✞ video

[yet_shall_live]

[The picture clicks on to the damp fall of loose black hair, looking freshly and meticulously washed and splayed out across bare shoulders. Kanda, not facing the fansuwoth, is leaning back against the outer wall of one of Gureto Konyoku's baths, though the angle doesn't permit enough to tell if anyone is in the water with him. It does, however,

Comments

[galactically]

[Songs are relevant to Sheryl's interests, which is why she's replying right now. In a teasing tone...]

I could sing you a different song and have that stuck in your head instead.

[yet_shall_live]

[A critical eyes fixes on the screen. He's turned half toward it now, sitting a little lower in the water.]

Or you could not.

[galactically]

It can't be that bad!

[She laughs lightly, tucking her hands under her chin in observance.]

The song that's stuck in your head right now, I mean.

[yet_shall_live]

It's beautiful.

[He says it lightly, but it's accompanied by a twitch to the corner of his mouth. And he looks away, his tone sharper.]

Don't want to think about it. Sing your song. Let's hear it.

[galactically]

I see.

[Even the most beautiful songs can have a resonating impact on someone whether they like it or not, and she learned that through war. At any rate, she quickly thinks of one song and once she does, she takes a deep breath. Then she sings soothingly, putting all the emotion into it, as if she's singing to someone from far away.]

When I told God that I had fallen in love
I never realized that I must anticipate a separation
If I had known I could never touch you again
I would have wished to be trapped in your embrace for one last time

It's a long, long goodbye...

I say goodbye, I say farewell, so many times
I repeated every word as best as I can
The way I wave my hand to you is so graceful, right?
And now I long for your strength

[It's called "Diamond Crevasse", an old song but it still resonates with her the most.]

[yet_shall_live]

[This was a mistake. She doesn't even finish the first stanza and he knows it was a mistake. And for a moment the words, the heart, of it strike him. For a moment his lips part on something meaningful and he just looks at her.]

Stop it. [His jaw clenches. He turns from the fansuwoth. But his voice is no less sharp, and Kanda sinks into the water so far only the crown of his head peeks over the edge of the tub.] Stop it. I don't want to hear any songs.

[galactically]

But you said-!

[And that's when she quickly interrupts her retort when she can only see the crown of his head. The sharpness of his tone is difficult to ignore, too, as if she's feeling a brief sense of deja-vu and it's not just because Kanda has an uncanny resemblance to Alto. Now what? Sheryl really can't say for certain.]

[yet_shall_live]

Just don't.

[Kanda doesn't know what either, and he debates slipping completely under the water to escape it all, but he doesn't. Even if the silence hangs awkwardly on his end.]

[galactically]

[Cue brief and awkward silence on her end, too... for about one or two minutes before she heaves a soft sigh.]

All right, fine. No more music for you.

[Which is a shame because, in her mind, who doesn't like music?]

[yet_shall_live]

Don't you know anything more cheerful?

[It's huffed. Not that Kanda particularly enjoys upbeat music. He just... wants this damn song out of his head.]

[galactically]

I know all kinds of songs, thank you. As a musician, I'm perfectly versatile!

[yet_shall_live]

So why did you pick that one? Sing something nicer.

[galactically]

Because it's very important to me! Don't be so fussy.

[And it's the most popular tear-jerking song in Frontier, perfectly for lifting people's spirits, too.]

[yet_shall_live]

[He clucks his tongue noisily, closing his eyes and tipping his chin up.]

Why would you like a song that's sad?

[galactically]

One doesn't have to like a song just because it's sad or happy. There are certain experiences that resonate with the listener, like surviving through a rough time or reuniting with someone important. More likely than not, it's because a person can relate to what's depicted in the lyrics.

[A long pause, then she tucks some strands behind her hair as she looks pensive.]

For me... it's a very personal reason.

[yet_shall_live]

[A rough, dismissive noise follows, Kanda looks off at the bath house around him for a moment.]