014 – For the One I Love #3
Goddess Melinoë scowled at the sudden appearance of Prince Zagreus. Of all people, why did it have to be the one she least wanted to see right now? Of course, blood ties weren't the issue at the moment.
"Zagreus, Sisyphus's break time seems to have already exceeded ten minutes. What are you going to do about that? If things stay like this, Section Chief Jo won't escape a pay cut."
"Mel, didn't you see the hourglass Section Chief Jo was holding earlier? That's a ten-minute one. Until all the sand runs out, Sisyphus's break isn't over yet."
"Oppa, that wasn't a ten-minute hourglass. It was a one-hour one."
"Then go complain to Cronus about it. If he says it's ten minutes, then an hour becomes ten minutes. You're not daring to question a god's authority, are you? That would be against etiquette."
There was a rule among the gods: they had to respect each other's domains and powers. Even the highest god had to acknowledge the authority of the lowliest one. And it seemed Section Chief Jo was well aware of that fact.
"For a regular employee, he's remarkably resourceful. If this works out, we'll owe him big time. I'm already getting a headache thinking about what reward to give him."
Melinoë simply shut her mouth. Zagreus hadn't really been expecting a reply anyway, so the two stood awkwardly by the banks of the underworld river.
They were siblings who had clashed over the management rights and succession of Soul Society. Though neither said it aloud, a subtle war of nerves simmered between them.
After a while, Prince Zagreus spoke first.
"You seem to care quite a bit about Section Chief Jo."
"It's the other way around. Jo cares about me."
Princess Melinoë clenched her fist around the coin purse in her pocket. Oblivious to the state of her finances, Prince Zagreus started to say something but then held out a small, round object.
"Want some candy?"
"No."
"You used to like it."
"Never happened. I'm a goddess born noble and per.fect. Unlike you."
"Of course. Then the noble and perfect goddess won't mind the upcoming massive audit at all. You know audit team staff can't be swayed even by executives' prestige, right?"
The massive audit. Digging through ancient files to nitpick every number and letter, doling out judgments.
Melinoë already felt exhausted, but at the same time, she was impressed. Section Chief Jo. What he was pulling off right now was all because of that massive audit.
The special prisoner Orpheus case had a major issue from the start. Sure, no one had called it out until now, but Business Renewal turned everything upside down...
If she'd stayed quiet, Melinoë would have faced massive embarrassment. So Section Chief Jo had volunteered to take the hit—risking pay cuts, punishment, even dismissal—for her sake.
Jo, to go that far for me...
Melinoë recalled their first meeting. Though, truthfully, she didn't remember much. It was the first time she'd ever gotten blackout drunk. The first time her memory had cut out like that.
What she knew for sure was that, that morning, Jo had braved being late on an important day to find her wallet. And after that, he'd shown endless dedication for her sake.
He must be in love with me for sure. I don't remember what we talked about when I was drunk, but he must have fallen for me then.
First sight, no doubt. She was a perfect, mature goddess with no secrets or weaknesses.
Me. What a terrifying woman.
Of course, Melinoë wasn't someone a mortal like Jo could easily approach. She defined herself as the perfect career woman and terrifying nightmare goddess—
"Oh, right, Zagreus. Is there a soul named Magnus living in your Elysium?"
"Why."
"To make him spend a cruel. tor. tur. ous hour."
# # #
Whew, shit. A massive chill just ran down my spine. Why? Simple. Sisyphus.
"Section Chief Jo, you're truly terrifying! You even calculated Prince Zagreus's arrival? How many moves ahead do you see?!"
Sisyphus kept shivering and exclaiming in awe until the ferry arrived at the Elysium riverbank.
"I thought the timing was coincidental, but did you foresee this whole thing and arrange for me and Cronus in advance too? It's chilling!"
What the hell was he talking about? At this point, I was starting to fear what I might have done without realizing it.
"I prided myself on wisdom rivaling Prometheus, but I can't compete with you, Section Chief Jo."
"Mr. Sisyphus, what are you even saying?"
"The massive audit, Soul Society's annual event. Isn't all this because of it? Especially this time—it's special because of the 'newbie.'"
I knew the massive audit was coming soon. Headquarters' audit team were vicious bastards who could shake black dust from a pure white cloth. When they swarmed in, flipping every file to find flaws, even the most honest person would have a few scratches exposed.
Depending on severity, punishments like pay cuts. Some even got fired. Maybe I'll get fired over this Orpheus thing. That'd be perfect.
Illegal actions right before the audit? It was like protesting please fire me!
But Sisyphus was busy marveling to himself as if he'd realized something profound.
"Wow, things got interesting. But too much noise isn't good. As you know, secrecy is key here. I'll pretend I know nothing now."
Pretend what? Whatever it was, the musclebound loudmouth shutting up was a win. The clear fact was I'd let Orpheus out on my own authority. Clear abuse of power. To complete the plan, I'd shoved him along.
"Mr. Orpheus, get off the boat now."
"Mr. Jo, maybe I should head back. Look at this place. The skyscrapers stretch so high, almost to the surface! Too flashy for an old singer like me..."
Orpheus was being timid. Intimidated by the glow of the underworld metropolis, Elysium New City, he hesitated to step off. I kept pushing his back.
"Get off. Off."
In the end, Orpheus and I set foot in Elysium New City. So, where to now—
I was pulling out the map from my pocket when—
"A sound..."
Orpheus, who had been acting like a scaredy-cat moments ago, started slowly walking toward the noise.
# # #
Orpheus closed his eyes each time, striving to recall his living days. Remembering those happy times stirred inspiration from deep within.
—Orpheus, and—ke. Death shall not part you until it claims you both.
Recalling that warmed him. Yet it also stabbed like a cold shovel ripping his chest. A massive hole gaped in his heart. Even singing his favorite songs, it echoed emptily, producing only displeasing notes.
Why am I like this?
Something lost. Even what it was, forgotten. Each time, Orpheus sang louder, earning scorn.
—Sigh, he was such a star in life.
—Orpheus is washed up now. Washed up.
—Is this really Orpheus?
Washed up. His career might have ended when he lost that something. Orpheus desperately tried to remember—and.
Convinced it was the lyre made from nymph hair.
Ding ding ding—
Such lyre sounds from the street. Orpheus wandered the unfamiliar, light-filled city.
"Section Chief Jo, wh-what is that?"
"An electronic billboard. First time in Elysium, right, Mr. Orpheus?"
Orpheus looked up at the billboard featuring a woman's face. Golden-haired woman.
Popular Group E&S! Dome Concert This Weekend!
'Forgot You' and 21 More Songs—Live Full Set Challenge!
Her beaming image on the billboard was dazzling. Familiar. Missed. Sad.
Seeing her, something hot surged in Orpheus's chest.
—Olphi, sing for me. Quick.
—Eurydice, then let's duet together.
"...Ah... Aah..."
Why had he forgotten until now? His lover, loved so deeply he'd braved the underworld despite terror.
She was his soul itself, beyond mere inspiration. Because he'd forgotten his soul as a musician, no song would come.
"Orpheus, any memories coming back?"
"Section Chief Jo, can you tell Eurydice I'm here? She'll welcome me for sure. Where can I find her...!? She's in this city...!?"
Ding ding ding—
Orpheus followed the melody. At the street performance—
"It's fine. Ding ding ding ding ding—"
The woman singing into the mic looked very familiar. Orpheus raised his hand and shouted.
"Eurydi—"
"Eurydol!"
"Eurydol!"
"Encore!"
But his voice drowned in the crowd's cheers. Unlike soul-forgotten Orpheus, she sang with her bandmates.
Called Eurydol, loved by many. Her long hair now short, her once timid face beaming confident smiles.
"For our finale, new song 'Forgot You!' Give it your all!"
Woo—
"......"
Orpheus glanced at his reflection in a nearby shop window. Clown-white face paint. Meaningless long hair.
The image they remembered no longer existed anywhere.
"...Section Chief Jo, I want to head back today. Long trip tired me out."
"We've come this far. No need to meet Ms. Eurydice? The show's ending soon."
"It's fine. Seeing she's doing well is enough. Jo, risking so much for me—truly grateful. This favor, I'll surely..."
The soul-less clown turned his back on the divine city's lights and cheers. Stumbling precariously, he reached the river mouth quickly, returning to his cramped room.
This time, he absolutely didn't look back.
"If I truly love her... disappearing like this is right..."
Orpheus curled up on the bed. No more melodies filled his room. He was silent as a dead canary.
In this situation, the multi-family housing residents praised one employee.
"Section Chief Jo, what did that terrifying guy do?"
"Yeah, that 'self-proclaimed Orpheus' stopped singing."
"Thanks to that, it's quiet now. Nice!"