Chapter 32: Xiao Zou, could you give me the key to your dormitory?

Previously, Yechen had used geass to control most of the teachers, ordering them to approve any activities related to the Afterlife Battlefront. Thus, Kanade Tachibana only had to fill out a simple form, and everything was passed without issue. The permission to use the gymnasium was granted swiftly.

“That’s all it took?” Bai Ji had thought that since they were reluctant to apply, it would surely be difficult. But to her surprise, it was done in no time at all, so she couldn’t help but ask, her expression a bit odd.

“Yes, Yechen said that as long as we applied, it would be approved!” Kanade herself hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly and spoke while holding the approved form.

“So it was Xingchen’s doing. No wonder I sensed a familiar wave from those people—that must be C.C.’s geass!” Bai Ji suddenly understood, grabbing Kanade’s shoulders and facing her squarely. “Alright, I acknowledge you now. Remember a few things—never do anything that could harm Xingchen! And if anyone bullies you, just tell me. I have confidence in my own strength!”

As a senior, it was only natural to look after her juniors. Kanade was already considered family to Yechen, so Bai Ji wouldn’t let anyone bully her. She promptly pulled Kanade’s hand and said, “Come on! I’ll take you to teach a lesson to anyone who’s bullied you!”

Kanade shook her head, standing in place, and said, “I don’t wish to fight them.”

...

Under the playful teasing of their own team members, Iwasawa and Yechen left the rehearsal room. Iwasawa kept her head lowered, not daring to look at Yechen, her usual calm demeanor nowhere to be seen. Seeing her silent, Yechen took the initiative to speak. “Today, outside the principal’s office, I heard you sing that song.”

“Mm.” Iwasawa replied softly, saying nothing more.

“That song suits you well. It felt as if you were singing your heart out. If I’m not mistaken, that song fits your experience, doesn’t it?” Yechen’s exposure to music had been brief, but his talent was undeniable—he could sense the meaning the song held for Iwasawa.

“Thank you.” In truth, for Iwasawa and the members of GDM, whether they rebelled against God was irrelevant. The most important reason they joined Yuri’s Afterlife Battlefront was to express their hearts fully through song, hoping to fill the regrets they hadn’t realized in life.

Over the next stretch of time, Iwasawa and Yechen talked as if they were old friends, sharing their pasts with each other. Yechen learned that Iwasawa had grown up in a family rife with domestic violence. She stumbled upon music and was so moved that she devoted her soul to it, working tirelessly toward her dream. Yet, just as she was about to achieve it, her voice was lost due to violence at home, and she died on her hospital bed.

“Actually, at the concert three days from now, you might try singing that song. I can promise you—neither teachers nor students will stop you!” In their conversation, Yechen learned that singing endlessly was Iwasawa’s true purpose for existing. Just as music had saved her, she could also save others. Perhaps Iwasawa hadn’t realized it yet, but as long as she sang once more before everyone, she would truly understand.

“If I really do that, I may disappear from this world. But I also want to keep singing happily with Hisako, Miyuki, Shiori, and... and all of them.” Iwasawa knew she could leave this world at any time. The only thing she couldn’t let go of was GDM, the friends in the Battlefront, and the person before her. If they were separated and reincarnated, meeting again would be difficult.

“What if I could guarantee that you, and everyone in this world, could reincarnate together into the same world—and even ensure you’d meet again? Would you believe me?” Yechen had considered that the bonds between people were what made them reluctant to leave this world. He had consulted with Ruo Xing and Ruo Chen, who had started to awaken.

Their answer was to select a suitable primary world, where everyone from the Afterlife would reincarnate, growing up and meeting each other again.

“I believe you!” Iwasawa replied almost without hesitation when Yechen asked. It wasn’t belief in Yechen’s power, but trust in him as a person.

“At the concert, I’ll give it my all. Maybe I’ll vanish right after the song, so you’d better hurry to keep me company. Otherwise, if I leave this world alone, I’d be awfully lonely!” Iwasawa sensed that Yechen wanted everyone to let go, and she was inexplicably ready to be the first to do so, trusting Yechen from the depths of her heart.

“Your words make perfect sense, but why do they sound unsettling?” Being trusted always felt good; Yechen took a sip of his drink and joked with Iwasawa.

“Before I disappear…” Sitting on the ground, Iwasawa stood up and gave Yechen a long, deep hug. After a while, she let go and smiled contentedly. “Give me a hug before I vanish! I’m heading back to practice now, but you must come to the concert. If I don’t see you at the last moment, I’ll be angry with you for a lifetime, and you’ll have to spend your life earning my forgiveness!”

With those words, Iwasawa dashed away without a backward glance, her mind a jumble, her consciousness hazy, her face as red as a ripe apple inviting a bite. She slipped into an empty classroom, closed the door, crouched down against it, buried her face in her knees, and after a while finally looked up. “What on earth did I just say!”

After spending a day getting to know Kanade Tachibana, Bai Ji acknowledged her, and together they went to find Yechen to cheer him up. Yet before they reached him, the two saw Iwasawa hugging Yechen. Kanade showed little reaction, but Bai Ji smiled confidently and said, “Looks like we have another rival. How come Xingchen was never so popular with girls before? But except for C.C., no one is my match!”

Watching Iwasawa run off, Yechen felt a pang of guilt, as though he were a villain forcing a girl to leave the world. Even though Iwasawa was willing, he still felt uneasy. He decided that when he found her again, he’d make it up to her somehow. Just as he was about to head back, he spotted Kanade and Bai Ji watching him from not far away, which suddenly reminded him of the morning’s strategy meeting.

“Kanade, Bai Ji, how are you two getting along? I was just about to look for you!” Seeing them holding hands and getting along well, Yechen realized he was asking the obvious.

He added, “Kanade, could you give me your dorm room key and computer password? Yuri and the others are planning to sneak into your room…”

As Yechen spoke, Bai Ji’s beautiful smile froze. Yechen hurried to explain, and once Kanade and Bai Ji understood, they agreed to give him the key and password.