Devil’s Music

Ben rummaged through the documents and asked, "These are documents about people related to Kay, mentioned in the 'Song of the Piano.' I'd like to ask about two of Kay's friends, Kushion and Fei, mentioned there."

Holding up the paperwork, Ben continued, "There's no information left about Kay's friends Kushion and Fei mentioned in this piece. I've looked through all the photos as well, but there isn't a single everyday photo remaining."

Kiska's face clouded with longing as she responded, "They didn't like having their photos taken. Even when I forced a camera on them as a child, they'd turn their heads, so any photos that were taken are all blurred and you can't make out their faces."

"Is that so? What kind of people were they?" Ben asked.

"They were people who stood by my brother until his last moments. And now, we've lost contact, which is a bit sad. I wish they would at least send some news about where they are and what they're doing."

"Ah... I see. Kushion, Fei, if you're watching this broadcast, please contact Professor Kiska. She's been waiting for you."

"Brothers, please contact me. I'm waiting," Kiska added, agreeing with Ben's sentiment.

Ben chuckled slightly and then looked at Olivia standing beside the camera.

Olivia changed the photo she was holding, and Ben nodded slightly, naturally transitioning to the next topic.

"This photo is from Kay's second studio album, 'Doll of Red Castle.' Many people were curious about who the doll mentioned in the album was, but it later turned out to be Professor Kiska herself, which became quite a topic of discussion."

"Yes, it was me. I was so happy when my brother filled that entire album with songs about me," Kiska reminisced.

"This album came out three years after the first studio album when you turned eighteen, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Actually, I did pester him a bit."

"Pester him? What do you mean?"

"I kept asking him to write songs about me, but I never imagined he would fill the entire album with my stories, haha."

"Ah... I see. So, the album you nagged into existence not only topped the Billboard charts but also swept the Grammys and the American Music Awards?"

"Well, even though I nagged for it, it was still my brother's music. He wouldn't have made it carelessly."

"Haha, that's impressive. So, what's the backstory for your next studio album, 'Father,' released two years later?"

"My brother didn't get along with our father when we were young. After graduating from school, he moved the whole family to the U.S., and it took over five years for them to heal their wounds and finally mend their relationship with our father. That's when he made the album."

"I see. I also cried a lot listening to that song. It reminded me not just of love for a father but also of forgotten past memories of my father, who loved me dearly when I was very young. It made me think that I should be good to my father too."

"Haha, that's why my brother became a musician loved even by adults."

"Haha, indeed. Our parents also really liked Kay. Although he was a young musician, the tremendous love he received from the older generation must have had its reasons."

"Kay left a total of 10 albums until his passing at the age of 87, each sweeping awards like the Billboard, Grammys, American Music Awards, and even MTV Music Awards. All his albums featured lyrics by Professor Kiska, right?"

"Yes, that's right. And all the albums featured performances by Sister Shizuka and Brother Kevin."

"Ah! I forgot about them for a moment. Where are they now? They haven't been active lately, so we haven't heard much about them."

"They are together in Japan."

"Japan?"

"Yes, Brother Kevin was around forty. After courting for over 15 years, he finally married Sister Shizuka, and they've been living happily in retirement in Japan."

"I know that. It was quite a sensation back then."

"Yes, back then Sister Shizuka liked Brother Kay, but she fell for Brother Kevin's persistent courting, and I got rid of a rival, haha."

"Haha, I see. It seems you and Kay got married quite late, right?"

"Yes, he was forty-four, and I was thirty-three."

"Why did you marry so late?"

"Well, it took that long for him to see me as a woman. After all, we've known each other since we were very young."

"I see, when Kay's marriage was announced, fans were sad, but when they learned it was with you, many blessed you instead."

"Yes, I am very grateful for that."

"But even after that, you didn't stop making

music, instead, your activities increased. Many experts see this as a synergy created by the two of you working together."

"Yes, every day, we sat at that piano and made music. Even now, when I see that piano, I think of my brother."

"I see, after Kay's passing, many countries requested to create a grave for Kay in their lands, but ultimately, his grave was placed inside this mansion."

"Many people wanted to visit to mourn Kay, but you didn't allow them inside the mansion. Is there a particular reason for that?"

Kiska smiled, but her smile looked very sad. She paused before speaking, her gaze drifting outside the window.

"I wanted to let him rest peacefully. I also wanted him to be just for me from now on."

Ben closed his mouth for a moment, and all the staff silently watched her saddened expression. Olivia, who was supposed to direct the scene, also silently bowed her head, deeply touched by her profound sadness.

After a while, the staff said their goodbyes multiple times and left Red Castle. Alone, Kiska sat in front of the piano with a distant expression.

Sitting on the piano bench, she gently stroked the black body of the piano and quietly closed her eyes.

Silence flowed through the annex, and soon her breathing slowly stopped.

*

White clouds, a warm breeze.

On a fluffy cloud, thirty baby angels each holding their instruments focused on the conductor as they played beautiful music.

On a high cloud hill a little away, two blond men sat side by side on golden chairs, smiling broadly as they listened to the music.

The shorter blond man, wearing a white dress, said to the long-haired blond man sitting next to him, "Caliel is displeased... Raphael."

Raphael, addressed as such, chuckled softly.

"Of course, he shot up to our level in no time, plus I teased him a bit. Haha."

"Haha, you're always like this."

"What does He say?" asked Michael.

"He's very pleased that you're back. Didn't He give you the name Raphael instead of Gamagin?"

"Yes, I asked since I hadn't seen Him since I received the name."

"He's always busy. He's looking over the human world right now."

"Where is He?"

"Somewhere, I suppose. God is everywhere. If someone turns their back on the direction of life when humans give up on life, God is there."

"Haha, indeed."

Michael and Raphael continued chatting as a couple appeared behind the golden chairs.

A curly long-haired man approached and bowed respectfully.

"Michael, Raphael, I greet you."

Raphael laughed playfully.

"Ah, Caliel, how have you been? Is your lower rank peaceful?"

Caliel frowned and looked up, seeing Raphael giggling and Michael smiling wryly. Pointing at Raphael, Caliel complained, "Isn't this really unfair?"

"Kikiki, if you're envious, why not raise a good child yourself?"

"Phew, maybe I really should consider it."

Watching the two, Michael grinned broadly.

"Why? Want to rise above me?"

"Ah! No, not at all!"

Caliel's embarrassment amused them, causing Michael and Raphael to burst into laughter. Raphael peeked at a teenage girl hiding behind Caliel.

"Nanael, have you been well?"

Nanael, still haunted by memories of Raphael's time as Gamagin, cringed.

"Yes, yes! Gam... ah, no, Lord Raphael!"

"That's right, you owe me a lot. Don't be so nervous."

"Yes... alright."

Caliel and Nanael turned to watch the angels' performance. Caliel, listening to the beautifully resonating music for a moment, noticed the conductor leading the angelic orchestra at the front and commented, "That guy can't let go of music even as an angel."

Nanael shook her head, correcting him, "He's not just an angel, Caliel. He's a lesser god now, so you shouldn't speak so casually."

Caliel grumbled discontentedly, "Both Raphael and that guy! Now I can't even speak freely, it's so unfair!"

Hearing Caliel's jealous remark, Raphael stood up and approached the angelic orchestra, saying, "Haha, don't see it that way."

As Raphael approached, the angelic orchestra stopped playing, and each member bowed their heads from their positions.

The conductor, still smiling broadly, turned around as the music halted. Seeing the approaching Raphael, his smile grew even wider—it was Geon in his youth.

"Lord Raphael!"

Raphael placed a hand on Geon's shoulder, smiling beautifully.

"Having fun?"

"Yes! Always fun!"

"Haha, good. It's time to go now."

"Yes! Haha."

Geon took Raphael's hand and walked through the clouds.

"Have you been waiting long for this moment? Are you happy?"

"Yes, very happy

!"

"In the human world, they would be sad."

"Eventually, they'll all come here, so what's the point?"

"Haha, true."

Raphael and Geon reached a place where a long white staircase stretched down through the clouds.

At the end of the staircase, a small figure on the top saw Geon waiting and joyfully ran up the stairs.

"Haha, that child always loves you."

"Haha, she's the most precious person in the world to me."

"Go on, go and greet her."

"Yes!!"

Geon ran down the stairs as a little girl with platinum blonde hair, tears in her eyes, ran up the stairs shouting, "Brother Kay!!!"

With a bright smile, Geon shouted back, "Haha!! Kiska!! Sorry I'm late!!!"

The END

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