Oshi no Ko: The Maestro

Chapter 54: The Price Of Truth

Hiroshi stood on the rooftop of the luxurious building, the glittering skyline of Seoul stretching out before him, the city lights twinkling like stars against the night sky. The chill of the night air cut through his jacket as he stepped closer to the edge, his heart pounding in his chest.

His gaze locked onto the lifeless body of Sekito sprawled across the cold concrete, an eerie silence enveloping the scene. The moonlight cast an unsettling glow on Sekito's pale face, highlighting the horror that had unfolded. Hiroshi's eyes widened, disbelief flooding his mind as the reality of the moment sunk in.

How could this have happened? The vibrant city behind him felt surreal, a stark contrast to the grim sight before him. He fought to process the chaos swirling in his thoughts, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him like the weight of the night itself.

Hiroshi stood frozen, the distant hum of Seoul's nightlife fading into a haunting silence. As he stared at Sekito's lifeless body, memories clawed at the edges of his mind, begging for attention.

A boy, small and bright-eyed, danced through his thoughts, urging him to play. "Hiroshi, let's play!" The boy's voice was a distant echo, filled with innocence that now felt tainted.

The image shifted. That same boy, now older, chided him gently. "You spend too much time in those books, you know." The words hung heavy, a reminder of lost laughter and unfulfilled promises.

Hiroshi's breath quickened. Another memory crashed in: a man with a smirk, moving pieces across a chessboard, his deep blue eyes sparkling with malice. "Checkmate." The word reverberated in Hiroshi's mind, a finality that sent chills down his spine.

Reiji Shikyo. The name tasted bitter on his tongue. Hiroshi could see him clearly-blonde hair like a sunbeam and those cursed dark stars swirling in his gaze. A forgotten enemy whose shadow still loomed over his life.

Suddenly, the boy reappeared in his thoughts, lifeless and crumpled in the middle of the road, so painfully similar to Sekito's current state. A wave of nausea swept over Hiroshi as the chilling realization hit him.

The weight of memory pressed down, suffocating, as he fought to make sense of the chaos swirling in his mind.

One by one, figures emerged onto the rooftop, their faces illuminated by the city lights. They hesitated at first, shock etching lines into their expressions as they caught sight of Sekito's body.
A man in a sleek suit stumbled back, his hand instinctively covering his mouth, eyes wide with horror. "What... what happened?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Another figure stepped forward, a tall man with an air of authority. He scanned the rooftop, assessing the chaos. "Everyone, stay calm!" he commanded, his voice steady despite the turmoil. "Call for help. We need to secure the area."

But amidst the turmoil, Hiroshi remained motionless, consumed by the weight of his memories. He felt detached, as if the scene before him was playing out in a dream. The frantic voices around him melded into a murmur, fading into the background like a distant radio.
Then, a familiar voice broke through the haze-a voice that sent a jolt of recognition through him. "Hiroshi?" Frill's voice trembled as she stepped onto the rooftop, her eyes darting from Sekito to Hiroshi.

She froze, the colour draining from her face as she took in the sight. "What... what happened?" Frill's gaze locked onto Sekito's lifeless form, then shifted to Hiroshi, a mix of fear and disbelief flashing in her eyes.

One week later...
The days that followed Sekito's death were drenched in a quiet, unsettling unease. News of his murder swept across Japan, sending ripples through every household and stirring rumours in every alleyway. Sekito was no ordinary man; he was a name, a symbol, a public figure adored, and admired. And now, his brutal end painted an image so shocking that even the hardened souls of Tokyo felt a chill.