Love Live!: SHATTER [PART 9]

WHITE ROSES:

*MEANWHILE*

*BOTTOM - HILL - TAKACHIHO - MIYAZAKI PREFECTURE - KYUSHU*

*P.O.V SWITCH - AKIHIKO SUZUKI*

I trudge down the hill, my legs feeling like jelly after that endless climb. The path's steeper than I remembered going up, but at least gravity's on my side now.

My breath comes easier, and the mist clears a bit, letting me see the town below. It's almost peaceful.

Downhill's a breeze compared to up.

Sure, my muscles are screaming, but at least I can think straight.

*Sigh* That Fenix... What the hell did he mean by 'places to visit'? I thought he was going to be coaching me, and not taking a vacation!

This is what happens when I act like a total pushover and don't ask for more details!

Though, it's not like he'd tell me anyway. The guy's a total mystery and yet I'm supposed to trust him?

Sure, we share the same goal in taking down Kamijou, but so do a lot of people. And I bet they wouldn't make me jump through hoops...

AKI: "Huh?"

Turning around the bend, I spot none other than the golden boy himself... Carrying flowers.

Seriously?

Fenix?

With flowers?

Did one of his fans track him down out here in the middle of nowhere?

That'd be creepy.

But he's walking kind of slow, like he's in no hurry so I don't think that'd be it...

Something's off.

I duck behind a tree, my curiosity winning over my tiredness.

He doesn't notice me, he's too focused ahead. I follow at a distance, keeping to the shadows of the trees, my heart pounding from more than just the exercise.

Why am I tailing him?

This is stupid. But he's been acting weird since we got to Takachiho. 'Familiar' with the place, he said.

And now flowers?

He's always smiling, always on, but this feels...different.

I've gotta see where he's going.

...

*CEMETARY - TAKACHIHO - MIYAZAKI PREFECTURE - KYUSHU*

The path leads to a small cemetery at the edge of the town, its stone markers standing silent among the mist and snow-dusted grass.

Goldenboy enters through a rusted gate, his steps slow.

I hide behind a low mound, peering over. He stops at a grave, kneeling to lay the bouquet gently on the stone.