[スタオケ] La Corda d'Oro Starlight Orchestra Main Story Chapter 2-1 Translation
*Starlight Orchestra Masterlist
*Spoiler free: Translations will remain under cut
*Main story tag will be #Main Starlight
2 Years Ago, Mito.
???: Real lame, don’cha think?
???: He’s pathetic as a delinquent.
???: And equally pathetic when trying to play at being part of the Student Council.
???: …HAH?
???: We can’t seriously be tolerating this.
???: Probably.
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Sakuya: What, no one’s here again?
Sakuya: We’ve successfully held our concert, and we’ve even pasted our posters up at the Music Education department, yet we don’t seem to be getting any new members.
Hayate: The people in music ed aren’t like those in general ed. We don’t exactly have the time to go parading around with such a suspiciously shady Orchestra.
Sakuya: If so… then what does that make you, exactly…?
Tomoharu: Hahaha. He does have a point.
⊳ Choice: It’s not anything to be joking about
Tomoharu: Pfft- Sorry. I do suppose it’s bad to joke about this, considering our situation.
⊳ Choice: You’re completely open to jibes
Hayate: Wha- Is that how you treat someone who lends you a helping hand!?
Tomoharu: Hmm… But if that’s how it is, then I don’t think we’ll have much luck recruiting members in Seiso Academy.
Sakuya: Yeah. Maybe we should try appealing in a different place—
Ginga: Oh, you’re all gathered?
Ginga: Ready to head out? Plum, natto and history-rich streets await us all!
Kazuma: Do you remember Hashizumi-sensei, from the Mito Symphony Orchestra, who was in attendance for our concert?
Kazuma: She has graciously offered to introduce us to a place where we can hold our future concerts if any.
Tomoharu: Eh? We’re going to hold our next concert in Mito?
Sakuya: Isn’t that kinda far?
Ginga: Cease your chatter! Yeesh, you lot. For people who are aiming to go global, your worldview really is tiny!
Ginga: Isn’t Ibaraki just a moment away if you go by the Joban Expressway?
Hayate: Mito, huh? It would be great if we could get Osakabe-san to join us…
Hayate: He was the Trumpets’ leader from last year’s Starlight Orchestra.
Hayate: He won 4th place in the Brass Section of the Jr. Classical Music Concours just as he’d entered his first year in high school.
Hayate: We were in different sections, so I didn’t really get to interact much with him. But, he’s reliable and someone worthy of respect.
Ginga: Heh? He sounds like an amazing person. Alrighty then, let’s try our damndest to induct him into our ranks.
Hayate: If he’s willing to join the Starlight Orchestra again, then…
Hayate: Maybe there’s some helping this misfit of a Starlight Orchestra, as well as how messy this room is.
Ginga: Huh?
Hayate: I’m talking about this sloppy mess in here— Empty cup noodle cups, pet bottles, and that barely standing mountain of papers just piled together in a heap.
Hayate: He’s also the Student Council President of his school, and very neat about things. I’m sure he’ll put the right to things here.
Hayate: I’m seeing a glimmer of hope here, (L/n).
Ginga: I, on the other hand, am absolutely horrified…
Sakuya: Well, it works out for you too, doesn’t it?
Tomoharu: If we have brass instrument players joining us, that’ll also mean that we’ll be able to play a wider variety of songs.
⊳ Choice: Let’s head out to Mito then!
Tomoharu: Yes! It’s going to be fun, don’t you think, senpai?
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Nono: You’re going to Mito? That’s brilliant~!
Nono: That place is a noted place of connection of a really amazing Orchestra Conductor from Berlin ♪
Nono: I look forward to seeing the superb new members who’ll be joining us, Concertmistress!
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Previous Part: (Chapter 1-14)
Next Part: (Chapter 2-2)
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Art by @polmcarts
Summary: And so begins our story, this is Kazuma Kuwabara. He's supposed to be part of the leading cast, but he's already dead. He lived a good long life, died of old age, but he held on to a secret, that he did not reveal until the day he died. Before he passes, he thinks if he had a second chance, he'd not hold onto his heart so tight...Three years after his death, Kazuma Kuwabara wakes up again. (2.6k, angst, character death/undeath, romance. The rest will be on A03 titled: “A Second Chance To Say”)
***
In Genkai’s old shrine, redecorated since it had come under new ownership years, and years ago, a group of people gathered outside an old bedroom, waiting for news. In a living room, just outside the bedroom hall, an even bigger crowd gathered, nervous whispers passing between them. A beloved friend, teacher, and ally was dying. Soon now... very soon.
The walls were lined with photos of humans and demons alike. There were bookshelves packed with books, cat figurines, and various knick-knacks. Certificates where stacked crookedly in piles, never to be hung up. A trophy, here or there, sat atop those stacks to hold everything down. A ceramic mug reading, "World's best Sensei," lovingly made by someone years ago, was the only thing kept clean of dust, with several pens, and pencils inside of it. A lifetime of living all laid out for display.
The door opened, and Kurama, back in his Youko form, stepped out. He had let his human body die about a decade ago, deeming it time for Shuichi Minamino to pass. He had returned to the Demon world, though he visited the human realm freely. He was a changed man, almost a hundred years of humanity had done that to him. He had stayed in the in-between, stayed caught between man and demon, watching his family age, grow, and die. He felt his mortal bones weaken, watched his red hair turn gray, and his skin grow sallow. In the end, he returned to demonhood, but he would never be the intense Yokai he used to be. He was a better balance of his old self and the man he had become... and he liked it that way. He fit in better with the changing world around him, now that he understood and had lived both sides.
Both the Makai and the human realm had changed much over the years, the humans and demons reaching an understanding with each other. It had been… well over sixty years since Yusuke had changed the way the Makai worked, since the demons and humans had acknowledged the existence of the other. Work was always still needing to be done in terms of relationships, and cultural diversity… but the world was different for better or worse. A lot of them, liked to think it was better.
Another thing that was changing, was the news Kurama was about to deliver. The world was about to change, was about to lose a typical man, who had lived an atypical life. For better... or for worse. It would change.
“It won’t be long now…” Kurama whispered, rich voice low, and his ears lowered against his skull, even as his face remained placid.
Hiei got up from his chair, and paced the hall for a moment before he turned and asked, “Any word from Yusuke?”
“You know he’s trying to get here…” Kurama sighed, crossing his arms angrily. “Koenma asked him to handle something a week ago-”
“Koenma asks for too much!” Hiei hissed, slamming his fist in the palm of his hand, “He’s the ruler of the spirit world! He should rely on anybody else other than Yusuke to clean up his messes! Especially since Yusuke’s best friend will not be of this world for very much longer! He had to have known that before he sent him off!”
“Hiei,” Mukuro cautioned softly, reaching out for Hiei’s hand, her expression grim. Her’s and Hiei’s adopted child, Chiyoko, squeezed her hands tightly together, her head bowed as she listened to her father's grievances. She looked to be a child of ten, and sat obedient and grim-faced, knowing that her uncle’s time was growing short. Chuu, with a teenaged, almost grown Rinku on his left, reached down and put a hand on the top of the curly green hair of her head.
"Easy darling girl," Chuu soothed, the drunk a surprisingly favorite uncle to most of the younger children. The girl relaxed a little with his warm hand providing her some comfort. Mukuro stroked a hand down the girl's back, and let the child's head rest against her prosthetic arm. Mukuro sent Hiei a sad but patient look.
Hiei quieted, seeing his anger was doing no good, and sighed bitterly, “Koenma would have known Kuwabara was getting close to the end… why would he send Yusuke away now?”
“A question we can happily ask him later,” Kurama promised, golden eyes flashing cruelly, "But we can't keep lamenting the issue."
Rinku, older and taller, but still only looking to be about sixteen, pointed down the hall, his face alight with sudden excitement, “He’s here!”
The group turned, relieved to see Yusuke racing down the hall, Botan, Yomi, and Shura, who looked to be about RInku’s age, chasing after him.
“Kurama! Is he-?”
“Go inside…” Kurama whispered, catching Yusuke’s shoulders as the man fell into him, “Go inside… there’s not much time.”
Yusuke looked stricken for a moment, but let it fall away, wiped his dirty face, and stepped inside the bedroom.
Yukina, her hands glowing gently, and holding the hand of an old, old man, smiled at Yusuke, wet tears shining in her eyes, “You came… Just in time.”
A long-haired ginger cat, rushed to Yusuke and wound itself between Yusuke’s legs, mewing a soft greeting.
Kazuma Kuwabara, one hundred and three years old, propped up against several pillows, smiled at Yusuke without opening his eyes. He was the greatest psychic of the human realm and did not need to open his eyes to see. And perhaps, even if he wasn't the greatest psychic, he wouldn't need those powers to know his best friend was in the room.
“You made it," A soft voice, dry and creaky, but full of affection parted from Kuwabara's thin lips.
Yusuke smiled, and opened a pouch at his hip, a distraught Puu breaking free from his bag to fly up to Kuwabara, and tuck himself under Kuwabara’s chin, sobbing noisily against Kuwabara who laughed, rich and fond.
“Oh Puu… now, now…” Kuwabara breathed, soft and sweet, his milky white eyes slowly opening.
Yukina got up, adjusting a baby that slept soundly against her back. She was past her hundred years, but she had still managed to have a child, a little daughter about two years ago. Hime, a name charmingly thought up by her uncle Kuwabara, who was the best at getting the little girl to sleep. Yukina leaned forward to touch Kuwabara’s face, ancient and changed, the pair smiling at each other. He reached a shaking tender hand out, and rubbed a curl on the sleeping child's head, the baby smiling in its sleep. She walked away, pausing before Yusuke, and leaning in Yukina whispered, “I was keeping him tethered here… there’s not much time.” She choked around the last word and caught her tears before they could clatter noisily to the floor.
“Thank you Yukina!” Yusuke whispered, squeezing the ice-maiden’s hand briefly, his eyes still on the withered man, with a crown of white curling hair haloing his head. Yukina nodded, and she exited the room, giving the pair a moment alone together.
He slowly marched forward, shedding the outer layer of his outfit, a dingy bloody stained coat dropping to the ground in a pile on the floor. He kicked off his shoes, wiggling out of dirty socks as well, and then climbed into bed next to his best friend, carefully cradling and arranging the tall man who had become so frail.
Kuwabara chuckled, his hands still stroking down Puu’s trembling body, and smiled at Yusuke, his blind eyes meeting Yusuke’s. Kuwabara’s powers had grown so much, but it was still a little unsettling to have those white eyes land on you, knowing exactly where you were. A few tears filled his eyes and he pressed a wrinkled brow to Yusuke’s, “Don’t cry… don’t cry…”
Yusuke sniffled, choked around a sob, and pressed against Kuwabara’s brow, unable to speak for a long minute. He cried like the child he felt he was, mourning the time that was gone.
“Did you beat the bad guy?” Kuwabara eventually asked, seeking to break the depressing silence.
Yusuke chuckled, withdrawing enough to look at Kuwabara’s face. There was a ripple of tension in Yusuke’s jaw, one that spoke to anger, but he forced it down and smiled, “Yeah… I wouldn’t have made it if Botan hadn’t brought me some reinforcements. Can't believe I'm saying it... but thank goodness for Yomi and Shura.”
“But you made it. Yusuke Urameshi… biggest badass in all of Makai,” Kuwabara whispered, voice lifted up with delight as he announced Yusuke like he was going to step into a ring. Step into the next fight.
Yusuke laughed, “Kazuma Kuwabara… toughest punk in all of Japan!”
Kuwabara laughed at that and hummed into silence. Curled against each other the two were both thinking of the life they had lived. Most of it, almost all of it, together. Kuwabara had been with Yusuke when he got married, and divorced, had been on a multitude of missions, and helped unite The Makai world with the Human world. Yusuke had seen Kuwabara graduate, had seen Kuwabara become a pediatrician, had seen Kuwabara date and break up with Yukina, never marrying, but instead later inheriting Genkai’s shrine and taking on many a student… They had been together for all the highs and lows. It had been great fun, all of it. Both of them had lived a full life.
Very full.
But not long enough.
“Urameshi… can I tell you something?” Kuwabara asked voice soft and suddenly regretful.
“Yeah, buddy… what?” Yusuke asked, rubbing Kuwabara’s arm. It was thin, not as strong as it had once been. But Kuwabara's body was still broad, and he had walked tall on his own, strong and capable. Only this last month had he suddenly taken to bed, his bones and body finally acknowledging Kuwabara's great age.
“It’s probably selfish to say it now,” Kuwabara sighed, hands thin and long curling like a cage over Puu’s body, the little spirit beast finally quiet, and asleep.
The old man tilted to look up at Yusuke, smiled, and shook his head, “But I… well, I was always afraid of telling you this. Afraid of changing how great a relationship we had… but its the end now-”
“Even dead, you’ll be my best friend!” Yusuke choked, angry tears slipping down his cheeks, overflowing at the sudden fear of whatever Kuwabara was going to say. "Death doesn't mean... doesn't mean I've lost my best friend. Nothing changes when you..."
Kuwabara gently reached up and wiped some of Yusuke’s tears away, “Yes. I'm your best friend... forever. And I don’t think there’s much I could do to ruin it… but I was afraid. Especially in my youth. But the older I got, the more I just… what a burden humanity seemed next to your long life…”
Yusuke blinked confused, Kuwabara’s hand settled on his cheek.
Kuwabara sighed, “Ah hell. I’m losing my courage. Better get it out now… I love you. Platonically of course, but also romantically. It happened without me noticing, and then when I did notice, I got scared. Told myself that what I had with you was enough…” Kuwabara shook his head, “But now at the end… I just wonder if there could have been more.”
Yusuke looked stricken, his eyes full of tears. He cupped Kuwabara’s withered face, changed and different in all the years, a change he had watched happen. His own face was as young as it had always been, barely changed, save for the five o’clock shadow he could grow now. Lower lip wobbling a little, he suddenly smiled, shook his head, and kissed Kuwabara very gently on the mouth.
Kuwabara was the first to pull away, and stared at his best friend, the man he had been in love with for decades, “Are you crazy? I’m an old decrepit man!”
Yusuke laughed wetly, brushing his hand over Kuwabara’s wispy curls, and then back to Kuwabara’s cheek, “We’re the same age. If you're old, so am I.”
“I’m all gross now,” Kuwabara grumbled, and then in a half-chuckle muttered, “I wouldn’t kiss me!”
“If you haven’t caught on, I love you too, you fucking idiot!” Yusuke whispered, eyes wet, and a smile somehow on his face. He leaned in and kissed Kuwabara again.
Timidly, chastely, Kuwabara kissed back.
They broke apart shortly and curled closer, their brows touching. They were quiet just for a moment the weight of what little time they had left together, bearing down on them.
“I should have said something years ago,” Kuwabara sighed, “But… there’s always next time.”
Yusuke choked a little, “...If there is a next time, you’ve gotta confess sooner. I didn’t realize how I felt until you said it! You can't trust me to do it, I'm too slow!”
Kuwabara laughed, the burst of surprised wheezing turning into a cough. Yusuke put his hand on Kuwabara’s chest, the cold skin radiating out through the fabric. Yusuke rubbed the chest slowly, trying to return some heat to Kuwabara’s chest, but it did not seem to be working.
“I sure did make you wait for a wrinkly old man kiss,” Kuwabara wheezed, smiling at Yusuke, his blind eyes twinkling. For a moment, Yusuke could swear he saw Kuwabara as he remembered him in his mind’s eyes. Young, with an orange pompadour, proudly styled atop his head, a blue school uniform on his broad body.
“If you’d just stay, I’d marry your wrinkly ass,” Yusuke proclaimed, smiling as tears poured down his face. “Just…”
Kuwabara sighed, curling into his bed more, his head tucked against Yusuke’s shoulder and throat. He sniffled a little, his face hidden from Yusuke’s sight.
“You know… It might take a while… but I’m stubborn. I’m going to come back… and at the very, very, least… I wanna be your friend again,” Kuwabara whispered.
Yusuke flung an arm around Kuwabara, tucking the man to him, the body of his best friend growing cold, and becoming just that, a body.
Any moment now Kuwabara was going to slip away.
“At the very least be my best friend again,” Yusuke cried against Kuwabara’s head, sobbing openly now as his heart broke and faded with Kuwbaara’s fading life, “Come back and be my best friend again! At the very least. Give me another chance... and I'll love you all over again.”
“Hmm,” Kuwabara’s voice is softer as he hums. The voice shakes as he struggles to say one last final thing, “If I come back… and I will… I’m stubborn… I hope I get another chance to fall in love with you. Next time… next time, I’ll say it sooner.”
He sagged, sinking awkwardly back into the bed, his head tilting from Yusuke, and falling sideways into his pillow. Yusuke feels his spirit leave.
Yusuke hears Botan’s sudden wail outside the door, and knows the others are aware of it too.
Kazuma Kuwbara, is gone.
Yusuke sobs, thinking of a wonderful life spent in the company of his friends, Kuwabara at the forefront of those thoughts. They had it good, they had it so good… and it only hurt a little to think they could have had it better.
If they ever got a next time, if there was ever a next time, Yusuke swore he’d figure it out faster, and he would have that better life. For now, he sobbed, eventually joined by Hiei and Kurama, who openly cried with him.
They all sobbed, wishing time was different.
Three Years Later
Kazuma Kuwabara, woke up gasping, nude and alone on a metal table. He choked as he gasped for air, curling in on himself and coughing. It felt like he’d been drowning. It took a long time to get his breathing under control, and when he did, he looked around eyes wide with fright as he looked out into the dark.
Where the hell was he?
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