Strawberry Fields Forever After (Takumi's Dead! A Nana FanFiction)

Chapter 5

The rain-soaked streets of London glistened under the pale glow of streetlights as Nobu made his way back to his hotel, the weight of the hospital visit still heavy on his mind. The hum of city life surrounded him, a comforting backdrop to his otherwise quiet existence, one he had settled into after taking over his family's business. The paparazzi had long forgotten his name, their lenses turned instead toward the chaos that had enveloped Hachi and Takumi's world.

But as he walked, something caught his eye—a flicker of familiarity in the midst of the city's blur. At first, he thought he might be imagining things; after all, it had been years since he had seen her. Yet there she was, unmistakable even in the midst of her transformation. Her hair cascaded down her back, long and flowing, the bangs framing her delicate features. She wore a fitted red dress that hugged her tall, slender frame, exuding an elegance that seemed to radiate from her very core. Nobu's heart stuttered in his chest.

The Vivienne Westwood ring on her finger caught the light as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, revealing small Saturn-shaped earrings that danced gently as she moved. The lotus tattoo on her left arm peeked out, a symbol that felt achingly familiar. It was Nana—his Nana, the woman who had once been the heartbeat of his world.

In disbelief, Nobu fell into step behind her, his footsteps quiet against the damp pavement as he trailed her through the alleyway. He wanted to call out, to bridge the gap that time had carved between them, but the words lodged in his throat as she slipped through a door, disappearing from view.

With a mix of trepidation and excitement, he approached, peeking through the crack. The dimly lit interior revealed a set of concrete stairs leading down into what appeared to be a bar and lounge. The atmosphere felt thick with anticipation, filled with the smoky scent of cigars and the rich aroma of whiskey. Nobu hesitated for a moment, the memory of their shared past swirling in his mind, before steeling himself and following her down the staircase.

As he emerged at the bottom, the ambiance enveloped him like a warm embrace. The bar was sophisticated and cozy, its walls adorned with deep mahogany and plush seating that beckoned patrons to linger. Nobu's gaze darted to the front, where a small stage sat, illuminated by a soft spotlight.

And there she was, Nana, standing at the microphone, radiant and undeniably in her element. The hush of the crowd fell away as she began to sing, her voice soft and smooth, cascading over the audience like a gentle tide. Each note carried the weight of emotion, a depth that echoed through the lounge and wrapped around Nobu's heart.

It was a voice he had yearned for, one that transported him back to a time filled with laughter and dreams, when everything felt possible. The pain of the years apart, the struggles they had each faced, all faded into the background as he watched her perform.

Nobu stood in the shadows, mesmerized by her presence, as if the years had melted away, and they were once again two souls intertwined by fate. Nana had found her way back to herself, back to the stage, reclaiming a piece of the life that had been so cruelly stripped away from her.

As her song filled the room, a bittersweet smile crept across his face. He had finally found her, but now he had to decide how to bridge the chasm that had formed between their lives. Would she welcome him back into her world? Or would the ghosts of their shared past loom too large, casting a shadow over the light she had rediscovered?

For now, he remained in the background, lost in the melody, his heart swelling with hope and nostalgia as he watched the woman he had loved find her voice again.

—

Nobu paced the confines of his hotel room, the muted sounds of London filtering through the window as he absorbed the staggering news about Nana. The revelation had hit Yasu and Shin like a thunderclap, leaving them in a state of disbelief.

"We have to bring her home," Nobu insisted, his voice edged with urgency, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

Shin shook his head, the gesture slow and heavy, as if the thought itself was a physical burden. "How?" he asked, the question echoing the helplessness they all felt.

Yasu had been silent, his mind racing with the implications of Nana returning. The idea felt surreal, like a dream teetering on the edge of reality. "Where is this bar?" he finally asked, his voice steady, yet laced with a quiet determination.

—

Nana stood behind the curtain, her heart a heavy with emotion, readying herself for another performance. The dim lights cast soft shadows around her, the anticipation of the crowd humming in the air. Just as she inhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves, a hand rested gently on her shoulder.

Yasu's hand trembled as he fought to maintain his composure, the familiar warmth of friendship flooding back, yet tinged with the heavy burden of the past.

When she turned to see him, time seemed to halt. "Yasu..." the word slipped from her lips, a whisper charged with disbelief and longing. Tears welled in her eyes, cascading down her cheeks despite her efforts to suppress them. All the emotions she had buried for so long came rushing forth, unrelenting and raw.

Without a word, Yasu pulled her into a tight embrace. The world outside faded as he buried his face in her hair, her sobs resonating against his chest, a sound that felt both achingly familiar and painfully foreign.

"Come home with me, Nana," he whispered, his voice a tender plea, breaking through the haze of grief that enveloped them.