Chapter 209: Eden is getting ready

"It's great to see you finding your way, kid."

Father Enrique looked at Nozomi, who was playing with the children that came to the church and smiled happily.

"Well, this is also thanks to your teaching and guidance, Father."

Nozomi also replied with a smile.

After simply reporting back to school, meeting his former mentor, and visiting Klein, Nozomi returned to his "home."

Just as Nozomi said, visiting his "relatives" was his main reason, and that was why Mobius agreed.

"Since you have chosen your own path, then... continue walking firmly. I believe you will be able to move towards that happy [End]."

Father Enrique gave this blessing.

"Yes, I will."

Nozomi nodded.

Beep beep——

It was the prompt sound coming from Nozomi's terminal.

"It looks like someone has contacted you, so... please go ahead."

Father Enrique recognized that this was the special reminder tone set by Nozomi, so he smiled, walked forward familiarly, and took over the playful children for Nozomi so that they would not disturb him.

"Thank you, Father."

Nozomi nodded, walked outside, moved to a slightly quieter place, took out the terminal, looked at the person who sent the message to him, and then... the corners of his mouth subconsciously rose slightly.

"Hello, Eden."

After connecting the call, Nozomi spoke with a smile.

"Hello, Hope."

A soft voice came from the other end, with an undisguised smile.

"Haha..." x2

After a while, both of them started laughing.

"I didn't expect that you also use your real name to go online."

Eden said softly with a smile.

"Don't talk nonsense. I don't use my real name online. Although the pronunciation is the same, the writing is different."

"But it sounds the same when I pronounce it, doesn't it?"

"Hmm... That's true~ Who makes this pun so funny?"

In response to Eden's slightly playful words, Nozomi responded casually.

"But you haven't been singing recently... Are you lacking inspiration? Or are you busy with something else?"

"Well, that's about it. I have a research project to do... and now I have achieved some interim results, so I have some time to rest."

"It seems that even our [Time Management Master] is too busy sometimes~"

"Ahem... Actually, I am still practicing my voice, but it's not convenient to record in the lab. Plus, I have two troublesome kids to take care of, so I don't have the time."

"You're actually quite cute when you're making excuses, right?"

"Don't make fun of me... Did you remember the title of 'Time Management Master' for so long?"

Nozomi smiled helplessly.

"Who made you speak so proudly?"

Eden's voice was also full of laughter.

"Ha...Okay, it's great to hear your happy voice. So...tell me about it? Is there anything that makes you unhappy?"

"…Did you hear it?"

"[Feel the emotions from other people's words], this is something you always say~ so it's okay for me to use it, right?"

"This is really bad. What I said was actually used against me..."

The smile faded from Eden's voice, and it was filled with bitterness and helplessness.

"But... I do have something that makes me unhappy... Um, can you listen to it for a while?"

"It's my pleasure."

Nozomi leaned against the corridor, looking at the slightly gloomy sky outside, with a moist scent lingering at the tip of his nose... It was going to rain.

"Nozomi... do you think that classical music and opera are really no longer popular now?"

"…Were you hit by the agency?"

"Nozomi, sometimes quick thinking isn't a good thing, right?"

"I'm really sorry~"

Nozomi's tone was cheerful, because... it was raining.

The moist and cool air made him feel very comfortable.

"But is it really okay to ask me about this? I didn't major in music."

"But your channel has a lot of people following it, right? A lot of people are urging you to write a song quickly. I haven't heard your voice for a long time. Your fans are making a fuss, right?"

"Including you?"

"Yes, including me."

Eden admitted as a matter of course.

"So, I want to hear some answers from you, a musician who didn't major in music but still managed to use his talent and was loved by everyone."

"Of course, more importantly... I hope to learn some of your opinions from your mouth as a [friend]."

"My agent... no, my former agent told me that classical music has declined and no one listens to opera... In this case, my persistence... would seem boring."

"I asked my parents, but they didn't give me an answer. They just asked me to make my own decision. But at this moment, I am... somewhat hesitant."

"It's not that I can't sing pop music, but compared to that… I'd rather continue what I'm doing."

"So... Nozomi, what do you think?"

Eden asked this, questioning Nozomi, the "senior" who was not a professional musician but was loved by everyone simply by his talent.

Tick-tock

It was the sound of rain falling.

"I see…"

Nozomi murmured softly. The scenery in front of him was already covered with a hazy filter by the rain. He reached out his hand to touch the rain falling from the eaves, letting it fall into the palm of his hand, bringing with it the cool temperature and a slightly damp breath.

Nozomi likes this kind of weather because, at this moment, his mood becomes particularly happy.

And therefore... Nozomi did not reply, but after a moment of silence, he sang a tune softly.

Hmmm~

It was a tune Eden knew well, a scene from an opera.

And Eden did not disturb him but just listened quietly. Even though in her ears, Nozomi could improve in many aspects and his singing could be better, at this moment, she did not say anything but just listened quietly.

This is the quality of a good listener.

"…Eden, do you think it sounds good?"

When the song ended and a scene concluded, Nozomi asked softly.

"Certainly."

"So... you can sing better than me, right?"

"Certainly!"

Eden said confidently.

"So... why not sing?"

Nozomi asked with a smile.

"If you can feel the beauty in classical music if you can feel the beauty in opera, then there must be other people who can feel it too."

"If they can't know, then... you can just tell them with your singing, right?"

"Even if I can do this, you who have studied music can definitely do it, and you can do better."

"You will definitely become that shining star, right? Or... are you going to give up now?"

"What? Are you going to give up the vow you made at graduation so easily?"

"I didn't! Ugh... Damn it, I shouldn't have told you in the first place."

Eden responded somewhat annoyed.

"And Nozomi, when you are talking to me, as a kid who hasn't graduated yet. Logically speaking, I have already graduated, so I am older than you in terms of seniority, right? You should call me senior sister!"

"I'm not in the same school as you, why am I calling you senior... and you even call me junior? We're the same age!"

"I don't believe it! I haven't seen you before!"

"I don't believe it either! I haven't even seen you!"

"......" x2

"Haha..." x2

They both laughed.

"Hm... As expected, I feel much better after a little chat... Alas, I have considered giving up before~"

"You're lying. I can tell from your tone that you have no such intention at all."

"Nozomi, sometimes being too sensitive can make girls dislike you, right?"

"It doesn't matter~"

Nozomi's tone was light.

"But... since you said 'former agent,' it seems that you and your agency have fallen out?"

"Well, that's about it…"

"In that case, why not use your family connections? After all, background power is also part of strength~"

"I don't really want my family to help…"

"Do you hate being promoted to the star platform by the powerful forces?"

"It's about the same. Just like nowadays when traffic is everything... anyone can become a star as long as they are willing to spend money."

"That should be considered an idol, not a star, right?"

Nozomi smiled and corrected Eden's statement.

"After all, real stars shine brightly. Their light can travel light years from space to Earth, and we can see and admire them. They are different from idols made of clay. Their inner meaning and significance are completely different, right?"

"Hm... you're right~"

Eden's voice became lighter.

"After all, gold always shines, doesn't it?"

"Comparing yourself to gold, Eden is really confident..."

"Of course, I have the confidence and the ability!"

"Ah... it seems like you don't even need to ask me…"

Nozomi's tone was full of ridicule.

"You've already made up your mind, but you're still asking me something on purpose... That's too much, isn't it?"

"Or…"

Nozomi's tone rose slightly again.

"Are you hoping to get some support and recognition from me?"

"No."

Eden denied it in a huff, but then she sighed and spoke helplessly.

"Really, Nozomi, sometimes being too sensitive isn't a good thing. It's easy to make people dislike you."

"Really? So... you're going to hate this?"

"A little bit. After all, having my thoughts seen through is not a good thing at all..."

Eden's tone was slightly amused.

"But... sometimes it's nice to have a friend who can see through your mind."

"It seems that you are in a much better mood."

"Thanks to you~"

"Then... do you need help? After all, you broke up with the agency and you don't want to accept help from your family, so what should you do now? It should be difficult for you to find a place to show yourself now, right? Do you want help? I know a lot of people who should be able to help you."

Nozomi asked.

"Well, no need. Don't underestimate me, okay? I've found a place where I can show myself."

Eden seemed quite happy.

"Like you said, if others don't know the beauty of classical music and opera, then we can show them through singing so that everyone can listen and feel them. That's good because there will definitely be people who will be intoxicated by them."

"Well, it seems you never intended to give up."

"Really? Can't I just come here to seek some support and recognition? Nozomi, you are going too far!"

Eden said with some embarrassment.

"And…"

Eden's tone slowly became tense again.

"I did think about giving up... If I don't succeed this time, then... I will probably give up on being a singer."

"Maybe I'll become a designer in the end? Open a clothing store or something."

"It seems not bad to spend my life in peace like this."

"A clothing store... yes, with your vision and ability, Eden, you should be able to become an outstanding designer."

Nozomi understood and nodded.

"It seems that you also think that my 'escape plan' is feasible~ That's really good~ Um... No, no, this will make me lose my fighting spirit, please don't influence me anymore."

"Who was the first to bring up this topic? really..."

Nozomi reminded helplessly, feeling the breeze brushing across his face. He thought for a moment, then said with a smile.

"However, living a peaceful and calm life is not bad, isn't it? Although there is no glorious scene, ordinary life is indeed a kind of beauty, isn't it?"

"Yeah... you're right~"

Eden's tone was light.

"If that's the case, then I'd like you to be my model~"

"Come on, we haven't even met, how do you know I'll have a good figure? And I'm a model... and you design more women's clothing, right?"

"Hmph~ You know, Nozomi, every time you mentioned your figure, your tone would go up a little, right? So I'm sure you're very confident about your figure~ There must be no problem with being a model~"

"Thank you for paying attention to those details…"

"And I can also design men's clothing. After all, you've praised my taste. As for the model for women's clothing... I'll look for it later. Ah, if you find a suitable candidate, you can tell me, okay?"

"Why? Do you trust my judgment so much?"

"of course~"

Eden's tone was full of trust.

"To be precise, I believe in my own vision... Therefore, I believe in your vision."

"Ha... it seems like this trust is a bit heavy. I have to choose carefully."

"But there's no need to rush about that kind of thing. After all... I haven't lost yet, right?"

"Hm~ Then I'll wait for your good news?"

"Wait? Hmm..."

Eden fell into thought, and after hesitating for a while, she finally asked.

"Nozomi, are you free two nights from now?"

"Why? Want to meet up? Meeting offline at this time will only make you more nervous, right?"

Nozomi said with a hint of joking.

"Uh-huh~ No way."

Eden's tone was frivolous, yet it carried an arrogance that was difficult to conceal.

"I just wanted you to take a look at how I sing... By the way, I also want to catch you offline."

"...Um?"

"Hehe... You haven't released any songs for a long time. You really made me, a fan, wait so long. I will definitely teach you a lesson when we meet!"

"Hm... it looks like I should decline this invitation."

"Are you sure? You might miss the chance to meet a big star?"

"Oh? You're so confident... Looks like I have no choice but to go~"

Nozomi's tone was brisk. He went over his schedule in his mind and only agreed after making sure he had enough time.

"It just so happens that I still have a little break time, so I should be able to go over... But you have to behave well, okay? Otherwise, when we meet, I will ridicule you. Even I can't compare to you."

"You'll see."

Eden seemed quite happy.

"Please watch me carefully then, okay? Don't be surprised by my singing."

"So..."

"I'm looking forward to it." x2

The two agreed to this and hung up the call amidst their happy laughter.

"Hm... haha…"

In the comfortable and slightly humid air, Nozomi stretched his body a little, looked up, and looked at the rain that showed no signs of stopping.

"It seems that we have to postpone our return to the laboratory..."

"Hey~ It turned out to be a good idea to reserve time to come out~"

"It's just that... um... I think I won't be scolded if I go back on time, right?"

Nozomi prayed like this.