Concert Tickets

"We've arrived."

A black Santana pulled up in front of a building in the residential area. After stopping the car, Inspector Tsukauchi patted the steering wheel, paused for a moment, and then smiled, saying, "Ms. Ishihara, do you remember what I told you on the way here? Please don't make this public."

Normally, if the police want to conceal something, they would require the other party to sign an agreement not to disclose it to the public media. However, Ishihara is a journalist with a public identity, and because she is a victim in this case, the police cannot force her not to spread the news.

On the way, Inspector Tsukauchi did not tell Ishihara and Jilan anything about the criminal's self-destruction. He simply told Ishihara that "the other party may have been involved in a gang crime. In order to protect her personal safety, the police will not disclose this matter and hope that she will not reveal it on her own initiative." He told Ishihara not to reveal any information until the matter was truly resolved.

Jilan Jiyu remained silent, and Satomi Ishihara did not doubt the truth of the police's words, nodding repeatedly and saying that she would not say a word about being attacked to anyone else.

"Jilan, Yoshiran- Tsukauchi. Goodbye, Inspector Tsukauchi too."

Satomi Ishihara waved to the two of them from outside the car, looking at Jilan sitting in the passenger seat with some reluctance, before heading upstairs, turning back every few steps.

Seeing Ishihara go upstairs, Jilan Jiyu made a move to get out of the car as well, but was stopped by Inspector Tsukauchi.

"Jilan, didn't we agree that I would give you a ride?" Inspector Tsukauchi asked, somewhat surprised.

"No need, I don't like to trouble others. I know this road well, I can get home by myself." Jilan Jiyu opened the car door and said calmly, "If possible, could you send someone to protect Ishihara? Wasn't there supposed to be a gang?"

Inspector Tsukauchi was somewhat amused and exasperated. He had only said "the criminals are in a gang" to appease Satomi Ishihara; the real reason was naturally out of the question. But since Jilan had already tacitly accepted this explanation, he could only nod in agreement.

"I will send Sancha to protect Miss Ishihara tomorrow," Officer Tsukauchi said.

"That's good." Jilan Jiyu nodded and got out of the car.

Officer Tsukauchi's car drove away. Jilan glanced at the fifth-floor apartment where the lights had just been turned on and silently memorized the location. Just as Jilan was about to leave, the black Santana turned back the way it came.

Inspector Tsukauchi pulled up beside Jilan, rolled down the window, paused for a moment, and said earnestly, "Jilan, you will become a Pro Hero someday. Your act of bravery will be commended once the police have investigated and found out the final results. Please don't be upset that this matter has been covered up."

Jilan understood. The police asked her to keep it a secret, but Tsukauchi was worried that her youthful impetuosity might cause her to harbor resentment towards the police if she couldn't speak out about her act of bravery. That's why she wanted to comfort her.

"Inspector Tsukauchi," Jilan Jiyu interrupted him, speaking softly, "I didn't apply to U.A. High School. because I wanted to become Pro Hero. I just wanted to help her, nothing more."

Tsukauchi paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile. Of course, this calm and observant boy wouldn't care about public opinion; his goal should be to become a true hero like All Might.

"You have lofty goals, I support you, Jilan." Jilan 'Tsukauchi smile faded, and he solemnly raised his right hand, as if swearing an oath to someone, and said seriously, "You will definitely become a hero, I swear in my name, Tsukauchi."

Watching the Santana drive away again, Mirko Jilan gave a wry smile. "I'm truly flattered that you have so much faith in me."

Jilan Jiyu pulled a hand from their chests, covered their faces with it, took two deep breaths, then lowered it, interlocking their right hand's fingers with the severed hand's. In Jilan's flickering eyes, the severed hand, like a piece of burning paper, turned into specks of ash and vanished with the wind.

It seems I don't need you anymore... for now.

Even as it approached midnight, the streets of Tokyo remained brightly lit, as if it were a city that never sleeps, proclaiming its passion and fervor to its people.

Jilan Jiyu rubbed their temples, somewhat annoyed. According to their usual routine, they should have already done their stretching exercises and fallen asleep by now. But instead, they were standing on the street listening to the latest electronic dance music playing from a brightly lit nightclub next door—a song performed by the currently most famous United States, "Pantyhose Girls"...

It wasn't that Jilan disliked music; it was just that he was really uncomfortable with the sounds of various instruments simulated by electronic software. Although dance music created by dazzling remixes and cheesy lyrics was currently popular, he still preferred the sounds produced by real classical instruments.

This is probably a stubborn insistence of his as a person from the early 21st century.

"Hello, welcome to our store for entertainment. We have a special event now: if you win ten consecutive matches in the 'Tekken Challenge,' you can win a free ticket to the Soul Band's concert the day after tomorrow."

A man dressed like a circus clown stood in front of a noisy arcade, handing out flyers to passersby, but few seemed interested; most simply shook their heads and walked away.

Soul Band? Jilan Jiyu had heard of them. They were a band that specialized in playing popular songs from the late 20th century, a hundred years ago. They insisted on not using any electronic instruments or tuners, but simply using classical instruments such as guitars and basses to recreate those classics.

This band is popular among older people and some punks who advocate freedom and rebellion, but is disliked by the general public. Their ears have become accustomed to this kind of gorgeous and complicated electronic music with multiple changes in each measure, and they cannot accept the monotonous songs sung with simple instruments in ancient times.

Jilan Jiyu were very interested in this band, but there were very few complete records available on the market. He had only been fortunate enough to hear some clips online and was somewhat surprised by how well they reproduced the songs.

It's important to understand that during the great chaos decades ago, most of the records were destroyed, and very few remain today. This is one of the reasons why contemporary young people don't like that style of rock; they haven't been exposed to it.

Now that she has the chance to get tickets to the concert, Jilan doesn't want to miss it.

Jilan took a flyer from the clown and went into the arcade.

Even though it was past midnight, the place was still as noisy as daytime, with its dazzling lights and rhythmic music.

Although it doesn't look like it from the outside, the arcade actually has a spacious area like a small shopping mall. From the early days of arcade games to the most popular immersive VR games, countless sections have a place here, which makes Jilan feel a little nostalgic.

Jilan looked around and quickly found the event booth in the very center of the arcade.

Here, several machines equipped with Tekken series are arranged together, with two machines back to back representing the two sides in a match. Amidst the sounds of buttons being pressed and joysticks being moved, a group of people surround the machines, cheering on the competitors.

"Go for it! You're the Dragon of Tekken, how can you lose to a little girl!"

"You're the last bastion of glory in our arcade, hang in there!"

Amid cheers from the crowd, the silver-haired man with a pen-shaped haircut, sitting in a large, comfortable sofa chair, was sweating profusely. Although his hands were still frantically pressing the buttons, the game character he was controlling was at a disadvantage, being pinned down and beaten by a muscular man in a corner.

A character was shown replaying the scene of falling to the ground in slow motion. Huge gray words popped up on the screen, and the silver-haired man slumped into the sofa chair.

"We lost! I can't believe even our Dragon of Tekken lost! What kind of monster was that guy on the other side?!"

"She's on a 30-game winning streak! Is there anyone here who can beat her?!"

A pair of delicate, white hands emerged from the machine opposite. A woman dressed in a black bodysuit that fully exposed her curves stretched and stood up, smiling as she said, "You guys are really weak. In that case, the third ticket is mine."

"Damn it, he's just a high school kid, yet he's so arrogant."

The people surrounding "Dragon of Tekken" spoke through gritted teeth, but no one stepped forward because they knew they couldn't punish the girl.

Jilan Jiyu were somewhat surprised; they hadn't expected to run into acquaintances here.

The girl's gaze swept around before settling on Jilan Jiyu. A look of excitement flashed across her languid face. She waved her hand vigorously, laughing and calling out, "Little Jilan, I see you!"