Camus - Flame of Ice

Flame of Ice
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It's December, and we've reached the final stretch in the unit project's songwriting process. Everyone is still fighting with each other, but they are definitely making progress towards achieving the same goal of performing live. I'm doing my best every day to bring out the best in the song too. Life in Camus-senpai's house, on the surface, was no different than it has been before. I'd gotten used to this somewhat bizarre lifestyle with him, and could now talk to Camus-senpai fairly well. To the unsuspecting observer, our life together with Alexander might have even seemed harmonious. However, there was something major he was keeping secret. Something to do with both Cecil-san and the president…. For Camus-senpai, who always pretends to be uninterested in everything, this is probably the only thing he is willing to completely devote himself to一 A lid was placed on top of this secret like a lake covered in ice, and it remained that way as the days came and went.
Today, after the recording of a radio show, Senpai was scheduled to do an interview for a women's magazine. As his assistant, I stood nearby and watched as he answered the reporter's questions effortlessly and efficiently.
Reporter	... Well, I see. Thank you very much for that. And lastly, please share with us some thoughts on your ideal woman.
Camus-senpai tilted his head slightly at the question.
	My... ideal woman? I believe every woman is different and has her own unique charms, so it's difficult to say whether one is better than the other. However, if I had to choose, I'd say she'd be a very beautiful and noble woman whom I'd like to serve.
Reporter	Mmm. Camus-san's answers are always spot-on.
	Is that so? Really, I am merely sharing my honest opinion.
Reporter	There have been many other people whose answers were quite outlandish! Of course, there were those with simple responses, too. Like, "a family-oriented woman," for example. Someone who is a good cook and considerate. What do you think of such women, Camus-san?
Senpai was at a loss for words for a second.
	Well… they're not bad, I suppose.
Reporter	Oh? How surprising! I thought you'd say something along the lines of, "Of course, every woman is charming."
	W-well... You're absolutely correct. But if they happen to be too "family-oriented," I, as a butler, would find myself out of a job.
Reporter	Ahaha. I get it now~. Camus-san is a butler idol, right?
The interview continued with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
After the interview, he didn't have anything else scheduled—as rare as that was—so we decided to go straight home.
Haruka Nanami	Ah, Alexander is almost out of food. Can we stop by the store?
	We have no choice. We can't let that one starve, you know.
On the way, we got out of the taxi and headed to our usual shop. Alexander would only eat the food from here.
Haruka Nanami	We're not far from home now, but would you like me to call for a taxi again?
	No, sometimes it's better to walk the rest of the way home.
Haruka Nanami	That's true. And the weather is pretty nice. Alright then, let's do that.
It continued to be cold every day, but today was the warmest it had been in a while. I guess you could call it a pleasant springlike day. We usually drive around a lot, so it was refreshing to go on foot. We strolled leisurely while looking at the city in winter.
	By the way, how is your work coming along?
Haruka Nanami	Now that the Christmas live is coming up, I don't have many other projects to do, so I can take it easy!
I replied with a smile, and he turned his head to the side looking a little displeased.
	Hmph… I don't see how you can be happy, as a rookie, that you don't have any more jobs to do.
I moved one step behind and followed him. Camus-senpai takes bigger strides than I do, but... … He still adjusts his walking speed so I don't have to rush to keep up with him. I've actually noticed recently that he always adjusts his stride when he walks with me. Although he liked to refer to me as his "servant," at the same time, when I'm busy working on my compositions, he's started taking care of things around the house for me.... The more I learned, the less I understood him.
Haruka Nanami	The sun is shining so brightly—it's such a lovely day, isn't it?
Camus-senpai was as busy as ever and today he seemed to not be feeling well, so the pleasant weather reassured me. I hoped that by taking it easy like this he'd start to feel a little better. Then, I shivered as a cold breeze blew over me.
Haruka Nanami	Of course the wind is still cold despite the sun.
	No… It's warm.
Haruka Nanami	Warm?
He looked a bit bothered as I glanced up at him in surprise.
	If it were summer or spring I could deal with it, but I can't get used to this country's tepid winters. It makes me uncomfortable. What is it about today in particular? If it's cold, then it's cold. If it's hot, then it's hot. The climate here obviously has no idea what it wants to be.
The creases between his eyebrows deepen. Right... He's from a very cold country so it makes sense he has trouble with the warmer weather.
Haruka Nanami	Is it possible the reason you looked sick today was because it was too warm for you?
	I am not sick or otherwise unwell. I'm just a little thrown off guard is all. Hm… There must be somewhere pleasantly chilly.
Haruka Nanami	Chilly? Then….
SELECT THE PHRASE! 涼しい場所を探してみましょう (Let's find someplace cold.)
Haruka Nanami	Let's find someplace cold.
A well-ventilated place, a shady spot, or....
Haruka Nanami	That's it! Would you like to go to an ice skating rink?
I remembered there was an outdoor skating rink in a nearby park, so I suggested going there. It'd surely be cooler there than it was here.
	An ice skating rink? I see, now that sounds comfortable. It's a good idea for a fool.
Haruka Nanami	Good, then, let's go.
	Do not respond when being called a fool, you fool. I mean... nevermind.
He took my suggestion, and together we went to the skating rink. As it was a weekday afternoon, the place was emptier than I'd expected, with only a few parents and children in attendance. A cold breeze blew across the ice and grazed our cheeks.
	Oh… this is… despite the warmth of the region, they went out of their way to freeze it for entertainment…. Hmm... how interesting.
Oh, Senpai looks a bit happy.
Haruka Nanami	I've never been to this rink before, but it's huge!
	Hmph. It's a sorry sight compared to the lakes of my homeland, Silk Palace. But… I suppose... It's not so bad.
Good. I'm happy he liked it. As I've learned throughout my time living with him, "It's not bad" is a pretty high compliment for Camus-senpai. It was a little cold, but the wind felt nice. I'm certain he'd start to feel better if we stayed here like this.
	I see you can rent skates over there. Ah, yes…. Would you like to have a go?
He pointed toward the rental window.
Haruka Nanami	Eh…? Um… but… you mean with me?
	Who else could it possibly be? What? I thought you came here to skate.
Haruka Nanami	W-well… You see…
Sure, it's obvious you go to a skating rink to skate, but.... I was a bit taken aback. I didn't expect such an idea from him.
	It's just a suggestion. If you don't want to do it, then leave. You've got ten seconds to respond. Ten, nine, eight....
SELECT THE PHRASE! お、お願いします!  (Y-yes, please!)
Haruka Nanami	Y-yes, please!
I bowed my head in a flash.
	Hmm. Good choice. Then I shall do as you ask.
Haruka Nanami	O-okay....
	Hey.
Haruka Nanami	Y-yes?
	You talk big, and now look at you.
Haruka Nanami	I-I….
The truth is I'm not at all a very good skater. It's been a few years since I last skated, and I just can't seem to keep myself upright. I could probably hold myself up if there were a railing I could hold onto… but it's not possible with this kind of rink.
	Seriously. You're a mess… and quite clumsy indeed.
He sighed dismissively and skated past me, nonchalantly executing a triple axel. This is the kind of skating you'd expect from a northern-born foreigner. It's as if he were flying in the sky, so effortless and graceful. In comparison, I'm....
Child A	Hey, hey, Miss. Whatcha doing?
Child B	Oh? Maybe she can't skate?
I was startled by the sudden voices, and when I looked up, I found myself surrounded by children.
Haruka Nanami	Y-yeah. Kind of….
Child C	Eh一? Why come if you can't skate? Tell us, tell us.
Child A	I mean, the rink is a place to skate. It's annoying if you just sit there.
Haruka Nanami	I-I'm sorry… But….
Child B	Annoying, annoying! Now you're in the way. Hey, let's get her out of here!
Child C	Out, out! Yeah!!
Haruka Nanami	E-eh?!
The children began to push and pull me back and forth.
Haruka Nanami	Wait just a second, stopー
Child A	Yeah, yeah. Move, move!
I tried to resist, but was instead helpless as my feet slid around.
Haruka Nanami	Hold onーAh…!
Child B	It's a no-no~ Someone who can't skate can't be in the rink~
	… What are you doing, you little worms?
A booming voice echoed around me, causing the boys surrounding me to jolt and tense up. Before I knew it, Camus-senpai was standing behind the group of children, his brows furrowed menacingly. He glared at the kids with a scowl on his face.
Children	AHH! IT'S THE DEVIL!
Instantly, they scattered away like a bunch of baby spiders, screaming.
	... Who are they calling a devil?
He looked away from the children and back at me with a dismayed expression, as if trying to say something.
	You were out of my sight for only a minute, and here I find you at the mercy of mere children. You're a real handful.
Haruka Nanami	T-thank you….
	So? How long do you intend to keep squatting like that?
Haruka Nanami	S-sorry. I'll start skating now. H-here I go!
He was right. I couldn't stay like this forever. I was determined to stand, but....
Haruka Nanami	Ah!
My feet suddenly slid and I fell bottom-first onto the ice.
Haruka Nanami	I-I'm sorry.
	Good grief… I can't bear to keep watching. Come on, give me your hand.
Haruka Nanami	E-eh… I-I....
I was a little lost, but Camus-senpai grabbed my hand firmly.
	I'm telling you I'm going to be teaching you. It would be an embarrassment for me if my companion were to make such an unsightly spectacle of themselves.
Haruka Nanami	B-but....
Camus-senpai wants me to skate? I became more and more confused by his surprising words and our securely clasped hands.
	Just get up.
He gripped my hand more firmly. I staggered to my feet as he pulled me up.
	Don't focus on your feet. Look forward.
Haruka Nanami	Um… but… I-I'm afraid… I'm going to fall….
	Oh? I'm the one who is going out of my way for this, and you don't trust me?
SELECT THE PHRASE! い、いえ。そんなことは (N-no, no. That's not true.)
Haruka Nanami	N-No, no. That's not true.
	Then don't be afraid. A nobleman from Silk Palace, a country of ice, is going to teach you in person. You should be honored.
Haruka Nanami	O-okay….
	Lift your head. This is me you're with. There isn't even a remote chance you will fail.
I timidly looked up at him and he began to skate slowly, pulling on both of my hands. We carefully made our way near the center of the rink this way.
Haruka Nanami	…H-hn….
No matter how much I tell myself it's going to be okay, I can't help but feel unsteady on my feet and glance downward.
	You're faltering. Get it together.
He put his finger on my forehead and pushed against it. My face automatically turned upward and my posture straightened.
	Stand tall. Tuck your chin in. Don't look down. Just look at me. There….That's better.
Haruka Nanami	G-got it.
	Now… let's go.
He abruptly turned to face the front, letting go of one of our clasped hands. His long hair swayed, reflecting in the sunlight, and his skates glided securely on the ice. We began to skate at a much faster pace than ever before.
Haruka Nanami	Ah....
The speed increased rapidly as I was pulled by the hand holding us together. It was hard to believe that my feet were wobbly just a few minutes ago, but now they're completely straight and the sound of the edges sliding against the ice is soothing.
Haruka Nanami	Ah...!
The cold air brushed against my cheeks, and it felt so much better than when I was watching from the sidelines.
	What do you think? Doing this is a lot more fun than squatting.
Each time I was about to lose my balance, he would gently squeeze my hand and immediately correct my direction. I was gradually becoming more and more comfortable with a sense of security, and at last I gathered the courage to look up. The glistening rink was beautiful. We were passing swiftly through the people who were skating as well. It was as if I had become the breeze, and I couldn't help but smile.
	Hm. You seem to have become a lot more composed.
He glanced back at me. Oh... his eyebrows aren't furrowed? He turned to look forward so quickly, I wasn't sure if those usual creases were really gone from his profile, but.... He appeared to be enjoying himself a little as he skated holding my hand. Looking at Camus-senpai's profile, which skated just a bit ahead of me, I could clearly see the depth and beauty of his features. I was reminded of the fact that he is an idol who can charm many people with a single smile.
	Now, let go of my hand.
Haruka Nanami	Eh....
	What's the surprise? Do you intend for me to continue pulling you along like a child?
Haruka Nanami	N-no, that's not it, I'm just… I'm not ready....
	That's a shame. I'm unaware of that being the circumstance. Go on, now.
Haruka Nanami	Ah. A-aah….
He quickly let go of my hand and I panicked, but we had been going so fast I didn't immediately fall over. Flustered, I still managed to keep skating, and Camus-senpai came up beside me with a composed expression on his face.
	You're pretty good at it. How boring.
Haruka Nanami	I-I... A-ah….
Whenever I was about to lose my balance, Senpai would subtly lend a hand to help me out.
Haruka Nanami	U-um, thank you.
	If you have time to thank me, then look ahead. You're going to run into them.
Haruka Nanami	Huh? A-ah!
I was about to crash into a person skating nearby, but Senpai quickly and firmly tugged on my hand. I vigorously turned and began to spin around.
	Oh. I had no idea you could spin. Not such a big deal, is it?
Haruka Nanami	Ha… N-no, I don't know what to say....
From then on, he would skate beside me from a reasonable distance, helping me every time it seemed like I would trip up. As I practiced, though I wouldn't say I was good, I managed to skate without wavering.
	Hmph. You should be fine if you can skate this well. Not bad for someone like you.
After going around the rink together a few more times, when I eventually grew tired, Camus-senpai noticed and slowed down right away. He made a nice skidding sound on the ice and I stumbled to a halt.
Haruka Nanami	Thank you so much! It was very, very nice… A-ah!
I bowed my head, forgetting I was on ice, and I lost my balance—collapsing down again in a heap.
Haruka Nanami	O-ow… Sorry, I lost focus….
	Hahaha. You really are so dense.
I looked up, startled by the sound coming from above my head, and saw Camus-senpai laughing. I really thought he was going to be mad at me....
	Well, everyone is terrible at first… I wasn't very good at it either when I was a child.
Senpai pulled on my hand again to help me stand, then turned his gaze to a corner of the rink with narrowed eyes. There, a sister and her younger brother were practicing skating together. She was pulling her brother along. It was a very charming sight. Senpai looked at the two of them for a while, not saying anything. His profile looked somewhat nostalgic, and then.... Camus-senpai looked lonely...?
	I was once taught to skate like that by Her Majesty the Queen on a pond in the palace courtyard. That was... a long time ago.
Haruka Nanami	The queen…?
The words "Her Majesty" are often mentioned in his stories. Senpai's family has served the queen for generations in the Silk Palace, and he seemed to respect her very much too. The queen is said to be revered like a god in the northern country of permafrost. What kind of person is she?
Haruka Nanami	Is the queen a good skater?
	Absolutely. There's nothing Her Majesty cannot do. I have learned a lot from her, as well. Skating, and even the cello....
Cello.... I remembered the night when we, only once, had played music together.
SELECT THE PHRASE! もっと女王陛下のことを訊いてみる I'll ask more questions about the Queen.
The wistful, beautiful sound I heard that night is still very present in my ears. I will never forget it. His queen... taught him how to play the cello.
Haruka Nanami	The queen is a woman of many talents… Are there many other things she can do?
	Yes. She is particularly fluent in languages and can speak the most common ones as well as a native. Not to mention that she's an excellent monarch. It is only through Her Majesty's help that our country's peace is maintained.
He seemed to be a little proud as he answered. He must have a real admiration for the queen.
	And that's not all. She's also involved in the traditional arts, including dance. There is no one in our country who can dance better than Her Majesty.
Haruka Nanami	But I think Senpai is a very good dancer too.
	What are you talking about? I wouldn't even begin to measure up to Her Majesty.
After we became partners, I watched a lot of his music videos and other films, and I found his dancing to be very impressive. The queen must be truly amazing for him to gush over her like this. There are a lot of things I can't do, so I admire her for that.
Haruka Nanami	So she can do everything, can she? I'm jealous of her talented athleticism. I'm sure the queen wouldn't fall on her behind like I did if she were skating.
How nice…. With that in mind, I looked out at the rink and Senpai let out a huff.
	Her Majesty is the most noble being in the world. Comparing her to an ordinary person such as yourself is irresponsible. That said, Her Majesty is still human. It wouldn't be fair to say that even she... hasn't fallen over once in a while, too.
He glanced at my face and looked back at the rink a little nostalgically, as if he had remembered something.
	However… I'm sure Her Majesty would be delighted to be shown around a skating rink as spacious as this one.
I was a bit surprised to hear that from him.
Haruka Nanami	The queen has never been to a skating rink before?
If she was the queen of the country, you'd think she would be free to do whatever she wanted. Senpai furrowed his brows a little when I asked the question.
	Her Majesty is prevented from leaving the palace due to various circumstances and she cannot even look at the open sky.
Haruka Nanami	Really…?
I wondered if the queen was ill. I felt sorry for asking. As I was reflecting on this, he suddenly muttered.
	Her Majesty... has no allies.
Ah…. He looks forlorn again.
Haruka Nanami	But the queen is like a god, the most revered being in the land....
	That's correct. Her Majesty is equal to a god. Thanks to Her Majesty's aid, all industries, including precision machinery, have developed in our country.
Haruka Nanami	Then....
	What I'm saying is, God isn't coming down to Earth. They want to put Her Majesty on a throne like a doll whilst they try to free the country themselves. That is the kind of people my country is currently inundated with.
If only it were truly about caring for their country, but they merely fight for their own selfish interests over and over again. Regardless of how irritated he felt, an earl's status was not very high among the ranks of nobility, and on top of that, he was still young. He had very little say in state affairs. It seemed to frustrate him to admit he was unable to help the queen in her time of need.
	The only thing I can do for Her Majesty is in this country....
Haruka Nanami	Senpai....
He cut off his words with a huff and looked up grimly.
	… I've said far too much nonsense. Forget it.
Haruka Nanami	But....
	I said forget it.
Silence fell, and Camus-senpai turned his back to me, a bit awkwardly.
	... Let's go. You've fallen down so many times, you should change soon or you'll catch a cold. But apparently, it's said that idiots can't catch colds.
Haruka Nanami	I-I'm coming.
I hurriedly followed him as he started to leave, and together we left the skating rink.
I felt a bit unsettled the rest of the day, even as I made dinner, cleaned up, and worked on scores. In just one day, I discovered many of Camus-senpai's faces that I had never seen before. The look on his face as he skated around the rink, like he was having more fun than usual. The smile on his face when he helped me stand up after falling down. And then, the nostalgic gaze in his eyes when he talked about the queen. That expression… It was so lonely and regretful. When I lifted my head, he was on the sofa reading a book and occasionally petting Alexander. I wonder… what he's thinking about right now. The wrinkles between his brows which had disappeared during the day were now deep and I knew this was a sign that he wanted to be left alone. I kept quiet and focused on my work.
It was mid-December, and the countdown to the Christmas live show was finally ticking. The unit song was almost complete, and the quality was only getting better and better. The guys will be singing together in the studio today to adjust and finalize the vocals. I knew there wasn't much I could do at this point, but I still wanted to make it as wonderful as possible. I put my mind to the task.
During a break, Kurosaki-senpai approached me as I was checking over the scores in the corner.
	So? Any luck fixing it?
Haruka Nanami	Yes, I was wondering if I could have five more minutes of your time so that I can get your feedback.
	All right. Oh, and fix this too while you're at it. The notes don't sound right in practice.
Kurosaki-senpai reached out and tapped the edge of the sheet music.
Haruka Nanami	Here?... Uh... oh, yes. I see now. I'll make the necessary adjustments.
	Hm, thanks.
I thought Kurosaki-senpai was very harsh and unapproachable at first, but.... As we started working together, little by little, he eventually came to recognize me as someone he could confidently talk to about work. These days, out of the three senpai other than Camus-senpai, I'm able to talk to Kurosaki-senpai the most.
Haruka Nanami	The middle part is much better, I think. As soon as we get the last portion fixed....
	Relax. You'll only make mistakes if you rush it. There's still time.
Camus-senpai had gone outside to get some fresh air, while Kotobuki-senpai and Mikaze-senpai were buying some drinks. We certainly had time to spare.
Haruka Nanami	Right. Um, this is the part where you and Camus-senpai sing together. Do you mind if I change this part a little too? I'll only change it a little, but Camus-senpai seems to be having trouble fitting in....
	Huh? Did the bastard really say that?
Haruka Nanami	That's not it… I just can kind of understand Camus-senpai's particularities.
	Huh…? I don't get it. Is it "lover's intuition", or somethin' like that?
Haruka Nanami	No, that also isn't… We simply spend a lot of time together, so naturally....
	… Hey, you still live in that mansion with that asshole?
Haruka Nanami	Huh? I do.
I nodded and he heaved a sigh.
	Ha... I don't get how you can be with a guy like him. What good can he do?
When asked, I was at a loss for words. The lie we told the day of the dinner remains ongoing, and Kurosaki-senpai believes Camus-senpai and I are lovers.
SELECT THE PHRASE! いいところもあるんですよ (He does have good qualities!)
Haruka Nanami	He does have good qualities!
	Good qualities, huh? Well, I can't think of any.
Haruka Nanami	Well, for instance, he always looks unconcerned, but in reality he's a very hardworking person....
He's actually very caring despite appearances, like how he treasures Alexander. He pretends to be indifferent to his junior, Cecil-san, but actually worries about him. He also taught me many things, like at the skating rink....
Haruka Nanami	There are times when I'm in a bind and too busy at home, taking too much time, and he will help me out without saying a word.
The more we talked, the more positive aspects of Camus-senpai popped into mind.
Haruka Nanami	And then....
	Aaah... I got it. My bad.
	Haruka. Don't speak so comfortably with Kurosaki.
Startled by the sudden sound of a voice, I looked up and before I knew it, Camus-senpai was standing nearby.
	You'll catch some barbaric traits if you talk to this fool... Whatever were you talking about?
	What the…? You'll have to hear 'bout it later, it's dumb. Now c'mon, let's have a go at this one more time.
Just then, Kotobuki-senpai and Mikaze-senpai returned and I hurriedly got up from my seat. After the break, they came together to repeat the song several times. Their constant discussions helped the song grow closer and closer to perfection, and it was then I began to really feel how amazing the four of them were. But… their expressions once they'd finished singing were not in any way enthusiastic.
	Hmm… It might be too late to do anything about it now, but something is still missing. I wonder why that is....
	I think the instrumentals and lyrics are totally fine. But it's not enough. I wouldn't want to perform a show like this.
	Uuuugh… What could it beee....
Kotobuki-senpai held his head in his hands, and an awkward silence fell over the studio.
	Cut the crap. You guys know exactly what the reason is.
Kurosaki-senpai spoke to Mikaze-senpai and a distressed Kotobuki-senpai, turning his head towards Camus-senpai.
	Kurosaki… what do you want to say?
	Don't tell me that even the guilty didn't notice. What about you, woman?
Haruka Nanami	R-right. I....
Well... Maybe, no, the cause of the problem was without a doubt Camus-senpai. He sang again today without making any mistakes, as usual. But amidst the collision of three unique individualities, a single voice taking a step back disturbs the harmony of the group. If Camus-senpai were to be in a position where he is supporting the others like in Tsukimiya-sensei's commercial.... I'm sure it would have turned out great. He is very skilled at singing along to other people's songs. But I didn't intend for this song to be like that. I want the four of them to equally play off of each other's personalities, but that only ruined the balance.... While I was unsure of what to say, Camus-senpai huffed.
	You believe I am responsible for this? How outrageous. I'm sorry, but my singing should have been perfect.
	On paper. But there's no "passion" in your singing. I can't feel anything in your music.
At Kurosaki-senpai's words, Camus-senpai shrugged his shoulders, as if exasperated.
	I don't follow whatever you're trying to say.
	You seriously don't get it? How many years have you been singing now? You're pretty hopeless… so-called noble.
The atmosphere is tense.
	Silence. Do not talk about "nobility". You were the one who abandoned your family and your duties. A man who runs away from aristocracy has no right to speak on the matter, you loser.
Kurosaki-senpai bites his bottom lip and the two of them lock eyes with each other.
Haruka Nanami	U-um....
A painfully strained mood, different from their usual fights, enveloped the area. What should I do? I have a bad feeling that they both have really crossed the line.
	Keep going, lap dog. You're the one who's all bark and no bite. Ain't that right? All the crap that ever comes out of your mouth are brags and lies. Where's your heart?
Kurosaki-senpai came closer to Camus-senpai and pounded on his chest with his fist.
	Your music's hollow 'cause this spot has never felt passion.
	My heart doesn't burn with passion... you say? Rubbish. I don't see the need for such a thing.
Camus-senpai grabbed onto Kurosaki-senpai's fist on his chest and briskly swung it away.
	Not only is it not necessary, but the heart and mind are only a hindrance. The only necessity is the will to accomplish your goal.
	Hah. You make it sound like you can do it, but won't. Are you really unable to be passionate about anything? All you do is pander to others. Life's good when you don't have to do anythin' by your own damn self, isn't it?
	I've heard enough from this disgraced scion....
Oh no, no, what do I do?  I had to stop this somehow.... But knowing I just couldn't go in there without a plan, I stood there frozen. And despite the two of them glaring at each other for a while一 Camus-senpai suddenly chuckled as if he had thought of something.
	No passion, huh? … If that's what it looks like to you, then you might want to get your eyes checked. Fine. Hear for yourself if my heart lacks passion.
His head snapped over to look at me. The anger he had felt earlier was gone from his face.
	Haruka. Play it.
Haruka Nanami	R-right away!
	Okay! Let's see how serious Myu-chan really is!
	Well then, as long as the song's quality can be improved, I'll go along with it.
Kotobuki-senpai rolled up his sleeves, and beside him, Mikaze-senpai quietly rose from his seat. Then, they sang once more.
Performance Lesson
When the song was over, Mikaze-senpai let out a small huff in amazement.
	Okay, well... no complaints about that one here.
	Hm. Of course there isn't. Who do you think I am? The song itself wasn't... bad, either.
	Huh, I think this is the first time I've heard Camus compliment a song.
	… I had no idea.
The instrumentals were revised to match the change in Camus-senpai's singing. The other members of the group sang with as much passion as they could muster, and adapted their own vocals to match. Kotobuki-senpai, Mikaze-senpai, Kurosaki-senpai, and Camus-senpai all seemed to be enjoying themselves, though none of them said so out loud.... And just before time ran out, they sang through the song one more time.
Haruka Nanami	Wow....
I watched in amazement as everyone finished singing. My impression of his performance now and his performance before were like night and day. Particularly, the way Camus-senpai sang had been completely different from the way he had before. He stopped trying to fit in with the rest and didn't try to hide his own power or his fervor. His voice captured my heart. He possessed absolute charisma. The others were no match for Camus-senpai. The others also never lost their own individuality; instead their vocals were evenly matched, enhancing instead of overshadowing each other. The whole song had been reborn as something far more wonderful.
	Ahhh! Amazing! This is the one! We did it, Kouhai-chan!!
Haruka Nanami	Y-yeah....
	What's going on? You're not looking too happy. Hahaha, now then, have you been too busy admiring us?
Haruka Nanami	Y-yes. Everyone was very wonderful….
I didn't look... happy? Of course I was happy. How could I not be happy? For a composer, there is no greater joy than to write a song you consider to be perfect and have it sung in the most exquisite way possible. But... I wondered why my hands trembled. I felt definite passion in Camus-senpai's voice, just as he had described. I had always thought that he was a pretty stoic guy, but it surprised me to see this side of him. I wondered what it was that made Camus-senpai react this way. … Or who it was. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, pain bloomed through my chest and I found myself taken aback. I wondered who Camus-senpai had been thinking about when he sang. The unit song was nearing completion, and I was one step closer to my debut. I should have been elated, but instead I found myself feeling uneasy.
A few days later, the Christmas live had finally arrived. On the day of the concert, I headed backstage to the group's designated waiting area. Today's show was a gathering of the Shining Agency's most talented members, and they would be opening the show. The first song will influence the mood of the whole event, so it's a great honor, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. I was also very nervous. My heart had been racing since this morning and it simply wouldn't stop.
	Ahh. No matter how many years I spend doing this, this very moment always gives me the jitters~
	Heh. You can't call yourself a pro if you work yourself up every time.
	So you're nervous…? I'm not sure I understand. Let's just sing like we always do.
	I agree.
	You're all so cold! Well, Kouhai-chan's reputation is at stake here too. We need to show them how cool we are right here, right now!
	Ah, right, her job's on the line.
All of their eyes turned to look at me at once. Yes, in order for me to stay in the agency, I must first succeed in this concert.
	I don't really care. With or without that being the case, I wasn't going to cut any corners in the first place, so the same principle will apply anyway.
	That's obvious. We'll just sing and it's going to be one hell of a show, so keep your eyes peeled.
Haruka Nanami	I will! P-please do your best! I'll be here cheering you on!
	No, no…. You go to the auditorium. There are reserved seats for those involved with the event.
Eh...? I was surprised by his words. This was an important concert for them. I had wanted to watch as close to the stage as possible....
Haruka Nanami	Am… am I getting in the way by staying here?
	That's not what I meant. Songs are meant to be sung to an… audience. It's not intended to be enjoyed from the wings, don't you agree?
Haruka Nanami	R-right, I suppose so.
Of course, idol songs are not for the staff, but for the fans. I compose with that in mind. Camus-senpai looked annoyed for some reason when I explained this to him.
	Just go, then. If you don't hurry, you're going to run out of time.
Haruka Nanami	A-alright.
I had no idea why he was suddenly so insistent, but I hurried to the auditorium anyway. The venue was filled with enthusiasm even before the concert had started.
Haruka Nanami	Wow….
The audience's anticipation was palpable from all sides. The group was going to perform in such an environment. Amidst the loudest cheers, the four of them were revealed under the spotlight. It was the perfect opening to the concert. The crowd went wild with their singing and dancing, and the atmosphere in the venue grew ecstatic. Among them, Camus-senpai's voice was especially wonderful, echoing with more power and passion than I had ever felt before during rehearsals. I could feel a different kind of warmth in his voice. Perhaps this was because I was listening to him from the audience. I listened to his voice completely, and without the curious heartache I had succumbed to a while ago. Seeing Camus-senpai's figure in the light... I could now understand the reason why fans cheered in delight. This person has the potential to shine even brighter. I'm so lucky I got the chance to support him as a composer. With this thought in mind, I clasped my hands together and gazed up at the radiant stage. After the concert, I rushed to the group's dressing room. The crowd's enthusiasm remained unabated, and I was pushed every which way, which ended up taking up a lot of my time, but I hurried as much as I could. Now I could perfectly understand what Camus-senpai had meant when he had told me to watch the performance from the auditorium. That brilliance, that passion, could only be felt in the audience. I wanted to share this impression with everyone as soon as possible, but most of all, I wanted to share it with Camus-senpai.
In the dressing room, in addition to the senpai, Tsukimiya-sensei and Cecil-san were there too.
	Oh, here comes the fifth lead! Kouhai-chan, over here!
	It took you long enough. All of your colleagues came by as well, but they've already gone to the after-party.
Haruka Nanami	M-my apologies....
I bowed to everyone. And as I was about to raise my head.... The floor in front of me burst open.
Haruka Nanami	Eeeeh!?
A huge lump flew out of the hole in the floor and crashed into the ceiling with the same force.
Haruka Nanami	W… what…?
The lump whirled around, landed by my side, and whirled around again to face me.
	Ha ha ha~! Congratulations, Everyone! That was one of the Best Stages Ever!!
Haruka Nanami	President!
	Miss Nanami, YOU have made it through the first phase!
Haruka Nanami	T-thank you very much!
I bowed my head deeply. Thank goodness. The president has approved of my work....
	BUT, our battle is just beginning. The only thing standing between you and your debut now is to win the song festival. YOU, pull yourself together and GOGOGO.
Haruka Nanami	A-absolutely!
I sincerely lowered my head once again. I was really grateful. But.... This show's success was not the only thing I needed. The president presented me with a condition:I needed to develop mutual trust with my partner before today's concert. If we didn't, it would result in a change of partners. Worst case scenario, it could mean my disqualification. My partner, Camus-senpai.... I was worried, and when I gingerly looked over at him, he turned his head to the side, seemingly displeased.
	Hmph... If I didn't approve of you, I'd have said so already.
Haruka Nanami	Thank you so much! I'll do my best to fulfill all of your expectations!
I declared excitedly, and everybody surrounded me. One by one, they congratulated me.
	Well done, Haru-chan! That was the loveliest unit song I've ever heard!
Haruka Nanami	Tsukimiya-sensei, thank you so much.
Kotobuki-senpai was cheery as usual, while Mikaze-senpai and Kurosaki-senpai brusquely offered me their well-wishes. And finally, Cecil-san joyfully took my hand.
	My muse! I knew your music would be wonderful! I am deeply moved!
Haruka Nanami	Thank you. That makes me very happy to hear.
	Hmph. Aijima probably intends to add, "I just wish it hadn't been Camus singing it."
	Non, great music is great music, no matter who sings it… unfortunately.
Cecil-san tilted his head a little after he said that.
	Camus, have you started to learn how to love music a little bit?
	Hah. Listen to what you're saying. How could I possibly come to love music?
	I see. But, the way you sang....
Cecil-san tilted his head even further, but quickly regained his smile once again.
	It was a good song, even if it was not filled with love. I thought you were unworthy of her, but now I am rethinking it... a little.
Camus-senpai huffed and averted his gaze.
	Ohー! Myu-chan's feeling shy! Now, everyone, let's go to the after-party!!
Kotobuki-senpai announced loudly, and we made our way to the after-party, still in high spirits from the show.
Later, after the event, Camus-senpai and I returned to our familiar home.
	… Oh dear. I truly dislike such boisterous places.
Although he always behaved himself with elegance, today he appeared to be exhausted and simply slumped down onto the sofa.
Haruka Nanami	You handled it really well. And also... I want to thank you. I was amazed to hear you sing the unit song so beautifully.
	… It's my job, you know…. Naturally. You have nothing to thank me for.
Haruka Nanami	But it made me so happy. I also want to thank you for recommending that I watch from the audience!
I expressed the gratitude and admiration that I couldn't properly convey in the dressing room, and he petted Alexander with a rather troubled expression.
	I'm pleased to hear you're satisfied…. But never mind that, is everything prepared for that thing?
Haruka Nanami	"That thing"?
As soon as I tilted my head in confusion, he cleared his throat with a small cough.
	That... would have come up in conversation on the day we had hotpot. Sure, although it was a false pretense to deceive them, my interest in it was genuine, and.... You also know about my sweet tooth, so isn't it naturally your responsibility as a servant to grasp what I mean and make preparations?
The day we had hot-pot…. Sweets....
Haruka Nanami	Ah! You're talking about the chocolate fondue!
	Y… yes.
That was last month. The day when Tsukimiya-sensei and the others came to this house. Camus-senpai suggested that if the Christmas live was a success, we should have chocolate fondue to celebrate.
Haruka Nanami	Of course, I have it ready for you! Please wait a moment. I'll be right back.
	Y..you do? I'll leave it to you, then.
When I promptly returned to the living room with a full set from the kitchen, I noticed how Camus-senpai's eyes lit up with a twinkle in them.
	Oh. This is what you call chocolate fondue. Can I eat this... with marshmallows?
He rolled the round marshmallow between his fingers. His big hand and the cute small sweet looked somewhat out of place together.
Haruka Nanami	No, not yet. The chocolate still needs to melt, so just give it a minute.
I put the fondue pot over a fire, and soon a sweet aroma filled the room. Alexander looked around to see what was going on.
	Oho. Melt the chocolate and... then?
Haruka Nanami	We'll use these skewers. Pierce your favorite ingredients with this and dip it into the pot.
I dipped a marshmallow into the chocolate and held out the skewer.
Haruka Nanami	Here, bon appetit!
	H...hm. Really, this pot sounds like child's play.
Haruka Nanami	You think so? I find that eating it this way tastes better than eating it normally.
	I see....
He accepted the skewer and took a bite of the chocolate-covered marshmallow.
	Mmm… How to describe the way this marshmallow melts so well escapes me.
Haruka Nanami	Right? We still have more, so please eat lots and enjoy!
Finally, we began to eat the chocolate fondue.
	It's no secret that strawberries and chocolate pair well together, but its warmth makes it even better. Dipping bread in it is also a great idea.
Haruka Nanami	This might sound strange, but I heard that cream cheese also goes well with it too.
He showed interest, so I quickly grabbed some cream cheese from the kitchen. I also brought out some more fruit and chocolate. It would be a shame to burn the pan with the new chocolate pieces, so I put it on low heat and let it simmer.... Just as I was about to stir the pan, I caught Camus-senpai popping an orange piece into his mouth.
Haruka Nanami	Ah, don't do that. You can't just snack on them.
	It's fine. Tasty food is tasty no matter how you eat it.
With that, he slipped more pieces into his mouth. At this rate, the oranges will be gone before the chocolate melts.
Haruka Nanami	I'm telling you to stop....
	You are so fussy. Well then, you may as well eat some too.
Haruka Nanami	Eh…? G-guh....
He stuffed an orange piece into my mouth.
Haruka Nanami	Nn… nnn. F-fenbai....
I couldn't swallow the piece properly and the juice almost spilled from my mouth. Senpai joked to not spill it and let it go to waste, but the more I struggled, the more my throat failed to work. What's more, I had no clue what to do with him pressing down on my lips with his finger.
Haruka Nanami	Nn… nnn. Nnn.
When I managed to force down the slice, he laughed with a mischievous expression on his face.
	Heh. Looks like you managed to swallow it just fine. Now… I'd say we're both guilty as charged. I don't want to hear you complaining about it anymore.
Haruka Nanami	Y-you… That wasn't fair, Senpai.…
Another orange was quietly offered to me before I could protest any further, and while I took it without thinking, Senpai ate another piece. We ended up eating all the oranges before the chocolate could even finish melting. We were getting full, so we enjoyed the fondue at our own leisurely pace.
As we poked at the chocolate pot, we began chatting about anything interesting that had happened at the agency, the new cake shop that had opened up in the neighborhood, and other silly things. When it came time to call it a night, Camus-senpai asked me with his gaze fixed on the pot.
	Do… do you want to leave?
Eh…? For a moment, I had no idea as to what he could be talking about.
Haruka Nanami	You mean leave here? Leave this house?
He clarified that was exactly what he meant. His gaze was still focused on the pot. Apparently, he had been watching me for a while. After getting to know me, he realized that letting me go would do no harm. But he made me promise not to tell anyone about what I overheard that day. He... simply explained that if I couldn't keep my promise, I risked putting myself in some kind of danger. Senpai let out a tiny sigh, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
	As for me, I just can't be bothered to live with other people. If you want to leave, then go right ahead.
This was so out of left field that I was left speechless.
SELECT THE PHRASE! ここにいたいです(I want to stay here).
Haruka Nanami	I… I want to stay here.
His eyes widened in surprise at my answer.
	Well this is... unexpected. I had assumed you wanted to be rid of this life of servitude.
Haruka Nanami	You see… the work is definitely demanding, but.... But after spending time here and getting to see so many things about you, I grew eager to get to know you better. Is that… a bad thing?
I wanted to be near him right now, considering all the solo songwriting that has to be done for the song festival. He was silent for a while and then broke out in a strained smile.
	You truly are a piece of work. I may have come to recognize the kind of person you are, but that does nothing to change my attitude towards you. Are you alright with that?
Haruka Nanami	Y-yes. Although, it would be helpful if you could go a little... easier on me.
	Hm. That's a pity to hear. As if I would ever go easy on you.
He replied with a haughty tone, but his expression appeared just a little bit happier.
Haruka Nanami	Ah, I'm happy to hear that. Then, I look forward to continuing working with you.
	Me too. But you know... the method in which you compose music is beyond even me.
He pointed out that it isn't necessary to know anything about the singers, to just compose music based on popular trends and what I'm most comfortable creating.
Haruka Nanami	Well, you see, I just can't compose that way.…
It is a necessary thing for me to know the singer to be able to write a song.
	Ha. You're quite cheeky for being a rookie.
Haruka Nanami	S-sorry.
Senpai put it simply and told me I could observe as much as I liked, and started to get up from his seat.
Haruka Nanami	Wait… that said… the reason behind me staying is not so much for the sake of composing music, but… … Rather because you seem to be quite lonely and I want to… be by your side.
I haven't forgotten that forlorn expression I noticed the day we skated together. If only I could touch his heart again, like the night when we quietly played music together.... And even if I couldn't… I didn't want to leave him alone. As soon as the words were said, his brow raised in a twitch. … Oh no. I felt terrible, but it was too late to take it back now. Senpai looked up subduedly, and the temperature around us felt like it plummeted.
	Oh. So you dare say I look lonely. You've got quite the nerve….
Haruka Nanami	F-forgive me. I was just….
I bowed my head profusely. He remained silent for a while and I couldn't bring myself to look up. After some time had passed, I heard a small laugh.
	You have the audacity to say that with such an innocent look on your face. I'll allow your boldness and overlook your disrespect.
Haruka Nanami	T-thank you....
	The solo song. Get on with it and bring it to me as soon as possible.
Haruka Nanami	U-understood....
Senpai laughed again, seeming rather amused, and finally rose to his feet.
	The chocolate fondue is nearly gone. I believe we should call it a night.
Once I had finished cleaning up and relaxed for a bit, Senpai walked down the stairs from his bedroom.
	I have something for you. Hold out your hand.
Haruka Nanami	Eh. Ah. A-alright.
I held out my hand, and with a jingle, a key was dropped into my palm.
Haruka Nanami	Is this… what I think it is…?
	It's the key to this house. Use it however you wish. It would be useful to have it with you, as long as you're staying here.
Haruka Nanami	Y-yes! Thank you so much!
	Of course. And while we're at it, you can have this too.
Something else was placed on my still outstretched palm. A small aurora-colored stone, about the size of the tip of my thumb.
Haruka Nanami	Um… this is…?
	A guardian stone that is passed down in my country. You're a hardworking servant. Consider it a reward. Be grateful to your merciful master.
Haruka Nanami	O-of course! Thank you! But, could this also be… a Christmas present?
	… I said it was a reward. I am unfamiliar with the customs of foreign countries. In any case, I'm going to sleep. You should go to bed soon too, Haruka.
With that said, he turned himself around and went back up to his bedroom.
Haruka Nanami	Camus-senpai....
It only struck me after a while that he had called me "Haruka" with no intention of deceiving anyone. The stone he had given me was a really captivating color. Every time I moved it, seven shimmering colors danced, as if a real aurora had been trapped inside. It was so dainty and beautiful. I kept turning it over and over, never getting tired of looking at it.