I Will Stand Above the Heavens (Seeking Everything)

Airi Sakura's answer played right into Watanabe Hayabara's hands. The smile on his face deepened, the corners of his eyes curving upward as he seized the moment to reply, "I've actually been looking to find an idol to marry so I can live off her success. I'm currently scouting for candidates." He spoke with a casual, offhand tone, yet his gaze was like a hook, fixed intently on Airi Sakura's reaction, refusing to miss even the slightest flicker of change on her face.

"Oh, really?" Upon hearing this, Airi Sakura's pupils contracted slightly, clearly taken aback. She instinctively lowered her head, her long bangs falling like a curtain to shield her eyes, obscuring the emotions beneath. However, the flush creeping up her earlobes and the complex expression on her face were unmistakable as she twisted the hem of her skirt tighter. She remained silent for a long time, as if digesting this somewhat shocking answer, before slowly lifting her head. Her voice was as light as a falling feather, carrying a hint of subtle probing as she asked, "Then, Hayabara-kun, do you have an idol you like at the moment?"

Watching her struggle for words, Watanabe Hayabara found it somewhat amusing. He deliberately drew out his tone, speaking slowly, "Well... I wouldn't say I have a particular favorite. After all, I didn't really pay much attention to the entertainment industry before." He paused, as if suddenly remembering something, his eyes brightening slightly. "Though, I did see an idol in a magazine a while back who really fits my aesthetic."

"Is that so..." Hearing this, Airi Sakura immediately lowered her head until her chin nearly touched her chest, preventing Watanabe Hayabara from seeing her slightly pursed lips and flushed cheeks.

"Airi, your reaction suggests you're quite familiar with the entertainment industry, huh?" Watanabe Hayabara paused his steps, turning his head to look at her with a casual, curious tone.

"I know a little bit, I suppose." Airi Sakura's voice drifted out from behind her hair, faint and timid, as if she were afraid of disturbing something.

"Then, does Airi know Shizuku? She really fits my aesthetic; she's a regular in youth magazines." Watanabe Hayabara stopped walking, smiling at Airi Sakura with a playful glint in his eyes. "Come to think of it, she has the same hair color as you, and your features are quite similar, especially when you smile."

"Eh?!" Upon hearing the name "Shizuku," Airi Sakura looked as if she had been struck by lightning. She jerked her head up, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape, clearly stunned. Her face turned crimson in an instant, as if heat were radiating from the top of her head, almost enough to emit steam, and even her ears turned bright red.

Watching her reaction, a flash of realization crossed Watanabe Hayabara's eyes, yet he feigned surprise and asked, "What's wrong? Airi, it couldn't be that you are Shizuku, could it?" His tone was clearly joking, but a smirk played on his lips as he watched the show, his gaze locked onto Airi Sakura's flustered face.

Airi Sakura was rendered speechless by the question; her lips moved, but no sound came out. She hurriedly lowered her head, her heart hammering against her ribs as if it might leap out, her cheeks hot enough to fry an egg.

"Airi, why aren't you saying anything?" Watanabe Hayabara asked with a faint, teasing smile, watching the head-bowed Airi Sakura before him.

Airi Sakura's shoulders trembled slightly. After a long silence, as if summoning the courage of a lifetime, she replied in a voice no louder than a mosquito's hum, "Hayabara-kun, if I told you that I am Shizuku, what would you think?" After saying this, she stole a quick glance at Watanabe Hayabara's reaction before lowering her head again, her heart racing wildly as if it were about to burst.

"If Airi were 'Shizuku,' I'd have to give up on the idea of living off her success." Watanabe Hayabara looked at her nervous state and said lightly, a gentle smile still lingering on his lips. "After all, I couldn't very well let a good friend support me."

"Is that so..." A hint of imperceptible disappointment colored Airi Sakura's voice.

Seeing this, Watanabe Hayabara immediately added, "I really do like Shizuku." His tone turned serious, his gaze locking onto Airi Sakura. "But why hide it, Airi? It's not like you had to make a fool of yourself in front of me. Compared to your current image, I prefer the cheerful and lively Shizuku who doesn't wear glasses."

"Th-this..." Airi Sakura's fingers were tightly clenched, her expression hesitant, her eyes flickering as if recalling some unpleasant experience. Her lips moved, but she couldn't manage to get the words out.

"Let me guess, is it because of some crazy fans, Airi?" Watanabe Hayabara asked softly, his tone filled with understanding.

Airi Sakura's body gave a slight tremor before she slowly lifted her head and gave a small nod toward Watanabe Hayabara. Her eyes rimmed with red, as if her deepest secret had been touched upon, and a sense of grievance welled up within her.

"Don't worry about what others think, Airi." Watanabe Hayabara's voice became exceptionally gentle. He stepped forward and gave Airi Sakura's shoulder a light pat. "Just be yourself. Whether it's Airi Sakura or Shizuku, it's all you. Just enrich your own inner world and seek what you need." He paused, his gaze turning firm, his tone carrying an unquestionable promise. "I will protect you, if Airi is ever in danger."

Hearing this, Airi Sakura jerked her head up, tears shimmering in her eyes. She looked at Watanabe Hayabara's earnest face and broke into a smile.

"Airi, use my handkerchief to wipe your face." Watanabe Hayabara pulled a neatly folded handkerchief from his pocket and gently offered it to Airi Sakura. His fingertips brushed her cheek inadvertently, and he took the opportunity to remove her square-framed glasses, revealing those naturally clear and bright eyes.

Airi Sakura took the handkerchief, her fingers trembling slightly as she wiped away the tears. The flush behind her lenses had yet to fade as she whispered, "Thank you."

"Snap—" A crisp, shattering sound suddenly rang out. Airi Sakura, still wiping her tears, jerked her head up, her pupils contracting as she stared blankly at Watanabe Hayabara. His long fingers were pinching her glasses; the lenses were already spider-webbed with cracks, and the frames were slightly deformed between his fingertips.

Watanabe Hayabara met Airi Sakura's gaze, his eyes calm and resolute. He slowly removed his own glasses, revealing sharp, piercing eyes that he had never shown before, and said with a smile, "Airi, you don't need the disguise of glasses. You can do just fine; you can live as yourself." He rubbed the cold frames with his fingertips. "Actually, my glasses are just like yours—plain lenses. But these glasses were a symbol to me, a remnant of past experiences, a spiritual crutch. But now, thank you, Airi, I don't really need them anymore." He paused, his tone filled with relief. "I found myself long ago; I just hadn't forgotten the past."

"The wind is picking up." Watanabe Hayabara looked at the drifting clouds on the horizon and sighed softly. The evening breeze ruffled the hair on his forehead, revealing a smooth brow.

"Snap—" Another crisp sound. Watanabe Hayabara applied slight pressure with the two fingers pinching his own glasses, and the frames snapped in response. The lenses shattered into fine glass shards, scattering onto the stone path beneath his feet, reflecting the faint light of the streetlamps.

He reached up to brush back his hair, his fingertips seemingly imbued with magic. The once-tame strands became sharp and aggressive in seconds, the bangs on his forehead swept back at an angle to reveal a full, prominent brow. The aura around him surged, his previously gentle presence becoming sharp and flamboyant, as if a sleeping beast had suddenly awakened.

"I will stand in the heavens. Airi, are you willing to be the witness?" Watanabe Hayabara opened his arms to the evening breeze, the corners of his mouth curling into a confident arc.

Airi Sakura stared at him, dazed, the warm handkerchief still clutched in her palm and the shattered glass glinting at her feet. She suddenly realized that without the glasses, the gentleness in Watanabe Hayabara's features had diminished, replaced by a sharp edge. In her blurred vision, for the first time, she saw a person's soul shining with such clarity. The evening breeze caught the hem of her clothes and blew away the last trace of her timidity. She nodded gently, her voice soft yet incomparably firm: "I am willing."

"Shizuku... no, Airi. From now on, Shizuku no longer exists. There is only Airi Sakura. Airi, you are truly beautiful..."