Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Higher

_____________________

And so, my life became a complete downward spiral from that point.

I lost my main job as a drummer, and I didn’t get any part time jobs so I could pay for food. My whole day consisted simply of secluding myself in my room, drinking my problems away, and letting time slip by.

“Fuck at all… Why is it always me…!?”

I let out my pained emotions over and over, being unable to escape my drunken stupor of the past few days. On the outside, I probably look pathetic as all hell. But my band was my raison d’etre, and now that I’ve been sacked, I’m sure most people will forgive the sorry state I’m in.

Right about now, the fans are probably gushing over the announcement of Strange Chameleon’s major debut that’s plastered all over the site and social media pages. And possibly, no one will care or notice that I’ve withdrawn from the band. My heart is shattered into pieces every time I think about the fact that I’ve been quietly shoved off the stage, without anyone taking notice.

I always distract myself by having music play in the background. Of course, I don’t play any of my band’s songs or songs by any close friends. Instead, I play songs that seem so distant to me.

The main artist I listen to is Shigure Narahara. She’s a highly popular singer and lyricist. She’s the textbook definition of a pure beauty. Her singing voice and her looks are out of this world. She’s by no means an idol, but truly am a fan of hers. That’s how much I love her. With her unique personality and songs, she’s able to grasp the heart’s of so many listeners. She has a record amount of views and subscriptions on her music videos. You can’t go around town without hearing her voice at least once. We’re worlds apart, given that I was sacked before I could have a major debut.

By some miracle, I am acquainted with her. Shigure Narahara and I went to the same high school. We were even in the same club. She stood out a lot, but for some reason, she kept her distance from others. And while we were in the same club, that being the light music club, she almost never went to club activities.

And sure enough, because she kept her distance from everyone, she eventually resigned from the club and quit school. But before I knew it, she hit it big and had her major debut, climbing the stairway of stardom. The only time I really talked to her was when we first met. But it’s such a vivid memory for me. Even though we were only high schoolers, it felt like she was in another world.

Maybe I could have been like that too, if things had gone differently. 

I sure do have amusing thoughts when I’m drunk.

Many hours must have already passed. Did I drink myself ragged again? It’s already so dark outside.

The song that’s playing in the background is Shigure’s “Re:” from her album “Transparent Girl”. It’s a song that’s been stuck in my brain. It’s a song about wanting another chance at life.

As usual, the TV is on. Some sort of prime time variety show is being broadcasted. Of course, I don’t have the will to watch it. When it gets too quiet, I start drowning in my thoughts, so I need to keep the TV on to distract me. The news segments that show up between programs don’t reach my ears at all.

However, I see a certain headline flash and my consciousness comes crashing down on me. The shock of this piece of news hit me like a truck.

“Reports have been coming in around 7 tonight that popular artist Shigure Narahara has fallen off her apartment balcony. Shigure is being transported to the hospital in critical condition as we speak.”

“H-huh… are you kidding me…? No way…”

Despite how much I drank, I already feel so somber. She fell from her apartment balcony. While it could be seen as a mere accident, she jumped off on her own will. 

Simply put, she killed herself.

The prodigy artist Shigure Narahara ended her own miserable life. For a simpleton like me, I’m in complete shock.

“Why… You don’t need to follow the message of your new song to the letter…”

Her message of her new song, “Re:” was that of heavy despair towards herself and the world. Just because someone is successful, doesn’t mean they don’t have any issues they’re dealing with. These simple thoughts are the only things I can manage from my addled brain, still full of alcohol.

Shigure Narahara must have been sick and tired of this world. For a lowlife like me, I’m stuck crawling on the bottom.

“Maybe I should… jump off my balcony… and get another chance at life…”

I have no way of knowing just how much pain and despair she was in. But right now, I feel so much pain. If I could get a second chance, I would gladly jump off my balcony. There’s nothing stopping me from my gut impulse.

Before I know it, as if something is possessing me, I find myself climbing over the rails of my balcony. And after a brief moment of flying through the air, my brain blacks out.

From the outside, my jump would look like a basic copycat of Shigure’s suicide. But at that moment, I finally understood her pain. There was a part of me that truly believed I could get a second chance if I jumped.

For every new beginning, there has to be an ending. That’s Shigure Narahara’s message.

My body is brought back down to Earth and collides with the asphalt below.

And with that, my life comes to a close. 

________________________

Author’s Note: Thank you so much for reading! If you could, it would be great if you rate this series five stars and book mark it! Thanks as always.

Also, the title for this chapter is named after The band apart’s higher. It’s a great song so please give it a listen!

________________________

Translator’s Note: After a tumultuous few days of Novelupdate not adding this series, it’s finally uploaded! I already had this chapter ready to go, so feels good to finally post this. The emotion in this chapter was well done. I’ll definitely look forward to what will happen next.