Chapter 36: Tipping the Scales with Blood
Togawa Sakiko was lucky she didn't linger in that area, otherwise she would have been caught in Hikigaya Hachiman's Cursed Energy field and fallen unconscious like the ordinary people.
However, the obvious redness and slight swelling around Togawa Sakiko's eyes made Misumi Uika quite concerned.
"Long time no see, Saki-chan."
Since this company was Misumi Uika's former employer, she was the one who knew the location best.
Misumi Uika quickly found an empty music room for them to chat in as long-lost friends.
Besides, it felt awkward to talk to Saki-chan while holding so many things.
Misumi Uika also didn't want her current disgraced state to be seen by her good friend.
She smiled and said,
"Saki-chan, I'm so, so happy to see you!"
"Yeah, I'm happy to see you too, Uika."
"It's been a year, hasn't it?"
Togawa Sakiko recalled the time Misumi Uika suddenly sent her a message saying she was debuting. A year had passed in a blink.
"Yes, it's been a year."
A trace of reminiscence flashed in Misumi Uika's eyes. From the initial stumbling steps to the peak of Sumimi, all of it was due to the encouragement provided by her good friend's constant blessings.
It was also driven by Misumi Uika's determination to find her childhood friend.
Misumi Uika thought that if she became popular enough, Hachiman would eventually see her on some large screen, and then the two would have a day to meet again.
"Time really flies.
By the way, Saki-chan, what brings you here?"
Togawa Sakiko took a deep breath. Hearing Misumi Uika's question, a surge of resentment welled up inside her again.
Even with her excellent upbringing, Togawa Sakiko couldn't help but complain.
No, she simply couldn't hold it in and wanted to get it off her chest.
"Uika, you know that the distributor of that wargame for Blood Angels, which your company is collaborating on, is recruiting CG music?"
"I know."
Misumi Uika nodded.
This was a major event for the entire company; the record company also wanted to transition its business model.
This was a rare opportunity.
The reason so many company leaders were here today was solely for this major event.
And Misumi Uika had used this as a pretext to see the person who might be her very close childhood friend.
However, the person was wearing a hat, and Misumi Uika was slightly uncertain.
But the surname Hikigaya was quite rare.
In all the years since Misumi Uika left her hometown for Tokyo, she had only encountered that one family of her childhood friend with this surname.
So, after packing up her belongings, Misumi Uika didn't leave this place that made her sad.
She was waiting for the selection meeting to end, planning to personally go and confirm.
As a result, the pain of Misumi Uika's early retirement was completely washed away by the joy of finding the friend she had been searching for for ten years. At this moment, her heart was filled only with happiness and excitement.
She just hadn't expected Saki-chan to be here for the same reason.
"Saki-chan, are you in great need of money?"
Misumi Uika noticed that Saki-chan, whom she hadn't seen in a year, seemed to have changed a lot. She seemed to have matured considerably from her previous carefree innocence.
Togawa Sakiko said angrily,
"I submitted an entry too, and I made it to the second round.
But your company didn't even give me a chance to perform before cutting me off.
This is completely rigged."
Togawa Sakiko tightly grasped her right arm, clearly furious.
If the winners were decided beforehand, why go through the effort of soliciting submissions from the entire public?
"I'm sorry, Saki-chan. I don't know too much about these matters either."
Misumi Uika only knew that the selection criteria for the judging panel were beyond the interference of even the record company.
Saki-chan might simply be unlucky. Before she could take the stage, the few previous contestants had already claimed all the prizes.
In that case, there was indeed no need for later people to perform.
"It's okay. I just felt a little upset inside."
Togawa Sakiko felt much better after voicing her feelings.
"I feel much better now that I've said it."
"Uika, is your work going smoothly?"
"Well, just so-so. Ordinary."
Facing Saki-chan, who had been the source of courage for her debut, Misumi Uika certainly couldn't reveal her dire situation.
She just kept it brief and gave a vague answer.
"Saki-chan, how have you been lately?"
Togawa Sakiko likewise wouldn't admit that she was doing very badly, that her formerly privileged life was gone.
Even the most precious dress in her wardrobe was washed white. She had to clean up wine bottles scattered everywhere after work, constantly watching for discounted goods, budgeting carefully for everyday necessities.
"I'm doing okay too."
Both were having a hard time, but they both concealed their true situations from each other, not wanting their friend to worry.
Misumi Uika also skipped the heavy topic and moved on to a lighter one.
"I remember now, Saki-chan, you were in a band before, right?"
Although Misumi Uika was busy, she had always followed Saki-chan's social media. She smiled and said,
"That live performance last year completely blew me away."
"What was the band's name again, Cry..."
Her friend's words reminded Togawa Sakiko of the band she had personally disbanded, and her pupils immediately contracted.
The past memories flashed before her eyes, once again stabbing Togawa Sakiko's sensitive heart.
"Please don't mention that again."
The coldness in Togawa Sakiko's tone startled Misumi Uika.
Misumi Uika lowered her head and apologized sincerely.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
Togawa Sakiko suddenly realized her tone towards her recently reunited friend seemed too harsh.
She was being overly sensitive.
Her haughty self-esteem was acting up.
Realizing she had strained the atmosphere, Togawa Sakiko looked at the two rows of electronic keyboards nearby.
"Uika, can I use one?"
Togawa Sakiko was originally a keyboardist.
"If I go back without playing a song, I feel like I won't be able to settle my mind."
"Of course."
Misumi Uika agreed immediately. Since no one else came to this area anyway.
"Saki-chan, just go ahead and use it."
Thanks to Togawa Sakiko's tireless refinement of her score, as soon as her hands were placed on the keyboard, the music in her heart flowed out naturally.
The music Togawa Sakiko played on the keyboard was incredibly grand and magnificent, but this grandeur was accompanied by a feeling of great sacrifice.
The prelude carried the sadness of an imminent collapse of civilization coupled with helplessness.
But in this moment of powerlessness, a large group of heroes, willing to sacrifice their lives, flowed against the current.
Tipping the scales with flesh and blood!
It was immensely moving.
The girl's ethereal voice passed through the music room and reached outside, singing in an epic style.
"Blood Angels, sons of Sanguinius, offer loyalty to the Emperor with blood and honor.
The angels' armor shines with the glory of Baal, yet a curse flows in their blood.
In the frenzy of battle, angels and demons dance together!
The shadow of the curse only makes them noble!
The noble angels forge the glory of the sacred blood and the loyalty of the Emperor with their mortal flesh.
Sons of Sanguinius!
Your glory and holiness resound throughout the galaxy. Your legend will be passed down to the world!"
Furthermore, Togawa Sakiko's indignation at her fate unexpectedly allowed her to fully express her hatred for the traitors who shamelessly set the entire galaxy ablaze, directed at the loyalist faction.
Why betray the Imperium!
Why betray the Emperor!
And this damnable betrayal!
A questioning that came from the soul! It was a condemnation of the world's ways.
Saki-chan's performance stunned Misumi Uika, who watched on, so much so that she didn't even notice when it ended.
When the performance concluded, applause suddenly came from the doorway. Both girls looked over.
Misumi Uika's pupils constricted even further.
Because the person who arrived might just be her best childhood friend.
Hikigaya Hachiman looked at the blue-haired girl next to the keyboard, named Togawa Sakiko, and asked,
"Does this song have a name?"
Togawa Sakiko shook her head.
"No."
Because she couldn't think of a name worthy of the music.
Hikigaya Hachiman then stated directly.
"It does now.
Let's call it: 'Unworthy of the Blood of Sanguinius.'"
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Shimizu Akira unexpectedly transmigrated into the world of "Classroom of the Elite," becoming an ordinary student in Class D.
Relying on the advantage of foresight thanks to his daily intelligence system, Shimizu Akira navigates between the various factions.
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