WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 87: A Troublesome Friend
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Making a living mattered more.
Or art did.
They had been going back and forth over their opposing beliefs for quite some time.
Listening to the two of them continue along parallel lines, Yoo Na-gyeong muttered with an incredulous look.
[To think someone can communicate with Team Leader this well. They must truly be exceptional if Team Leader recognizes them as a friend.]
‘What do you mean, communicate well? They’re stubborn as a mule.’
[That is why you communicate well. Most people would grovel after Team Leader gave them one glare. They could never stand their ground like this.]
‘What am I, some thug who goes around threatening people with a look?’
Though he snapped back at Yoo Na-gyeong, Rimon partly agreed with her.
Eugene certainly was bold.
“Ah, Partner. I’ve been talking so much that I’m hungry again. Can I order a few more dishes?”
“... Sure. Eat as much as you want.”
...
Then again, perhaps it was not boldness so much as a complete lack of thought.
Perhaps Eugene intended to make up for every meal they had missed at once. Watching them fill the table with food again and shovel it down, Rimon clicked his tongue.
‘They really do have the nature of an artist.’
[Because they are used to starving?]
‘No, because they absolutely do not care what anyone else thinks.’
[Being shameless is an artist’s nature?!]
‘Not necessarily. But those with enough conviction to hit the accelerator alone while everyone else stops at a red light are more likely to leave their names in art history.’
[That is not conviction, that is called being insane! They would cause a massive accident if they drove. Not art history, their name would end up in the crime section today!]
‘Hm. True enough. Most of them died before they could make a name for themselves.’
[Is an artist’s life some kind of death match?!]
‘In the sense that they value art more than their own lives, it is similar.’
Rimon snorted.
Maybe it was different in this age.
But until only a few centuries ago, most artists had occupied the very bottom of society, treated little better than beggars.
Even so, those who became artists fell into one of two groups.
Those whose wealth and status were secure, like nobles or priests, and those who pursued art despite being prepared to starve to death.
Yet only a tiny fraction of such people, especially the latter, left their names in history.
Most merely lived from one day to the next.
“So, Partner, when will our next performance be?”
Just like Eugene, who was devouring food right in front of him while thinking of nothing but music.
“Hmm... Actually, there was something I needed to tell you. It will be hard for me to perform with you for a while.”
“What? Why?!”
“Something has come up.”
“That is ridiculous! Whatever is going on, we have to perform!”
Eugene declared it as firmly as a creditor who had come to collect a debt.
The attitude was so resolute and shameless that Yoo Na-gyeong briefly wondered whether Rimon was the one who owed Eugene money.
“Even if you say that, my situation is extremely complicated right now.”
But Rimon remained firm.
Melting the fragments of starlight was important, but stopping the attacks came first.
If he let the perpetrators continue running wild, there was no telling when not only the Black Dragon Clan, but civilians as well, would suffer massive casualties.
“What exactly is going on?”
“It is complicated to explain.”
“I am my partner’s partner. I have the right to know why we cannot perform.”
“Hmm, I suppose you have a point.”
Deciding Eugene’s argument had some merit, Rimon gave a rough explanation of his circumstances.
Leaving out the parts about him actually being Rimon Aspelder, his relationship with the Seven Dragons Society, and how dangerous criminals were giving him trouble.
A little while later, Eugene blinked blankly and asked,
“So, you found a rule before and could cheat because you knew it, but now that rule has disappeared and you are worried about it?”
“Why is that your summary?”
“I only repeated what you explained, Partner...?”
“Oh. Then yes, that is correct.”
It was Yoo Na-gyeong, rather than Eugene, who was more upset by that careless answer.
[Not “oh, then yes”! What kind of explanation was that supposed to be?]
‘I cannot exactly tell them the Seven Dragons Society is being attacked or reveal my real identity.’
[Even so, there are limits! No one in the world should be able to accept such an unbelievably vague explanation!]
“OK, I get it.”
[Then why are they accepting it?!]
Yoo Na-gyeong looked as if she were staring at an alien.
Unable to hear her Telepathy, Eugene nodded alone before patting Rimon on the shoulder.
“Partner, do not worry too much. Life is all about one big score. Even if you do not know the rules, you will eventually strike it big.”
“If I sit around waiting for that one big score, the business will collapse first.”
“Did you dip into company funds too? Hmm, that is a problem.”
“... What are you talking about?”
Rimon asked in disbelief.
Eugene tilted their head at him.
“Huh? Did you not mean you went to a casino, lost all your money, and are too busy repaying your debts to perform with me now?”
“How did you interpret my story that way?”
“Well, people who proudly claim to have found a surefire winning rule, throw their entire fortune at it, go broke, then look for another rule are usually gamblers or stock speculators, right?”
[Puahahahahaha!]
‘... Is that really funny?’
[Of course it is! Calling Team Leader a gambler. Honestly, the longer you live, the more you see.]
‘You are already dead.’
[Ah, do not hit me with facts. That is unfair.]
‘Would you prefer I hit you with a knuckle instead?’
There had been a slight misunderstanding along the way, but after further explanation gave Eugene a somewhat better grasp of the situation, they tilted their head.
“Hmm, I do not understand what you mean, but I understand that Partner is in trouble.”
[Usually, that is called giving up on thinking about it... Gah!]
“Good. As long as you understand.”
Rimon shoved an entire cherry tomato into Yoo Na-gyeong’s beak.
It was hard enough to explain the situation in detail, and now that Eugene had accepted a rough explanation, Rimon had not the slightest desire to explain anything else.
“But, Partner. Has that rule really disappeared?”
“What are you talking about?”
That was why Rimon looked indifferent at Eugene’s sudden question.
“There are many songs with terrible rhythms. But if you listen carefully, you can still feel the rhythm, no matter how messy the song is.”
“I understand even less now.”
“Do not think. Feel!”
“What, do you think you are some Seven Dragons Society master famous for being a movie star?”
“Umm...”
Perhaps it was hard to explain in words.
Eugene held their head and thought for a moment. Then, as if a good idea had occurred to them, they suddenly smiled brightly and held something out to Rimon.
“... Why are you giving this to me?”
“Partner does not have an instrument today.”
“No, I am asking why you are holding your guitar out to me just because of that.”
“Take it first. Then you will understand.”
Rimon was skeptical, but he eventually accepted the unusually heavy guitar.
He knew that if he did not take it, Eugene would keep holding it out like that for hours.
But Rimon soon realized it had been a mistake.
The instant Rimon took the guitar, Eugene sprang to their feet.
That unexpected movement.
Their slightly parted lips.
More than anything, that smile.
It all revealed Eugene’s intention to Rimon.
“Hey, you cannot possibly...?!”
But the realization came too late.
Before he could stop them, Eugene had already released the breath they had drawn in.
Aren't you hungry?...
The song rang clearly through the restaurant.
At the same time, everyone’s eyes turned toward them.
From the servers busily carrying trays, to diners chatting over their meals, to the owner yawning behind the counter.
Everyone who heard the song erupt from the middle of the restaurant wore a blank expression.
But Eugene did not stop.
Perhaps they could not feel the stares.
Or perhaps they were enjoying them.
With a cheerful smile across their face, they continued singing.
I want to eat a sweet pie.
I want to eat warm soup.
It is the food of my soul.
‘... Damn it.’
Rimon dragged a hand down his face.
Even he, whose shamelessness Yoo Na-gyeong had acknowledged, could not quite endure the embarrassment this time.
Someone suddenly and cheerfully bursting into song in the middle of a restaurant? He could have accepted that.
The problem was the song itself.
[What is this terrible song?!]
‘It sounds bad even to you?’
[Of course it does! I am a bird with ears, you know?]
Of course, Eugene was still inexperienced.
When Rimon supported them, it was one thing. But when Eugene sang alone, their technical shortcomings stood out so much that their greatest strength, their emotional expression, did not come through well.
Even taking that into account, though, the song Eugene was singing was a complete disaster.
Pitch, rhythm, and beat.
Everything was jumping all over the place.
[They were still a decent singer, were they not? Why are they suddenly singing like this?]
‘They are not singing it sloppily. They are singing it on the fly.’
[What is the difference?!]
‘They are not trying to make a mess. It is a mess because they are composing the music and lyrics while they sing.’
[...
What are they doing???]
Yoo Na-gyeong stared as if she had been hit in the face with a slingshot.
Only after understanding what Rimon meant did she open her beak wide.
[Wait. You mean this is an improvised song?]
‘Yes.’
[Not a song they wrote beforehand?]
‘Would the notes be jumping around this much if it were?’
Only then did Yoo Na-gyeong understand why Eugene’s song sounded so awful. She asked in complete disbelief.
[But why? Did they suddenly get so full of creative passion that they could not contain it?]
‘They are telling me to follow along.’
[What???]
Yoo Na-gyeong looked dumbfounded.
But Rimon did not explain further.
He merely watched Eugene sing happily, then grasped the guitar Eugene had handed him with a sigh.
[Uh... Wait.]
[Team Leader? What are you planning to do?]
[Surely not? You said this was an improvised song. That means there is no sheet music at all!]
As if she had only just realized something, Yoo Na-gyeong asked in dismay.
Her point was certainly valid.
Rimon’s ability to imitate any performance after seeing it once was remarkable.
But that was only possible thanks to a Sword Master’s Super Senses and physical abilities.
Trying to accompany a song he had not merely heard for the first time, but which was being composed in real time with no regard for chords, rhythm, or anything else.
Yoo Na-gyeong could not understand it at all.
‘Good grief.’
In truth, neither could Rimon.
His own performance experience was short enough that he had no idea how to accompany this improvised song.
But Rimon did not let go of the guitar.
Eugene was singing resolutely amid everyone’s astonished, uncomfortable stares, as though they never doubted he would follow along.
That left Rimon no choice.
‘Well, I certainly have had nothing but headaches lately. It would not be bad to play along for a while and clear my head.’
When a good idea would not come, a change of pace was one possible answer.
Feeling somewhat bitter.
Somewhat absurd.
And somewhat happy.
With those complicated feelings, Rimon finally plucked the guitar strings.
Ding.
The jaws of Yoo Na-gyeong and everyone else watching Eugene with stunned expressions dropped.
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