Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 100: Dream Come True

"That is...O-Onii-chan?!" Kaname said in shock. "Onii-chan? Did your family come? I envy you. My family has never come for my idol activities not even once. How about you three?" Tatsumi asked. "My parents comes sometimes." Reo said. "Our parents are too busy so they couldn't come." Ren said.

"I see. That makes sense. My parents are too used to hiding to the point that they refuse to go under the light. So I'm the black sheep of my family. They thought of me as unfathomable, eerie and scary. It was heartbreaking to be seen like that especially by my own family. That's why, HiMERU-san and Reo-san, your belief in me made me happy." Tatsumi said.

"I'm not a god or saint so being worshipped only causes me trouble. However as a fellow traveler on the same path, I'm grateful to have you four beside me. Although Reimei Academy is like hell, there is always warmth around me. I thank God for that." He added.

"I should be the one saying that. Why did you choose to believe me? If it were in the past you would've tried to bear everything alone." Kaname said. "Ah I'm curious about that too. Kazehaya Tatsumi, you always tried to change everything without asking for anyone's help." Reo said.

"My suggestion to form a unit with Shiro-kun and Ren-kun, and HiMERU's suggestion to form a unit with you should be hard to accept from your perspective. Especially since our goal is to lessen your burden." He then said. "...What he said. What if we betrayed you and took what belonged to you again? What would you do then?" Kaname asked.

"I'm on an equal footing with you now. We've announced it to the world and received approval. We can take everything from you if I make good use of this position. I can just manipulate the public image of running the unit with you and Celestial while controlling everything by myself. And leave you out of the picture. That way I'll become Reimei Academy's top idol both in name and reality." He then said.

"No you won't do such a thing. You are already at the pinnacle of Reimei Academy without the need to agree to my ideal and form a unit with me. That includes the members of Celestial planning to betray me. There's no point in training up with a person of high risk like me." Tatsumi said.

"From your position you could've expelled all non-honored students, including me, and let only the honored students rule over the entire Reimei Academy. Or rather that would've been even easier. The world is changing in that direction after all. However you deliberately chose to team up with me, whom the honored students despite, and other non-honored students." He added.

"It's bound to cause opposition and it might even affect your future activities as an idol. A smart person wouldn't cross such a dangerous bridge." He then said. "...Are you calling us stupid?" Kaname asked. "That's why I like you." Tatsumi said. "...."

"...If any I'm as stupid as you. I dreamed a dream that cannot come true. Despite all those advice and warnings from the wise I insisted on following my own path. I was too stubborn, trying to create an ideal world I had seen in my dreams."

"Like a small child I pursued a dream out of touch with reality. I might sound like a philosopher but all I've been doing is drawing monsters and heroes in fantasies like a child. My upbringing was far from normal. So maybe now I'm finally able to engage in childish nonsense others have experienced in childhood. To do things that would get scolded by sensible adults. To pursue a dream that should've been forgotten as adults." He then said.

"But you two chose to spoil me. You want to stay with me and play with me. You don't fine me eerie. Instead you two are willing to engage in those stupid follies with me. Of course I'm grateful to you two, Shiro-san, Ren-san. For going the trouble to help someone like me." He added.

"..It's no trouble. Like Nii-san already mentioned we only did it because we wanted to after all." Ren said. "That's why all the more I should be grateful. I am truly happy right now. I feel blessed to have met you four." Tatsumi said.

"So even if you're going to take everything from me I'll forgive you. I'm grateful for your feelings and words even if they are lies." He then said. "...There should be a lot of people who want to stand by your side other than me. Like your believers gathered in the Catacombe. I'm sure they'd willing to be your playmates whenever you want." Kaname said.

"Why did you choose us? Why do you only treats us with favor? Isn't that also a kind of 'unfairness' that you hated?" He then asked. "Reo-san and HiMERU-san. You two are the only ones who wishes to become the same as me in Reimei Academy. But you four didn't worship me, neither did you ignore me and treat me as your enemy. You tried to be equal with me." Tatsumi said.

"For the longest time I wished for a friend who'd treat me as an equal. But I was too immature and foolish to know how to make such a friend. Only you two showed me the way and put it into action. You became my equals and reached out to me. So that we can be friends and march on together. All that is left for me to do is to take these hands with joy. Nothing less nothing more."

"And as for the brothers although they didn't really want to be my equals they still wanted to help me. Shiro-san asked me multiple times if I needed help and Ren-san offered me drinks to hydrate myself and no matter how many times I declined they did not give up. They continued until I finally collapse and fell. I want to respect their determination." Tatsumi said.

"Nothing more nothing less...." Kaname said with a smile. "Hai. A child lacking experience and common sense finally found a playmate. Nothing more nothing less." Tatsumi said.

"...Kazehaya Tatsumi..." Reo said. He's definitely changed. If it's the past him he would have refused and this wouldn't have happened. I'm glad he finally knows how to rely on others. Reo thought with a smile.

Others huh? Please change your words Tatsumi-senpai. At least say most people. Not everyone was able to have a good childhood after all. Not everyone is able to have a dream as a child. Ren thought with a sigh as he turned to look at Shiro who has been really quiet ever since they finished singing.