Ballade No. 1, Frédéric Chopin

“Come on, Katy. Don’t you really remember this place?”

The following afternoon, I brought my partner to the piano bar. Not only was that my last chance to rekindle her love for music, but it might also be the last time I could enjoy it myself as a human being.

“No…”

Weak and confused, she entered hesitantly by my side, stepping into the wooden expanse of tables gathered around the rustic instrument.

Her condition had only worsened. Sometimes she forgot me, others she forgot where she was or even her own name.

“Come on, don’t just stand there. No one’s looking at you…” I concealed my pain to avoid ruining this final date.

“Isayama?” We walked unsteadily toward one of the tables. “Why are you wearing a scarf in summer?”

“This?” I feigned calmness. “It’s not a scarf; it’s a dress handkerchief. The latest city fashion.”

“Fashion?” We sat down in front of the piano.

“Don’t worry about it—just me being silly.”

She just nodded back.

Seeing her in that state corroded my soul. Her radiant smiles were gone, and I could barely find even a glimmer of light in the gold of her eyes.

“Look, look, there goes the artist.” I pointed to the man stepping onto the stage.

Uncomfortable, she merely observed as the pianist greeted and thanked the audience before beginning.

Once silence fell, I closed my eyes and took her cold, trembling hand in mine.

Dear piano, thank you for everything…

The first notes of the spell began to play. For an instant, the sound lit up her golden gaze.

…but I think this is goodbye.

Poetically, on that fevered gray night, the artist chose to play my favorite piece.

The same one from that lost afternoon in April. That sorrowful piece whose notes slipped through my fingers as darkness stirred my soul.

That spiral of beautiful despair: Ballade No. 1, by Frédéric Chopin.

When it ended, I opened my eyes again.

The music restored my faith. I was certain that, despite the spinal implants, I would fall in love with it all over again.

Katy looked around, confused by the people applauding.

And in the crowd, I saw him.

He was watching me from the bar, alone, smiling.

“Katy, wait here for a second…”

Without wasting a moment, I walked toward Touji, who greeted me with his usual radiance.

“I didn’t expect to find you here…”

I cut him off, grabbing his collar and slamming him against the wooden panel behind him.

“What do you know about the biological weapon?” I strangled him, completely consumed by the stress I’d been bottling up.

“Calm down, calm down, Isayama. You don’t want to make a scene here…”

“Don’t mess with me, Touji. There’s nothing more dangerous than a dying man…”

“Alright… Let’s talk.” He remained calm. “But please, let go of me so we can discuss this like civilized people.”

Everyone was watching us. As soon as I eased my grip, they pretended to return to their business.

“If you lie to me, I’ll infect you with S-Flu, you hear me?” I gestured to the scarf around my neck.

“Threats don’t suit you, friend…”

“Start talking. What were you doing the other day at the same table as Irina Kaft?”

“Irina…”

“I know you’re part of a radical anti-implant group. What’s Irina’s connection to them? What was Ilya Reutermann doing with the quarantine team the day Yamaguchi-sensei died?”

Despite my questions, I couldn’t wipe the confident expression off his face.

“You’re asking the wrong questions, Isayama.”

“What?”

“They have nothing to do with this. You’re looking in the wrong place.”

“Touji, I’m not in the mood for games…”

“I’m serious. They have no connection to my organization.”

“Then what about your organization? Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“The biological weapon—don’t take me for a fool…”

“We don’t have any biological weapon, friend.”

“Yes, you do…”

“Got any proof?”

“Touji, please, give me one sole reason not to infect you with S-Flu and kill you right here…”

“What a brute… Would you really do it in front of Katy Shimizu?” He maintained his composure.

“Give me one reason!”

“Hmm, because if you kill me impulsively, you won’t have any evidence to defend yourself. You’ll be just another murderer, you won’t save Katy, no one will believe you, and you’ll die—either from S-Flu or the very weapon you’re investigating if they implant you.”

Fuck…

Without another word, I stood up and walked away.

“Goodbye, Isayama. Good luck.”

Hiding the rot on my neck with my scarf, I returned to my table, where Katy looked at me with confusion.

So affected by BlackBrain that she couldn’t even grasp her surroundings…

“Isayama, is everything okay?”

My hand trembled even more than hers.

“Yes, everything’s fine. What did you think of the first piece of music?”

“I don’t know…”

“Well, if you’d like, we can listen to one more before I take you home.”

“Take me home?”

“Yes, sorry for not mentioning it earlier, but I’m going to be away for a couple of days. I’ll call Rin and Hana to stay with you again.” I held her hand.

“And you?”

“I’m going to visit my father. It’s been a while since we last spoke.”

“Oh, I see,” she said with innocence. “Did I know him too? Can you give him my regards?”

“Of course, I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear them.” I smiled.