crisp and cool, while the dark night sky presses low overhead. Beyond the rooftop, the nearby streets are brightly lit.
Faint waves of noise drift up from below, yet up here, it feels strangely quietālike a forgotten corner of the world.
Kiro: ā¦Yeah. This should do.
He plants one hand on the railing and, in one smooth motion, vaults up onto it.
My heart leaps into my throat.
Didn't we just come up here for some fresh air?
MC: What are you doing?
Kiro: Checking something.
I instinctively reach to pull him down, but he catches my hand instead.
Kiro: Want to come up here and take a look with me?
Looking into his eyes, I take a step forward, just as I have done countless times beforeā
And move to stand beside him.
He seems surprised that I actually climbed up beside him. His fingers stiffen a bit, but he doesnāt pull away.
The street below appears bottomless in the dark of night. Just looking down sends a wave of dizziness crawling up my spine.
But the warmth from his palm is achingly familiar. It travels through our joined hands and into my body, driving away the cold fear, little by little.
I take a steadying breath and follow him, step by step, along the narrow railing.
The stone ledge beneath our feet is even thinner than it looks. Weāre like two people crossing a fragile wooden bridgeāone gust of wind would be enough to make us sway.
Kiro doesnāt look up at the stars. Instead, he looks downāat the depthless road beneath our feet.
Then, suddenly, he turns, gently tugging at our clasped hands and causing us both to sway with the motion.
Following the force, my body tilts outwardā
MC: ?!
My heart skips violently. Instinctively, I tighten my grip on his hand.
In that instant, everything around seems to dim. All of it fades except for his eyesābright, piercing, and fixed entirely on me.
His tall frame leans forward, as if he intends to fall together with me.
My heartbeat nearly stops. I shove against our locked hands, trying to push him back toward safety.
Then, in the next moment, his fingers tighten, and he steadily pulls me back onto the rooftop.
My heart finally settles back into place, and I glare at him.
MC: You scared me to death!
Kiro: Sorry. I was thinking about something just now and got a little distracted.
Kiro: Likeā¦ if I'd be scared if I fell from here.
Upon hearing that hypothesis, my fingers tighten unconsciously.
MC: Why would you even think about that?
He studies me, something curious and analytical flickering in his eyes, and guides me to sit down on the low ledge.
Kiro: I guess I wanted to understand myself a little better. And the result wasā¦
Kiro: Yeah. Itās a little scary. Especially since I don't have a safety harness right now.
Kiro looks at me and repeats himself again.
Kiro: Iām sorry.
I shake my head.
MC: Itās not about apologizing. I was justā¦ I was worried about you.
MC: For a second, I thought you were really going to fall.
The teasing curve at the corner of his mouth stiffens.
Kiro: Werenāt you afraid of falling yourself?
MC: Of course I was. Danger, and the thought of losing something would be enough frighten anyone.
MC: But Iām more afraid of losing you.
Kiro: .......
After a while, he lowers his gaze a bit and looks out into the distance.
Kiro: Youāre right. When I realized you were missing at the venueā¦ I panicked too.
I freeze for a moment and suddenly recall the agitation that radiated from him when he came in to save me earlier.
The elusive feeling gives rise to a quiet hope in me, and my heart begins to pound rapidly.
MC: Soā¦ you were really worried about me too?
I watch his face carefully, afraid of missing even the smallest shift in his expression.
The wind rustles softly, propelling the night to flow in the space between us.
Time stretches thin, and he gazes at me with an incredibly earnest look in his eyes.
Kiro: Of course I was.
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
[PART 4]
My heartbeat stumbles out of rhythm.
He props his arms on either side of him, shoulders relaxing slightly.
Kiro: When Savin told me you were missing, I was really startled.
Kiro: If you disappeared, the entire company would be thrown into chaos, and thereās a lot of work that can only be done with you around.
Kiro: Soā¦ youāre a very, very important person to me.
MC: ā¦ā¦
The tiny spark of hope that had just gathered in my chest quietly dissolves under his calm, steady gaze.
Itās not the answer I want to hear. But I know that, for the version of him standing here now, this may be the only answer he can give me.
I let out a soft breath, but a number of people's faces drift through my mind.
Kiro, Wang Xiangyuās mother, my colleagues at the company, even the young man who kidnapped me.
Right now, the world has lost something important... But only temporarily.
One day in the future, I will definitely find it again.
I will put every precious thing back to where they truly belong.
Kiro: MC?
I snap back to myself and meet his slightly puzzled gaze.
Kiro: What are you thinking about? Why do you look so serious all of a sudden?
MC: Nothing really, just thinking about everything thatās happened lately.
He nods in understanding.
Kiro: There really have been a lot of messy, chaotic things recentlyā¦ First those streamers who live-broadcasted people committing suicide, and now an extreme fan resorting to kidnapping.
Kiro: Good thing youāre okay. And that you managed to escape from him on your own.
Kiro: You're really amazing, MC.
Recalling the things I saw in that young manās memories, I press my lips together and tell Kiro everything that just happened.
That young manā¦ he probably lost the one thing anchoring him when the world lost that important thing. And after that, he just couldnāt find his footing anymore.
After listening quietly, Kiro's eyes flicker.
Kiro: It's probably my songsā¦ they donāt give him the same strength that they used to.
Kiro: Guess Iāll just have to write better songs from now on, so more people can support me.
Kiro: Even if itās only temporary, it's fine.
Kiro: At least when they listen to my songs, they'll be happy.
I let my dangling legs swing slowly over the edge, thinking for a moment.
MC: So, if someone supports you forever and is always moved by your songsānot because of trends or hype, but simply because of how good you are...
MC: Will that make you happy?
Kiro: Of course it will.
I look at him steadily.
MC: Then let me be that person; always watching you and supporting you.
MC: Not as your boss. Just as MC.
This lonely stretch of time may last a very long while, but this star will still continue to shine, becoming my only companion in the dark.
This small light will stay with me, and keep me from being afraid at night.
The wind brushes through his hair, and for a brief second, Kiro looks lost in thought before he slowly lets out a deep smile.
Kiro: Alright. I'll hold you to it.
Kiro: Forever and everāyou have to keep your eyes only on me.
Under the moonlight, his gaze on me feels heavy and intense.
Pulling me back onto the roof, Kiro casually lets go of my hand that he's been holding the entire time. He takes a step forward and turns to look back at me.
Kiro: Come on. Itās late. Iāll take you home.
ā
Neon lights tint the city's nightscape with a layer of superficial splendor.
After walking the girl home, Kiro walks down the street alone.
The shadow of his hood completely swallows his face. No one recognizes that the man passing by is the superstar who stood beneath flashing cameras at todayās fan-signing event.
News Anchor: Online reports claim that during superstar Kiro's signing event today, the head of his company disappeared without a trace in a suspected kidnapping incident.
News Anchor: Itās rumored that the kidnapper demanded to see Kiro, threatening to kill themselves alongside the hostage if refused. So far, [MC's Company] has not issued a statementā
The fabricated report, seasoned with exaggeration and speculation, clearly hasnāt caught up with the fact that the āhostageā has already been rescued.
Kiro's photo suddenly fills the LED screens on the surrounding high-rise buildings. Pedestrians glance at it from time to time and discuss with one another in hushed tones.
He stops, and unfolds a handheld console from his pocket, tapping on it a few timesā
And in the next second, every screen around him flickers and turns an eerie shade of red.
The āSYSTEM ERROR!!ā warning blares across the cityscape like a spreading virus, bleeding crimson light into the night.
Passerby: What happened? Did the network crash?
Many people slow down, pointing at the screens in confusion.
Kiro pockets the device and continues forward against the flow of the crowd, leaving the commotion behind him.
The night ahead is restless and loud, but in his blue eyes, all that remains is an icy chill.
The crowd moves past him in haste. Happy faces, tired facesāall drift through his sight, as though nothing ever changed.
Ever since the girl told him that this city had changed, he has been watching it carefully.
After seeing her again, that discordant sense of emptiness has grown all the more pronounced. Yet every time he tries to grasp hold of it, it slips away, like it was nothing more than a figment of his imagination.
And this city, like him, is missing something important.
Every time he sees her looking at him, this gnawing sense of irritation would become almost unbearable.
It's like his body carries traces of some lingering impulse that belongs only to her; one that he has no ways of controlling.
The phone in his pocket vibrates.
??: Boss, we've taken care of things on our end.
Kiro: Got it. And one more thingā
Kiro: Increase surveillance on the Queen.
After hanging up the phone, he receives a text message:
āGood night~ā
Kiro stares at the bunny emoji the girl sent, then, expressionlessly turns off the screen.
Only she can help him find the answer he has been searching for all this time.
[END]
āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā*:ļ½„ļ¾ā§āā
Masterlist: Here
Thoughts from Cheesy: Didn't want to put this in the tags 'cause of how spoilery it was going to be, but I adore just how subtle but profound the writing in this date is.
The way they showed Kiro balancing off the edge of a building just to test his survival instincts, the metaphor of "Love" being his safety-harness that prevents him from doing insane stuff like this, and how MC was clearly shown to represent that when she stopped him from falling along with her, is just so, so genius.
It shows that, since love has always been a grounding force for Kiro, without it, he's become untetheredādangerously soābecause there's no longer anything that's keeping him tied down. There's no telling what he'll do next.
