< Light Up the Fire | Story
Chapter 7: "RAD WEEKEND"
『RAD WEEKEND』 (-)
『RAD WEEKEND』 (-)
Character appearances:
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One month before RAD WEEKEND
COL
COL
Townsperson
This is...that's an insane crowd.
Townsperson
Isn't this practically everyone in town? What'd Nagi-chan gather us all for?
Townsperson
...Uwah, the lights came on all of a sudden!? What's going on...!?
Townsperson
Ah, look! Isn't that Nagi on stage?
Nagi
——Everyone, thanks for coming!
Crawl Green Owner
Quite a flashy appearance, Nagi. What'd you gather everyone here for?
Nagi
Oh, that's Uncle for you. You get straight to the point, I like it.
Nagi
I have something really important to talk to you all about today.
Crawl Green Owner
Something important...?
Nagi
Yeah. Thing is——
Nagi
To be honest, I have less than half a year to live.
Audience chattering
Live House Manager
...Hah?
Nagi
Just recently, I found out that I have pancreatic cancer...and apparently there's nothing they can do.
Curly-Haired Record Store Employee
Th...That's...you're serious?
Nagi
...Yeah. Sorry for dropping a bomb like this out of nowhere.
Nagi
I knew it'd come as a surprise, but...I wanted to make sure I told everyone properly, since I've always been in your care.
Sexy Big Sister
Then...you really...
Audience chattering
Nagi
And that's why——I have something to ask of you all today.
Nagi
In one month, I'll be doing my last event here!
Nagi
With everyone here——no, I'll even draw people from out of town, and in this town, I'll put on the single best event ever!
Nagi
And I want you all to come watch! That's my first request!
Audience chattering
Crawl Green Owner
...Your final event, here?
Nagi
Yeah! I already decided the name!
Nagi
The name of the event is——RAD WEEKEND!
COL Owner
RAD...WEEKEND...?
Nagi
We're gonna remind you all of our youth here at COL, where so many of our memories are!
Nagi
When we gathered here on the weekends, and sang so much we couldn't tell whether it was day or night——those blazingly hot moments!
Veteran Live House Staff
...RAD WEEKEND...
Curly Haired Record Store Employee
That'll be...your final event...
Sexy Big Sister
...I'll definitely be there.
Sexy Big Sister
I want to see you off properly...!
Live House Manager
...Kh. Me too...I'll be there too!
Audience applauding
Townsperson
We'll definitely be there too!
Townsperson
It's for Nagi-chan! We'll hype it up like never before!
Audience cheering
Nagi
Ahaha, thanks.
Nagi
And...I've got one more thing!
Nagi
This is a little bit...weird to ask, but.
Nagi
——Even when I die, I don't want you to say that I'm dead.
Veteran Live House Staff
...Eh?
Audience chattering
Live House Manager
W-What's that supposed to mean?
Nagi
Ahaha...yeah, I should've expected that wouldn't make any sense.
Nagi
Um, to put it a little more simply...instead of saying that I died, I want you all to say that I went somewhere far away.
Curly Haired Record Store Employee
But, why...?
Nagi
I really do love this town.
Nagi
And I want to keep living with all of you here.
Nagi
But that's...impossible for me now...
Nagi
But...you know what?
Nagi
If you all say that "Nagi's out there singing somewhere, even now"——
Nagi
Even if I'm not here in this town, I have a feeling that I'll be able to stay connected with everyone here.
Townspeople
...
Nagi
...Even I know I'm asking for something strange.
Nagi
But I'd like you all to consider it my final wish...well, actually, it is!
Nagi
Would you all——go along with my selfish request?
Crawl Green Owner
...I thought that you'd grown up into a fine adult, but I guess you're still a kid, Nagi.
Crawl Green Owner
You want us all to lie, for such an insanely selfish request?
Nagi
Ah...
Crawl Green Owner
...
Crawl Green Owner
...Then, we'll do this.
Crawl Green Owner
Nagi. You decided all of a sudden that you were going to go on a journey to train yourself. You've crossed borders, cultures, race. You're gaining strength while firing up street corners around the world.
Nagi
...Eh?
Crawl Green Owner
——You're making us lie anyways. You won't mind us saying that you're still chasing your dream, would you?
Crawl Green Owner
Then we can look back on our days with you——to all the times we looked forward to your dream coming true.
Nagi
Uncle...
Crawl Green Owner
...How does that sound, everyone?
COL Owner
...Doesn't that sound perfect for Nagi, who never wanted to stop growing?
COL Owner
When you were a kid, you'd mingle with the adults and sing all night long. But once you'd go to sleep, you'd be firing up the whole world in your dreams.
COL Owner
It's an extravagant way to dream. It suits you perfectly, Nagi.
Townsperson
...You got that right.
Townsperson
Ahhh...this is all so ridiculous, but it sounds like fun.
Nagi
Everyone...
Nagi
——Thank you.
Live House Manager
Oh! I get to see crybaby Nagi for the first time in years!
Sexy Big Sister
Fufu. You can't act all cool in front of An-chan if you make faces like that.
Nagi
Eh, do you have to mention An? That's not fair...
Nagi
Oh, An! That's right, my bad! I actually have one more thing I need to ask you all!
Crawl Green Owner
Hm? What is it?
Nagi
Everything I've told you today——I want you guys to never mention this to An.
Townsperson
...Eh?
— Some time later —
Curly Haired Record Store Employee
——I see how it is now...
Live House Manager
Hahaha! An'll hold a grudge against you forever for pulling something like this!
Nagi
You've got a point...I'm really sorry.
COL Owner
It's fine, Nagi.
Nagi
...Eh?
COL Owner
It'll be a difficult experience for An. But, I'm sure she'll understand your kindness.
Nagi
You...think? I hope so...
Taiga's Voice
Oi, Nagi, I'm getting tired of waiting. Are you done up there?
Nagi
Ah, my bad! ——You guys, you can come out now!
Audience chattering
Nagi
Alright everyone! In one month, at our RAD WEEKEND, we're absolutely gonna light you guys up!
Taiga
——That's how it is, you lot! We'll make it such a heated night that each and every one of you will be blown away!
Ken
Be sure to come see it! We'll make it the best event you've seen in your lives!
Audience cheering
COL Owner
Fufu...that takes me back. It's like I can see how you guys used to be, singing from night to morning and getting up the next day.
COL Owner
I'm truly looking forward to it. RAD WEEKEND, huh——
The day of RAD WEEKEND
Audience chattering
Nagi
Ooh~, look, look. The audience is pouring in.
RUST Member
Oh, you're right. Honestly, isn't just about everyone in town gathered here today?
Ken
Yeah you're not wrong about that. I can only see familiar faces out there.
Nagi
Yeah. I'm glad everyone came... Let's sing without regrets, and drive straight through to the end!
Taiga
...Yeah.
Ken
——Are you all prepared?
GLaP day Member
Of course. We could go full throttle right now if we had to.
Nagi
Ahaha, that's the spirit!
Nagi
...Everyone, thank you for going alone with me until today.
Nagi
...To tell you the truth, when I think about the fact that I'll die soon, I'm too scared to even sleep.
Nagi
I started thinking that if I close my eyes...maybe they won't ever open again.
RUST Member
...
Nagi
But, while I was practicing with you all, I was able to forget about all of that, my body, and the time that I have left.
Nagi
I'm really thankful to you all.
Nagi
——Let's make this the best night ever. So that when you look back on this day, you won't feel even an ounce of regret...let's make this the best time of our lives, like no one's ever experienced before!
Nagi
RAD WEEKEND——let's begin!
Everyone
Yeah!!
Nagi
Well then, I'll go on ahead and get this started!
Taiga
...
Nagi
(...When I close my eyes, I can feel it on my skin. The heat of the air, and the way it clings to my body...)
Nagi
(I love it.)
Audience
...She seems kind of off.
Audience
What's happening?
Middle School An
Nagi-san...?
Nagi
(Honestly, I'd really like to stand here and immerse myself in it forever, but...I can't be the only one enjoying myself, can I?)
Nagi
(With my next breath, this atmosphere will begin to move in unison. ...Towards the end.)
Nagi
(Now, open your eyes——and take a deep breath.)
Nagi
(For as long as everyone in this town lives——I'll always fire you up with my singing!)
Nagi
♪————————!!
Nagi
♪————————!!
♪————————!!
♪————————!!
Nagi
——Everyone. Today, here and now, I'll deliver every last piece of myself to you. So——you guys, follow me with all your might!!
Nagi
♪————————!!
Audience cheering
Taiga
...
Ken
...Taiga, what's the matter?
Taiga
...I was just thinking, the atmosphere out there is different.
Taiga
In this town, and overseas...I've never felt this heat before.
Taiga
It burns the body from the inside, scorches it, and melts it whole...that's how it feels.
Taiga
And, Nagi's song that gave birth to this——
Taiga
It's lighting a fire under that next generation.
Taiga
——Jeez, they're making such innocent faces. They don't have any idea how difficult it is to walk this path.
Ken
...I'm sure they'll find out eventually.
Ken
...They'll find out whether they like it or not, how painful it can be.
Taiga
...
Nagi
Next is RUST! Let it fly!
— Some time later —
Audience cheering
GLaP day Member
——Thanks, everyone!
Nagi
And to top it off, of course, it's none other than us——
Nagi
RADder!!
Audience cheering
Ken
That's our cue. Let's go, Taiga.
Taiga
Don't boss me around, I can hear her just fine.
Audience cheering
Nagi
You guys, your faces. You're both scowling.
Nagi
Hey, today, let's just have as much fun as possible.
Nagi
And——let's make this a day we'll never forget.
Ken
...Yeah. You're right.
Taiga
...
Taiga
——Let's go.
Nagi
Yeah!!
Audience cheering
Ken & Nagi & Taiga
♪———— ~ ~ !! ♪———— ~ ~ ~ ~ !!
Ken
(Ahhh...it's so hot.)
Ken
(Us, our audience, this venue, it's so hot that it might all just melt together.)
Ken
(It's just like...how it used to be.)
Ken
(Back then——when we gathered at COL on the weekends to sing like fools, when we weren't thinking about labels or who we were delivering ourselves to, when we didn't have a single piece of baggage.)
Ken
(We were just singing out music the way we wanted, as desperately as possible. ...Haha, if you strip it down like that, it's simple.)
Ken
(We just wanted——we just want to do this...!!)
Ken
♪————! ♪————!!
Ken
(...An.)
Ken
(...That's right. I'm sure you'll get to this place too, someday.)
Ken
(And that, to me——)
Taiga
♪————!
Taiga
(...Hah! This is as hot as it gets!)
Taiga
(I'm sure Nagi would be pissed if I said it, but I wouldn't mind dropping dead right here!!)
Taiga
(With Nagi here, with Ken here, and everyone in town here——)
Taiga
(Right here——this place is hotter than any place in the world!!)
Ken & Nagi
♪———— ~ ~ ~ ~ !!
Taiga
(...Hey Nagi, Ken.)
Taiga
(I...I don't wanna let go of this heat, no matter what.)
Taiga
(What we've been doing together up until now, making the best music in the world.)
Taiga
(Even when I die, I don't wanna let it go. I'll fire it up down in hell, too!)
Flashback
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Nagi
If it's for my sake, you don't have to.
Nagi
I want the two of you to go down the paths that you love.
End flashback
Taiga
(——Nagi. This isn't for you.)
Taiga
(I'm——!)
Taiga
♪————! ♪———— ~ ~ !
Ken & Nagi & Taiga
♪———— ~ ~ !! ♪———— ~ ~ ~ ~ !!
— Some time later —
Audience cheering
Ken
(...Is it over...? ——It's over, isn't it?)
Nagi
...Everyone, good job!
Nagi
That really was the greatest event ever! The best in my whole life!
Nagi
Thanks for listening to my selfish request...really, thank you!
Taiga
——Nagi.
Taiga
After everything, no matter what you say to me, my resolve won't change.
Taiga
No matter what, I'll make our music the best in the world.
Taiga
This is for nobody's sake——I'm doing it for myself.
Taiga
...Ken. What will you do?
Ken
I——
Ken
I realized something today.
Ken
...In the end, all we wanted to do was sing like hell, and enjoy the euphoria of the moment.
Taiga
Hah. That's a given. It's just that you were too much of a hardass to admit it.
Ken
Maybe so. But——right after that, I looked into the audience and saw An, and I got thinking.
Ken
"I wanna see what comes next."
Ken
The fire we lit in the town today will continue to grow.
Ken
What'll happen to An and the others——to the next generation of this town.
Ken
I wanna see it through. That's what I thought.
Nagi
...I see.
Taiga
...*sigh*. I guess when you start calling yourself someone's old man, the way you think starts to get older too. You used to have such a cold look in your eyes.
Ken
Hey, just say I broadened my horizons, would you?
Nagi
...Haha.
Nagi
In that case, I'll be watching over you two from up in the sky while you fight the good fight!
Taiga
Ahhh...that's a little annoying.
Ken
You're right. I'd never have a moment of peace if Nagi was hanging over my head all the time.
Nagi
Eh!? Wait, that's a little mean!
Nagi
——Well, with that, this is the end of my life as a musician!
Nagi
Beyond the horizon of our dream——
Nagi
I'm sure the next generation will be walking in that light.
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2 weeks later
Hospital
Hospital
Ken
Nagi...
Ken
(...I've never seen Nagi look so weak.)
Ken
(It hasn't even been a month since RAD WEEKEND...)
Nagi
...Ah, you two. You came. Sorry, I didn't notice you.
Ken
No, we only just got here.
Taiga
Here, I brought you a gift. Ma comes by every so often, right? If that's too much for you to eat, you can share it with her.
Nagi
Yeah, thanks. ——Hey, how's the town been?
Ken
It's more fired up than I've ever seen before. But for every person who's serious about music, there's just as many butting heads, for better or worse.
Taiga
You got that right. There are people who've given up already and said there's no way to surpass it, but there's also people who say they definitely will and have dug in just as hard.
Nagi
I see. ...And An?
Ken
You should know without me telling you, right? The other day she called out to some friends of hers, and they put on an event together.
Nagi
Ooh...! That sounds just like her, so quick to act.
Ken
Yeah, really makes you wonder who she takes after...
Taiga
...You're making a face like "that ain't me", but you know you're not one to be talking, right?
Taiga
You announced your retirement, and now you've gone insane. You're gonna "open a cafe"? That's not like you at all...
Nagi
Ken's running a cafe? That's pretty impulsive. Did Yuka-san get upset with you?
Ken
Well, a little bit. But when I explained everything to her properly, she understood.
Ken
...The next generation are gonna have it rough, after all. They'll need a place to catch their breath.
Ken
Ahhh...speaking of which, An is looking for a partner she can trust now. She wants to be like us, she says.
Nagi
Oh, a partner for An. I wonder who it'll be. If it's a kid with as much energy as her, they might end up arguing pretty often...
Taiga
You might be surprised. It could be someone pretty reserved, like you used to be. Even though you were a crybaby who clung to people's backs, you were still the most stubborn brat around.
Nagi
Shut up, leave me out of this. ...But a quiet person like that might not be so surprising after all.
Nagi
An has a competitive streak, but she likes taking care of people.
Nagi
I hope she finds someone good for her. It might take time to find someone who sings as well as she does, though.
Nagi
...I wonder what kind of kid they'll be...I wish I could've seen for myself.
Ken
...Are you really okay not telling An?
Nagi
...
Ken
If I explain everything to An, I can bring her by to come and visit you. Don't you...want to talk to her?
Nagi
...Of course I do. But——
Nagi
Ken. It's fine, you really don't have to tell her.
Nagi
——I believe in her.
Nagi
If that next generation really exists, I'm absolutely, positively sure that An will be one of them.
Nagi
A kid like her, who grew up so loved by everyone in this town and loves everyone in return, will naturally be able to put her feelings into song.
Nagi
So, if she meets someone hurting, she'll be able to be there for them, and if she meets someone who's scared, she'll be able to encourage and comfort them. She'll be able to sing honestly, for someone else's sake.
Nagi
What I realized in this town, the most important lesson for someone to learn about singing, An already knows better than anyone——
Nagi
That's why, I believe that An will be able to go beyond my...beyond our dream, for us.
Ken
...
Nagi
But, An's still a kid...
Nagi
And if she knows when I die, she'll be in pain no matter what.
Nagi
All her memories of me...all her memories of singing, might become something painful.
Nagi
And if that happens...she might stop singing.
Nagi
And I...don't want that to happen.
Ken
...I see.
Nagi
...I really am selfish, aren't I?
Nagi
Asking you all to say I haven't died is selfish, too.
Nagi
...To be honest, I said that so I could stay connected to everyone in this town——
Nagi
But it's also because the future that An and the next generation will walk toward——I want to see it alongside them.
Nagi
Even if all that's left of me is the name Kotaki Nagi——I wanna see it with them.
Nagi
It's just a simple...selfish wish.
Taiga
...
Nagi
That's why——that's why.
Nagi
If someday, An grows up to be so strong that she'll be fine even after she learns the truth...
Nagi
I want you to tell her about me properly.
Nagi
I want you to talk to her properly...and tell her "I believe in you".
Nagi
——Tell her about today, too.
Nagi
When that time comes, she won't be the same An who sulks because I didn't watch her practice.
Nagi
By then, she'll be cool, and beautiful, and she'll heat up the town with her straightforward singing...because I'm sure she was always meant to be the best musician around.
Ken
...Yeah...yeah... I'll tell her...I promise.
Nagi
Yeah...I'll leave it to you.
Nagi
Big brother.
Taiga
...What?
Nagi
Thank you for teaching me how to sing.
Nagi
It was the best, most fun life I could've asked for.
Taiga
...
Taiga
...Yeah...it was for me, too...
An's Father
——And then, one week later...
An's Father
Nagi quietly drew her last breath.