Sky Striker Ace, but Symphogear Chapter 44

I clearly remembered the girl by my side, so she always maintained the clearest appearance.

Just like that, I did not know how much time had passed—perhaps an hour, perhaps a week. Amidst that chaotic scene, I could not tell the passage of time until the final moment arrived.

[Oh no, to think there would be this many people.]

Even Raye, who calculated every move and had never truly experienced a festival before, ultimately failed to account for everything.

In her excessive pursuit of a perfect festival outing, she had spent too much time along the way. By the time they reached the final and grandest event—the fireworks show—all the best viewing spots were already packed with crowds waiting to watch.

[Under these circumstances, it is completely impossible to push through. Ugh, damn it, when we are just one step away from my perfect festival plan, and there is not much time left before the fireworks start, what should I do...]

Like someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder or an investor trapped in sunk costs, the platinum-haired girl wore an expression of helplessness that I rarely ever saw.

Without a doubt, she possessed a rare, everyday kind of cuteness in that moment. I deeply engraved that scene into my mind, to the point that it appeared exceptionally clear even now.

[Raye, how about we watch from here? It is not particularly far from the best spot anyway.]

I said so, though by then, I already understood what she would do next.

[No way, I absolutely cannot give up like this. Don't underestimate me; I am not someone who will be defeated by a mere setback like this. Since the normal places are all taken, we will just go where ordinary people cannot reach.]

Raye raised her small fist, her bright emerald eyes gleaming with the confident highlight of ambition, and looked up toward the heights.

[Let's go, Chris-chan. Remember to help me keep it a secret—ah, no, Chris-chan coming with me should probably be considered my accomplice.]

Filled to the brim with drive, Raye took the then-uncomprehending me, quietly slipped into a residential building, and reached its locked rooftop.

[Next should be...]

Thinking this, I watched silently as Raye used a few pieces of wire and a dazzling, dizzying blur of operations to pick the lock on the rooftop door.

[Well, although the viewing quality is slightly worse, its advantage is that it won't be crowded. By rounding up, this can also be considered a perfect viewing spot. By the way, Chris-chan, you had better not tell anyone. Although nothing will happen to me, um, it sets a bad example for them.]

The platinum-haired figure turned her head and gave me a warning, while my thoughts had already drifted to the time the two of us would spend alone afterward.

P.S. Good night.

Chapter 75 Fireworks and Promises

A succession of explosions rang out from all directions, and countless piercing sounds of breaking air burrowed into my ears. Finally, with several beautiful fireworks blossoming in the sky to light up the dark night, the summer festival's grandest program—the fireworks show—began at that moment.

The diverse fireworks that were launched in sequence according to a preset plan displayed colorful brilliance through flame reactions, continuously painting the giant canvas of the dark night with fleeting moments of gorgeous, dazzling art.

On the rooftop, the two of us possessed a boundless field of view, clearly reflecting those endlessly blooming and fading fireworks in the depths of our eyes.

The continuous roaring explosions in the sky, the faint fragrance of gunpowder drifting through the air, and the wonderful time spent with a companion by my side—everything was deeply branded into my memory as an unforgettable beauty.

I did not know how much time had passed. Accompanied by the end of the first wave of fireworks, time seemed to flow once more like still water, and a sense of fulfillment filled my entire heart.

[They are so pretty, the fireworks.]

Looking at the city's night sky, which now only held lingering wisps of smoke, the girl beside me let out such a sigh.

[Yeah, truly, extremely pretty.]

I felt the same way. Moreover, compared to the fireworks, watching them together with a friend made me feel even more joyful.

Time fell back into silence. In order for the fireworks to be better appreciated, fireworks shows were generally launched in batches to avoid lowering the viewing quality of the fireworks due to excessive smoke.

[Chris-chan, is there anything you want to do in the future?]

While waiting for the next batch of fireworks, seemingly to liven up the atmosphere, the girl beside me asked such a question.

[Eh, talking about this now... I haven't thought about it for the time being, but I suppose I will become a musician like Mom and Dad.]

I answered like this.

On one hand, I was unprepared for Raye's question; on the other hand, I truly had not thought about what to do in the distant future.

[A musician like Mr. Yukine? Mm, that's great. Chris-chan's ideal is wonderful, and I'm very much looking forward to hearing the music written by you, Chris-chan.]

Raye pondered for a moment, and the next instant offered sincere blessings for my thoughts.

[Well, it probably won't be as amazing as Mom and Dad's music. After all, I can't reach that level yet.]

I said so. The praise from my friend left me somewhat flustered, and I could even feel the warmth radiating from my cheeks.

[S-Speaking of which, is there anything you want to do in the future, Raye?]

Then, perhaps to cover up my own embarrassment or because I was genuinely curious, after answering Raye's inquiry, I turned my head to look at the indistinct figure of the girl beside me in the darkness and asked the question back.

[Me? Ah-ah, oh no, I haven't considered this kind of thing at all before. Mu—as for what I want to do in the future...]

Raye tilted her head slightly, her fingers restlessly playing with her platinum-haired locks, as if she were deep in some difficult contemplation.

[It's fine, I was just asking. If you haven't thought it over, Raye, never mind.]

I said. I understood to some extent why Raye had not considered it.

Because of various matters, her life was often filled with all sorts of trivial affairs. Although she was able to handle everything in an orderly fashion, it was hardly possible for her to spare the leisure to ponder the future.

Mhm, that was what I thought, so I paid no mind to Raye's answer—until she actually spoke her reply.

[No, I have already decided. What I want to do in the distant future.]

Not long after my remark, the girl turned her face back, her emerald-green pupils fixing their gaze upon me with a smile.

[What is it?]

I asked, instinctively sensing that she was about to do something.

[Since Chris-chan plans to become a musician, then I will become a musician too, just like you, Chris-chan.]

Raye smiled, took my hand, and earnestly told me her aspirations for the future.

[!]

Hearing Raye's reply, a ripple stirred within my heart.

[What's wrong? Don't you believe me, Chris-chan?]

The girl chuckled, asking for my impressions.

[Ah, no, it's not like that. It's just... why so sudden?]

I responded with this reaction and question, because Raye had never shown any inclination toward music before; she merely enjoyed listening to it like an ordinary person.

[Sudden? I don't think so. I have thought about many things I could do, and I believe I am capable of accomplishing them.]

[And among those things I can do, what I want to do the most is, as expected, to create my own music that can shake the soul, just like the Yukine couple.]

Faced with my doubt, Raye replied to me in such an earnest manner.

I understood; what Raye said was the truth.

From the time I met her until now, I had never seen anything she could not learn. She was always able to quickly grasp any unfamiliar skill and master its application within a short period of time. She was undoubtedly an all-around talented individual with near-limitless potential.

With someone like her—someone capable of pulling off all sorts of amazing feats—choosing the same path of music as me brought some pressure, but a greater sense of joy had already sprouted from my heart and overshadowed everything else.

[Haha, and yet you were cold to music at first, Raye.]

Thinking of this, I involuntarily recalled the time when we first met.

[When it comes down to it, my initial interest in music was because of you, Chris-chan. So, you should take responsibility, Chris-chan.]

Raye seemed to remember it too, and responded to my words with a smile.

[Although that's true, responsibility?]

Listening and watching Raye's smiling expression, my heart skipped a beat inexplicably, and a thought that I had never considered before surfaced in my mind.

[Yes, responsibility. So, do you agree, Chris-chan?]

The girl initiated such a question toward me.

[Agree to what? If you want to become a musician, Raye, just go do it; it has nothing to do with me.]

Perhaps because that answer was too wonderful, and hearing it for the first time made me think I had misheard, I turned my head away and spoke such words.

[Really, of course it has to do with you. I love music because of Chris-chan, so if I am going to become a musician, I definitely have to be together with you, Chris-chan.]

With an unrefutable tone, Raye anchored the thought in my heart that had still held some doubt.

[...Together with me?]

Originally, merely going out together had already made me immensely happy, but because I understood the responsibilities Raye bore, I had never dared to harbor more extravagant thoughts.

Yet now, the thought I did not dare to wish for somehow transformed into the reality before my eyes.

[Mhm, that is what I think. Also, Chris-chan, you should understand that since I said it this way, I have certainly thought it through thoroughly, and you don't need to worry about other factors.]

[What I want to know now is your thoughts, Chris-chan. So, Chris-chan, you won't abandon me, right?]

I did not know what I was thinking. When Raye smiled at me, held my hand, and spoke those words to me earnestly, my brain had already lost the capacity to think.

[...Of course, I'm willing. I don't want to part ways with you either, Raye.]

Instinctively, without needing to hesitate, I blurted out those words, revealing my true thoughts.

[Is that so? That's great.]

After I said those words, I faintly felt the girl before me let out a sigh of relief.

[Then it's a promise. Mm, let me think: arranging and settling everyone will take a long time. Furthermore, considering that you and Mr. Yukine might go to many other places afterward and might not have time, then the time we spend together will be decided by you, Chris-chan.]

Then, true to her usual style, after making thorough considerations, Raye handed the decision over to me.

[I decide? How should we do it?]

I asked.

[Since we made this promise at the summer festival, let's make it every summer festival. If you've figured it out, Chris-chan, come find me at the summer festival of a certain year.]

Following my question, Raye pressed her finger to her lips, and after thinking, proposed such a plan.

[Then next year!]

I said immediately, responding so quickly that even I was surprised.

I understood that Raye made that arrangement because she did not want to put me on the spot, but it did not matter; the possibility of me refusing simply never existed.

[Next year... um, Chris-chan, wouldn't that be a bit too fast? Although I can settle everyone within a year, Chris-chan, is there any need to be in such a hurry?]

After I uttered those words, the friend before me got a somewhat distant look in her eyes and asked.

[Next year.]

To this, I merely stared intently at the friend before me, spilling out my true feelings.

I did not want to part with the first friend I had ever made. Such a small yet intense, child-like possessiveness burst forth within my heart at that time.

I thought about many things: other people's requests of me and the fear of some future eventuality. Those thoughts made me certain that I had to do this.

I thought of nothing else, merely obeying the most essential desire of my heart. I completely did not want to separate from Raye; the less time spent separated from a close friend, the better.

[Ah, fine, fine, I understand.]

Raye nodded with a trace of helplessness, then continued.

[Anyway, whether it's next year or further down the line, I will wait for Chris-chan, so it doesn't matter. As for the location...]

Before Raye could finish speaking, time had slipped away until the second batch of fireworks happened to launch at that moment. The gorgeous light chased away the darkness, and the figure of the friend before me appeared exceptionally clear in the reflection of the colorful rays.

[...Mm, since the time is set for the summer festival, let's choose it to be right here. Next year or at any future fireworks show, I will definitely wait for Chris-chan here. This can also be considered a kind of ritualistic sentiment.]

Against the backdrop of the beautiful fireworks, Raye—my friend—fairly solemnly made this small promise with me.

[Then, you absolutely have to come. Raye, I will definitely come.]

I answered earnestly.

There was no need to consider other matters anymore. The most wonderful moment of my life was probably right now.

What followed was a chaotic and blurry viewing of the fireworks, which no longer felt real under the erosion of time, yet that dreamy scene and that intensely rich night remained deeply branded at the bottom of my heart, impossible to forget.

P.S. Good afternoon.

Chapter 76 The Morning of Waking from a Dream

"Was it a dream? Why would I dream of that time now?"

Inside the spacious bedroom, the white-haired girl slumped over the desk said weakly. Then, she raised her head and opened her somewhat dazed eyes.

On the computer screen in front of her, various documents were open, sitting quietly on her desktop.

"Hah, is it because I've spent too much energy on the investigation lately? To actually dream about what happened back then."

Looking at the opened windows on the desktop, Chris sighed and muttered, seeming completely unconcerned about the dream she had just experienced.