For Whom the Requiem Plays | Chapter 2

[healingbonds]

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Location: Shopping district, neighboring town


Leo: (Ah~, that surprised me.

All the musical phrases accumulated in my mind were blown away because I suddenly ran into Keito...

Dangit, a masterpiece gone. How’s he gonna take responsibility for that?

No, it’s not Keito’s fault. I was also careless, walking around with my guard down because I didn’t think I’d run into somebody I knew in a neighboring town.

Well, even though it’s a neighboring town, it’s still local to Yumenosaki Academy. It’s not like it’s a distant foreign country...

I guess it falls under the habitat of those students.

I could run into anyone, and it wouldn’t be a surprise. Maybe I should think, I’m glad it wasn’t Sena.

I don’t know how to face him after all this time.

...He’s probably the one person I should properly explain all sorts of things to, but.

He should be fine without me.

Sometimes I hear our old songs playing throughout the town. I can hear his singing, too.

Mixed with Naru’s and Rittsu’s and... someone else’s voice I don’t know.

Unlike your eyes, you can’t close your ears. You can only cover them, but I can’t do that. You’re still working hard as an idol, aren’t you, Sena.

Under what name? Are you still “Knights”? Even though the “King” is dead?)


Madara: ♪~♪~♪


Leo: Hm?

Woah, Mama! Mikeji Mama~! It’s me, it’s Leo, hey there~☆


Madara: ....? Oh, Leo-san! I was waiting for you! Glad you look well!

Come here, come here, come here! I’m so ecstatic to see you! Let Mama hug you!


Leo: No, Mama, for some reason you’re playing the cello, so it’s physically impossible for you to hug me.

Why are you performing out in the open like this? Is this a street performance?


Madara: No, I thought I could catch Leo-san if I played some music. It’s also good practice for the concert; I’m killing two birds with one stone, you see?

I got permission from the people in charge, so don’t worry!


Leo: You’re surprisingly proper about these sorts of procedures, Mama... how should I put it—you seem audacious, but you’re strangely meticulous.


Madara: It’s better to follow common sense, you know; it’s not particularly a hassle, after all.

Japan is a safe country, but if you commit a taboo abroad, it could be life-threatening.


Leo: Ah~, so Mama, you’re still flying around to different countries?


Madara: No, ever since returning in the spring, my activities have been pretty grounded here. I run a unit called “MaM”.....

Were you abroad all this time, Leo-san?

I frequently hear rumors of you; you seem to be using a pseudonym, but I can tell which songs are yours when I hear them.

You seem to be doing very well; as a friend from the same hometown, I’m proud of you ♪

I called you here because I heard you were back in Japan and wanted to see you. I’m happy you answered my call, Leo-san! Good boy, good boy ♪


Leo: H~m.... Well, I owe you one, Mama; you’re doing a concert, right?

If that’s the case, there’s no reason for me to refuse your invitation.

....and hey, don’t pat my head, grrrr!

Mama, you sometimes treat me like a baby!?


Madara: Hahaha. Sorry, sorry. Seems I have trouble adjusting my attitude....

I basically imagine that people who are weakened are like babies or tofu, and treat them as such.


Leo: Who are you calling tofu.... Speaking of soybeans, I just saw Keito back there.

Mama, don’t tell me you sent that guy a concert ticket as well?

Stop that~; didn’t I say I didn’t want to see anyone from Yumenosaki?


Madara: Hahaha. You know, I’m also someone “from Yumenosaki.”

It’s a small world. Leo-san, if you’re going to continue working as a musician, you can’t avoid them forever.

Music is a universal language, after all. Though saying that to Leo-san is like preaching to the choir¹.

But I’ll clear myself of suspicion, just in case... It’s mere coincidence that Keito-san was around here.

Seems like a fine and proper orchestra is going to hold a performance right after the concert I’m participating in as “MaM.”

If Keito-san’s destination is the concert hall, I suspect that’s why he’s here.

The concert I’m participating in seems like exactly the kind of thing Keito-san would hate, after all.

I feel like he’d furiously lecture me—”How unscrupulous!”


Leo: Wahaha. It’s supposed to be like a fun concert from hell, enthusiastically performing requiems and funeral marches collected from around the globe, right?

It makes no sense—I like it!

....Tenshi would probably also like that kind of enthusiasm, huh.


Madara: Tenshi? An angel?² Oh, you’re talking about Eichi-san. Seems like that boy is also getting more and more lively and active lately.

You can’t let him beat you, Leo-san ♪


Leo: Look, I said I wouldn’t be an idol anymore...

More importantly, Mama—it might be too late to ask this, but is it all right for us to be chit-chatting? All the customers gathering around look lost.


Madara: Woah, a surprising number of people gathered ‘round.... It’s bad manners to quit halfway, so I guess I’ll perform until I reach a good place to leave off.

Leo-san, if you’d like, please sing along to the song!

I won’t force you, but! Humans are instruments too; the more we have, the richer the song will be!

Every new instrument makes the ensemble more beautiful!

I’d like you to lend me your help, so that the gathered audience will be satisfied... Leo-san ♪

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1. The literal translation of this expression is “lecturing a Buddha”
2. Madara repeats Leo’s nickname for Eichi, “Tenshi,” in kanji—making its meaning “angel”