Chapter 21: A Life Full of Regret

The wedding, hosted by Gotoh Hitori's family, was not extravagant.

Only a few friends, Minami Shouji's family, and former Kessoku Band members were invited.

At the banquet, Gotoh Hitori, dressed in a wedding gown and holding a bouquet, had a rosy tint on her fair, beautiful face—whether from shyness or alcohol, it was hard to tell.

Summoning all her courage, she stammered through her greetings to Minami Shouji's parents.

Minami Shouji's parents, simple and down-to-earth people from the countryside, held no prejudice against their new daughter-in-law, who was so easily flustered and prone to stuttering. Instead, they pulled their son aside, sternly reminding him to take good care of her.

His two older sisters even commented on how rare a girl as pure and adorable as Gotoh Hitori was in Tokyo, urging him to cherish her.

For Gotoh Hitori's parents, Minami Shouji's outstanding academic and personal achievements made him an almost unbelievable match.

"How did our little piglet manage to find such an incredible cabbage?"

At the wedding banquet, Minami Shouji moved effortlessly between guests, using his charm and humor to warm up the atmosphere.

Once the adults were entertained, he made his way to the former Kessoku Band members.

Everyone looked far more mature than they had in high school.

Ijichi Nijika, after graduating, had not gone to university. Instead, she stayed at Starry to help run the venue. Though she hadn't played the drums in a long time, her energetic personality remained unchanged, and she immediately teased Minami upon seeing him.

Kita Ikuyo, standing beside her, smiled and shared stories of her university life.

Yamada Ryo, as always, was quiet and reserved, occasionally delivering sharp one-liners that had everyone laughing. She had retained her signature style—black long-sleeved shirts and light gray trousers—giving off a cool androgynous elegance.

Minami Shouji noticed that no one mentioned Kessoku Band or their time together in high school.

As if they had all moved on.

But perhaps, the fact that they didn't bring it up was precisely because they hadn't truly moved on.

It was like tripping and falling—getting back up, standing in place for a long time, hesitating, and then finally deciding to leave that painful memory behind.

Minami Shouji, ever the bright presence, continued to chat and laugh with them.

Yet, in their conversations, something was missing—the youthful enthusiasm, the shared struggles, and the joyful memories of high school, where they all worked hard to make something better.

Yamada Ryo rested her chin on her hand, her short hair falling slightly over her face, watching Minami Shouji seriously as he talked with the others.

As the former band members were about to leave, Gotoh Hitori walked them to the door. Suddenly, Yamada Ryo called out to Minami Shouji, asking to speak with him privately.

Her "few words" really were just that.

"I think I used to like you."

She looked at him and said—

"I still do now. As for the future, I don't know."

"That's all."

Then she turned and left. Under the glow of the streetlights, her slender, delicate figure showed no signs of sorrow.

Yet, the confident and self-assured stride she usually had—this time, it was noticeably slower.

Only after she had completely disappeared did Minami Shouji receive a message from Kita Ikuyo.

She told him—

Yamada Ryo, the cold and enigmatic beauty, was extremely popular in university. But now, at twenty-four and nearing graduation, she was still single.

Minami Shouji simply replied with a short message that was shared only for the two of them, then turned back toward the warmly lit house.

For a moment, it felt like he was back in high school, right after Kessoku Band's first performance.

They had been full of anticipation for the band's future, happily discussing their next song.

Nearby were Ijichi Seika and the PA technician, both smiling.

Minami Shouji returned to his seat inside, poured himself a cup of sake, and drank it in one go.

The room was warm.

The people were few.

The story was dull—and filled with regret.

A Life Without Music

[Time continued to pass. As a University of Tokyo graduate, you quickly secured a position at a globally renowned company, thanks to a recommendation from a professor who held you in high regard. Your meticulous work ethic and drive allowed you to quickly establish a solid foundation within the company.]

[Soon, you left the company and founded your own studio. With exceptional service quality and a growing reputation, your small studio steadily expanded, gaining recognition in Tokyo.]

[Behind you, following your path, was your wife.]

[Having graduated from an ordinary university in Tokyo, she could only find work at a standard company. There, she had to learn how to navigate workplace interactions.]

[You were worried—was this truly the right job for someone who had always struggled with communication?]

[You tried persuading your wife to become a full-time homemaker, telling her you could handle the finances alone.]

[But she refused. To her, doing nothing and relying solely on you felt even more unbearable.]

[For the first time, she stood firm in her decision, and in the end, you chose to respect her wishes.]

[You focused on expanding your studio, growing its size and increasing its profits.]

[Meanwhile, your wife—someone who had to muster all her strength just to greet people—struggled to fit into her workplace.]

[You worried about her, but you respected her decision.]

[As time passed, you noticed she went out less and less. Her smiles became rarer, her expression more and more fatigued. Only when she was with you did she truly smile from her heart.]

[Concerned, you discreetly investigated her company and discovered its excessively harsh reward-and-punishment system. Failing to meet performance targets, she had become an easy target for workplace bullying.]

[Upon learning this, you did not hesitate to use every possible means—even illegal ones—to warn those responsible. Faced with someone of your status, they could do nothing but nod and apologize.]

[But wounds inflicted on the heart do not heal so easily.]

[Finally, one morning, after enduring prolonged anxiety and self-doubt, her body succumbed to the stress, and she collapsed.]

[Her condition deteriorated, and she became even more withdrawn than she had been in high school.]

A Fractured Soul

Memories flooded Minami Shouji's mind.

The sound of running water from downstairs ceased.

Hanging in the room was their wedding photo, capturing Gotoh Hitori's bright smile beside him.

Minami Shouji stood in front of their bedroom door.

Without hesitation—

He knocked.