Shiruu

[Toshima Ward, Higashi-Ikebukuro, Sunshine City Prince Mansion]

Shin had purchased an entire 41st-floor suite in this upscale hotel, and his room also occupied the 41st floor. From this lofty vantage point, he could truly admire the city. Currently, he lay on his spacious bed, entwined with Mira, both of them unclothed.

Mira embraced Shin with a sense of peace and contentment, cherishing the memory of the day...

*Previously*

-Kitcho Arashiyama Honten, Kyoto-

-Kinkaku-ji room-

When Mira realized that Shin had proposed to her in such an unexpected manner, she was overwhelmed with happiness, tears streaming down her face. She threw herself into Shin's arms.

In each other's embrace, Shin whispered the question in her ear, "Will you marry me?"

Mira nodded eagerly and, with tears of joy, said, "Yes..."

Upon hearing this, both Shin and Mira shared a deep kiss.

Unperturbed by the female sommelier who had entered the room to serve sake, they remained deeply engrossed in each other, oblivious to her presence.

The woman blushed in response and discreetly set down the sake before gently closing the sliding door.

In the heat of the moment, Shin felt a strong desire to continue their intimate moments in the room. He didn't mind, as it was a private room, but Mira stopped him. She felt shy about engaging in such activities in public, even though their room was private, it was still a restaurant's private room.

---

*In the Present*

"I'm so happy," Mira murmured as she nestled in Shin's embrace.

"Me too," Shin smiled as he caressed her breasts.

"Hey, hehe, that tickles!" Mira suppressed her laughter while gently restraining Shin's playful hands.

Shin's smile turned mischievous and he continued to massage her chest further. 

"Hey, hahaha..." Mira could no longer hold back her laughter and laughed. 

Because of this, Mira chose to take revenge and tickled Shin in return. 

"Hahaha!" Shin laughed then used more power with his hand, causing Mira to cry out in surprise. 

Mira pouted as she used more force with her hands while tickling Shin's ticklish spots, this made Shin laugh but Shin responded by grabbing half of her breast and then squeezing it, making Mira moan from pleasure instead of making her laugh. 

But that's what Shin wants and pleasing her was the goal. 

It is for this reason that the game of tickling, initially fun, became a game of pleasure. 

Their initially contented bodies become hot again as they intensely make love to each other's hot bodies. 

"Ah! Nghh! Oh! Yes!!!" 

Mira's moans were heard throughout the room. 

"Ugh..." as Shin's moan was more suppressed.

---

[Shibuya, Tokyo]

[Shibuya Crossing]

Amid the bustling Shibuya Crossing, a bearded man with stubble sat on the sidelines, a guitar slung across his back. His weary face and expressions portrayed exhaustion, and he took a moment to relish a sip of water from a bottle.

In this bustling scene, individuals clad in both formal suits and casual attire hurriedly passed by, paying little heed to the unconventional man. Such characters were typically overlooked, as the people around only focused on their own affairs. There were even some men, still adorned in their formal suits, sleeping on the sidewalk.

The man with the guitar positioned himself close to the throngs navigating the busy crossing and decided to introduce himself. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Shiruu Suzuki, and I'd like to share one of my original songs. Please, let me know your thoughts..."

However, his introduction received only brief glances from the Shibuya crowd before they continued on their way without a second thought. Undeterred, Shiruu cleared his throat, adjusted his voice, and began strumming his guitar. 

He sang, "Up and down, oh, up and down, life's twists and turns can turn a smile into a frown."

Shiruu's voice, both pleasant and profound, resonated through the air, piquing the curiosity of a few onlookers. With each verse, he infused his performance with a mix of sadness and hope. 

"The path ahead is filled with mystery, oh, it's unclear, what will it be," he sang, his deep voice evoking grief and questioning.

Before long, he shifted to a more uplifting tone. "But within you lies the key," Shiruu continued to strum his guitar, pouring his heart into the song. "It's in your hands, just believe in your passion, that priceless treasure you hold, you'll ascend to the skies with dreams unfold."

As he sang, Shiruu changed the guitar's tone, and with conviction, he declared, "No one can deter you, no one can sway; let's journey through uncertainty, come what may."

Some passersby couldn't help but halt in their tracks, their expressions a mix of emotions as they gazed at Shiruu.

They had become so consumed by their work that they had lost sight of their true selves. 

They numbed their minds with trendy video games and dulled their senses with watching sports, all while remaining dedicated and hardworking, often putting in overtime.

Shiruu's words struck a deep chord within their fragile yet resolute, icy hearts. 

As people started to take notice, Shiruu flashed a warm smile, a solitary tear escaping from his right eye. 

This time, however, he sang with a touch of cheerfulness, declaring, "Up and down, oh, up and down, life's a wild ride, a merry-go-round. The path ahead may be veiled in mystery, but within yourself, find the key, you'll see."

As Shiruu continued singing, the once attentive crowd slowly began to fade into the background. Shiruu sang with tears of joy, encouraging, "Discover your passion, it's priceless and true, with dreams in hand, you'll rise and break through. No one can hinder, no one can sway..."

While Shiruu continued to sing, a man who had been sleeping on the ground sat up to listen, a sad smile gracing his face. Unbeknownst to Shiruu, he had touched the hearts of some, especially the man who had initially been asleep, leaving them with smiles and tears in their eyes.

After Shiruu's song concluded, some in the crowd began to clap. "You're very good..."

"Well done..."

Generous individuals even contributed money to the donation box Shiruu had set up. "Thank you, everyone," Shiruu said with a smile after wiping away his tears. 

He continued, "The name of the song is 'Up and Down.' It's a composition of mine," he added, noticing that some people had enjoyed it.

However, not everyone in the crowd appreciated Shiruu's singing and original song. Some voiced their disdain, saying, "Dreams? Does this guy think he's living in a fantasy world?"

"Absurd."

"A lazy bastard," remarked some among the crowd, hurling hurtful words. Shiruu bowed his head slightly, recalling his parents' disapproval.

"You'll never make it," echoed the voice of Shiro Suzuki, his father, in his mind.

"I will, father," Shiruu murmured determinedly. In his eyes, the disapproving crowd had embodies into the disapproving father, but he remained resolute in his pursuit of his dreams.

[Don't look for the song, I write it up after all...]