Chapter 609
Heaven or Hell
Her hand in mine, we rushed to the front,
parting the crowds, were once again in the Red Sea.
Time to show off her new shirt.
With the rumble of voices all around and the hoarse shouts of the audience,
I could barely hear the band speaking.
Four of them stood on stage now.
Calling down wrath from heaven.
My eyes were then entranced by their tattooed arms.
Heaven or hell?
Chapter 610
Heaven or Hell
She jumped and cheered along with everyone else,
feet off the ground, her hair bouncing wildly,
with one hand still holding mine.
Seems like she had no intention to let go.
"You're crazy!" I shouted at her over the noise.
Laughing, I followed suit, trying to keep up.
The whine of their guitars was tremendously deafening.
There was no relent to their assault.
Heavy rhythmic riffs, distorted machines filling the earth,
powerful beats shattering my heart to pieces,
but most of all, the singer's song of gutwrenching emotion.
It was music of war.
Chapter 611
Heaven or Hell
This was unsurprisingly Airu's music.
Her soul was one that fought.
No matter what she went through.
Through the darkest valleys and storms.
Her presence had always inspired me to become stronger.
It made perfect sense to me.
The music, I didn't mind at all.
My body absorbed the rhythm and flowed naturally in it.
My head, my feet, my arms, all moving of their own accord.
Just like how she inspired me to keep moving.
I didn't even have a choice.
I grinned at her.
I understood even more now what she meant to me.
Chapter 612
Heaven or Hell
"So what do you think?" She yelled in my ear.
"Amazing." I smiled.
"I listen to them whenever I'm down." Her voice grew into a whisper.
"I can definitely see why."
I could barely understand what they were singing in English.
Yet at the same time, music transcended the language.
I understood their feelings. That was what mattered.
Their song coursed through my blood, like a drug.
And like a drug I felt like there was something I needed to do.
But what?
Chapter 613
Heaven or Hell
The singer was close to us now,
his microphone in a white knuckled grip,
crouching in a low stance just above our heads.
His black laceless Converse shoes I could nearly touch.
On the stage, his eyes met mine for a moment, as if issuing a challenge.
What?
"Oh my god!" Airu was waving.
I laughed at her.
With his outstretched arm in a dramatic Shakespearean monologue,
the singer got on one knee and looked directly at Airu.
I stared in disbelief.
Airu froze.
"H-he's looking at me."
She whispered.
Chapter 614
Heaven or Hell
She giggled and started blushing.
I looked at her incredulously.
"You fangirl!" I teased.
The singer reached out with his hand.
"Oh my god."
A moment later,
I heard her squeak when her fingers brushed against his.
He winked at her.
Suddenly, I had the urge to drag him off the stage and punch him.
Instead, he got up and sauntered over to the other side of the stage.
Chapter 615
Heaven or Hell
I checked the time.
"I think we should meet with the others."
She nodded, still fazed
as the band left the stage
amidst the awe-filled clamour.
It was finally over, their song set.
I watched as they disappeared behind the backstage,
still caught off guard by the singer's charismatic energies
and his surprising gesture towards Airu.
I wasn't sure whether I liked him.
It was as if he challenged me to something.
Chapter 616
Heaven or Hell
We managed to get through the crowd in one piece.
I had grabbed her hand.
Now it was my turn not to let go.
She smiled at me when we got further away,
as soon as we left the noise behind.
All around, at once, the thickening forest began to swallow up all sound.
The sun had sank just beyond the hills by now.
Long shadows of the trees were our quiet escort.
Every now and then a few people streamed by,
walking briskly, trying to make it to the next act.
"That was really fun."
She said quietly.
"Thanks."
Chapter 617
Heaven or Hell
"Thanks for what?"
She looked up at the darkening sky,
trailing slightly behind me.
The sky was ablaze with many colors.
Red, orange, purple, pink.
"Well, you took me to see that band..."
"And.. well." She paused. "Just."
"For everything."
I was quiet.
What exactly did I do?
There was so much more I had to do.
I turned towards her.
"Hey, Airu..."
Chapter 618
Heaven or Hell
"Hmm?" She looked at me.
"I've got to tell you something."
She waited, slightly ahead of me,
looking at her feet now.
I watched her delicately pick her way along the trail,
hands held together behind her.
Suddenly, the sun broke through an uneven group of foliage.
Her hair, her body, everything became golden.
"Ah, that's too bright!"
She squinted and covered her face.
A moment later, she was in my arms.
Chapter 619
Heaven or Hell
"What..." Her voice came out in a whisper.
She was pressed so tight to me I could barely breathe.
"Airu."
I began.
"I...."
I had to say it right?
I needed to say it.
It was too much to bear.
She was silent, her heart pounding against my own.
"I..."
Chapter 620
Heaven or Hell
I stopped.
All words left me.
What was I doing?
I wasn't sure anymore.
All I could feel was her
light breathing against me,
fast, uncertain.
What was I going to tell her?
I couldn't do it anymore.
Something tugged on my heart.
"I...'m sorry."
Chapter 621
Heaven or Hell
"I'll tell you another time."
She looked up at me, still leaning against my chest.
"Seiji...?"
"Sorry." I tried to give a reassuring smile. "Not now."
She smiled back. Disappointment was apparent in her eyes.
They told me they wanted to know.
They told me they already knew.
But, "Alright." She said.
I untangled my arms from hers and took a step back.
"Let's go then."
My heart finally stopped pounding,
its stillness troubled me.
What was it thinking?
What was it feeling?
I didn't even know.
Chapter 622
Heaven or Hell
The walk to Stage B was lengthy.
It was nearly fifteen minutes by the time we drew near.
Six fifty. Ten minutes to go.
The sun by now had settled comfortably below the horizon,
the skies an ever-deepening blue, the sun's last lullaby.
"Airu, it's nearly seven."
"Yeah, we should hurry."
"I've got to see YUI." I winked.
She laughed and nodded.
As my reply, I smiled and took her hand.
Then, we started to run.
Again, like we had before.
My heart filled with joy.
Chapter 623
Heaven or Hell
Stage B was packed from east to west,
leaving absolutely no room to move.
Even in the distance, we could make out the thundering of the crowds.
Like the oceans, their voice was unanimous and unintelligible.
Six fifty two. The current performer was on their last song.
We found ourselves a spot near the edge of the crowds,
with much of the empty campgrounds behind us.
So far were we from the stage,
that we couldn't make out who the performer was.
"Where's Miko and them?"
We looked all around.
All we could see were people.
Chapter 624
Heaven or Hell
No one picked up.
It was probably too loud to hear or feel their phones.
"This sucks. We're supposed to meet up with them!"
I shrugged. "Just me and you again." I laughed.
She grinned. "I guess it doesn't suck that much."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothiing."
The announcer appeared.
"Next, a surprise guest performer will take the stage!"
As if on cue, the crowd erupted into cheers, howling and calling out,
the entire ground shaking with the noise. Airu covered her ears.
"So loud!"
I nodded distractedly.
Loud was an understatement.
There was nothing that could explain the overwhelming excitement filling the entire world around us.
The overwhelming feeling ballooning in my own body and soul.
Chapter 625
Heaven or Hell
There she was.
On the stage, a slight figure.
A girl and her lone guitar.
Everyone was still cheering and clapping,
here and there someone was shouting YUI's name.
She bowed. Somewhat nervously.
I remained speechless.
This was my first time seeing her in a live performance.
What would this mean to me?
Chapter 626
Heaven or Hell
"Airu, we gotta get closer! Follow me!"
I grabbed her arm.
Airu hesitated for a brief moment at my sudden desperation.
I had to see the stage better.
DId she have something to say to me?
Whenever I listened to her music,
there was always something within it.
A little morse code for me.
Whatever she sang, YUI could always speak to hearts and to souls.
I had to get closer.
There must be something for me.
Chapter 627
Heaven or Hell
We raced past the crowd, alongside many faceless bodies.
Sometimes we had to push our way through,
where they clumped up together.
"Oh, over there!" Airu pointed.
"Yeah!"
There was a hill, rising with a steep slope,
a hunchbacked bear covered in green fur.
Although it was beyond the boundaries of the audience area,
it was just to the left side of the stage, high above the crowd --
a clear view.
Luckily, not many had spotted it. Only a few people found their refuge there.
In the distance, back on stage, I heard the strum of the guitar.
It was starting.
Chapter 628
Heaven or Hell
We made it to the top of the hill, breathless.
Climbing it was near impossible,
the grass damp and slick with spring growth.
I collapsed onto the ground beside Airu.
She giggled. "You're so out of shape."
"Shut up."
There was a group of five congregated near us,
who gave us a quick glance over.
I turned my attention back to the stage.
We were alot closer now.
She was beginning to sing.
Chapter 629
Heaven or Hell
I could see her clearly.
She was sitting cross-legged,
a candle lit on the top of her guitar case.
It's flame calm and still in the gathering darkness,
swaying gently, back and forth, with the music.
This was her element.
This was where she began.
It was something so familiar to me.
Yet, it was so different to see it with my own eyes.
All around the audience was hushed,
entranced by the magic woven into the air.
All of nature moved in to listen.
Every sound of the strings,
every note and word she sang,
carried a powerful spell sweeping amongst us all.
I waited. I braced myself.
For something to speak to me.
Chapter 630
Heaven or Hell
I felt Airu's gaze, waiting for something to happen.
Did she know?
My dreams, my heart, they had always spoken to me.
Above all, I needed some clarity now.
I didn't know what I was doing.
I didn't know what I was feeling.
I didn't know what I had to do.
I knew I needed the answers.
I could find it here.
So I waited.
Chapter 631
Heaven or Hell
A minute went by.
Nothing happened.
Two minutes went by.
There was this silence.
From the loudspeakers,
I could hear YUI's voice singing, full of emotion.
Full of passion. Full of life. Full of dreams.
Her dreams.
Yet, I was only watching, observing.
From far away.
I panicked.
Soon, the song ended.
Chapter 632
Heaven or Hell
Applause filled the skies; stars quietly twinkling above,
the heavenly bodies were like apparitions fading from view.
It was a silent, awe-filled applause.
No one dared to speak.
No one dared to cheer.
Just simply applause.
They knew about the mystic spell still in the air.
Filling every breath with revitalizing power.
I could hear all of the world soaking in her song.
She, herself, was silent on stage.
Eyes closed, still sitting.
Letting the candle speak now.
I watched as everyone listened in.
What did they hear?
Why was it that I couldn't?
Chapter 633
Heaven or Hell
The grass underneath me was cool,
like the surface of a lake, calm and silent.
I was floating.
Above me, all I could see was the vast expanse of stars.
Fluttering white and yellow dots painted across the deep purple sky.
They were ever so fragile, disappearing from view;
a trickery of the eye. I lost track of countless stars.
I heard my sigh.
Airu was beside me, giving me a stern look.
"No sighing!" She said. "There's nothing more beautiful than this..."
Ahead of us, I could see the glow of the stage fade into the sky above.
Her second song had begun, dancing with the stars above.
Yet it was so far away.
Unreachable.
I heard nothing.
The stars told me nothing.
Chapter 634
Heaven or Hell
Just like that, her second song had finished.
Melodies fading into memories.
Still, my heart and soul was silent.
As if they didn't recognize me.
Like I had been disconnected from my own self.
Everything was so distant from here.
This bubble.
Was so comfortable.
Did I want to break through it?
This bubble.
Held no worries.
No stress.
No complications.
No uncertainty.
I closed my eyes.
Chapter 635
Heaven or Hell
I heard Airu lie down beside me on the grass.
She sighed, happily.
"I thought I would never feel more blissful than being in Kyoto."
"This moment is a lot more beautiful. Than anything."
Her voice was like a lullaby.
"YUI has such a powerful aura! It's like magic."
I smiled. "For sure. That's YUI-san." I opened up my mouth to say more.
But nothing came.
I couldn't tell her that I didn't hear anything this time.
That I thought I had lost my dreams and my soul.
As if answering my thoughts, "I think she's just saying to soak in the moment."
I opened my eyes. To the countless stars above.
"Don't worry about tomorrow." Airu hummed. "Just gotta live on here today."
I looked at her.
Her delicate features soft with the glow of heavenly light.
She smiled up at the sky.
"Make memories with people you love today."
Chapter 636
Heaven or Hell
"You've sure become quite the philosopher."
She laughed quietly. "And you sure sound like you need a philosopher."
She turned to look at me, her eyes sparkling.
Just like the stars above.
Our eyes met.
I didn't reply.
There was only silence between us.
In her eyes, something was gleaming.
Like a door into her soul, closer.
Closer, it felt like there was something I needed.
She had something my soul was missing.
Her eyes fluttered close.
Chapter 637
Heaven or Hell
She was warm,
like a comforting aura,
swallowing me.
Closer.
Suddenly, she turned away,
her eyes open.
Blushing profusely, she sat up.
"I'm sorry..." I heard my shaky voice.
What just happened?
"I don't know what got to me..."
She shook her head. "I-it's fine."
What was I doing??
Chapter 638
Heaven or Hell
We were silent,
even as she leaned back onto the grass.
Beyond, another artist took to the stage.
But I could barely hear the music over my pounding heart.
The stars above were the same as ever.
Watching, listening.
It was hard to see stars in the city.
Yet here, in the middle of the countryside,
hidden from reality, its own bubble,
this was where they shone.
Fantasy or reality,
fake or real,
lies or truth,
I didn't know.
But here, I was the most comfortable.
Chapter 639
Heaven or Hell
"Do you believe in the red thread of destiny?" She said softly.
I could feel her gaze on me.
"Hmm...?"
I searched the stars for the answer.
There was the sound of cicadas nearby,
the only reply to her question.
I put my hands under my head.
"Yes. I do." Was my final answer.
She was quiet, thoughtful.
Then she smiled. "Me too."
The skies swirled on in an never-ending galaxy over head.
Yes, destiny.
It probably existed.
Though I didn't know my own.
What was my destiny?
Chapter 640
Heaven or Hell
"I think a part of my destiny is already really nearby."
Her voice mumbled.
"What do you mean?"
She smiled. "Never mind."
I turned to look at her again.
Luckily she was looking up at the stars.
It was much darker now, almost pitch black.
The group of five nearby had just left.
Even the sounds of Stage B were drawing to a close.
Quieter, quieter and quieter.
"You know," I began.
"What I wanted to tell you before?"
She rolled over so she was facing me, sideways,
her brown hair cascading against her face.
Her fingers delicately pushed it away.
"Hmm?"
I took a deep breath.
Chapter 641
Heaven or Hell
"What is it?"
Her eyes shone with a gentle intensity,
reflecting the stars above; they looked watery almost.
I stared at the sky.
I couldn't bear to look into her eyes again.
They were too deep, as if she held many secrets inside.
Memories of a thousand years.
And a soul I could never understand.
It was comfortable, yet at the same time, it wasn't.
It was as if she could look right through me.
I couldn't tell it to her eyes.
So I had to tell it to the stars.
"Airu..."
Chapter 642
Heaven or Hell
"You know, I think..."
I paused, gathering more courage.
From the stars I will draw my strength.
Beneath the starry cover, like a ceiling over our heads,
the boundaries of a giant bubble.
It was only here that I could say it.
If I went back, I wasn't sure what would happen.
Here, no one was listening.
Except...
"Airu.. I like you."
I breathed out at last,
turning to face her.
"I'm sorry.. but..."
Chapter 643
Heaven or Hell
I stopped.
"Airu?"
She was still turned sideways towards me.
But a careful look would tell that her eyes were closed.
She had fallen asleep.
I chuckled softly to myself.
She looked so content and peaceful.
"Sorry Airu. I know it's wrong."
I hesitated.
Somehow I couldn't stop my finger from trailing towards her.
Shakily, I watched as I brushed a few bangs from her cheek.
I knew this was all wrong.
This whole trip had been wrong.
This bubble, it had to be wrong.
But I couldn't help it.
I couldn't lose the present moment.
I'd never have it back.
I've lost too many moments already.
Would the heavens ever forgive me?
Chapter 644
Heaven or Hell
Somehow, right then and there,
beneath the night sky,
in falling temperatures,
creeping over our bodies,
we both had fallen asleep.
A slumber that came upon us so sudden,
so swift, we never knew what happened.
Maybe it was the quiet ballads drifting from the stage,
maybe it was the comfortable aura around her,
maybe it was that the weight on my heart became lighter,
or maybe a more profound explanation.
Whatever it was,
this was the last time.
The last time,
I could stay safe,
in this world.
Chapter 645
Heaven or Hell
~ ~ ~ ~
The pain in my heart grew
as darkness became brighter.
Brighter.
I could see.
I was here again.
I had been here before.
The same.
Everything was the same.
The hill.
The city lights beyond the hill.
The cliff.
My hands were scraped away,
calloused and rough,
like I had been clawing away at rocks
for the longest time.
Everything was the same.
Except...
The sky.
Chapter 646
Heaven or Hell
The pain in my heart grew until I could hardly breathe.
Everywhere was aching.
My hands, my legs, my back.
I stumbled, my knees giving way.
Why did this hurt so much?
The sky!
I had forgotten about the sky in the midst of my pain.
The sky.
The purple sky.
It was different.
Something was wrong with it.
The last time...
What happened the last time?
Chapter 647
Heaven or Hell
I realized what it was.
The sky was empty.
Eerily empty.
So empty and lonely.
I shivered.
The stars.
Where were the stars?
It used to be filled with stars.
Little dots all across the purple sky.
Just like...
Where did I last see the stars?
Where did the stars go?
They had started falling the last time.
One by one like shooting stars
that I couldn't wish on.
They fell from the heavens.
Did they all fall?
Chapter 648
Heaven or Hell
The cliff.
Was below me now.
I must have finished climbing.
I was at the top of the hill.
I did it.
Slowly, I took a look around,
making sure to notice what was different.
Where there was grass...
It was a desolate wasteland now.
The howl of the wind was deafening,
scattering loose rocks and sand
all over the land.
Some of it glistened like gold dust,
but soon even their sparkling disappeared.
Everything was disappearing.
Would I disappear too?
Chapter 649
Heaven or Hell
"Who are you?"
Said a voice from the heavens.
It was so familiar, it hurt.
I knew the voice.
"I'm here." I called out.
My shouting was weak and insignificant as always.
But I could hear it over the wind.
"Who are you?" She said again.
"It's me! Aoi! Where are you?"
"I don't recognize you."
The voice grew closer now,
becoming quieter and quieter,
smaller and smaller,
until, in the distance,
I could see a form approaching.
Through the dust,
there was a shadow.
Chapter 650
Heaven or Hell
"Aoi!" I ran towards her.
I didn't know why I ran.
It seemed like the only thing that was right.
My legs moved on their own.
Like an old habit of mine.
My legs remembered.
But I didn't really know why.
It pained me not to know.
Not to remember.
"Stop! I don't know you!"
The sand stopped me,
the sudden gust of wind
was a wall in front of me.
"What do you mean?"
Chapter 651
Heaven or Hell
"I came back for you." I heard my voice say.
It was my voice, but I didn't know who was saying it.
Somehow, I was only watching everything.
Why couldn't I control myself?
"I'm scared of you. Who are you?" It was Aoi's voice.
It couldn't be mistaken.
I didn't know who I was myself, I wanted to shout.
"I've come back for you."
"You've changed..." Her voice was soft.
My feet took a step closer.
"Stay there!"
My feet came to a stop.
"I've become stronger, Aoi."
The winds picked up speed around me,
swirling all around, until I couldn't see,
until my eyes filled with sand and dirt.
"No... you haven't."
Chapter 652
Heaven or Hell
"I was finally able to climb the cliff, Aoi, I can find you now!"
The feet that were not mine took a step closer.
A fearsome gust of wind pushed me back, two steps.
"Yes..." She started. "But you won't find me anymore, Seiji."
"Why not?"
"You're too late..."
"What do you mean?"
"Things have changed..."
"Yes. It has. I've gotten stronger, Aoi."
She paused, sighing.
"If this is what strength is, I'd rather you be the same as before..."
"I'd rather you not change, Seiji...why do I feel like I don't know you?"
The pain in my heart got stronger, threatening to rip me apart.
Chapter 653
Heaven or Hell
I was silent. I didn't know what to say.
"You've changed too much..."
The winds grew calm, sand settling at my feet.
In the distance, I could see a floating form,
a white dress, her, glowing, pulsing with a strange light.
Her eyes were closed.
Her mouth didn't move.
But I could hear her.
"Seiji, do you believe...." She was quiet. "in the red thread of destiny?"
"Yeah. I do..."
"Then, one day, we may cross paths again."
"Wait, what do you mean?"
"My time is running short. I've got to go."
"No. Wait."
She shook her head.
"Look, the stars have gone now."
"Everything will soon disappear."
Chapter 654
Heaven or Hell
Her voice was shaky now.
She tried to speak quicker.
"Let me ask you something, Seiji..."
"If we had to start over..." She paused painfully.
"When we cross paths again..."
"Would you still want to?"
I opened my mouth to speak.
But suddenly she was nowhere to be seen.
"Aoi!"
"Goodbye Seiji..."
Chapter 655
Heaven or Hell
"Aoi! No! Don't leave!"
I was running now,
my feet desperately racing across the barren land,
slipping and stumbling on shattered rocks.
There was a horrific cracking sound above.
The entire sky.
The ground.
Everything was shaking.
Everything was falling apart.
This entire world.
Was this my reality?
Chapter 656
Heaven or Hell
~ ~ ~ ~
My pocket vibrated.
I sat up suddenly, gasping for air,
as if I had been buried alive.
Not only my lungs burned though,
my hands, my legs, my entire body was aching.
What happened?
The place where my heart would be
was strangely painfully empty too.
I couldn't remember anything.
All I knew was the pain spreading through my body.
Like someone had wrenched off a body part.
My pocket vibrated again.
Chapter 657
Heaven or Hell
"Hello?"
"Seiji, where are you guys? We've been looking for you!"
"Where...?" I snapped back to reality. "We were at Stage B the whole time!"
"We were looking for you but there were too many people."
I laughed. "Yeah." I glanced at the time. "It's really late. We should meet up."
I paused. "Wait."
"Huh?"
I grinned.
Like a firefly, there was a muted glow of a screen,
pressed tightly against an ear, far off in the distance.
From the hill, I could see it getting closer.
Their forms were unmistakable.
"I see you!"
"You do?"
"Yeah, we're up on a hill."
I waved my phone.
Chapter 658
Heaven or Hell
"Airu?"
I poked her sleeping form.
Her breathing was soft and even,
undisturbed by my taunting.
That wasn't surprising,
I knew now that she could sleep like the dead.
"Geez."
Whenever she was asleep,
it felt like the world had fallen asleep with her.
Her fiery spirit was what gave life to the air all around us.
Yet, while she was asleep, the world wasn't sad.
I smiled and reached out a hand,
brushing her cheek lightly,
with my fingers.
Somehow, nothing had stopped me.
My hand moved freely on its own.
No thoughts. No feelings.
It became natural to me.
Chapter 659
Heaven or Hell
I offered her my hand.
"Finally." I grinned. "Good morning."
She yawned sleepily.
I felt her hand touch mine,
cold against my skin.
With a pull, she was up,
shivering slightly.
"You're cold."
"Yeah... a bit."
I slipped out of my jacket,
placing it around her shoulders.
She blushed. "Thanks."
Her eyes held a trace of concern.
"I'll be fine." I smiled.
Chapter 660
Heaven or Hell
"We gotta meet up with the others."
She nodded. "It's so late."
In the dark, I had to use my phone as a flashlight,
casting a blue tint on the ground below,
revealing rocks and twigs crunching beneath our feet.
"Whoa, careful!" I grabbed her arm just as she slipped.
"This hill is so steep! How'd we end up here?"
She laughed, shrugging under my large jacket.
"Just hang on to my arm."
I felt her hand reach through my arm.
"There we go. Let's go."
Chapter 661
Heaven or Hell
By the time we reached the others,
they had been waiting for a while.
Airu still had her arm linked with my own,
the jacket's sleeve hanging loosely,
two sizes too big for her.
"Airu!" Miko had wrapped herself around Airu,
pulling us apart.
"It felt like an eternity!"
Airu smiled tiredly.
"YUI was amazing huh?" Miko said enthusiastically, obviously in high spirits.
"Let's talk about it later, Akira's gone to set up the tents already."
"Oh yeah, the campfire!"
With that, we rushed off towards the campgrounds.
But I glanced back at the hill one last time.
I couldn't get rid of the feeling that I had left something behind.
Something important.
Chapter 662
Heaven or Hell
"Who's got the marshmallows?"
"Not me!" Miko giggled as she hid the bag behind her back.
The fire in front of us was crackling loudly,
flickering flames climbing its wooden steps,
leaping and licking the black of the evening sky,
the cooling night air.
We had to get help making the fire.
The campers next to us were teasing us
"ignorant city kids" so he put it,
and decided to help us with the fire.
Our half hour effort became fruitful in under a minute with their help.
Thankful and ashamed, I realized how much I learned on this trip.
Whether or not I was able to learn the most important things,
I wasn't sure.
Chapter 663
Heaven or Hell
Our backs were cool,
hidden in the shadows of the night,
the dark side of the moon.
It was refreshing,
a steep contrast to the warmth in front of us,
almost like we were facing a baking oven.
The glow on our faces,
brushed with a soft orange,
had no room for any other color.
It was the dancing flames that became our current reality.
Like they could wash away all unhappiness,
there were only sounds of laughter and smiles all around.
Nothing was more reassuring in darkness
than a bright and blazing fire
that pushed away all the shadows and doubts.
A fire that was ultimately, temporary.
But it was all that mattered in the moment.
Chapter 664
Heaven or Hell
"Here," I smiled at her.
Upon a thin twig was a marshmallow,
now lightly coated with a crispy orange-brown,
slightly waxed out of shape.
We had learned the trade from Yuya,
who took us camping a few years ago.
He said he read about it in some book
and that it was from the West.
There was no doubt we were addicted right after the first one.
She gave me a genuine grateful smile.
"Thanks."
She slipped her hand out of the oversized sleeves.
I watched as she took a nibble at the marshmallow,
its crusty surface cracking,
molten layers inside melting upon her lips.
"How is it?"
She breathed out sharply. "It's so hot!"
I laughed. "It's good that way isn't it?"
Chapter 665
Heaven or Hell
She looked happy as she finished the rest of it.
Watching her, I couldn't help but feel her happiness
contagiously spreading through my own body.
She was just like the fire.
Blazing with life and energy.
Happiness and warmth in darkness.
My hands reached out and hovered over the flickering flames.
It was warm. So warm.
Whatever faced the campfire became warm.
Chapter 666
Heaven or Hell
"I have to admit, that was really good."
"Of course!" I grinned. "You've never had it before?"
She shook her head. "Nope!"
"Well then." I offered her another one, raising an eyebrow.
"You haven't had any yet!"
She snatched the skewered marshmallow away.
Instead of eating it, she shoved it towards me,
the smell of the melted confection wafting over.
I opened my mouth, swallowing it whole. "Ahm."
"You ungrateful person!"
I laughed and stuck out my tongue
now coated with the white marshmallow.
"Ew." She made a face.
"You're ew too. There's some on your lips."
Chapter 667
Heaven or Hell
She looked at me like I was teasing her.
"Don't move."
With a napkin in hand, I reached out.
"Wait." She turned away, a little flustered. "I'll do it myself."
I passed her the napkin, slightly bemused.
A moment later, she turned back to me.
"You're weird."
"What?"
She tilted her head at me, examining, head to toe.
Her eyes pierced right through mine.
"Are you okay?"
"What?" I said again.
"You seem a little different."
Chapter 668
Heaven or Hell
I shrugged. "Haven't you already said that?"
Her eyebrows furrowed.
Then, with an air of resignation,
she relaxed visibly under my jacket,
as if to admit defeat.
Laughing, I suddenly pulled her hood down over her head.
"Hey!"
She threw a marshmallow at me.
I caught it in my mouth.
She stared at me, confused.
"You...'re interesting."
I returned a marshmallow,
watching it bounce off her nose.
I grinned.
Was I that different?
What was different from before?
Chapter 669
Heaven or Hell
Soon, the fire was slowly burning down,
it's powerful flames becoming weak embers.
We placed the last of the firewood carefully,
right in the middle of the pile.
Our eyes watered from the smoke,
but no one could take their gaze
away from the mesmerizing light.
"Let's play a game."
"A game?"
"Truth or dare!" Miko shouted enthusiastically.
"How does that work?"
"Pick to answer a question truthfully or do a dare."
"Sounds scary."
Chapter 670
Heaven or Hell
"Takashi, I pick you." Soshi grinned evilly.
Takashi shrugged. "Truth."
He didn't skip a beat.
"What did you tell Juria to make her go out with you?"
We all laughed, while Juria turned beet red.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Takashi was struggling to keep a straight face.
"Just answer!"
"I told her I had cookies."
This time even Takashi couldn't refrain from laughter.
We all knew how Juria loved food.
"You meanie!" She stuck out her tongue.
Chapter 671
Heaven or Hell
"Dare." Akira mumbled.
"Dare...hmmm..."
Takashi was the one making the demands now.
"Kiss Soshi on the lips."
"WHAT?"
There was no end to the jokes, it seemed.
"Just kidding. I'll let you off this time." Takashi chuckled.
"Instead, stuff twenty marshmallows into your mouth!"
Akira shook his head in disbelief, looking amused.
"What in the world."
In the end, after a lot of bickering and laughter,
he complied, his cheeks so full with marshmallows,
he couldn't close his mouth.
Chapter 672
Heaven or Hell
He ended up making a long trip to the trash can,
returning with a disgusted look on his face.
"You're all lucky you didn't see it!"
He announced, before stumbling into his place in front of the fire again.
The campfire had been reduced to a few burning twigs,
shattering into a million orange red sparks at the brush of a breeze.
Without the intense heat, the chill of the night began to creep up on us.
"It's late." Someone said. "We should head to bed."
"Wait, after all that, I didn't even get my turn!" Akira protested.
We chuckled.
"Fine, hurry, pick someone!" Miko waved her hand hastily.
He looked around the circle,
taking his time,
suspense filling the air.
I had a feeling he already had a person in mind.
His eyes found mine.
"Seiji."
Chapter 673
Heaven or Hell
I had already known that it would be me.
Akira wouldn't let me off that easily.
After what happened in Kyoto,
he had probably sworn to achieve his revenge.
That was the feeling he gave me,
cold-hearted dark eyes that betrayed no emotion.
No doubt it had been me.
Chapter 674
Heaven or Hell
He had hated me from the very beginning.
When we first met, many years ago,
on a sandy playground.
The first words he spoke was to give him the soccer ball.
We had feigned friendship after I declared a truce,
even though I knew his ulterior motives.
Not that we minded being his protector
from the school yard bullies.
But he wasn't a person to move on though,
grudges were permanent on his heart.
Our acceptance hadn't changed his ways.
To this day, he was still the same.
I gave him a fake lop-sided grin.
"Bring it."
Chapter 675
Heaven or Hell
A dare would be an easier way out,
but I didn't want to get another person involved.
Especially not Airu.
"Truth."
I braced myself for interrogation.
What was up his sleeve?
He stared straight at me,
his lips curving in a twisted smirk.
No one else seemed to notice,
simply enjoying watching me cringe.
In front of me, shadows grew taller,
the last dying embers glowing weakly,
smoke blurring our vision.
Akira's face seemed contorted across from me.
The shadows under his eyes was deep and menacing.
Chapter 676
Heaven or Hell
"So now, where does your heart lie?"
His eyes saw through mine.
"What kind of question is that?"
I waved him off.
The others winced.
"That's a weird question, Aki-kun." Miko laughed.
I felt the tension rising between us.
I didn't know whether the others could feel it.
"Let me put it this way, Seiji, coffee crisp or coffee beans?"
"What are you talking about?"
He smirked and stood up.
"Doesn't matter."
Chapter 677
Heaven or Hell
"Who doesn't have a sweet tooth?" He shrugged.
I stared at him incredulous.
What was he talking about?
I had a feeling I knew.
Yet, I didn't want to think about it.
"I'm off to bed."
He disappeared into his tent,
leaving the rest of us in awkward silence
to ponder his words.
Just like him.
He hasn't changed one bit.
Chapter 678
Heaven or Hell
"Ah, forget about him, Seiji."
Soshi grinned at me.
"He's just trying to fool around."
I nodded and smiled. "The usual deal huh?"
"The brat that annoys the popular kid." He winked.
"Who said I was the popular kid?"
"I was talking about myself."
He laughed, tossing a twig at the fire.
I shook my head, sighing.
Out of the corner of my eye,
I could see Takashi looking thoughtfully at me.
Coffee chocolate or coffee beans?
Did that even make sense?
Chapter 679
Heaven or Hell
Despite Akira's twisted version of truth,
be it for humour or for revenge,
the awkward air left soon after he retired.
He had chosen his own tent,
that could only fit one or two people.
Not that anyone would want to join him.
Yawning, our friends one by one
slipped into their cold sleeping bags,
curling up for body heat.
I was prodding the dying embers with a stick
when I realized only Takashi, Airu and I were left.
Takashi glanced at me
with an expression that I understood.
He wanted to talk.
Chapter 680
Heaven or Hell
Airu wasn't about to leave yet though.
Her sleepy eyes betrayed her,
but she was firm on staying up a little longer.
"At least until we douse out the fire." She had said.
I was glad for the company;
I had no real intention of talking to Takashi.
What was there left to say?
I had a feeling I was on some kind of path,
no one could sway me off of.
With or without YUI's inspiration,
with or without advice from anyone,
I was already moving down a road,
passing the point of no return.
Unfortunately, I wasn't quite sure what path it was.
Chapter 681
Heaven or Hell
One twenty three, Takashi's watch glowed in the darkness.
The darkness was more complete than ever.
The deep of the night invited odd noises in the forest all around.
Even though the campgrounds were devoid of trees,
the wilderness could not be kept away.
In bushes and shrubbery nearby,
we would hear rustling and snapping of branches.
Airu was nodding off.
I grinned as I poked her,
sending her jumping to her feet.
"You!"
Takashi shook his head like a worn out father.
Why were we even staying up?
Chapter 682
Heaven or Hell
What were we waiting for?
I didn't really have an idea.
But it was an interesting feeling.
A feeling that the deeper into the night we went,
the more mysterious the world became.
Without a doubt, gradually,
we would be transported into another world.
The netherworld.
Where shadows and illusion became alive,
the main populace of the darkness.
It was this eerie feeling that kept us up.
Waiting for more.
What did the shadows have to say?
Chapter 683
Heaven or Hell
Except for rustling, animal calls and snapping branches,
the reality was that nothing else would be heard.
Still, with our ears attentive, we sat in silence,
while the final embers died out.
The restlessness of being over exhausted kicked in already.
I didn't want to go to bed.
I had no wish for the next day to come.
Whatever was in store for me,
I had no intention of knowing.
I had become addicted to the present.
No past.
No future.
Just here.
And now.
Chapter 684
Heaven or Hell
"The fire's dead."
My voice sounded dull.
"Yeah..." Airu mumbled.
In the dark, I couldn't make out their faces.
Takashi was still to my left,
but only his watch pierced the night.
I reached out my right hand,
slowly, carefully, until I felt her body heat.
There, her hand.
I let my fingers ease onto her palm.
She remained silent,
the only response from her fingers,
which curled around mine.
I smiled.
"Going to sleep?"
She must have nodded.
Chapter 685
Heaven or Hell
I felt her shuffle, and her side press up against me.
She was trying to give my jacket back,
but the darkness did not retreat.
"Just keep it for now."
I whispered, too aware of Takashi's unyielding consciousness.
"Kay."
There was a click and the ground became fluorescent pink.
The sudden brightness was painful for the eyes.
We could see our feet now.
Her toes were near mine.
I watched as she turned them away,
standing up slowly, trying to gather her balance.
My arm lifted almost instinctively to give her support,
our fingers still linked.
She smiled in the darkness.
"Well, good night."
Chapter 686
Heaven or Hell
"Oyasumi!"
Takashi echoed me right after.
The bouncing pink backlight from her phone led the way,
until it disappeared behind the plastic curtains of the girls' tent.
I heard one of them roll over in their sleeping bag.
Soon, the sounds grew still.
All that was left was Takashi and I.
What did he want to talk about?
Chapter 687
Heaven or Hell
We stared off into deep night for minutes on end.
In the darkness, time could not be kept.
Just like a sleuthing nocturnal creature,
time was on the move, without our knowing.
How many seconds, minutes, hours were unspoken of.
Until the sun rises, would there be revelation.
While we were in the present,
did we have the ability to keep track of time?
Takashi turned to me.
"It's late. Why are you still here?"
Chapter 688
Heaven or Hell
"Did you want to talk?"
He paused. "When did I ever say that?"
"I saw that look in your eyes, man." I felt myself grinning.
I added. "Don't forget how well I know you."
"Don't forget that I know more about you." He chuckled.
I smiled.
The many years of friendship between us seemed to decorate the midnight air.
We had been like brothers, ever since kindergarden.
Every thought that went through our minds,
could not be hidden from the other.
Even now, he understood me more than anyone.
Luckily, he was not the type to barge,
leaving me alone most of the time.
Chapter 689
Heaven or Hell
"If you have nothing to say, I'm heading to sleep."
He seemed to stare at me through the darkness.
What could he see here?
"Well, let's hit the sack then." He finally said.
I stood up, relieved with his decision.
Then, he continued.
"Just know, I support whatever path you walk."
He paused.
"Except, if you end up hurting people."
Chapter 690
Heaven or Hell
He patted me on the shoulder.
"I know, Taka."
"Alright." I heard his smile.
"Then, don't let anyone influence your mind."
I laughed. "Man, you sound like my dad."
"Your dad is much stricter than that!"
He joked, remembering the times my dad had seen him or my friends.
"Yeah, huh."
"Well, night."
"Good night."